EARTH SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT uses the two themes of earth systems and environmental issues to provide a rich overview of all Earth-related disciplines, including geology, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, and astronomy. Thompson and Turk provide a sense of how Earth functions as a single system composed of interacting subsystems. This commitment to the Earth systems approach is integrated throughout the text and is emphasized graphically in the chapter-ending thematic flow chart, "systems interactions", which illustrates the interconnectivity of the Earth's four spheres (geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere). The text's other main emphasis, environmental issues, is integrated into the text throughout in both the authoritative narrative and stunning multi-part visuals that emphasize the beauty of Earth science. To further enrich the student experience, the new fourth edition is fully integrated, on a concept level and with book-specific interactivities, with the CengagNOW student tutorial system. Web-based, assessment-driven, and completely flexible, the system offers a personalized learning plan based on a diagnostic pre-test to focus students' attention on the concepts they don't yet understand. This superior teaching package, along with a text by an experienced and dedicated author team, provides students with fun, interactive learning opportunities.