Handbook of HydroInformatics Volume III: Water Data Management Best Practices presents the latest and most updated data processing techniques that are fundamental to Water Science and Engineering disciplines. These include a wide range of the new methods that are used in hydro-modeling such as Atmospheric Teleconnection Pattern, CONUS-Scale Hydrologic Modeling, Copula Function, Decision Support System, Downscaling Methods, Dynamic System Modeling, Economic Impacts and Models, Geostatistics and Geospatial Frameworks, Hydrologic Similarity Indices, Hydropower/Renewable Energy Models, Sediment Transport Dynamics Advanced Models, Social Data Mining, and Wavelet Transforms. This volume is an example of true interdisciplinary work. The audience includes postgraduates and above interested in Water Science, Geotechnical Engineering, Soil Science, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Engineering, Applied Science, Earth and Geoscience, Atmospheric Science, Geography, Environment Science, Natural Resources, Mathematical Science, and Social Sciences. It is a fully comprehensive handbook which provides all the information needed related to the best practices for managing water data.

Presenting critical insights on how economic activity is constrained by the environment's ability to provide material and energy resources, this timely Research Agenda explores how humanity shapes, and is shaped by, environmental change and sustainability challenges. Chapters highlight how, under these constraints, people may seek to improve their lives and standards of living without undermining the abilities of others to do so now or in the future. With contributions from top economic scholars, as well as from a range of other disciplines including ethics, law, and the physical and life sciences, this book explores how interdisciplinary insights can be integrated to provide meaningful investment and policy advice. Offering diverse understandings of the topic from both the Global North and South, this Research Agenda challenges previous economic conceptualizations of human-environment interactions, exploring resource use and environmental impact from micro- and macro-economic perspectives. Students of environmental and ecological economics will find this to be a thought-provoking and stimulating read. The suggestions for future research and use of clear case studies will also prove valuable for environmental law and ethics scholars, as well as environmental policy-makers. Contributors include: D.C. Andersen, Y. Bramoulle, L.P. Breckenridge, M. Faber, M. Frick, A. Kander, R. Kemp, D. Malghan, R.B. Norgaard, C. Orset, S.V. Ramani, M. Ruth, J. Sager, M. Sagoff, M.R. Sers, D.I. Stern, D.J. Thampapillai, E. van Leeuwen, M.d.M.R. Varas, P.A. Victor

An acclaimed author and celebrated journalist breaks down the history of electricity and the impact of global energy use on the world and the environment.​

Global demand for power is doubling every two decades, but electricity remains one of the most difficult forms of energy to supply and do so reliably. Today, some three billion people live in places where per-capita electricity use is less than what's used by an average American refrigerator. How we close the colossal gap between the electricity rich and the electricity poor will determine our success in addressing issues like women's rights, inequality, and climate change.

In A Question of Power, veteran journalist Robert Bryce tells the human story of electricity, the world's most important form of energy. Through onsite reporting from India, Iceland, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, New York, and Colorado, he shows how our cities, our money--our very lives--depend on reliable flows of electricity. He highlights the factors needed for successful electrification and explains why so many people are still stuck in the dark.

With vivid writing and incisive analysis, he powerfully debunks the notion that our energy needs can be met solely with renewables and demonstrates why--if we are serious about addressing climate change--nuclear energy must play a much bigger role.

Electricity has fueled a new epoch in the history of civilization. A Question of Power explains how that happened and what it means for our future.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Leading mobilities theorist Mimi Sheller offers an up-to-date, comprehensive analysis of the complex mobility disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath in this timely Advanced Introduction. It outlines the formation of the interdisciplinary field of mobility studies, arguing that mobilities theory is crucial to planning post-pandemic recovery, sustainable communities, and low-carbon transitions. From tourism to migration to urban infrastructure, to informal and reproductive mobilities, Sheller reveals how multiple im/mobilities are interconnected, as the novel coronavirus reminds us as it hitchhikes across the globe through its human hosts. Key features: Centres mobility justice as a key topic throughout, revealing the vast inequities in im/mobilities, structured by gender, race and nationality Challenges existing approaches to social science, calling for the extension of critical mobility studies to address complex contemporary challenges Offers up-to-date analysis of key policy programs such as the Green New Deal, and a comparative analysis of differing visions of alternative mobilities futures. This innovative Advanced Introduction will be a beneficial read for students and scholars of mobilities research, tourism studies, migration studies, human geography, urban studies and sustainability.

Written by some of the founders of complexity theory and complexity theories of cities (CTC), this Handbook expertly guides the reader through over forty years of intertwined developments: the emergence of general theories of complex self-organized systems and the consequent emergence of CTC. Examining studies from the end of 1970 through to the current leading approach to urbanism, planning and design, the book provides an up-to-date snapshot of CTC. Insightful chapters are split into five parts covering the early foundations of the topic, the evolution of towns and cities and urban complexity, the links between complexity, languages and cities, modelling traffic and parking in cities, and urban planning and design. The Handbook on Cities and Complexity concludes with the contributors' personal statements on their observations of COVID-19's impact upon global cities. This book will be an invaluable resource for those researching cities and complexity and also for scholars of urban studies, planning, physics, mathematics, AI, and architecture.

Exploring the important role of education in both pursuing and implementing sustainable development, this timely Handbook highlights how teaching methods at schools and universities can impact the future. It looks at ways not only to inform students about matters related to sustainable development, but also to empower them to adopt behaviours and actions that lead to more sustainable lifestyles. Chapters from an international team of contributors present and analyse experiences of different learning processes and methods, showcasing the impact of curriculum-related issues and teacher training. Using different pedagogical approaches, case studies and interdisciplinary initiatives, the Handbook explores a broad range of technological approaches and tools to foster better teaching and learning for sustainable development. It provides key insights into the implementation of teaching initiatives in helping to promote sustainable development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This Handbook will be crucial reading for those investigating curriculum policies and issues, and looking to enhance students' understanding of sustainability in schools and universities.

The Geography of Entrepreneurial Psychology summarizes existing research and relevant insights from psychology, economics, management, sociology and geography to provide an overview to a new and innovative interdisciplinary field, answering the critical question 'what is a vibrant startup culture?' Mapping recent empirical advances and analysing regional differences in macro-psychological factors associated with entrepreneurship, the book discusses the role of historical trajectories of regional differences, considering their significance to contemporary entrepreneurial and geographical psychology. Chapters turn to established psychological theories, such as McClelland's Human Motivation Theory and the Big Five personality traits, to measure entrepreneurship culture and its persistence between regions and cities, delivering key implications for practice, education and policy in entrepreneurship. Setting a crucial agenda for future research, this cutting-edge book is vital reading for students and researchers of entrepreneurship cultures, particularly those focusing on regional differences. Psychologists and geographers will also benefit from this book's multidisciplinary insights into spatial aspects of entrepreneurial psychology.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Exploring the innovative and thriving field of animal geographies, this Research Agenda analyses how humans think about, place, and engage with animals. Chapters explore how animals shape human identities and social dynamics, as well as how broader processes influence the circumstances and experiences of animals. This Research Agenda presents recent forays into theories of power, methodological innovations unearthing animal lifeworlds, and commitments to praxis. It demonstrates opportunities for animal geographies to engage creatively with diverse movements, including industrial farm workers' rights, intersectional feminism, the environmental movement, racial equality, and decolonization. Critical and timely, contributions from top and emerging scholars suggest that it is time to bring the animals outwards into broader geographical dialogue to address pressing contemporary issues such as climate change. An important read for animal and human geographers, this will be a foundational text for emerging scholars interested in critical perspectives on human-environment relations and societal dynamics. Its grounding in historical evaluation, discussion of scholarly innovation in the field and the opportunities to reflect on the topic in a time of socio-ecological crisis will also be helpful for more established scholars.

This timely book addresses the need for further measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union, arguing that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme does not offer sufficient incentives for the carbon-intensive materials sector. It highlights the challenge that emissions from industries such as iron and steel, cement and aluminium, amongst others, pose to the EU's commitment to significantly cut emissions by 2030. Offering an in-depth review from an economic and legal perspective, Manuel Haussner explores these carbon-intensive sectors and their contribution to current emissions, and provides insightful suggestions on how a consumption-based carbon charge would create incentives for deep decarbonisation. He demonstrates how the design of such a charge would comply with the EU's obligations and WTO's legal requirements, and illustrates how such a charge would be drafted, providing guidance on administering carbon taxation and analysing carbon charges alongside the EU recommended portfolio of policy instruments. This thought-provoking book will be an essential read for all policymakers, consultants and practitioners working in environmental law and policy in the EU. It will also be valuable to scholars working at the intersections of economics and environmental and energy law.

This timely book offers a critical account of key governance challenges of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Illustrating China's efforts to expand its idea of a sustainable eco-civilization, thereby 'greening' the BRI, it explores the disputes that have emerged from this process and subsequent complications resulting from geopolitical competition. R. James Ferguson presents a critical analysis of China's Green BRI, discussing the environmental impact of BRI corridors and its overall importance in harmonising the twin policy agendas of human development and environmental preservation. The author evaluates security and geopolitical challenges for the BRI in the context of China's new globalism and emerging asymmetric co-governance. Demonstrating the need for improved governance of the BRI for a sustainability transition in global affairs, Ferguson suggests a range of strategies to compete with, complement or transform the BRI into a more multilaterized Green BRI. This cutting-edge book is crucial reading for academics and researchers in political science and international relations focusing on contemporary Chinese governance and the significance of sustainable development for the BRI. Its unique practical insights and policy recommendations will also benefit policy advisors and environmental organizations that are engaging with green governance issues.

Covering a wide range of current issues, this comprehensive Handbook explores the links between tourism as a dynamic tertiary industry and China as the world's most influential tourism market and destination. From China outbound tourism, Chinese outbound tourists and the growth of smart tourism to the development of sectors such as the hotel market, theme parks and cruise tourism, contributors provide the latest indigenous knowledge otherwise unavailable to the global tourism research community. This essential reference allows readers to develop a fine-grained understanding of the current state of the art of research on tourism and China, all the more crucial given the fast speed of China's development and transformation and innovative industry practices in tourism. Vital reading for academics and researchers in need of the latest knowledge on Chinese tourism, this distinctive Handbook also offers a wealth of insight for students studying Chinese tourism, business and hospitality management. Industry practitioners in business management and marketing will also benefit from its insights into a flourishing international market. Contributors include: J. Bao, M.J. Bauman, P. Benckendorff, G. Brown, S. Cai, G. Chen, M. Cheng, J. Fountain, H. Gao, H. Gu, Q. Gu, M. Huang, S. Huang, Y. Jiang, B. Li, M. Li, X. Li, Z. Liang, X. Luo, Z. Mai, Y. Qin, Y. Rao, B.W. Ritchie, M.M. Su, J. Sun, X. Sun, J. Wang, B. Weiler, J. Wen, H.A. Williams, Y. Yang, J. Yin, J. Yuan, B. Zhai, S. Zhao, D. Zheng, L. Zhong, Y. Zhu, Y. Zou, B. Zuo

The important yet contradictory role of innovation in society calls for a philosophy of innovation. Critically exploring innovation in relation to values, the economy and social change, Rafael Ziegler proposes a collaborative theory and practice of innovation that aims to liberate possibilities for our common futures. Following cues from the arts and drawing on the innovation literature across the social sciences, this book exposes pro-innovation bias and the gospel of disruptive change. Not only entrepreneurs but also civic networks and tinkerers are discussed as sources of innovation, and social change as a balancing act of innovation, exnovation and restoration. The discussion of capabilitarian, communitarian, liberal, republican and socialist ideas of justice and innovation leads Ziegler to a transformative proposal: 'enough innovation' based on enough for all and with respect for all. This is a thought-provoking read for scholars working on sustainability-transformation, democratic, responsible and social innovation, and philosophy of economics.

Relationship Between Microbes and Environment for Sustainable Ecosystem Services, Volume Two: Microbial Mitigation of Waste for Sustainable Ecosystem Services promotes advances in sustainable solutions, value-added products, and fundamental research in microbes and the environment. Topics include advanced and recent discoveries in the use of microbes for sustainable development. Volume Two describes the successful application of microbes and their derivatives for waste management of potentially toxic and relatively novel compounds. This proposed book will be helpful to environmental scientists, experts and policymakers working in the field of microbe- based mitigation of environmental wastes. The book provides reference information ranging from the description of various microbial applications for the sustainability in different aspects of food, energy, environment industry and social development.

Handbook of Mineral Spectroscopy, Volume Two: Infrared Spectra, a Four Volume Set presents a database of Infrared spectra, showing both full spectra and high-resolution spectral regions with band component analyses of rock-forming and major ore minerals. IR of minerals is a very powerful technique for analyzing the different vibrational modes of minerals (in particular functional groups) but also the local environment of atoms in a crystal structure. The book includes a section on silicates and one on non-silicates, subdivided according to the normal mineral classes. This book is a go-to guide for anyone working with minerals and can be used for research and writing or as a handbook in the laboratory while running analyses of minerals.

Sustainable Utilization of Carbon Dioxide in Waste Management addresses all aspects of sustainable use of carbon dioxide in waste management processes and provides best practices and process improvements for carbon sequestration in the management of a variety of waste types, including carbide lime waste, construction waste, and reject brine effluents, amongst others. The book also provides underlying research on the environmental impacts of these wastes and the need for carbon capture to emphasize the importance and need for improvements of these processes. Overall, this information will be key to determining lifecycle benefits of CO2 for each newly improved waste process. This is an important source of information for environmental and sustainability scientists and engineers, as well as academics and researchers in the field who should be trying to achieve increased carbon capture in any form of waste process to reduce environmental impact.

A political scientist and an urban architect explore China's odyssey to become an ecological civilization and transform its massive, unsustainable, urbanization process into one that creates hundreds of eco-cities. The resulting From Eco-Cities to Sustainable City-Regions is the first book-length study combining analysis of politics and power, urban design and planning issues derived from the co-authors' interdisciplinary research, and on-site fieldwork from their political science and architectural area specialties. Begun in 1986, little-known policy actions have taken shape in the building of 285 eco-cities--and growing. What are the driving forces of these innovative developments? How is China going about converting its teeming urban areas into replicable and showcase cities? Can these new policy initiatives overcome the damage done to its air, waterways, and land, while significantly reducing public health dangers to its inhabitants? In searching for means for the People s Republic of China to take the next step from eco-cities to sustainable city-regions, the co-authors assess the potential success of China's present course and offer key recommendations for Chinese political leaders, urban planners, and citizen stakeholders to make the transition to a sustainable future for its people and the rest of the world. The primary market for this book will be eco-researchers, Asian studies scholars and teachers, eco- and urban architects, environmental and urban policy professionals, and advanced undergraduates in environmental and sustainability studies or sciences programs. The interdisciplinary reach and critical framework of analysis will appeal to a wide variety of scholars interested in Chinese ecological strides and seeking a critical assessment of its potential.

Sustainable tourism should not be limited to environmental preservation; the sociocultural and economic sides should also be considered. There is a need for an integrated approach recognizing the resources, facilities, and infrastructures that are interrelated with the social, cultural, and natural environment. Community development becomes a reality only by merging the principles of sustainability with growth objectives. Even though investments in environmentally friendly infrastructure and related services are fundamental, there is a need to address gender inequalities, exploitation, and commercialization of culture. Further, there is a need to prioritize the link between tourism and poverty reduction. Inclusive Community Development Through Tourism and Hospitality Practices explores various viable strategies for the adoption of sustainable approaches that can eventually boost economic growth and poverty reduction all over the world. Covering topics such as international tourism, sustainable development, and tourism reinforcement, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for business leaders and managers, students and educators of higher education, community leaders, government officials, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Analysing the causes and effects of widespread gentrification, this Advanced Introduction provides an innovative insight into the global debate instigated by this process. Examining the impact of gentrification on lower income groups and other issues, Chris Hamnett discusses research into the socio-economic causes and effects of gentrification in a variety of cities worldwide. Key features include: A detailed examination of both contemporary and historical sources Exploration of the history, geography and development of gentrification and some of its more recent forms Chapters covering a selection of central topics including urban displacement and social class change. Composed of succinct but highly informative chapters, this engaging Advanced Introduction will prove to be an essential read for urban geography, urban studies and planning students as well as scholars with a particular interest in urban sociology and social policy.

This important Handbook is an essential guide to the state-of-the-art concepts, debates and innovative practices in the field of cumulative impact assessment. It helps to strengthen the foundations of this challenging field, identify key issues demanding solutions and summarize recent trends in forward progress, particularly through the use of illustrative case examples. Taking an international and transdisciplinary approach, this Handbook provides readers with frameworks and methodologies currently in use by leading academics, consultants and many others involved in cumulative impact assessment and management. This wide-ranging body of work demonstrates increased application of relevant, cross-disciplinary science to cumulative impact assessment problems, as well as a continued commitment to bridge the theory and practice gap for more effective and efficient assessments. Chapters also address contemporary and often controversial issues across a variety of sectors including agriculture, energy, watershed management, regional land use planning, and transport. This cutting-edge Handbook will be of great interest to academics and students who wish to further develop their understanding of key concepts within the field. It will also be beneficial to practitioners, industry, government officials and the many organizations involved in cumulative impact assessment processes.

Biodegradability of Conventional Plastics: Opportunities, Challenges, and Misconceptions brings together innovative research on the biodegradability of conventional plastics, providing an extensive overview of approaches and strategies that may be implemented, while also highlighting other methods for alleviating the eventual environmental impact of plastics. The book begins by providing a lifecycle assessment of plastics, the environmental impact of plastic waste, and the factors that affect the biodegradability of plastics. The different categories and terminologies surrounding bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics are then defined and explained in detail, as are the issues surrounding bioplastics. Other sections discuss biodegradability, approaches for enhanced biodegradability of various major types of plastics, including polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), automotive plastics and composites, and agricultural plastic waste. The final part of the book focuses on further techniques and emerging areas, including the utilization of chemical additives, nanomaterials, the role of microbes in terms of microbial degradation and microbial attaching, revalorization of plastic waste through industrial biotechnology, and future opportunities and challenges.