An Introduction to the Earth-Life System

Charles Cockell is Professor of Microbiology at The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK. His academic interests lie in geomicrobiology, astrobiology and space exploration and he has undertaken expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, among other places, to study life in extreme environments. Professor Cockell has written and edited six other books including Impossible Extinction (Cambridge University Press, 2003).

'This innovative Earth science textbook provides a thoroughly new way to look at the history of Earth and life. The pedagogic aspects are particularly well thought through and current research case studies, engaging questions, and practical examples will be beneficial to both students and instructors.' Mike Benton, University of Bristol

• 1. A habitable planet; 2. The emergence and persistence of life; 3. The carbon cycle; 4. Plate tectonics, climate and life; 5. Mountains and climate change; 6. Life in the Phanerozoic; 7. The Earth at extremes; 8. Summary; Answers to questions; Appendices; Further reading; Glossary; Index.