The Global Casino An Introduction to Environmental Issues

This book is an introduction to environmental issues which deals both with the workings of the physical environment and the political, economic and social frameworks in which the issues occur. It is about the human impact on the environment and the ways in which the natural environment impacts human society. Using examples from all over the world, Middleton highlights the underlying causes behind environmental problems, the human actions which have made them issues, and the hopes for solutions. Completely revised and updated to include the latest research findings and a range of new case studies, the organization of the book allows it to be read in its entirety or dipped into for any particular topic, since each chapter stands on its own. Each chapter sets the issue in an historical context, outlines why the issue has arisen, highlights areas of controversy and uncertainty, and appraises how problems are being and can be resolved both technically and in political and economic frameworks. The chapters are followed by an expanded critical guide to further reading and a new guide to relevant sites on the worldwide web, as well as a new series of discussion points and an expanded glossary.