Environment and Society: Human Perspectives on Environmental Issues - Softcover

Harper, Charles L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0136690866 ISBN 13: 9780136690863

Publisher: Pearson, 1995

Synopsis

This is a core textbook for courses on environmental issues taught in sociology or geography or environmental sciences departments.

About this title

Synopsis:

This text looks at the connections between human societies, ecosystems and the geophysical environment. While the perspective is mostly sociological, coverage is specifically designed to be relevant to a wide range of readers and to encompass viewpoints from an assortment of disciplines. *Focuses on the interconnections between a broad range of environmental issues and trends. *Examines the human causes of environmental change. *Explores different scenarios for the future in relation to these trends. *Incorporates the most current research available and examines it from various social science perspectives *Examines the global nature of environmental problems. *Underlines the need for multilateral efforts between different parts of the world in making environmental issues important factors in security and trade agreements. *Focuses on "environmentalism" as an ideological base for environmental movements, advocacy and action in various settings. *Examines the spread of environmental concern through the worlds societies and the interaction of movements with oppositional groups and agencies. *Discusses expert risk-assessment techniques and the impact of the social perception of risk.

*Opens chapters with vignettes to engage students in the upcoming issues. *Includes end-of-chapter Personal Connections that explore links between large issues and peoples lives.

From the Back Cover:

The accumulating impact of environmental problems on our lives has created a public awareness that environmentalists could only dream about twenty years ago. Providing a comprehensive introduction to environmental problems and issues, this timely volume focuses on the connections between human societies, ecosystems, and the geophysical environment. In short, it examines how human connections are impacting the environment, and vice versa.

Environment and Society, 2/E, covers the connections between a range of easily-recognizable human and environmental issues such as:

• resource issues and pollution
• population growth, food, and consumption issues
• energy and technology issues
• climate change, uncertain risks, and "megaproblems"
• sustainability, inequality, and social change
• environmentalism and environmental movements
• environmental politics and policy
• globalization and environmental problems

To help readers further understand the effects of the "big issues," Harper includes questions and issues at the end of each chapter that attempt to make "macro-micro"links between large-scale issues and the lives of people. Truly multidisciplinary in approach, Environment and Society, 2/E, offers fascinating insight into important environmental concerns.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0136690866
• ISBN 13: 9780136690863
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 443