The Earth System

For courses in Earth Systems Science offered in departments of Geology, Earth Science, Geography and Environmental Science. The first textbook of its kind that addresses the issues of global change from a true Earth systems perspective, The Earth System offers a solid emphasis on lessons from Earth's history that may guide decision-making in the future. It is more rigorous and quantitative than traditional Earth science books, while remaining appropriate for non-science majors.Glossary. 1. Global Change 2. Daisyworld: An Introduction to Systems 3. Global Energy Balance: The Greenhouse Effect 4. The Atmospheric Circulation System 5. The Circulation of the Oceans 6. The Cryosphere 7. Circulation of the Solid Earth: Plate Tectonics 8. Recycling of the Elements 9. Focus on the Biota: Metabolism, Ecosystems and Biodiversity 10. Origin of the Earth and of Life 11. Effect of Life on the Atmosphere: The Rise of Oxygen and Ozone 12. Long-Term Climate Regulation. 13. Biodiversity Through Earth History. 14. Pleistocene Glaciations. 15. Global Warming, Part 1: The Scientific Evidence. 16. Global Warming, Part 2: Impacts, Adaptation, and Mitigation 17. Ozone Depletion. 18. Human Threats to Biodiversity. 19. Climate Stability on Earth and Earth-Like Planets. Appendix A: Units and Unit Conversions. Appendix B: Temperature Conversions. Appendix C: Periodic Table. Index.