Sustainable Development in Changing Complex Earth Systems

This book applies system theory to analyze the operation and structure of the complex earth surface system, including the interactions between society and nature that cause environmental degradation and threats to human populations. The possible ways to harmonize the operation of a global society as a complex system using the United Nation sustainable development goals are investigated, as well as the major efforts currently implemented to achieve this objective and why many are unsuccessful. Readers will learn this material through case studies that assess the essential conditions required to occupy a planet sustainably, and examine the complex interactions between society and nature in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and outer layers of the lithosphere. The book is written for undergraduate students in geography, earth sciences, environmental sciences, and ecology, and will also appeal to environmental agency employees, nature protection representatives, teachers, and researchers. Front Matter ....Pages i-xvii Introduction (Attila Kerényi, Richard William McIntosh)....Pages 1-9 Structure and Operation of Systems, Models of the Global Earth System (Attila Kerényi, Richard William McIntosh)....Pages 11-58 Internal Material Flows in the Earth and Their Effects on the Society (Attila Kerényi, Richard William McIntosh)....Pages 59-74 Changes on Earth as a Result of Interaction Between the Society and Nature (Attila Kerényi, Richard William McIntosh)....Pages 75-202 Structure and Operation of the Global Society (Anthroposphere) (Attila Kerényi, Richard William McIntosh)....Pages 203-226 Steps Towards Realising Global Sustainable Development (Attila Kerényi, Richard William McIntosh)....Pages 227-262 Conclusions: Towards an Environmental Friendly Humane Society (Attila Kerényi, Richard William McIntosh)....Pages 263-268 Back Matter ....Pages 269-292