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

by Richard T. Wright (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This classic book explores the interactions of humans within the natural environment and probes issues thoroughly, examining their scientific basis, history, and society's response. Strong science, sustainability, and stewardship of Earth remain the underlying themes. Accompanies each copy of the book with the new Global City CD, built around the concepts of a large city that shows many of the environmental problems presented in the book. Includes an extensively revised layout and design. Keeps readers abreast of the latest developments or most pressing issues in the field, such as Global Climate Change. Offers "Environment on the Web" exercises that help readers access additional information on the Internet; important Web references are keyed to each chapter. An interesting reference for anyone interested in learning more about today's crucial environmental issues.

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.

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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: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #65,135 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making environmental science relevant, November 28, 2004

By	David Liscio (Nahant, Ma USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Environmental Science: Toward A Sustainable Future (8th Edition) (Hardcover)

Professor Richard Wright has succeeded where so many others have failed, by creating a textbook that makes the subject of environmental science relevant. After all, most students taking a course that uses this book are doing so because it's required, rather than as an elective.
As an adjunct professor of environmental science at Endicott College, I have reviewed many textbooks for possible use in introductory courses. This one is a standout, and based on feedback from students over the past four years, they, too, agree.
The text is easy to read, and enhanced by many graphs, charts and photographs.

David Liscio, adjunct professor, Endicott College, Beverly, MA

16 of 18 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 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.

4 of 5 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.