Understanding Environmental Issues
Understanding Environmental Issues

Author: Susan Buckingham

Publisher: SAGE

Published: 2008-05-13

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13: 1446239535

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"Understanding Environmental Issues provides an excellent foundation for developing critical thinking about contemporary environmental concerns and the ways in which these are debated, represented and managed. The book should achieve its aim of stimulating students to engage with how ideas of sustainability and environmental justice can be applied both in policy and in practical action." - Gordon Walker, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University "The arena of environmental issues is a minefield for undergraduate students seeking clarity about key problems and solutions. This is where Understanding Environmental Issues will play a major role, providing a stimulating guide through the wealth of material and complex ideas. In particular the unification of social and physical science in the case studies provides a holistic approach to the subject that is essential for students and a refreshing innovation for environmental textbooks." - Anna R. Davies, Trinity College, University of Dublin There is now an unprecedented interest in, and concern about, environmental problems. Understanding Environmental Issues explains the science behind these problems, as well as the economic, political, social, and cultural factors which produce and reproduce them. This book: Explains, clearly and concisely, the science and social science necessary to understand environmental issues. Describes - in section one - the philosophies, values, politics, and technologies which contribute to the production of environmental issues. Uses cases on climate change, waste, food, and natural hazards in section two to provide detailed illustration and exemplification of the ideas described in section one. The conclusion, a case study of Mexico City, draws together the key themes Vivid, accessible and pedagogically informed, Understanding Environmental Issues will be a key resource for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students in Geography, Environment, and Ecology; as well as students of the social sciences with an interest in environmental issues.

Building a Foundation for Sound Environmental Decisions
Building a Foundation for Sound Environmental Decisions

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1997-09-01

Total Pages: 104

ISBN-13: 0309057957

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Over the past decades, environmental problems have attracted enormous attention and public concern. Many actions have been taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and others to protect human health and ecosystems from particular threats. Despite some successes, many problems remain unsolved and new ones are emerging. Increasing population and related pressures, combined with a realization of the interconnectedness and complexity of environmental systems, present new challenges to policymakers and regulators. Scientific research has played, and will continue to play, an essential part in solving environmental problems. Decisions based on incorrect or incomplete understanding of environmental systems will not achieve the greatest reduction of risk at the lowest cost. This volume describes a framework for acquiring the knowledge needed both to solve current recognized problems and to be prepared for the kinds of problems likely to emerge in the future. Many case examples are included to illustrate why some environmental control strategies have succeeded where others have fallen short and how we can do better in the future.

Understanding Environmental Pollution
Understanding Environmental Pollution

Author: Marquita K. Hill

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2004-08-26

Total Pages: 494

ISBN-13: 9780521527262

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Understanding Environmental Pollution systematically introduces pollution issues to students and others with little scientific background. The first edition received excellent reviews, and the new edition has been completely refined and updated. The book moves from the definition of pollution and how pollutants behave, to air and water pollution basics, pollution and global change, solid waste, and pollution in the home. It also discusses persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals, and pesticides, and it places greater stress on global pollutants. The relationship between energy generation and use, and pollution is stressed, as well as the importance of going beyond pollution control, to pollution prevention. Impacts on human and environmental health are emphasized throughout. Students are often invited to come to their own conclusions after having been presented with a variety of opinions. This textbook provides the basic concepts of pollution, toxicology and risk assessment for non-science majors as well as environmental science students.

Understanding and Solving Environmental Problems in the 21st Century
Understanding and Solving Environmental Problems in the 21st Century

Author: R. Costanza

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2002-06-05

Total Pages: 347

ISBN-13: 0080543405

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The aim of this book is to encourage integration of the natural and social sciences with the policy and design-making community, and thereby develop a deeper understanding of complex environmental problems. Its fundamental themes are:• integrated modeling and assessment • complex, adaptive, hierarchical systems • ecosystem services • science and decision-making • ecosystem health and human health • quality of life and the distribution of wealth and resources.This book will act as a state of the art assessment of integrated environmental science and its relation to real world problem solving. It is aimed not only at the academic community, but also as a sourcebook for managers, policy makers, and the informed public. It deals both with the state of the science and the level of consensus among scientists on key environmental issues. The concepts underlying this book were developed at the 2nd EcoSummit workshop held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, June, 2000, with active participation from all delegates, and attempts to present their collective view.

Understanding Environmental Policy
Understanding Environmental Policy

Author: Steven Cohen

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Published: 2014-06-03

Total Pages: 231

ISBN-13: 0231537689

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The first edition of this pragmatic course text emphasized the policy value of a "big picture" approach to the ethical, political, technological, scientific, economic, and management aspects of environmental issues. The text then applied this approach to real-world case examples involving leaks in underground storage tanks, toxic waste cleanup, and the effects of global climate change. This second edition demonstrates the ongoing effectiveness of the book's framework in generating meaningful action and policy solutions to current environmental issues. The text adds case examples concerning congestion taxes, e-waste, hydrofracking, and recent developments in global climate change, updating references and other materials throughout and incorporating the political and policy changes of the Obama administration's first term and developments in national and global environmental issues.

Physics in a New Era
Physics in a New Era

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2001-07-15

Total Pages: 203

ISBN-13: 0309073421

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Physics at the beginning of the twenty-first century has reached new levels of accomplishment and impact in a society and nation that are changing rapidly. Accomplishments have led us into the information age and fueled broad technological and economic development. The pace of discovery is quickening and stronger links with other fields such as the biological sciences are being developed. The intellectual reach has never been greater, and the questions being asked are more ambitious than ever before. Physics in a New Era is the final report of the NRC's six-volume decadal physics survey. The book reviews the frontiers of physics research, examines the role of physics in our society, and makes recommendations designed to strengthen physics and its ability to serve important needs such as national security, the economy, information technology, and education.

Global Environmental Challenges of the Twenty-First Century
Global Environmental Challenges of the Twenty-First Century

Author: David E. Lorey

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Published: 2002-10-01

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 0742581837

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The most serious environmental problems of the twenty-first century have the potential to alter the course of life on this planet. Global warming, toxic waste, water and air pollution, acid rain, and shrinking energy supplies are frightening challenges that may threaten our future if we do not face up to them. Global Environmental Challenges provides important information and gives us hope about the environment. This book first helps us to grasp these difficulties, then shows us the choices we can make. How long to leave a light on, whether to take the car, the train, or bicycle to work, whether to recycle or throw away, whether to vote to curb continued suburban sprawl-all of these decisions can make a difference. This collection of some of the best essays and articles on the environment comes from a variety of sources, including journals, magazines, websites of ecological/conservation organizations, and other publications. Five major sections investigate the interaction of population growth, consumption, and environment; the emerging crisis in freshwater around the globe; global climate and atmosphere (including global warming); biodiversity loss; and the concept of sustainable development-using natural resources to place future human development on a sustainable path. The final section on sustainable development reveals how we can take action. As individuals, we can make a difference readily and easily without making huge personal sacrifices. As societies, we can work together in a global community of interest to sustain the earth. This valuable resource offers readers a better understanding of our environmental problems and presents solutions to improving the health of the planet.

Global Environmental Issues
Global Environmental Issues

Author: Frances Harris

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2005-01-28

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 0470093951

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Meeting the needs of upper level students, this book treats global environmental problems as complex issues with a network of human and biophysical causes. Each chapter interlinks human demands on the Earth's resources to natural biophysical change - not simply a 'cause and effect' treatment of global issues and environmental change Includes coverage of contemporary hot topics such as biodiversity, urbanisation and sustainable development Global case studies (two per chapter) contextualise theory for students "This book should have considerable appeal among undergraduate and postgraduate students in a broad range of disciplines. Frances Harris has assembled a team of well-qualified authors, who between them consider such important environmental issues as climate and sea level change, biodiversity, GM crops, energy supply, urbanization, pollution and sustainable development. The style is clear and non-technical, the coverage is global and the text is supported by numerous figures and illustrations. Boxed case studies provide useful exemplification of general issues. I have no doubt that this book will be very popular with my own students, in providing detailed analysis of a range of key environmental issues which are frequently reported in the media." Tony Binns, University of Sussex, UK "This book usefully realises that environmental issues are a complex blend of contested science, broader socio-political contexts and the concerns, values, attitudes and livelihoods of individuals. Written by internationally recognised authors, it covers major global issues such as pollution, energy, climate change, sea level rise, food production, urbanisation and sustainability in an informative way, with abundant case studies and illustrations, which clearly exemplify just how complex the facets of the issues can be. It does not offer easy solutions but it is a good exercise in awareness for the reader." Stephen Trudgill, Robinson College, University of Cambridge, UK

The Failure of Environmental Education (And How We Can Fix It)
The Failure of Environmental Education (And How We Can Fix It)

Author: Charles Saylan

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 2011-05-25

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 0520265386

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

“The hope for the future depends on teaching current and future students the analytical and critical thinking skills for dealing with the most critical problems. My own hope is for this book to be read by everyone, even those outside the field of environmental education. Read this book, read it again, share it widely, and do something - anything - to help our needy and wounded planet."-Marc Bekoff, author of The Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons For Expanding Our Compassion Footprint "Saylan and Blumstein provide a compelling vision of what can be, and what should be, if we have the courage to open our eyes and the boldness to act.”-Peter Saundry, Ph.D., Executive Director of the National Council for Science and the Environment “A clarion call to incorporate environmental education in all grades K-12, across all academic disciplines, in order to produce future generations of environmental stewards."-Mark Gold, President, Heal The Bay "We need a sea change in the educational system. After all, if we can teach schoolchildren that vandalism is wrong, why can we not teach them that environmental destruction is wrong? This book is a haunting call to action. A beautifully written manifesto that gets it right."-Ron Swaisgood, Director of Applied Animal Ecology, Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global “The greatest threat to the future of all species on the planet is the huge gap between what is understood about global climate change by the scientific community and what is known about climate change by the people who need to know -- the public. The sound prescriptions in this book need to be read now. We are running out of time.”-Dr. James Hansen, world-renowned climatologist and author of Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth About the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity “Environmental education is a disaster and educating the public on environmental issues is the greatest challenge facing humanity today. This book will help us understand why we are headed toward the collapse of civilization, and more important, how to fix it. Packed with sound science, useful information, and brilliant ideas, it is a book we must read, and give, to our local school boards and principals nationwide. Our children will thank us."-Paul R. Ehrlich, author of The Population Bomb and Humanity on a Tightrope