Introduction to Sustainability

Introduction to Sustainability is the first major textbook to review major themes in the cutting-edge field of sustainability. The book is suitable for introductory interdisciplinary courses on sustainability, as well as those in the fields of geography, geology, sociology, planning, political science, and anthropology. Brinkmann s book allows students to see the world in new ways while also encouraging them to become part of the change needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the planet. The text includes material on the development of the field of sustainability; environmental sustainability issues like water, food, and energy; social sustainability themes like environmental justice and transportation; and economic sustainability topics like green businesses and economic development. The book concludes with a chapter on sustainability issues in college and universities. Brinkmann intersperses many fascinating case studies and text boxes that encourage students to deeply explore the material. This is a book that not only organizes the complex field of sustainability, but also encourages students to take action to make the world a better place.

Auteur

Robert (Bob) Brinkmann is the Director of Sustainability Studies in the Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability at Hofstra University and is the author of many books and research articles. Bob has served as an officer in many organizations and is currently Chair of the Board of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute.

Texte du rabat
Introduction to Sustainability is the first major textbook to review major themes in the cutting-edge field of sustainability. The book is suitable for introductory interdisciplinary courses on sustainability, as well as those in the fields of geography, geology, sociology, planning, political science, and anthropology. Brinkmann's book allows students to see the world in new ways while also encouraging them to become part of the change needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the planet. The text includes material on the development of the field of sustainability; environmental sustainability issues like water, food, and energy; social sustainability themes like environmental justice and transportation; and economic sustainability topics like green businesses and economic development. The book concludes with a chapter on sustainability issues in college and universities. Brinkmann intersperses many fascinating case studies and text boxes that encourage students to deeply explore the material. This is a book that not only organizes the complex field of sustainability, but also encourages students to take action to make the world a better place.

Contenu
Acknowledgments, xv About the author, xvii

About the companion website, xix

1 Roots of the modern sustainability movement, 1

Meaning of sustainability, 1

Nineteenth century environmentalism, 2

Pinchot, Roosevelt, and Muir, 4

Aldo Leopold and the land ethic, 6

Better living through chemistry, the Great Smog of 1952, and Rachel Carson, 6

Environmental activism of the 1960s and 1970s and the development of environmental policy, 8

The growth of environmental laws in the 1960s and 1970s, 10

The first Earth Day, 11

International concerns, 11

Ozone and the world comes together, 12

Globalization and the Brundtland Report, 12

Deep ecology, 14

Environmental justice, 15

Measuring sustainability, 15

The road ahead, 17

Organization, 19

2 Understanding natural systems, 21

The Earth, its layers, and the rock cycle, 21

The rock cycle, 23

Biogeochemical cycles, 24

Water and the water cycle, 24

The carbon cycle and global climate change, 27

The sulfur cycle, 29

The nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, 31

Organisms and ecosystems, 33

Urban ecosystems, 35

Understanding the Anthropocene, 38

3 Measuring sustainability, 40

The United Nations Millennium Goals, 40

Goal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, 41

Goal 2. Achieve universal primary education, 42

Goal 3. Promote gender equality and empower women, 42

Goal 4. Reduce child mortality rates, 42

Goal 5. Improve maternal health, 42

Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, 43

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability, 43

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development, 43

National sustainability planning, 45

Canada, 45

Bhutan, 48

Regional sustainability planning, 49

Local sustainability measurement, 51

Green local governments in Florida, 53

Specific community plans, 56

PlaNYC, 56

London and sustainability, 57

Small towns and sustainability, 59

Business sustainability, 60

Personal sustainability, 61

4 Energy, 63

World energy production and consumption, 63

Traditional or dirty energy resources, 65

Oil, 65

Oil shale and tar sands, 66

Natural gas, 67

Coal, 69

Green energy, 71

Biomass, 71

Wind energy, 74

Solar energy, 75

Nuclear energy, 76

Other innovations, 78

Energy efficiency, 78

Living off the grid, 80

5 Global climate change and greenhouse gas management, 81

The end of nature?, 81

The science of global climate change, 81

The greenhouse effect, 81

Sinks of carbon, 86

Forests, 86

Reefs, 86

The IPCC and evidence for climate change, and the future of our planet, 86

Ocean acidification, 88

Phenological changes, 88

Conducting greenhouse gas inventories, 89

Step 1 Setting boundaries, 89

Step 2 Defining scope, 90

Step 3 Choosing a quantitative approach, 91

Step 4 Setting a baseline year, 91

Step 5 Engaging stakeholders, 91

Step 6 Procuring certification, 91

Greenhouse gas equivalents used in greenhouse gas accounting, 92

Greenhouse gas emission scopes, 92

De minimis emissions, 92

Computing greenhouse gas credits, 93

Climate action plans, 93

Religion and climate change, 98

Evangelical Environmental Network, 98

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, 98

Catholic Climate Covenant, 98

Jewish Climate Change Campaign, 99 <p&...