Australians and their Environment
An Introduction to Environmental Studies
Graeme Aplin
Australians and their Environment introduces the broad complex field of environmental studies in an Australian context. It emphasises the need to include a wide range of perspectives, from philosophy and ethics, through the social sciences and economics, to biophysical and physical sciences. An integrative, multidisciplinary approach is taken throughout.
Australian environments and key concepts are outlined in the Introduction. In Part A concepts central to environmental understanding, debate and decision-making are described. Chapters cover natural cycles and biogeochemical processes;ecological concepts and relationships; economics and resource concepts; values and attitudes; politics and bureaucratic structures; and planning and management techniques. In Part B. material described in Part A. is applied to particular environmental topics or sectors. Chapters cover Aboriginal resource use and management; biodiversity and reserves; forestry; fishing and mining; agriculture and pastoralism; energy and transport; including rivers, wetlands and coasts; and waste management and the urban environment. A conclusion summarises the lessons arising from earlier chapters, and looks towards the future.
This exciting and innovative text spans the breadth of environmental studies in a new way, integrating material from disparate disciplines into a holistic approach. It is highly recommended to all students and teachers of environmental studies or science and to practitioners in environmental fields.'
Australians and their Environment: An Introduction to Environmental Studies
Graeme Aplin
Oxford University Press
Melbourne
2002
ISBN 0 19 553960 5