xvi
illustrate this subtheme are Figures 1-3 (p. 8),
8-4 (p. 165), and 10-4 (p. 217).
■ Natural capital degradation. We describe how hu-
man activities can degrade natural capital. Examples
of diagrams that illustrate this subtheme are Fig-
ures 1-7 (p. 12), 6-A (p. 124), and 10-15 (p. 225).
■ Solutions. Next comes the search for solutions to
natural capital degradation and other environmen-
tal problems. We present proposed solutions in a
balanced manner and challenge students to use
critical thinking to evaluate them. A number of fig-
ures and chapter sections and subsections present
proven and possible solutions to various environ-
mental problems. Examples are Section 9-4 (pp.
206–211), Figure 10-17 (p. 227), and Figure 10-
(p. 231).
■ Trade-Offs. The search for solutions involves trade-
offs, because any solution requires weighing advan-
tages against disadvantages. (See p. 9 and Figure
10-9, p. 220.)
■ Individuals Matter. Throughout the book Individu-
als Matter boxes describe what various concerned
citizens and scientists have done to help us work
toward sustainability. (See pp. 205, 230, and 261.)
Also, several What Can You Do? boxes describe
how readers can deal with the problems we face.
Examples are Figures 9-18 (p. 201), 9-24 (p. 210),
and 10-29 (p. 245).Case Studies
In addition to the 11 Core Case Studies described above,
31 additional Case Studies (see pp. 93–95, 177–178,
and 257–259) appear throughout the book. (See items
inBOLD type in the Detailed Contents, pp. v–xiv.) The to-
tal of 42 case studies provides an in-depth look at specific
environmental problems and their possible solutions.Critical Thinking
The introduction on Learning Skills describes critical
thinking skills (pp. 2–4). Specific critical thinking exer-
cises are used throughout the book in several ways:
■ As 66 Thinking About exercises. This interactive
approach to learning reinforces textual and graphic
information and concepts by asking students to
analyze material immediately after it is presented
rather than waiting until the end of the chapter
(see pp. 56, 62, and 87).
■ In all Science Focus boxes (see pp. 54, 188, and
195).
■ In the captions of many of the book’s figures (see
Figures 5-17, p. 117; 7-12, p. 151; and 8-5, p. 166).
■ As 10 How Would You Vote? exercises (see pp. 10,
114, and 223).
■ As end-of-chapter questions (see pp. 120 and 212).Visual Learning
This book’s 233 diagrams—90 of them new to this edi-
tion—are designed to present complex ideas in under-
standable ways relating to the real world. (See Figures
3-18, p. 68; 4-2, p. 79; and 7-11, p. 149.) We have also
carefully selected 104 photographs—34 of them new to
this edition—to illustrate key ideas. (See Figures 3-4, p. 53;
4-10, p. 89; and 10-11, p. 222.) We have avoided the com-
mon practice of including numerous “filler” photographs
that are not very effective or that show the obvious.
And to enhance visual learning, nearly 53 Cengage-
NOW animations, many referenced in figures (see Fig-
ures 8-15, p. 175 and 10-26, p. 241), are available
online.CengageNOW provides students with a more
complete learning experience that takes what students
read on the page and places it into a more interactive
environment.Major Changes in This Edition:
A Closer Look
Major changes in this new edition include the following:
■ New co-author (see p. xxiii)
■ Concept-centered approach with each chapter
section built around one to three Key Concepts
that provide the most important messages of each
chapter. Each chapter also links material to related
key concepts from previous chapters. All of the
Key Concepts, listed by chapter, can be found in
Supplement 11, page S61.
■ New design serving the concept-centered approach
and integration of Core Case Studies, with 134 new
or upgraded figures and 34 new photographs.
■ Expansion of the sustainability theme built around
the four scientific principles of sustainability (Fig-
ure 1-17, p. 23 and the back cover of the student
edition)
■ Reduced the number of chapters from 12 to 11 by
rearranging and combining some material to im-
prove flow.
■ 2 new chapter opening Core Case Studies (pp. 28
and 50)
■ 26 Science Focus boxes that provide greater depth
on scientific concepts and on the work of environ-
mental scientists (see pp. 197, 235, and 253).
■ Connections to The Habitable Planet, a set of 13
videos produced by Annenberg Media. Each half-
hour video describes research that two different
scientists are doing on a particular environmental
problem (see pp. 72, 218, and 254).
■ Review section at the end of each chapter with com-
prehensive review questions that include all key
terms in boldface. (See pp. 74, 75, and 180.)
■ A Data Analysis or Ecological Footprint Analysis
exercise at the end of each chapter (see pp. 26, 76,
98–99, and 274) and additional exercises analyzing