Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Sustainability

Opinión de Paul Bankole, Assistant Professor of Biology, Anderson University on 5/29/26

Exhaustividad clasificación: 4 ver menos

The text covers a broad range of foundational environmental science topics. It is quite interesting to see that the author touched on topics surrounding the scientific method and scientific reasoning, environmental justice and indigenous issues, and land ethics. However, I would have loved to read more about climate adaptation, environmental economics, the circular economy, environmental policy instruments, renewable energy transitions, and environmental health, which would strengthen comprehensiveness. Case studies around the world on transitions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America would broaden global applicability.

Precisión de contenido clasificación: 4

The scientific explanations of hypotheses, scientific theories, scientific laws, experimental design, and scientific reasoning are accurate and align with accepted scientific principles. I recommend an update of several environmental indicators using current reports from IPCC, UNEP, FAO databases, World Bank environmental datasets.

Relevancia / Longevidad clasificación: 4

The book's relevance is never in doubt, as it addresses enduring and long-lasting concepts on sustainability principles, ecological footprints, environmental justice, and ethics. Periodic updates on forest loss estimates, consumption statistics, and population growth figures should be incorporated to maintain contemporary relevance.

Claridad clasificación: 5

The book is outstandingly clear as it explains complex concepts using simple, relatable examples. Additionally, basic and technical terminologies are generally introduced before use and explained in accessible language

Consistencia clasificación: 5

The text is internally consistent across all chapters in terminology and conceptual framework while buttressing key concepts such as sustainability, environmental ethics, scientific inquiry, and resource management.

Modularidad clasificación: 5

The textbook is highly modular. It is highly commendable to note that every chapter includes learning outcomes, chapter outlines, clearly labeled subsections, and summary sections.

Organización / Estructura / Flujo clasificación: 4

The sequence of topics ranging from scientific foundations, sustainability concepts, environmental ethics and justice, and biological and chemical foundations is logical. The progression helps students build understanding and retention systematically. However, it would be interesting if the concept of environmental justice is strengthened with a brief bridging section explaining how ethical frameworks influence environmental policy and justice outcomes

Interfaz clasificación: 4

Figures are generally relevant and appropriately placed alongside the text. Although some figures appear small, others would benefit from higher-resolution graphics.

Errores gramaticales clasificación: 5

The writing is generally professional, grammatically correct, and readable. Sentence structure is clear and suitable for undergraduates

Relevancia cultural clasificación: 5

It is highly noteworthy to see the inclusion of parts on indigenous perspectives on sustainability and environmental justice discussions with examples involving Native American, Inuit, Gwich'in, and Inupiat communities.

The text is clear with fantastic pedagogical organization. There is comprehensive coverage of foundational environmental science concepts with effective use of examples and case studies.

Opinión de Catherine Mossman, Distinguished Lecturer, University of Wisconsin-Parkside on 5/12/25

Exhaustividad clasificación: 3 ver menos

This book was adequate for my course. It lacked a chapter addressing preserving nature/establishment/history of national parks/types of areas to be protected (wetlands, forests, grasslands, marine systems). There could also be more information on human populations/problems with overpopulation on a global level. There is some information in Ch 4, but there could be more added.

Precisión de contenido clasificación: 4

Environmental Science is changing constantly. As of the date of publication, this book is accurate.

Relevancia / Longevidad clasificación: 4

Again, there are changes to environmental science policies on a daily basis, especially now. Therefore, changes/updates will be needed on a frequent basis.

Claridad clasificación: 5

This textbook was written at an appropriate level for a general education environmental science course. I had my students take a survey. 45% of respondents indicated that this book was easy to understand and 35% indicated that it was sometimes easy to understand.

Consistencia clasificación: 5

Yes, I liked the overall framework of this textbook. It was consistent from chapter to chapter.

Modularidad clasificación: 5

Yes, I did not use this textbook in the order written. I used chapters (or parts of chapters) as needed for reference material for students.

Organización / Estructura / Flujo clasificación: 5

Yes, it is well written. I had my students take a survey. 48% of respondents indicated that tables and graphs were helpful in the book.

Interfaz clasificación: 5

Yes, I was able to copy and use images without problems for my PPT slides.

Errores gramaticales clasificación: 4

There were some grammar mistakes, but that is common for an early edition.

Relevancia cultural clasificación: 5

Topics were appropriate.

In the survey that I gave my students, I asked some basic questions (in addition to what I mentioned already above) that I thought would be helpful. This was an introductory gen ed course that had 45 students in it.
1) 35% said that their use of this textbook was 1-2 hours for the semester. The next highest response was 23% which was never used.
2) I asked if students would prefer a physical copy of a text book: 23% said yes; 26% said no and 52@ said that it didn't matter to them.
Overall, students seemed to have a positive to neutral reaction to using this textbook. I would use it again as it is accurate and had appropriate topics for my course and of course was free. Thank you!

Opinión de Samuel Colvin, Instructor, Marshall University on 1/8/25

Exhaustividad clasificación: 4 ver menos

The book covers many facets of environmental sciences. If adopted for use by our department, supplemental information about geology, natural resources and recreation management will need to be added.

Precisión de contenido clasificación: 4

The content appears to be accurate, No bias was detected.

Relevancia / Longevidad clasificación: 4

The content is current. Updates could easily be made.

Claridad clasificación: 4

The writing is clear. Technical terminology is adequately defined.

Consistencia clasificación: 4

The text provides a framework which adequately addresses major environmental issues.

Modularidad clasificación: 4

Reading sections could be easily arranged and assigned.

Organización / Estructura / Flujo clasificación: 4

An introduction to science is followed by ecosystems, ecology and biodiversity. Then environmental problems are addressed.

Interfaz clasificación: 4

Navigation through the text is easily done.

Errores gramaticales clasificación: 4

No grammatical errors were detected.

Relevancia cultural clasificación: 4

The discussion of the Native American cultural emphasis on sustainability is particularly noteworthy.

Opinión de Kristen Genet, Unlimited Full Time Faculty in Biology, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on 10/16/24

Exhaustividad clasificación: 4 ver menos

There are 14 chapters in this text that cover a wide range of environmental science concepts and environmental issues. I had no trouble finding information that addressed each of the core course concepts from our common course outline.

Precisión de contenido clasificación: 3

Even though the copyright date is indicated to be 2023, there is some information that is very outdated (especially when it comes to renewable energy and electric vehicles in the transportation sector). I know this is a rapidly changing field of study. but I would really like to think that the information would be accurate and current as of the copyright date.

Relevancia / Longevidad clasificación: 3

I addressed this in the "accuracy" section, but this is an inherent issue in this field where technology and data changes so rapidly. It really needs updates in the sections about those issues that change most rapidly (e.g., renewable energy, climate change).

Claridad clasificación: 4

Writing style is clear, and supporting information is frequently included in the form of images, data, tables, diagrams, etc. I would actually like to see even more of that, and in a way that would be interactive and engaging for the students to work through.

Consistencia clasificación: 4

I do find that the sections within chapters, as well as between chapters, are written consistently. That allows me to easily move between topics as I encourage students to build connections between concepts.

Modularidad clasificación: 4

Each chapter is divided into multiple sections, which makes it very easy for me to pick and choose those sections to include as resources each week. The chapters are numbered, but I wonder if we could omit the numbers and just label them by topic and theme, as the numbers and sequence seem to be a bit arbitrary and it's certainly possible to move between sections and chapters.

Organización / Estructura / Flujo clasificación: 4

The structure and organization are clear and logical for the most part, but there are a few things that I would reorder - however, given the modularity of the resource, it's very easy to do that as I pick and choose chapters (and sections within chapters) into the content page of my LMS.

Interfaz clasificación: 5

It is easy to navigate between chapters (or sections within chapters) using the dropdown menu/navigation on the left side of the screen. There are a couple examples of figures that do not display within chapter sections, but the vast majority of them are well positioned and not distorted.

Errores gramaticales clasificación: 5

The text did not contain any grammatical errors that I found.

Relevancia cultural clasificación: 4

There are specific connections that are culturally responsive in the section on environmental justice and indigenous struggles, but it would be even more impactful to weave culturally relevant examples and data throughout the text, which is still written from a very western, colonial perspective.