![]() |
![]() |
Your cart is empty |
||
Books > Earth & environment > The environment > Pollution & threats to the environment > General
This book examines the relationship between environmentalism and political transition in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Environmentalism was a strong force behind the nationalist movements preceding the independence of the Baltic States and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union. The contributors illustrate how the Baltic States face contemporary environmental challenges through transition, enlargement and integration into the European Union. This edited collection brings the reader through the political, economic and social changes of the post-Soviet Baltic States as a way of examining how transition influences environmentalism. Secondly, the book looks at how the enlargement of the European Union to encompass the Baltic States has influenced political and legal approaches to the environment. Finally, the contributors examine how regional and global environmental narratives have shaped contemporary environmentalism in the Baltic States. From eco-nationalism to the world 's first green prime minister, environmentalism continues to play an important role in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This book was published as a special issue of the Journal of Baltic Studies.
While current methods used in ecological risk assessments for pesticides are largely deterministic, probabilistic methods that aim to quantify variability and uncertainty in exposure and effects are attracting growing interest from industries and governments. Probabilistic methods offer more realistic and meaningful estimates of risk and hence, potentially, a better basis for decision-making. Application of Uncertainty Analysis to Ecological Risks of Pesticides examines the applicability of probabilistic methods for ecological risk assessment for pesticides and explores their appropriateness for general use. The book presents specific methods leading to probabilistic decisions concerning the registration and application of pesticides and includes case studies illustrating the application of statistical methods. The authors discuss Bayesian inference, first-order error analysis, first-order (non-hierarchical) Monte Carlo methods, second-order Bayesian and Monte Carlo methods, interval analysis, and probability bounds analysis. They then examine how these methods can be used in assessments for other environmental stressors and contaminants. There are many methods of analyzing variability and uncertainty and many ways of presenting the results. Inappropriate use of these methods leads to misleading results, and experts differ on what is appropriate. Disagreement about which methods are appropriate will result in wasted resources, conflict over findings, and reduced credibility with decision makers and the public. There is, therefore, a need to reach a consensus on how to choose and use appropriate methods, and to present this in the form of guidance for prospective users. Written in a clear and concise style, the book examines how to use probabilistic methods within a risk-based decision paradigm.
This book discusses in a concise manner the key aspects that are important for the understanding of regulations and managerial framework governing marine pollution. It identifies the practical context in which marine pollution comes into play and addresses the international legal regime governing the numerous sources of marine pollution, as well as the ways in which these regulations affect the conduct of day-to-day shipping operations. With illustrations, case studies, emphasis boxes, references to case law and to national jurisdictions and other tools facilitating understanding and knowledge, readers will find helpful guidance on: the sources of marine pollution (including ship-source pollution and pollution from the offshore oil and gas sector); the forms of cooperation needed in order to tackle the prevention, management and response to marine pollution; overview of MARPOL Convention, other key IMO conventions, and selected regional regimes; legal ramifications, including P & I Clubs and limitation of liability; involvement of the flag State, coastal State and port State; industry best practice; the human element Marine Pollution Control will be a useful guidance tool for shipping Industry professionals, (P & I) Clubs, Legal practitioners, maritime administrators, as well as academics and students of marine pollution.
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.
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.
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
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
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
"Arsenic Pollution" summarizes the most current research on the
distribution and causes of arsenic pollution, its impact on health
and agriculture, and solutions by way of water supply, treatment,
and water resource management.
This is a comprehensive and up-to-date investigation of a deadly toxin and its impact on ecology and human health. Part 1 contains a thorough treatment of the chemical nature of arsenic, its environmental behaviour and its measurement through contemporary analytical methods. Part 2 deals with the latest findings from a wide range of international research groups into the repercussions of arsenic exposures on human health and the ecosystem.
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.
This timely new workbook is the result of a year-long effort by a group of university professors who first met at Montana Tech during the summer of 1994 for a college faculty workshop. The workshop was funded by the National Science Foundation's support for those faculty developing courses in the newly emerging field of air toxics. Part I of the book contains over 100 problems dealing with a variety of topics in this area. Part II provides detailed solutions. The problems and solutions provided will become a useful resource for the training of engineers and scientists who are or soon will be working in the field.
There is growing concern about the state of the world's oceans. The rapid growth of human populations in coastal regions has led to increasing dependence on marine resources. Beneficial features related to food supply and life style need to be balanced against the hazards presented by microbial pathogens, chemical pollutants, and toxic algal blooms. In this book, a group of experts from a range of backgrounds review the key aspects of the marine environment in relation to human health. An initial overview explains the need for integrating a range of disciplines, from physical oceanography and marine biology to molecular biology and epidemiology. Only by this approach can we hope to predict the consequences of environmental change and exploitation of natural resources upon our coastal ecosystems and, ultimately, on society and human health. Subsequent chapters then focus on more specialized topics. Firstly, waterborne pathogens are reviewed in detail and the microbial measures and policy implications important for protecting humans from exposure are described. Next, the consumption of contaminated seafood is considered along with its implications regarding the growth of aquaculture. Priority pollutants, emerging contaminants, and plastics are investigated as are the effects of climate change on pollution. Some phytoplankton produce biotoxins which accumulate in the flesh of filter-feeders such as bivalve molluscs. This creates a health risk when the shellfish are consumed by humans. The penultimate chapter, therefore, concentrates on harmful algal blooms (HABs) and the methodologies used to safeguard human health. The book concludes by proposing a holistic systems approach, such as Integrated Coastal Zone Management, to address the interconnected scientific challenges of increased human population pressure, pollution, over-exploitation of food resources, and the urgent need for effective public health solutions to be developed from politically and environmentally meaningful policies.
Increased throughput of carbon-based fossil energy, the destruction of Earth's forests, and other land use changes have resulted in ever higher levels of waste in the form of greenhouse gases-as well as a diminished capacity of the planet to absorb and store those wastes. This means that to avoid catastrophic global warming and maintain the habitability of Earth by protecting essential soil and water resources, we will need to not only reduce emissions, but also increase carbon storage in the land system. Biosequestration and Ecological Diversity: Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change and Environmental Degradation discusses ways to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and build soil by changing the way people use and manage land. Principles and Practices for Better Land Management Examining biosequestration in social, economic, and political context, the book reviews recent scientific evidence on climate change and global ecological degradation and explains how the carbon cycle has been transformed by destructive land use practices, such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. It describes the principles of biosequestration and restorative land management practices and discusses the potential of carbon storage. The author offers specific examples of inexpensive, proven practices that build soil, protect scarce water resources, and enhance ecological diversity. He also identifies conservation policies that provide technical assistance and financial resources for ecological protection and restoration. How You Can Help Mitigate Climate Change with a Little Piece of Land Restorative land use and land management practices are critical components of any comprehensive strategy for mitigating and adapting to climate change and global environmental degradation. This book explains how anyone who owns or manages land-from an apartment to a city lot to a
This title was first published in 2000: In examining the domestic politics of international co-operation, this book addresses two important questions: 1. Why do governments often take different positions in negotiations about common problems - why do some states push for international regulation while others hold back? 2. How can variance in the domestic implementation of and compliance with, international agreements be explained - why do some states deliver more than they have promised, others less? The authors report findings and observations from a major study which focused on efforts to establish international regulations to cope with the problem known as acid rain. They provide in-depth case studies of nine European countries as well as a comparative analysis searching for patterns and general conclusions.
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.
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.
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.
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 important volume-the product of a meeting of a select group of scientists-provides the most recent research results from the world's leaders in the study of toxic pollutants in sediments. It gives practical information on measuring and mapping distributions of concentrations of pollutants and their toxic effects in sediments. Also covered are the use and relative advantages and disadvantages of benthic chambers, sedimentation traps, box corers, "peepers" and other sampling techniques in sediment research and assessment. Important topics covered include: bioassay, elemental speciation, diffuse source problems, nutrient flux, biomethylation, bioavailability, and toxicity assessment. Will help in assessment and monitoring of chemistry, dynamics, bioavailability, and toxicity of pollutants, as well helping to chart courses for remedial action. This book will be of interest to anyone interested in the processes controlling the chemistry and movement of pollutants in sediments, especially: limnologists aquatic toxicologists engineers lake managers ecologists biologists environmental chemists
Long-term environmental effects of chemical exposure have long been of concern and, more recently, chemicals which cause changes to the sexual development of exposed organisms have been identified. It is thought that low-level exposure to a wide range of chemicals may be affecting endocrine function, leading to a reduction in fertility and an increase in reproductive cancers. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals reviews the scientific evidence and attempts to put the subject into context. Along with an overview of the issue, there is discussion of the specialised aspects in relation to wildlife; environmental oestrogens and male reproduction; and naturally occurring oestrogenic substances. With contributions from representatives of the Medical Research Council's Institute for Environment and Health and the US Environmental Protection Agency, the articles provide a comprehensive and detailed review of current issues. This book will be of interest to a wide readership, including industrial and environmental scientists, managers and policy makers.
This book collects the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the field of environmental science and sustainable development, which were presented by scholars and researchers at the 2021 6th Asia Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development, held in Phuket, Thailand, November 6-8, 2021. The book covers highly diverse topics, including environmental dynamics, global environmental change and ecosystems management, environmental restoration and ecological engineering, water treatment and reclamation, environmental sustainability, health and the environment, wastewater and sludge treatment, solid waste management, air pollution and control. The contributions, which were selected in a rigorous international peer-review process, highlight numerous exciting ideas that will spur novel research directions and foster multidisciplinary collaborations.
A variety of air pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere from human-caused and natural emissions sources throughout the United States and elsewhere. These contaminants impact sensitive natural resources in wilderness, including the national parks. The system of national parks in the United States is among our greatest assets. This book provides a compilation and synthesis of current scientific understanding regarding the causes and effects of these pollutants within national park lands. It describes pollutant emissions, deposition, and exposures; it identifies the critical (tipping point) loads of pollutant deposition at which adverse impacts are manifested.
In these pages is all the information that you-manager, engineer, or other technical professional-would need to select, size, and estimate "budget/study" level capital and annual costs for a variety of air pollution control equipment. This equipment includes wet scrubbers, carbon adsorbers, and other "add-on" devices. This book also deals with such nonstack controls as wet dust suppression systems and flue gas desulfurization systems. The costs are current (1988 or 1989 dollars) and are mainly presented in equational form for ease of computerization and updating. Clear, comprehensive equipment sizing procedures are also detailed. Finally, several detailed example problems are included to illustrate the sizing and costing procedures. This book is not just for technical personnel, however. The material is easy to grasp and use. Anyone with an air pollution control background can follow and apply the procedures and data herein. Using this book, air pollution control professionals can now develop sound, defensible (within +/-30%) cost estimates with a minimum of time and effort.
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. |
![]() ![]() You may like...
Supervised Descriptive Pattern Mining
Sebastian Ventura, Jose Maria Luna
Hardcover
R2,877
Discovery Miles 28 770
Mentoring Strategies To Facilitate the…
Kerry Karukstis, Bridget Gourley, …
Hardcover
R5,806
Discovery Miles 58 060
Neural Information Processing - 25th…
Long Cheng, Andrew Chi-Sing Leung, …
Paperback
R1,643
Discovery Miles 16 430
|