Human Geography explores how human behaviour affects the earth's surface, initiating a process of discovery that engages with subjects such as globalization, politics, biology, economics, philosophy, cultural studies, sociology, and global warming. Illustrated with a well-balanced mix of international and North American examples, it offers a comprehensive introduction to the discipline's essential concepts and methods. It also traces the evolution of the field, emphasizing how human geography continues to develop in response to changing human needs. The eighth edition is fully up to date, including current material on topics such as renewable energy, global population distribution, and the "Arab Spring," as well as enhanced, streamlined coverage of globalization. Important new pedagogical features include "Focus on Geographers" boxes in which active human geographers from across Canada discuss their current research on topics such as "Urbanization, Gender, and Everyday Life in Botswana" and "The Paradox of Polar Bear Ecotourism in Churchill, Manitoba"; and new "In the News" boxes highlight current events and news stories related to human geography.