Global and Environmental Studies: A South African Narrative

In a world with increasing development and industrialization complimented with an insatiable quest for goods and material needs, our natural resources and ecosystems have been placed under severe pressure. These ecosystems form an integral part of sustaining the earth and our livelihoods. Our environment is thus globally changing due to incremental effects of loss and degradation of biodiversity; degradation of land; fresh water resources as well as marine and coastal resources. Human impact on energy resources resulting in climate change and extreme air pollution coupled with fossil fuels and mineral resource depletion are associated issues that need to be mitigated. There is therefore, a growing need for individuals (in this case- university students), to develop a holistic understanding of these integral components; to acquire a basic understanding of the key environmental issues of the 21st century, to be able to integrate this knowledge into their everyday lives and engage in the wider public debate on these issues as they move along in their careers into industry and governmental offices.