This textbook is recommended for use in introductory level Environmental Studies courses. The content and format are designed to accommodate students with various academic backgrounds and to allow for a variety of teaching approaches (such as lectures, discussions, and case studies). Generally, each chapter provides background information, a controversial issue and viewpoints, supplementary material, and concludes with questions, references and suggestions for further reading. Graphics support the major concepts. The contents of the text are organized into eight sections and 34 chapters. Major headings for these sections and chapters include: (1) humans and other nations that inhabit the earth (ecosystems, wildlife); (2) resources of land and food (land habitats, soil erosion); (3) water resource problems (eutrophication, pollution control); (4) conventional sources of energy (coal, oil, nuclear power); (5) air pollution and energy-related water pollution (climate, acid rain, energy as a pollutant); (6) natural sources of power and energy conservation (wind, solar); (7) human health and the environment (carcinogens, toxic substances); and (8) land resource issues (private land-use, preserving natural areas). (ML)