resulting policy implications that the population of the entire planet must face. The volume describes the earth as a unified system--exploring the interactions between the atmosphere, land, and water and the snowballing impact that human activity is having on the system--and presents perspectives on policies and programs that can both develop and protect our natural resources. One Earth, One Future discusses why such seemingly diverse issues as historical climate change, species diversity, and sea-level rise are part of a single picture--and how human activity is the critical element in that picture. The book concludes with practical examinations of economic, security, and development questions, with a view toward achieving improvements in quality of life without further environmental degradation. One Earth, One Future is must reading for anyone interested in the interrelationship of environmental matters and public policy issues. Table of ContentsFront Matter1. IntroductionThe Earth as a System2. A New Science of the Earth3. Lessons from the Geologic Past4. System Interactions: Atmosphere, Oceans, Land, and Humans5. Humanity: An Agent of Global Environmental ChangeThe Faces of Global Eniornmental Change6. Global Warming7. Food, Water, and Changing Climate8. Coastlines and Rising Seas9. The Ozone Layer and Ultraviolet Radiation10. Vanishing Forests and Vanishing Species11. Lakes, Forests, and Acid DepositionAfterwordAppendixesA. Selected ReadingB. Forum on Global Change and Our Common Future: Agenda and SpeakersC. Committee on Global Change and Oversight Committee MembersD. Letter on Global Environmental Change to President-Elect George Bush from the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of MedicineIndex

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