Includes bibliographical references and index.

A historical framework for environmental protection -- Participants in the environmental debate -- The political process -- Stewardship and protection : public and private lands -- Waste not, want not -- The politics of energy : old debates and new sources -- Managing resources : the water wars -- Water quality : from ground to tap -- Urban air quality : getting better or getting worse? -- Indoor air : pollution and health -- Oceans : the largest environment -- Acid rain : what's ours is yours -- Climatic change : challenges and options -- Tropical forests : on the cutting edge --Endangered species and habitats -- The frozen environment : Arctic and Antarctic protection -- Managing the human population explosion -- Emerging issues in environmental politics.