Geosphere: The Land and Its Uses (Our Fragile Planet)

People exploit the land for desired resources, such as oil, minerals, or timber, or they convert vast expanses of natural terrain to landscapes that better meet their needs: Forests become tree plantations, wilderness is converted to agricultural land, and even farms are paved over to make cities. Already about half the ice-free land area has been converted for human purposes, and that number is growing rapidly. Geosphere is an invaluable new resource that introduces students to sustainability - the idea that economic and social development, along with environmental protection, must be achieved together. Enhanced by illuminating full-color photographs and illustrations, sidebars, a glossary, and other useful study features, this book details how sustainability is gaining ground with individuals, communities, regions, and even nations, and shows readers how they, too, can become involved.

Dana Desonie, Ph.D., a full-time science writer, was previously a research scientist in geochemistry at Columbia University's Lamon-Doherty Earth Observatory. She is the author of "Cosmic Collisions". She makes her home in New York City.