Examines the nature of global and local environmental problems with particular emphasis on understanding controversies about environmental risk. Patterns of population and consumption, production and waste; what constitutes an environmental problem?; risk and risk perception; environmentalism; the uses of knowledge, science and environmental controversy; international attacks on global problems; stakeholders and stances; environmental problems in your backyard; local and global action. In the last seven weeks students will participate in group projects examining particular environmental risk controversies.