Textbook in PDF format In an age where understanding our planet’s changing environments is increasingly vital, a foundational knowledge of the Earth sciences has never been more relevant. Understanding Earth as it was before human influence not only enriches our understanding of the planet’s past, but also informs our view of how it is changing. Explaining the Earth is written for readers without a scientific background. It’s an accessible and concise overview, perfectly suited to the increasing interdisciplinary interest in the Earth sciences, and to general readers with a curiosity about the planet’s composition, environments and systems