Planet Earth is an amazing machine, and we-and our future-are riding on it. This video introduces students to the Earth system's primary interacting subsystems (the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere); the nitrogen, carbon, and water cycles; and three surface processes: weathering, mass-wasting, and erosion. The greenhouse effect, the impact of acid rain on the environment, and diminishing freshwater resources around the world are considered as well.

Encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on June 13, 2006. Learn360 is distributed by Infobase for Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware.

Geosystems and Carbon Cycles (3:52) -- Earth's Hydrologic Cycle (2:50) -- Earth's Rock Cycle (2:13) -- Earth's Surface Changes (4:36) -- Erosion and Glaciers (3:28).