A User’s Guide for Planet Earth
Fundamentals of Environmental Science
(Second Edition, Revision 4)
©2025, 270 pages
Paperback list price: $82.95
Cognella Direct Ebook: $70.95
You save $12 (14%)
Learn about all formats available for adoption
Bookstore Managers: contact orders@cognella.com to place an order
Cognella Active Learning
is available with this title.
Learn More
The book begins by exploring several key background issues that lay the foundation for understanding the processes and drivers that control the behavior of the environment. It then delves into the main environmental systems of ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, water, agriculture, oceans, human health, energy, and climate, culminating in a discussion of the Earth system. Students develop a fundamental understanding of how environmental processes are influenced by and can influence humans and broader society.
In the second edition, revision 4, select figures and captions have been updated to keep the content as timely and accurate as possible.
A User’s Guide for Planet Earth is written for introductory environmental science courses. The clear, concise style of the text helps students grasp critical concepts without any prerequisite requirements.
A Statement from the Author in Celebration and Recognition of Earth Day 2025
"Learning the basic truths of environmental science should be neither 'inconvenient' nor expensive for the non-scientist. This book is written in a very simple and direct voice with that in mind, and with the knowledge that we all have the internet in our pockets to find facts and figures. However, neither these data, nor the multitude of stories surrounding humanity’s interaction with our environment can help students actually understand how it all works. Consequently, this book focuses on how each part of our environment operates, and how the parts interact with each other, to better inform everyone for the choices they will have to make in the coming decades.”
The Third Edition will be published Fall 2026.
Dork Sahagian is an internationally recognized Earth and environmental scientist and shared Nobel Peace Prize winner. He earned his Ph.D. in geophysics from the University of Chicago and M.S. in geosciences at Rutgers, after earning his B.S. in physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Sahagian served as executive director of The Global Analysis, Integration, and Modeling Task Force for the International Geosphere Biosphere Program at the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space at the University of New Hampshire before moving to Lehigh University, where he established the Environmental Initiative and teaches the introductory course in environmental science.
Cognella Active Learning is available for this title! Adopting instructors can provide students with dynamic online learning activities that reinforce key concepts from the text, provide engaging educational experiences, and support various learning styles.
Please note: Cognella Active Learning can be bundled for purchase with the text or posted separately. Contact us to learn about bundle discounts.
The Cognella Active Learning content for A User’s Guide for Planet Earth includes:
To see a full demo, please email us and one of our adoption specialists will follow up with you.
Please note: Cognella Active Learning can be bundled for purchase with the text or posted separately. Contact us to learn about bundle discounts.
The Cognella Active Learning content for A User’s Guide for Planet Earth includes:
- Flashcards
- Quizzes
- Learning scenarios
To see a full demo, please email us and one of our adoption specialists will follow up with you.
Formats and Bulk Order Pricing for Confirmed Adoptions
Publisher Direct Versions — Available through the Cognella Student Store for confirmed adoptions |
||
|
$70.95
Best Value! |
Publisher Direct Ebook | Publisher Direct ebooks are available in your Cognella account immediately after purchase and provide access for 180 days. Our ebooks run on VitalSource and RedShelf with perpetual/annual options available. |
|
$77.95
Shipping Included! |
Publisher Direct Paperback | These special, discounted paperback editions are sold exclusively through the Cognella Student Store (store.cognella.com) for confirmed adoptions. They are not available through other retailers. The books are printed on demand, do not have an ISBN, and are not intended for resale, which results in savings we pass along to students. Most Publisher Direct Paperbacks also come with free, immediate access to the first 30% of the ebook and shipping included. |
| $41.95 | Standalone Cognella Active Learning | Cognella Active Learning provides dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Free with purchase of textbook or ebook. |
Higher Education Bookstore Pricing — These suggested retail prices include a total projected mark-up of 25% |
||
|
Inclusive Access Available!
|
Ebook 979-8-8233-7090-5 |
We partner with VitalSource, Kortext, and RedShelf to provide day-one access to students through campus bookstores. Bookstores and these vendors share in the total projected mark-up. Learn more about Inclusive Access at cognella.com/inclusive-access. Contact us for details. |
| $82.95 | Paperback 979-8-8233-6716-5 |
Standard paperback version. Contact us for course adoptions; also available for individual purchase through national wholesalers and retailers — and from our website directly — see Purchase button above. |
| $82.95 | Paperback + Cognella Active Learning Code 979-8-8233-6968-8 |
Cognella Active Learning provides students with dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Access codes are available with print books or ebooks. Contact us for course adoptions; not available for individual purchase. |
| See more options | ||
| Other Formats Talk to a rep for details |
Other formats (perforated, hardcover, etc.) may be available. Contact us for course adoptions; specialty formats are not available for individual purchase. | |
| $41.95 | Standalone Cognella Active Learning Talk to a rep for ISBN details |
Cognella Active Learning provides dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Does not include the ebook. Contact us for course adoptions; not available for individual purchase. |
Adopting instructors will receive a test bank, PowerPoint slides, and sample homework assignments.
