Biosphere chat line fresno ca

Sustainability Essay

BRIEF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL, SCIENCE, AND INFORMATION LITERACY

CHAPTER 1 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND THE GOAL OF SUSTAINABILITY 2 ON THE ROAD TO COLLAPSE

CHAPTER 2 SCIENCE LITERACY AND THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE 22 SCIENCE AND THE SKY

CHAPTER 3 INFORMATION LITERACY AND TOXICOLOGY 42 TOXIC BOTTLES?

HUMAN POPULATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

CHAPTER 4 HUMAN POPULATIONS 62 ONE-CHILD CHINA GROWS UP

CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 80 ERADICATING A PARASITIC NIGHTMARE

CONSUMPTION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

CHAPTER 6 ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS AND CONSUMPTION 98 WALL TO WALL, CRADLE TO CRADLE

CHAPTER 7 MANAGING SOLID WASTE 118 A PLASTIC SURF

ECOLOGY

CHAPTER 8 ECOSYSTEMS AND NUTRIENT CYCLING 138 ENGINEERING EARTH

CHAPTER 9 POPULATION ECOLOGY 158 THE WOLF WATCHERS

CHAPTER 10 COMMUNITY ECOLOGY 176 WHAT THE STORK SAYS

EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY

CHAPTER 11 EVOLUTION AND EXTINCTION 198 A TROPICAL MURDER MYSTERY

CHAPTER 12 BIODIVERSITY 218 PALM PLANET

CHAPTER 13 PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY 238 A FOREST WITHOUT ELEPHANTS

WATER RESOURCES

CHAPTER 14 FRESHWATER RESOURCES 258 TOILET TO TAP

CHAPTER 15 WATER POLLUTION 278 INTO THE GULF

00_KAR_16220_IFC.indd 200_KAR_16220_IFC.indd 2 04/02/15 1:57 PM04/02/15 1:57 PM

Full-Length Chapters Available In Launchpad! FOOD RESOURCES

CHAPTER 16 FEEDING THE WORLD 298 A GENE REVOLUTION

CHAPTER 17 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: RAISING CROPS 316 FARMING LIKE AN ECOSYSTEM

CONVENTIONAL ENERGY: FOSSIL FUELS

CHAPTER 18 COAL 338 BRINGING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

CHAPTER 19 OIL AND NATURAL GAS 360 THE BAKKEN OIL BOOM

AIR POLLUTION: CONSEQUENCES OF USING FOSSIL FUELS

CHAPTER 20 AIR POLLUTION 380 THE YOUNGEST SCIENTISTS

CHAPTER 21 CLIMATE CHANGE 402 WHEN THE TREES LEAVE

ALTERNATIVES TO FOSSIL FUELS

CHAPTER 22 NUCLEAR POWER 428 THE FUTURE OF FUKUSHIMA

CHAPTER 23 SUN, WIND, WATER, AND EARTH ENERGY 450 FUELED BY THE SUN

SUSTAINABLE LIVING IN COMMUNITY

CHAPTER 24 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY 470 COUNTERFEIT COOLING

CHAPTER 25 URBANIZATION AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 490 THE GHETTO GOES GREEN

ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS AVAILABLE ONLINE IN LAUNCHPAD!

CHAPTER 26 MINERAL RESOURCES: NO STONE UNTURNED CHAPTER 27 SOIL RESOURCES AND GRASSLANDS: RESTORING THE RANGE CHAPTER 28 FORESTS: RETURNING TREES TO HAITI CHAPTER 29 MARINE ECOSYSTEMS: ACID OCEANS CHAPTER 30 AGRICULTURE: RAISING LIVESTOCK: A CARNIVORE’S CONUNDRUM CHAPTER 31 FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE: FISH IN A WAREHOUSE? CHAPTER 32 BIOFUELS: GAS FROM GRASS

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd I 04/02/15 1:58 PM

© Tyler Hicks/The New York Times/

Redux

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd II 04/02/15 1:58 PM

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FOR A CHANGING WORLD

SECOND EDITION

SUSAN KARR Carson-Newman University

JENEEN INTERLANDI Science Writer

ANNE HOUTMAN California State University, Bakersfield

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd III 04/02/15 1:58 PM

IV

SUUSTS AIA NAN BILILITYT PLELEDGEE MMacmillan is s cocommm itteted too llesesseseniingg oour compmpany’s s imimpapactct on ththee enenviviroron n ment. TThe MaMacmc ilillan n fafamim ly oof f publblisishihingng hhouses s s inintetends too rededuce e ouo r 20020 CO2 emissions by 664% agaaininst aa 220009 baseline.

Publisher: Katherine Parker Senior Acquisitions Editor: Bill Minick Developmental Editor: Andrea Gawrylewski Executive Marketing Manager: John Britch Marketing Assistant: Bailey James Media and Supplements Editor: Amanda Dunning Editorial Assistants: Tue Tran & Shannon Moloney Art Director: Diana Blume Cover Design and Text Illustratiionons: MGMT. ddese ign Text Design: DDirirkk KaKaufufmamann PhPhototo o EdEdititorr: ShSheee na Goldsteeinin PhPhototo o ReReseseararchcherer: BiB anca Moscacatetelli ArArt MaMananageger:r: MMatatththewew MMcAdamsms SeSeniioror PProroduductctioionn SuSupepervrvisisor: Susanan WWeieinn PrPrinintit ngn andnd BBinndidingng: RRRR DDonnelleyy Coovever r PhPhototo:o Annnnieie Marie Musselman

Librarry ofo CCongresss s Controol Numberr: 202 14957697 ISI BNN-13: 997878-1-4464641--626 20-6 ISI BN-10: 1-46441-1-6220-4 ©2©2015 by W. H. Freeeman andd Company All rights reserved

Printed ini the United States of AmmA erica

First printing

W.W H. Freeman annd CoCompm any 41 Madison Aveenue NeewYork, NNY Y 10010 00 Hoounu dmmd ills, Basingststokoke RGR 21 66XS, England www w.whfreemam n.com

JAMES P. BLAIR/National Geographic

Creative

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd IV 04/02/15 1:58 PM

www.whfreeman.com
V

BRIEF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL, SCIENCE, AND INFORMATION LITERACY

CHAPTER 1 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND THE GOAL OF SUSTAINABILITY 2 ON THE ROAD TO COLLAPSE

CHAPTER 2 SCIENCE LITERACY AND THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE 22 SCIENCE AND THE SKY

CHAPTER 3 INFORMATION LITERACY AND TOXICOLOGY 42 TOXIC BOTTLES?

HUMAN POPULATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

CHAPTER 4 HUMAN POPULATIONS 62 ONE-CHILD CHINA GROWS UP

CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 80 ERADICATING A PARASITIC NIGHTMARE

CONSUMPTION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

CHAPTER 6 ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS AND CONSUMPTION 98 WALL TO WALL, CRADLE TO CRADLE

CHAPTER 7 MANAGING SOLID WASTE 118 A PLASTIC SURF

ECOLOGY

CHAPTER 8 ECOSYSTEMS AND NUTRIENT CYCLING 138 ENGINEERING EARTH

CHAPTER 9 POPULATION ECOLOGY 158 THE WOLF WATCHERS

CHAPTER 10 COMMUNITY ECOLOGY 176 WHAT THE STORK SAYS

EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY

CHAPTER 11 EVOLUTION AND EXTINCTION 198 A TROPICAL MURDER MYSTERY

CHAPTER 12 BIODIVERSITY 218 PALM PLANET

CHAPTER 13 PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY 238 A FOREST WITHOUT ELEPHANTS

WATER RESOURCES

CHAPTER 14 FRESHWATER RESOURCES 258 TOILET TO TAP

CHAPTER 15 WATER POLLUTION 278 INTO THE GULF

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd V 04/02/15 1:58 PM

VI

FOOD RESOURCES

CHAPTER 16 FEEDING THE WORLD 298 A GENE REVOLUTION

CHAPTER 17 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: RAISING CROPS 316 FARMING LIKE AN ECOSYSTEM

CONVENTIONAL ENERGY: FOSSIL FUELS

CHAPTER 18 COAL 338 BRINGING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

CHAPTER 19 OIL AND NATURAL GAS 360 THE BAKKEN OIL BOOM

AIR POLLUTION: CONSEQUENCES OF USING FOSSIL FUELS

CHAPTER 20 AIR POLLUTION 381 THE YOUNGEST SCIENTISTS

CHAPTER 21 CLIMATE CHANGE 402 WHEN THE TREES LEAVE

ALTERNATIVES TO FOSSIL FUELS

CHAPTER 22 NUCLEAR POWER 428 THE FUTURE OF FUKUSHIMA

CHAPTER 23 SUN, WIND, WATER, AND EARTH ENERGY 450 FUELED BY THE SUN

SUSTAINABLE LIVING IN COMMUNITY

CHAPTER 24 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY 470 COUNTERFEIT COOLING

CHAPTER 25 URBANIZATION AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 490 THE GHETTO GOES GREEN

ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS AVAILABLE ONLINE IN

CHAPTER 26 MINERAL RESOURCES: NO STONE UNTURNED CHAPTER 27 SOIL RESOURCES AND GRASSLANDS: RESTORING THE RANGE CHAPTER 28 FORESTS: RETURNING TREES TO HAITI CHAPTER 29 MARINE ECOSYSTEMS: ACID OCEANS CHAPTER 30 AGRICULTURE: RAISING LIVESTOCK: A CARNIVORE’S CONUNDRUM CHAPTER 31 FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE: FISH IN A WAREHOUSE? CHAPTER 32 BIOFUELS: GAS FROM GRASS

APPENDIX 1 BASIC MATH SKILLS A-2 APPENDIX 2 DATA-HANDLING AND GRAPHING SKILLS A-4 APPENDIX 3 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS A-10 APPENDIX 4 GEOLOGY A-12 APPENDIX 5 SELECTED ANSWERS TO END-OF-CHAPTER PROBLEMS A-14 GLOSSARY G-2 CREDITS/SOURCES C-2 INDEX I-1

B R I E F C O N T E N T S

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd VI 04/02/15 1:58 PM

DETAILED CONTENTS INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL, SCIENCE, AND INFORMATION LITERACY

CHAPTER 1 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND THE GOAL OF SUSTAINABILITY 2 ON THE ROAD TO COLLAPSE What lessons can we learn from a vanished Viking society?

Environmental science is all encompassing. 4

INFOGRAPHIC 1.1 Environmental Science Is Highly Interdisciplinary 5 1.2 Different Approaches to Science Have Different Goals and Outcomes 6 1.3 Wicked Problems 7

The Greenland Vikings’ demise was caused by natural events and human choices. 6

Responding to environmental problems and working with neighbors help a society cope with changes. 8

Humans are an environmental force that impacts Earth’s ecosystems. 9

INFOGRAPHIC 1.4 Many Environmental Problems Can be Traced to Three Underlying Causes 10

Ecosystems are naturally sustainable and a good model for human societies hoping to become more sustainable. 11

INFOGRAPHIC 1.5 Four Characteristics of a Sustainable Ecosystem 11 1.6 Sustainable Ecosystems Can be a Useful Model for Human Societies 12

Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues. 13

INFOGRAPHIC 1.7 Social Traps 14 1.8 Wealth Inequality 15 1.9 Worldviews and Environmental Ethics 16 1.10 U.S. Environmental History 18

CHAPTER 2 SCIENCE LITERACY AND THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE 22 SCIENCE AND THE SKY Solving the mystery of disappearing ozone

Science gives us tools to observe and make sense of the natural world. 24

INFOGRAPHIC 2.1 The Atmosphere and UV Radiation 27

Scientifi c views rarely change overnight. 27

The scientifi c method systematically rules out explanations. 28

INFOGRAPHIC 2.2 Ozone Depletion and CFC Levels 28 2.3 Scientifi c Process 30 2.4 Certainty in Science 31

Diff erent types of studies amass a body of evidence. 30

INFOGRAPHIC 2.5 The Chemistry of Ozone Formation and Breakdown 32 2.6 How Do Scientists Collect Evidence to Answer Questions? 34

Multiple ozone depletion hypotheses were tested but only the CFC hypothesis was confi rmed. 35

The international community got together to meet the problem head on. 36

INFOGRAPHIC 2.7 The Montreal Protocol and Its Amendments Have Been Effective 37

CHAPTER 3 INFORMATION LITERACY AND TOXICOLOGY 42 TOXIC BOTTLES? On the trail of chemicals in our everyday lives

We live in an environment full of toxic substances. 44

Regulation happens even in the face of change. 45

Information sources vary in their reliability. 46

INFOGRAPHIC 3.1 Information Sources 47

What are the dangers presented by toxics, and how do we determine safe exposure levels? 47

VII

Pa ul

S ou

de rs

/W or

ld Fo

to /A

ur or

a Ph

ot os

U LT

R A

.F /D

ig ita

l V is

io n/

G et

ty Im

ag es

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd VII 04/02/15 1:58 PM

VIII

INFOGRAPHIC 3.2 Bioaccumulation and Biomagnifi cation 48 3.3 BPA Studies 50 3.4 Factors That Affect Toxicity 52

Endocrine disruptors cause big problems at small doses. 52

INFOGRAPHIC 3.5 How Hormones Work 53 3.6 Dose-Response Curves 54

Critical thinking gives us the tools to uncover logical fallacies in arguments or claims. 55

TABLE 3.1 Common Logical Fallacies 56

Risk assessments help determine safe exposure levels. 58

HUMANS POPULATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

CHAPTER 4 HUMAN POPULATIONS 62 ONE-CHILD CHINA GROWS UP A country faces the outcomes of radical population control

Human populations grew slowly at fi rst and then at a much faster rate in recent years. 64

INFOGRAPHIC 4.1 Human Population Through History 64 4.2 Population Distribution 66 4.3 Age Structure Affects Future Population Growth 67

Fertility rates are aff ected by a variety of factors. 68

INFOGRAPHIC 4.4 We Live In Two Demographic Worlds 69

Factors that decrease the death rate can also decrease overall population growth rates. 70

INFOGRAPHIC 4.5 Demographic Transition 71 4.6 Declining Population Growth Rates 72 4.7 Reaching Zero Population Growth 74

The age and gender composition of a population aff ects more than just its potential for growth. 73

Carrying capacity: Is zero population growth enough? 75

INFOGRAPHIC 4.8 How Many People Can Earth Support? 76

What awaits China’s generation of Little Emperors? 77

CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 80 ERADICATING A PARASITIC NIGHTMARE Human health is intricately linked to the environment

Human manipulation of the environment can increase our exposure to pathogens. 83

INFOGRAPHIC 5.1 Types of Environmental Hazards 85

Public health programs seek to improve community health. 84

INFOGRAPHIC 5.2 Public Health Problems Seek to Improve Health of the Population as a Whole 86 5.3 Environmental Factors Contribute to the Global Burden of Disease 87 5.4 A Variety of Pathogens Cause Disease 88

Addressing biological hazards requires environmental and behavioral changes. 88

INFOGRAPHIC 5.5 Guinea Worm Infection and Eradication Programs 90

The factors that aff ect human health diff er signifi cantly between more and less developed nations. 90

Environmentally mediated diseases can be mitigated with funding, support, and education. 91

INFOGRAPHIC 5.6 Death Rates and Leading Causes of Death Differ Among Nations 92

TABLE 5.1 Reducing Environmental Health Hazards 93

INFOGRAPHIC 5.7 Eradicating Guinea Worm Disease 94

CONSUMPTION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

CHAPTER 6 ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS AND CONSUMPTION 98 WALL TO WALL, CRADLE TO CRADLE A leading carpet company takes a chance on going green

Businesses and individuals impact the environment with their economic decisions. 101

C hr

is tia

n K

ob er

/R ob

er t H

ar di

ng /N

ew sc

om

V an

es sa

V ic

k/ Th

e N

ew Y

or k

Ti m

es /R

ed ux

D E TA I L E D C O N T E N T S

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd VIII 04/02/15 1:58 PM

IX

INFOGRAPHIC 6.1 Value of Ecosystem Services 101 6.2 Ecological Footprint 103 6.3 Capital and Interest 104 6.4 The IPAT Equation 105

Mainstream economics supports some actions that are not sustainable. 105

INFOGRAPHIC 6.5 True Cost Accounting 107 6.6 Economic Models 108 6.7 Cradle-to-Cradle Management 110

Businesses can learn a great deal about how to be sustainable from nature. 111

INFOGRAPHIC 6.8 Product Versus Service Economy 113

There are many tactics for achieving sustainability 112

CHAPTER 7 MANAGING SOLID WASTE 118 A PLASTIC SURF Are the oceans teeming with trash?

Waste is a uniquely human invention, generated by uniquely human activities. 121

INFOGRAPHIC 7.1 U.S. Municipal Solid Waste Stream 123

How big is the Atlantic Garbage Patch, and is it growing? 123

How we handle waste determines where it ends up. 124

INFOGRAPHIC 7.2 Municipal Solid Waste Disposal 125 7.3 How It Works: An Incinerator 127

Solid waste pollution threatens all living things. 127

INFOGRAPHIC 7.4 Plastic Trash Affects Wildlife 128

Some waste is hazardous and needs to be handled carefully. 129

INFOGRAPHIC 7.5 Household Hazardous Wastes 130

When it comes to managing waste, the best solutions mimic nature. 130

INFOGRAPHIC 7.6 Composting 131

Life-cycle analysis and better design can help reduce waste. 130

INFOGRAPHIC 7.7 Industrial Ecology 132

Consumers have a role to play, too. 132

INFOGRAPHIC 7.8 The Four Rs Help You Reduce Waste 134

ECOLOGY

CHAPTER 8 ECOSYSTEMS AND NUTRIENT CYCLING 138 ENGINEERING EARTH An ambitious attempt to replicate Earth’s life support systems falls short

Organisms and their habitats form complex systems. 140

INFOGRAPHIC 8.1 Organization of Life: From Biosphere to Individual 142 8.2 Habitat and Niche 143 8.3 Earth Is a Closed System for Matter but Not for Energy 143 8.4 Global Terrestrial Biomes 144 8.5 Map of Biosphere 2 147

Living things survive within a specifi c range of environmental conditions. 146

INFOGRAPHIC 8.6 Range of Tolerance for Life 148

Nutrients such as carbon cycle through ecosystems. 149

INFOGRAPHIC 8.7 Carbon Cycles via Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration 150 8.8 The Carbon Cycle 151 8.9 The Nitrogen Cycle 152 8.10 The Phosphorus Cycle 153

Ecosystems are irreplaceable, but learning how they function will help us restore degraded ones. 155

CHAPTER 9 POPULATION ECOLOGY 158 THE WOLF WATCHERS Endangered gray wolves return to the American West

Populations fl uctuate in size and have varied distributions. 161

INFOGRAPHIC 9.1 Population Distribution Patterns 163

ja cu

s/ iS

to ck

ph ot

o/ Th

in ks

to ck

© C

la ss

ic St

oc k/

C A

M ER

IQ U

E/ A

la m

y

D E TA I L E D C O N T E N T S

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd IX 04/02/15 1:58 PM

X

Populations display various patterns of growth. 164

INFOGRAPHIC 9.2 Exponential Growth Occurs When There Are No Limits to Growth 165 9.3 Logistic Population Growth 166

A variety of factors aff ect population growth. 166

INFOGRAPHIC 9.4 Density-Dependent and Density-Independent Factors Affect Population Size 167 9.5 Life History Strategies 168 9.6 Some Populations Fluctuate in Size Over Time 169

The loss of the wolf emphasized the importance of an ecosystem’s top predator. 169

INFOGRAPHIC 9.7 Top-Down and Bottom-Up Regulation 171

CHAPTER 10 COMMUNITY ECOLOGY 176 WHAT THE STORK SAYS A bird species in the Everglades reveals the intricacies of a threatened ecosystem

The well-being of a species depends on the health of its ecosystem. 178

Human alterations have changed the face of the Everglades. 180

Matter and energy move through a community via the food web. 181

INFOGRAPHIC 10.1 Everglades Food Web 181 10.2 Trophic Pyramid 183

Communities, such as the ones found in the Everglades, are shaped by biotic and abiotic factors. 183

INFOGRAPHIC 10.3 Species Diversity Includes Richness and Evenness 185 10.4 Mangrove Edges 186 10.5 Edge Effects 187

Changing community structure changes community composition 186

INFOGRAPHIC 10.6 Keystone Species Support Entire Ecosystems 188

Species interactions are extremely important for community viability. 189

INFOGRAPHIC 10.7 Species Interactions 190

Ecologists and engineers help repair ecosystems. 191

INFOGRAPHIC 10.8 The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan 193

Community composition changes over time as the physical features of the ecosystem itself change. 192

INFOGRAPHIC 10.9 Ecological Succession 194

EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY

CHAPTER 11 EVOLUTION AND EXTINCTION 198 A TROPICAL MURDER MYSTERY Finding the missing birds of Guam

Natural selection is the main mechanism by which populations adapt and evolve. 201

INFOGRAPHIC 11.1 Natural Selection at Work 203

Populations need genetic diversity to evolve. 202

INFOGRAPHIC 11.2 Evolution in Action 204 11.3 Coevolution Allows Populations to Adapt to Each Other 206 11.4 Endangered and Extinct Birds of Guam 207

Populations can diverge into subpopulations or new species. 206

INFOGRAPHIC 11.5 Random Events Can Alter Populations 209

The pace of evolution is generally slow but is responsive to selective pressures. 210

Extinction is normal, but the rate at which it is currently occurring appears to be increasing. 210

INFOGRAPHIC 11.6 Earth’s Mass Extinctions 211

Humans aff ect evolution in a number of ways. 212

INFOGRAPHIC 11.7 Humans Use Artifi cial Selection to Produce Plants or Animals with Desired Traits 212

TABLE 11.1 Common Misconceptions about Evolution 214

Ja m

es B

al og

/T he

Im ag

e Ba

nk /G

et ty

Im ag

es

© S

te ph

en V

in ce

nt /A

la m

y

D E TA I L E D C O N T E N T S

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd X 04/02/15 1:58 PM

XI

CHAPTER 12 BIODIVERSITY 218 PALM PLANET Can we have tropical forests and our palm oil too?

Biodiversity provides a wide range of essential goods and services. 220

INFOGRAPHIC 12.1 Biodiversity on Earth 222 12.2 Ecosystem Services 224

Biodiversity includes variety at the individual, species, and ecosystem levels. 225

INFOGRAPHIC 12.3 Biodiversity Includes Genetic, Species, and Ecosystem Diversity 226 12.4 Biodiversity Hotspots 227

Endemism increases with isolation, as does extinction risk. 228

INFOGRAPHIC 12.5 Isolation Can Affect Populations 229

Biodiversity faces several serious threats. 228

INFOGRAPHIC 12.6 Palm Oil Plantations Are Nothing Like Natural Tropical Forests 230 12.7 Global Forest Change 232

Sustainable palm oil may protect biodiversity. 233

TABLE 12.1 Protecting Biodiversity Requires a Consideration of Economic Goals and Environmental Needs 234

CHAPTER 13 PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY 238 A FOREST WITHOUT ELEPHANTS Can we save one of Earth’s iconic species?

Human impact is the main threat to species worldwide. 241

INFOGRAPHIC 13.1 The Main Threats to Biodiversity Today Come from Humans 242 13.2 Conservation Designations 243

Human impact that threatens the forest elephant also puts its entire ecosystem at risk. 243

There are multiple approaches to species conservation. 244

INFOGRAPHIC 13.3 Single Species Conservation Approach 245 13.4 Species Conservation: An Ecosystem Approach 247 13.5 Tracking Poachers by Using Conservation Genetics 248

Legally mandated protection can aid in species conservation. 249

TABLE 13.1 Legal Protection for Species 249

INFOGRAPHIC 13.6 Global Protected Areas 250

Conservation plans should consider the needs of local human communities. 252

TABLE 13.2 Many Routes to Conservation 254

WATER RESOURCES

CHAPTER 14 FRESHWATER RESOURCES 258 TOILET TO TAP A California county is tapping controversial sources for drinking water

Water is one of the most ubiquitous, yet scarce, resources on Earth. 260

INFOGRAPHIC 14.1 Distribution of Water on Earth 261 14.2 The Water Cycle 262 14.3 Global Water Use and Access 263

Like communities around the world, California depends on many sources of water. 264

INFOGRAPHIC 14.4 Groundwater Is Found in Aquifers of Porous Rock or Permeable Soil 265

Untreated wastewater can contaminate freshwater sources and is a serious health risk worldwide. 266

Solving water shortages is not easy. 268

INFOGRAPHIC 14.5 How it Works: Wastewater Treatment 269

Conservation is an important "source" of water. 272

TABLE 14.1 Water-Saving Technologies and Actions 272

INFOGRAPHIC 14.6 Reducing Our Water Footprint 273

CHAPTER 15 WATER POLLUTION 278 INTO THE GULF Researchers try to pin down what's choking the Gulf of Mexico

Diff erent types of water pollution degrade water quality. 280

JA M

ES P

. B LA

IR /N

at io

na l G

eo gr

ap hi

c C

re at

iv e

C on

st an

tin os

Z /i

St oc

k/ 36

0 /G

et ty

Im ag

es

D E TA I L E D C O N T E N T S

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd XI 04/02/15 1:58 PM

XII

INFOGRAPHIC 15.1 Major Causes of Water Pollution 283 15.2 Eutrophication Can Create Dead Zones 284

The source of pollution can be hard to pinpoint. 284

INFOGRAPHIC 15.3 Watersheds 285

Addressing eutrophication begins in the farm fi eld. 287

INFOGRAPHIC 15.4 Addressing the Problem of Fertilizer Runoff 289

Watershed management is the key to reducing hypoxic zones. 288

INFOGRAPHIC 15.5 Healthy Riparian Areas Provide Many Benefi ts 291 15.6 Increasing Infi ltration of Stormwater 292 15.7 Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration 293

FOOD RESOURCES

CHAPTER 16 FEEDING THE WORLD 298 A GENE REVOLUTION Can genetically engineered food help end hunger?

World hunger and malnutrition are decreasing but are still unacceptably high. 300

INFOGRAPHIC 16.1 World Hunger 301 16.2 Malnutrition 302

Agricultural advances signifi cantly increased food production in the 20th century. 303

INFOGRAPHIC 16.3 The Perks and Problems of Industrial Agriculture and the Green Revolution 304

The next Green Revolution may be a “gene” revolution. 305

INFOGRAPHIC 16.4 Making a Genetically Modifi ed Organism 307

TABLE 16.1 Examples of GMOs 309

Concerns about GMOs trigger strong debate. 309

It will take a combination of strategies to achieve global food security. 310

INFOGRAPHIC 16.5 The Trade-Offs of GMOs 311 16.6 Low-Tech Farming Methods Can Also Help Address Food Insecurity 312

CHAPTER 17 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: RAISING CROPS 316 FARMING LIKE AN ECOSYSTEM Creative solutions to feeding the world

INFOGRAPHIC 17.1 Sustainable Agriculture 319

Modern industrial farming has advantages and disadvantages. 319

INFOGRAPHIC 17.2 The Use of Fertilizer Comes with Trade-Offs 321 17.3 Emergence of Pesticide-Resistant Pests 322

Mimicking natural ecosystems can make farms more productive and help address some environmental problems. 324

INFOGRAPHIC 17.4 Agroecology: The Duck/Rice Farm 325

Sustainable techniques can control pests, protect soil, and keep farm productivity high. 327

INFOGRAPHIC 17.5 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 329 17.6 Sustainable Soil Management Practices 331

Consumers also have a role to play in helping to bring about a sustainable food system. 332

INFOGRAPHIC 17.7 Consumer Choices Matter 333

A sustainable food future will depend on a variety of methods. 332

TABLE 17.1 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Sustainable Agriculture 335

Can sustainable farming methods feed the world? 334

M om

en t/

G et

ty Im

ag es

YA SU

Y O

SH I C

H IB

A /A

FP /G

et ty

Im ag

es

D E TA I L E D C O N T E N T S

01_KAR_16220_fm_i_001.indd XII 04/02/15 1:58 PM

XIII

CONVENTIONAL ENERGY: FOSSIL FUELS

CHAPTER 18 COAL 833 BRINGING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN In the rubble, the true costs of coal

The world depends on coal for most of its electricity production. 143

INFOGRAPHIC 18.1 How it Works: Electricity Production from Coal 342

Coal forms over millions of years. 343

INFOGRAPHIC 18.2 Coal Formation 443 18.3 Major Coal Deposits of the World 345

s. 344

INFOGRAPHIC 18.4 Mountaintop Removal 643 18.5 Subsurface Mining 743

Surface mining brings severe environmental impacts. 348 Can coal’s emissions be cleaned up? 053

INFOGRAPHIC 18.6 Environmental and Health Problems of Mining and Burning Coal 253 18.7 How it Works: Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) 354

Reclaiming a closed mining site helps repair the area but can never re-create the original ecosystem. 354

INFOGRAPHIC 18.8 Mine Site Reclamation 356

CHAPTER 19 OIL AND NATURAL GAS 360 THE BAKKEN OIL BOOM Is fracking the path to energy independence?

Fossil fuels are a valuable, but nonrenewable, resource. 362

INFOGRAPHIC 19.1 How Oil and Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Form 363

Oil is a limited resource. 463

INFOGRAPHIC 19.2 Proven Oil and Natural Gas Reserves 364 19.3 Peak Oil 563

Conventional oil and natural gas reserves are tapped by drilling wells. 563

INFOGRAPHIC 19.4 How it Works: Conventional Oil and Natural Gas Wells 366 19.5 Processing Crude Oil 367

Fossil fuel extraction and use comes at a high environmental cost. 367

INFOGRAPHIC 19.6 Environmental Costs of Oil 370

Energy producers are turning to unconventional reserves of oil and natural gas. 369

INFOGRAPHIC 19.7 Fracking for Natural Gas or Oil 371 19.8 Unconventional Oil and Natural Gas Reserves in the United States and Canada 373

Pursuing unconventional reserves comes with a high environmental cost. 372

Is fracking the answer to our energy needs? 374

INFOGRAPHIC 19.9 The Trade-Offs of Fracking 375

Oil consumption drives extraction. 375

AIR POLLUTION: CONSEQUENCES OF USING FOSSIL FUELS

CHAPTER 20 AIR POLLUTION 380 THE YOUNGEST SCIENTISTS Kids on the frontlines of asthma research