Summarizes what is known about two major variables involved in certain types of chemical pollution that seem to be changing the structure of the Earth's atmosphere. Discusses the greenhouse effect and the ozone layer. (TW)

Discusses some of the variables affecting environmental decision making. Addresses ecological, legislative, cultural, political, and economic forces that influence such processes. Urges more attention to the contextual basis of environmental decision making. (TW)

Argues that environmental policy and education are predominantly based on Western beliefs about nature rather than on native and indigenous sensitivities. Discusses Western conceptions of wilderness, alternative perceptions and conservation practices, the role of fires in the ecosystem, the priorities necessary for integrating alternative…

Discusses how biomass in the form of fuelwood, crop residues, and animal dung can be converted into fuels such as biogas and ethanol to replace or supplement fossil fuels. Argues for future decentralized, integrated biomass energy development. (TW)

Tropical forests cover 20 percent of the Earth's land surface, but they are rapidly disappearing, with some estimating the loss of 7.5 million hectares a year. This bulletin provides a set of key facts relating to this problem. It details: (1) factors involving the rate at which the forests are disappearing; (2) some of the effects of these losses…

Discusses the trend toward more "earth-as-a-system" approaches in research and teaching about global science. Uses the "greenhouse effect" as a prototypical global change problem that requires interdisciplinary problem-solving approaches. (TW)

Summarizes the blueprint for environmentally sound development, which was endorsed by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Program in June 1987. Includes recommendations on a World Food Bank, satellite communication costs, labelling toxic chemicals and pesticides, and water quantity and quality. (TW)

Reports on the status of environmental studies programs, as determined at a workshop held in conjunction with the 1986 annual conference of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Focuses on environmental studies program development since 1976. (TW)

Examines some of the traditional and new methods that have been devised to harness energy from the sun in the form of heat. Discusses some current research and developments underway which are lowering the costs of equipment and installation. (TW)

States that tidal power projects are feasible in a relatively limited number of locations around the world. Claims that together they could theoretically produce the energy equivalent to more than one million barrels of oil per year. (TW)

Common household hazardous substances include cleansers, drain cleaners, automotive products, paints, solvents, and pesticides. This handbook was designed to serve as a resource for people frequently contacted by the public for information on household hazardous substances and wastes. Included in the handbook are: (1) an introduction to Michigan's…

One of the main activities assigned to the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is to review the world environmental situation to insure that emerging environmental problems of wide international significance receive appropriate and adequate consideration by governments. Accordingly, UNEP has assessed the state of…

While the open oceans remain relatively unpolluted, many coastal areas are suffering from oil, sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural run-off. This document presents some of the key facts related to these kinds of water pollution. It focuses on the major sources of contamination in the world's seas, and provides an overview of how these…

Describes Ocean Thermal Energy Conservation (OTEC) as a method for exploiting the temperature difference between warm surface waters of the sea and its cold depths. Argues for full-scale demonstrations of the technique for producing energy for coastal regions. (TW)

Discussed are the costs of deriving energy from the earth's natural reserves of salt. Argues that, as fossil fuel supplies become more depleted in the future, the environmental advantages of salinity power may prove to warrant its exploitation. (TW)