Review: This volume discusses and illustrates the effects of the world's population on natural resources, land use, atmosphere, chemicals, wastes, ecosystems, and biodiversity. It is filled with high-quality maps, charts, and informative illustrations."--"Outstanding Reference Sources," American Libraries, May 2002

Earth is imperiled. Human activities are adversely affecting the land, water, air, and myriad forms of biological life that comprise the ecosystems of our planet. Indicators of global warming and holes in the ozone layer inhibit functions vital to the biosphere. Environmental damage to the planet becomes damaging to human health and well-being now and into the future—and too often that damage affects those who are least able to protect themselves. Can religion make a positive contribution to preventing further destruction of biological diversity and ecosystems and threats to our earth? Jame Schaefer thinks that it can, and she examines the thought of Christian Church fathers and medieval theologians to reveal and retrieve insights that may speak to our current plight. By reconstructing the teachings of Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and other classic thinkers to reflect our current scientific understanding of the world, Schaefer shows how to "green" the Catholic faith: to value the goodness of creation, to appreciate the beauty of creation, to respect creation's praise for God, to acknowledge the kinship of all creatures, to use creation with gratitude and restraint, and to live virtuously within the earth community.

This acclaimed text has been fully revised and updated, now incorporating issues including aging of the reproductive system, and updates on the chapters on conception and Gamete Transport and Fertilization, and Pregnancy.Human Reproductive Biology, Third Edition emphasizes the biological and biomedical aspects of human reproduction, explains advances in reproductive science and discusses the choices and concerns of today. Generously illustrated in full color, the text provides current information about human reproductive anatomy and physiology.The ideal book for courses on human reproductive biology - includes chapter introductions, sidebars on related topics of interest, chapter summaries and suggestions for further reading. - All material competely updated with the latest research results, methods, and topics now organized to facilitate logical presentation of topics - New chapters on Reproductive Senescence, Conception: Gamete Transport, Fertilization, Pregnancy: Maternal Aspects and Pregnancy: Fetal Development - Full color illustrations

This book will change the way we understand the future of our planet. It is both alarming and hopeful. James Gustave Spetch, renowned as a visionary environmentalist leader, warns that in spite of all the international negotiations and agreements of the past two decades, efforts to protect Earth's environment are not succeeding. Still, he says, the challenges are not insurmountable. He offers environmental threats around the world. The author explains why current approaches to critical global environmental problems Climate change, biodiversity loss, deterioration of marine environments, deforestation, water shortages, and others don't work now and won't work in the future. He provides a stinging critique of the failure of U.S. leadership and offers intriguing insights into why the U.S. has been able to address domestic environmental threats with some success while largely failing at the international level. Setting forth eight specific steps to a sustainable future, Speth convincingly argues that dramatically different and far-reaching actions by citizens and governments are now urgent. If ever a book could be described as essential , this is it.

The perfect society depicted in this book is inspired by the perfect aquarium. The book describes the basic outline of a perfect society and explores the practical feasibility of realizing a perfect society. In the book, one can also find the answers to essential issues related to human society. For example, what is the nature of people? What is the truth? What is the model of the ultimate perfect society of mankind? Can humans establish a realistic perfect society? The book differs from existing political books, which generally overidealize their society models to the extent of being detached from reality or are limited by a class stand that narrows their outlook. Perfect Society, written from the viewpoint of the whole ecosystem, presents a unique perspective and analyzes various problems of human society based on all the cultural achievements of modern society. It will help people gain a deep understanding of the relations among all the elements of human society and is a must-read classic for those researching the quest for a perfect society. The book follows a careful thinking path and strict logic and is easy to master. Perfect Society is written in a scientific style, shaking off the common feature of former political books, which are either obscure and difficult to understand or lack scientific basis. Therefore, it can serve as a milestone for political writings relating to human nature.

Now in an updated edition, this pioneering and authoritative study considers the profound impact of the growing global water crunch on international peace and security as well as possible ways to mitigate the crisis. Although water is essential to sustaining life and livelihoods, geostrategist Brahma Chellaney argues that it remains the world’s most underappreciated and undervalued resource. One sobering fact is that the retail price of bottled water is already higher than the international spot price of crude oil. But unlike oil, water has no substitute, raising the specter of water becoming the next flashpoint for conflict. Water war as a concept may not mesh with the conventional construct of warfare, especially for those who plan with tanks, combat planes, and attack submarines as weapons. Yet armies don’t necessarily have to march to battle to seize or defend water resources. Water wars—in a political, diplomatic, or economic sense—are already being waged between riparian neighbors in many parts of the world, fueling cycles of bitter recrimination, exacerbating water challenges, and fostering mistrust that impedes broader regional cooperation and integration. The danger is that these water wars could escalate to armed conflict or further limit already stretched food and energy production. Writing in a direct, nontechnical, and engaging style, Brahma Chellaney draws on a wide range of research from scientific and policy fields to examine the different global linkages between water and peace. Offering a holistic picture and integrated solutions, his book has become the recognized authority on the most precious natural resource of this century and how we can secure humankind’s water future.

This is the first academic publication to highlight the linkages between Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Key issues and challenges related to CCA-DRR synergy and interactions are highlighted throughout, mostly drawing lessons and experiences from the field practices and greatly increasing current awareness.