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Environmental Science, 17th Edition

G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman, Danielle M. Andrews-Brown

  • Copyright 2025
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2024-03-13T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $74.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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Environmental Science 17th Edition by G. Tyler Miller/Scott Spoolman/Danielle M. Andrews-Brown
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Overview

In partnership with National Geographic Learning, Miller/Spoolman/Andrews-Brown's ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, 17th Ed., provides students with the knowledge, tools and motivation to address today’s most pressing environmental issues. It showcases the work of diverse scientists and citizens through compelling imagery and interactive maps. A focused-learning approach helps students grasp key ideas and become lifelong learners who care about the environment. With sustainability as the foundation, the authors highlight important concepts such as natural capital, degradation, solutions, trade-offs and individual choices. Students gain a deep understanding of nature and humanity’s long-term relationship with Earth. The text is accompanied by MindTap, an online learning platform that provides instructors complete control of their course and empowers students to progress from memorization to mastery.

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Meet the Authors

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G. Tyler Miller

G. Tyler Miller has written 65 editions of textbooks for introductory courses in environmental science, basic ecology, energy and environmental chemistry. Since 1975, his books have been among the most widely used textbooks for environmental science in the United States and throughout the world. Translated into eight languages, they have been used by more than 3 million students. Dr. Miller has a professional background in chemistry, physics and ecology. He taught college for 20 years, developed one of the nation's first environmental studies programs and created an innovative interdisciplinary undergraduate science program before deciding to write environmental science textbooks full time in 1975. Now retired, Dr. Miller created Earth Education and Research, an enterprise that was devoted to improving environmental education. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and has received honorary doctoral degrees in recognition of his significant contributions to environmental education.

Scott Spoolman

Scott Spoolman is an experienced writer in the field of educational publishing, with more than 30 years of expertise. Between 2003 and 2018, he worked with Tyler Miller as a co-author on editions of LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE and SUSTAINING THE EARTH. With Norman Myers, he co-authored ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS: A MODULAR APPROACH. Spoolman has authored numerous books and articles in the fields of environmental science, geology and natural history, politics and business. Additionally, he has served as a consulting editor, contributing to the development of over 70 college and high school textbooks in the natural and social sciences. He earned a master's degree in science journalism from the University of Minnesota. In his free time, Spoolman enjoys exploring the forests and waters of his native Wisconsin along with his family -- his wife, environmental educator Gail Martinelli, son Will and daughter Katie.

Danielle M. Andrews-Brown

Danielle M. Andrews-Brown is an Associate Professor and currently serves as the Interim Chair in the Department of Agriculture at Virginia State University. With a background in environmental soil science, Danielle obtained her Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University in 2011 and continued her work there as a Post-Doctoral Scholar and Research Associate. Danielle then transitioned to Program Lead for Environmental Studies and Assistant Dean/Academic Integrity Office at the University of Pittsburgh from 2017 to 2022 before coming to Virginia State University. For over 15 years, Danielle has conducted research related to water and soil quality for environmental restoration at three nationally known research sites -- Savannah River Site, The Susquehanna Shale Hill Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) and The Living Filter. Her research has particularly focused on carbon, nitrogen and emerging contaminants. Recently, Danielle's research interests have shifted toward informal and formal science education. For 20 years, Danielle has taught and advised a variety of middle school, high school, undergraduate and graduate students in both residential and online science-based courses.

What's New

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  • UPDATED DATA. Graphs and tables now feature the latest available data, ensuring accuracy. Both faculty and students can access up-to-date information with corresponding footnotes that maintain integrity. Stay informed with the most current and significant environmental statistics, findings and research.
  • NEW APPENDIX. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been added as a new appendix and are linked to relevant content throughout the chapters helping faculty and students understand the global context of the topics and examples provided. Students will explore the connection between the text's content and global efforts.
  • GLOBAL EXPLORERS. Learn about the global impact of diverse “Individuals/Explorers” from around the world who make a difference through their exceptional science, exploration, educational background and storytelling.
  • INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY. The language, examples and figures in the text were purposefully updated to reflect inclusiveness and show respect for diverse cultures. Enjoy a rich exploration of environmental science that not only educates but also honors and celebrates the diversity of cultures around the world.

Features

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  • REVAMPED OUTLINE AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES. This student-friendly reorganized outline includes revamped review questions for better retention of new information so students can master each chapter with ease.
  • INCORPORATES FIVE MAIN SUBTHEMES: (1) How sustainability relies on natural resources and ecosystem services that sustain life and economies, (2) How human activities can harm natural resources, (3) Solutions to environmental issues that encourage students to implore critical thinking, (4) The trade-offs that are involved when finding solutions and weighing pros and cons, and (5) 'Individuals Matter' boxes and case studies that highlight the sustainability efforts of both scientists and citizens alike.
  • GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE. The narrative emphasizes a global ecological perspective by revealing how life on Earth is connected and sustained within the biosphere. It incorporates information and imagery from all around the world, including over 40 maps that are featured throughout the text.
  • CORE CASE STUDIES. Each chapter begins with a Core Case Study that continues throughout the text. These case studies help students apply what they've learned to current, real-world issues. At the end of each chapter, students get to participate in a "Tying It All Together" box that connects the Core Case Study and chapter learnings to sustainability principles.
  • INTERACTIVE LEARNING PROMPTS. Engage students in interactive learning prompts such as the "Learning from Nature" feature, which provides brief summaries of how biomimicry is used in various industries and research fields. The concept of learning from nature is established early in Chapter 1's Core Case Study "Learning from the Earth", which introduces the principles of biomimicry. These concepts are further explored in a "Science Focus" box and a feature article on biomimicry pioneer Janine Benyus later in Chapter 1, as well as throughout the book.
  • CAPTIVATING VISUAL ELEMENTS FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC are designed to keep students engaged. Students will discover both historic and previously unseen photographs from the National Geographic archives. In addition, more than 130 diagrams -- that present complex ideas in understandable ways -- make this latest edition one of the most visually informative textbooks available.
  • EMPHASIS ON CRITICAL THINKING. Throughout the book, engaging exercises provide students with hands-on experience so they can put what they've learned into practice. The Learning Skills section introduces essential critical thinking skills, empowering students to think outside of the box. "Thinking About" exercises included in most chapters reinforce learning and ask students to think critically about the implications of various environmental issues and solutions immediately after they are discussed in the text.
  • END OF CHAPTER EXERCISES. Help students maximize their study time with end-of-chapter materials. For example, detailed Review Questions include important chapter key terms. Critical Thinking queries encourage students to apply what they learn to their own lives. Doing Environmental Science exercises provide valuable insights into the work of environmental scientists. Data Analysis and Ecological Footprint Analysis dive into real-world datasets centered around ecological footprints.

Table of Contents

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Part 1. HUMANS AND SUSTAINABILITY: AN OVERVIEW.
1. The Environment and Sustainability.
Part II. ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY.
2. Science, Matter, Energy and Systems.
3. Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work?
4. Biodiversity and Evolution.
5. Species Interactions, Ecological Succession and Population Control.
6. The Human Population and Urbanization.
7. Climate and Ecosystem Biodiversity.
Part III. SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY.
8. Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Species.
9. Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Ecosystems.
Part IV. SUSTAINING RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
10. Food Production and the Environment.
11. Water Resources and Water Pollution.
12. Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources.
13. Energy Resources.
14. Environmental Hazards and Human Health.
15. Air Pollution, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion.
16. Solid and Hazardous Waste.
Part V. SUSTAINING HUMAN SOCIETIES.
17. Environmental Economics, Politics and Worldviews.
Appendix A: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Appendix B: Chemical Elements, Ions, and Compounds with Environmental Significance.
Glossary.
Index.
Preface.
About the Authors.
From the Authors.
Learning Skills.

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MindTap Options

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MindTap
Each MindTap product offers the full, mobile-ready textbook combined with superior and proven learning tools at one affordable price. Students who purchase digital access can add a print option at any time when a print option is available for their course.

This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

Standalone Digital Access — Ultimate Value

Recommended and most popular

  • ISBN-10: 0357976355
  • ISBN-13: 9780357976357
  • RETAIL $99.95
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Textbook Only Options

Traditional eBook and Print Options

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  • ISBN-10: 0357976398
  • ISBN-13: 9780357976395
  • RETAIL $74.95

  • ISBN-10: 0357976312
  • ISBN-13: 9780357976319
  • RETAIL $239.95
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Supplements

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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

FOR STUDENTS

MindTap for Miller/Spoolman/Andrews-Brown's Environmental Science, 1 term Instant Access

ISBN: 9780357976357
MindTap for Miller/Spoolman/Andrews-Brown's Environmental Science,17th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course -- to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build student confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. Get students to "Think Like an Environmental Scientist" with MindTap, which introduces students to the fundamentals of the science process, brings core concepts to life with concept animations and provides an array of activities that promote critical thinking and application, such as Debate and Defend, in which students are asked to defend their position on specific environmental issues, and Data Interpretation Labs and Mapping Activities that hone students' data analysis skills. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the ebook.