This is a world environment course which addresses the fundamental principles of Physical Geography by the study of Earth processes. The surface of our planet has been sculpted by water, wind and ice for millennia to give a wide variety of landscapes. The earth itself can be divided into five spheres for study: Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere. An understanding of these forces and the way they interact to produce the natural environment in which we all live has become essential. As settlements move deeper into marginal lands and encroach hazardous areas we need to consider carefully the costs of such development to people and property. Many disasters are not the fault of nature but the fault of humanity placing itself in harm?s way.