Economic Strategies and Policy Suggestions of Agricultural Sustainable Food Production
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a keyword for viable agri-food systems. Alongside Agenda 2030, sustainability is acknowledged as a multidimensional issue involving three main spheres of knowledge and action: economic, social, and environmental. Agriculture and food are strongly influenced by climate change, increasing the scarcity of natural resources and changes in land availability and use. These affect, in turn, the economic performance of farms and the social organization in agriculture. At the same time, the agri-food system is at the center of relevant economic interests, in which the primary sector is often the weakest link of the supply chain. This calls for a new approach to primary agricultural activities and food production, and also for a different perspective in research. A sustainable approach to agriculture, in the context of global governance, can lead to the improvement of ecosystems, the reduction of waste of food and natural resources, and an equitable access to food. It also requires a new set of policies able to overcome the trade-offs among objectives and searching for win-win solutions. The articles in this Special Issue contribute to explore, discuss at a scientific level, and disseminate at an international level the possible economic strategies and policies for implementing sustainable agricultural systems and food products, and making rural areas more attractive, reducing unbalances with urban areas. The result is a combination of rich, interesting, and innovating approaches and challenging methodologies, with contributions from all over the world.
Reflecting on the Future of the Built Environment
This reprint explores the landscape of the Built Environment, an area undergoing transformative shifts in response to contemporary challenges. The collective insights presented stem from a wide array of disciplines, offering forward-looking perspectives on urban climate mitigation, adaptive planning, and the integration of nature-based solutions, reflecting on the imperatives of resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity in urban planning and development in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue comprises pioneering visions on how to construct our urban spaces, from site-specific interventions to broader urban infrastructural planning, addressing key themes such as green infrastructure, sustainable communities, and environmental justice while aiming to redefine the Built Environment in terms of property, construction, and open spaces. Through trans-disciplinary contributions from leading experts, this reprint aims to chart a path from the current status quo towards a more equitable, livable, and resilient future, acting as a call to action for urban planners, architects, policymakers, and environmental advocates alike. It encourages a collaborative approach to reshaping our Built Environment, making it an essential read for anyone committed to fostering sustainable, just and healthy cities.
Sustainable Mining as the Key for the Ecological Transition
This reprint reproduces the eleven articles (ten original papers plus an introductory Editorial) included in the Special issue of Minerals entitled "Sustainable Mining as the Key for the Ecological Transition: Current Trends and Perspectives". Specifically, the reprint contains an introductory paper dealing with general issues and nine papers dealing with resource exploration, the impact of mining activities, and waste recovery.
Bioresource Utilization and Management
The need for exploration, conservation, and sustainable utilization of bioresources is undeniable for the survival and growth of mankind. This new book throws light on new and recent research on and development of effective strategies for sustainable utilization of bioresources using modern tools and techniques to help meet this challenge. This volume addresses the utilization of bioresources in therapeutics, in biofuel, in agriculture, and in environmental protection. Beginning with the diverse potential applications of bioresources in food, medicine, and cosmetics, the volume goes on to address the various different underutilized bioresources and their sustainable uses. It discusses important advances in biofuel and patents that highlight recent developments that address the energy crises and the continuously fluctuating cost of petroleum. It explores new renewable energy sources from bioresources and their sustainable utilization in the bioenergy and biofuel industry. Several chapters focus on the sustainable utilization of bioresources in the agricultural sector. The volume considers that developing countries have huge agricultural resources that could be employed for production of value-added byproducts for the sustainable development of a bio-based economy. The book discusses efficient use of underexploited natural bioresources, new chemical approaches for the generation of novel biochemicals, and the applications of genetics approaches for bioresource conservation and production of value-added products. Further, strategies for the production of biopesticides utilizing bioresources are also discussed.
Resolving the Climate Crisis
This book brings together a team of renowned social scientists to ask not why climate change is happening, but how we might learn from its human dimensions to raise public and political will to fight against the climate crisis.
Soil Erosion Measurement Techniques and Field Experiments
This Reprint is a collection of papers by international authors dealing with experimental sites for measuring soil erosion at different spatial (plot, hillslope, basin) scales and field experiments that aim to study the soil erosion processes (interrill, rill, and gully erosion). Papers dealing with new methods and procedures for measuring soil erosion processes (e.g., three-dimensional photoreconstruction techniques, measurement of erosion features using aerial and terrestrial acquisition platforms, and tracers) are also included in this Reprint.
Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series
The use of synthetic chemical products, both organic and inorganic, has been important since the mid-20th century. The effects of these compounds and elements on organisms, their behavior in different environments such as aquatic systems, and the description of new disruptive technologies that mitigate their impacts are described in this work.This Special Issue demonstrates the fate of pollutants in aquatic environments, such as rivers and seas, and potential mitigation technologies. It contributes to expanding knowledge of the adverse effects of pollutants that reach aquatic environments, their fate once they enter the food chain, and the effectiveness of mitigating, including through circular economy approaches.
What the Wild Sea Can Be
The acclaimed marine biologist and author of The Brilliant Abyss examines the existential threats the world's ocean will face in the coming decades and offers cautious optimism for much of the abundant life within inNo matter where we live, "we are all ocean people," Helen Scales emphatically observes in her bracing yet hopeful exploration of the future of the ocean. Beginning with its fascinating deep history, Scales links past to present to show how the prehistoric ocean ecology was already working in ways similar to the ocean of today. In elegant, evocative prose, she takes readers into the realms of animals that epitomize today's increasingly challenging conditions. Ocean life everywhere is on the move as seas warm, and warm waters are an existential threat to emperor penguins, whose mating grounds in Antarctica are collapsing. Shark populations--critical to balanced ecosystems--have shrunk by 71 per cent since the 1970s, largely the result of massive and oft-unregulated industrial fishing. Orcas--the apex predators--have also drastically declined, victims of toxic chemicals and plastics with long half-lives that disrupt the immune system and the ability to breed.Yet despite these threats, many hopeful signs remain. Increasing numbers of no-fish zones around the world are restoring once-diminishing populations. Amazing seagrass meadows and giant kelp forests rivaling those on land are being regenerated and expanded. They may be our best defense against the storm surges caused by global warming, while efforts to reengineer coral reefs for a warmer world are growing.Offering innovative ideas for protecting coastlines and cleaning the toxic seas, Scales insists we need more ethical and sustainable fisheries and must prevent the other existential threat of deep-sea mining, which could significantly alter life on earth. Inspiring us all to maintain a sense of awe and wonder at the majesty beneath the waves, she urges us to fight for the better future that still exists for the Anthropocene ocean.
My Schools and Schoolmasters; Or, The Story of My Education
My Schools and Schoolmasters; Or, The Story of My Education, a classical book, has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.
My Experiments with Volcanoes
My Experiments with Volcanoes, a classical book, has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.
Salt of the Earth, Tracing the Global Journey of Salt
Ever wondered about the humble mineral that has shaped civilizations and played a crucial role in human history? Are you curious about the fascinating journey of salt and its profound impact on our world? If so, you're not alone.Do these questions resonate with you: - How did salt, a seemingly ordinary mineral, become an indispensable part of human civilization? - What role has salt played in shaping cultures, economies, and historical events throughout the ages? - Is there a comprehensive exploration of salt's significance, beyond its culinary use?Meet the Author: The Salt HistorianThe author, known as The Salt Historian, is a seasoned researcher passionate about unearthing the hidden stories of everyday elements. They empathize with readers who share a curiosity about the profound impact of salt on our world, having delved deep into the historical significance and global journey of this essential mineral.What to Expect: - Embark on a captivating journey tracing the global history of salt, from ancient civilizations to the modern era. - Uncover the surprising roles salt has played in shaping cultural practices, trade routes, and historical events. - Explore the economic, social, and political impact of salt on societies throughout different periods of history. - Discover the untold stories of salt mining, production, and its significance in various industries. - Gain insights into salt's influence on culinary traditions, preservation methods, and cultural practices. - Explore the science behind salt and its applications beyond the kitchen. - Understand how salt has been a catalyst for exploration, innovation, and conflict throughout history. - Delve into the cultural symbolism and rituals associated with salt in different parts of the world.
Ecology in Action
Providing students with a solid understanding of core ecological concepts while explaining how ecologists raise and answer real-world questions, this second edition weaves together classic and cutting-edge case studies to bring the subject to life. It is fully updated throughout, including two chapters devoted to climate change ecology, along with extensive coverage of disease ecology, and has been designed specifically to equip students with the tools to analyze and interpret real data. Each chapter emphasizes the linkage between observations, ideas, questions, hypotheses, predictions, results, and conclusions. Additional summary sections describe the development and evolution of research programs in each of ecology's core areas, providing students with essential context. Integrated discussion questions, along with end-of-chapter questions, encourage active learning. These are supported by online resources including tutorials that teach students to use the R programming language for statistical analyses of data presented in the text.
Algae-derived biofuel production and opportunites for sustainable bioenergy in Nigeria
Document from the year 2016 in the subject Energy Sciences, Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus, language: English, abstract: This paper deals with the use of algae in the creation of biofuels as a form of renewable energy. Algae, a group of living organisms uniquely adapted to aquatic environment; they exhibit conversion ability of radiation energy into carbon source aimed at reducing emission from conventional fuel. The most assured interest of algae as a biofuel agent is the abundance storage of lipid which is converted to various energy yields. Civilization, urbanization and competition of tillage land with crops for production of bioenergy have been among the challenges facing the bioenergy sector. However, an excellent panacea is the cultivation of algae from waste, non-waste water or industrial waste water, which has been found to be a positive platform for algae-derived biofuel; numerous attempts have been made by so many nations to reduce carbon emissions; amongst are the developments of frameworks for the prospective utilization of renewable energy resources, due to its abundance and sustainability. There is no gainsaying that countries in African are endowed with renewable energy resources, especially Nigeria. Lack of expertise, inadequate management and failure to adhere to policies has been a great challenge in actualizing the promising benefit of renewable energy and implementation in Nigeria. According to Ladokun et al (2013), Nigeria is a tropical rich zone which lies between latitudes 4簞N and 14簞N and longitudes 2簞2'E and 14簞30'E, it occupies wide coverage of 923 770 km2. Owing to its hydrological potentials which are considered as great assets to the algae biofuel energy industry. The country is a coastal region with boundaries along the southern area by the Atlantic Ocean. The country's north-south part extents to about 1 050 km and its east-west extent is about 1 150 km, which is bordered to the western part by Benin Republic, also to th
Archaeoseismology in the Atalanti Region, Central Mainland Greece
Identifying earthquakes as benchmarkers in archaeological stratigraphies is part of an old tradition of site and excavation interpretation dating back to the early archaeologists of the 19th century. In the past two decades a surge of research in seismology and seismic hazard led to increased interest from geologists for the potential of archaeologically derived seismic information to seismic research. The subject of this work is, therefore, a study of archaeological remains as a proxy data source for earthquake geology and palaeoseismology. This was carried out through an examination of the previous work (both archaeological and geological). Based on the findings of the methodological and theoretical discussion an alternative to the universal identification criteria approach is proposed by the author. This advocates a wholly interdisciplinary approach and is further explored with the application of a Geographical Information System (GIS) as a means to full integration of the disparate data sets, i.e. numerical and textual. The proposed method is tested by means of its application to two representative case studies; the inland (settlement) site of Kyparissi and the coastal site of Alai in Atalanti, central mainland Greece. In theprocess of testing the working hypothesis a regional database of information is constructed, which although an integral part of the research carried out for this work, can stand alone as a reference database.
Role of Rock Mineralogy and Oil Composition in Wettability Alteration
Previous studies have documented that increased oil production during the injection of immiscible CO2 is mainly due to oil viscosity, oil swelling and the increase in dissolved gas. This study will attempt to focus and fill this gap by investigate the role played by rock mineralogy, brine composition, carbonated water and polar compounds present in a crude oil on rock wettability under conditions of a typical shallow reservoir. Also, In this study, pendant drop techniques and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were combined to investigate the effect of adding CO2 on the water/oil/rock interface.
A Guide to Habitat Creation
Back in the 1980s nature conservation was regarded as largely a rural issue concerned with the preservation of a dwindling series of unspoiled sections of landscape and their wildlife. In parallel, the focus of urban nature conservation was on creation or restoration of damaged parts of the environment. Now, well into the millennium the experience of urban habitat conservation has been followed throughout the UK, which in turn has led to green infrastructure becoming an important part of urban planning and people's well-being, and a sustainable managed landscape is understood to be valuable to the economy. Anyone can use this handy pocketbook, and it will appeal to wildlife gardeners and designers, woodsmen, farmers and land managers, park-keepers and groundsmen, school teachers, parish and local authority planners end environmental officers.
Environmental Pollution Loads on Surface Water Chemistry and Potentially Ecological Risks of Inland
The study assessed water chemistry of Nworie inland aquatic ecosystem in South eastern, Nigeria from January, 2020 to December 2022. Water samples were taken from the upper, middle, and lower river at 200m interval. Data collected were subjected to multivariate analyses. Results of physicochemical tracers indicated mean CaCO3, Ca2+& Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) to be 172.8mg/l, 103.1mg/l, 16.50mg/l respectively above the World Health Organisation (WHO) critical limits, while turbidity (NTU), dissolved oxygen (DO) mgl-1, chloride (Cl- ) mg/l, Magnesium (Mg) mg/l, Sodium (Na) mg/l, sulphate (SO42+) mg/l, nitrate (NO3-) mg/l, potassium (K) mg/l and phosphate (PO34) were below the limits. Heavy metals (mg/l) showed mean values viz: Cd 2+(0.053), Cr2+(0.049), Fe2+(0.443), Ni2+(0.024), and Pb (0.787) which were all above some critical global limits, except for Cu2+ and Zn2+ and in decreasing abundance: Pb2+>= Fe2+ >= Cu2+ >= Zn2+ >= Cd2+ >= Cr2+ >= Ni2. Physicochemical tracers and elements in water correlated in both positive and negative directions. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significant loads of PC3; CaCO3, NO3, COD, DO, Ca, PO4, Cu, Fe, Zn, PC2; moderate loads of SO4, Cl, & Na originating from complex human activities. Contamination factor (Cf), recorded high for cadmium while pollution load & ecological risk recorded low in decreasing order: Cr2+ >= Zn2+ >= Ni2+ >= Cd2+ >= Pb2+ >= Cu2+ >= Fe2+ with contamination degree in order of: Lower River (LR)>=Upper River(UR) >= Middle River(MR) and low risk index. Continuous monitoring of human activities along the whole River is important to mitigate any aquatic ecosystem damage for water quality sustainability.
How Organizations Can Help Climate Change
The role of organizations in addressing climate change cannot be overstated. By implementing sustainable practices, adopting green technologies, and collaborating with stakeholders, organizations can make a meaningfuldifference in reducing carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting environmental sustainability. As individuals, we can support and advocate for organizations that prioritize climate action and sustainability. Together, we can work towards a greener, more resilient planet for current and future generations. It is through collective effort and commitment that we can combat climate change and create a more sustainable and equitable world for all.
The Living Great Lakes
Award-winning nature author Jerry Dennis reveals the splendor and beauty of North America's Great Lakes in this "masterwork"* history and memoir of the essential environmental and economical region shared by the United States and Canada. No bodies of water compare to the Great Lakes. Superior is the largest lake on earth, and together all five contain a fifth of the world's supply of standing fresh water. Their ten thousand miles of shoreline border eight states and a Canadian province and are longer than the entire Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. Their surface area of 95,000 square miles is greater than New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island combined. People who have never visited them--who have never seen a squall roar across Superior or the horizon stretch unbroken across Michigan or Huron--have no idea how big they are. They are so vast that they dominate much of the geography, climate, and history of North America, affecting the lives of tens of millions of people. The Living Great Lakes: Searching for the Heart of the Inland Seas is the definitive book about the history, nature, and science of these remarkable lakes at the heart of North America. From the geological forces that formed them and the industrial atrocities that nearly destroyed them, to the greatest environmental success stories of our time, Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario are portrayed in all their complexity. A Michigan native, Jerry Dennis also shares his memories of a lifetime on or near the lakes, including a six-week voyage as a crewmember on a tallmasted schooner. On his travels, he collected more stories of the lakes through the eyes of biologists, fishermen, sailors, and others he befriended while hiking the area's beaches and islands. Through storms and fog, on remote shores and city waterfronts, Dennis explores the five Great Lakes in all seasons and moods and discovers that they and their connecting waters--including the Erie Canal, the Hudson River, and the East Coast from New York to Maine--offer a surprising and bountiful view of America. The result is a meditation on nature and our place in the world, a discussion and cautionary tale about the future of water resources, and a celebration of a place that is both fragile and robust, diverse, rich in history and wildlife, often misunderstood, and worthy of our attention. "This is history at its best and adventure richly described."--*Doug Stanton, author of In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors and 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award WinnerWinner of Best Book of 2003 by the Outdoor Writers Association of America
Stratigraphic profiles of Cs-137 activity in sedimentary rocks
Sediment cores are considered environmental archives, as they can provide information on past conditions and constitute reliable records of the evolution of ecosystems. Environmental reconstruction through sediments is based on the assumption that the sediment layers are in the same order in which they were deposited (superposition principle), so that, if these layers are not mixed, they reflect the temporal sequence of previous events and it is possible to reconstruct the environmental conditions when they were formed. By studying sediment cores from aquatic environments, information can be obtained on the temporal variation of sediment accumulation rates, nutrient fluxes and contaminants such as heavy metals and persistent organic compounds.
Natural Disasters Occurrence, Reduction, and Restoration in Mountain Regions
Mountain regions are critical because of their diverse geological conditions, dynamic changes, and the multiple natural hazards that often occur. Mountains are high-risk environments that can experience a variety of natural hazards, since initiated hazards often trigger secondary, cascading hazards, having a significant impact not only on the area of occurrence but often also on up- and downstream regions. High economic losses and human casualties are caused by geophysical (rockfalls, earthquakes, and volcanic activities), hydrological (floods, avalanches, and dammed-lake outbursts), and sediment-related hazards (landslides, driftwood, debris/mud flows, and surface erosion). Under the impacts of global warming and climate change, the spatiotemporal patterns of rainfall and other weather events have become more unevenly distributed, often with a more extreme magnitude and/or intensity of events. The complexity of mountainous regions, in addition to the continued changes in climate and land use, have made it more challenging to predict mountainous hazards and their impacts on communities. Based on the countless efforts made worldwide on natural hazards in mountain regions, tight international collaboration is strongly required to answer questions related to the causes of disasters, the monitoring of hazardous phenomena, predicting disasters, and the effective reduction of hazardous consequences.
Many Layers of Ecocentrism
This book unveils the myriad streams of ecocentric thoughts that have been flowing through the human mind - in indigenous communities, in the wisdom of philosophers, in the creative expressions of poets and writers - sometimes latent, but sometimes more explicit.
Exploring Coupled Land-Atmosphere Carbon Dynamics and Seasonal Carbon Forecast Skill
The carbon dioxide concentration of the atmosphere is the primary driver of greenhouse warming, which indirectly affects every human being. This illustration, likely familiar to anyone with even a casual interest in climate, shows recent trends in carbon dioxide concentrations at the reference station at Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. The seasonal oscillation in concentration is apparent. Just by eyeballing the data, it is obvious that understanding the terrestrial carbon cycle's contribution to CO2 concentrations is vital to understanding climate change. Readers should want to read this document because it provides valuable insights into the impacts of regional droughts on land and atmospheric carbon, highlighting the connection between climate change and carbon dynamics. It also presents the potential for seasonal carbon forecasting, which can support decision-making in areas such as fire management, forestry, and agriculture. Additionally, the document addresses the need for improved hydrometeorological prediction and decision-making tools in vulnerable regions like the Mekong River Basin, where water availability forecasts are crucial for comprehensive basin management and addressing the impacts of climate change. This document provides information about ongoing research activities related to the terrestrial carbon cycle and its interactions with the atmosphere. The research is conducted by the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) of NASA and focuses on various aspects of the carbon cycle, including coupled land-atmosphere carbon dynamics, seasonal carbon forecast skill, fire carbon dynamics, and improved hydrometeorological prediction with carbon cycle processes. The document also mentions specific research projects, such as investigating the impact of regional droughts on land and atmospheric carbon, evaluating the predictability of land carbon uptake through seasonal forecasts, and developing subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting tools for informed decision-making in the Mekong River Basin. Overall, the research aims to improve our understanding of the terrestrial carbon cycle and its role in the Earth system. This annotated edition illustrates the capabilities of the AI Lab for Book-Lovers to add context and ease-of-use to manuscripts. It includes several types of abstracts, building from simplest to more complex: TLDR (one word), ELI5, TLDR (vanilla), Scientific Style, and Action Items; essays to increase viewpoint diversity, such as Grounds for Dissent, Red Team Critique, and MAGA Perspective; and Notable Passages and Nutshell Summaries for each page.
Advances in Water, Air and Soil Pollution Monitoring, Modeling and Restoration
The pollution of air, water and soil is constantly increasing, becoming a global issue. In this context, this volume emphasizes new methods for monitoring, analyzing and modeling air, soil and water pollution, and proposes solutions for reducing pollution.
Mining Innovation
Progress in the exploitation of natural raw materials is based on the interconnection between laboratory, numerical, and industrial research and the analysis of the results. These constitute the basis for developing new, more efficient exploitation methods while increasing the safety of the works carried out. The increase in mining depth and the intensification of natural hazards require that both mining machines and support be adapted to the prevailing geological and mining conditions and that the mining crew can shift from a safe place that is not at risk of losing stability.
Effects of Environmental Organic Pollutants on Environment and Human Health
The papers published in this Special Issue include investigations and risk assessments of organic pollutants in multiple regions, providing a scientific basis for governments and businesses to formulate environmental policies and technological improvements. The toxicity mechanism research provides a foundation and reference for subsequent research. The review papers systematically summarize epidemiological investigation findings and delves into the mechanism of correlation between exposure to emerging pollutants and blood glucose imbalance. This Special Issue comprehensively reviews the development process of WQC in China and systematically provides an overview of WQC, its theoretical methods, and research progress for aquatic organism protection. Moreover, this Special Issue provides important references for subsequent research.
Suburbitat
"Jim's superb guide will motivate landowners to embrace their environmental responsibilities no matter what ecosystem they live in." Douglas Tallamy - Author of Bringing Nature Home and Nature's Best HopeSUBURBITAT - will be a great benefit to city planners, developers, landscape architects, HOA boards, homeowners, and anyone interested in creating beautiful landscapes that restore native biodiversity and conserve natural resources. This book offers detailed strategies for establishing and managing native landscapes, including grasses, shrubs, and flowers, that help to reduce demands on dwindling water supplies while restoring natural habitat. However, this is more than simply a book on gardening with native plants; it addresses human obstacles to conservation, including preconceptions about how landscapes should look, while advocating strategies for working with rather than eradicating wildlife. Jim Tolstrup is executive director of the High Plains Environmental Center in Loveland, Colorado, a unique model for preserving native biodiversity in the midst of development. Jim is committed to engaging people with diverse points of view (environmentalists, business people, and community members) in an inclusive dialogue about preserving and restoring the natural world.
Micrometeorology
The book focuses on atmospheric processes that directly influence human environments within the lower 100-1000 meters of the atmosphere, spanning regions of only a few kilometers in size. It represents the English translation of the fourth edition of the German work titled "Applied Meteorology - Micrometeorological Methods". It provides a fundamental understanding of micrometeorology as applied to various disciplines, including biometeorology, agrometeorology, hydrometeorology, technical meteorology, environmental meteorology, and biogeosciences, through carefully selected examples.A central theme of this book revolves around the crucial issues of transport processes and fluxes between the atmosphere and the underlying surface, with special emphasis on vegetated and heterogeneous surfaces. The authors comprehensively cover theory, measurement techniques, experimental methods, and modeling, presenting these concepts in a manner that can be readily applied for teaching, research, or practical applications.Compared to the second edition, the new features include updates and minor additions in all chapters, as well as selected new content that addresses the challenges posed by climate change.
Global Justice and the Biodiversity Crisis
The world is in the midst of a biodiversity crisis, which existing conservation policies have failed to arrest. Policymakers, academics, and the general public are coming to recognise that much more ambitious conservation policies are in order. But biodiversity conservation raises major issues of global justice - even if the connection between conservation and global justice is too seldom made. The lion's share of conservation funding is spent in the global North, despite the fact that most biodiversity exists in the global South, and local people can often scarcely afford to make sacrifices in the interests of biodiversity conservation. Many responses to the biodiversity crisis threaten to exacerbate existing global injustices, to lock people into poverty, and to exploit the world's poor. At the extreme, policies aimed at protecting biodiversity have also been associated with exclusion, dispossession, and violence. The challenge this book grapples with is how biodiversity might be conserved without producing global injustice. It distinguishes policies which are likely to exacerbate global injustice, and policies which promise to reduce them. The struggle to formulate and implement just conservation policies is vital to our planet's future.
Landsenses in Green Spaces
The term "landsenses" is derived from "landsenses ecology", a recently emerging scientific discipline grounded in ecological principles and an analytical framework encompassing natural elements, physical senses, psychological perceptions, socio-economic perspectives, process risk and related aspects. Landsenses emphasize the incorporation of human perception from sensory and psychological dimensions into ecological environmental research. Within this framework, we believe the theory advanced by landsense ecology not only offers an effective avenue for investigating the relationship between humans and the environment, but also serves as a crucial methodological and technical approach for the development of green spaces in the context of constructing smart and resilient cities. This reprint comprises 13 papers encompassing multi-sensory studies conducted in green spaces and an editorial published in the Special Issue of Forests titled "Landsenses in Green Spaces".
Conservation through Sustainable Use
This volume on sustainable-use practises throughout India indetifies the policies, management strategies, and knowledge contexts that contribute to resource use without damaging biological diversity.
Environmental Sociology and Social Transformation
Environmental Sociology and Social Transformation demonstrates how sociological theory and research are critical for understanding the social drivers of global environmental destruction and the conditions for transformative change.Written by two professors of sociology who are deeply involved in the international community of environmental sociology, Magnus Bostr繹m and Rolf Lidskog argue that we need to better understand society as well as the fundamentally social nature of environmental problems and how they can be addressed. The authors provide answers to why so many unsustainable practices are maintained and supported by institutions and actors despite widespread knowledge of their negative consequences. Employing a pluralistic sociological approach to the study of social transformations, the book is divided into five key themes: Causes, Distributions, Understandings, Barriers, and Transformation. Overall, the book offers an integrative and comprehensive understanding of the social dimension of (un)sustainability, societal inertia, and conditions for transformative change. It provides the reader with references from classic and contemporary sociology and uses pedagogical features including boxes and questions for discussion to help embed learning.Arguing that a broad and deep social transformation is needed to avoid a global civilization crisis, Environmental Sociology and Social Transformation will be a great resource for students and scholars who are exploring current environmental challenges and the societal conditions for meeting them.
United Nation MDGs and SDGs for Human & the Planet Sustainable Development
UN General Assembly of Open Working Group proposed 17 SDG's goals in 2014, and General Assembly accepted it in 2015. MDGs were introduced in 2000 that led to a significant change in globally. All countries must be on alert to achieve by 2030 the SDGs. The study analyzes targets and achievements UN MDG's and SDG's, role of Multi-Stake Holders, UN Food System Summit, CGIARS, UN, WB, IMF, WTO, NARES, Think-tank Institutes to achieve benefits to people and planet.UN Food Systems Summits contribute to end hunger and can assist the planet in making significant advancements toward all 17 SDG's.
Earth
Explore and understand the natural and human wonders of our planet. Now, in its third edition, this landmark encyclopedia celebrates our planet and explains the science underpinning the forces and processes that have made and shaped it. Artworks, photographs, terrain models, and maps are combined to capture the power of landscapes and natural events and show their hidden sides, explaining, for example, how an earthquake is triggered and how burning fossil fuels is driving a climate emergency. In this earth book, you will find: -More than 3,000 photographs, artworks, and maps -A 40-page timeline of Earth's history includes human evolution and the story of human colonization of the planet -Sections that explore human impact features - on subjects from deforestation to population growth -An atlas section includes original maps centered on Earth's seven major tectonic plates Parts of the book lay out systematic and in-depth reference guides to core scientific information, such as more than 100 types of rocks and minerals. Similar sections contain visual profiles of some of the wonders of the natural world, from the Andes and Himalayas to the Grand Canyon, Sahara Desert, and Amazon Rainforest. Revised and updated to include the latest developments in fast-changing geology and Earth science areas - including Earth history, climate change, and urban geography - this is a classic reference book for anyone who wants to understand how our planet works.
Urban Runoff Control and Sponge City Construction II
This Special Issue presents the latest developments, technologies, and case studies related to urban runoff control and sponge city construction. We aim to discuss and address studies focused on the theories and technologies of sponge city construction; urban hydrology; methods of quantifying the benefits of a sponge city; rainwater utilization; practices that mitigate urban flooding and pollution; the performance of GI; the impact of media; vegetation; climate; the design of hydrological, hydrodynamic, and pollutant removal processes; and case studies on sustainable urban design and management using LID-GI principles and practices. We would like to thank all the contributors who made this Special Issue so successful. We hope that the readers can enjoy and learn about urban runoff control and sponge city construction using the published material, and we hope that sharing the research results with the scientific community, policymakers, and stakeholders can prompt urban runoff control and sponge city construction globally.
Geomaterials
Geomaterials account for the majority of all goods consumed by mankind due to their widespread application in the construction of buildings, the execution of civil and geotechnical works, as well as in environmental engineering projects. These kinds of materials may retain their primary characteristics (ornamental rocks, stone aggregates, clay barriers, compacted soils, etc.) or can be artificially manufactured either from natural raw materials or from waste (cement, concrete, ceramics, expanded lightweight aggregates, geopolymers, mineral wool, etc.). The growing increase in population and demand for natural resources means that these geomaterials, so widely used, need to be studied in depth in order to adapt to current needs, while contributing certain technological, environmental, and economic benefits. Therefore, geomaterials have been, are, and will be strategic assets with an enormous socio-economic and environmental impact. In this regard, this Special Issue includes a series of articles focused on recent advances in geomaterials research, with special emphasis on their potential application in the aforementioned sectors. The findings presented not only shed light on the knowledge we have revealed about geomaterials to date, but also pave the way for future research in order to delve deeper into their improvement, development, and sustainability for future generations.
Resources Conservation, Recycling and Waste Management
This reprint delves into the intricate dimensions of resource conservation, recycling, and waste management. Each chapter offers a holistic view of the subject, covering a diverse array of topics that span various sectors. As you delve into these pages, you will explore the fundamental principles of resource conservation. You will discover the significance of reducing our ecological footprint and optimizing resource allocation, paving the way for a more balanced and efficient use of our planet's resources. This reprint also delves deeply into the principles and practices of recycling, revealing the transformative potential of innovative technologies and processes that can turn waste into valuable resources. Furthermore, we examine waste management systems, from collection and sorting to treatment and disposal, emphasizing the importance of responsible waste management practices and the role of digitalization in mitigating environmental harm.Overall, this reprint's aim is to empower individuals, communities, and policymakers with the knowledge and strategies needed to shift from a linear model of resource use to a circular economy. By upholding the principles of sustainability, efficiency, and equity, we can forge a future where resources are treasured, waste is minimized, and the delicate balance of our planet is restored.
Amazon Ecosystem - Past Discoveries and Future Prospects
The Amazon region is the largest river basin and rainforest ecosystem in the world. It contains billions of trees, which are a vital carbon store to slow down global warming. Amazonia is home to one million indigenous people and some three million species of plants and animals. The future of the world's largest forest is critical to South America and the planet. However, nine owner nations-Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela-have encouraged agriculture, logging, and mining activities, causing a dangerous setback in the effort to protect "the lungs of the world." Due to global importance, the protection of Amazonia is vital. This book includes six chapters that describe the past and present situation of the Amazon region and present positive examples of sustainable development possibilities.
Geographic Information Systems - Data Science Approach
Dive into the dynamic world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data science with our comprehensive book in which innovation and insights converge. This book presents a pioneering exploration at the intersection of GIS and data science, providing a comprehensive view of their symbiotic relationship and transformative potential. It encapsulates advanced methodologies, real-world applications, and interdisciplinary approaches that redefine how we perceive and utilize spatial data. Offering a gateway to cutting-edge research and practical insights, this book serves as a crucial resource for scholars, practitioners, and enthusiasts alike. It addresses pressing challenges across diverse domains, from environmental studies to public health and predictive analytics, demonstrating the paramount significance of integrating GIS with data science methodologies. It is an essential compass guiding readers toward a deeper understanding and application of these dynamic fields in today's data-driven world.
Earthquake Ground Motion
Earthquake Ground Motion is a compilation of ten chapters covering tectonics, seismicity, site effects, tsunamis, infrastructure, and instrumentation. It presents state-of-the-art techniques for retrieving rupture models, seismogenic structures, and validation of focal mechanisms. It also presents macroseismic archiving tools for historical and instrumental earthquakes and the fundamentals of seismic tomography. The book describes the site response analysis in 2D and 3D, considering topographic and soil structure interactions, its incorporation in a seismic hazard analysis, and the impact of earthquakes on the cost of reconstruction. The final sections are devoted to the genesis of earthquakes tsunamis, non-seismic tsunamis, and the new role of gyroscopes in rotational seismology.
Inside the Ipcc
Inside the IPCC explores the institution of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) by focusing on people's experiences as authors. While the budget and overall population of an IPCC report cycle is small, its influence on public views of climate change is outsized. Inside the IPCC analyzes the social and human sides of IPCC report writing, as a complement to understanding the authoritative reports that underwrite policy decisions at many scales of governance. This study shows how the IPCC's social and human dimension is in fact the main strength, but also the main challenge facing the organization, but also the main challenge facing the organziation. By stepping back to reveal what goes into the making of climate science assessments, Inside the IPCC aims to help people develop a more realistic, and thus, more actionable, understanding of climate change and the solutions to deal with it. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Lithium Extraction between Neo-Extractivism and Sustainability. The Case of Bolivia
Seminar paper from the year 2024 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Economic Geography, grade: 1,3, University of Cologne (Wirtschafts- und Sozialgeographisches Institut), course: Regional Policies and Sustainability, language: English, abstract: The industrialization of Bolivia's lithium reserves, initiated in 2008, represents a pivotal moment in the country's economic and social development. This paper explores the nexus between Bolivia's lithium extraction policies and the concept of neo-extractivism (NE), which scrutinizes the resource extraction strategies of progressive governments. Drawing on qualitative process-tracing methodology, the study investigates whether Bolivia's lithium policies align with or diverge from the principles of NE. By reviewing literature on extractivism and NE, five defining hallmarks of NE are elucidated, alongside an examination of NE's relationship with sustainability. Analyzing Bolivian lithium extraction policies through governmental sources and academic literature, the paper evaluates their adherence to NE criteria. Additionally, conceptual limitations of the NE framework are addressed through insights from the global lithium production network literature. The paper concludes with an assessment of the findings from a sustainability perspective, shedding light on the implications of Bolivia's lithium policies for its economic and environmental future.
Charged!
There are eight billion of us on the planet and most of us strive for lifestyles of affluence, consumption, and mobility. We buy what we want and we go where we want to go.These capitalistic-driven, hedonistic desires consume non-renewable energy and non-renewable mineral resources. If left unchecked, our consumption and mobility desires will deprive future generations of sufficient quantities of these resources. This is not news.However, rather than moderating our consumption habits, we have gratefully accepted a get-out-of-jail-free card. We have been led to believe that our overindulgence can be countered by making a shift to electric vehicles. We have also been led to believe that adopting electric vehicles is a solution to the climate change crisis. Guided by academia and elitist groups such as the IPCC, the World Economic Forum, and the Club of Rome, our elected officials have embraced this panacea for our collective guilt.Unfortunately, the primary cause of climate change is the cyclical patterns in the Earth's orbital eccentricity, its tilt axis, and its rotational spin. Mankind is not responsible for creating these cycles; nor can mankind change them.The electric vehicle strategy is not only misguided-it is dangerous. As this book explains, the electric car strategy not only is gobbling up our resources, it ignores the Laws of Thermodynamics-it takes energy to make energy. The energy to charge an electric vehicle battery has to come from somewhere. There is no free lunch. This book includes the following topics:
Geo-Artful Landscape
Experience the extraordinary beauty of the natural world through the captivating pages of Geo-Artful Landscape. This exceptional art book is a testament to the boundless power of imagination, skilfully transforming intricate arrangements into an exquisite art form. By seamlessly blending nature's breathtaking landscapes and geological wonders, this collection weaves together historical events in a truly harmonious manner. Each mesmerizing image in this book is accompanied by a carefully chosen place name, effortlessly spanning the vast geological tapestry of a parish. But the story doesn't stop there; it delves deeper into the rich historical background of these events, spanning centuries of time. Geo-Artful Landscape boldly reminds us that art transcends boundaries and encompasses all shapes and sizes. It inspires us to explore the limitless possibilities of artistic expression and encourages us to discover the artistry within ourselves. Immerse yourself in this remarkable journey and discover that art is what we make of it-a boundless and awe-inspiring testament to the beauty of our world.
New View of the Moon 2
Much has happened in the world in the 17 years since the first New Views of the Moon was published as volume 60 of the Mineralogical Society of America in 2006. An exciting new era of lunar exploration has begun, including the promise of resuming human lunar exploration, exploring the lunar Poles, and missions to many other high-priority science targets. It is fitting, therefore, to now summarize the current state of knowledge to the degree possible at a time when advancements in knowledge of the Moon are proceeding at a breakneck pace. Therefore, during this period of unprecedented lunar exploration activity, and as we continue to rebound from a global pandemic, we now happily announce this New Views of the Moon 2 volume summarizing the advances in lunar science and exploration since 2006. The Steering Committee is eternally grateful to all contributors and especially the chapter leads, and to Professor Makiko Ohtake (University of Aizu, Japan) and Dr. David Blewett (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, U.S.A.) for organizing the New Views of the Moon 2 Electronic Annex. We deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the production of this volume, especially Rachel Russell and Ian Swainson at the Mineralogical Society of America. This volume helps to frame our knowledge and expectations for an exciting future of lunar science and exploration and the new discoveries to be made. Having humans return to the Moon now seems more likely than it ever has since the last humans left the Moon on 14 December 1972.
Grass Left Standing
Embark on a transformative journey through nature with Grass Left Standing: A Park Interpreter's Road Map to Forest Bathing. Discover the art of forest bathing, a restorative sensory exploration that encourages mindfulness and rejuvenation. Through guided sequences, experience the harmony of rest and wandering, interspersed with facilitated group gatherings and solitary reflection. The emphasis is on unplugging, slowing down, and awakening your senses to the wonders of the forest. Grass Left Standing is not just a guide-it's a catalyst for inspiration. By incorporating the healing practice of forest bathing and sensory interpretation, this book empowers leaders of public programs to connect with diverse audiences in meaningful ways. Whether you're a seasoned park interpreter or a curious nature enthusiast, this book offers a roadmap to deeper connections, relaxation, and renewal amidst the beauty of the outdoors.
Water Management for Climate Smart Agriculture
Global climate change has resulted in significant changes in local weather conditions in many countries. Changes in rainfall and temperature threaten agricultural production and increase the vulnerability of individuals who are dependent on agriculture. In particular, water shortages in arid and semi-arid regions will become more prominent. In such regions, irregularly distributed rainfall will result in increased droughts as well as extreme rainfall events. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an approach that aims to transform and reorient agricultural systems to adapt to the effects of climate change.The present reprint, "Water Management for Climate-Smart Agriculture", gathers the latest knowledge on water management practices to guide and support stakeholders, researchers, and students in adopting CSA in arid and semiarid regions to achieve sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. This Special Issue consists of a range of topics, e.g., rainwater harvesting, drought, efficient farming practices, irrigation, and groundwater recharge, and presents real-world case studies, practical examples, and applicable recommendations to be considered and applied. We hope that the knowledge provided in this reprint can be of help for the adoption of climate-smart water management practices not only in Iraq but also in other arid and semi-arid regions.
