The Human Impact has become the classic student text for understanding the ways in which human activity has changed and is changing the face of the earth. The fifth edition follows the familiar and successful structure of the previous editions and examines the human role in natural processes and systems. Professor Goudie provides a discussion of the development of ideas on global change together with chapters that deal with the impacts that humans have had on all aspects of the environment. The topics covered include vegetation, animals, soils, water, landforms, the atmosphere and climate. The book also considers the future, in particular the possible consequences of global warming. This fifth edition has been extensively updated and referenced. It is wide-ranging in coverage and well illustrated throughout. It provides a comprehensive view of the major environmental issues facing the world today. The Human Impact gives students of the environment an essential introduction to the impact of humans on the Earth. This book is not published by Blackwell in the USA.