Global Environmental Issues

SECTION 1: JUST YOUR STANDARD ISSUES

Chapter 1: Introduction to Global Environmental Science
Introduction
Did You Know?
What Is Environmental Science?
Terms to Know
Why Study Environmental Science?
How Do Scientists Evaluate the Environment?
Major Causes of Environmental Problems
Will History Keep Repeating Itself?

Chapter 2: The Anthropocene
Introduction
Morality and the Great Acceleration
Putting a Price on Nature and its Services
The Need for Environmental Stewardship

Chapter 3: Human Population
A Growing Human Population
Fundamentals of Population Growth
Growth Curve Trends
Human Populations
Understanding Human Transformations Using the I = PAT Model
Concluding Thoughts

Chapter 4: Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
What Are Ecosystem Services?
How Many Species Exist?
Biodiversity
Global Diversity and Hotspots
Species Loss and Extinction
Characteristics of Threatened Species and Conservation Strategies
Ecosystem Degradation
What Is Ecosystem Damage?
What Is Ecosystem Disruption?
What Is Ecosystem Destruction?
What Is Desertification?
What Is Deforestation?
Protecting Biodiversity in the U.S.: The Endangered Species Act
Saving the World’s Species: What’s in It for Us?
Concluding Thoughts

Chapter 5: Water Resources 
Introduction
The Hydrological Cycle
Groundwater Aquifers
How Much Water Do We Use?
Water Quality
Irrigation
Water Crisis
Fisheries
A New Way Forward: Focusing on Watersheds
Concluding Thought

Chapter 6: Soil & Food Resources
Feeding the World
The Challenge of Feeding 9 Billion People
Food Resources, Hunger, and Poverty
Describing Food Resources
What Is Hunger?
Who Are the Hungry and Where Do They Live?
Why Hunger in a World of Plenty?
Understanding Soil Resources and Land Use
Soil Resources
Managing Soil Resources
How Much Soil Are We Really Losing?
Progress in Soil Conservation
Agriculture
Managing Food Resources
Agriculture
Did You Know?
Manipulating Nature
How Does Genetic Engineering Work?
Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering
How Does Conventional Agriculture Affect the Environment?
What Is Sustainable Agriculture?
Concluding Thoughts

Chapter 7: Waste & Human Health
Describing Unrealized Resources
Plastic
Managing Unrealized Resources
Did You Know?
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungus
Protozoa
Prions
How Our Body Protects Itself from Pollution

SECTION 2: CLIMATE CHANGE PRIMER

Chapter 8: Climate Science
Introduction
Climate Influences Biomes
CO2 and the Greenhouse Effect
Earth’s Atmosphere
Greenhouse Gases
Changing Global Temperature
Predicting Future Trends in CO2 and Temperature 
Possible Effects of Global Warming
Effects of Global Warming
Climate Change Causes Biomes to Shift
Moving Forward
Concluding Thoughts

Chapter 9: Energy Resources
Defining Energy
Introduction 
Powering Our Planet: Current Energy Sources
Energy and the Environment
Nuclear Energy

Chapter 10: Atmospheric Pollution
Air Pollution
Defining Air Quality
The Six Criteria Pollutants
The Air Quality Index (AQI): A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health
What Is Indoor Air Pollution?
Acid Deposition
NOx, SOx, and Acid Deposition
Natural Biogeochemical Cycles
How Do Materials Cycle Through an Ecosystem?
Smog & Inversions
What Factors Affect Air Pollution Levels?
What Is Smog?
Regulations, Reductions & Solutions
What Is the Clear Skies Initiative?
What Is the Kyoto Protocol?
What Is the Montreal Protocol?
Concluding Thoughts

Chapter 11: Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
Introduction
Formation, Measurement, and Function of Ozone
Ozone Depletion over the Poles
The Recipe for Ozone Loss
What Is Being Done? 
Concluding Thoughts

SECTION 3: FOCUS ON SOCIETY

Chapter 12: Sustainability & Social Constructs

Chapter 13:  Poverty, Societal Inequities and the Environment
Natural Systems and Human Well-Being
How Can We Promote Food Security?
How Can We End Hunger?

Chapter 14:  The Tragedy of the Commons & Environmental Governance
Introduction to Tragedy of the Commons
Characteristics of Successful Common Property Regimes
Evaluating the Tragedy of the Commons Using Essential Ingredients
UNFCC
Kyoto Protocol
Paris Agreement
Who Is Responsible for Climate Change?
Did You Know?
On the Domestic Front
Economics and the Environment
Co-Ops
Are We Moving Toward a Global Green Economy?
Getting Involved
The World Takes Action
The Great Divide

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS & STEWARDSHIP

Chapter 15: Renewable Alternatives
What Was the OPEC Oil Embargo?
What Is the Status of U.S. Energy Policy?
How Can Energy Efficiency Be Increased?
Did You Know?
Why Renewable Energy?
Solar Energy
Wind Energy
Geothermic Energy
Water Power/Hydroelectricity
Biomass
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
The Future of Renewable Energy
Reducing Carbon
Where To Now?

Chapter 16:  DIY! Building Better Stewards and a Greener Tomorrow
Introduction
How Much Growth Can Our Planet Support?
Is Population Really the Driver of Environmental Degradation? 
Calculating Humanity’s Ecological Footprint
Concluding Thoughts