Strategies for Sustainability of the Earth System [Paperback]

This volume builds on an international workshop held in 2019, inspired by James Lovelock's The Revenge of Gaia - Why the Earth Is Fighting Back, and How We Can Still Save Humanity . It, therefore, understands the Gaia concept as an umbrella term for the living world that planet Earth is hosting for nearly 4 billion years. Humankind has intervened in this ecosystem since its emergence on the planet about 2.5 million years ago, often with painful consequences for itself. In its reactions, the Earth system follows only the laws of nature. Consequently, humanity needs to develop strategies for a sustainable Earth system. This volume presents a unique trans- and interdisciplinary variety of approaches to this challenge, offering philosophical considerations as well as practical medical research. It addresses a broad knowledgeable and general audience in environmental management, public administration, and higher education alike.

 

Foreword.- List of Content.- List of Contributors.- Message from the Desk of the Bavarian State Minister of Environment and Consumer Protection.- Editorial: A Journey through the Book.- Part I: General Thoughts.- Chapter 1. The Anthropocene Turns Out To Be A Disaster For The Earth. Few Options Remain To Change Course.- Chapter 2. The Systemic Risk Perspective: Social Perception of Uncertainty and Tipping Points.- Chapter 3. On Ecological Ethics.- Chapter 4. The Complexity Trap: Skepticism, Denialism and the Political Epistemology of Climate Science.- Chapter 5. Biodesign: Design and Medicine---A Philosophical Challenge.- Chapter 6. Vulnerability is a Talent in the Ecological Crisis.- Chapter 7. From Anthropocene to Artificial Intelligence? Challenges of Machine Learning for Science, Life, and Society.- Part II: Ecology: A Key Resource.- Chapter 8. The Key Resources Water, Soil and Intact Ecosystems: In Which World Do We Want To Live In The Future?.- Chapter 9. Natural Ecosystems anl£Ó