Table of Contents

Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints? 11

Introduction 14

Chapter 1 Is There a Global Environmental Crisis?

Chapter Preface 19

1 There Are Multiple Threats to the Earth's Environment Brian Parham 21

2 New Report Undercuts Global Warming Alarmists Michael Barone 28

3 The Earth's Water Supply Is in Grave Danger Jay Famiglietti 33

4 The Earth's Water Supply Is Not in Danger Rob Lyons 41

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 46

Chapter 2 How Should Climate Change Be Addressed?

Chapter Preface 48

1 Renewable Energy Can Significantly Reduce the Impact of Climate Change Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 50

2 Renewable Energy's Role in Reducing Climate Change Is Currently Limited Matthew Stepp 62

3 Nuclear Power Is the Best Way to Address Climate Change Arthur R. Williams 67

4 Nuclear Power Is an Environmentally and Economically Unsound Way to Address Climate Change Friends of the Earth 77

5 Reducing Carbon Emissions Will Slow Climate Change Barack Obama 91

6 Carbon Emissions Have No Significant Impact on Climate Change Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change 104

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 114

Chapter 3 Are Western Societies' Practices Bad for the Environment?

Chapter Preface 116

1 Fracking Is Harmful to the Environment Food and Water Watch 118

2 Fracking Is Not Harmful to the Environment Bill Freeman 126

3 Electronic Waste Is a Serious Environmental and Health Hazard Karin Lundgren 132

4 The Environmental and Health Effects of Electronic Waste Are Exaggerated Adam Minter 140

5 Meat Production Is a Major Contributor to Climate Change United Nations Global Environmental Alert Service 146

6 Meat Production's Contribution to Climate Change Is Exaggerated Rod Smith 155

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 161

Chapter 4 What Policies Will Improve the Environment?

Chapter Preface 163

1 Plastic Bag Bans Protect the Environment Stiv Wilson 165

2 Plastic Bag Bans Do Not Protect the Environment Todd Myers 177

3 Extended Producer Responsibility Mandates Benefit the Environment and Businesses Conrad MacKerron 181

4 Extended Producer Responsibility Spreads: Junk Bond The Economist 189

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 193

For Further Discussion 194

Organizations to Contact 197

Bibliography to Books 206

Index 211