Bonnet R.M., Woltjer L. Surviving 1000 Centuries: Can We Do It?

Springer, 2008. — 443 p.The circumstances that will shape the long-term future of our planet will be constrained by what is physically possible and what is not. This full color book provides a quantitative view of our civilization over the next 100,000 years, in comparison to the 40-60,000 years it took for modern humans to emerge from Africa, on the basis of contemporary scientific and technological knowledge. The evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere and the origin of water are highlighted as the most important factors for the emergence and the development of life. The authors consider both cosmic and natural hazards, pointing out that scientific information provided by satellites and communication systems on the ground could prevent many unnecessary casualties by forward planning and the installation of elementary precautions. The Earth’s evolving climate is considered, showing how greenhouse gases have played an important role in the past climate, whereas human industrial and agricultural emissions will greatly impact our future.List of Illustrations.
Foreword.Why a hundred thousand years?
People and resources.
Management and cooperation.
The overall plan of the book.
Notes and references.
A Brief History of the Earth.
The age of the Earth.
Geological timescales.
The formation of the Moon and the Late Heavy Bombardment.
Continents and plate tectonics.
Evolution of the Earth's atmosphere.
Life and evolution.

Notes and references.
Cosmic Menaces.
Introduction.
Galactic hazards.
Solar System hazards.

Notes and references.
Terrestrial Hazards.
Introduction.
Diseases.
Seismic hazards: the threat of volcanoes.
Seismic hazards: the threat of earthquakes.
Tsunamis.
Climatic hazards.

Notes and references.
The Changing Climate.
Miscellaneous evidence of climate change.
The global climate system.
Climates in the distant past.
The recent ice ages.
Recent climate.
Changes in the Sun.
Volcanic eruptions.
Anthropogenic CO2.
Interpretation of the recent record.
The ozone hole.
Notes and references.
Climate Futures.
Scenarios for future climates.
Geographic distribution of warming.
Sea level.
The l(X),(XX)-year climate future.
Doubts.
Consequences of climate change.
Appendix.
Notes and references.
The Future of Survivability: Energy and Inorganic Resources.
Energy for 100,000 years.
Energy for the present century.
Elements and minerals.

Notes and references.
The Future of Survivability: Water and Organic Resources.
Water.
Agriculture.
Forests and wilderness “.

Notes and references.
Leaving Earth: From Dreams to Reality?
Introduction.
Where to go?
What to do with the Moon?
Terraforming the Earth.

Notes and references.
Managing the Planet's Future: The Crucial Role of Space.
Introduction.
The specific needs for space observations of the Earth.
The tools and methods of space.

Notes and references.
Managing the Planet's Future: Setting-Up the Structures.
Introduction.
The alert phase: need for a systematic scientific approach.
The indispensable political involvement.
Conclusion: towards world ecological governance?
Notes and references.Limiting population growth.
Stabilizing global warming.
The limits of vessel-Earth.
The crucial role of education and science.
New governance required.
The difficult and urgent transition phase.
Adapting to a static society.
Notes and references.