City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

Global catastrophes and trends, the next 50 years, Vaclav Smil

eng

Includes bibliographical references (p. [259]-295) and indexes

mapsillustrations

index present

non fiction

Global catastrophes and trends

bibliography

Vaclav Smil

"Fundamental change occurs most often in one of two ways: as a "fatal discontinuity," a sudden catastrophic event that is potentially world changing, or as a persistent, gradual trend. In this book, scientist Vaclav Smil takes a look at the catastrophes and trends the next fifty years may bring. This is not a book of forecasts or scenarios but one that reminds us to pay attention to, and plan for, the consequences of apparently unpredictable events and the ultimate direction of long-term trends." "Global Catastrophes and Trends does not come down on the side of either doom-and-gloom scenarios or techno-euphoria. Instead, relying on long-term historical perspectives and a distaste for the rigid compartmentalization of knowledge, Smil argues that understanding change will help us reverse negative trends and minimize the risk of catastrophe."--BOOK JACKET

the next 50 years

Preface: What to Expect -- 1. How (Not) to Look Ahead -- 2. Fatal Discontinuities -- 3. Unfolding Trends -- 4. Environmental Change -- 5. Dealing with Risk and Uncertainty -- App. A. Units and Abbreviations, Prefixes -- App. B. Acronyms

Global catastrophes and trends, the next fifty years