Environment and Human

Author: Wu Baoguan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This textbook is suitable for undergraduate students of non-environmental majors in universities and junior college students. Due to limited class hours, the content is not intended to be overly comprehensive, and the teaching style should be lively and engaging (e.g., Peking University often uses colorful slides during class time). The goal is to provide students with an overview of environmental science in this 36-hour elective course, enabling them to enter the field and become qualified "green citizens" in society. The book teaches many useful knowledge. In modern society, people often encounter traps and dangers in their daily lives—ranging from home selection and renovation to minor activities like making phone calls or wearing sunglasses—where environmental science principles play a significant role. This knowledge will greatly benefit the readers. The book also holds special significance for primary and secondary school teachers in China, as the future of a nation's environment lies in its youth. The formation of a correct environmental perspective among young people requires teachers to cultivate this from an early age (as Germany has done notably well). Educators themselves face the challenge of learning first, and in this regard, the book serves as a helpful guide for teachers. Additionally, the content of environmental science, especially the rapid changes in environmental hot issues, makes it easy for environmental science books to become outdated. Therefore, this book carefully collects the latest materials and focuses on environmental issues closely related to us, presenting clear viewpoints to guide students in thinking and discussion, fostering the habit of caring about major environmental issues. Moreover, the English-Chinese glossaries in the text have proven helpful for students learning professional English, so they are retained as a distinctive feature of the book.
Chapter 1: Rapidly Changing Human Environment
1.1 What Is Environmental Science?
1.2 The Core of Current Earth Environmental Problems Is Population Growth
1.3 Classification of Major Environmental Problems in the World
1.4 Examples of Major Environmental Problems in the World
Chapter 2: Ecosystems and Energy
2.1 Ecosystems, Ecology, and Their Research Content
2.2 Important Ecological Terms
2.3 Levels of Biological Organization and Ecological Organization
2.4 Energy Flow Through Ecosystems
2.5 Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers
2.6 Food Chains—Energy Flow Paths and the Question of Who Eats Who in Ecosystems
2.7 Ecological Pyramids
2.8 Changes in Ecosystem Productivity
Chapter 3: Ecosystems and Organisms
3.1 Organisms on Earth and Their Interactions
3.2 Ecological Niche
3.3 Competitive Exclusion
3.4 Limiting Factors
3.5 Coevolution
3.6 Symbiosis
3.7 Community Succession
Chapter 4: Ecosystems and Physical Environment
4.1 Material Cycles in Ecosystems
4.2 Earth's Physical Environment
Chapter 5: Major Ecosystems on Earth
5.1 Major Terrestrial Ecosystems on Earth
5.2 Aquatic Life Zones on Earth
Chapter 6: Global Population Growth and Urbanization
6.1 Global Population Growth
6.2 Principles of Population Ecology
6.3 Human Populations
6.4 National Demographics
6.5 Population Surplus
6.6 The Relationship Between Population, Resources, and Environment
6.7 Major Population Powers in the World
6.8 Urbanization of World Population and the Global Aging Problem
Chapter 7: Air Pollution
7.1 Overview of the Atmosphere
7.2 Atmospheric Layers
7.3 Types, Sources, and Effects of Air Pollution
7.4 Major Air Pollutants
7.5 Urban Air Pollution
7.6 Control of Urban Air Pollution
7.7 A Major Strategic Thought on Environmental Protection in China
7.8 The Green Revolution of Cars
7.9 Measures to Improve Urban Environmental Quality
7.10 Monitoring Urban Air Pollution
7.11 Indoor Air Pollution
7.12 The Dangers of Smoking
7.13 High-Altitude Air Pollution
7.14 Noise Pollution
7.15 Electromagnetic Pollution
7.16 Light Pollution
Chapter 8: Water Resources and Water Pollution
8.1 Freshwater Resources
8.2 Water Pollution
8.3 Sources of Water Pollution
8.4 Eutrophication and Its Control
8.5 Marine Pollution and Ocean Rescue
Chapter 9: Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste
9.1 Solid Waste Issues
9.2 Types of Solid Waste
9.3 Waste Disposal
9.4 Reducing Waste Volume
9.5 Hazardous Waste
Chapter 10: Wildlife—Our Plant and Animal Resources
10.1 Overview
10.2 Biodiversity
10.3 Why Humans Need Wildlife
10.4 The Role of Biodiversity in Stable Ecosystems
10.5 Genetic Material Reserves
10.6 The Scientific Importance of Genetic Diversity
10.7 The Importance of Wildlife Resources in Medicine and Industry
10.8 The Aesthetic and Ethical Value of Wildlife
10.9 Biodiversity Loss on Earth
10.10 Measures to Protect Wildlife
Conclusion
Main References