The global environment encompasses broad, worldwide environmental factors that are beyond the scope or control of any community or nation: A-bomb detonation; image from James Vaughan at Creative Commons. temperature change. Natural disasters. Mass conflict and violence.

The earth has entered a period of hydrological, climatological, and biological change that differs from previous episodes of worldwide change within the extent to which it's human in origin. to clarify or predict the course of this global environmental changes, one must therefore understand the human sources, consequences, and responses, a number of which may alter the course of worldwide change. This book examines what's known about the human dimensions of worldwide environmental change, identifies the key immediate needs for knowledge, and recommends a method for building that knowledge over the subsequent 5-10 years.