![]() |
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
|
Your cart is empty |
||
This book will explore our forests as the most readily available and renewable source of carbon as well as the building block of chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals as the next 100 years gradually push consumers toward alternate sources of chemicals. Meeting these needs from trees requires that new chemistry be developed so that plant materials is converted to commodity chemicals. This focused discussion on ongoing global efforts at creativity using forest and biomass based renewable materials will include six different mechanisms for bringing about change on this very innovative topic.
""Waves in Ocean Engineering"" covers the whole field of wave
studies of interest to applied oceanographers and ocean engineers.
It has considerable relevance to coastal engineering.
In the first decade of the 21st century, five rising powers (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) formed an exclusive and informal international club, the BRICS. Although neither revolutionaries nor extreme revisionists, the BRICS perceive an ongoing global power shift and contest the West's pretensions to permanent stewardship of the existing economic order. Together they have exercised collective financial statecraft, employing their expanding financial and monetary capabilities for the purpose of achieving larger foreign policy goals. This volume examines the forms and strategies of such collective financial statecraft, and the motivations of each individual government for collaborating through the BRICS club. Their cooperative financial statecraft takes various forms, ranging from pressure for "inside reforms" of either multilateral institutions or global markets, to "outside options" exercised through creating new multilateral institutions or jointly pushing for new realities in international financial markets. To the surprise of many observers, the joint actions of the BRICS are largely successful. Although each member has its unique rationale for collaboration, the largest member, China, controls resources that permit it the greatest influence in intra-club decision-making. The BRICS cooperate due to both common aversions (for example, resentment over being perennial junior partners in global economic and financial governance and resistance to infringements on their autonomy due to U.S. dollar dominance and financial power) and common interests (such as obtaining greater voice in international institutions, as the IMF). The group seeks reforms, influence, and enhanced leadership roles within the liberal capitalist global system. Where blocked, they experiment with parallel multilateral institutions in which they are the dominant rule-makers. The future of the BRICS depends not only on their bargaining power and adjustment to market players, but also on their ability to overcome domestic impediments to sustainable economic growth, the basis for their international influence.
This updated and revised edition of a widely acclaimed and
successful text for undergraduates examines topology of recent
compact surfaces through the development of simple ideas in plane
geometry. Containing over 171 diagrams, the approach allows for a
straightforward treatment of its subject area. It is particularly
attractive for its wealth of applications and variety of
interactions with branches of mathematics, linked with surface
topology, graph theory, group theory, vector field theory, and
plane Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry.
Retaining the introductory flavor of the now classic First Edition,
this revision includes all the latest techniques in the field. New
information on methods of radio tag harnessing, new sections on
satellite tracking techniques and new types of data analysis are
all included. Still the only comprehensive, up-to-date,
introduction to this fundamental technique for wildlife and
behavioral biologists.
Die grasfamilie, bekend as Poaceae, is waarskynlik die belangrikste plantfamilie op aarde. Grasse is die eerste voedselplante wat deur mense aangeplant is. Graangewasse, soos mielies, koring, rys en suikerriet (almal grasse), is steeds ons belangrikste bron van energie. Gras, in die vorm van voer, is ook die belangrikste bron van kos vir vee en die groot kuddes grasvreters in die natuur. Die akkurate identifikasie van grasse raak belangrik tydens veldbestuur aangesien grasse ten opsigte van hul weidingswaarde en ander ekologiese funksies verskil. Verder reageer verskillende onkruidgrasse anders op chemise onkruiddoders en moet daarom akkuraat geidentifiseer word. Hierdie boek, Gids tot Grasse van suider-Afrika, is die omvattendste volkleur identifikasiegids tot die algemene grasse in suider-Afrika en sluit onder meer die volgende kenmerke in: Beskrywings en illustrasies van die 320 belangrikste grasse in suider-Afrika; 'n Gebruikersvriendelike indentifikasiesleutel; Meer as 1 000 uitstekende kleurfoto's; Dertien kort en volledig geillustreerde inleidende hoofstukke oor grasse; Algemene grasname in verskeie inheemse tale; Simbole wat die leser in staat stel om inligting met 'n oogopslag te bekom.
Paleomagnetism is the study of the fossil magnetism in rocks. It
has been paramount in determining that the continents have drifted
over the surface of the Earth throughout geological time. The
fossil magnetism preserved in the ocean floor has demonstrated how
continental drift takes place through the process of sea-floor
spreading. The methods and techniques used in paleomagnetic studies
of continental rocks and of the ocean floor are described and then
applied to determining horizontal movements of the Earth's crust
over geological time. An up-to-date review of global paleomagnetic
data enables 1000 million
Appreciating that coastal areas are under threat from misuse and overuse worldwide, this book reviews the need for marine conservation, summarizes general measures for ocean and coastal conservation, and explains the rationale for establishing marine protected areas. The second half of the book is a guideline for designing and implementing protected areas in order to make them viable and long-lasting in their effectiveness.
 Watch a thousand years unfold in the life of one magnificent tree! A thousand years ago, a tiny acorn fell to the ground. As the years pass, it grows . . . and GROWS into an enormous oak tree! As the centuries sweep by, children play games around the tree. Families dance about it. A fleeing king even hides inside its hollow trunk! The tree gives food and shelter to a host of animals, from squirrels and badgers to birds and beetles. After a thousand years, the ancient tree finally falls in a storm - but a new acorn sprouts, and the cycle of life begins all over again. The tree's magical life story is brought to life in Julia Donaldson's rich, dramatic rhyme. Victoria Sandøy's gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations perfectly capture the changing seasons, and the people and wildlife that pass by Children will love spotting all the creatures in the pictures, and seeing the games children play around the tree This is a book that encourages us all to look more closely at nature, and to appreciate the wonder of our ancient trees. The final pages of the book contain extra fascinating facts about oak trees and the animals that depend on them. Praise for The Christmas Pine, also by Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy: "Magical . . . as well as paying tribute to tradition, the gentle rhythmic verse and stunning pictures illuminate the two other things close to Julia's heart: the power of children and song" Julia Donaldson is the author of many of the best-loved children's books ever written. She has been awarded a CBE for services to literature, and is the most celebrated children's writer in Britain today. Many of Julia Donaldson's beloved picture books have been made into award-winning animated films which are regularly shown on the BBC at Christmas.
'Seawater' has been substantially updated in this second edition to take account of recent developments in marine science. Sections dealing with difficult physical and chemical concepts have been developed on the basis of feedback from the first edition, making this an ideal learning tool for oceanography students. Chapter 1 summarizes the special properties of water and the
role of the oceans in the hydraulic cycle. The distribution of
temperature and salinity in the oceans and how they influence water
density and movements is then discussed. Light and sound in
seawater are considered next, along with some uses of acoustics.
These are followed by an examination of the composition and
behaviour of dissolved constituents, including such topics as
residence times, the control of pH, and redox relationships.
This book brings together current thought on several aspects of the use of pesticides in and around homes, schools and workplaces. The book addresses several parts of the process, from the discovery and development of new active ingredients, their formulation, use, longevity, environmental fate and human exposure.
From the icy oceans of our poles to remote coral islands, David Attenborough has filmed in every ocean habitat on planet earth. Now, with long-term collaborator Colin Butfield, he shares the story of our last great, critical wilderness, and the one which shapes the land we live on, regulates our climate and creates the air we breathe. Through one hundred years, eight unique ocean habitats, countless intriguing species - and through personal stories, history and cutting-edge science - Ocean uncovers the mystery, the wonder and the frailty of the most unexplored habitat on our planet. And it shows its remarkable resilience: it is the part of our world that can, and in some cases has, recovered the fastest, and in our lifetimes we could see a fully restored marine world, even richer and more spectacular than we could possibly hope, if we act now. It is a book almost a century in the making, but one that has never been more urgently needed.
In Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean, writer, sailor, and surfer Jonathan White takes readers across the globe to discover the science and spirit of ocean tides. In the Arctic, White shimmies under the ice with an Inuit elder to hunt for mussels in the dark cavities left behind at low tide; in China, he races the Silver Dragon, a twenty-five-foot tidal bore that crashes eighty miles up the Qiantang River; in France, he interviews the monks that live in the tide-wrapped monastery of Mont Saint-Michel; in Chile and Scotland, he investigates the growth of tidal power generation; and in Panama and Venice, he delves into how the threat of sea level rise is changing human culture the very old and very new. Tides combines lyrical prose, colorful adventure travel, and provocative scientific inquiry into the elemental, mysterious paradox that keeps our planet's waters in constant motion. Photographs, scientific figures, line drawings, and sixteen color photos dramatically illustrate this engaging, expert tour of the tides.
Difficult questions concerning the internal and external frontiers of the EU have emerged since the changes in the European political landscape after 1989. Dismantling controls at the frontiers between member states envisaged by the Single European Act and 'Europe 1992' has encountered difficulties and complications. An increase in the geographical extent of the Union, with the inclusion of Austria, Finland and Sweden, and the possible location of the external frontier further to the East have added to uncertainties about the future direction of the EU. Managing the external frontier has become increasingly complex. This volume analyses the cultural, political and legal consequences of dismantling controls at the internal frontiers and of measures to harden the external frontier. Among the central issues considered are the progress towards a European identity and changes in political identities within the EU, the extent to which the internal frontiers have become different in kind from the external frontiers, and the varying ways in which frontier issues are posed in different parts of the Union. These issues will profoundly influence the development of the European polity.
Could low-level exposure to polluting chemicals be analogous to exercise-a beneficial source of stress that strengthens the body? Some scientists studying the phenomenon of hormesis (beneficial or stimulatory effects caused by low-dose exposure to toxic substances) claim that that this may be the case. Is A Little Pollution Good For You? critically examines the current evidence for hormesis. In the process, it highlights the range of methodological and interpretive judgments involved in environmental research: choices about what questions to ask and how to study them, decisions about how to categorize and describe new information, judgments about how to interpret and evaluate ambiguous evidence, and questions about how to formulate public policy in response to debated scientific findings. The book also uncovers the ways that interest groups with deep pockets attempt to influence these scientific judgments for their benefit. Several chapters suggest ways to counter these influences and incorporate a broader array of societal values in environmental research: (1) moving beyond conflict-of-interest policies to develop new ways of safeguarding academic research from potential biases; (2) creating deliberative forums in which multiple stakeholders can discuss the judgments involved in policy-relevant research; and (3) developing ethical guidelines that can assist scientific experts in disseminating debated and controversial phenomena to the public. Kevin C. Elliott illustrates these strategies in the hormesis case, as well as in two additional case studies involving contemporary environmental research: endocrine disruption and multiple chemical sensitivity. This book should be of interest to a wide variety of readers, including scientists, philosophers, policy makers, environmental ethicists and activists, research ethicists, industry leaders, and concerned citizens. "This is a timely, well-researched and compelling book .Elliott admirably combines insights and strategies from philosophy of science with those of applied ethics to carefully analyze contemporary science and science policy around pollutants and human health. There is a growing interest in the philosophy of science community in bringing the work of philosophers to bear on contemporary social issues. This book stands out as a model for how to do just that." - Sandra D. Mitchell, Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh Is A Little Pollution Good For You? is a wonderfully clear and insightful book dealing with the interplay between social values and economic and political interests in scientific research. He articulates an account of how societal values should and should not enter into science and illustrates his views with an extended discussion of research on hormesis-the hypothesis that chemicals that are toxic at high doses may be benign or even beneficial at low doses. The chemical industry has a strong financial interest in promoting scientific acceptance of hormesis, as this could convince regulatory agencies to loosen up restrictions on allowable exposures to pesticides and other chemicals. Elliott argues that because scientists have an obligation to minimize the harmful effects of their research, they must be mindful of the social context of their work and how it may be interpreted and applied by private companies or interest groups, to the potential detriment of public and environmental health. Elliott's book is a must read for researchers, scholars, and students who are interested in the relationship between science, industry, and society." - David B. Resnik, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, author of Playing Politics With Science: Balancing Scientific Independence And Government
The study and application of spatial information systems have been
developed primarily from the use of computers in the geosciences.
These systems have the principle functions of capturing, storing,
representing, manipulating, and displaying data in 2-D and 3-D
worlds. This book approaches its subject from the perspectives of
informatics and geography, presenting methods of conceptual
modeling developed in computer science that provide valuable aids
for resolving spatial problems. This book is an essential textbook
for both students and practitioners. It is indispensable for
academic geographers, computer scientists, and the GIS
professional.
In this volume, Stephen M. Gardiner and David A. Weisbach present arguments for and against the relevance of ethics to global climate policy. Gardiner argues that climate change is fundamentally an ethical issue, since it is an early instance of a distinctive challenge to ethical action (the perfect moral storm), and ethical concerns (such as with justice, rights, political legitimacy, community and humanity's relationship to nature) are at the heart of many of the decisions that need to be made. Consequently, climate policy that ignores ethics is at risk of "solving " the wrong problem, perhaps even to the extreme of endorsing forms of climate extortion. This is especially true of policy based on narrow forms of economic self-interest. By contrast, Weisbach argues that existing ethical theories are not well suited to addressing climate change. As applied to climate change, existing ethical theories suffer from internal logical problems and suggest infeasible strategies. Rather than following failed theories or waiting indefinitely for new and better ones, Weisbach argues that central motivation for climate policy is straightforward: it is in their common interest for people and nations to agree to policies that dramatically reduce emissions to prevent terrible harms.
This book addresses one of the most challenging problems that plagues the environmental field today-subsurface contamination. The past three decades have ushered in various methods for removal of organic and inorganic contaminants from the subsurface to varying degrees of effectiveness. Because of the site-to-site variability in the nature of contamination characteristics, the pattern of waste disposal and accidental releases, the site characteristics and thus contaminant behavior, and hydrologic conditions, predicting the effectiveness of one treatment method over another is a daunting task. Field demonstration of innovative technologies is a key step in their development, however, only after successful scale-up from laboratory testing. This book features chapters written by researchers who have linked laboratory- and field-scales in efforts to find creative, cost-effective methods for prediction of successful remediation of contaminated soil and ground water. State-of-the-art technologies using physicochemical removal methods and biological methods are discussed in the context of not only their effectiveness in remediating organic and inorganic wastes from various subsurface environments but also in terms of useful flask-scale methods for measuring and predicting their field-scale effectiveness. Chapters address sorption and hydrolysis of pesticides by organoclays, use of Fentons agents to destroy chlorinated solvents removed from the subsurface by granulated activated carbon, methanol flushing as a means of removing toxaphene from soils, natural attenuation as a method for effectiveness of remediation metals and biodegrading acid-mine drainage constituents, and biodegradation ofradiologically contaminated soils. Also addressed in this book are current and future methods of assessing microbiological activity potential and diversity and of modeling biodegradation, contaminant flux, and gaseous transport in the subsurface.
This is a part of a collection, published annually, of studies on individuals who have made major contributions to the development of geography and geographic thought. The 17th volume in the series, this study describes the geographers' education, life and work, and discusses their influence and spread of academic ideas.;The scope of the book is international, both in terms of personalities and contributors, and focuses on both famous and lesser-known geographers.
We are becoming increasingly aware of the overwhelming pollution of our limited water resources on this planet. And while many contaminants originate from Mother Earth, most water pollution comes as a direct result of anthropogenic activities. This problem has become so immense that it threatens the future of all humanity. If effective measures to reduce and/or remediate water pollution and its sources are not found, it is estimated by UN that 2.7 billion people will face water shortage by 2025 as opposed to 1.2 billion people who do not have access to clean drinking water now. Therefore, development of novel green technologies to address this major problem represents a priority of the highest importance. This book discusses green chemistry and other novel solutions to the water pollution problems which includes some interesting applications of nanoparticles. Novel Solutions to Water Pollution is a useful and informative text for those engaged in issues of water quality and water pollution remediation at operational, administrative, academic, or regulatory levels.
The subject of geomathematics focuses on the interpretation and classification of data from geoscientific and satellite sources, reducing information to a comprehensible form and allowing the testing of concepts. Sphere oriented mathematics plays an important part in this study and this book provides the necessary foundation for graduate students and researchers interested in any of the diverse topics of constructive approximation in this area. This book bridges the existing gap between monographs on special functions of mathematical physics and constructive approximation in Euclidean spaces. The primary objective is to provide readers with an understanding of aspects of approximation by spherical harmonics, such as spherical splines and wavelets, as well as indicating future directions of research. Scalar, vectorial, and tensorial methods are each considered in turn. The concentration on spherical splines and wavelets allows a double simplification; not only is the number of independent variables reduced resulting in a lower dimensional problem, but also radial basis function techniques become applicable. When applied to geomathematics this leads to new structures and methods by which sophisticated measurements and observations can be handled more efficiently, thus reducing time and costs.
Responsible Tourism: Using tourism for sustainable development 2nd edition is about the globally vital necessity of realising sustainable tourism. It is a hugely important challenge to those who organise and sell travel and tourism, and those who consume it.
In the popular imagination, the Caribbean islands represent tropical paradise. This image, which draws millions of tourists to the region annually, underlies the efforts of many environmentalists to protect Caribbean coral reefs, mangroves, and rainforests. However, a dark side to Caribbean environmentalism lies beyond the tourist's view in urban areas where the islands' poorer citizens suffer from exposure to garbage, untreated sewage, and air pollution. Concrete Jungles explores the reasons why these issues tend to be ignored, demonstrating how mainstream environmentalism reflects and reproduces class and race inequalities. Based on over a decade of research in Kingston, Jamaica and Willemstad, Curacao, Rivke Jaffe contrasts the environmentalism of largely middle-class professionals with the environmentalism of inner-city residents. The book combines a sophisticated discussion of the politics of difference with rich ethnographic detail, including vivid depictions of Caribbean ghettos and elite enclaves. Jaffe also extends her analysis beyond ethnographic research, seeking to understand the role of colonial history in shaping the current trends in pollution and urban space. A thorough analysis of the hidden inequalities of mainstream environmentalism, Concrete Jungles provides a political ecology of urban pollution with significant implications for the future of environmentalism. |
You may like...
Immunotherapy of Cancer, Volume 128
Xiang-Yang Wang, Paul B. Fisher
Hardcover
R3,705
Discovery Miles 37 050
|