Building on the resounding success of the first edition, this introductory text provides a comprehensive account of modern environmental issues and the physical and socio-economic framework in which they are set.

New features of the second edition include:
*Two entirely new chapters on population' and back to the future'
*Updated case studies and examples bring completely fresh perspectives to recent environmental events and issues
*New boxes introduce emerging approaches, techniques or perspectives
*Additional student-friendly textbook features include learning outcomes and end-of-chapter summaries and a glossary of key terms
*New colour and black and white plates
*Updated annotated reading
*Web links to sites illustrating themes and material covered in the book
*An associated website structured by chapter with a complete bibliography and links to imagery and an updated lecturer's manual

Part I Environment in crisis: population and environment
environmental systems
spaceship earth. Part II The lithosphere: structure of the earth
dynamic earth
earth materials. Part III The atmosphere: the atmosphere
atmospheric processes
weather systems
climate. Part IV The hydrosphere: the hydrological cycle
water resources
drylands
cold and ice
oceans and coasts. Part V The biosphere: the biosphere
ecosystems, succession and biomes
soil. Part VI Reflections: retrospect and prospect.