Global Environmental Issues (2^nd Ed.)

Global Environmental Issues, second edition builds on the popularity of the first edition, viewing global environmental problems as complex issues with a network of causes, influenced by a range of actors with differing priorities. The book recognises that science underpins much of what happens in society and therefore it is important to be able to interpret the environmental and social consequences of scientific developments. In addition to discussing the main biophysical causes, the book illustrates how socio-economic and political factors determine why and how people use land, resources and technology, and how this in turn affects natural resource management.

This edition includes new chapters on the politics of science, International environmental regulation and treaties, environmental issues in a globalised world and natural resource management.

Global Environmental Issues, second edition is essential reading for upper level undergraduates and Masters students within departments of Environmental Science and Geography.

• Includes case studies from around the world to provide a real life context for the issues tackled in each chapter
• Considers both the results of human actions and natural environmental change in order to provide balanced, in-depth debate
• Includes coverage of contemporary 'hot topics' such as biodiversity, globalization and sustainable development
• Chapters authored by experts in the field
• Includes new chapters on The politics of science, International environmental regulation and treaties , Environmental issues in a globalised world and Natural Resource Management
• Expanded sections include negotiating multilateral environmental agreements, GM crops, biofuels and marine and freshwater resources

Contributors ix

Acknowledgements xi

Part One Introduction 1

1 Human–Environment Interactions 3
Frances Harris

Part Two Negotiating Environmental Science 19

2 From Science to Policy 21
Frances Harris

3 Confronting a Multitude of Multilateral Environmental Agreements 39
Anilla Cherian

Part Three The Changing Surface of the Earth 63

4 Grappling with the Global Climate Challenge 65
Anilla Cherian

5 Understanding and Adapting to Sea-Level Rise 87
Patrick D. Nunn

6 Conserving Biodiversity and Natural Resources 105
Frances Harris

Part Four Meeting Our Needs 131

7 Food Production and Supply 133
Guy M. Robinson and Frances Harris

8 Meeting Society’s Demand for Energy 167
Nick Petford

Part Five Coping with Our Impact 201

9 Sustainable Urbanisation 203
Kenneth Lynch

10 Coping with Pollution: Dealing withWaste 237
Ros Taylor

Part Six Conclusion 275

11 Sustainable Development: Negotiating the Future 277
Frances Harris

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms 295

References 301

Index 333

Frances Harris is the editor of Global Environmental Issues, 2nd Edition, published by Wiley.