Focusing on the environment and environmental policy, this text examines the dynamic interplay among the physical, economic, social, and political forces impacting the major natural resource issues of today's world. Written by authors with contrasting scientific and philosophical views, it presents a wide range of opinions and interpretations of these issues that results in a balanced review and solid basis for discussion. The inclusion of up-to-the minute, critical quantitative data on natural resource conditions and use, along with important Internet references, inform students while preparing them to analyze and evaluate the significance of resource patterns and trends as objectively as possible.
Susan Lynn Cutter is a geographer and disaster researcher who works at the University of South Carolina, where she is a Carolina Distinguished Professor of Geography and director of the Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute. She is the author or editor of many books on disasters and disaster recovery. William H. Renwick is the author of Exploitation Conservation Preservation: A Geographic Perspective on Natural Resource Use, 4th Edition, published by Wiley.
New to Edition
Extensive updating of data and figures throughout. Virtually every item of data has been brought up-to-the-minute using the most current and reliable information available, while more than 60 figures are new or have been re-drawn.
Environmental policies of the Bush administration.
The growth of industrial-scale meat production.
Effects of economic growth in China on the world food situation.
Continuing deforestation in the Amazon.
Water and air quality problems in developing-world cities.
Developments surrounding the Kyoto Protocol.
Updates on recent trends in energy production and consumption.
New Instructor Web Site that includes a Test Bank with fill-in and multiple- choice questions; PowerPoint slides and lecture notes for each chapter; and an image bank.
Revised Student Web Site with online quizzes consisting of fill-in and multiple choice questions, flashcards, and annotated Web links for each chapter.
Features
Balanced and engaging examination of natural resource issues.
Geographic approach to show the importance of global environmental, economic, and demographic factors affecting resource issues, as well as the interplay between human and environmental factors impacting resources at the global scale. Example: Ch. 14 on energy resources.
Introductory chapters 1-5 that provide a theoretical context for analyzing individual issues by describing the basic properties of natural resources, resource economics, history and policy, and the ecological and demographic dimensions of natural resource issues.
Concluding, forward-looking chapter on the transition to a global society that gives concrete suggestions on how societies can become sustainable.
Use of several global environmental databases.
Factual, objective discussions grounded in data.
Extensive data tables, maps, photos, diagrams, and other visual materials to reinforce learning. Example: Ch. 11 on air quality.
Accompanying Web site presents news items on important topics and links to other informative sites.
