David Schwartzman - Böcker

The idea that living things and the atmosphere, oceans, and soils comprise an interactive, self-regulating system-the Gaia concept-was first proposed nearly thirty years ago. Since then researchers have been seeking new connections between life and the global environment. David Schwartzman contributes to that search by examining how the Earth's biosphere regulates itself over geologic time. Emphasizing long-term geologic trends-not the short-term perturbations that have received so much media attention (e.g., the so-called greenhouse effect), the author presents and elucidates his theory of biospheric evolution. Life, Temperature, and the Earth updates and modifies important aspects of the Gaia hypothesis in light of geochemical, geophysical, mathematical, and paleontological data that were either ignored or unavailable at the time the hypothesis was developed. Schwartzman argues that the Earth's climatic temperature has been biologically regulated amidst the backdrop of variable volcanic outgassing and an evolving sun. The key to this regulation-discussed here in depth-has been the progressive increase in life's promotion of weathering on land over geologic time.The book is the first to take note of strong evidence for much higher temperatures prior to about two billion years ago and their role in constraining the evolution of microbes and delaying the emergence of complex multicellular life. Schwartzman sets the stage by introducing his theory of biospheric evolution and outlining the development of the Gaia concept during the 1980s and 1990s. He then presents a systematic exposition of the weathering process, discussing the habitability of the Earth over geologic time and the role of such abiotic factors as tectonics and the carbon geodynamic cycle in climatic evolution. The final third of the book turns to a reinterpretation of the surface temperature history of the Earth, positing a much warmer Precambrian Earth surface than conventionally believed and discussing the implications of this fact to evolutionary biology and bioastronomy (the search for life elsewhere in the universe). Determining the history of climate and investigating the self-organization of the biosphere, Life, Temperature, and the Earth explores the very foundations of environmental science and illuminates the evolution of life itself.

Games of Chicken proposes basing nuclear weapons policies on both historical and analytical arguments. Schwartzman analyzes the trade-off between the aggression risk, which U.S. policy has sought to minimize, and the pre-emption risk, which has been ignored. This analysis is then applied to policy developments under each of the post-war U.S. presidents. The historical analysis also demonstrates the importance of the role of myths in the development of policy, most notably: the myth of the nuclear strategy expert; the evil empire myth; and the economic necessity myth. Finally, the author proposes a viable solution to the increasing build-up of nuclear weapons, one which would minimize the preemption risk.

In the post-World War II era, the U.S. government's full employment policy led to rapid mechanization of production by reducing the cost of financing investment. The mechanization of production displaced more blacks than whites because blacks were disproportionately unskilled. In addition, the growth in the import of manufactured goods further reduced the demand for unskilled labor. The author argues that the government should fill the gap with government employment and should discourage imports from developing countries.

Atrial fibrillation is underdiagnosed and preventative strategies are underutilized. The disease is estimated to rise to an epidemic level, increasing by over 50% by the end of the decade, occurring commonly in the setting of otherwise “healthy” aging. Innovative Management of Atrial Fibrillation provides a forum for a full discussion on this topical matter. Distinguished experts from both electrophysiology and cardiac surgery place their work in the context of future development, examining the short-comings of current pharmacological treatments. This results in a unique, comprehensive review for cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and anyone who wishes to gain a complete perspective on the fast-paced field of atrial fibrillation. Material ranges from atrial pathophysiology to advanced minimally invasive surgical ablation and cutting edge palliative and curative therapeutic options. The book also includes the examination of innovative management strategies and the next generation of therapies, giving an essential insight into the emerging potential of gene therapy.

"A thought provoking and documented examination of solutions to social and economic inequality, ecological tipping points, and the threat of climate catastrophe, focusing on renewable energy systems, agroecology, and social organization. The authors reject a business as usual approach, and argue that the revolution has already begun."Climate & CapitalismThis book provides a thought provoking outline of the solutions already in hand to the challenges now facing humanity with respect to prevalent gross social and economic inequalities, ecological thresholds and tipping points, and the ever-looming threat of climate catastrophe. The authors find these solutions in the arenas of renewable energy systems, agroecological methods, and reimagined social organization. Clarity is brought to the political economic obstacles standing in the way as well as the false solutions and alleged barriers that pervade the discourse thereby delaying and obstructing progress to the solutions advanced.The authors provoke readers to face up to these challenges by demonstrating how people, all over the world, have already begun this effort through collective action ranging from the local to the global community. Drawing on their own and many other scholar's research, they reject a reliance on the "business as usual" approach trusting the capitalist market and existing global institutions, and provide an accessible popular account with thoroughly footnoted endnotes that contain technical details and references to the scientific literature.The Earth is Not for Sale informs its readers and provides well-documented solutions in a bid to inspire readers to think critically, and potentially become more active in society.Related Link(s)