In 1999 the first edition of The Earth from the Air - the result of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's five-year airborne odyssey over six continents - was published. Now this work has been revised and expanded for the 21st century, with additional photographs, all-new essays and updated information. How can we ensure sustainable development and preserve the Earth for future generations? The crisis facing the global population propelled Arthus-Bertrand on his mission to create a portrait of the world - both of its natural beauty and its precarious condition, including the impact of human civilization on the land. In views ranging from spectacular panoramas of vast geographical formations to intimate glimpses of small-scale features of the landscape, the photographs give a remarkable account of the Earth's surface. The text is written by environmentalist Lester Brown and other recognized experts in the fields of ecology, economics, geography and demography.