This book contains a collection of essays and articles by John Scales
Avery discussing the severe problems and challenges which the world
faces during the 21st century. Human civilization and the biosphere are
threatened by catastrophic climate change. Unless rapid steps are taken
to replace fossil fuels by 100% renewable energy, we risk passing a
tipping point beyond which uncontrollable feedback loops could produce a
6th extinction event comparable to those observed in the geological
record. Another serious threat to human civilization and the biosphere
is the danger of a catastrophic thermonuclear war. Over a long period of
time there is an ever-increasing risk that such a war will occur by
accident or miscalculation. Thirdly, there is threat of an extremely
serious and widespread famine, produced by the climate change,
rapidly-growing populations, and the end of the fossil fuel era. We must
urgently address all three challenges.