Mathematical Modelling of Contemporary Electricity Markets reviews major methodologies and tools to accurately analyze and forecast contemporary electricity markets in a ways that is ideal for practitioner and academic audiences. Approaches include optimization, neural networks, genetic algorithms, co-optimization, econometrics, E3 models and energy system models. The work examines how new challenges affect power market modeling, including discussions of stochastic renewables, price volatility, dynamic participation of demand, integration of storage and electric vehicles, interdependence with other commodity markets and the evolution of policy developments (market coupling processes, security of supply). Coverage addresses all major forms of electricity markets: day-ahead, forward, intraday, balancing, and capacity.

Paleocological Research on Easter Island: Insights on Settlement, Climate Changes, Deforestation and Cultural Shifts examines the area's climatic and ecological history, a topic not usually addressed in other literature. The book provides a thorough and synthetic account of all paleoecological works developed to date, including the latest discoveries. Finally, it attempts to match paleoecological evidence with the results of other disciplines creating a multidisciplinary framework. This approach to the field is ideal for researchers, university professors and graduate students in a varied range of disciplines and subdisciplines, including ecology, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, biogeography, sedimentology, and paleontology. Users will find synthesized information on Easter Island from the last millennia that will help pave the way towards an integrated interdisciplinary vision of the island's environmental-ecological-cultural system as a complex functional unit. Human and environmental deterministic views are avoided and the Easter Island enigmas are analyzed under a holistic perspective of continuous feedbacks and synergies among the different components of the system.

Advances in Ecological Research, Volume 63, the latest release in this ongoing series includes specific chapters on Tropical Ecosystems in the 21st Century. Chapters in this volume cover topics such as Landscape-scale expansion of agroecology to enhance natural pest control: a systematic review and Ecosystem services and the resilience of agricultural landscapes

Low Carbon Energy Technologies for Sustainable Energy Systems examines, investigates, and integrates current research aimed at operationalizing low carbon technologies within complex transitioning energy economies. Scholarly research has traditionally focused on the technical aspects of exploitation, R&D, operation, infrastructure, and decommissioning, while approaches which can realistically inform their reception and scale-up across real societies and real markets are piecemeal and isolated in separate literatures. Addressing both the technical foundations of each technology together with the sociotechnical ways in which they are spread in markets and societies, this work integrates the technoeconomic assessment of low carbon technologies with direct discussion on legislative and regulatory policies in energy markets. Chapters address issues, such as social acceptance, consumer awareness, environmental valuation systems, and the circular economy, as low carbon technologies expand into energy systems sustainability, sensitivity, and stability. This collective research work is relevant to both researchers and practitioners working in sustainable energy systems. The combination of these features makes it a timely book that is useful and attractive to university students, researchers, academia, and public or private energy policy makers.

Rural Electrification poses solutions to the insuperable modern challenge of providing 24/7 electricity for populations, housing and territory located outside towns and cities. The book reviews the historical development of rural energy systems, their status quo, and the role of renewable and fossil fueled solutions in delivering electricity. It addresses core issues of energy source typologies, resource deployment, fundamental challenges and limitations, the burgeoning threat of climate change, and the role of the renewable energy transition. Chapters account for almost all forms of fuel solutions, with a focus on electrification economics, planning, and policy using the most cost-effective fuels and systems available. Novel approaches to address the challenges of rural electrification, including distributed generation systems, new management and ownership models, off-grid systems, and future energy technologies are thoroughly explored. The work concludes with a comparative assessment of different energy supply technologies and scenarios, contrasting the pros and cons of fossil fuels versus renewable energy resources to achieve the goal of comprehensive rural electrification.

'Andreas Raspotnik's book is a well-written history of the European Union's struggle for recognition in the Arctic; a struggle underpinned by attempts to define what the Circumpolar North means for the EU. Raspotnik adopts the lens of critical geopolitics, which proves very productive in terms of capturing the character of the EU-Arctic nexus. The Union is revealed as a reluctant geopolitical actor, as inherent EU drive to be present in a neighboring region interplays with the lack of genuine interest.' - Timo Koivurova, University of Lapland, Finland 'In spite of an interpretation that the European Union is 'no geopolitical actor' from the critical approach, the Union clearly impacts (Arctic) geopolitics in the fields of climate and environmental policies, fisheries and science, and benefits from the high geopolitical stability of the Arctic. This book is an informative study and in-depth analysis on European geopolitical agency in a distinct spatiotemporal context, the early-21st century's Arctic, and the EU's process to (re)construct European legitimacy there. Next step is to analyze, if the EU tries to influence the discourse on how to use (govern) the land and waters, as well as resources, of the Arctic.' - Lassi Heininen, University of Lapland, Finland The Arctic is a region that has seen exponential growth as a space of geopolitical interest over the past decade. This insightful book is the first to analyse the European Union?s Arctic policy endeavours of the early 21st Century from a critical geopolitical perspective. Exploring the EU?s decade-long undertaking to construct legitimacy in the Arctic between 2008 and 2017, Andreas Raspotnik investigates whether the EU can figure prominently in the Artic region as an international actor. This book presents the EU?s interest in the Arctic as a fascinating test case for how the EU aims to assert its policies and values in a neighbouring region. By providing an in-depth analysis of the EU?s process to establish legitimacy and credibility in the Arctic, Andreas Raspotnik sheds light on the debate regarding whether or not the EU can be perceived as a geopolitical actor. This contemporary and intriguing book will appeal to scholars and students of international relations, European studies, geography, and Arctic studies, as well as those on courses relating to international organizations and global/regional politics. It will also be of interest to the broader public with an interest in the challenges and opportunities of the Arctic region.

Global Groundwater: Source, Scarcity, Sustainability, Security, and Solutions presents a compilation of compelling insights into groundwater scenarios within all groundwater-stressed regions across the world. Thematic sub-sections include groundwater studies on sources, scarcity, sustainability, security, and solutions. The chapters in these sub-sections provide unique knowledge on groundwater for scientists, planners, and policymakers, and are written by leading global experts and researchers. Global Groundwater: Source, Scarcity, Sustainability, Security, and Solutions provides a unique, unparalleled opportunity to integrate the knowledge on groundwater, ranging from availability to pollution, nation-level groundwater management to transboundary aquifer governance, and global-scale review to local-scale case-studies.

During the first decade of the 21st century, the world has witnessed a plethora of corporate scandals, global economic crises, and rising environmental concerns. As a result of these developments, pressure has been mounting on businesses to pay more attention to the environmental and resource consequences of the products they produce and services they deliver. Recent Developments on Creating Sustainable Value in the Global Economy contains a collection of pioneering research on the integration of issues of sustainability within the traditional areas of management. While highlighting topics including green marketing, circular economy, and sustainable business, this book is ideally designed for managers, executives, environmentalists, economists, business professionals, researchers, academicians, and students in disciplines including marketing, economics, finance, operations management, communication science, and information technology.

Murray-Darling Basin, Australia: Its Future Management is a much-needed text for water resources managers, water, catchment, estuarine and coastal scientists, and aquatic ecologists. The book first provides a summary of the Murray-Darling River system: its hydrology, water-related ecological assets, land uses (particularly irrigation), and its rural and regional communities; and management within the Basin, including catchments and natural resources, water resources, irrigation, environment, and monitoring and evaluation. Additionally, the recent major water reforms in the Basin are discussed, with a focus particularly on the development and implementation of the Basin Plan. Murray-Darling Basin, Australia: Its Future Management then provides an analysis of the next set of policy and institutional reforms (environmental, social, cultural and economic) needed to ensure the Basin is managed as an integrated system (including its water resources, catchment and estuary) capable of adapting to future changes. Six major challenges facing the Basin are identified and discussed, particularly within the context of predicted changes to the climate leading to an increased frequency of drought and a hotter and dryer future. Finally, a 'road map' or 'blueprint' to achieve more integrated management of the Basin is provided, together with some 'key lessons' of relevance to others involved in the management of multijurisdictional river Basins.

Modern Treatment Strategies for Marine Pollution provides an overview of assessment tools that identify contaminants in marine water, also discussing the latest technologies for removing these contaminants. Through templated and consistently structured chapters, the author explores the importance of seawater to our marine ecosystems and the devastating effects pollutants are causing. Sections cover the emission of toxic pollutants from industries, wastewater discharge, oil spills from boarding ships, ballast water emission, abnormal growth of algal blooms, and more. Techniques explored include huge diameter pipelines erected for removing floating debris from seawater, which is denoted as a primary idea for cleaning contaminants. The book includes numerous case studies that demonstrate how these tools can be successfully used. It is an essential read for marine ecologists and oceanographers at the graduate level and above, but is also ideal for those looking to incorporate these techniques into their own work.

Supply chain management has long been a feature of industry and commerce but, with increasing demands from consumers, producers are spending more time and money investing in ways to make supply chains more sustainable. This exemplary Handbook provides readers with a comprehensive overview of current research on sustainable supply chain management. Multi-disciplinary in scope, the Handbook includes contributions from over 70 expert authors from a variety of areas including management, engineering, accounting, policy studies, innovation, and marketing. Chapters analyze the three core areas of sustainable supply chain management: environmental, economic, and social. The Handbook explores broad themes such as globalization and general organization strategies as well as examining more particular topics including particular industries, social and regulatory dimensions, and technological advances. Scholars and advanced business and management students will greatly benefit from the depth of analysis in this Handbook as well as the suggestions for directions for future research and practice. Written in an accessible style, it is also ideal for practitioners and government agencies seeking solutions to practical issues regarding sustainable supply chain management. Contributors include: A.Y. Alqahtani, M.A. Ates, S.G. Azevedo, C. Bai, P. Beske-Janssen, C. Brix-Asala, L.M.S. Campos, V. Carbone, L. Carmagnac, H. Carvalho, H.K. Chan, H.S.Y. Chen, T.C.E. Cheng, S.K. Cho, J. Dai, N. Darnall, L. Ellram, B. Fahimnia, Y. Feng, S. Goodarzi, D.B. Grant, J.H. Grimm, C. Groening, S.M. Gupta, A. Gurtu, I. Haavisto, A. Halldorsson, J.S. Hofstetter, J. Hou, J. Hu, S. Hudson, S.E. Ibrahim, C.J.C. Jabbour, M.Y. Jaber, A.D. Joshi, A. Jug, R.U. Khalid, G. Kovacs, K.-h. Lai, S. Liedke, J.J. Lim, M.K. Lim, J. Liu, A.B. Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, E. Marsillac, L. Meade, S.A. Melnyk, V. Moatti, A. Presley, J. Rezaei, Y. Sadaat, J. Sarkis, S. Schaltegger, D.G. Schniederjans, C. Searcy, S. Seuring, S. Shaw, R. Sroufe, C. Sundgren, K.H. Tan, W. Tate, M.-L. Tseng, D.A. Vazquez-Brust, M. Varsei, A. Vilmar, J. Wehner, E.W. Welch, M.G. Yalcin, A.Z. Zeng, F. Zeng, Q. Zhu, Q. Zhu

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 163, continues to be recognized as a leading reference and first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. Each volume contains an eclectic group of reviews by leading scientists throughout the world. As always, the subjects covered are rich, varied and exemplary of the abundant subject matter addressed by this long-running serial.

Advances in Marine Biology, Volume 86, the latest release in a series that has been providing in-depth and up-to-date reviews on all aspects of marine biology since 1963, updates on many topics that will appeal to postgraduates and researchers in marine biology, fisheries science, ecology, zoology and biological oceanography. Chapters in this new release include Marine Environmental DNA: Approaches, Applications, and Opportunities, and The Biology and Ecology of the Banana Prawns.

'The Research Handbook of Finance and Sustainability is highly recommended to faculty and students of graduate business schools and researchers. It is recommended for purchase by academic libraries supporting advanced degrees in business administration.' - American Reference Books Annual Sustainability is now an essential objective for all organizations, enabling them to resist adverse shocks and thrive in a disruptive world. This Research Handbook provides expert coverage and practical tips on a wide array of pertinent issues related to current finance and sustainability research. Comprising 31 chapters written by over 60 eminent experts, this Research Handbook provides readers with the latest ideas and propositions regarding finance and sustainability. This includes the significance of corporate social responsibility, environmental and entrepreneurial finance, crowdsourcing, governance and fraud. Despite ethical business practices and corporate social responsibility rules being adopted in various countries, the contributors demonstrate that further efforts are needed to motivate and empower actors to integrate ethical behavior into all business and managerial decisions. Multidisciplinary in reach, this comprehensive Research Handbook features forward-thinking academic and professional literature on corporate social responsibility, sustainability and finance for post-graduate students, researchers and practitioners to explore the forthcoming paths for research. Contributors: D. AL-Ghamdi, Y. Alperovych, S. Bajic, W. Ben-Amar, R. Bianchini, B. Bolton, S. Boubaker, H. Bystroem, R. Calcagno, D. Coldwell, J. Creedy, D. Cumming, P. Desrochers, A. Florio, S. Gatti, P. Geiler, G. Gianfrate, G. Gokcek, J. Hazelton, H. Hoang, S. Kim, D. Lee, Z. (Frank) Li, H. Liang, C. Lopez-Gutierrez, K. Maas, S. Marsat, P. McIlkenny, K. Mhedhbi, I. Moosa, A. Ng, D.K. Nguyen, H. Nguyen Anh Pham, C. Niehaus, T.M. Nisar, M. Nurul Houqe, M. Pagano, P. Perego, S. Perkiss, G. Pijourlet, S. Pope, G. Prabhakar, E. Queinnec, V. Ramiah, A. Reberioux, L. Renneboog, Z. Rezaee, G. Roudaut, S. Ryu, I. Sainz-Fernandez, M. Scarlata, C. Schellhorn, G. Sinclair, J.A.F. Stoner, L. Strakova, B. Torre-Olmo, T. van Zijl, E. Velayutham, J. Walske, F.M. Werner, B. Williams, T. Yang, B.B. Yurtoglu, A. Zacharakis, Z. Zuraida

This thoughtful book provides an overview of the major developments in the theory and practice of 'environmental justice'. It illustrates the direction of the evolution of rights of nature and exposes the diverse meanings and practical uses of the concept of environmental justice in different jurisdictions, and their implications for the law, society and the environment. The term 'environmental justice' has different meanings to different scholars and is applied in many different contexts. For some, the focus is on equal distribution of the earth's benefits, with concern for the interests of the less wealthy, disadvantaged minorities, or indigenous peoples. For others, the focus is on the interests of the earth and nature itself. Additionally, for some, environmental justice is a framework for discourse, whilst for others it connotes specific legal principles and procedures. The application of these interpretations through the law involves diverse approaches and rules. In this timely book, expert contributors identify the meanings and the practical translations of environmental justice, reflecting the perspectives of academic, judicial and indigenous people from many countries. Among the issues considered are the rights of nature and its application through judicial practice, and approaches to respecting the laws, cultures and the rights of Indigenous peoples. This integrated exploration of the topic will provide an excellent resource for scholars, judicial officers and practitioners interested in environmental and social justice issues. Contributors: J. Aseron, S.Z. Bigdeli, K. Bosselmann, C. Chaulk, J.I. Colon-Rios, D. Craig, T. Daya-Winterbottom, W. Du Plessis, B. France-Hudson, E. Gachenga, S. Glazebrook, L. Godden, N. Greymorning, R. Karky, A. Keene, A. Kennedy, J. Khatarina, P. Martin, E. O'Connell, M. Perry, W. Phromlah, B.J. Preston, V. Rive, J.G. Rose, M.A. Santosa, A.S. Suwana, A. Telesetsky, J. Williams

In 2009, Rolling Stone named Joe Romm to its list of "100 People Who Are Changing America." Romm is a climate expert, physicist, energy consultant, and former official in the Department of Energy. But it's his influential blog, one of the "Top Fifteen Green Websites" according to Time magazine, that's caught national attention. Climate change is far more urgent than people understand, Romm says, and traditional media, scientists, and politicians are missing the story. Straight Up draws on Romm's most important posts to explain the dangers of and solutions to climate change that you won't find in newspapers, in journals, or on T.V. Compared to coverage of Jay-Z or the latest philandering politician, climate change makes up a pathetically small share of news reports. And when journalists do try to tackle this complex issue, they often lack the background to tell the full story. Despite the dearth of reporting, polls show that two in five Americans think the press is actually exaggerating the threat of climate change. That gives Big Oil, and others with a vested interest in the status quo, a huge opportunity to mislead the public. Romm cuts through the misinformation and presents the truth about humanity's most dire threat. His analysis is based on sophisticated knowledge of renewable technologies, climate impacts, and government policy, written in a style everyone can understand. Romm shows how a 20 percent reduction in global emissions over the next quarter century could improve the economy; how we can replace most coal and with what technologies; why Sarah Palin wears a polar bear pin; and why controversial, emerging technologies like biochar have to be part of the solution. The ultimate solution, Romm argues, is bigger than any individual technology: it's citizen action. Without public pressure, Washington and industry don't budge. With it, our grandkids might just have a habitable place to live. "The Web's most influential climate-change blogger" and "Hero of the Environment 2009" --Time Magazine "I trust Joe Romm on climate." --Paul Krugman, New York Times "America's fiercest climate-change activist-blogger" and one of "The 100 People Who Are Changing America" -- Rolling Stone "One of the most influential energy and environmental policy makers in the Obama era" -- U.S. News & World Report "The indispensable blog" --Thomas Friedman, New York Times "One of the most influential energy and environmental policy makers in the Obama era" -- U.S. News & World Report "The indispensable blog" --Thomas Friedman, New York Times

How should we strike a balance between the benefits of centralized and local governance, and how important is context to selecting the right policy tools? This uniquely broad overview of the field illuminates our understanding of environmental federalism and informs our policy-making future. Professor Kalyani Robbins has brought together an impressive team of leading environmental federalism scholars to provide a collection of chapters, each focused on a different regime. This review of many varied approaches, including substantial theoretical material, culminates in a comparative analysis of environmental federalism and consideration of what each system might learn from the others. The Law and Policy of Environmental Federalism includes clear descriptive portions that make it a valuable teaching resource, as well as original theory and a depth of policy analysis that will benefit scholars of federalism or environmental and natural resources law. The value of its analysis for real-world decision-making will make it a compelling read for practitioners in environmental law or fields concerned with federalism issues, including those in government or NGOs, as well as lobbyists. Contributors: W.L. Andreen, N. Behnke, S. Bhat, W.W. Buzbee, A.E. Carlson, K.H. Engel, A. Eppler, R. Fowler, R.L. Glicksman, K.H. Hirokawa, B. Hudson, A. Kaswan, A.B. Klass, K. Robbins, J. Rosenbloom, E. Ryan, J.A. Wentz, H. Wiseman

Urban Ecology covers the latest theoretical and applied concepts in urban ecological research. This book covers the key environmental issues of urban ecosystems as well as the human-centric issues, particularly those of governance, economics, sociology and human health. The goal of Urban Ecology is to challenge readers' thinking around urban ecology from a resource-based approach to a holistic and applied field for sustainable development. There are seven major themes of the book: emerging urban concepts and urbanization, land use/land cover change, urban social-ecological systems, urban environment, urban material balance, smart, healthy and sustainable cities and sustainable urban design. Within each section, key concepts such as monitoring the urbanization phenomena, land use cover, urban soil fluxes, urban metabolism, pollution and human health and sustainable cities are covered. Urban Ecology serves as a comprehensive and advanced book for students, researchers, practitioners and policymakers in urban ecology and urban environmental research, planning and practice.

We live in the age of extremes, a period punctuated by significant disasters that have changed the way we understand risk, vulnerability, and the future of communities. Violent ecological events such as Superstorm Sandy attest to the urgent need to analyze what cities around the world are doing to reduce carbon emissions, develop new energy systems, and build structures to enhance preparedness for catastrophe. The essays in this issue illustrate that the best techniques for safeguarding cities and critical infrastructure systems from threats related to climate change have multiple benefits, strengthening networks that promote health and prosperity during ordinary times as well as mitigating damage during disasters. The contributors provide a truly global perspective on topics such as the toxic effects of fracking, water rights in the Los Angeles region, wind energy in southern Mexico, and water scarcity from Brazil to the Arabian Peninsula. Contributors: Nina Berman, Dominic Boyer, Daniel Aldana Cohen, Goekce Gunel, Cymene Howe, Colin Jerolmack, Eric Klinenberg, Liz Koslov, Andrew Lakoff, Valeria Procupez, Jerome Whitington, Austin Zeiderman