Global Environmental Issues

Environmental issues, such as climate change and energy consumption, and our responses to them are of global concern. The underlying premise of the book is that while global environmental issues may be the result of natural and/or human-induced resource degradation, their root causes are due to more than just ecological factors and technological errors or problems. Biophysical environmental problems are often exacerbated by economic, social or political problems. Global Environmental Issues views global environmental problems as complex issues with a network of causes, influenced by a range of actors with differing priorities. In addition to discussing the main biophysical causes, the book will illustrate 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. Considers the scientific evidence for global environmental issues and the wider social, economic and political forces that have contributed to their development Includes global case studies from the UK, USA, Asian and South America which contextualise theory for students Identifies stakeholders with an interest in each issue and how their perceptions of the problems, and the appropriate solutions, vary Challenges readers to consider how choices made in our own environment affect livelihoods across the globe With an increased interest in the causes and consequences of environmental problems, this book will meet the needs of upper level undergraduates and Masters students within departments of environmental science and geography, who want a book that tackles the complexity of environmental change.Harris, Frances is the author of 'Global Environmental Issues' with ISBN 9780470845615 and ISBN 0470845619.