Increasingly, the planet is threatened by a wide variety of real and potential complex environmental problems, including the warming of the earth, the loss of biodiversity, waste mismanagement, deforestation, desertification, hazardous waste disposal, acid precipitation, and pollution of many sorts. Although many of these problems are global in scope, they are sometimes best addressed at local levels where the relationships between cause and effect may be best understood. This interdisciplinary volume brings together leading environmentalists and public policy makers in science, law, economics, business, and government who explore the connections among global environmental issues and the local initiatives needed to address those issues.

The volume begins with an overview of fundamental issues, including the problems of economic development and safe-guarding the environment. Air quality issues are examined next, followed by ocean and landbased sources of marine pollution, coastal preservation, water quality, nuclear power, environmental health and information, and a review of social and cultural perspectives. For those beginning their examination of environmental concerns, the volume provides an understandable introduction to the full spectrum of current issues; for the expert, the book offers an accurate view of current thinking on the problems.

Preface
Global Problems, Local Solutions: Some Fundamental Questions
Introduction
Economic Ethics and the Environmental Crisis by Kenneth Boulding
The Warming of the Earth by George M. Woodwell
Beyond Brundtland: Linking Global Problems and Local Solutions by Johan Galtung
Sustainable Development and Green Politics by John Young
Linking Global Environmental Problems and Local Sustainable Development Initiatives by Robert Paehlke
Air Quality
Introduction
Public Transportation and Clean Air: Natural Allies by Philip Weinberg
Acid Deposition: There Is No Such Thing as a Free Launch by Stephen E. Schwartz
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer: Providing Prospective Remedial Relief for Potential Damage to the Environment Commons by Alfred C. Aman, Jr.
The Automobile as a Toxic Substance Delivery System by Howard W. Mielke
The Regulation of CFCs: Lessons for Other Environmental Problems by Alan S. Miller
Legislative Responses to the Problem of CFCs by Steven J. Shimberg
Ocean Sources of Marine Pollution
Introduction
The Environmental and Economic Impact of Vessel Oil Spills by Frank L. Amoroso and Linda Keenan
The U.S. Oil Spill Regime by Richard Jarashow
Landbased Sources of Marine Pollution
Introduction
Landbased Marine Pollution: An Introduction by James E. Hickey, Jr.
Regulation of Landbased Marine Pollution: Actions by the United Nations by James Moritaka Hayashi
Landbased Ocean Pollution: Canadian Perspectives by Moira L. McConnell
The Regulation of Non-point Source Pollution by James P. Rigano
Municipal Solid Waste in the Ocean by J.R. Schubel and R.L. Swanson
Preservation of Coastal and Regional Landscapes
Introduction
Open Space Preservation--The Post Euclidian Synthesis by Paul M. Bray
The Effect of Hurricanes and Rising Sea Level on Long Island's Coastal Stabilization Methods and Coast Management Strategies by Manfred P. Wolff
Planning Long Island's Reponse to Rising Sea Level by H. Bokeniewicz and M. Wolff
Coastal Louisiana: Abundant Resources -- Unparalleled Problems by William S. Perret and Mark F. Chatry
Water Quality
Introduction
Quality of U.S. Water Resources: A Systems Approach Towards Its Protection and Remediation by Stephen E. Ragone
Groundwater Contamination from Hazardous Wastes by Olin C. Braids
Brominated Organic Pollutants in Nassau County Drinking Water by Sung Moon, J.M. Adamski, M.J. Hansen and A. Lichtman
Policing Water Polluters in New York State: Should the Citizen Play a Role? by Beverly McQueary Smith
The Nuclear Power Option
Introduction
Energy Policy: The Nuclear Option by David Lott Hardy
Nuclear Power Option: Three Perspectives of a Planner by James Parmalee
Nuclear Power and Sustainable Development by Joseph P. Tomain
Environmental Health
Introduction
Predictable Effects on the Environment and on Health with Widespread Adoption of Environmentally Responsible Diets by Barry S. Kendler
Animal Behavior as an Index of the Environment, or the Miners Had a Good Idea by Kurt Salzinger
Optimal Configuration of a Bee Hive Environmental Monitoring Network and the Significance of the Retrieval Information by V. Columbo, P. Ravetto, and E. Lavagno
Environmental Information
Introduction
The Media and the Environment by Jonathan Piel
Solutions that Start in the Schools by Adeline A. Quinn
The Challenge of Urban Environmental Education by John Niman
Clarifying Scientific Uncertainties for Decisionmakers by Vern R. Walker
Social and Cultural Perspectives
Introduction
Into a Mirror Darkly: The Ancient Maya Collapse and Modern World Environmental Policy by Peter S. Dunham
From Genesis to Garbage: The Conceptual Roots of Our Solid Waste Crisis by William Vitek
Personal Choices and Environmental Impacts by Rick Wellbeloved-Stone and Ernest Q. Reed
Ecofeminism--Linking Feminist, Peace, and Environmentalist Movements by Jill M. Bystydzienski