Provides a comprehensive account of modern environmental issues and the physical and socio-economic framework in which they are set. It explains the principles and applications of the different parts of the Earth's system: the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and the biosphere and explains the interrelationships within and between these systems.
Part I Environment in crisis: population and environment; environmental systems; spaceship earth. Part II The lithosphere: structure of the earth; dynamic earth; earth materials. Part III The atmosphere: the atmosphere; atmospheric processes; weather systems; climate. Part IV The hydrosphere: the hydrological cycle; water resources; drylands; cold and ice; oceans and coasts. Part V The biosphere: the biosphere; ecosystems, succession and biomes; soil. Part VI Reflections: retrospect and prospect.