Understanding Environmental Issues
- Susan Buckingham - Brunel University, UK
- Mike Turner - Brunel University, UK
Ecological Studies | Environmental Sociology | Environmental Studies/Physical Geography (General)
"Understanding Environmental Issues provides an excellent foundation for developing critical thinking about contemporary environmental concerns and the ways in which these are debated, represented and managed. The book should achieve its aim of stimulating students to engage with how ideas of sustainability and environmental justice can be applied both in policy and in practical action."
- Gordon Walker, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University
"The arena of environmental issues is a minefield for undergraduate students seeking clarity about key problems and solutions. This is where Understanding Environmental Issues will play a major role, providing a stimulating guide through the wealth of material and complex ideas. In particular the unification of social and physical science in the case studies provides a holistic approach to the subject that is essential for students and a refreshing innovation for environmental textbooks."
- Anna R. Davies, Trinity College, University of Dublin
There is now an unprecedented interest in, and concern about, environmental problems. Understanding Environmental Issues explains the science behind these problems, as well as the economic, political, social, and cultural factors which produce and reproduce them. This book:
- Explains, clearly and concisely, the science and social science necessary to understand environmental issues.
- Describes - in section one - the philosophies, values, politics, and technologies which contribute to the production of environmental issues.
- Uses cases on climate change, waste, food, and natural hazards in section two to provide detailed illustration and exemplification of the ideas described in section one. The conclusion, a case study of Mexico City, draws together the key themes
Vivid, accessible and pedagogically informed, Understanding Environmental Issues will be a key resource for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students in Geography, Environment, and Ecology; as well as students of the social sciences with an interest in environmental issues.
This book is a great resource for instructors and teachers who are involved in any undergraduate environmental education course. I particularly find case study chapters very helpful. These chapters on food, waste, climate change and hazards focus on wide variety of aspects of the issues such as environmental patterns, environmental and health impacts, moral and ethical considerations.
Although Chapter 1 has some good pointers on the relationship between approaches to the society and environment nexus and talks about environmental justice and ecofeminism, it would also have been nice to read other contemporary approaches such as ecojustice.
A good introduction to the issues around. The first half of hte book is stronger than the second. The case studies do not always relate to each other.
The book is an excellent read and supplement text for tow modules one at a masters level and another at the undergraduate level. I will recommend that the masters students consider purchasing this book.
An engaging and well-written text useful as an introduction to environmental issues and providing valuable information concerning debates relating to environmental policy debates.
Gives examples for the practical uses of GIS
This book contains relevant information and advice for students carrying out independent research projects in areas of Physical Geography that overlap with Environmental Science, and as such is valuable reading for many of our students although it is not central to our core teaching.
