{"product_id":"global-catastrophes-and-trends-the-next-50-years-paperback","title":"Global Catastrophes and Trends: The Next 50 Years - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eVaclav Smil\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA wide-ranging, interdisciplinary look at global changes that may occur over the next fifty years--whether sudden and cataclysmic world-changing events or gradually unfolding trends.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFundamental change occurs most often in one of two ways: as a \"fatal discontinuity,\" a sudden catastrophic event that is potentially world changing, or as a persistent, gradual trend. Global catastrophes include volcanic eruptions, viral pandemics, wars, and large-scale terrorist attacks; trends are demographic, environmental, economic, and political shifts that unfold over time. In this provocative book, scientist Vaclav Smil takes a wide-ranging, interdisciplinary look at the catastrophes and trends the next fifty years may bring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmil first looks at rare but cataclysmic events, both natural and human-produced, then at trends of global importance, including the transition from fossil fuels to other energy sources and growing economic and social inequality. He also considers environmental change--in some ways an amalgam of sudden discontinuities and gradual change--and assesses the often misunderstood complexities of global warming.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eGlobal Catastrophes and Trends\u003c\/i\u003e does not come down on the side of either doom-and-gloom scenarios or techno-euphoria. Instead, Smil argues that understanding change will help us reverse negative trends and minimize the risk of catastrophe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eVaclav Smil is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba. He is the author of forty books, including \u003ci\u003eEnergy and Civilization\u003c\/i\u003e, published by the MIT Press. In 2010 he was named by \u003ci\u003eForeign Policy\u003c\/i\u003e as one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers. In 2013 Bill Gates wrote on his website that \"there is no author whose books I look forward to more than Vaclav Smil.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 320\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 8.75 x 6.72 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 14, 2012\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51754094362912,"sku":"9780262518222","price":24.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/1a3bf82ced613f072ac5347ac8892e1d.webp?v=1780033262","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/global-catastrophes-and-trends-the-next-50-years-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}