Environmental Geography

Leslie A. Duram

Explores the complex relationship humans have with the environment. It is one of both responsibility-including the sustainable or unsustainable management of natural resources-and emotion, like the elation gleaned from a beautiful landscape or the devastation experienced from a natural disaster.Human-induced damage to the environment has widespread consequences for Earth and its inhabitants that have already included sea level rise, increased wildlife extinctions, heatwaves, droughts, intensified air pollution, and water shortages.This book provides comprehensive coverage of the complex interactions between people and the environment. It presents three clear, honest, and down-to-earth essays that cover the devastating impact humans have on the environment; the equally devastating impact the environment has on humans at times; and the positive impact that increasing awareness of our effect on the planet is having on the movement to create a more sustainable future. In addition, in-depth entries on 60 key environmental geography terms, such as deforestation, ecotourism, and environmental justice, provide a deeper dive into the topic; 15 real-world case studies on topics like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the Great Green Wall of Africa illustrate geography in action; and 10 brief spotlights from around the world draw the reader in with relevant facts.

Suggests how individuals can make better decisions and have a positive impact on future environmental conditions.

IntroductionSECTION 1Introduction: How Humans Affect the EnvironmentCase Studies1. Cars Rule-American Dependence on the Automobile2. Great Barrier Reef-Human Activities Endanger Coral Reefs3. Dead Zones-The Gulf of Mexico4. Great Pacific Garbage Patch5. Nigeria's Oil Causes Human Rights Abuses and Environmental DegradationKey ConceptsAgricultureFood MilesAir PollutionAnimal AgricultureBiodiversity LossAgrobiodiversity LossClimate ChangeClimate Change PoliciesDeforestationEndangered SpeciesEnergyCorn Ethanol from Mining the SoilE-wasteFrackingGenetically Modified CropsHazardous WasteBrownfield SitesMiningOverfishingSolid Waste (Garbage!)SuperfundTechnology: Innovation and ConsequencesAssembly Line ManufacturingUrbanizationWater PollutionWater ScarcitySECTION 2Introduction: How the Environment Affects HumansCase Studies6. Climate Change Is Occurring-Regardless of Politics7. Climate Refugees-Island Nations Disappear Because of Rising Seas8. Endangered Snow Leopard in Afghanistan-Local Efforts to Promote Conservation9. The Power of Hurricane Katrina (2005)-Evacuation and the Aftermath10. The 2004 South Asian Tsunami Natural DisasterKey ConceptsAdaptationAnthropoceneSmall-Scale Solar Power in AfricaDroughtEarthquakeEcosystem ServicesEcotourismFloodGlobal North and Global SouthEnvironmental CrimeHabitat and WildlifeHuman Modification of EcosystemsGlobal Environmental AgreementsHuman PopulationHurricaneMitigationU.S. Global Change Research ProgramNatural HazardsParks and Urban Green SpaceHappiness and SustainabilityProtected Areas and National ParksTornadoVolcanoWildfireSECTION 3Introduction: Sustainable Management of Natural ResourcesCase Studies11. China's Bold Steps toward Renewable Energy-Better Late than Never12. Citizen Science-Helping Scientists Understand Migratory Birds13. Costa Rica's Peace with Nature: Conservation, Biodiversity, and Sustainability14. Denmark's Achievements in Organic Agriculture15. Great Green Wall of AfricaKey ConceptsAlternative AgricultureAssessments and "Footprints"CompostingZero-Waste CommunitiesEarth DayElectric CarsEnvironmental JusticeProfessor Maathai and Kenya's Green Belt MovementEnvironmental Nongovernmental Organizations (ENGOs)Environmental PolicyGreen BuildingsGreen ConsumerismFleece Jackets from Recycled Bottles!Green Political PartyGreen TechnologyRecyclingZero-Waste HomeRenewable EnergySustainable CitiesSustainable DevelopmentAuroville, City of PeaceSustainable DietWater ConservationGlossaryBibliographySelected Books Related to Environmental GeographyIndex