We are in a historic transition from an inherited world to a profoundly different one: a global biosphere whose vital functions we have altered. The explosion in human numbers has placed unprecedented demands on agricultural land, forests, and other resources, changing the green skin of continents, as well as the interactions between the atmosphere, land, oceans, and the living organisms that support life on Earth. This map illustrates these interactions and highlights the growing threats. A wonderful resource for learning more about the delicate balance between development and the planet's natural regeneration.