Understanding the Changing Planet: Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences
2010

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From the oceans to continental heartlands, human activities have altered the physical characteristics of Earth's surface. With Earth's population projected to peak at 8 to 12 billion people by 2050 and the additional stress of climate change, it is more important than ever to understand how and where these changes are happening. Innovation in the geographical sciences has the potential to advance knowledge of place-based environmental change, sustainability, and the impacts of a rapidly changing economy and society.

Understanding the Changing Planet outlines eleven strategic directions to focus research and leverage new technologies to harness the potential that the geographical sciences offer.

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172 pages · 8.5 x 11 · paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-15075-2
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-15076-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/12860

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National Research Council. 2010. Understanding the Changing Planet: Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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Front Matter i-xvi
Summary 1-4
Part I: Introduction 5-6
Introduction 7-18
Part II: Strategic Research Questions 19-20
1 How Are We Changing the Physical Environment of Earth's Surface? 21-30
2 How Can We Best Preserve Biological Diversity and Protect Endangered Ecosystems? 31-40
3 How Are Climate and Other Environmental Changes Affecting the Vulnerabilities of Coupled Human–Environment Systems? 41-48
4 How and Where Will 10 Billion People Live on Earth? 49-58
5 How Will We Sustainably Feed Everyone in the Coming Decade and Beyond? 59-66
6 How Does Where People Live Affect Their Health? 67-74
7 How Is the Movement of People, Goods, and Ideas Transforming the World? 75-82
8 How Is Economic Globalization Affecting Inequality? 83-90
9 How Are Geopolitical Shifts Influencing Peace and Stability? 91-96
10 How Might We Better Observe, Analyze, and Visualize a Changing World? 97-104
11 What Are the Societal Implications of Citizen Mapping and Mapping Citizens? 105-112
Part III: Moving Forward 113-114
Moving Forward 115-124
References 125-144
Appendixes 145-146
Appendix A: Committee and Staff Biographies 147-152
Appendix B: Acronyms and Abbreviations 153-154
Appendix C: AAG Open Session Agenda and Speakers 155-156

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Understanding the Changing Planet: Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences (2010)

Chapter: Part I: Introduction

Part I
Introduction