Introduction to Sustainability, Second Edition, reviews all the major themes in the cutting-edge field of sustainability. The book is suitable for introductory interdisciplinary courses on sustainability, as well as those in the fields of geography, geology, sociology, planning, political science, and anthropology. Allowing students to see the world in new ways while also encouraging them to become part of the change needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the planet, this book is an invaluable introduction to this multifaceted and ever-changing subject.

Now fully revised and updated, this second edition includes new material on the most recent developments in the field of sustainability; environmental sustainability issues like water, food, and energy; social sustainability themes like environmental justice and transportation; and economic sustainability topics like green businesses and economic development. The book concludes with a chapter on sustainability issues in college and universities. Brinkmann intersperses many fascinating case studies and text boxes that encourage students to deeply explore the material. This is a book that not only organizes the complex field of sustainability, but also encourages students to take action to make the world a better place.

Robert (Bob) Brinkmann is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Northern Illiinois University and is the author of many books and research articles in the field of sustainability. Bob has served as an officer in many organizations including Chair of the Board of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute.

Acknowledgments, xv

About the Author, xvii

About the Companion Website, xix

1 Roots of the Modern Sustainability Movement, 1

Meaning of Sustainability, 1 Nineteenth Century Environmentalism, 2

Pinchot, Roosevelt, and Muir, 4

Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic, 6

Better Living Through Chemistry, the Great Smog of 1952, and Rachel Carson, 6

Environmental Activism of the 1960s and 1970s and the Development of Environmental Policy, 8

The Growth of Environmental Laws in the 1960s and 1970s, 10

The First Earth Day, 11

International Concerns, 11

Ozone and the World Comes Together, 12

Globalization and the Brundtland Report, 12

Deep Ecology, 14

Environmental Justice, 15

Measuring Sustainability, 15

The Road Ahead, 17

Organization, 19

2 Understanding Natural Systems, 21

The Earth, its Layers, and the Rock Cycle, 21

The Rock Cycle, 23

Biogeochemical Cycles, 24

Water and the Water Cycle, 24

The Carbon Cycle and Global Climate Change, 27

The Sulfur Cycle, 29

The Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycles, 31

Organisms and Ecosystems, 33

Urban Ecosystems, 35

Understanding the Anthropocene, 38

3 Measuring Sustainability, 40

The United Nations Millennium Goals, 40

Goal 1. Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, 41

Goal 2. Achieve Universal Primary Education, 42

Goal 3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, 42

Goal 4. Reduce Child Mortality Rates, 42

Goal 5. Improve Maternal Health, 42

Goal 6. Combat Hiv/Aids, Malaria, and Other Diseases, 43

Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability, 43

Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development, 43

National Sustainability Planning, 45

Canada, 45

Bhutan, 48

Regional Sustainability Planning, 49

Local Sustainability Measurement, 51

Green Local Governments in Florida, 53

Specific Community Plans, 56

PlaNYC, 56

London and Sustainability, 57

Small Towns and Sustainability, 59

Business Sustainability, 60

Personal Sustainability, 61

4 Energy, 63

World Energy Production and Consumption, 63

Traditional or “Dirty” Energy Resources, 65

Oil, 65

Oil Shale and Tar Sands, 66

Natural Gas, 67

Coal, 69

Green Energy, 71

Biomass, 71

Wind Energy, 74

Solar Energy, 75

Nuclear Energy, 76

Other Innovations, 78

Energy Efficiency, 78

Living Off the Grid, 80

5 Global Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Management, 81

The End of Nature?, 81

The Science of Global Climate Change, 81

The Greenhouse Effect, 81

Sinks of Carbon, 86

Forests, 86

Reefs, 86

The Ipcc and Evidence for Climate Change, and the Future of Our Planet, 86

Ocean Acidification, 88

Phenological Changes, 88

Conducting Greenhouse Gas Inventories, 89

Step 1 Setting Boundaries, 89

Step 2 Defining Scope, 90

Step 3 Choosing a Quantitative Approach, 91

Step 4 Setting a Baseline Year, 91

Step 5 Engaging Stakeholders, 91

Step 6 Procuring Certification, 91

Greenhouse Gas Equivalents Used in Greenhouse Gas Accounting, 92

Greenhouse Gas Emission Scopes, 92

De Minimis Emissions, 92

Computing Greenhouse Gas Credits, 93

Climate Action Plans, 93

Religion and Climate Change, 98

Evangelical Environmental Network, 98

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, 98

Catholic Climate Covenant, 98

Jewish Climate Change Campaign, 99

The International Muslim Conference on Climate Change, 99

Buddhist Declaration on Climate Change, 100

Hindu Declaration on Climate Change, 100

Art, Culture, and Climate Change, 100

Swoon, 100

Raúl Cárdenas Osuna and Toro Labs, 101

Isaac Cordal, 101

6 Water, 103

Sources of Water, 103

Consumption Trends, 106

Sources of Water Pollution, 108

Agricultural Pollution, 108

Industrial Pollution, 108

Storm Water Pollution, 109

Sewage, 109

Leaking Underground Tanks, 109

Landfills, 110

Water Management and Conservation, 112

National and Regional Water Conservation and Management, 112

Water Supply Management, 113

Water Management and Innovation, 115

Water Quality, 115

Understanding Drainage Basins, 120

Drainage Basins Out of Synch, 121

Drainage Basin Pollution, 121

Stream Profile and Base Level, 121

Lakes, 121

Seas, 122

Oceans, 122

7 Food and Agriculture, 124

Development of Modern Agriculture, 124

Meat Production, 127

World Agricultural Statistics, 130

Food Deserts and Obesity, 130

Reactions to the High-Tech Agricultural Movement, 133

Vegetarianism and Veganism, 133

Organic Farming, 133

Small Farm Movement, 134

Locavores, 135

Farm to Table, 136

Community Sponsored Agriculture, 137

Community Gardens, 138

Farmers Markets, 139

Beekeeping, 140

The Urban Chicken Movement, 141

Guerilla Gardening, Freegans, and Other Radical Approaches to Food, 141

8 Green Building, 143

Leed Rating Systems, 143

Site Selection, 145

Brownfield Development, 145

Other Aspects of Sustainable Building Siting, 147

Water Use, 147

Energy and Atmospheric Health, 148

Materials and Resources, 150

Materials Re-Use, 150

Recycled Content of Construction Material, 150

Locally Derived Materials, 151

Renewable Materials and Certified Sustainable Wood, 151

Waste Management, 151

Summary, 151

Indoor Environmental Quality, 152

Ventilation and Air Delivery Monitoring, 152

Construction Indoor Air Quality Management, 152

Use of Low-Emitting Materials, 152

Indoor Chemical and Pollution Source Control, 153

Controllability and Design of Lighting and Temperature Systems, 153

Access to Daylight, 153

Summary, 153

Innovation, 154

Regional Priorities, 154

Expansion of Green Building

Technology, 154

Other Green Building Rating

Systems, 154

Breeam, 154

Passiv Haus, 156

Green Building Policy, 157

Critiques of Green Building, 157

The Greenest Building and Historic Preservation, 158

Small House Movement, 161

Rent More, Save More! Use code: ECRENTAL

Rent More, Save More! Use code: ECRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Introduction to Sustainability

How To: Textbook Rental

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Rewards Program