Originally published in 1972, this volume, supplemented extensively with maps and tables, and employing sophisticated institutional and empirical analyses, discusses a number of important issues relating to the viability of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the natural environment. The author concludes that exploiting North Slope oil was justifiable as a calculated risk, although an alternative route and transport mode to the Midwest of eastern market would be more attractive than TAP.

Originally published in 1977, this book concentrates on the period since nationalisation in the history of the coal industry. It provides not only a compact summary for those within the industry but also provides understanding of its problems and achievements for those outside it. The fluctuating world fuel situation threw the fortunes of the coal industry up and down and this book examines these changing fortunes within the context of the new challenges from North Sea oil and other newer sources of fuel.

Reviews technological advances in microbial biotechnology for sustainable agriculture using artificial intelligence and molecular biology approach Provides information on the fusion between microbial biotechnology and agriculture Specifies the influence of climate changes on livestock, agriculture, environment Discusses sustainable agriculture for food security and poverty alleviation Explores current biotechnology advances in food and agriculture sectors for sustainable crop production

At the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the nations of the world adopted the convention on Biological Diversity. Since then, over 160 countries have ratified the Convention, three Conferences of the Parties have taken place and a permanent secretariat has been established. Despite this, there remains a lot of uncertainty and even more controversy about what the Convention was intended to accomplish and how it was to do so. This book, published in association with the IUCN - The World Conservation Union, sets out to answer some of these questions by recounting the history of the movements leading up to the Convention, but especially by analysing the forces giving rise to the problem. It provides a specific set of policy prescriptions intended to facilitate the development of institutions and obligations within the international community which will give real effect to the aspirations of the Convention, and the ensure that it has some real effect at ground level. The author begins with an overview of the issues and then develops the basic nature of the problems within a bio-economic framework. He highlights the gaps in the Convention which remain to be filled, offers detailed explanations of the concepts involved and describes the nature of the solutions required. Thus he sets out a detailed plan for global action in support of an effective international convention for the conservation of biological diversity. The book is an excellent introduction to a very topical debate, and a valuable reference point for conservationists, policy makers and students of development studies, environmental studies, environmental policy and conservation biology.

Our planet urgently needs strategies for assessing sustainable development. But it is not sufficient to limit radical thinking to environmental protection and resource management. It is necessary at the same time to focus on the socio-cultural symptoms of crisis which affect modern society. What is required now are holistic models of development which, within the same context, pay attention to the social, cultural and environmental issues for the contemporary global crisis. This text launches a strategy for sustainable development, setting out from a socio-ecological position and developing a model for a socially and culturally supportive community, or "life region". Emphasis is placed on the situation of the provincial and peripheral regions of Europe and the world, and introduction of self-reliant civic strategies in national and international politics. Three aspects of regional policy are looked at in detail: spatial planning, cultural policy and social development, and regional economics and regional science are also touched upon.

In recent years, resilience theory has come to occupy the core of our understanding and management of the adaptive capacity of people and places in complex social and environmental systems. Despite this, tourism scholars have been slow to adopt resilience concepts, at a time when the emergence of new frameworks and applications is pressing. Drawing on original empirical and theoretical insights in resilience thinking, this book explores how tourism communities and economies respond to environmental changes, both fast (natural hazard disasters) and slow (incremental shifts). It explores how tourism places adapt, change, and sometimes transform (or not) in relation to their environmental context, with an awareness of intersection with societal dynamics and links to political, economic and social drivers of change. Contributions draw on empirical research conducted in a range of international settings, including indigenous communities, to explore the complexity and gradations of environmental change encounters and resilience planning responses in a range of tourism contexts. As the first book to specifically focus on environmental change from a resilience perspective, this timely and original work makes a critical contribution to tourism studies, tourism management and environmental geography, as well as environmental sciences and development studies.

Availability of and adequate accessibility to freshwater and energy are two key technological and scientific problems of global significance. At the end of the 20th century, the deficit of water for human consumption and economic application forced us to focus on rational use of resources. Increasing the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency is a challenge for the 21st century. Geothermal energy is heat energy generated and stored in the Earth, accumulated in hydrothermal systems or in dry rocks within the Earth's crust, in amounts which constitute the energy resources. The sustainable management of geothermal energy resources should be geared towards optimization of energy recovery, but also towards rational management of water resources since geothermal water serves both as energy carrier and also as valuable raw material. Geothermal waters, depending on their hydrogeothermal characteristics, the lithology of the rocks involved, the depth at which the resources occur and the sources of water supply, may be characterized by very diverse physicochemical parameters. This factor largely determines the technology to be used in their exploitation and the way the geothermal water can be used. This book is focused on the effective use of geothermal water and renewable energy for future needs in order to promote modern, sustainable and effective management of water resources. The research field includes crucial new areas of study: * an improvement in the management of freshwater resources through the use of residual geothermal water; * a review of the technologies available in the field of geothermal water treatment for its (re)use for energetic purposes and freshwater production, and * the development of balneotherapy. The book is aimed at professionals, academics and decision makers worldwide, water sector representatives and administrators, business enterprises specializing in renewable energy management and water treatment, working in the areas of geothermal energy usage, water resources, water supply and energy planning. This book has the potential to become a standard text used by educational institutions and research & development establishments involved in the geothermal water management.

Availability of and adequate accessibility to freshwater and energy are two key technological and scientific problems of global significance. At the end of the 20th century, the deficit of water for human consumption and economic application forced us to focus on rational use of resources. Increasing the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency is a challenge for the 21st century. Geothermal energy is heat energy generated and stored in the Earth, accumulated in hydrothermal systems or in dry rocks within the Earth's crust, in amounts which constitute the energy resources. The sustainable management of geothermal energy resources should be geared towards optimization of energy recovery, but also towards rational management of water resources since geothermal water serves both as energy carrier and also as valuable raw material. Geothermal waters, depending on their hydrogeothermal characteristics, the lithology of the rocks involved, the depth at which the resources occur and the sources of water supply, may be characterized by very diverse physicochemical parameters. This factor largely determines the technology to be used in their exploitation and the way the geothermal water can be used. This book is focused on the effective use of geothermal water and renewable energy for future needs in order to promote modern, sustainable and effective management of water resources. The research field includes crucial new areas of study: * an improvement in the management of freshwater resources through the use of residual geothermal water; * a review of the technologies available in the field of geothermal water treatment for its (re)use for energetic purposes and freshwater production, and * the development of balneotherapy. The book is aimed at professionals, academics and decision makers worldwide, water sector representatives and administrators, business enterprises specializing in renewable energy management and water treatment, working in the areas of geothermal energy usage, water resources, water supply and energy planning. This book has the potential to become a standard text used by educational institutions and research & development establishments involved in the geothermal water management.

Focussing on a period of rapid and significant change in the coal industry, this volume, originally published in 1936, sets out the economic facts of the industry and discusses the extent to which politics and industry became interwoven during the years 1910-1936. As well as covering key events such as the General Strike of 1926 and the effects this had on both the UK mining industry and the general population, this volume also examines industrial relations, the growth of the unions and modernization of the industry.

Originally published in 1986, this book takes an inter-disciplinary approach to the options for energy in the future. Written in a clear, easy-to-read style, it proposes that future solutions should not be based solely on cost, given our plentiful energy resources, but on ecological, human and ethical considerations. The book features a quantittive review of energy sources, supported by numerous figures and tables, that includes such long-term solutions as nuclear fission and solar energy. The book allows engineers and students to easily weigh the pros and cons of all energy options to realistically plan for the future.

An introduction to hazards, human vulnerability and disaster, paying particular attention to the more severe or novel risks and disaster that affect the general public. The book is split into two parts, the first of which gives an overview of the field of risk and disaster in terms of three perspectives: hazards perspective; vulnerability perspective and the active perspective. The second part illustrates and develops these ideas in relation to some of the more severe dangers and disasters of the twentieth century, for example, earthquake risk, cities at risk and the civil disasters of war.

What is involved in restoring a river? River Quality: Dynamics and Restoration answers this question through a series of articles and case studies written by some of the field's leading researchers and practitioners. The first part of the book covers the physical, chemical, and biological dynamics of a river system. The second part describes monitoring programs and remedial measures used to restore river systems back to healthy and functional states. The Willamette River in Oregon and the Vistula River in Poland are used to illustrate the dynamic and restoration processes. Each river is in a different stage of restoration and is subjected to different degrees of stress from agriculture, industry, and urbanization. The Willamette is an internationally cited example of a restored river, while the Vistula is a river that has just recently begun the restoration process. Contrasts and comparisons of the two river systems enable readers to learn the limitations of restoration processes and what is involved in the different stages of restoration.

Should rural Britain be preserved from urban development, or should people be allowed to live and shop where they want? In the face of continued urban expansion the countryside has become a major issue, its future development uncertain. Countryside Planning addresses these concerns and provides an in-depth study of the rural debate. Beginning with the key concepts and issues, the author sets out the context in which planning operates and how society has constructed its own images of the countryside. Using three theoretical perspectives the book decsribes the evolution of the current planning system and provides a basis for further discussion about the possible future for the countryside. In the wake of the recent Rural White Paper, the book includes the major issues that affect contemporary rural Britain including the current reforms of the CAP, the role of farmers as land managers, and the hypocrisy of sustainable and green tourism. Using boxed policy summaries throughout the text, as well as key question and answer sections in every chapter, the author treats policy and trends across the whole spectrum of countryside planning. Countryside Planning is an in-depth and authoritative analysis of rural policy and makes an important contribution to the countryside planning debate and the future of rural Britain.

The extensive destruction of wetlands across Europe represents a significant loss of biodiversity along with its related economic, cultural, ethical and scientific benefits. This volume addresses the critical issues surrounding this environmental change process, employing a range of analytical methods drawn from a variety of disciplines which bridge the social and natural science divide. The authors begin by exploring the various methodological approaches to the analysis of the causes and consequences of wetland loss in Europe. The findings reveal that a formal decision-support process can be defined which can assist in the search for a more sustainable approach to wetland management. The methods and tools advocated are interdisciplinary and require co-ordinated action by experts from a variety of different fields. The authors move on to present a series of case studies from which a number of general conclusions can be drawn. In particular, they identify conflicts concerning use, value and interest groups to be the most common in the context of wetland management versus development. Consequently, they argue that scientific analysis requires support from the social sciences in order to better understand and implement more participatory approaches to environmental management. Given the ongoing depletion of wetland ecosystems throughout the world, this novel interdisciplinary approach to their sustainable management is a timely and valuable exercise. Students, researchers and scholars of environmental economics, environmental science, ecology, geography and environmental politics will find this book to be a useful addition to the literature. It will also help policymakers, international agencies and NGOs to preserve these valuable environmental resources.

Should rural Britain continue to be dominated by farmed landscapes, or should these be transformed into managed countryside or woodland, or even into low-density exurbia on the American model? These are the issues that face an increasingly post-agricultural and post-industrial society such as Britain. Countryside Planning addresses these concerns and provides an in-depth study of the rural debate. Beginning with the key concepts and issues, the author sets out the context in which planning operates and how society has constructed its own images of the countryside. Using three theoretical perspectives, the book describes the evolution of the current planning system and provides a basis for further discussion about the possible future for the countryside. In the wake of the recent Rural White Paper, the book includes the major issues that affect contemporary rural Britain including the current reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy, the role of farmers as land managers and the hypocrisy of sustainable development and green tourism. Using boxed policy summaries throughout the text, as well as key question-and-answer sections in every chapter, the author treats policy and trends across the whole spectrum of countryside planning.

For decades now we have wasted and mismanaged the world's water supplies. Today, 27 countries are short of water, a quarter of the world's population has no safe water, 46 per cent have no proper sanitation and each year four million children die of water-borne diseases. As most of the world's major river systems cross several national boundaries, the scope disputes and the threat to international security is becoming more and more real. In The Last Oasis, Sandra Postel examines the economic, ecological and political factors affecting fresh water supply. She confronts the issues of mismanagement and profligacy and analyses and dangers of confrontation, both between nations and between rural and urban users. She also emphasises that the technology and know-how for effective water husbandry does exist. With methods already in use, farmers could cut their demand for water by 40-90 per cent, and cities by one-third, without sacrificing economic output or quality of life. Investing in water efficiency, recycling and conservation help meet rising demands and stave off disaster. But the priority is a common recognition of the gravity of the position, and with that a widespread push for institutions to manage sustainable use of water.

This volume provides an in-depth analysis of the diverse Sahara Desert environment. Drawing on a range of research and historical development, this work explores the links between environment and social systems in the Sahel, integrating ecological, demographic, economic, technical, social and cultural factors. Examining the conditions for land occupation and natural resource use in the Sahel, this volume offers a conceptual and practical approach to social organization and environmental management in the face of rapid environmental change. With a focus on the Francophone states, this work presents important implications for future intervention strategies in order to address the crisis of desertification across sub-Saharan Africa.

This is a collection of conference papers on small hydro renewable energy, covering such topics as: resource assessment and planning; design and construction; and plant and equipment.

Typically a large number of interests with conflicting requirements are involved in the management of a water system. The computer-based method of management introduced in this text - dynamic control - is designed to determine the most effective operational strategy.

Forested wetlands are a major component of northern landscapes, important both for their ecological functions and their socioeconomic values. Historically, these lands have been used for timber and fiber products, hunting, fishing, trapping, food gathering, and recreation. There are many questions about the use and management of these lands in the future, particularly with respect to forest products, hydrology and water quality, plant and wildlife ecology, landscape dynamics, and wetland restoration. Northern Forested Wetlands: Ecology and Management provides a synthesis of current research and literature. It examines the status, distribution, and use of these wetland resources. The book focuses on understanding the role of wetlands in the landscape and on how to manage these wetlands and sustain their important functions. This is a primary reference text for the study and management of northern forested wetlands, providing a forum for information discovered by researchers and managers from many nations.

The countryside and it's amenities of wildlife, landscape beauty and recreational opportunity was created by traditional agricultural practices. Modern farming techniques no longer supply these amenities as an automatic, incedental by-product of food production. If they are to continue to be enjoyed, then specific provision must be made for them. Agricultural policy in Europe is now beginning to do this by redirecting substantial agricultural support to the promotion of enviromentally-friendly farming practices. A wide variety of initiatives in forestry, conservation, hydrology and other sectors are also developing to promote the growing discipline of Countryside management to implement coservation objectives in the countryside. These objectives are themselves now being reassessed as principles from the new discipline of landscape ecology are incorporated into landscape planning and management, and the opportunities for redesigning the countryside offered by overcapacity in agriculture are beginning to be recognised and exploited.; A significant shift is taking place fron the implementation of conservation objectives through planning mechanisms focuses largely on designated protecte

Initially associated with hi-tech irrigated agriculture, drip irrigation is now being used by a much wider range of farmers in emerging and developing countries. This book documents the enthusiasm, spread and use of drip irrigation systems by smallholders but also some disappointments and disillusion faced in the global South. It explores and explains under which conditions it works, for whom and with what effects. The book deals with drip irrigation 'behind the scenes', showcasing what largely remain 'untold stories'. Most research on drip irrigation use plot-level studies to demonstrate the technology's ability to save water or improve efficiencies and use a narrow and rather prescriptive engineering or economic language. They tend to be grounded in a firm belief in the technology and focus on the identification of ways to improve or better realize its potential. The technology also figures prominently in poverty alleviation or agricultural modernization narratives, figuring as a tool to help smallholders become more innovative, entrepreneurial and business minded. Instead of focusing on its potential, this book looks at drip irrigation-in-use, making sense of what it does from the perspectives of the farmers who use it, and of the development workers and agencies, policymakers, private companies, local craftsmen, engineers, extension agents or researchers who engage with it for a diversity of reasons and to realize a multiplicity of objectives. While anchored in a sound engineering understanding of the design and operating principles of the technology, the book extends the analysis beyond engineering and hydraulics to understand drip irrigation as a sociotechnical phenomenon that not only changes the way water is supplied to crops but also transforms agricultural farming systems and even how society is organized. The book provides field evidence from a diversity of interdisciplinary case studies in sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, Latin America, and South Asia, thus revealing some of the untold stories of drip irrigation.

This extensive handbook presents up-to-date coverage of significant developments in estuarine and marine pollution. Multidisciplinary in approach, Practical Handbook of Estuarine and Marine Pollution is an essential resource for anyone involved in the study or management of coastal and marine pollution problems. The book examines in detail anthropogenic effects on estuarine and marine ecosystems from local, regional, and global perspectives. A truly international collection of data is presented in an organized framework on a wide range of subject areas, including eutrophication, organic loading, oil pollution, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, trace metals, radioactive waste, dredging and dredged-spoil disposal, and effects of electric generating stations. Whether you are a student, a scientist, a policy maker, or an administrator, you no longer need to spend countless hours rounding up information and data - Practical Handbook of Estuarine and Marine Pollution has already done it for you.

Creating Freshwater Wetlands, Second Edition clearly demonstrates the step-by-step processes required to restore or create freshwater wetlands. It presents practical advice on choosing sites, getting help, attracting and stocking wildlife, selecting plants, and wetland operation and maintenance. This is an excellent book on one of the most fascinating ecosystems on the planet.

Algae presents a viable biofuel alternative because the production of algae for fuel, unlike other agro-based biofuels, does not compete with food production. This book covers algae-based biofuel options and discusses the design and economic viability of algal bioenergy co-production concepts.