Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future (9th Edition) [Hardcover]

Richard T. Wright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 19, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0131442007 | ISBN-13: 978-0131442009 | Edition: 9

For introductory courses in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, and Environmental Biology. This text focuses on the question "What will it take to move our civilization toward a long-term sustainable relationship with the natural world?" Its goal is to engage and inform students so they can critically evaluate environmental issues and make informed decisions about their environment. An exciting new CD, Global City, allows students to put their critical thinking skills into practice through a series of interactive activities corresponding to issues faced by environmental professionals. An extensive resource package integrates text and digital media in an easy-to-use format designed to assist instructors in classroom preparation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Environmental Science: Toward A Sustainable Future, 9/e focuses on the question, "What will it take to move our civilization toward a long-term sustainable relationship with the natural world?" Its goal is to engage and inform students so they can critically evaluate environmental issues and make informed decisions about their environment.

Three main categories define how the author works to achieve this goal:

• Critical thinking
• Applications
• Resources for instructors and students

Critical Thinking: An essential part of teaching environmental science is helping students distinguish sound science from junk science. it becomes increasingly important as students learn to evaluate scientific information and begin to make informed decisions about the environment. Environmental Science employs the Strategic themes of sound science, sustainability, and stewardship to help students conceptualize the task of forging a sustainable future for the environment.

Applications: Environmental science is more than just knowing information about the environment; it's about how students should act toward the environment. Environmental Science employs the new Global City CD-ROM, Environment on the Web Exercises, and Making a Difference Exercises to provide tangible, assignable activities that students can use to apply the information they are learning and to put their critical-thinking skills into practice.

Student Resources: To fully support students in their learning efforts, this book is accompanied by a strong set of student resources to support students' efforts to learn the material. These resources include an online study guide (www.prenhall.com/wright), a printed study guide, and the student lecture notebook note-taking guide. Please see the book's preface for more information about any of these study aids.

About the Author

Richard T. Wright is Professor Emeritus of Biology at Gordon College in Massachusetts, where he taught environmental science for 28 years. He earned a B.A. from Rutgers University and a M.A. and Ph.D. in biology from Harvard University. For many years Wright received grant support from the National Science Foundation for his work in marine microbiology, and in 1981, he was a founding faculty member of Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies in Michigan, where he also served as Academic Chairman for 11 years. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Au Sable Institute, and the American Association for the Advancement Scientific Affiliation. In 1996, Wright was appointed a Fulbright Scholar to Daystar University in Kenya, where he taught for tow months. He is a member of many environmental organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, Habitat for Humanity, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Audubon Society, and a supporting member of the Trustees of Reservations. Wright continues to be actively involved in writing and speaking about the environment. He and his wife Ann recently moved to Byfield, Massachusetts, and they drive a Toyota Camry hybrid vehicle as a means of reducing their environmental impact. Wright spends his spare time hiking, fishing, golfing, and enjoying his three children and seven grandchildren.

 

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 736 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 9 edition (April 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131442007
• ISBN-13: 978-0131442009
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best, August 15, 2005

By 

Michael A. Walz (Rochester, N.Y.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future (9th Edition) (Hardcover)

This is one of the most readable environmental texts I've seen.
It is very comprehnsive and the coverage of the newest scientific results in the science of resource conservation is simply excellent. The content is oriented around a group of themes and applied to the concept of ecosystems and their management. Is almost as if the author has takrn the first halting steps toward a unified environmental theory.

Two negative points though. Coverage of forest resources is a little thin, and like most textbooks, the price is way too high.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic of the Genre, July 11, 2008

By 

J. Evans (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Environmental Science: Toward A Sustainable Future (10th Edition) (Hardcover)

Dr. Wright's text has really become a classic of the environmental science field for good reason: it elucidates the basic principles of environmental science with depth and readability. This tome is not in its 10th edition because it lacks merit. On the contrary, this text presents the relevant topics in a more organized and rigorous manner than any other on the shelf. Students gain a fundamental grounding in the topics and issues of this emerging field, no mean task considering their great breadth.

The reviewers who have rated this book poorly have done so largely based on personal political doctrine. These people have missed the point. If Dr. Wright (or any other scientist) expresses distate for the current administration's stance on environmental issues, it is precisely because this administration has ignored and censored valid science in furthering their political agenda. Dr. Wright is merely advocating that the existing science be examined fairly and openly so that we can deal with pressing environmental issues like global climate change in the best possible manner.

Bottom line: a great introduction to environmental science, but not pleasant reading for members of the flat earth society.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview for nonscience students, April 17, 2008

By 

Mary M. Minnis (Rowayton, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Environmental Science: Toward A Sustainable Future (10th Edition) (Hardcover)

I have been using this book for an online environmental science class for six years and for in-person classes before that. The students find it to be very readable and engaging. I've reviewed many other books and found that they never measure up to this textbook. As another evaluator noted, it's a great resource. I also teach science to environmental lawyers, who can use this book for a quick review of a topic.