Synopses & Reviews
The human species faces a new kind of threat to its health - perhaps to its longer-term survival. Burgeoning numbers, consumption and the spread of technology are overloading Earth's capacity to replenish and repair itself. This eloquent and alarming book examines the likely impact on human health of the ongoing degradation of the planet's ecosystems. Where most studies of these phenomena have limited their analysis to the environmental consequences, A. J. McMichael brings a broader evolutionary, biological, social and economic perspective to bear on the ecological disruptions which threaten the wellbeing of our own species. 'A book to read now, for the twenty-first century.' The Lancet 'Everyone who is concerned about leaving a negative legacy to future generations should read this book.' Ecology
Synopsis
An examination of the likely impact on human health of the destruction of the earth's eco-systems.
Synopsis
Increasing population and consumption, and the spread of technology, are overloading Earth's capacity to replenish and repair itself. In this eloquent and alarming book, A. J. McMichael examines the likely impact on human health of the ongoing degradation of our planet's eco-systems.
Table of Contents
Introduction; 1. First things; 2. The ecological framework; 3. The health of populations; 4. System overload: ancient and modern; 5. Population increase, poverty and health; 6. Greenhouse warming and climate change; 7. The thinning ozone layer; 8. Soil and water: loaves and fishes; 9. Biodiversity: forests, food and pharmaceuticals; 10. The growth of cities; 11. Impediments 1: conceptual blocks; 12. Impediments 2: relationships; 13. The way ahead; Glossary; Index.