day. The opening discussion - Living in an Exponential Age - describes exponential growth and how it relates to the depletion of natural resources, population increases, mismanagement of wildlife habitats, eradication of plant and animal species, pollution and the widening gap between the rich and poor (p. 4).
The chapter is organized under six subheadings as follows: Living Sustainably defines solar capital, earth capital, and sustainability and includes an essay by Robert Costanza titled "Defining Sustainability" (p. 8). Growth and the Wealth Gap outlines the speed of economic and human population growth and the associated problems of poverty and the increasing wealth gap. Resources describes the earth's renewable and nonrenewable resources and their potential for depletion. Pollution discusses the sources and effects of pollution and explores strategies for the prevention of pollution. Included is a case study of pollution in Poland (p. 19).
Environmental and Resource Problems and their Causes describes the key environmental problems facing humans today and details their root causes. What should Be Done describes the world views that govern human behavior towards the earth and includes essays by Julian L. Simon, "There is no environmental crisis" (p. 24), and Paul and Anne Ehrlich, "Simple Simon Environmental Analysis" (p. 26). These essays highlight the conflicting views of scientists and economists regarding the future of earth's resources.
CHAPTER 2. BRIEF HISTORY OF RESOURCE USE AND CONSERVATION
This chapter details the changes in human culture, and the increasing control and impact of the human species on the earth's resources. The opening case study - Frontier Expansion and Biological Warfare - describes the European settlement of North America, the ensuing impact on the Native American Indians, and the near extinction of wild bison (p. 30).
The chapter is organized under six subheadings as follow...