Chemistry Fundamentals

Chemistry Fundamentals: An Environmental Perspective, Second Editionaims to guide students to the knowledge that humans live in a chemical environment and that chemistry effects every aspect of our lives. The text emphasizes that all living and non-living parts of our environment are made up of chemicals, and that the natural processes continuously occurring in the environment all involve chemical reactions. With a grasp of this notion of interdependence, students begin to see that without some understanding of chemistry, it is impossible to fully understand environmental issues such as ozone depletion, global warming, air and water pollution, and the hazards of radioactivity.Author's Note:Phyllis Buell & James Girard"At present there is worldwide concern that many of our human activities are endangering -- perhaps permanently -- the quality of the environment and that the time for action to address these problems is running out. The public is becoming increasingly aware of the environmental damage caused by pesticides, toxic wastes, chlorofluorocarbons, nuclear radiation, oil spills, the greenhouse effect, and other human inputs. Environmental organizations like the Sierra Club, the National Wildlife Federation, and Friends of the Earth are gaining support -- especially on college campuses -- and are becoming a major influence in the political arena. Articles on environmental issues appear daily in the newspapers, and Congress is introducing legislation to combat threats to the environment.Paralleling this widespread concern for the environment is the realization that the majority of United States citizens, including those with a college degree, are virtually science-illiterate and are not, therefore, well-equipped to make informed decisions on environmental issues. As a response to this crisis in science education, many universities and colleges, American University included, are altering their general curriculums to require science courses for all entering students -- for nonscience majors as well as for science majors. To meet the new science requirements, more and more chemistry departments are offering courses with an environmental perspective, hoping to capture the interest of students who otherwise would not choose a chemistry course."