The following Web sites are just some of the interesting resources related to natural resource conservation. As you link to the sites, compare and contrast the information on the site with what you have learned in class, from the textbook, and from other sources you have read. Be sure to share interesting sites with your classmates.
Global Trends 2015 Report
The National Intelligence Council (NIC), in close collaboration with U.S. government specialists and a wide range of experts outside the government, has worked to identify major drivers and trends that will shape the world of 2015. The key drivers identified are: (1) demographics, (2) natural resources and environment, (3) science and technology, (4) the global economy and globalization, (5) national and international governance, (6) future conflict, and (7) the role of the United States. Notice that natural resources and environment is listed as number two, immediately after the population issues. This report is not a prediction. It is an attempt to start a constructive dialogue about the future.
Global Environmental Trends
An on-line database of the most important global trends with all resource types mentioned in the textbook. A good starting point for your research paper or class project.
Ecological Footprints of Nations
This international report estimates total environmental impact of every nation based on the amount of land required to carry out all its activities (so-called "ecological footprint"). The ecological footprint concept is an outgrowth of the "impact formula" of John Holdren and Paul Ehrlich. It recognizes the fact that population, consumption, and pollution all contribute to the impact. This "Footprints of Nations" report compares the ecological impact of 52 large nations, inhabited by 80 percent of the world's population. It also shows the extent to which their consumption can be supported by their local ecological capacity. One key finding is that, today, humanity as a whole uses over one-third more resources and eco-services than the amount nature can regenerate. In 1992, this ecological deficit was only one-quarter!
Beyond the Limits Online Exercises
This exercise, designed for an introductory environmental chemistry class at Elmhurst College, uses the results from the World3 global computer model assessment of five variables: population, food supply, industrial output, pollution, and consumption of nonrenewable natural resources. This is a version of the same model as was used by the Limits to Growth report team. The results of the model scenarios are presented as a series of graphs plotted over a two-century time frame. The results of the computer model are available as graphs in this exercise. The question to be answered at the end of this exercise is: "Which worldview is supported by the assumptions in this computer model of the world?"
Chronology of the US Conservation Movement
"The Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1847–1920" documents the historical formation and cultural foundations of the movement to conserve and protect America's natural heritage through books, pamphlets, government documents, manuscripts, prints, photographs, and motion picture footage drawn from the collections of the Library of Congress. This page provides an on-line introduction to the collection.
Sierra Club Home Page
The home page for the oldest US conservation organization, which is still very much active today. Founded by John Muir in the late 1800s to protect the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains in California, the Sierra Club has become a new model for many other environmental groups to follow.
Major Environmental Laws
Want to see more details about the laws listed in Table 1.1? Check out this Web site from the Environmental Protection Agency, the main authority on administration of the environmental laws in the United States.
United States Geological Survey: Natural Resources
This page introduces different types of resources (i.e., energy, minerals, water, land, and biota). It provides access to many USGS-produced documents that are related to these five areas.
John Muir Exhibit
This exhibit is dedicated to the life and memory of the preeminent preservationist, naturalist, explorer, and writer John Muir. A delightful Web site—beautifully illustrated.
The Nemesis Effect
Most people, most of the time, just aren't looking upriver: we have a strong intuitive tendency to assume that incremental change can be used to predict further incremental change—that the gradual rise or fall of a line on a graph means more of the same. But that's not true. The future of a trend—any trend—depends on the behavior of the system as a whole.
The Worldwatch Institute Homepage
This organization is best known for its annual State of the World reports. This Web page offers access to these and other publications on the rapidly changing realities of the world in which we live.
ESRI's Your Internet Guide to GIS
GIS.com is a portal to GIS information on the Web and was created by ESRI, the largest GIS developer in the world (Arc/INFO, ArcView GIS, and related products). The site is intended to educate anyone interested in geographic technology on the value that technology brings to their day-to-day activities. The site also provides GIS users with resources to help them in their work.
Center for a New American Dream
This great website is a how-to guide to sustainability. Especially recommended is their collection of practical personal tips. They provide you with some very practical guidance along with songs, anecdotes, and cartoons.
