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Books > Earth & environment > The environment > General
Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2014 While few detailed surveys
of fauna or flora exist in England from the period before the
nineteenth century, it is possible to combine the evidence of
historical sources (ranging from game books, diaries,
churchwardens' accounts and even folk songs) and our wider
knowledge of past land use and landscape, with contemporary
analyses made by modern natural scientists, in order to model the
situation at various times and places in the more remote past. This
timely volume encompasses both rural and urban environments from
1650 to the mid-twentieth century, drawing on a wide variety of
social, historical and ecological sources. It examines the impact
of social and economic organisation on the English landscape,
biodiversity, the agricultural revolution, landed estates, the
coming of large-scale industry and the growth of towns and suburbs.
It also develops an original perspective on the complexity and
ambiguity of man/animal relationships in this post-medieval period.
This book explores in detail the issues of ecological civilization
development, ecological philosophy, ecological criticism,
environmental aesthetics, and the ecological wisdom of traditional
Chinese culture related to ecological aesthetics. Drawing on
Western philosophy and aesthetics, it proposes and demonstrates a
unique aesthetic view of ecological ontology in the field of
aesthetics under the direct influence of Marxism, which is based on
the modern economic, social cultural development and the modern
values of traditional Chinese culture.This book embodies the
innovative interpretation of Chinese traditional culture in the
Chinese academic community. The author discusses the philosophical
and cultural resources that can be used for reference in Chinese
and Western cultural tradition, focusing on traditional Chinese
Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and painting art, Western modern
ecological philosophy, Heidegger's ontology ecological aesthetics,
and British and American environmental aesthetics.In short, the
book comprehensively discusses the author's concept of ecological
ontology aesthetics as an integration and unification of ontology
aesthetics and ecological aesthetics. This generalized ecological
aesthetics explores the relationship between humans and nature,
society and itself, guided by the brand-new ecological worldview in
the post-modern context. It also changes the non-beauty state of
human existence and establishes an aesthetic existence state that
conforms to ecological laws.
This book reviews the theory and applications of the normal-mode
functions in numerical weather prediction and weather and climate
dynamics. The normal-mode functions, the eigensolutions of the
linearized primitive equations describing the evolution of
atmospheric winds and mass variables, have been used for a long
time. They have played an important role in the development of data
assimilation schemes and the initialization of numerical weather
prediction models. Chapters also present how the normal modes can
be applied to many theoretical and numerical problems in the
atmospheric sciences, such as equatorial wave dynamics, baroclinic
instability, energy transfers, and predictability across scales.
W.G. Hoskins was one of the most original and influential British
historians of the twentieth century. He realised that landscapes
are the richest record we have of the past, and with his
masterpiece, The Making of the English Landscape, he changed
forever how we experience the places we live and work in.Where we
see a picturesque scene of rolling hills, distant spires and wooded
valleys, Hoskins shows us the line of a Bronze Age trackway, the
ghostly impression of an open-field system, the gridiron pattern of
an industrial town, or the footprint of a Roman villa. By revealing
these traces of the past, Hoskins enables us to appreciate
different landscapes as if they were pieces of music, a series of
compositions which enrich our understanding of the symphonic
whole.While planning and building our future villages and towns, in
both green and urban places, this pioneering account reminds us why
we must be sensitive to the land and its past as we leave our own
marks in England's historical landscape.
This book is a practical guide to the uncertainty analysis of
computer model applications. Used in many areas, such as
engineering, ecology and economics, computer models are subject to
various uncertainties at the level of model formulations, parameter
values and input data. Naturally, it would be advantageous to know
the combined effect of these uncertainties on the model results as
well as whether the state of knowledge should be improved in order
to reduce the uncertainty of the results most effectively. The book
supports decision-makers, model developers and users in their
argumentation for an uncertainty analysis and assists them in the
interpretation of the analysis results.
Margaret Atwood is arguably the most renowned and internationally
acclaimed Canadian writer, poet, novelist, short story writer,
literary critic, and environmental activist. In this incisive
interpretation of Atwood's prose, Candy D'Cunha argues that the
novelist's ecosophical vision provides valuable lessons that could
help in creating a greater and more responsible awareness in the
modern psyche about the environment. By exploring the works of
Atwood, one can understand the need for a deeper rethinking and a
clearer re-orientation in this area. Select novels, namely
Surfacing (1972), The Handmaid's Tale (1985), Oryx and Crake
(2003), The Year of the Flood (2009), and MaddAddam (2013), bring
out the principles of ecological philosophy by describing various
aspects of the current ecological crisis. Duplicity in the norms
and recognition, the degradation of the environment, consequent
tragic dilemmas, and the general ghastliness of life are all found
in Atwood's oeuvre. A number of studies have been made on the
thematic works of Atwood, such as feminism, quest for identity,
power and politics, dystopian and utopian elements, but this book
is the first ecosophical exploration of Atwood's themes and
concerns. This volume enables readers to propagate the requisite
ecological wisdom for self-realization for the harmonious and just
development of society. Interpreting Atwood's works from an Indian
perspective also helps to promote Indian ecological justice.
Recent decades have witnessed a surge of literature and activism
from religious leaders and thinkers on the natural environment.
Religions and Environments: A Reader in Religion, Nature and
Ecology brings together some of the most thought-provoking examples
of such writings from the nineteenth century up to today, spanning
a variety of methodological approaches and religious traditions,
viewpoints and locations. Religions and Environments: A Reader in
Religion, Nature and Ecology depicts some of the diverse ways that
religious narratives and practices have helped people connect to
the physical world around them. To do so, it is divided into three
parts: the wilderness, the garden, and the city. Traditions
represented include nature spiritualities, Asian traditions,
Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and indigenous traditions.Reflecting
the most current scholarship in the study of religion and nature,
as well as providing important historical essays, it draws on a
range of perspectives and methodologies, including historical,
theological, philosophical and literary methods. Each part contains
a critical introduction by the editor which provides an overview of
issues and guides students to key ideas. Section introductions also
provide an overview of the specific issues which arise in the
readings in each section. Each part also includes suggestions for
further reading and resources on the topics, making this the ideal
resource for courses on religion and the environment, religion and
ecology, and religion and nature.
The main aim of this book is to collect a series of research
articles and reviews from a diverse group of scientists to share
their research work on the role of free radical research and
environmental toxicity. This book presents various state-of-the-art
chapters of recent progress in the field of cellular toxicology and
clinical manifestations of various disorders. Topics include cell
signaling, various risk factors, the pathophysiology of disease
instigation and distribution, mechanistic insights into metal and
nanoparticle toxicity, neural toxicity, nongenotoxic
carcinogenicity, immune and idiosyncratic toxicity, prevention,
biomarkers related to disease progression and therapeutic
strategies. In particular, this book provides valuable insight for
researchers, pathologists, and clinicians with an interest in
toxicological research and cellular impairments with special
emphasis on therapeutic advancement.
This book explores key theoretical and empirical issues related to
the development and implementation of planning strategies that can
provide guidance on the transition to climate-compatible and
low-carbon urban development. It especially focuses on integrating
resilience thinking into the urban planning process, and explains
how such an integration can contribute to reflecting the dynamic
properties of cities and coping with the uncertainties inherent in
future climate change projections. Some of the main questions
addressed are: What are the innovative methods and processes needed
to incorporate resilience thinking into urban planning? What are
the characteristics of a resilient urban form and what are the
challenges associated with integrating them into urban development?
Also, how can the resilience of cities be measured and what are the
main constituents of an urban resilience assessment framework? In
addition to addressing these crucial questions, the book features
several case studies from around the world, investigating
methodologies, challenges, and opportunities for mainstreaming
climate resilience in the theory and practice of urban planning.
Featuring contributions by prominent researchers from around the
world, the book offers a valuable resource for students, academics
and practitioners alike.
Earthwise is full of practical ideas for nature crafts and seasonal
activities to encourage young children to be aware of their
environment. The activities are carefully written and beautifully
illustrated, and will encourage children to develop a respect for
nature, the earth and all living creatures. Children will learn
about their dependence on the earth's produce (by taking stalks of
wheat and turning them into bread-flour); how to create and not
just consume (by making their own gifts); how to make butter and
grow food (even in the city); and how to make outdoor playhouses
from natural materials. The book also contains seasonal suggestions
for making a more Earth-friendly home and classroom, and a
comprehensive list of resources and suppliers.
With the release of the new NEC (formerly the New Engineering
Contract), the use of the family of contracts continues to grow
worldwide, as does the importance of understanding its clauses and
nuances to everyone working in the built environment. Now in its
fourth edition, this set of contracts is different to others in
concept as well as format, so users may well find themselves
needing a helping hand along the way. Written in plain English,
Understanding NEC4: Term Service Contract offers a practical guide
to the use and management of the NEC4 Term Service Contract (TSC).
The authors describe the full life of a contract, from the initial
selection of options and contract formation through to the
operations period and ultimately termination and dispute
resolution. Although born of the same stable as the NEC4
construction contracts, the TSC is aimed at maintaining
infrastructure and differs significantly from its siblings. This is
the first book to be written on the new contract and takes the
reader through the important provisions including communications,
planning, early warnings, compensation events and payments. It is
ideal for clients, contractors and their advisors describing how to
deploy the contract successfully.
This book examines "New Localism' - exploring how communities have
turned towards more local concerns: my street, my town, my state,
as an expression of dissatisfaction with globalization. It details
the ideas that have created a political force that academics have
often misunderstood and provides a template for further
investigation with a strong focus on how to harness the motivations
behind such changes for the benefit of individuals, communities and
the more-than-human environment. The book discusses human progress,
both individual and collective, in terms of the interactions of the
local and the global, the specific and the universal, and the
concrete and the abstract. It also considers how forms of social
progress can be understood and reconfigured in the context of the
rejection of certain aspects of liberal intelligentsia orthodoxy
over recent years. Developing his arguments with specific reference
to the evolving, political landscape, the author helps readers to
understand major events such as the Trump presidency and the
British vote to leave the EU from a fully semiotic perspective. He
also explains how educational processes can use and respond to such
events in ways that are locally grounded but nevertheless not at
odds with more abstract formulations of progress such as
sustainability and social justice.
Meat consumption impacts all aspects of human life and humanity's
long-term survival prospects. Despite this knowledge, society
continues to ignore the negative impact of consuming meat, which
include excessively high contributions to global greenhouse gas
emissions, land and water pollution and depletion, antimicrobial
resistance, and negative impacts on human health. Impact of Meat
Consumption on Health and Environmental Sustainability addresses
the difficulties, challenges, and opportunities in reducing
excessive meat consumption in order to mitigate human and
environmental damage. Policymakers, academicians, researchers,
advanced-level students, technology developers, and government
officials will find this text useful in furthering their research
exposure to pertinent topics such as dietary recommendations for
limiting meat consumption, trade and the meat industry, ethics of
meat production and consumption, and the environmental impacts of
meat consumption.
This unique survey of the environmental history of the southern
United States explores the ecological, social, and economic
interaction between humans and the environment in the South over
the last 20,000 years. The melting of the Ice Age glaciers heralded
the arrival of the Archaic peoples in the South and the lives of
the South's peoples have long been shaped and challenged by the
environment. Conversely, the human impact on the South's landscape
has been dramatic, from the mound building of Native Americans to
the construction of cities and the birth of modern industry. Part
of ABC-CLIO's Nature and Human Societies series, Southern United
States: An Environmental History explores the historical and
ecological dimensions of human interaction with the environment
throughout Southern history. Examining diverse issues from the
impact of the end of the Ice Age to the consequences of the U.S.
space program for Florida's environment, this invaluable guide
synthesizes literature from a wide range of authoritative sources
to provide a fascinating guide to the South's environment.
Illustrations, including maps, and first-hand accounts of the
southern landscape from early travel writers A chronology listing
key individuals, events, and movements in the environmental history
of the South
Indoor Pollution educates concerned readers about the sources of
indoor pollutants, the illnesses associated with them, and the
measures used to control them. Readers will also find a
comprehensive listing of relevant laws and regulations, a directory
of organizations, a complete bibliography, and a listing of
audio/visual aids. Appendixes listing organizations, chemical
compounds, measurements, and testing information complete the
volume. Includes a comprehensive listing of relevant laws and
regulations Provides an extensive appendix which lists
organizations, chemical compounds, measurements, and testing
information
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