"Earth Matters" is a quarterly program sponsored by Stanford's School of Earth Sciences and the University's popular Continuing Studies program. The timely lecture series addresses the unprecedented challenge of meeting the needs of a growing, more heavily consuming human population for critical resources including fresh water, food, and energy, while protecting the planet's ability to produce these essential resources for generations to come. In their presentations, Stanford Earth Sciences thought leaders define the problems; address facts and myths; explain potential solutions based on their latest research; and engage in lively discussion with the Continuing Studies community.