Details

Surviving 1000 Centuries


Surviving 1000 Centuries

Can We Do It?
Springer Praxis Books

von: Roger-Maurice Bonnet, Lodewyk Woltjer

42,79 €

Verlag: Praxis
Format: PDF
Veröffentl.: 02.04.2010
ISBN/EAN: 9780387746357
Sprache: englisch
Anzahl Seiten: 422

Dieses eBook enthält ein Wasserzeichen.

Beschreibungen

<P>The circumstances that will shape the long-term future of our planet will be constrained by what is physically possible and what is not. This <STRONG>full color</STRONG> book provides a quantitative view of our civilization over the next 100,000 years, in comparison to the 40-60,000 years it took for modern humans to emerge from Africa, on the basis of contemporary scientific and technological knowledge. The evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere and the origin of water are highlighted as the most important factors for the emergence and the development of life.</P>
<P>The authors consider both cosmic and natural hazards, pointing out that scientific information provided by satellites and communication systems on the ground could prevent many unnecessary casualties by forward planning and the installation of elementary precautions. The Earth’s evolving climate is considered, showing how greenhouse gases have played an important role in the past climate, whereas human industrial and agricultural emissions will greatly impact our future.</P>
A Brief History of the Earth.- Cosmic Menaces.- Terrestrial Hazards.- The Changing Climate.- Climate Futures.- The Future of Survivability: Energy and Inorganic Resources.- The Future of Survivability: Water and Organic Resources.- Leaving Earth: From Dreams to Reality?.- Managing the Planet’s Future: The Crucial Role of Space.- Managing the Planet’s Future: Setting-Up the Structures.- Conclusion.
Dr R M Bonnet and Dr L Woltjer are outstanding, internationally renowned scientists. During his long tenure at the European Space Agency, Dr Bonnet has directed the launch of 17 artificial scientific satellites, initiating the development of the Huygens probe placed on the NASA Cassini Saturn Orbiter which landed on Titan on 14 January 2005, developing the successful Mars Express mission and directing the SMART-1 European lunar mission. He is President of COSPAR and Executive Director of ISSI and has acquired a world reputation in the field of space politics. After 11 years at Columbia University, NY, Dr Woltjer returned to Europe as Director General of ESO for 13 years. Since then he has worked closely with the Observatories de Haute Provence in France and the University of Florence in Italy, was President of the International Astronomical Union and Chairman of the Space Science Advisory Committee of ESA for 4 years.
Reviews the physical conditions for survival of life on Earth over the next 1000 centuries Analyses the interacting factors affecting the sustainability of Earth’s natural resources Stresses the need for active management of Earth's resources in the 21st century to ensure long-term survival Highlights the influence of observations from space on the technical, scientific and political tools for survivability
<P>This book provides a quantitative view of our civilization over the next 100,000 years, in comparison to the 40-60,000 years it took for modern humans to emerge from Africa, on the basis of contemporary scientific and technological knowledge. The opening chapters provide the general scientific background. The evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere and the origin of water are highlighted. The authors then consider both cosmic and natural hazards. The changing climate in the past and in the future is considered, along with future energy and inorganic resources. The colonization of other planets, and the possibility of extracting resources from the Moon or asteroids are discussed. The final chapters stress the importance of international collaboration to manage Earth’s future, together with the crucial role of space for its monitoring, surveillance and management.</P>

Diese Produkte könnten Sie auch interessieren:

Meteors and How to Observe Them
Meteors and How to Observe Them
von: Robert Lunsford
PDF ebook
39,58 €
The Sun and How to Observe It
The Sun and How to Observe It
von: Jamey L. Jenkins
PDF ebook
42,79 €
The Greatest Comets in History
The Greatest Comets in History
von: David A.J. Seargent
PDF ebook
39,58 €