{"product_id":"9780262291620","title":"Global Catastrophes and Trends: The Next Fifty Years","description":"Fundamental change occurs most often in one of two ways: as a \"fatal discontinuity,\" a sudden catastrophic event that is potentially world changing, or as a persistent, gradual trend. Global catastrophes include volcanic eruptions, viral pandemics, wars, and large-scale terrorist attacks; trends are demographic, environmental, economic, and political shifts that unfold over time. In this provocative book, scientist Vaclav Smil takes a wide-ranging, interdisciplinary look at the catastrophes and trends the next fifty years may bring.  Smil first looks at rare but cataclysmic events, both natural and human-produced, then at trends of global importance, including the transition from fossil fuels to other energy sources and growing economic and social inequality. He also considers environmental change -- in some ways an amalgam of sudden discontinuities and gradual change -- and assesses the often misunderstood complexities of global warming.  \u003ci\u003eGlobal Catastrophes and Trends\u003c\/i\u003e does not come down on the side of either doom-and-gloom scenarios or techno-euphoria. Instead, Smil argues that understanding change will help us reverse negative trends and minimize the risk of catastrophe.","brand":"MIT Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47120301719792,"sku":"9780262291620","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780262291620_p0.jpg?v=1763681042","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780262291620","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}