The new edition of this popular student text offers an engaging introduction to environmental study. It covers the entire breadth of the environmental sciences, providing concise, non-technical explanations of physical processes and systems and the effects of human activities. In this second edition the scientific background to major environmental issues is clearly explained. These include:

* global warming

* genetically modified foods

* desertification

* acid rain

* deforestation

* human population growth

* depleting resources

* nuclear power generation

* descriptions of the 10 major biomes.

Special student text features include illustrations and explanatory diagrams, boxed case studies, concepts and definitions.