Environmental Science for a Changing World with Extended Coverage

by Susan Karr, Anne Houtman, Jeneen InterlandI

Following real people and real science, Environmental Science for a Changing World provides a unique context for showing students how science works and how to think critically about environmental issues. Chapters don't merely include interesting stories they are examples of science journalism at its best, combining Scientific American-style writing, layout, and graphics to tell compelling stories that exemplify important concepts and issues. This approach has proven so effective that instructors using the book report a dramatic increase in the number of students who read the assignments and come to class ready to participate.


This updated new edition features new stories, updated scientific coverage, and enhanced Infographics--the book's signature visual study tool that combines memorable images, step-by-step callouts, and questions that foster scientific literacy. The book is organized into 11 chapters, each consisting of multiple modules focused on different aspects of environmental science, from ecology and evolution, to human interactions with the environment, to land, water, and energy resources. Although each module tells a compelling and relatable story, it is built on a core pedagogy of Guiding Questions that help students extract the scientific concepts that form the basis for the story. This edition also has its own dedicated version of Macmillan's online course space, LaunchPad, which is filled with Video exercises, animations, graphing exercises, and assessments, including LearningCurve adaptive quizzing that help students apply the science, debunk misconceptions, and prepare for exams.

Genres: Science, Read For School, Textbooks

593 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2012

Reviews

[ManonBlackbeak13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very imformative-good examples of real life situations, proving just how trustworthy these sources are. I used this textbook for an Environmental Science class and it truly was what drove my learning and understanding of the concepts we covered.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a textbook I kept from a class I ended up not taking. I enjoyed reading cover to cover, good introduction to environmental sustainability/science. I had a convo with the book bc some of the references were glanced over, and I found big spaces of interdisciplinary contention— for example the book heralded Bt cotton as a success in India with minor setbacks, while my international development studies capstone had a section on farmers suicides in Maharashtra, and low crop yields from Bt Cotton( plus high cost of purchasing seed every year & fertilizers & pesticides) was a large factor contributing to poverty and poor mental health in the region. So I guess maybe the experiential knowledge of farmers and the external research didn’t line up on that one. This could also be a funding COI from monsanto or maybe just a difference resulting from different epistemologies. Or likely, the truth is just more complex than either source was willing to navigate. Still learned a lot, and was interesting to read about.

[TSStechAngel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly the best textbook for a class that I've read for a very long time. An enjoyable class as well.