Cosmic Threats: A Planetary Response

Synopsis

Cosmic Threats : A Planetary Perspective Calls For The Progressive Creation Of Supra-national Institutions Intended To Protect Life On Earth Against Natural Threats, Be These Terrestrial (pandemics, Super-volcanoes, Major Earthquakes...) Or Celestial (comets, Asteroids, Meteor Storms...). The Protection Proffered Would Need To Be Pre-emptive Though Also Responsive, Reducing The Number Of Adverse Events But Also Their Specific Consequences. Rancid Though The World Scene Currently Looks, This May Actually Be A Good Time To Look Towards A Planetary Security Programme That Can Build Up Over A Century Or More. It Would Need Special International Institutions That Are Sufficiently Integrated To Cope With The Celestial And Terrestrial Contingencies Anticipated Yet Not So Much A Class Apart As To Be A Law Unto Themselves, A Military Regime Able To Ride Roughshod Over General World Opinion. Such An Holistic Approach To Planetary Security Might Prove To Be A Definitive Substitute For War Between Nations. Professor Brown Comes To Such Questions From A Broad Career Background. His Lead Qualifications Are A Masters Degree From Oxford In Modern History And A Doctorate Of Science From Birmingham (uk) In Applied Geophysics. He Has Been A Naval Meteorologist; Staff College Instructor; Part-time But Pro-active As A Defence Correspondent For Several Of The West's Leading Journals; And Political Consultant. From 1980 To 1986, He Was Chairman Of The Council For Arms Control. From 1993 To 1997 He Worked Half-time In The Sensors And Electronic Systems Directorate Of Britain's Ministry Of Defence. This Was As The Academic Consultant In A Small Task Force Specifically Created To Advise The Government Of The Day Apropos What British Policy To Strategic Ballistic Missile Defence Should Be--provided By Publisher. Prefatory Statement -- The Author -- Legends And Realities -- Galactic Reconnaissance -- [i] Underlying Overviews -- Tough Centuries Ahead -- Planetary Confinement: (1) Limited World War; (2) Ambiguous Togetherness -- The Abrahamic Schism: (1) Islam; (2) The Holy Land -- [ii] Space Age Progression -- The Thermonuclear Five -- Skyward Progression: (1) Muscovite Adjustment; (2) The Chinese Heritage; (3) China Ascendant -- [iii] Space Age Encounter -- Terrestrial Belligerence: (1) Near Space; (2) Regular War; (3) Insurgency And Proliferation -- Near Earth Objects -- Celestial Engagement: (1) Strategic Command; (2) Operational Applications -- [iv] Cosmic Spearhead -- Emergent Priorities -- The Cosmic Setting -- Appendix A: The Geostrategic Structure -- Appendix B: Earthquakes And Volcanoes. Neville Brown. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.