Laurence C. Smith is a distinguished professor whose work delves into environmental studies and planetary sciences. His research, widely recognized and published in major global media outlets, offers profound insights into environmental challenges. Smith's writing is characterized by its rigorous analysis and clear presentation of complex scientific concepts. He provides readers with compelling perspectives on the future of our planet and the interconnectedness of its systems.
Laurence delivers The Elimination Threat, the latest in a series described as “Jack Reacher falling into a plot written by Dan Brown.” —James Rollins, #1 The New York Times bestselling author of Crucible ...
Rivers have opened frontiers, defined borders, supported trade, generated energy and fed billions. Most of our greatest cities stand on river banks or deltas, and our quest for mastery has spurred staggering advances in engineering, science and law. Rivers and their topographic divides have shaped the territories of nations and the migration of peoples, and yet - as their resources become ever more precious - can foster cooperation even among enemy states. And though they become increasingly domesticated, they remain a formidable global force- these vast arterial powers promote life but are capable of destroying everything in their path. From ancient Egypt to our growing contemporary metropolises, Rivers of Power reveals why rivers matter so profoundly to human civilization, and how they continue to be indispensable to our societies and wellbeing.
For centuries, a mysterious syndicate known as the Thirteen has staged a silent coup, infiltrating governments and manipulating the course of world events. It's more powerful than any nation, deadlier than any army. The time has come for it to emerge from the shadows and claim the entire world as its own. And only FBI Special Agent James Mason and his longtime friends stand in its way.
The New North is a book that turns the world literally upside down. Analysing four key 'megatrends' - population growth and migration, natural resource demand, climate change and globalisation - UCLA professor Larry Smith projects a world that by mid-century will have shifted its political and economic axes radically to the north. The beneficiaries of this new order, based on a bonanza of oil, natural gas, minerals and plentiful water will be the Arctic regions of Russia, Alaska and Canada, and Scandinavia. Meanwhile countries closer to the equator will face water shortages, aging populations, crowded megacities and coastal flooding. Smith draws on geography, economics, history, earth and climate science, but what makes his arguments so compelling is that he has spent many months exploring the region, talking to people in once-inaccessible Arctic towns, noting their economies, politics and stories.
An FBI agent fights to stop a conspiracy to unleash a deadly virus on the world in this propulsive, exhilarating new thriller. We're fighting a war, whether we choose to admit it or not. A war for survival. A war we may have already lost.
“A compelling portrait of the future and vividly relates the big challenges facing the world now.”—Jared Diamond, New York Times bestselling author of Collapse and Guns, Germs, and Steel The world's population is exploding, wild species are vanishing, and our environment is degrading. What kind of world are we leaving for our children and grandchildren? Just who will flourish—and who will fail—in our evolving world? Combining the lessons of geography and history with state-of-the-art model projections and analytical data, Guggenheim fellow Laurence C. Smith predicts how the eight nations of the Arctic Rim (including the United States) will become increasingly powerful while the nations around the equator struggle for survival. Like Bjorn Lomborg's The Skeptical Environmentalist, The World in 2050 is as credible as it is controversial, projecting the looming benefits as well as the problems of climate change.
Part of a new series from Australian Geographic, each title covers the history and current affairs of its topic. The illustrations and layout are bright and attractive and the information will be valuable as school project source material. Includes an index, glossary and further reading.
A new children's series from Australian Geographic. Each title covers the history and current affairs of its topic. The illustrations and layout are bright and attractive and the information will be valuable as school project source material.
Eine faszinierende Zukunftsvision Wie sieht die Welt im Jahr 2050 aus? Wo werden wir leben? Was bleibt von der natürlichen Umwelt? Welche Städte werden lebenswert sein, welche werden wachsen? Welche Länder gewinnen, welche Länder verlieren? Was hinterlassen wir unseren Kindern? Auf der Basis neuester Forschungen und Modellrechnungen verschiedener Disziplinen entwirft der Geowissenschaftler Laurence C. Smith das nach derzeitigen Erkenntnissen schlüssigste und überzeugendste Bild der Welt im Jahr 2050. Er kombiniert die wichtigsten Faktoren wie das Wachstum der Bevölkerung, den Umgang mit Ressourcen, die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels und die Globalisierung der Wirtschaft. Ein Ergebnis des Szenarios: Der Norden wird enorme Kräfte entwickeln. Ein fesselnder Blick in die Zukunft der globalen Gesellschaft.
Wie mächtige Ströme Reiche schufen, Kulturen zerstörten und unsere Zivilisation prägen
Wie die großen Flüsse die menschliche Zivilisation geprägt haben Flüsse haben, mehr als jede Straße oder Technologie, den Lauf unserer Zivilisation geprägt. Sie haben Entdeckern neue Wege eröffnet, sie bilden und überwinden Grenzen, ermöglichen Handel, stellen Energie bereit und ernähren Millionen. Die meisten Großstädte wurden an Ufern von Flüssen gegründet. Auch wenn ihr Lauf heute meist eingehegt ist, bleiben die Ströme in Zeiten von Klimawandel und Wasserknappheit eine machtvolle globale Kraft: Ihre weitverzweigten Arterien spenden Leben, können aber ebenso alles zerstören, was ihnen im Weg ist. In seiner glänzend geschriebenen Weltgeschichte der großen Flüsse seit der Antike lenkt der Umwelt- und Geowissenschaftler Laurence Smith erstmals unseren Blick auf eine gemeinhin unterschätzte kulturbildende Naturkraft. Ausstattung: mit zahlreichen Abbildungen und Farbbildteil
