Synopses & Reviews
"Inspiring people to care about the planet ..." In the new edition of ENVIRONNMENTAL SCIENCE, authors Tyler Miller and Scott Spoolman have partnered with the National Geographic Society to develop a text that will equip you with the inspiration and knowledge you need to make a difference solving today's environmental issues. Exclusive content highlights important work of National Geographic Explorers and Grantees and features over 180 new photos, maps, and illustrations that bring course concepts to life. Using this empowering book, you will learn how nature works, how you interact with it, and how you can use various scientific principles based on how nature has sustained life on the earth for billions of years to live more sustainably.
About the Author
Tyler Miller has written or co-authored 60 editions of various textbooks for introductory courses in environmental science, basic ecology, energy, and environmental chemistry. Since 1975, Miller's books have been the most widely used textbooks for environmental science in the United States and throughout the world. They have been used by almost 3 million students and have been translated into eight languages. Miller has a PhD from the University of Virginia and has received two honorary doctorate degrees for his contributions to environmental education. He taught college for 20 years and developed an innovative interdisciplinary undergraduate science program before deciding to write environmental science textbooks full time in 1975. He describes his hopes for the future as follows: If I had to pick a time to be alive, it would be the next 75 years. Why? First, there is overwhelming scientific evidence that we are in the process of seriously degrading our own life-support system. In other words, we are living unsustainably. Second, within the next 75 years we have the opportunity to learn how to live more sustainably by working with the rest of nature, as described in this book. I am fortunate to have three smart, talented, and wonderful sons--Greg, David, and Bill. I am especially privileged to have Kathleen as my wife, best friend, and research associate. It is inspiring to have a brilliant, beautiful (inside and out), and strong woman who cares deeply about nature as a lifemate. She is my hero. I dedicate this book to her and to the earth. Scott Spoolman is a writer with over 25 years of experience in educational publishing. He has had a lifelong interest in the environmental sciences and believes that education provides the best hope for our dealing with environmental problems and finding more sustainable ways to work, play, and live on our planet. Spoolman holds a master's degree in science journalism from the University of Minnesota. He has authored numerous articles in the fields of science, environmental engineering, politics, and business. He worked as an acquisitions editor on a series of college forestry textbooks. He has also worked as a consulting editor in the development of more than 70 college and high school textbooks in the natural and social sciences fields. With Tyler Miller, Spoolman has coauthored several editions of Living in the Environment, Environmental Science, and Sustaining the Earth. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the forests and waters of his native Wisconsin along with his family--his wife, environmental educator Gail Martinelli, and his children, Will and Katie.
Table of Contents
HUMANS AND SUSTAINABILITY: AN OVERVIEW. 1. Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability. ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY. 2. Science, Matter, Energy, and Systems. 3. Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work? 4. Biodiversity and Evolution. 5. Species Interactions, Ecological Succession, and Population Control. 6. The Human Population and Urbanization. 7. Climate and Biodiversity. SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY. 8. Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Species and Ecosystem Services. 9. Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services. SUSTAINING RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. 10. Food Production and the Environment. 11. Water Resources and Water Pollution. 12. Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources. 13. Energy Resources. 14. Environmental Hazards and Human Health. 15. Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Ozone Depletion. 16. Solid and Hazardous Waste. SUSTAINING HUMAN SOCIETIES. 17. Environmental Economics, Politics, and Worldviews. SUPPLEMENTS. Supplement 1: Measurement Units. Supplement 2: Reading Graphs and Maps. Supplement 3: Some Basic Chemistry. Supplement 4: Maps and Map Analysis. Supplement 5: Environmental Data and Data Analysis. Supplement 6: Geological and Biological Time Scale. Supplement 7: Principles of Sustainability.