Global Environmental Issues

About this book

Global Environmental Issues, second edition builds on the popularity of the first edition, viewing global environmental problems as complex issues with a network of causes, influenced by a range of actors with differing priorities. Global Environmental Issues recognises that science underpins much of what happens in society and therefore it is important to be able to interpret the environmental and social consequences of scientific developments. In addition to discussing the main biophysical causes, Global Environmental Issues illustrates how socio-economic and political factors determine why and how people use land, resources and technology, and how this in turn affects natural resource management.

This edition includes new chapters on the politics of science, International environmental regulation and treaties, environmental issues in a globalised world and natural resource management.

Global Environmental Issues, second edition is essential reading for upper level undergraduates and Masters students within departments of Environmental Science and Geography.

Contents

Contributors ix
Acknowledgements xi

Part One Introduction 1
1 Human-Environment Interactions 3

Part Two Negotiating Environmental Science 19
2 From Science to Policy 21
3 Confronting a Multitude of Multilateral Environmental Agreements 39

Part Three The Changing Surface of the Earth 63
4 Grappling with the Global Climate Challenge 65
5 Understanding and Adapting to Sea-Level Rise 87
6 Conserving Biodiversity and Natural Resources 105

Part Four Meeting Our Needs 131
7 Food Production and Supply 133
8 Meeting Society's Demand for Energy 167

Part Five Coping with Our Impact 201
9 Sustainable Urbanisation 203
10 Coping with Pollution: Dealing withWaste 237

Part Six Conclusion 275
11 Sustainable Development: Negotiating the Future 277

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms 295
References 301
Index 333

Customer Reviews