2. Earth system

Abstract

To confirm that humans have altered Earth’s functioning as a system, the causal mechanisms behind these alterations must be demonstrated. Only through a robust understanding of Earth as a system—its fundamental components, their interactions, and most importantly, the processes that keep the Earth system stable or induce change—is it possible to establish the causes of changes in the Earth system. ‘Earth system’ considers the key work of scientists such as Eduard Suess, Vladimir Vernadsky, Carl Sagan, James Lovelock, Lynn Margulis, David Keeling, and Paul Crutzen and their attempts to explain the dynamics of Earth as a system, the importance of the biosphere, and human impact on our planet.