A comprehensive text for environmental politics and policy courses that offers a balanced assessment of current environmental issues. The first half of the book sets needed context and describes the policy process, while the second half covers specific environmental issues such as air and water, toxic and hazardous substances, energy (both fossil fuel and nuclear), public lands, and a global policymaking chapter focused on climate change and transboundary politics. This thoroughly updated Ninth Edition addresses the impact and fallout from the BP oil spill, the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, as well as further discussion of the Kyoto Protocol. New and revised tables, figures and other data illustrate key environmental information while a detailed timeline frames the initial chapter's historical narrative of evolving environmental policy.