What is necessary to maintain the "balance of nature"?  Students will develop an understanding of the interrelationships between all things, living and nonliving, in an effort to develop solutions to the environmental problems that the world faces today.  Topics will be woven into a broader topic of how current populations can live in a more sustainable way.  Topics will include the study of habitat destruction, pollution, and consumption of resources, energy, and alternative energy.  This class will also include aspects of environmental protection, habitat management, environmental regulations, and public policy.  Written reports, group and individual projects,  and presentations will be a major part of this course.