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Books > Earth & environment > The environment > Pollution & threats to the environment > General
This unique volume brings together key writings from experts drawn from the first ten years of the Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), launched in 1999 as a forum for encouraging better linkages between environmental assessment and management tools. The book is structured around four themes that focus on the characteristics of tools that influence their ability to link together effectively: The Nature of Tools; The Nature of Decision-Making and Institutional Context; The Nature of Engagement and The Nature of Sustainability.Edited and introduced by William Sheate, founding and present editor of JEAPM, the book provides an analysis of what makes for successful linking of assessment and management tools, supported by theoretical and practical examples. Key authors include Roland Clift, David Gadenne, Robert Gibson, Neils Faber, Thomas Fischer, David Lawrence, Mans Nilsson, Bronwyn Ridgway, and Frank Vanclay.
Atmospheric pollution has many different detrimental impacts on air quality at urban, regional and global scales. Large volume photoreactors (often referred to as smog or simulation chambers) have been used very effectively to investigate and understand many varied aspects of atmospheric chemistry related to air pollution problems. Photochemical smog formation, which was first observed around 1945 in Los Angeles, is now a major environmental problem for all industrialised and densely populated regions of the world. Over the years many different modelling and experimental tools have been developed to analyse and simulate the complex chemical processes associated with tropspheric photooxidant formation. Work in environmental chambers has played a key role in the development of our understanding of the atmospheric chemistry associated with pollution problems on local, regional and global scales. Chamber observations have also been used in connection with environmental policy issues. In general they are used for validation of atmospheric chemical models, studies of chemical reaction mechanisms and as a direct means to test the possible impact of specific chemical compounds on air quality under simulated ambient conditions New large smog chamber installations have been recently developed in the US (Riverside, California), Europe (Julich, Germany) and Japan, and a large number of smaller scale laboratory chambers are in operation around the world. Over the years there have been numerous new technical developments related to environmental chamber facilities such as the design of the chambers (e. g."
This unique volume brings together key writings from experts drawn from the first ten years of the Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), launched in 1999 as a forum for encouraging better linkages between environmental assessment and management tools. The book is structured around four themes that focus on the characteristics of tools that influence their ability to link together effectively: The Nature of Tools; The Nature of Decision-Making and Institutional Context; The Nature of Engagement and The Nature of Sustainability. Edited and introduced by William Sheate, founding and present editor of JEAPM, the book provides an analysis of what makes for successful linking of assessment and management tools, supported by theoretical and practical examples. Key authors include Roland Clift, David Gadenne, Robert Gibson, Neils Faber, Thomas Fischer, David Lawrence, Mns Nilsson, Bronwyn Ridgway, and Frank Vanclay.
As the dazzling economic and social changes in China have imposed substantial impact upon the quality of environmental governance, it is time to review the problems and progress in the politics of China's environmental protection. This book analyzes the factors in China's governance and political process that affect and restrain its capacity to handle the mounting environmental problems. It argues that solutions to China's ecological woes to a larger extent lie in the political and institutional changes rather than in engineering, technological and investment input. The book talks about new policies and reform measures in the green area taken by the government since 2007, arguing that some of them may be quite effective in the long run, as long as they alter institutional factors and the "growth-first" mindset that obstruct the green effort. The book also includes discussion of China's climate change policy not only because global warming has come under the limelight of the international community in recent years, but also because it offers a unique dimension to analyze the country's environmental diplomacy and domestic bureaucratic structure on emissions cutting and related energy issues. China is currently at the crossroads of further political and economic reform, and the intensified public attention to environmental pollution may help the Chinese Communist Party to decisively push forward the long-sluggish political reforms.
Should there be firmer restrictions on trade, with more policies aimed at protecting its environmental impacts, or would the environment benefit most from unrestricted free trade? Do importing countries have a responsibility only to their local ecosystems, or are they also responsible for environmental degradation caused by the production of traded goods in exporting countries? Trading the Environment examines both the dependence and the effects of international trade on the earth's life support systems and looks at ways in which trading regulations could be adapted to promote ecologically sustainable economic development. It addresses the issues from a fully integrated approach, focusing on the interrelations between ecosystems, economic development and trade. The authors provide a carefully constructed ecological and economic analysis of trade and the environment, examine the existing legal and institutional frameworks and set out 16 recommendations to achieve environment beneficial trade at both national and international levels. Trading with the environment was originally commissioned by the Swedish government and is already regarded thereon essential reference. It makes an excellent introduction as well as constructive analysis, both for students and for policy-makers and professional economics and other scientists working on the issues. Published in 1995
The world is shrinking faster than ever. Goods, money, microbes, pollution, people and ideas are crossing boundaries ever more frequently. The implications for our future and for the health of the planet are profound. Vanishing Borders outlines the ecological challenges posed and then goes on to define the necessary strategies for tackling them. Presently, national governments are singularly ill-equipped for tackling transitional environmental problems-from ozone depletion to soaring trade in commodities such as timbre- problems which are climbing ever higher on the international political agenda. Industrial and developing countries are on a collision course over climate change, and water shortages are creating tensions in several parts of the world. The author argues that only a worldwide commitment to strengthening treaties and institutions needed to integrate ecological considerations into the rules of global commerce holds out hope. Over 200 international environmental treaties exist but most need more stringent conditions and enforcement, and continuing support from NGO and business communities. Significantly, the digital revolution, integral in itself to processes to globalization, offers channels through which powerful coalitions can effect change. The book provides a compelling and accessible analysis and a clear plan of action in pursuit of environmental stability. Originally published in 2000
The Global Politics of Pesticides explores the varied, and often conflicting, interests involved in the formulation of international policies on chemical pesticide manufacture and use in each of the main areas of environmental pollution, trade, development, public health, food security, biotechnology and industrial safety and explains why some aspects of pesticide use are subject to strict international guidelines whilst others are not. The book breaks new ground in objectively examining the competing viewpoints of food producers and other pesticide users, the chemical industry, health officials, traders, environmental/consumer pressure groups and the public. It also considers how international regulation can occur in spite of the fundamental differences of opinion and seemingly opposing interests held by the key actors.
Sustainable development cannot be achieved solely at the international level. Without the creation of more sustainable livelihoods, it will remain a utopian and elusive goal. Yet given the huge differences in economic development and levels of consumption between North and South, how might this be brought about? Taking the 1992 Rio Summit as its point of departure, Wasted examines what we now need to know, and what we need to do, to live within sustainable limits. One of the key issues is how we use the environment: converting natural resources into human artifices, commodities and services. In the process of consuming, we also create sinks. Today, these sinks - the empty back pocket in the global biogeographical system - are no longer empty. The fate of the global environment is indissolubly linked to our consumption: particularly in the energy-profligate North. To understand and overcome environmental challenges, we need to build the outcomes of our present consumption rates into our future behaviour: to accept sustainable development as a normative goal for societies; one that is bound up with our everyday social practices and actions. In this absorbing book, Michael Redclift argues that the way we understand and think about the environn1ent conditions our responses, and our ability to meet the challenge, and discusses tangible policies for increased sustainability that are grounded in recent research and practice. MICHAEL Redclift Is Professor of International Environmental Policy at the Department of Geography, King's College London. He was previously Professor of International Environmental Policy at the University of Keele and before that Professor of Environmental Sociology at Wye College, University of London, and Director of the ESRC Global Environmental Change Programme. He is author and editor of numerous books, including Sustainable Development: Exploring the Contradictions (1987), Social Theory and the Global Environment (1994) and Sustainability: Life Chances and Lifestyles (1999). Originally published in 1996
The environmental impacts of acid rain: on human health, on buildings and materials, on forests, freshwaters, crops and biodiversity and on global warming have been well-documented. Less is known about the extent and economic costs of these impacts. This book describes the first major implementation of an integrated scientific and economic assessment of the consequences of acid rain. It provides an extensive data review and examines how this unique approach to assessment modelling can be can be used to calculate an acidification cost per unit of pollutant in monetary terms. Part One focuses on the methodological issues of scientific measurement of acidification, dose-response relationships and economic approaches to acidification control. Part Two looks at the environmental impacts and economic consequences of acidification. Affected environmental media and human health are investigated in separate chapters, each including both scientific and economic analyses. Part Three provides a summary of the findings and makes recommendations for further application of these types of results to policy actions.
As the use of beryllium grows worldwide, the need for a single source of information on this important but toxic element is of increasing importance. This comprehensive book describes all aspects of the current sampling and analysis techniques for trace-level beryllium in the workplace. It offers both a historical perspective and a description of the state-of-the-art in a single place. It covers the challenges inherent in sampling procedures such as reproducibility, limited sample volume, surface sampling materials and collection efficiency. It also deals with the problems involved in analytical techniques including lower detection limits, identification and compensation for matrix interferences, greater sensitivity requirements and the need for more robust preparation techniques. Future trends, including development of real-time beryllium sampling and analysis equipment, are also explored. Readers will gain an understanding of sampling and analytical techniques best suited for sensitive and accurate analysis of beryllium at ultra-trace levels in environmental and workplace samples. Many ""standard"" sampling and analysis techniques have weaknesses that this book will help users avoid. Written by recognized experts in the field, the book provides a single point of reference for professionals in analytical chemistry, industrial hygiene, and environmental science.
In the current international situation, the ability to deal effectively with water contamination emergencies is of rapidly increasing importance. The third in a series of conference proceedings, this book brings together contributions from leading scientists and experts in industry and academia. It offers an international perspective and develops the themes of the previous volumes entitled Water Contamination Emergencies: Can we cope? and Water Contamination Emergencies: Enhancing our response. The full range of potential chemical, microbiological and radiological contamination scenarios are addressed from the perspective of medical and health professionals, water companies and regulators, environmental protection professionals, risk and business continuity managers, emergency planners, local authorities, service and support providers, detection and equipment suppliers, disaster recovery specialists, water security experts, water distribution modellers and laboratories involved in round the clock emergency response. Emphasis is placed on the considerable effort required to prepare for and respond to an emergency. It is not sufficient for Individuals to simply identify their own responsibilities, they must also take action to establish effective and efficient working relationships with the other parties involved. In other words, they must take "Collective Responsibility". In summary, this book will provide readers with an up-to-date view of current strategies and the collaboration essential for an appropriate and timely response to water contamination emergencies.
This text is a comprehensive, in-depth review and summary of the UN FCCC AIJ pilot. Over 30 prominent players in the UN FCCC AIJ pilot, drawn from 12 countries, prepared the 16 peer-reviewed chapters in this book. Most chapters are extensively illustrated and the book contains a glossary of acronyms and a list of points of contact in the UN FCCC AIJ pilot. To help meet the technical and policy needs associated with the UN FCCC and complementary treaty negotiations, this book has three broad objectives: review, interpret and compile experiences of AIJ pilot participants and observers; based on empirical data and skilled observations, identify and document lessons learned from the AIJ pilot; and interpret, summarize and translate lessons learned for future consideration by FCCC parties. Specific topics covered include: an introduction to the AIJ pilot and the FCCC guidelines/criteria; AIJ project development and finance; the project development community; an overview of energy and land-use and forestry sector projects; sustainable development technology transfer; human and institutional capacity building; legal issues; and project monitoring, verification and reporting.
This work reviews the characterization of air quality as it
pertains to specific emission sources and their environmental
effect. Since emissions from multiple sources impact the same
location, a multidisciplinary approach is needed to relate
atmospheric processes to terrestrial vegetation. As global
industrial expansions continue, air quality is no longer governed
by isolated point sources (e.g., a single coal-fired power plant),
but by source clusters or complexes. To address these issues,
atmospheric receptor models have been developed and are continually
being improved. The benefits of any air quality control measures
based on receptor modeling must be verified by assessing changes or
bettering in environmental impacts. Until now, such an approach has
not been well integrated and practiced. This book provides the
needed concepts and methods in conducting the studies to establish
cause-and-effect relationships under ambient conditions, which is
valuable to policy makers both in industrialized and developing
nations.
Like all limited and vulnerable resources, water has become one of the potential targets of terrorists. Coastal lagoons are especially vulnerable as they are densely populated centers of commerce and/or tourism. This volume addresses the basic scientific concepts that must be integrated to minimize damages and optimize recovery operations in the aftermath of such an attack. Scientists from many disciplines including water resource management, hydrodynamics, aquatic ecology and social science combine their expertise in an effort to assess and model emergency scenarios for coastal lagoon systems. Existing numerical models such as EFCD, WASP and AQUATOX are used to demonstrate how to optimize rapid response and decision-making for a particular lagoon case study.
Hailed on first publication as a masterful review of the topic, The Science of Air: Concepts and Applications quickly became a standard resource in the field. Clearly written and user-friendly, the second edition continues to provide the scientific underpinnings of the essence of air. Major expansions include: Air math and physics Air flow parameters Indoor air quality Regulatory updates related to indoor and outdoor air quality Updated air pollution control technologies The text follows a pattern that is nontraditional, using a paradigm based on real-world experience. It covers air resource utilization and air protection, contains regulatory updates related to air quality, and provides an update on pollution control technologies. In addition to the discussion of numerous mitigation and remediation procedures, this authoritative resource includes an expanded section on the fundamentals of air chemistry and physics, making it an indispensable text for those tasked with compliance to air pollution laws. The common thread woven through the fabric of this text is air resource utilization and its protection. Numerous examples exist on how understanding the science of air can assist in understanding global climate change, air pollution, radon, indoor air quality, and acid rain. To solve these problems and understand the issues related to air, air pollution control practitioners need a broad base of scientific information from which to draw - The Science of Air fills this critical need.
The interaction between smoke and air pollution creates a public
health challenge. Fuels treatments proposed for National Forests
are intended to reduce fuel accumulations and wildfire frequency
and severity, as well as to protect property located in the wild
land-urban interface. However, prescribed fires produce gases and
aerosols that have instantaneous and long-term effects on air
quality. If fuels treatment are not conducted, however, then wild
land fires become more severe and frequent causing worse public
health and wellfare effects. A better understanding of air
pollution and smoke interactions is needed in order to protect the
public health and allow for socially and ecologically acceptable
use of fire as a management tool. This text offers such an
understanding and examines innovative wide-scale monitoring efforts
(field and remotely sensed), and development of models predicting
spatial and temporal distribution of air pollution and smoke
resulting from forests fires and other sources.
A flexible and comprehensive framework for cost-effective pollution
prevention
This is a very welcome volume, and it will reach a large audience and readership among those involved in these issues from a truly multidisciplinary perspective; in essence, a much needed book! Erik Bonsdorff, professor of marine biology at bo Akademi University, Finland This timely volume provides a thorough account of how the highly advanced industrial societies seek to govern and manage the Baltic Sea. The way they proceed, and the degree to which they succeed, provide valuable lessons for riparian states seeking to avoid tragedies of their commons. Lennart J. Lundqvist, professor of environmental policy and administration, University of Gothenburg, Sweden How is a natural common pool resource such as a sea, which is shared by several countries, best governed? The potential for international conflict is immense, as each country may have different agendas with regard to issues such as exploitation and environmental protection. This book uses a case study of the Baltic Sea Region to examine this complex problem. The sea itself has been highly vulnerable to pollution and recently the bordering nations have begun to change their mode of cooperation to tackle this issue by establishing several new forums to manage the sea. Administrative and political structures developed in the region are reviewed and shown to provide a model that could be applied to other seas and natural resource systems elsewhere in the world.
This book provides an overview of the typical nature-based solutions (NBS) used for flood mitigation at different scales and in different areas (e.g. from catchment to hillslope scale; from urban to coastal areas). NBS can provide several ecosystem services, such as water regulation and water quality enhancement, and as such offer relevant technical solutions to complement typical grey infrastructures to mitigate flood hazard and water quality problems. In recent years, political awareness and interest from the scientific community have led to increasing implementation of NBS worldwide. In light of this trend, this book provides valuable insights into the environmental aspects of NBS, particularly their effectiveness for flood and pollution mitigation, and discusses socio-economic aspects related to the implementation of NBS, including regulatory aspects, cost, and citizens' perceptions of NBS. Compiling the latest research, the book furthers our understanding of the role of NBS for flood mitigation and its relation to environmental aspects, to guide scientists and stakeholders in future NBS projects. It is intended for the scientific community and stakeholders, such as spatial planners and landscape managers. Chapter "Nature-based solutions for flood mitigation and resilience in urban areas" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.
This book is a well organised treatise on identification and measurement of dioxins and furan in the environment. It focuses on their source, fate, behaviour, analytical techniques for measurement, and removal/control methods. Although there are numerous publications that address this subject, rarely are prevention and control concepts considered together in a single volume. This book provides a tool for today's environmental researchers by focusing on an integrated approach to managing environmental pollution problems due to dioxins and furans. The overall objective of this book is not simply to provide a general reference, but to serve as a resource for developing approaches to managing environmental pollution problems due to dioxins and furans.
Examines regulatory and other strategies for improving chemical risk management in small enterprises in the European Union. This book considers what supports are necessary to secure the implementation of these strategies and is particularly concerned with the role of chemical product supply as envisaged by REACH.
This book addresses a broad range of issues concerning microplastic pollution, including microplastic pollution in various environments (freshwater, marine, air and soil); the sources, fate and effects of microplastics; detection systems for microplastic pollution monitoring; green approaches for the synthesis of environmentally friendly polymers; recovery and recycling of marine plastics; wastewater treatment plants as a microplastic entrance route; nanoplastics as emerging pollutants; degradation of plastics in the marine environment; impacts of microplastics on marine life; microplastics: from marine pollution to the human food chain; mitigation of microplastic impacts and innovative solutions; sampling, extraction, purification and identification approaches for microplastics; adsorption and transport of pollutants on and in microplastics; and lastly, the socio-economic and environmental impacts: assessment and risk analysis. In addition to presenting cutting-edge information and highlighting current trends and issues, the book proposes concrete solutions to help face this significant environmental threat. It is chiefly intended for researchers and industry decision-makers; international, national and local institutions; and NGOs, providing them with comprehensive information on the origin of the problem; its effects on marine environments, with a particular focus on the Mediterranean Sea and coasts; and recent and ongoing research activities and projects aimed at finding technical solutions to mitigate the phenomenon.
By the Cold War's end, U.S. military bases harbored nearly 20,000 toxic waste sites. All told, cleaning the approximately 27 million acres is projected to cost hundreds of billions of dollars. And yet while progress has been made, efforts to integrate environmental and national security concerns into the military's operations have proven a daunting and intrigue-filled task that has fallen short of professed goals in the post-Cold War era. In "The Greening of the U.S. Military", Robert F. Durant delves into this too-little understood world of defense environmental policy to uncover the epic and ongoing struggle to build an environmentally sensitive culture within the post-Cold War military. Through over 100 interviews and thousands of pages of documents, reports, and trade newsletter accounts, he offers a telling tale of political, bureaucratic, and intergovernmental combat over the pace, scope, and methods of applying environmental and natural resource laws while ensuring military readiness. He then discerns from these clashes over principle, competing values, and narrow self-interest a theoretical framework for studying and understanding organizational change in public organizations. From Dick Cheney's days as Defense Secretary under President George H.W. Bush to William Cohen's Clinton-era-tenure and on to Donald Rumsfeld's Pentagon, the battle over "greening" the military has been one with high-stakes consequences for both national defense and public health, safety, and the environment. Durant's polity-centered perspective and arguments will evoke needed scrutiny, debate, and dialogue over these issues in environmental, military, policymaking, and academic circles.
This book gives an overview of recent findings on the mitigation of
gas emission from landfills and sludge processing. Special
attention is given to methane and the migration of POPs, heavy
metal ions, ammonia and nitrate from landfills to the water-soil
system and to the atmosphere. Strategies for mitigating the impact
of pollution on ecosystems are also discussed. This book contains
thirty-one selected papers presented at an International Workshop
on Management of Pollutant Emission from Landfills and Sludge,
Kazimierz Dolny, Poland,16-19 September 2006. Topics include
mitigation of gas emission from landfills,pathway of POPs in waste,
wastewater and landfill leachate, and migration of heavy metals
from waste disposal sites and sewage sludge.
Current procedures used for hazard identification and classification are based on persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity measurements. Assessing the Hazard of Metals and Inorganic Metal Substances in Aquatic and Terrestrial Systems provides the basis for improvements to the current model for hazard assessment. The book reviews the scientific underpinnings of the use of persistence as applied to metals, including bioavailability, and the use of bioaccumulation to evaluate aquatic species and aquatic-linked food chains. It also examines toxicity procedures as used within PBT approaches and measurements for metals in terrestrial ecosystems. The book brings together a multidisciplinary and international group of scientists, managers, and policy makers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States to discuss various means for assessing the environmental hazard posed by metals and inorganic metal substances. The contributors include representatives from regulatory and nonregulatory government agencies, academia, industry, environmental groups, and consulting firms involved in assessment, management, and basic research of metals and metal substances. They provide a focused discussion of the fate and effects of metals in the environment, incorporating important advances developed over the past decade. |
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