United States
£ GBP
Master the fundamental math skills necessary to quantify and evaluate a broad range of environmental questions.
Environmental issues are often quantitative – how much land, how many people, what amount of pollution. Computer programs are useful, but there is no substitute for being able to use a simple calculation to slice through to the crux of the problem. Having a grasp of how the factors interact and whether the results make sense allows one to explain and argue a point of view forcefully to diverse audiences.
With an engaging, down-to-earth style and practical problem-solving approach, Ecological Numeracy makes it easy to understand and master basic mathematical concepts and techniques that are applicable to life-cycle assessment, energy consumption, land use, pollution generation, and a broad range of other environmental issues. Robert Herendeen brings the numbers to life with dozens of fascinating, often entertaining examples and problems.
Requiring only a moderate quantitative background, Ecological Numeracy is a superb introduction for advanced undergraduate students in environmental science, planning, geography, and physical and natural sciences. It is also a valuable professional resource for environmental managers, regulators, and administrators.
Context and Acclimatization.
Contributions to Environmental Impact: Analyzing the Components of Change.
Consequences of Exponential (Geometric) Growth.
End-Use Analysis and Predicting Future Demand.
Economic Considerations, Discount Rates, and Benefit-Cost Analysis.
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.
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.
