Part I. Introduction, the Earth as a System: 1. Why in the world study earth systems science?

2. Physical geography

3. Time scales: geologic, biologic, and political

Part II. Natural Processes: The Geosphere: 4. The earth's place in the solar system

5. Earth materials, and the internal constitution of the planet

6. Drifting continents, sea-floor spreading, and plate tectonics

7. Fluvial landforms: the surface of the earth

8. Chemical weathering and soils: interface between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere

The Hydrosphere

9. The hydrological cycle

10. Atmosphere-ocean coupling and surface circulation of the ocean

11. Deep-sea and global ocean circulation

12. Chemical oceanography

13. Atmosphere composition, mixing, and ozone destruction

14. Atmosphere motions and the greenhouse

15. Can we forecast climate future without knowing climate past?

Can we predict climate change accurately?

16. The Biosphere

17. Biodiversity: result of speciation and extinction

18. Evolution: adaptation and environmental change

19. Global biogeochemical cycles: carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen

20. Global change and the terrestrial carbon cycle: the Jasper Ridge CO2 experiment

21. Ecology: possible consequences of rapid global change

Part III. Societal and Policy Implications: Resource Use and Environmental Technology: 22. Population and the environment

23. Mineral resources: assets and liabilities

24. Energy resources and the environment

25. Natural hazards: prediction and risk: society, the environment and public policy

26. Steps from environmental science to effective policy

27. Confronting the prospect of global climate change: carbon taxes and other domestic policy options

28. Land use: global effects of local changes

29. Agriculture and global change

30. Water allocation and protection: a case study of the American Southwest

31. Valuing nature

32. The life support system - towards earth sense

Part IV. Summary: 33. Synthesis of earth systems and global change

Glossary.