G. Tyler Miller Jr.
G. Tyler Miller, Jr., has written 58 textbooks for introductory courses in environmental science, basic ecology, energy, and environmental chemistry. They include ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINING THE EARTH, and ESSENTIALS OF ECOLOGY. 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 Ph.D. 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 since 1975. Currently, he is the President of Earth Education and Research, devoted to improving environmental education. 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 your [students'] lifetime we have the opportunity to learn how to live more sustainably by working with the rest of nature, as described in this book."
Scott Spoolman
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.
Summary
Learn how to make a difference in our environment! Using sustainability as the central theme, this current and thought-provoking book provides you with basic scientific tools for understanding and thinking critically about the environment and the environmental problems we face. Updated with new information, art, and "Good News" examples, this engaging book offers vivid case studies and hands-on quantitative exercises. The concept-centered approach transforms complex environmental topics and issues into key concepts that you will be able to understand and remember. Overall, by framing the concepts with goals for more sustainable lifestyles and human communities, authors G. Tyler Miller and Scott Spoolman enable you to learn and implement useful environmental solutions and see how promising the future can be.
Table of Contents
PART I: HUMANS AND SUSTAINABILITY: AN OVERVIEW.
1. Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability.
PART II: SCIENCE, ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES, AND SUSTAINABILITY.
2. Science, Matter, Energy, and Systems.
3. Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work?
4. Biodiversity and Evolution.
5. Biodiversity, Species Interactions, and Population Control.
6. The Human Population and Its Impact.
7. Climate and Biodiversity.
8. Aquatic Biodiversity.
PART III: SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY.
9. Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach.
10. Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity: The Ecosystem Approach.
11. Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity.
PART IV: SUSTAINING NATURAL RESOURCES.
12. Food, Soil, and Pest Management.
13. Water Resources.
14. Geology and Nonrenewable Minerals.
15. Nonrenewable Energy.
16. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
PART V: SUSTAINING ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
17. Environmental Hazards and Human Health.
18. Air Pollution.
19. Climate Disruption and Ozone Depletion.
20. Water Pollution.
21. Solid and Hazardous Waste.
22. Sustainable Cities.
PART VI: SUSTAINING HUMAN SOCIETIES.
23. Economics, Environment, and Sustainability.
24. Politics, Environment, and Sustainability.
25. Environmental Worldviews, Ethics, and Sustainability.
SUPPLEMENTS.
1. Measurement Units.
2. Reading Graphs and Maps.
3. U.S. Environmental History.
4. Some Basic Chemistry.
5. Classifying and Naming Species.
6. Components and Interactions in Major Biomes.
7. Weather Basics, El Niño, Tornadoes, and Tropical Cyclones.
8. Maps.
9. Environmental Data and Data Analysis.
