Overview

People generally think they understand the environment and how humans use natural resources, but these ideas are often understood only superficially. Instead of thinking, I should turn off the light, we should be asking, ""Why should I turn off the light?"" Using case studies and defining key concepts, Environmental Geography explains exactly how individuals and society as a whole impact the earth. A flick of a light switch affects the demand for electricity, which is then related to sources of energy, policies about renewable energy sources, and ultimately environmental degradation and climate change. Likewise, a person's decision to eat a cheeseburger versus a salad also affects the earth, though most of us don't think about how our daily choices impact the earth. Leslie A. Duram provides meaningful examples from around the world that demonstrate both the devastating impacts that humans have on the environment and the increasing awareness of these consequences that is bringing hope for a more sustainable future. Likewise, she examines the widening rift of economic inequality, with examples of how poorer people are significantly more vulnerable than richer people to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and the effects of climate change. Environmental Geography provides concrete information that shows readers how they can learn, advocate, and take action to bring about a more sustainable future.

Full Product Details

Author:   Leslie A. Duram
Publisher:   University of Nebraska Press
Imprint:   University of Nebraska Press
ISBN:  

9781496228086

ISBN 10:   1496228081
Pages:   344
Publication Date:   01 December 2021
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

Introduction Section 1 Introduction: How Humans Affect the Environment Case Studies Cars Rule—American Dependence on the Automobile Great Barrier Reef—Human Activities Endanger Coral Reefs Dead Zones—The Gulf of Mexico Great Pacific Garbage Patch Nigeria’s Oil Causes Human Rights Abuses and Environmental Degradation Key Concepts Agriculture Food Miles Air Pollution Animal Agriculture Biodiversity Loss               Agrobiodiversity Loss Climate Change Climate Change Policies Deforestation Endangered Species Energy               Corn Ethanol from Mining the Soil E-waste Fracking Genetically Modified Crops Hazardous Waste               Brownfield Sites Mining Overfishing Solid Waste (Garbage!) Superfund Technology: Innovation and Consequences               Assembly Line Manufacturing Urbanization Water Pollution Water Scarcity   Section II Introduction: How the Environment Affects Humans Case Studies 6. Climate Change Is Occurring—Regardless of Politics 7. Climate Refugees—Island Nations Disappear Because of Rising Seas 8. Endangered Snow Leopard in Afghanistan—Local Efforts to Promote Conservation 9. The Power of Hurricane Katrina (2005)—Evacuation and the Aftermath 10. The 2004 South Asian Tsunami Natural Disaster Key Concepts Adaption Anthropocene               Small-Scale Solar Power in Africa Drought Earthquake Ecosystem Services Ecotourism Flood Global North and Global South               Environmental Crime Habitat and Wildlife Human Modification of Ecosystems               Global Environmental Agreements Human Population Hurricanes Mitigation               U.S. Global Change Research Program National Disasters Parks and Urban Green Space               Happiness and Sustainability Protected Areas and National Parks Tornado Volcano Wildfire   Section III Introduction: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources Case Studies 11. China’s Bold Steps toward Renewable Energy—Better Late than Never 12. Citizen Science—Helping Scientists Understand Migratory Birds 13. Costa Rica’s Peace with Nature: Conservation, Biodiversity, and Sustainability 14. Denmark’s Achievements in Organic Agriculture 15. Great Green Wall of Africa Key Concepts Alternative Agriculture Assessments and “Footprints” Composting               Zero Waste Communities Earth Day Electric Cars Environmental Justice               Professor Maathai and Kenya’s Green Belt Movement Environmental Nongovernmental Organizations (ENGOs) Environmental Policy Green Buildings Green Consumerism               Fleece Jackets from Recycled Bottles! Green Political Party Green Technology Recycling               Zero-Waste Home Renewable Energy Sustainable Cities Sustainable Development               Auroville, City of Peace Sustainable Diet Water Conservation Glossary Biography Selected Books Related to Environmental Geography Index  

Reviews

A good introduction to issues related to human interaction with the environment. --Booklist A well-researched reference for those who want to learn more about humanity's impact on the environment. --Library Journal With complete candor, and sometimes humor, author Leslie A. Duram provides an updated look at the complicated relationship between people and the environment. --American Reference Books Annual

With complete candor, and sometimes humor, author Leslie A. Duram provides an updated look at the complicated relationship between people and the environment. -American Reference Books Annual A well-researched reference for those who want to learn more about humanity's impact on the environment. -Library Journal A good introduction to issues related to human interaction with the environment. -Booklist

“With complete candor, and sometimes humor, author Leslie A. Duram provides an updated look at the complicated relationship between people and the environment.”-American Reference Books Annual “A well-researched reference for those who want to learn more about humanity’s impact on the environment.”-Library Journal “A good introduction to issues related to human interaction with the environment.”-Booklist

Author Information

Leslie A. Duram is a professor of geography and the director of environmental studies at Southern Illinois University–Carbondale. She is the author of Good Growing: Why Organic Farming Works (Nebraska, 2005) and the editor of Encyclopedia of Organic, Sustainable, and Local Food (Nebraska, 2011).  

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