Books like Global catastrophes and trends by Vaclav Smil

A sweeping examination of how every human activity, from foraging to modern industry, depends on energy and how shifts in energy sources have shaped societies across history.

Elizabeth Kolbert’s nonfiction work examines global warming, tracing scientific evidence, political debates, and personal stories of those most affected by climate change.

The fourth edition of Environmental Hazards continues to blend physical and social sciences to provide a thoroughly balanced, contemporary introduction to hazards analysis and mitigation strategies. It covers all the major rapid-onset events, whether natural, human or technological in origin which directly threaten humans and what they value.The revised edition includes increased coverage of Biophysical and Technological Hazards. Additional material has also been added on vulnerability, asteroids, wildfires and disaster mitigation success. The new edition also benefits from a larger format, allowing improved presentation of figures and photographs that have also been updated and replaced throughout. Boxed features have been introduced to define key terms, and outline the science underpinning discussions. Case studies have also been updated and replaced throughout. Annotated further reading and a gazetteer of useful websites are also provided.Environmental Hazards provides a lucid comprehensive introduction to both the theory and practice of hazards and their mitigation, drawing on interdisciplinary insights. It is essential reading for students of geography, environmental science, earth science and geology.Features of the new edition include· A streamlined, more tightly-written Part 1 to provide better definition, and more logical introduction of basic concepts and improved justification for the sequence and treatment of Part 2 themes, allowing more opportunity for cross-hazard commentary.· Completely updated Part 2 providing more recent case-studies set in a firmer scientific framework, increased content for Biophysical and Technological Hazard chapters and more on vulnerability, asteroids, wildfires and disaster mitigation success.· Enhanced student friendly format: size of text increased from royal to crown allowing increased size of figures and illustrations, boxes for definitions, key ideas and underpinning science, chapter summaries with annotated further reading and a list of websites· Thorough revision of illustrative material: Revision or replacement of approximately half of figures and Replacement of existing black and white photographsA new set of colour photographs