Earth Systems

The only planet to support life, Earth has a lot going for it. Think you know everything there is to know about our home planet? Think again. Discover more about the blue planet we call home.

The notion of a living world is one of humanity’s oldest beliefs. Though once scorned by many scientists, the concept of Earth as a vast interconnected living system has gained acceptance in recent decades. Life not only adapts to its surroundings – it also shapes them in dramatic and enduring ways. Over billions of years, life transformed a lump of orbiting rock into our cosmic oasis, breathing oxygen into the atmosphere, concocting the modern oceans, and turning rock into fertile soil. Life is intertwined with Earth’s capacity to regulate its climate and maintain balance.

Since its 2009 launch, the Kepler satellite has discovered more than 2,000 exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system. More exoplanets are being discovered all the time, remarkable in their variety. Astronomer Michael Summers and physicist James Trefil explore these remarkable recent discoveries: planets revolving around pulsars, planets made of diamond, planets that are mostly water, and numerous rogue planets wandering through the emptiness of space.

The energy in our bodies is connected to the unlimited energy of the universe itself. When we are stressed and living with chronic anxiety, our autonomic nervous system (ANS) is usually out of balance, disconnected and stuck in a 'fight or flight' mode. This can cause a range of long-term physical and mental health problems. The harmonic sounds in this premium audiobook are specifically designed to calm the autonomic nervous system and put you on a 'rest, relax and repair' mode where the mind can still and the body can begin to heal.

Everything is going according to plan. Ivan Susanin has successfully installed a beacon in the undead territory and returned home. The situation changes when the next mission to the city of goblins is delayed, while his home planet becomes the battleground. Monsters invade Earth, and Ivan must become one of the leaders and unite the players under his banner, albeit within the borders of his own country. If circumstances demand that he discloses his identity and cooperates with the authorities, so be it! Modern weapons and equipment, instructors, financing, and protection by law....

The Alcazar station has been attacked! Project Ibex, under the command of former teammate Irene has begun cutting a bloody path throughout the galaxy, delivering a single message. Humanity has arrived! From Tachyon to Boron and beyond Hrafn squad will pursue the Veles across the galaxy. Alliances will be forged; enemies will be made and the thin red line between hero and villain will be towed in the name of peace.

Fire is rarely out of the headlines, from large natural wildfires raging across the Australian or Californian countrysides to the burning of buildings such as the disasters of Grenfell tower and Notre Dame. Fire on these scales can represent a serious risk to human life and property. But the advent of fire made and controlled by humans also represented a crucial point in our evolution, allowing us to cook our food, forge our weapons, and warm our homes.

In the early days of civilization, we knew nothing about the moon. It was considered as a god chasing the sun in an endless race through the sky. Today, we know much more than our ancestors. We can speculate on the creation of the moon and what the Earth would be without the moon. It turns out that our moon has played a much more important role in life development than anyone would have thought.

If a black hole is not a hole, then what is it? Find out what black holes are, what causes them, and how scientists first discovered them. Learn how astronomers find black holes, get to know our nearest black-hole neighbor, and take a journey that will literally s-t-r-e-t-c-h the mind.

Erosion changes Earth's natural features. It breaks down materials and can help make something new. Discover why erosion is an important part of nature!

All living things need air to survive. Air also protects Earth. Discover why air is an important part of nature!

Different kinds of rocks are found on Earth. Many are found deep inside Earth. Discover why rocks are an important part of nature!

Plants and animals from millions of years ago left behind fossils. Fossils can teach people about the past. They are also used for fuel. Discover why fossils are an important part of nature!

Soil covers most of the land on Earth. It feeds plants and is home to many animals. Discover why soil is an important part of nature!

Most of Earth is covered in water. Water falls from the sky as rain or snow. All living things need water to survive. Discover why water is an important part of nature!

Start a peaceful revolution by planting an edible ecosystem and sharing the experience with your neighbors. Humans have always thrived in rich, diverse, edible ecosystems. Yet most cities and suburbs are blanketed by lawns, ornamentals, and a lack of biodiversity, let alone anything edible. It is within these sterile landscapes that seeds of an edible ecosystem lie. The Edible Ecosystem Solution is a comprehensive, practical guidebook that looks at underutilized spaces to reveal the many opportunities for landscape transformation.

The water sprite with roots is personified as a friend who experiences many encounters, imbalances, fears, and hopes in his water cycle journey. Because he shares an affinity with any organic life form derived from carbon and hydrogen, he can communicate with other beings and express their stories from their realities. Most importantly, he talks the walk through his mission of discovering cyclical truths from the sun to water to nutrients to plants to animals to decomposing bacteria to respecting the biodiversity essential for all life. 

No one on Earth knows the seeds of the world’s destruction just fell from space. Tiana knows what duty means though. It's why all her friends are dead. Alone on a primitive world. All her all her technology at the bottom of the ocean. Outnumbered by deadly enemies only she can bring to justice. If she fails her mission now, another sentient species will fall. And the Tyrant Empire will rise again - because Earth has just been infected with a fatal parasite.