ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the nature of ecological and geographical interest in environmental problems. D. L. Linton's plea for relevance of geographical endeavour anticipated the broadening of geographical horizons consequent upon the rise of interest in the environment, its problems and its prospects. Geographers are becoming increasingly involved in all aspects of environmental management. The speed and nature of environmental change have brought about a series of environmental problems of global magnitude – including population expansion, energy resources and utilization, the provision of food supplies, exploitation of raw materials, and environmental pollution. The effects of a particular environmental modification may only become apparent after a lag time which can vary in length considerably, depending on the particular problem. The numerous symptoms of the environmental crisis are matched by a range of viewpoints on the root causes of the environmental problems. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
