Abstract
This paper is an examination of life on Earth from its humble beginnings on through the remarkably fecund Cambrian period. Among other things, this paper looks at the Earth's own unlikely beginning, the slow development of life on its surface and the perils it faces. Of special interest, the paper devotes a great deal of time to possible explanations for the recrudescence that took place during the Cambrain period.

From the Paper
"The origins of life on earth have fascinated and engrossed scientists for generations. This fascination, of course, should not be surprising: as human beings, we have an instinctive need to know our past - perhaps because knowing our past gives our lives meaning and context and informs our present and future. Whatever the case may be, the study of life's origins has long been one of the chief pursuits of the scientific community. With this in mind, the following chapter will examine the history of life on planet Earth from the earliest days of our planet, on through the period in which the first simple, multi-cellular organisms emerged, to the "Cambrian Explosion" and the marvelous profusion of life that it created. "

Tags:earth, life, history

Abstract
This paper examines why Earth is the only planet in our solar system capable of sustaining life and how it is the only planet that has plentiful liquid water and an atmosphere that can protect the planet from the harmful ultra-violet rays of the Sun. The paper attempts to determine what makes Earth so special by using comparative planetology to understand what makes Earth a habitat for life and what makes it so different from the other planets in our solar system.

Outline:
Terrestrial Planets
Jovian Planets
Conclusion

From the Paper
"If we were to look at Earth as a starting point to compare the other eight planets in our solar system, the first thing we notice from space is the magnificent blue color and swirls of clouds. This is an inviting sight and is the first hint at why life is found on our planet. Earth has many features that the other planets do not have. Earth has many features that make it unique. Earth is made of rock and metal. It is one of the four terrestrial planets and has the largest Moon in the solar system. Earth has abundant volcanic activity because of its size in comparison to the other terrestrial planets. With the abundance of water and oxygen, Earth's atmosphere stays in balance and is able to continue supporting life. The liquid oceans help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the presence of a stratosphere helps protect the surface from the deadly ultra-violet rays of the Sun. Another unique feature of Earth is plate tectonics. Plate tectonics acts as giant conveyor belt that moves the mantle of Earth around, which constantly changes the look of our planet. Although Earth's interior needs much more exploration, scientists can tell about the composition of the deepest regions of Earth by using seismic waves following an earthquake. By reading this seismic data carefully, scientists get a better understanding of interior Earth."

Tags:jupiter, sun, moon, jovian

Abstract
The paper discusses how many stories have unfolded about how the planet Earth evolved. The paper questions what people should believe, and what people should perceive from researchers, religious officials and historians. The paper suggests that you have to gather all the information that has been given and formulate the most realistic conclusion. The paper discusses how researchers suggest that Earth was a formulation by many stars that were born and passed into oblivion.

Tags:earth, birth, science

Abstract
This paper discusses how ecological footprints, effective ecological tools used to help maintain our world, impose many questions in sustaining the earth's life. Charts are included with the paper.

Defining Our Ecological Footprint
Dependency on Nature
Carrying Capacity of Cities and Earth
Comparison between Countries
Natural Capita: Effects on the Earth
Impact of the World Economies
Solutions

From the Paper
"The world economy has a great impact on the ecological footprints of the world. Every country wants to obtain economic growth to produce more money. But in doing this, they have to deplete their natural capital, which in turn, is not helping in sustaining this world. As William Rees states, "there is simply not enough on the planet to sustain present international development trends using prevailing technologies" (Westra and Werhane ed. 1998, 115). So something drastic has to be done. As the ecological footprints of humans are already too large for the earth to handle, how can we accommodate the rising materials and rising in population, while trying to sustain the earth. Most analysts agree that it can happen in two ways: through a reduction in the standard of living or through the increase in material and energy efficiency (Westra and Werhane ed. 1998, 115). These two issues also apply problems, through cultural, economic, and social values. Especially in the more developed countries. To lower the standard of living would be outright rejected in the more developed countries such as Canada and the U. S. So indeed, most people agree that "global sustainability is achievable only through large increases in the consumption of goods and services in both poorer and richer countries" (Westra and Werhane ed. 1998, 115). But still a problem arises. There will still be inequity in the growth of the more and less developed countries. It seems the richer get richer and the poorer get poorer. A consensus seems to be emerging though. They say that the needed consumption will work if there is a reduction in the material energy costs of goods and services. "

Tags:capacity, carrying, footprints, economy, world, natural, capita, sustainability, consumption, food, ecology, countries, cities, earth, nature

Abstract
This paper examines the Big Bang theory, and how the planet Earth is thought to have come about. The author discusses how if life on Earth was created via the Big Bang, could not humans expect to find intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, created in the same manner? The paper looks at whether humans have the technology to discover possible extraterrestrial life.

From the Paper
"Should we as humans expect to find intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? There are many reasons for and against this concept, but first we should trace just how our terrestrial life started. The beginning of time and the universe began with the Big Bang. This was an explosion that started the expansion of the universe. In the most basic sense, the standard model is simply the idea that every bit of the matter and energy in the universe was once compressed to an unimaginable density. In the big bang, the material exploded outward into the formation of matter that we see today."

Tags:molecules, density, fusion, extraterrestrial, mass, technology, evolution

Abstract
This paper is a discussion and analysis of the environmental issues that are discussed in Mark Hersgaard's book, "Earth Odyssey." Some of the topics examined are nuclear technology, humanity's addiction to the automobile, the health of the planet and the affects of unbounded capitalism. The author also discusses poverty, and some of the reasons for the disparities between the richer and poorer countries and their populations. The author also poses several solutions to some of these problems.

From the Paper
"But Hertsgaard also brings up other ways we are destroying our environment, that beyond our own selves. According to Hertsgaard, "the automobile may well be the ultimate symbol of the modern environmental crisis" (p.90) The world's fleet of cars contributes " between 20 and 25 percent of current greenhouse gas emissions; only electric power plants, with 25 percent, and deforestation, with 25 percent, are as damaging." (p.94) And then there's health effects: "A study released by Harvard University researchers in 1995 found that 30,000 Americans die every year from respiratory illnesses related to car exhaust, while another 12,000 people die prematurely because of such exhaust" (p.95) Clearly, this is a point in his argument he feels especially strong about. And more importantly, it's one we as a population can control."

Tags:planet, capitalism, environmental, human, china, population, poverty, poor, russia, nuclear, consumption, waste, state

Abstract
The paper outlines what science knows and does not yet know about the planet Venus and shows how while scientists know a great deal, they remain unaware of the more abstract implications of the planet's status.

Outline:
Introduction
What We Know
What We Don't Know
Conclusion

From the Paper
"With the exception of perhaps Mars, more lore and mythology exists about the planet Venus than any of its solar system brothers and sisters. According to Ev Cochrane's book The Many Faces of Venus: The Planet Venus in Ancient Myth and Religion, "cultures everywhere assigned [Venus] a prominent role in their mythological traditions and religious rituals." In fact, Cochrane suggests that the ancient astronomers' observations about Venus should be compared with today's scientists' knowledge in order to make some startling discoveries about the history of the planet. Regardless of whether or not Cochrane's theory is correct, it illustrates the importance of the planet Venus in both mythic and scientific disciplines."

Tags:Earth, atmosphere, solar, system

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the influence of the world population on the earth's environment and atmosphere. The literature on fresh water, croplands, fisheries, forests and climate change are all reviewed. Conclusions are formulated concerning the effects of world population and what could be done to handle the problems.

From the Paper
" Vidal writing for the London newspaper 'The Guardian' asked 'Is it possible to provide for such a world'. The answer is that Biosphere earth can provide the climatic stability atmospheric composition and biological productivity for many billions of people more than are expected to be living in the next century but almost all the world's scientists and resource experts say we are ..."

Tags:world population, earth, water, croplands, climate, fisheries

Abstract
This paper takes a critical look at the book "Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe", by Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee. It discusses their theories of the beginning of life on Earth and additional theories to life on other planets. It challenges their research and data and offers other explanations and theories.

From the Paper
"Was the occurrence of complex life on the planet Earth an isolated event or simply the next logical step in evolution? Ward and Brownlee seem to believe complex life is unique to our home world or at least extremely scarce in the Universe.1 In addition to the factors in their Rare Earth equation, mentioned in their book are some specific factors peculiar to Earth that may have affected the development of complex life. Beginning with the planet Mars, W&B argue that the fossil record shows that the cooling Earth developed bacterial life as soon as conditions permitted. They suggest that this may be because the bacteria first developed on Mars, which cooled earlier, and that perhaps Earth was then seeded with these bacteria carried by meteorites reaching our planet after having been ejected from Mars by asteroid impacts. The low gravity of Mars makes this more likely, and it is estimated that ten percent of meteors ejected from Mars may impact Earth. A system lacking a Mars-like planetary companion might have been slower to develop bacterial life."

Tags:complex, earth, life, Mars, geology, bacteria, plants, galaxy, scientific, molecule, DNA

Abstract
This paper contrasts the weather on Mars and Venus with the weather on Earth. The paper first reveals that Mars is a desert planet of extremes that can be exceedingly cold and enormously windy, while Venus is a planet covered in clouds and extremely hot. The paper then relates that, while both planets have several weather-related events that are quite similar to Earth, there are major differences, as well. The paper believes that eventually, scientists may discover a way for humans to survive, or at least visit, these remarkable planets that are "right next door."

From the Paper
"Mars weather resembles the Earth's weather in many respects. Clouds form on the planet on occasion, and they are usually made up of ice crystals or carbon dioxide. The ice crystals come from Mars polar ice caps, but since Mars is a desert, it seems that these ice crystals rarely fall back to the planet in the form of rain. Storms are also quite common on Mars, and there have even been sightings and photographs of cyclones and other major storm disturbances on the planet, just as we have here on Earth."

Tags:temperature, climate, storms, rain, clouds, heat, sun, planets