The concept of the Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, soil, and rocks operating as a closely interacting system, involving geographers, geologists, biologists, oceanographers, and atmospheric physicists, is known as Earth System Science. In this Very Short Introduction, Tim Lenton considers how a world in which humans could evolve was created; how, as a species, we are now reshaping that world; and what a sustainable future for humanity within the Earth System might look like.

About the Author

Tim Lenton is professor, University of Exeter, where he is also chair in climate change and earth systems science.