On the brink of a critical moment in human history, this book presents a vision of “planetary stewardship” – a rethinking of our relationship with our planet – and plots a new course for our future. 
The authors, whose work is the subject of a new Netflix documentary released in summer 2021 and narrated by Sir David Attenborough, reveal the full scale of the planetary emergency we face – but also how we can stabilize Earth’s life support system. 
The necessary change is within our power if we act now. 
In 2009, scientists identified nine planetary boundaries that keep Earth stable, ranging from biodiversity to ozone. Beyond these boundaries lurk tipping points. To stop short of these tipping points, the 2020s must see the fastest economic transition in history. 
This book demonstrates how societies are reaching positive tipping points that make this transition possible: Activism groups such as Extinction Rebellion, or schoolchildren inspired by Greta Thunberg demand political action; countries are committing to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions; and one tipping point has even already passed – the price of clean energy has dropped below that of fossil fuels. 
Inside the pages of this scientifically-led publication, world-leading climate-change experts explain the greatest crisis humanity has ever faced. Expert-authored text in an accessible style for both adults, and children ages 14+ A breakdown of the 9 planetary boundaries for relative stability on Earth, ranging from biodiversity to the ozone layer An exploration of climate “tipping points” - good and bad Stunning infographics and images visualising the problems and solutions to climate change Contains detailed and unique images of Earth produced by Globaïa, the world’s leading visualisers of human impact

Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet

Science & Math

Rockström, Johan

Gaffney, Owen

Astronomy & Space Science

A profoundly original vision of an attainable future that ensures human prosperity by safeguarding our threatened planet "If you have time to read one book on this subject, I highly recommend the new Big World, Small Planet, by Johan Rockstrom, director of the Stockholm Resilience Center, and Mattias Klum, whose stunning photographs of ecosystem disruptions reinforce the urgency of the moment."—Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times Big World, Small Planet probes the urgent predicament of our times: how is it possible to create a positive future for both humanity and Earth? We have entered the Anthropocene—the era of massive human impacts on the planet—and the actions of over seven billion residents threaten to destabilize Earth’s natural systems, with cascading consequences for human societies. In this extraordinary book, the authors combine the latest science with compelling storytelling and amazing photography to create a new narrative for humanity’s future. Johan Rockström and Mattias Klum reject the notion that economic growth and human prosperity can only be achieved at the expense of the environment. They contend that we have unprecedented opportunities to navigate a “good Anthropocene.” By embracing a deep mind-shift, humanity can reconnect to Earth, discover universal values, and take on the essential role of planetary steward. With eloquence and profound optimism, Rockström and Klum envision a future of abundance within planetary boundaries—a revolutionary future that is at once necessary, possible, and sustainable for coming generations.

Big World, Small Planet: Abundance within Planetary Boundaries

Business & Money

Klum, Mattias

Economics

Yale University Press

This powerful book shows us that we are in deep denial about the magnitude of the global environmental challenges and resource constraints facing the world. Despite growing scientific consensus on major environmental threats as well as resource depletion, societies are largely continuing with business as usual, at best attempting to tinker at the margins of the problems. The authors argue that regardless of whether governments respond to the economic crisis through additional stimulus packages or reduced government spending, environmental and resource constraints will remain. The crisis will be exacerbated by the combination of climate change, ecosystem decline and resource scarcity, in particular crude oil. The concept of Planetary Boundaries is introduced as a powerful explanation of the limits of the biosphere to sustain continued conventional growth. The book breaks the long silence on population, criticizing donor countries for not doing enough to support the education of girls and reproductive health services. It is shown that an economy built on the continuous expansion of material consumption is not sustainable. De-growth, however, is no solution either. The growth dilemma can only be addressed through a transformation of the economic system. A strong plea is made for abandoning GDP growth as the key objective for development. The focus should instead be on a limited number of welfare indicators. The trickle-down concept is seriously questioned, to be replaced by one of sufficiency. Rich countries are called upon to hold back their material growth to leave room for a rising living standard among the poor. Alternative business models are presented, such as moving from products to services or towards a circular economy based on re-use, reconditioning and recylcing – all with the aim of facilitating sustainable development. A Report to the Club of Rome

Bankrupting Nature

Wijkman, Anders

Routledge

Integrated Watershed Management in Rainfed Agriculture

This book provides a comprehensive presentation of the realization of improved rainfed agriculture yield in semi-arid and dry land areas. The incentive of watershed programs is to increase the return on investment with over 20% for 65% of the projects that are currently underperforming. Besides techniques to improve the livelihood of the many small-scale farmers in developing countries, it includes examples and case studies for further support. The methods discussed have recently shown to be successful and economically remunerative in India and in various African countries. Intended for professionals (investors, policy makers), researchers and (post) graduate students working on dry land and sustainable agriculture and water and natural resources management. Suited for courses in dry land agriculture, soil and water management and watershed development.

Wani, Suhas P.

Sahrawat, Kanwar Lal

CRC-Press

An accessible summary of the planetary emergency and how to turn things around, from authors whose work is the focus of a new Netflix documentary narrated by David Attenborough. On the brink of a critical moment in human history, this book presents a vision of "planetary stewardship" - a rethinking of our relationship with our planet - and plots a new course for our future.&nbsp; The authors, whose work is the subject of a new documentary due to air on Netflix summer 2021, reveal the full scale of the planetary emergency we face - but also how we can stabilize Earth's life support system. The necessary change is within our power, if we act now.&nbsp; &nbsp; In 2009, scientists identified nine planetary boundaries that keep Earth stable, ranging from biodiversity to ozone. Beyond these boundaries lurk tipping points. In order to stop short of these tipping points, the 2020s must see the fastest economic transition in history. This book demonstrates how societies are reaching positive tipping points that make this transition possible: groups such as the schoolchildren led by Greta Thunberg demand political action; countries are committing to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions; and one tipping point has even already passed - the price of clean energy has dropped below that of fossil fuels. The story is accompanied by unique images of Earth produced by Globaïa, the world's leading visualizers of human impact.&nbsp;

Breaking Boundaries: The Science Behind our Planet

The economic operating system keeps crashing. It's time to upgrade to a new one. Five decades ago, The Limits to Growth shocked the world by showing that population and industrial growth were pushing humanity towards a cliff. Today the world recognizes that we are now at the cliff edge: Earth has crossed multiple planetary boundaries while widespread inequality is causing deep instabilities in societies. There seems to be no way out. Earth For All is both an antidote to despair and a road map to a better future. Using powerful state-of-the-art computer modeling to explore policies likely to deliver the most good for the majority of people, a leading group of scientists and economists from around the world present five extraordinary turnarounds to achieve prosperity for all within planetary limits in a single generation. Coverage includes: <ul> <li>Results of new global modeling that indicates falling well-being and rising social tensions heighten risk of regional societal collapses</li> <li>Two alternative scenarios - Too-Little-Too-Late vs The Giant Leap - and what they mean for our collective future</li> <li>Five system-shifting steps that can upend poverty and inequality, lift up marginalized people, and transform our food and energy systems by 2050</li> <li>A clear pathway to reboot our global economic system so it works for all people and the planet.</li> </ul> Written in an open, accessible, and inspirational style using clear language and high impact visuals, Earth For All is a profound vision for uncertain times and a map to a better future. This survival guide for humanity is required reading for everyone concerned about living well on a fragile planet.

Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity

Randers, Jørgen

Stoknes, Per Espen

Ghosh, Jayati

Dixson-Declève, Sandrine

New Society Publishers

The world's human population now constitutes the largest driving force of changes to the biosphere. Emerging water challenges require new ideas for governance and management of water resources in the context of rapid global change. This book presents a new approach to water resources, addressing global sustainability and focusing on socio-ecological resilience to changes. Topics covered include the risks of unexpected change, human impacts and dependence on global water, the prospects for feeding the world's population by 2050, and a pathway for the future. The book's innovative and integrated approach links green and blue freshwater with terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem functions and use. It also links changes arising from land-use alteration with the impacts of those changes on social-ecological systems and ecosystem services. This is an important, state-of-the-art resource for academic researchers and water resource professionals, and a key reference for graduate students studying water resource governance and management.

Water Resilience for Human Prosperity

Pahl-Wostl, Claudia

Folke, Carl

Falkenmark, Malin

Lannerstad, Mats

Barron, Jennie

Enfors, Elin

Gordon, Line

Heinke, Jens

Hoff, Holger

Cambridge University Press

Biological Sciences

Earth For All

Club Of Rome

Gabriola Island, British Columbia, Canada : New Society Publishers, 2022

Balancing Water for Humans and Nature

This book exposes how water flow links nature and society through water's many parallel functions as the 'blood stream' of both the biosphere and the imbedded anthroposphere, and the resulting conflicts that arise. The authors argue that a sustainable future depends fundamentally on our ability to manage these trade-offs. They advocate an ecological approach to land/water/environmental problems and argue for viewing precipitation as the gross water resource. Distinguishing between terrestrial aquatic ecosystems they show how an ecological approach can be expressed in water-related trade-offs, incorporating criteria for long-term resilience. Based on per capita needs for an acceptable nutritional diet, the authors analyze the amounts of water needed for global food production by 2050 and identify potential sources. Drawing on small-scale experiences in Africa and Asia, they also cover the vulnerability of the semi-arid tropics, disentangling it into green and blue water scarcity components.

Balancing Water for Humans and Nature: The New Approach in Ecohydrology

Environmental & Natural Resources Law

Earthscan Publications Ltd.

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