The magnitude and rapidity of global environmental change threatens the perpetuation of life on Earth. Many aspects of this crisis are familiar to us - the destruction of tropical rainforests, the hole in the Antarctic ozone, desertification, soil erosion - yet we avoid the underlying challenge of a rapidly deteriorating ecological system and the breadth and complexity of responses demanded.<BR> Integrating an analysis of both social and environmental needs, the book explores the premises and problems of different paths towards global management.<BR> With its emphasis on flexible response, <EM>Global Ecology</EM> furthers our understanding of biospheric change and of our abilities and weaknesses in managing the transition to a sustainable society.