Environment

  Jay H. Withgott Jay H. Withgott is a science and environmental writer with a background in scientific research and teaching. He holds degrees from Yale University, University of Arkansas, and University of Arizona. As a researcher, he has published scientific papers on topics in ecology, evolution, animal behavior, and conservation biology in a variety of journals including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, Evolution, and Animal Behavior. He has taught university-level laboratory courses in ecology, ornithology, vertebrate diversity, anatomy, and general biology.   As a science writer, Jay has authored articles for a variety of journals and magazines including Science, New Scientist, BioScience, Current Biology, Conservation in Practice, and Natural History. He combines his scientific expertise with his past experience as a reporter and editor for daily newspapers to make science accessible and engaging for general audiences.   Jay lives with his wife, biologist Susan Masta, in Portland, Oregon, and takes every opportunity he can to explore the diverse landscapes of Oregon and the American West.     Scott Brennan Scott Brennan has taught environmental science, ecology, resource policy, and journalism at Western Washington University and at Walla Walla Community College. He has also worked as a journalist, photographer, and consultant.   Scott has cultivated his expertise in environmental science and public policy by serving as Campaign Director of Alaskans for Responsible Mining, as Executive Conservation Fellow of the National Parks Conservation Association in Washington, D.C., and as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense Environmental Security Office at the Pentagon   When not at work, Scott is likely to be found exploring Alaska’s Chugach Mountains and the Bristol Bay drainages in Southwest Alaska. He lives with his wife, Angela, and their dogs Raven and Hatcher in South Central Alaska’s Chester Creek Watershed.  

Table of Contents

I. Foundations of Environmental Science

1. An Introduction to Environmental Science

2. Environmental Ethics and Economics: Values and Choices

3. Environmental Policy: Decision Making and Problem Solving

4. From Chemistry to Energy to Life

5. Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

6. Species Interactions and Community Ecology

7. Environmental Systems and Ecosystem Ecology

II. Environmental Issues and the Search For Solutions

8. Human Population

9. Soil and Agriculture

10. Agriculture, Biotechnology, and the Future of Food

11. Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

12. Resource Management, Forestry, Land Use, and Protected Areas

13. Urbanization and Creating Livable Cities

14. Environmental Health and Toxicology

15. Freshwater Resources: Natural Systems, Human Impact, and Conservation

16. Marine and Coastal Systems: Resources, Impacts, and Conservation

17. Atmospheric Science and Air Pollution

18. Global Climate Change

19. Fossil Fuels, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

20. Conventional Energy Alternatives

21. New Renewable Energy Alternatives

22. Waste Management

23. Sustainable Solutions