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Global environmental change and global societal transformations are both rooted in human attitudes and behaviour and are closely interrelated. It is true that natural forces act spontaneously, but human interferences with the ecosystem have resulted in substantial modifications of such processes. This book examines the human factor behind the dynamics of ecosystem and society. It focuses on resources (using the example of water), and social cleavages (with an emphasis on poverty, segregation, and terrorism). A chapter on spirituality underscores the message the text wants to convey.

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The author obtained his PhD in Geography at Basle University in 1971, and his university aggregation in 1984. Since 1982 he has been teaching human geography at the University of Fribourg/CH. His main research fields are boundaries, and problems of marginal regions.

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