Book excerpt: In this instructive and accessible volume, readers discern how engineers safeguard the environment with their practices. They learn how green engineers cut down on waste and the use of natural resources by inventing new materials and techniques. This resource covers recycling, reuse, and renewable energy sources and explains global warming and greenhouse gases and their effects on Earth's environment. Readers recognize engineers' solutions to some of today's environmental problems, including air and water pollution, and urban planning challenges. There is also a hands-on "engineering in action" activity for readers to learn how to clean up an oil spill.