The third of four volumes on environmental issues, this text concentrates on major factors in the modern technological society - energy, minerals, manufacturing, waste disposal - their environmental effects, and how these might be changed. Nine authors contribute to seven chapters. The first three chapters deal with energy - principles, effects of present policies and more sustainable futures. The next two chapters consider mineral resources and the effects of mining and processing. The impact of manufacturing, particularly the hazards of the chemical industry, and methods of reducing them, follow. Finally, waste disposal is represented by a discussion of the particular political issues raised by radioactive wastes. Student activities are provided.