Why Geology is Needed. A Brief History of the Past and Future of Our Planet

What is the risk of an asteroid collision with Earth? Why does the temperature of the ocean millions of years ago matter today? In an engaging and accessible manner, Doug MacDougall provides an overview of the astonishing history of Earth,... based on information derived from natural archives. We discover that earth science actually sheds light on many of the most pressing issues of today - energy availability, access to fresh water, agriculture. But more importantly, MacDougall clearly emphasizes that science also provides crucial keys to the future of the planet. Doug MacDougall is a writer, geological scientist, and educator. He is an emeritus professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, where he taught and conducted research in geochemistry for many years. A passionate traveler, his research has taken him around the world, from Siberia and the Canadian Arctic to southern India, China, and the depths of the Pacific Ocean.