D. Blanchfield – Environmental Encyclopedia (4th edition)

Автор: D. Blanchfield
Название книги: Environmental Encyclopedia (4th edition)
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Экология
Страницы: 1993
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

The third edition of the Environmental Encyclopedia,
edited by William P.Cunningham carried important
thoughts still applicable to this, the fourth edition.
‘‘As you might imagine, choosing what to include
and what to exclude from this collection has been
challenging. Almost everything has some environmental
significance, so our task has been to select a limited
number of topics we think are of greatest importance
in understanding our environment and our relation to
it. Undoubtedly, we have neglected some topics that
interest you and included some you may consider
irrelevant, but we hope that overall you will find this
new edition helpful and worthwhile.’’
‘‘The word environment is derived fromthe French
environ, which means to ‘‘encircle’’ or ‘‘surround.’’
Thus, our environment can be defined as the physical,
chemical, and biological world that envelops us, as well
as the complex of social and cultural conditions affecting
an individual or community. This broad definition
includes both the natural world and the ‘‘built’’ or
technological environment, as well as the cultural and
social contexts that shape human lives. You will see that
we have used this comprehensive meaning in choosing
the articles and definitions contained in this volume.’’
‘‘Among some central concerns of environmental
science are:
 How did the natural world on which we depend come
to be as it is, and how does it work?
 What have we done and what are we now doing to
our environment—both for good and ill?
 What can we do to ensure a sustainable future for
ourselves, future generations, and the other species
of organisms on which—although we may not be
aware of it—our lives depend?’’
‘‘‘The articles in this volume attempt to answer
those questions from a variety of different perspectives.
Historically, environmentalism is rooted in natural history,
a search for beauty and meaning in nature. Modern
environmental science expands this concern, drawing on
almost every area of human knowledge including social
sciences, humanities, and the physical sciences. Its strongest
roots, however, are in ecology, the study of interrelationships
among and between organisms and their
physical or nonliving environment.Aparticular strength
of the ecological approach is that it studies systems
holistically; that is, it looks at interconnections that
make the whole greater than the mere sum of its parts.
Youwill findmany of those interconnections reflected in
this book. Although the entries are presented individually
so that you can find topics easily, you will notice that
many refer to other topics that, in turn, can lead you on
through the book if you have time to follow their trail.
This series of linkages reflects the multilevel associations
in environmental issues.’’
The fourth edition of the Environmental Encyclopedia,
updated by a team of scientists and scholars,
attempts to preserve the structure and relationships
established in the third edition with updated information
and resources that articulate concerns about global
warming, climate change and other environmental perils
that have become overwhelmingly clearer since the publication
of the third edition in 2002.
Accordingly, to this solid foundation and structure,
the fourth edition of the Environmental Encyclopedia
updates, reinforces, and clarifies essential environmental
science concepts, with an emphasis on topics increasingly
the subject of economic and geopolitical news.
For example, this revision incorporates, highlights, and
further updates some of the most fundamental environmental
data and analysis contained in the most recent
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
report.
In addition to clarification of existing material,
the fourth edition contains information and data
distilled from more than 800 peer reviewed journal
reports published since the last edition. Along with
hundreds of new photos, approximately 5,000 new or
updated references are included. Intended for a wide and diverse audience, every
effort has been made to update the Environmental Encyclopedia
entries in everyday language and to provide
accurate and generous explanations of the most important
scientific terms. Entries are designed to instruct,
challenge, and excite less experienced students, while
providing a solid foundation and reference for more
advanced students. Although certainly not a substitute
for in-depth study of important topics, the fourth edition
of the Environmental Encyclopedia is designed to
better provide students and readers with the basic information,
resources, and insights that will enable a
greater understanding of the news and stimulate critical
thinking regarding current events.
Appropriate to the diversity of environmental sciences,
the fourth edition gives special attention to the
contributions by women and scientists of diverse ethnic
and cultural backgrounds. In addition, the editors have
included special contributions written by respected writers
and experts. New entries include in-depth information
and analysis related to climate change, climate
change controversies (including the 2009 and 2010 ‘‘Climategate’’
investigations), and the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill
along with recent revisions to environmental law and
policy. The fourth edition of The Gale Environmental
Encyclopedia also expands upon the content provided in
earlier editions to include a broader range and treatment
of topics of international and global concern.
Environmental science is, of course, not static.
In some cases, including the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill, the full environmental impact will take years
and decades to fully manifest and investigate. At the
time this book went to press, debates about the size of
the Deepwater Horizon spill still raged, new regulations
regarding offshore drilling were pending, and
the formal investigation regarding the cause of the
spill remained open. Regardless, the Environmental
Encyclopedia serves a solid base from which to begin
a journey toward an in-depth understanding of topics
critical to understanding the complexities of environmental
issues. With ongoing issues we have made a
special effort to set the context and provide a base of
understanding that will allow students and readers to
more critically understand the updated information
contained in the reliable resources provided.
Thus far Earth is the only known planet with blue
skies, warm seas, and life. It is our most tangible and
insightful laboratory. Because Earth is our only home,
environmental studies also offer a profound insight into
delicate balance and the tenuousness of life. As Carl
Sagan wrote in Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human
Future in Space: ‘‘The Earth is a very small stage in a vast
cosmic arena.’’ For humans to play wisely upon that
stage, to secure a future for the children who shall inherit
the Earth, we owe it to ourselves to become players of
many parts, so that our repertoire of scientific knowledge
enables us touse reasonand intellect in our civic debates,
and to understand the complex harmonies of Earth.
K. Lee Lerner & Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, Editors
Paris, France
November, 2010