• Complementing the 17 Core Case Studies, more than 40 additional Case Studies are included throughout to provide in-depth evaluations of specific environmental problems and their possible solutions.
• "Thinking About" exercises included in most chapters reinforce learning by asking students to think critically about the implications of various environmental issues and solutions immediately after they are discussed in the text.
• End-of-chapter materials help students maximize their study time: Detailed review questions include all chapter key terms in bold. Critical Thinking questions encourage students to apply what they learn to their own lives. Doing Environmental Science exercises help students experience the work of various environmental scientists. Data Analysis and Ecological Footprint Analysis problems are built around ecological footprint and other environmental data sets.
• The text emphasizes a global perspective on both the ecological level--revealing how all the world's life is connected and sustained within the biosphere--and through the use of information and images from around the world--with more than 40 maps included in the basic text and available digitally. End-of-chapter Global Environment Watch exercises further apply this international perspective.
• The text's unique concept-centered approach helps students zero in on the main ideas. Each major chapter section revolves around a key question and one to three key concepts, which state the section's most important take-away messages.
• The new "Learning from Nature" feature appears in most chapters and includes a set of brief summaries of specific applications of biomimicry in various industries and fields of research. The 16th edition's emphasis on learning from nature is established early in Chapter 1's Core Case Study "Learning from the Earth," which introduces the principles of biomimicry. The principles and applications of biomimicry are further explored in a "Science Focus" box and a feature article on biomimicry pioneer Janine Benyus later in the chapter and throughout the book

Part 1. HUMANS AND SUSTAINABILITY: AN OVERVIEW.

1. The Environment and Sustainability.

Part II. ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY.

2. Science, Matter, Energy and Systems.

3. Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work?

4. Biodiversity and Evolution.

5. Species Interactions, Ecological Succession and Population Control.

6. The Human Population and Urbanization.

7. Climate and Biodiversity.

Part III. SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY.

8. Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Species.

9. Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Ecosystems.

Part IV. SUSTAINING RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

10. Food Production and the Environment.

11. Water Resources and Water Pollution.

12. Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources.

13. Energy Resources.

14. Environmental Hazards and Human Health.

15. Air Pollution, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion.

16. Solid and Hazardous Waste.

Part V. SUSTAINING HUMAN SOCIETIES.

17. Environmental Economics, Politics and Worldviews.

Glossary.

Index.

Preface.

About the Authors.

From the Authors.

Learning Skills.

G. Tyler Miller

G. Tyler Miller has written 65 textbooks for introductory courses in environmental science, basic ecology, energy and environmental chemistry. Since 1975, his books have been the most widely used textbooks for environmental science in the United States and throughout the world. Translated into eight languages, they have been used by more than 3 million students. Dr. Miller has a professional background in chemistry, physics and ecology. He taught college for 20 years, developed one of the nation's first environmental studies programs and created an innovative interdisciplinary undergraduate science program before deciding to write environmental science textbooks full time in 1975. Now Dr. Miller is president of Earth Education and Research, which is devoted to improving environmental education. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and received two honorary doctoral degrees for his contributions to environmental education.

Scott Spoolman

Scott Spoolman is a writer with more than 30 years of experience in educational publishing. He has worked with Tyler Miller since 2003 as a co-author on editions of LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE and SUSTAINING THE EARTH. With Norman Myers, he co-authored ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS: A MODULAR APPROACH. Spoolman has authored numerous books and articles in the fields of environmental science, geology and natural history, politics and business. In addition, he has worked as a consulting editor in the development of over 70 college and high school textbooks in fields of the natural and social sciences. He earned a master's degree in science journalism from the University of Minnesota. In his free time, Spoolman enjoys exploring the forests and waters of his native Wisconsin along with his family -- his wife, environmental educator Gail Martinelli, son Will and daughter Katie.