Ecological Numeracy: Quantitative Analysis of Environmental Issues / Edition 1

by Robert A. Herendeen

Overview

Master the fundamental math skills necessary to quantify andevaluate a broad range of environmental questions.

Environmental issues are often quantitative—how much land, howmany people, what amount of pollution. Computer programs areuseful, but there is no substitute for being able to use a simplecalculation to slice through to the crux of the problem. Having agrasp of how the factors interact and whether the results makesense allows one to explain and argue a point of view forcefully todiverse audiences.

With an engaging, down-to-earth style and practical problem-solvingapproach, Ecological Numeracy makes it easy to understand andmaster basic mathematical concepts and techniques that areapplicable to life-cycle assessment, energy consumption, land use,pollution generation, and a broad range of other environmentalissues. Robert Herendeen brings the numbers to life with dozens offascinating, often entertaining examples and problems.

Requiring only a moderate quantitative background, EcologicalNumeracy is a superb introduction for advanced undergraduatestudents in environmental science, planning, geography, andphysical and natural sciences. It is also a valuable professionalresource for environmental managers, regulators, andadministrators.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471183099
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	04/20/1998
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.17(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

ROBERT A. HERENDEEN is a staff scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois. Dr. Herendeen also holds academic positions with the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences; Urban and Regional Planning; and Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution; and with the Office of Supercomputing Applications.

Table of Contents

Context and Acclimatization.

Contributions to Environmental Impact: Analyzing the Components ofChange.

Consequences of Exponential (Geometric) Growth.

End-Use Analysis and Predicting Future Demand.

Economic Considerations, Discount Rates, and Benefit-CostAnalysis.

Limits.

Dynamics, Stocks and Flows, Age Class Effects.

Indirect Effects.

Shared Resources and the Tragedy of the Commons.

The Automobile: A Powerful Problem.

Ecological Economics and Sustainability.

Thermodynamics and Energy Efficiency.

Appendices.

References.

Index.