Essential Environment: The Science Behind the Stories

For courses in introductory environmental science.

Engage students in science through current environmental issues

Essential Environment: The Science Behind the Stories, 6th Edition by Jay Withgott and Matt Laposata, is the #1 book in the introductory environmental science market and known for its student-friendly narrative style, integration of real stories and case studies, and presentation of the latest science and research. The 6th edition features new opportunities to help students see connections between integrated case studies and the science in each chapter, and highlights sustainable solutions that have successfully helped address environmental problems.

Coverage of topical issues upholds the textGÇÖs hard-won reputation for currency, using the most recent data available and focusing on emerging issues. Updates include new features such as Success Stories that demonstrate positive solutions to address local, national, and global environmental problems. New Case Study Video Tours take students on a virtual tour of the locations featured in each chapterGÇÖs Central Case Study and can be assigned in Mastering Environmental Science.

The succinct and affordable 6th Edition is streamlined with updated coverage and carefully crafted to make the text readable, informative, and engaging.

Also available packaged with Mastering Environmental Science or as an easy-to-use, standalone Pearson eText

Mastering^Gäó is the teaching and learning platform that empowers you to reach every student. By combining trusted author content with digital tools developed to engage students and emulate the office-hour experience, Mastering personalizes learning and often improves results for each student. Learn more about Mastering Environmental Science.

Pearson eText allows educators to easily share their own notes with students so they see the connection between their reading and what they learn in classGÇômotivating them to keep reading, and keep learning. Portable access lets students study on the go, even offline. And, reading analytics offer insight into how students use the eText, helping educators tailor their instruction. Learn more about Pearson eText.

About our authors

Jay Withgott has authored Essential Environment as well as Environment: The Science behind the Stories since their inception. In dedicating himself to these books, he works to keep abreast of a diverse and rapidly changing field and continually seeks to develop new and better ways to help today’s students learn environmental science.

As a researcher, Jay has published scientific papers in ecology, evolution, animal behavior, and conservation biology in journals ranging from Evolution to Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. As an instructor, he has taught university lab courses in ecology and other disciplines. As a science writer, he has authored articles for numerous journals and magazines including Science, New Scientist, BioScience, Smithsonian, and Natural History. By combining his scientific training with prior experience as a newspaper reporter and editor, he strives to make science accessible and engaging for general audiences. Jay holds degrees from Yale University, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Arizona.

Jay lives with his wife, biologist Susan Masta, in Portland, Oregon.

Matthew Laposata is a professor of environmental science at Kennesaw State University (KSU). He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in biology from Bowling Green State University, and a doctorate in ecology from The Pennsylvania State University.

Matt is the coordinator of KSUs two-semester general education science sequence titled Science, Society, and the Environment, which enrolls over 5000 students per year. He focuses exclusively on introductory environmental science courses and has enjoyed teaching and interacting with thousands of nonscience majors during his career. He is an active scholar in environmental science education and has received grants from state, federal, and private sources to develop and evaluate innovative curricular materials. His scholarly work has received numerous awards, including the Georgia Board of Regents highest award for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

Matt resides in suburban Atlanta with his wife, Lisa, and children, Lauren, Cameron, and Saffron.