Analyzing Environmental Change

Scientific evidence clearly shows that temperatures and the level of CO2 in the atmosphere have risen dramatically since the end of the nineteenth century, coinciding with the rise of industrialization. But what can be done to slow the effects of climate change on humans, plants and animals, and natural resources? This book explains the consequences of further climate change, from flooding of coastal areas to unhealthy pollution in urban areas, and how governments, businesses, and citizens can proactively work on limiting their use of greenhouse gases. International accords such as the Paris agreement of 2015 and the Kyoto Protocol of 1992 are also discussed.

Deforestation, mining, drilling, rising sea levels, and other threats are contributing to decreasing biodiversity around the world. This analytical approach to disappearing habitats and endangered species addresses issues such as climate change, population growth, and the efficacy of conservation efforts. Readers are provided with statistics and perspectives on all sides of the issue, allowing them to consider difficult questions such as how to balance the needs of humans with those of other species and the health of the planet as a whole.

Beyond fueling vehicles used for all kinds of transportation, oil and gas resources affect many other aspects of people's lives, through their use in medicines, plastics, detergents, and fabrics. This book examines how oil is extracted and transported through pipelines, including discussion of controversial processes like fracking and drilling in the Arctic. The political and economic impact of controlling these resources is critiqued, allowing readers to assess the role of different stakeholders. They will also learn about how alternative fuels, electric cars, and other new technologies can make oil and gas usage cleaner and more efficient.

Access to clean, fresh water is vital for all humans, but in many parts of the world, getting water is not as simple as turning on the tap. Contaminated water, especially in impoverished areas, kills millions of people a year, while warming oceans, Arctic melt, and disappearing rainforests are a threat to the environment. This book shows how humans use water and how we can help preserve it in the wake of these threats. Statistics and fact boxes help readers understand various issues related to water, from drought and flooding to desalination and pollution.

As humans continue to shape the environment through urbanization and increased industrialization, it will become more difficult to feed everyone, with the U.N. estimating that food production will need to increase by 70 percent if, as projected, the world population is around nine billion in 2050. This book explains how climate change and lack of water affect crops, making it difficult to feed people, especially in impoverished areas. Also discussed are potential solutions on how to grow and distribute food more efficiently and how to help farmers thrive.

The world's population has more than doubled in the past fifty years, which has strained natural resources, increased pollution, and harmed many plants and animals. This book examines demography around the world, covering immigration, refugees, urbanization, poverty, trade, and access to water and food. Controversial issues such as eugenics and abortion are also discussed in terms of their impact on population and birth rates, providing readers with various perspectives to critique this complex issue.