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The most serious environmental problems of the twenty-first century have the potential to alter the course of life on this planet. Global warming, toxic waste, water and air pollution, acid rain, and shrinking energy supplies are frightening challenges that may threaten our future if we do not face up to them. Global Environmental Challenges provides important information and gives us hope about the environment. This book first helps us to grasp these difficulties, then shows us the choices we can make. How long to leave a light on, whether to take the car, the train, or bicycle to work, whether to recycle or throw away, whether to vote to curb continued suburban sprawl-all of these decisions can make a difference. This collection of some of the best essays and articles on the environment comes from a variety of sources, including journals, magazines, websites of ecological/conservation organizations, and other publications. Five major sections investigate the interaction of population growth, consumption, and environment; the emerging crisis in freshwater around the globe; global climate and atmosphere (including global warming); biodiversity loss; and the concept of sustainable development-using natural resources to place future human development on a sustainable path. The final section on sustainable development reveals how we can take action. As individuals, we can make a difference readily and easily without making huge personal sacrifices. As societies, we can work together in a global community of interest to sustain the earth. This valuable resource offers readers a better understanding of our environmental problems and presents solutions to improving the health of the planet.
List of contents
Chapter 1 Introduction Part 2 Driving Forces Chapter 3 Environment and Health: Population, Consumption, and the Environment Chapter 4 Food Security, Population, and Environment Chapter 5 Population and Consumption: What We Know, What We Need to Know Part 6 Water Chapter 7 Water for Food Production: Will There Be Enough in 2025? Chapter 8 Water Wars Chapter 9 Water and Conflict in Asia? Chapter 10 Life-or Death-for the Salton Sea? Part 11 Global Climate and Atmosphere Chapter 12 Synthesis of Scientific-Technical Information Relevant to Article 2 of the UN Framework Convention Chapter 13 Shadows of the Climate Future Chapter 14 Human Alteration of the Global Nitrogen Cycle: Causes and Consequences Part 15 Biodiversity Chapter 16 Losing Strands in the Web of Life Chapter 17 Riches from the Rainforest Chapter 18 Dying Seas Part 19 Sustainable Solutions Chapter 20 Easter Island's End Chapter 21 Neotropical Restoration Biology Chapter 22 What Are Ecosystem Services? Chapter 23 Marine Ecosystem Services Chapter 24 Environmentally Sustainable Business Practices Chapter 25 NGOs and the Environment: From Knowledge to Action Chapter 26 The Real Impacts of Household Consumption Chapter 27 Suggested Readings
About the author
David E. Lorey is director of the U.S.-Latin American Relations Program at the Hewlett Foundation.
Summary
The most serious environmental problems of the twenty-first century have the potential to alter the course of life on this planet.
