ABSTRACT
Human beings-or their close genetic relatives-have lived on Earth for several million years. Yet only recently has human activity reached levels at which it can affect fundamental natural processes-such as the concentration of gases in the atmosphere, the planet’s water mass and the complex web of species that constitute life on earth. Scientists find that the most environmental damage has occurred in the last 60 years. Why? What happened 60 years ago? What is the origin of today’s global environmental problems-and what can be done to resolve them?
