Environmental Science and Technology A Sustainable Approach to Green Science and Technology

• Main Author: Manahan, Stanley E.
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Boca Raton CRC/Tayor & Francis 2007
• Edition: 2nd ed
• Subjects: Environmental sciences; Ecological engineering
• Online Access: Click Here to View Status and Holdings.

 Throughout the brief period that humankind has populated planet Earth, the species has faced challenges to its survival. Human ingenuity and science have been remarkably effective in meeting these. Diseases that once virtually wiped out entire populations have been conquered. Modern agriculture has enabled the support of a global population several times larger than would have been possible without it. Enough water has been coaxed from often-scarce sources to support large human populations in arid regions. The growth of human population has slowed to an extent that predictions of runaway population growth from just a few decades ago have proven to be unduly pessimistic. However, despite its remarkable powers of adaptation, humankind is on a col lision course with the carrying capacity of planet Earth, which, in the extreme, raises questions of human survival on Earth, at least with anything like the stan dard of living that we have come to expect. Peak production levels of petroleum, a resource upon which modern economic systems are based have now been reached and wrenching adjustments must occur as this resource dwindles to insignificant. levels over the next several decades. During the last 50 years, a mere moment in the life span of human existence on Earth, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased by 15%, well on their way to doubling from preindustrial levels during the next century. The potential effects of this greenhouse warming gas on global. climate and all that implies for Earth's carrying capacity, are many and profound. Many other examples can be cited of trends that must change if we are to continue to exist comfortably on Earth.