Introduction

Physical geography involves understanding spatial patterns around the Earth through the study of flows of energy and matter across and between the Earth’s atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere. The chapter outlines the book’s scope and structure and highlights that there are many feedbacks and connections at different scales operating across the Earth. Understanding the interconnectedness of Earth system processes is crucial for managing environmental hazards and predicting future changes, particularly as we are now in the Anthropocene epoch within which humans are the dominant drivers of environmental change. Key environmental challenges are introduced and environmental thresholds are explained, including those at a global level via description of the planetary boundaries concept.