Focusing on the environment and environmental policy, this text examines the dynamic interplay among the physical, economic, social, and political forces impacting the major natural resource issues of today's world. Written by authors with contrasting scientific and philosophical views, it presents a wide range of opinions and interpretations of these issues that results in a balanced review and solid basis for discussion. The inclusion of up-to-the minute, critical quantitative data on natural resource conditions and use, along with important Internet references, inform students while preparing them to analyze and evaluate the significance of resource patterns and trends as objectively as possible.