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ENV 150 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
READINGS AND WEB RESOURCES

This site contains publicly accessible resources for FPU's Introduction to Environmental Studies course. Additional information accessible to students enrolled in the class can be found on the course Moodle web site.

LIFESTYLE ISSUES:

The following links connect you to websites that examine the relationships between how we live and the environment, including Christian perspectives regarding environmental concern.

  • The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, humerous, animated explanation of the consequences of a global consumption-driven economic system. It's worth the time to check it out!
  • Creation Care Magazine is published by the Evangelical Environmental Network and is available for free by downloading online or requesting a free hardcopy subscription.
  • Calculate your Ecological Footprint:
  • The World Behind a Simple Shirt NPR's Planet Money traces the globalized story of making a T-shirt.
  • Web of Creation is an excellent resource for congregations, groups and individuals seeking to connect their Christian faith to environmental concerns.
  • Is God Green? - A Bill Moyers documentary on the debate among evangelical Christians over whether they should care for creation and be concerned about global warming.
  • The Lorax by Dr. Seuss - a web video based on the book by Dr. Seuss.

ENVIRONMENTAL WRITERS:

The following links connect you to assigned readings by significant environmental writers.

ATMOSPHERE:

The following links connect you with resources concerning air pollution and climate change.

ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION:

  • Lawrence Livermore Labs energy and carbon flow charts provide annual information on US energy use and carbon dioxide emissions broken down by energy source and type of use. Find links to annual charts in the opening paragraph of the page.
  • The Global Warming Wedge Stabilization Game offers 15 current alternatives for stabilizing global greenhouse emissions. Implementation of 7 would stabilize greenhouse emissions. Use the game to develop your strategy for slowing global warming.

WATER ISSUES:

  • The Pacific Institute in San Francisco offers a criticism of the bills at his blog.You can Google the subject (e.g. California water bill) and find many other perspectives from other news agencies and interested parties.
  • National Geographic's website calculates the number of gallons of  "hidden water" required to produce various common products
  • National Geographic's article on California Water is an excellent overview of our water situation. The associated map of California's water system is also very informative.
  • The Fresno Bee has a fine collection of articles on recent water news that are strongly recommended
  • The Fresno Bee also has a special section on restoring the San Joaquin - also essential reading!
  • San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust
  • San Joaquin River Restoration Project
  • Spillway - A primer on California water resources and issues
  • Pacific Institute, centered in San Francisco, provides information and analysis on issues of water, development and justice

AGRICULTURE:

  • T & D Willy Farms - a local, small, organic farm with lots of information on its website.
  • An article from the New York Times on Central Valley Agriculture that gives a perspective on both large scale & organic ag.

POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENT:

  • Where does your income place you compared to the rest of the world? The Global Rich List can tell you!

 

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Contact me at Michael.Kunz@fresno.edu or mkunz@fresno.edu