This atlas investigates the complex relationship between human activity and the global environment through a comprehensive cartographic lens. Richard Kemp provides a structured overview of environmental challenges, utilizing data-driven maps and thematic diagrams to illustrate the state of the world's ecosystems during the early 1990s. The work serves as a reference tool for understanding the spatial distribution of natural resources, pollution, and climate patterns.

The text functions as a foundational reference for students and researchers seeking a visual synthesis of environmental geography from the late twentieth century. Its reliance on clear, thematic cartography provides an accessible entry point for understanding the interconnected nature of global ecological systems.