Very little can be done today that does not have some form of environmental impact, which must be critically analyzed before informed decisions can be made.

The natural sciences provide understanding of the technical aspects of the environmental problems which face us all. The humanities and social sciences give us an appreciation for the economic, historical, moral, legal, and political aspects of environmental issues.

The global nature of these problems requires cooperation among diverse occupations. Cooperation is attainable if there is mutual understanding.

It is for these reasons that the programs in environmental studies are composed of courses from several disciplines. By drawing on different academic perspectives, they are designed to help the student develop a critical understanding of environmental issues.