This is a wide-ranging and persuasive book written by an undisputed expert. Beginning with a broad history of the Universe, Earth, Life, and Man, it considers the origins and rise of science and technology, before moving on to discuss the present state of the world and its/our possible futures. Humans on Earth then addresses the main challenges for social and economic development in the 21st century in the context of global change. It presents a detailed but non-technical analysis of questions relating to climate change, our dependence on fossil fuels, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, desertification, and air, water, soil, and ocean pollution, as well as problems related to overpopulation, poverty, social and economic inequalities, and conflict potential. The three main, but largely mutually exclusive, discourses on human development and the environment are described and discussed. The main emphasis is on the risks and uncertainties of the short-term future – the next 50 to 100 years – with regard to environmental degradation and the sustainability of our growth paradigm. "... a sweeping, thoughtful view of the role of humans in shaping our modern world." Paul Epstein, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard Medical School

Fruit des techniques cartographiques les plus récentes et réalisé par les plus grands experts du monde, primé pour son design et son contenu, cet atlas offre de multiples atouts : des cartes entièrement mises à jour qui couvrent l'ensemble de la planète, des planches thématiques impressionnantes traitant de tous les grands problèmes actuels, des plans détaillés des plus grandes villes du monde, une présentation géographique et économique complète de tous les États du monde, avec localisation, drapeau et chiffres clés, un index exhaustif renvoyant à tous les noms figurant sur les cartes.