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The Biosphere and Civilization: In the Throes of a Global Crisis

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  • © 2018

Overview

  • Discusses the complex anthropogenic effects on the biosphere in simple and accessible terms

  • Explains the role of natural ecosystems in maintaining environmental stability

  • Details the biotic regulation of the environment, providing new insight into the nature of ecological crises

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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Civilization in Crisis: The Edge of the Abyss

  2. Civilization in Crisis: The Edge of the Abyss (Continued)

  3. World Society: Politicians and Scientists in Search of an Answer

  4. Permanence of the Planetary Environment and the Concept of Biotic Regulation

  5. Weighing a Scientific Approach

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About this book

This monograph explores the dire ecological, social, and economic situations facing mankind through comprehensive analyses of global ecological issues, poverty, environmental stability and regulation, and sustainable development. Drs. Victor Danilov-Danil’yan and Igor Reyf discuss the development of ecology as a science, the increasing concern among scientists and public servants for the unsustainability of current economic and demographic trends, and the dire consequences our planet and civilization are already suffering as a result of the ongoing environmental and social crisis. They also address the philosophical implications of the crisis, and suggest possible solutions.

The book conveys complex objects of study, namely the biosphere and the harmful anthropogenic processes it has been experiencing for decades, so that the work is accessible without omitting key components of the subject matter. Readers will learn about the social and economic contributors to a threatened biosphere, the mechanisms that maintain the stability of the global environment, and the scales at which sustainable development and preservation can be applied to initiate environmental regulation. Though intended to appeal to the general public and non-specialists, environmental researchers, organizations involved in sustainable development and conservation, and students engaged in ecology, environment, and sustainability studies will also find this book of interest.

Reviews

“Thanks to its well-thought-out organization, the book guides the reader step-by-step through the nest of problems associated with the global environmental crisis, stirring up genuine interest and stimulating the thought process. Some chapters read like stand-alone works. I would particularly like to point out such of these as “A Critically Overpopulated Planet,” “The Path to a Systemic Understanding of the Biosphere,” “The Ecological Footprint of Modern Man” and “The Computer Model That Rocked the World” (on the Report to the Club of Rome Limits to Growth). The last three were serialized as separate articles in Science and Life (2010-2015). With regard to the “Ecological Footprint,” I don’t know of any other place in popular science writing where that difficult-to-comprehend topic was put forward more simply, logically and convincingly.”(Vyacheslav Vladimirovich Rozhnov, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director A. N. Severtsov, Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Correspondent Member of Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of the Water Problems Institute of RAS, Moscow, Russia

    Victor I. Danilov-Danil'yan

  • Freelance Journalist/Writer, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Igor E. Reyf

About the authors

Igor Reyf is a freelance journalist and writer who graduated from the First Medical Sechenov Institute in Moscow (now the Moscow Medical University) in 1963. he has published numerous articles and essays in Russian periodicals, most recently focusing on the field of science journalism. His work in environmental issues has resulted in a book entitled Mankind Facing its Greatest Challenge, and a series of environmental articles in several popular scientific journals.

Dr. Victor Danilov Danil'yan is a Correspondent Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and has been the Director of the Water Institute at the Russian Academy of Sciences since 2003. He graduated from Moscow State University in 1960, earned his PhD in Economics in 1975, and became a full Professor in 1979. He was formerly a Professor in the Economics Faculty at Moscow State University (1978-1990), Minister of Nature Conservation and Natural Resources of the Russian Federation (1991-1996), Head of the national Committee of the Russian Federation for nature Conservation (1996-2000), and President of the International Independent University of Ecology and Political Science (2000-2002). He has authored and co-authored more than 400 scientific publications on topics ranging from ecological problems in Russia, sustainable development, ecological safety, and water resources management.

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