This book brings together research on the relations between people and the planet's living and non-living resources. Its three main foci include the methodological approaches to the study of relationships between people and land use, patterns of consumption, population trends and the availability of food and water resources; an examination of evidence of disequilibria in increasing conflicts, migrations, and over-crowding; and a search for balance between people and the other elements of the biosphere through understanding and overcoming destructive forces.