Desonie, Dana

Discusses the possibility of the earth being hit by an asteroid or comet, looking at the history of such crashes on the earth, where a cosmic collision is believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs, and studying the recent impact of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter in 1994.

Offers a comprehensive overview of the atmosphere, discussing topics such as gases, motion, climates, weather, air pollutants and pollution, acid rain, ozone loss, and climate change, and includes a glossary and suggestions for further reading.

Examines the polar regions in the Arctic and Antarctic focusing on life on the land and on the polar seas. Includes information on atmospheric pollution, the ozone hole, global warming and its effects on polar regions. Concludes with additional data on the chemical pollutants on Arctic wildlife, and threats to fish and other marine animals as well as the future of the polar regions.

Describes the concept of sustainability and describes how individuals, communities, and nations are adopting sustainable practices. Discusses land management, food production, mineral resource extraction, power generation, urban areas, and waste disposal.

Looks at how increased population has affected the natural environment of the Earth, examining water, energy, and plant and animal resources, and discusses the need to protect the environment by developing sustainability.

Looks at Earth as a water planet, discussing its freshwater and how it is used, describing the many pollutants that are released into the environment and their effect on human health and ecosystems, looking at what is being done to address the problem, and including a case study of water pollution in the Great Lakes.

Explores how human beings use the Earth's oceans and examines how our actions and pollution affects marine resources, organisms, and habitats. Includes a glossary, further reading sources, and web links.

Explores the causes of climate change and discusses how and why people can develop new techniques to reverse humanity's effects on Earth's biosphere.

Describes how the diversity of life on Earth is being destroyed now by human activities at a rate ten to one-hundred times faster than in the planet's history. Discusses the importance of preserving ecosystems, restoring habitats, and stopping global warming.