Environmental Science: A Global Concern

This book is intended for use in a one- or two-semester course in environmental science, human ecology, or environmental studies at the college or advanced placement high school level. Because most students who will use it are freshman or sophomore non-science majors, the authors have tried to make the text readable and accessible without technical jargon or a presumption of prior science background. At the same time, enough data and depth are presented to make the book suitable for many upper-division classes and a valuable resource for students who will keep it in their personal libraries after their formal studies are completed. The aim of the authors is to provide an up-to-date, introductory view of essential themes in environmental science along with emphasis on details and case studies that will help students to process and retain the general principles. - This edition has approximately 50 new photographs, 15 new figures, and 55 revised figures. The most current data available is used in graphs and tables, and in most cases, dates are provided so that students can consider whether the information might have changed and why. - Every chapter in this book begins with a case study designed to introduce the main topic and stimulate student interest. - The text emphasizes critical thinking by asking the reader to view all sides of an issue and to make informed, rational decisions based on ethical values.