As the reality of a food deficit emerged in the Middle East, rural society and the agricultural sector - once viewed as peripheral to national development - swiftly rose up the policy agendas of nearly every Middle East country. This book, first published in 1982, looks at the complex interrelationships of food production, development schemes and politics in those countries. Dr Weinbaum considers the origins, nature, scope and political dimensions of the potential food shortfall and explores how food deficits could lead to changed international relations among states in the Middle East. He specifically examines the physical and technological limitations to increased food production, then assesses the major social, economic and political hurdles in the way of agricultural development, the effects of - and pressures for - agrarian reform, the bureaucratic policymaking process, and the domestic impact of foreign assistance policies. He concludes with an examination of the linkage between food supply availability and political stability.

Originally published in 1965, this case study of the beet sugar industry undertaken by George O. G. Lof and Allen V. Kneese illustrates the economic importance of water to industry. This study delves into the history and technology of the beet sugar industry to demonstrate the economic impact of the water environment and how water waste can be reduced in other industries. This title will be of interest to students of environmental studies.

An understanding of the role of energy-related governance systems and the conditions required for a shift towards renewables in developing countries is urgently needed in order to tap into the global potential of low-carbon development. Although renewable energy sources have become technically feasible and economically viable, social and political factors continue to persist as the most critical obstacles for their dissemination. How Power Shapes Energy Transitions in Southeast Asia conceptualizes power for the field of sustainable energy governance. Based on empirical findings from the Philippines and Indonesia, the book develops an analytical approach that incorporates power theory into a multi-level governance framework. The book begins with a profound background on renewable energy development around the world and presents major trends in development cooperation. A power-based multi-level governance approach is introduced that is rooted in development thinking. Examining how coordination and power relations shape the development and dissemination of renewable energy technologies, the book also shows how decentralization affects low carbon development in emerging economies. Sparking debate on the ways in which energy transitions can be triggered and sustained in developing countries, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars of renewable energy development and environmental politics and governance as well as practitioners in development cooperation.

Water scarcity is not simply the result of what nature has to offer but always involves power relations and political decisions. This volume discusses the politics of the freshwater crisis, specifically how access to water is determined in different regions and historical periods, how conflict is constructed and managed, and how identity and efforts to control water systems, through development, technologies, and institutions, shape one another. The book analyzes responses to the water crisis as efforts to mitigate water insecurity and as expressions of collective identity that legitimate, resist, or seek to transform existing inequalities. The chapters focus on different processes that contribute to freshwater scarcity, including land use decisions, pollution, privatization, damming, climate change, discrimination, water management institutions and technology. Case studies are included from North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and New Zealand.

Water is intricately linked with food security, energy security, and sustainable development. As the world is moving towards sustainable development goals, it is critical to recognize the role of water in attaining these goals. The Water-Energy-Food Nexus draws attention to the complex and interrelated nature of global resource systems and forces us to think about how a decision in one sector impacts other interlinked sectors as well. This book looks at the three dimensions of sustainable developmentenvironment, economics and society - and how water is linked with them and explores the nexus approach as a framework to look at the issues and identify solutions.

This book offers the first multidisciplinary overview of water resources issues and management in the Aral Sea Basin, covering both the Amu Darya and Syr Darya River Basins. The two main rivers of Amu Darya and Syr Darya and their tributaries comprise the Aral Sea Basin area and are the lifeline for about 70 million inhabitants in Central Asia. Written by regional and international experts, this book critically examines the current state, trends and future of water resources management and development in this major part of the Central Asia region. It brings together insights on the history of water management in the region, surface and groundwater assessment, issues of transboundary water management and environmental degradation and restoration, and an overview of the importance of water for the key economic sectors and overall socio-economic development of Central Asian countries, as well as of hydro politics in the region. The book also focusses on the future of water sector development in the Basin, including a review of local and international actors, as well as an analysis of the current status and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by Basin countries. The book will be essential reading for those interested in sea basin management, environmental policy in Central Asia and water resource management more widely. It will also act as a reference source for decision-makers in state agencies, as well as a background source of information for NGOs. Chapter 8 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 3.0 license. https://tandfbis.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/rt-files/docs/Open+Access+Chapters/9781138348882_oachapter08.pdf

Stewarding the Sound uses different perspectives to build awareness of the wealth and fragility of this ecosystem by balancing economic and social needs with conservation. This book, the first ever compilation of the ecological importance of the Sound, demonstrates the cumulative stresses that are now occurring within the Sound and the impact that these stresses are having on the ecosystem. This contributed volume will provide the means of reaching a wide audience to spread awareness of how ecologically important this region is and that it requires a sound management plan so that its ecosystem and the services that ecosystem provides are not compromised.

The Lake Governance book will focus on comparative analysis of governance structures by examining policy, legal and institutional structures of current transboundary commissions to develop a common framework for good governance of transboundary lakes. Cooperation among nations sharing natural resources is important for sustainable use of the shared resources. Lakes contribute a big part to GDP in most of the countries and in some cases are also responsible for providing fisheries (for food, source of protein and livelihood). Climate change and associated risks and uncertainties add more complexity to the problems. This book will explore current water governance challenges, knowledge gaps and recommend a framework for good lake governance.

In order to ensure environmentally responsible production and disposal of products, local governments are imposing stricter environmental regulations, some of which even require manufacturers to take back their products at the end of the product's useful life. These government regulations, together with increasing environmental awareness, have forced manufacturers to invest in environment-conscious manufacturing. The multiple Criteria Decision Making Techniques presented in this book can be employed to solve the problems of environment-conscious manufacturers in product design, logistics, disassembly and remanufacturing.

The governance and evaluation of 'megaprojects' - that is, large-scale, complex, high-stakes infrastructure projects usually commissioned by governments and delivered through partnerships between public and private organisations - is receiving increased attention. However, megaproject evaluation has hitherto largely adopted a linear-rationalist perspective to explain the frequent failure of such projects to meet the 'iron triangle' of performance criteria: delivering on time, within budget, and according to specifications. This approach recommends greater control and accountability to remedy megaproject 'pathologies'. Drawing on empirical examples mainly from the transport sector and radioactive waste disposal, this book offers new perspectives to megaproject evaluation. Comprising contributions from leading experts in project evaluation and appraisal, this collection opens up new avenues by suggesting two ways of improving megaproject evaluation: 1) approaches that go beyond the dominant linearrationalist notion of policy processes, and emphasise instead the objective of opening up appraisal processes in order to enhance learning and reflexivity; and 2) approaches that extend evaluative criteria beyond the 'iron triangle', to cover the various socioeconomic impacts and preconditions for project success. This volume will be of great relevance to scholars and practitioners with an interest in megaprojects, energy and climate policy, radioactive waste management, urban design, and project planning and management.

The world's key resources of energy, food and water, which are closely connected and interdependent on each other, are coming under increasing pressure, as a result of increasing population, development and climate change. In the case of China, following its recent economic surge, energy, food and water are already nearing the point of shortage. This book considers how China is working to avoid shortages of energy, food and water, and the effect this is having internationally. Subjects covered include domestic policy debates on China's resource strategies, challenges for managing transboundary waters related to China, responses from various regions and countries to China's 'Go Out' strategy, and China's increasing energy links with Russia and declining agricultural trade with the United States. The book concludes by discussing in comparative perspective China's outward resource acquisition activities and the consequent policy implications.

Rapid changes in energy production and consumption are having major socioeconomic implications for the communities of rural America. Technological developments in horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing (fracking) nuclear energy, biofuels, wind and solar energy have significantly increased domestic energy production and the production of energy from renewable sources has encouraged energy efficiency. Yet, severe concerns persist and policy decisions on energy issues will have profound implications for all Americans and rural communities where consequences are experienced most directly. Thus, the time is appropriate for a careful exploration of the socioeconomic implications of our energy future. The purpose of this book is to present timely and scientifically sound information on energy policy, socioeconomic aspects of energy production and consumption with a focus on rural areas. The book presents the latest research by top scholars with the goal of clarifying options and providing the basis for informed policy decisions.

There has been an explosion in the literature and research on environmental and resource economics in recent years. This major annual publication provides a cutting-edge survey of current research by the leading experts in the field. The latest Yearbook includes contributions on: economics and the land use-environment link issues in the economics of water use the economics of residential solid waste management population and the environment subsidiarity, federalism and the environment transboundary pollution and international cooperation environmental valuation and standard economic theory.

This book breaks the ground in Geographical texts by transcending a strictly regional or topical focus. It presents the opportunities and constraints that mountains and their resources offer to local and global populations; the impacts of environmental and economic change, development and globalisation on mountain environments. Part of the Ecogeography series edited by Richard Hugget

Originally published in 1972, Regulation of the Natural Gas Producing Industry combines several papers prepared for a seminar in Washington D.C in 1970.The purpose of this seminar was to exchange views between specialists on the issues related to regulation natural gas production. As such these papers explore issues such as producer price regulations, arguments for and against the regulation of natural gas, the changing environment of natural gas supply and what the future holds in terms of the natural gas producing industry. This title will be of interest to students of Environmental Studies and policy makers.

Gas pipelines constitute an important, yet unexplored, aspect of strategic geography. As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India's need for energy is paramount. Though surrounded by gas-rich regions - Myanmar and Bangladesh to the east, the Gulf to the west and Central Asia to the north - India does not have a single gas pipeline coming in, going out or traversing through its territory to date. This book highlights the global competition over gas pipelines and its implications for India's energy security in a comprehensive manner. The author leads us through a labyrinthine world comprising numerous actors - the states, energy firms, scientists, engineers, investors and bankers - engaged in competition over these pipelines leading to a continuous game of checkmating rivals, instigating conflicts, causing damage and destruction and threatening military action to persuade or dissuade states from joining specific projects. Pulsating, rigorous, grounded in hard facts and solid research, this book will be indispensable for scholars and researchers of international relations, strategic affairs, defence studies and politics, as well as think tanks, government agencies and the informed general reader.

Written by and for scholars, planners, and policymakers, Natural Resource Management: The Human Dimension focuses on issues such as the publics role in the decision-making processes of ecosystem management that affect how we use (or abuse) resources. It exposes the reader to a wide variety of applications of Human Dimensions Research, as well as to significant issues involved. One of the greatest needs in natural resource management is for a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between humans and the natural environment. Human Dimensions Research, an interdisciplinary field involving a broad variety of social science approaches, seeks to fill this need by providing multidimensional assessments of peoples’ behavior, attitudes, and expectations toward natural resources and their uses. Written by and for scholars, planners, and policymakers, Natural Resource Management: The Human Dimension focuses on issues such as the publics role in the decision-making processes of ecosystem management that affect how we use (or abuse) resources. It exposes the reader to a wide variety of applications of Human Dimensions Research, as well as to significant issues involved. At a time when we are either loving our forests and parks to death or paving them over, a better understanding of the problems is critical if we are to create workable policies that will preserve and protect our natural resources

Energy management training and solutions are not one size fits all. While some general methods apply, the metals industry has its own unique processes and environments for which a more tailored approach is necessary. Aimed at managers, engineers, and supervisors working in the metals industry, Energy Management for the Metals Industry offers specifics that can help readers in the metals field achieve energy savings for their companies. The book explains general energy management methods and offers approaches germane to the metals industry. It discusses the benefits and reasons for implementing an energy management program and the requirements necessary to begin one. The book covers defining and measuring performance, setting baselines, and benchmarking a plant and its processes. It also discusses analyzing data, identifying projects, improving processes, setting goals, and creating an action plan, while controlling and evaluating progress. Real-world examples highlight concepts and illustrate potential pitfalls.

Energy is an issue for everyone and nowhere more so than in the SADCC countries. But for sensible policy and planning, clear information about the extent of resources is needed. This innovative study combines the results of field assessment of biomass with advanced techniques in remote sensing by satellite to give the first comprehensive and detailed picture of biomass distribution throughout the SADCC region. The authors describe their techniques, classify the kinds of biomass and give its distribution, by that classification, in all nine SADCC countries. Woody biomass resources and supplies are clearly analysed. This book is essential reading for project officers, planners and all others involved in the collection and analysis of data on biomass resources throughout the world. Originally published in 1988

There is enormous current interest in urban food systems, with a wide array of policies and initiatives intended to increase food security, decrease ecological impacts and improve public health. This volume is a cross-disciplinary and applied approach to urban food system sustainability, health, and equity. The contributions are from researchers working on social, economic, political and ethical issues associated with food systems. The book's focus is on the analysis of and lessons obtained from specific experiences relevant to local food systems, such as tapping urban farmers markets to address issues of food access and public health, and use of zoning to restrict the density of fast food restaurants with the aim of reducing obesity rates. Other topics considered include building a local food business to address the twin problems of economic and nutritional distress, developing ways to reduce food waste and improve food access in poor urban neighborhoods, and asking whether the many, and diverse, hopes for urban agriculture are justified. The chapters show that it is critical to conduct research on existing efforts to determine what works and to develop best practices in pursuit of sustainable and socially just urban food systems. The main examples discussed are from the United States, but the issues are applicable internationally.

This edited volume explores how a feminist political ecology framework can bring fresh insights to the study of rural and urban livelihoods dependent on vulnerable rivers, lakes, watersheds, wetlands and coastal environments. Bringing together political ecologists and feminist scholars from multiple disciplines, the book develops solution-oriented advances to theory, policy and planning to tackle the complexity of these global environmental changes. Using applied research on the contemporary management of groundwater, springs, rivers, lakes, watersheds and coastal wetlands in Central and South Asia, Northern, Central and Southern Africa, and South and North America, the authors draw on a variety of methodological perspectives and new theoretical approaches to demonstrate the importance of considering multiple layers of social difference as produced by and central to the effective governance and local management of water resources. This unique collection employs a unifying feminist political ecology framework that emphasizes the ways that gender interacts with other social and geographical locations of water resource users. In doing so, the book further questions the normative gender discourses that underlie policies and practices surrounding rural and urban water management and climate change, water pollution, large-scale development and dams, water for crop and livestock production and processing, resource knowledge and expertise, and critical livelihood studies. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of environmental studies, development studies, feminist and environmental geography, anthropology, sociology, environmental philosophy, public policy, planning, media studies, Latin American and other area studies, as well as women's and gender studies.

This book explores connections between activist debates about food sovereignty and academic debates about alternative food networks. The ethnographic case studies demonstrate how divergent histories and geographies of people-in-place open up or close off possibilities for alternative/sovereign food spaces, illustrating the globally uneven and varied development of industrial capitalist food networks and of everyday forms of subversion and accommodation. How, for example, do relations between alternative food networks and mainstream industrial capitalist food networks differ in places with contrasting histories of land appropriation, trade, governance and consumer identities to those in Europe and non-indigenous spaces of New Zealand or the United States? How do indigenous populations negotiate between maintaining a sense of moral connectedness to their agri- and acqua-cultural landscapes and subverting, or indeed appropriating, industrial capitalist approaches to food? By delving into the histories, geographies and everyday worlds of (post)colonial peoples, the book shows how colonial power relations of the past and present create more opportunities for some alternative producer-consumer and state-market-civil society relations than others.

This open access book asks just how climate-smart our food really is. It follows an average day's worth of food and drink to see where it comes from, how far it travels, and the carbon price we all pay for it. From our breakfast tea and toast, through breaktime chocolate bar, to take-away supper, Dave Reay explores the weather extremes the world's farmers are already dealing with, and what new threats climate change will bring. Readers will encounter heat waves and hurricanes, wildfires and deadly toxins, as well as some truly climate-smart solutions. In every case there are responses that could cut emissions while boosting resilience and livelihoods. Ultimately we are all in this together, our decisions on what food we buy and how we consume it send life-changing ripples right through the global web that is our food supply. As we face a future of 10 billion mouths to feed in a rapidly changing climate, it's time to get to know our farmers and herders, our vintners and fisherfolk, a whole lot better.

This path-breaking book explores the new European energy policy, highlighting the significance of environmental policy concerns, instruments, and objectives vis-a-vis competing security and market dimensions in order to achieve an all-embracing EU energy policy perspective for the future. While the past years have witnessed unprecedented development of EU energy policy, the understanding of this process has lagged behind. Alongside the scarce literature on this emergent policy, there is also a gap regarding the attention paid to its different components. The study stems from the perception of a mismatch between the valuable debate that certain dimensions of energy policy - namely, energy security and the market and competition framework - have triggered and the neglect of its environmental and climate change dimensions. European Energy Policy will prove to be insightful for academics and postgraduate students interested in European integration, political science, international relations, public policy and environmental science. Energy stakeholders and governmental policymakers will also find plenty of invaluable information in this enriching resource. Contributors: C. Adelle, M. Bechberger, P.-O. Busch, L. Carafa, A. Ciambra, M. Dobbins, G. Escribano-Frances, S. Fischer, A. Herranz-Surralles, H. Jorgens, J.K. Knudsen, F. Morata, M. Natorski, M. Pallemaerts, D. Russel, E. San Martin Gonzalez, I. Solorio Sandoval, J. Tosun, E. Zapater

In the summer of 1969, a federal district court in Denver, Colorado, heard arguments in one of the nation's first explicitly environmental cases, in which the Defenders of Florissant, Inc. opposed real estate interests intent on developing lands containing an extraordinary set of ancient fossils. This book, the first account of the fight to preserve the Florissant fossil beds, tells a story of environmental activism that remains little known more than forty years after the coalition's victory. The principal author, Estella Leopold, was a major participant in the process.