Planetary Overload: Global Environmental Change and the Health of the Human Species - Softcover

McMichael, A. J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521457599 ISBN 13: 9780521457590

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1993

Synopsis

The human species faces many threats to its health - perhaps to its survival. Taking an interesting perspective, Planetary Overload forcefully points out the consequences to human health of ongoing degradation of Earth's ecosystems. In a broad-based, accessible analysis, A. J. McMichael examines ecological disruptions - land degradation, ozone depletion, temperature increases, and loss of genetic diversity through the extinction of species, among others - and compellingly demonstrates their potentially disastrous results, including food shortages, new and intensified disease patterns, rising seas, mass refugee problems, and cancers, blindness, and immune suppression from increased ultraviolet radiation. While other books on the subject analyse only the environmental impact of these problems, McMichael relates each of these insidious processes back to its ultimate impact on human health. He thoroughly considers these problems within a broad evolutionary, biological, social, and economic context, and also explores the underlying problems contributing to environmental breakdown, especially the relations between the world's rich and poor. This book will be of interest to environmentalists, public health professionals, policy makers, environmental studies and human ecology scholars, and anyone wishing a lucid, rational assessment of today's pressing ecological concerns.

About this title

Review

'... a remarkably comprehensive book on the threats to man of environmental change ... A book to read now, for the 21st century.' David Sharp, The Lancet

'... everyone who is concerned about leaving a negative legacy to future generations should read this book.' Ecology

'This is a book relating in a lucid and convincing way how the fabric of life-supporting mechanisms of our planet is starting to unravel. Teacher or student, scientist or nonscientist, health or environmental scientist - all can learn from Planetary Overload about the issues that face our species and its institutions.' American Journal of Epidemiology

'Planetary Overload is a thought-provoking, excellent addition to the literature on global environmental health issues for medical and public health students as well as for practising environmental and health professionals.' Medicine & Global Survival

'Planetary Overload is skilfully written: an accomplished, eclectic book which draws fruitfully on historical, biological, ecological and epidemiological knowledge. This is certainly a challenging and erudite book and very worth reading.' Epidemiology Unit

Book Description

The human race faces many threats to its health - perhaps to its survival. Our burgeoning numbers, technology and consumption are overloading Earth's capacity to absorb, replenish and repair. These global environmental problems pose health risks, not just from localised pollution, but from damaged life-support systems. Might we, too, become an 'endangered species'?

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521457599
• ISBN 13: 9780521457590
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368