Andrew Y. Glikson Bücher

"This book presents a history which is nearing its nadir, where a species of warlike primates is destroying the delicate web of life perceived by Charles Darwin in The Origin of Species, committing a war against nature and the fastest mass extinction in the history of nature, with global temperatures incinerating the biosphere by several degrees Celsius, within a lifetime. Despite of this knowledge, Homo 'sapiens' is proceeding to transfer every accessible molecule of carbon from the Earth crust to the atmosphere and hydrosphere, an auto-da-fe ensues of the terrestrial biosphere. As amplifying feedbacks to global warming -- including fires, methane release, ice melt, and warming oceans -- are intensifying, at a pace exceeding any recorded in the geological past, societies are pouring their remaining resources into wars. These include likely nuclear wars triggered by arsenals many thousands of missiles strong, posing an equal threat to human existence and that of many other species. Humans, having mastered fire, which allowed them to survive the extreme ice ages, have emerged in the current interglacial as major civilizations coupled with major bloodsheds, called 'war', engulfing multitudes of innocent yet betrayed humans. Long suffering from illusions of omnipotence and omniscience, paranoid fears, a warlike mindset, aggression toward the animals and disrespect of females, coupled with artistic excellence and technical brilliance, humans have become victims to a tragic conflict between the mind and the heart, with fatal consequences."--Back cover

The book explores the duality of human advancement amidst the looming threats of global warming and nuclear conflict. It delves into how humanity's technological prowess brings both creativity and destruction, represented by the metaphor of a candle that illuminates yet consumes itself. As environmental crises unfold—such as wildfires, melting ice sheets, and rising sea levels—the narrative underscores the urgent need to confront these challenges that endanger civilization and its agricultural foundations.

This books presents a documentation and resulting perspectives regarding James Lovelock's multidisciplinary evolution theory. It looks at past and current climate changes and their consequences, including detailed accounts of the global warming. The connection between climate trajectories and extreme weather events, including tropical and arctic fronts, cyclones, fire storms, tropical storms, acidification, tsunami, floods, sea level rise, are referred to in connection with recent developments. The book updates earlier accounts regarding extreme weather events and mass extinctions.