Earth’s Changing Environment

Earth’s Changing Environment pulls together several article titles from Compton’s Encyclopedia that have some relationship to the topic of climate change. These articles have been expanded and given new treatment expressly for the purposes of this book. Several of the title are new and do not yet appear within Compton’s Encyclopedia. The material is presented in four parts with each part having a specific focus or common theme. Part one presents a focus on climate featuring articles on climate, greenhouse effect, global warming and the Kyoto Protocol. Part two explores the delicate web of life with articles on ecology, biogeography, biodiversity, endangered species, deforestation, and desertification. The effects of environmental pollution and efforts to protect the environment and to conserve its resources are addressed in part three with articles on environmental pollution, conservation, environmentalism, and environmental law. The final part examines the planet earth and its interconnected systems. Two of the articles in part one have been reviewed by Susan Hassol, a climate change communicator, analyst, and author who frequently discusses the subject on radio and television as well as writing about it for film, journals, books, and a variety of other reports. Compton’s challenges and inspires readers of all ages and this subject matter is one that should concern everyone on the planet. The articles within these pages have been supplemented with sidebars, tables, maps, charts and graphs, artwork, and photographs that are certain to engage the reader.