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Books > Earth & environment > The environment
The book presents a detailed assessment of the health science of
lead and the human health risk assessment models for lead s human
health impacts, followed by an account of various regulatory
efforts in the United States and elsewhere to eliminate or reduce
human toxic exposures to lead. The science of lead as presented
here covers releases of lead into the environment, lead s movement
through the environment to reach humans who are then exposed, and
the spectrum of toxic effects, particularly low-level toxic
effects, on the developing central nervous system of the very young
child. The section on human health risk assessment deals with
quantifying not only the dose-response relationships that underlie
toxic responses to lead in sensitive populations but also with the
likelihood of toxic responses vis-a-vis environmental lead at some
level of exposure. This section includes a treatment of computer
models of lead exposure, particularly those that use lead in whole
blood as a key measure. Various models convert lead intake via
various body compartments into measures of body lead burden. Such
measures are then directly related to severity of injury.
The final section of the book deals with past and present
regulatory efforts to control lead releases into the human
environment. Current control efforts present a mixed picture. The
most problematic issue is the continued presence of lead paint in
older housing and lead in soils of urban and mining industry
communities.
Comprehensive assessment of the three major facets of the public
health problem of lead: the voluminous science, the risk assessment
approaches, and approaches to controlling lead as a public health
problem.
Integration of the above three elements to provide a coherent
whole
Provides a single source of information that will be extremely
valuable to all professionals working in areas impacted by this
toxic substance"
Biological control of weeds has been practiced for over 100 years
and Australia has been a leader in this weed management technique.
The classical example of control of prickly pears in Australia by
the cactus moth "Cactoblastis cactorum," which was imported from
the Americas, helped to set the future for biocontrol of weeds in
many countries. Since then there have been many projects using
Classical Biological Control to manage numerous weed species, many
of which have been successful. Importantly, there have been no
serious negative non-target impacts the technique, when practiced
as it is in Australia, is safe and environmentally friendly.
Economic assessments have shown that biocontrol of weeds in
Australia has provided exceedingly high benefit-to-cost ratios.
This book reviews biological control of weeds in Australia to 2011,
covering over 90 weed species and a multitude of biological control
agents and potential agents. Each chapter has been written by
practicing biological control of weeds researchers and provides
details of the weed, the history of its biological control,
exploration for agents, potential agents studied and agents
released and the outcomes of those releases. Many weeds were
successfully controlled, some were not, many projects are still
underway, some have just begun, however all are reported in detail
in this book. "Biological Control of Weeds in Australia" will
provide invaluable information for biological control researchers
in Australia and elsewhere. Agents used in Australia could be of
immense value to other countries that suffer from the same weeds as
Australia. The studies reported here provide direction to future
research and provide examples and knowledge for researchers and
students. KEY FEATURES * A unique collation of information for
Australian weed research and management * Contains all the
information about biological control of weeds in Australia in one
book * Provides key references for further information * Will
become a well cited publication"
In Europe and other developed countries, much of the population
live in small and medium sized towns. For many such places the
pursuit of growth is no longer a viable strategic option. As the
ability of small towns to compete with larger cities for private
investment and government support diminishes, the number trapped in
a spiral of long-term decline grows. Beginning with a brief
overview of the global context, highlighting that urban shrinkage
and decline is a widespread problem, Schlappa and Nishino
illustrate how small towns can generate sustainable forward
strategies in contrasting institutional contexts by fostering
co-production, adjusting public facilities and right sizing the
urban area. The analytical tools and practical examples provided by
Schlappa and Nishino are relevant for political and administrative
decisionmakers, leaders of civil society and business organisations
in developing locally appropriate, creative and robust strategies
to shrink smart and re-grow smaller.
This is a thoroughly revised and updated edition of an
authoritative introduction to ecological modelling. Sven Erik
Jorgensen, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Ecological Modelling, and
Giuseppe Bendoricchio, Professor of Environmental Modelling at the
University of Padova, Italy, offer compelling insights into the
subject. This volume explains the concepts and processes involved
in ecological modelling, presents the latest developments in the
field and provides readers with the tools to construct their own
models.
The Third Edition features:
A detailed discussion and step-by-step outline of the modelling
procedure.
An account of different model types including overview tables,
examples and illustrations.
A comprehensive presentation of the submodels and unit processes
used in modelling.
In-depth descriptions of the latest modelling techniques.
Structured exercises at the end of each chapter.
Three mathematical appendices and a subject index.
This practical and proven book very effectively combines the
theory, methodology and applications of ecological modelling. The
new edition is an essential, up-to-date guide to a rapidly growing
field.
Presents the most commonly used model types with a step-by-step
outline of the modeling procedure used for eachShows readers
through an illustrated example of how to use each model in research
and management settingsNew edition is revised to include only
essential theory with a focus on applicationsIncludes case studies,
illustrations, and exercises (case study of an ecological problem
with full illustration on how to solve the problem)"
This volume spans economics, history, sociology, law, graphic
design, religion, environmental science, politics and more to offer
a transdisciplinary examination of debt. From this perspective,
many of our most pressing social and environmental crises are
explored to raise critical questions about debt's problems and
possibilities. Who do we owe? Where are the offsetting credits? Why
do such persistent deficits in care permeate so much of our lives?
Can we imagine new approaches to balance sheets, measures of value,
and justice to reconcile these deficits? Often regarded as a
constraint on our ability to meet the challenges of our day, this
volume reimagines debt as a social construct capable of empowering
people to organize and produce sustainable prosperity for all. This
text is ideal for provoking classroom discussions that not only
point out the gravity of the crises we face in the twenty-first
century, but also seeks to set readers' minds free to create
innovative solutions.
Steel has, over centuries, played a crucial role in shaping our
material, and in particular, urban landscapes. This books
undertakes a cultural and ecological history of the material,
examining the relationship between steel and design at a micro and
macro level - in terms of both what it has been used to design and
how it has functioned as a 'world-making force', necessary to the
development of technologies and ideas. The research for the book is
informed by diverse fields of literature including industry
journals, contemporary accounts and technical literature - all
framed by rich, early accounts of iron and steel making from the
middle ages to the opening of the industrial age, and most notably,
the crucial works of Vannoccio Biringuccio, Georgius Agricola,
Andrew Ure and Harry Scrivenor. In contrast, trans-cultural
accounts of the history of metallurgy from eminent sinologists and
cultural historians like Joseph Neeham and G.E.R. Lloyd are used.
Readings on the pre-history and history of science, as well as
histories and philosophies technology from scholars such as
Siegfried Giedion, Merritt Roe Smith, L.T.C Rolt, Robert B. Gordon
inform the analysis. Social and economic history from historians
such as Eric Hobsbawn, William T. Hogan and David Brody are
consulted; labour process theory is also examined, particularly the
influential writings of F.W. Taylor in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries and his contemporary critics, like David Nobel and Harry
Braverman. Many other disciples also inform the account: histories
of urban design and architecture, transport and military history,
environmental history and geography.
Hazardous waste in the environment is one of the most difficult
challenges facing our society. The purpose of this book is to
provide a background of the many aspects of hazardous waste, from
its sources to its consequences, focusing on the risks posed to
human health and the environment. It explains the legislation and
regulations surrounding hazardous waste; however, the scope of the
book is much broader, discussing agents that are released into the
environment that might not be classified as hazardous waste under
the regulatory system, but nonetheless pose substantial hazards to
human health and the environment. It provides a background of some
of the major generators of hazardous wastes, explains the pathways
by which humans and wildlife are exposed, and includes discussion
of the adverse health effects linked to these pollutants. It
provides numerous case studies of hazardous waste mismanagement
that have led to disastrous consequences, and highlights the
deficiencies in science and regulation that have allowed the public
to be subjected to myriad potentially hazardous agents. Finally, it
provides a discussion of measures that will need to be taken to
control society's hazardous waste problem. This book was designed
to appeal to a wide range of audiences, including students,
professionals, and general readers interested in the topic.
The agricultural and food sectors have developed into a prominent
industry, impacting economic markets on an international scale. In
certain regions, there is a significant potential for creating
increased competitive advantage in these business areas. Exploring
the Global Competitiveness of Agri-Food Sectors and Serbia's
Dominant Presence: Emerging Research and Opportunities includes
academic coverage and perspectives on enhancing the competitiveness
of the Serbian food industry in the global marketplace.
Highlighting pertinent topics such as exports, international trade,
and manufacturing considerations, this book is an ideal resource
for academics, researchers, graduate students, and professionals
actively involved in the agri-food industry.
Containing papers presented at the 13th International Conference on
Urban Regeneration and Sustainability, this volume includes latest
research providing solutions that lead towards sustainability. The
series maintains its strong reputation and contributions have been
made from a diverse range of delegates, resulting in a variety of
topics and experiences. Urban areas face a number of challenges
related to reducing pollution, improving main transportation and
infrastructure systems and these challenges can contribute to the
development of social and economic imbalances and require the
development of new solutions. The challenge is to manage human
activities, pursuing welfare and prosperity in the urban
environment, whilst considering the relationships between the parts
and their connections with the living world. The dynamics of its
networks (flows of energy matter, people, goods, information and
other resources) are fundamental for an understanding of the
evolving nature of today's cities. Large cities represent a
productive ground for architects, engineers, city planners, social
and political scientists able to conceive new ideas and time them
according to technological advances and human requirements. The
multidisciplinary components of urban planning, the challenges
presented by the increasing size of cities, the amount of resources
required and the complexity of modern society are all addressed.
The published papers cover the following fields: Urban strategies;
Planning, development and management; The community and the city;
Infrastructure and society; Eco-town planning; Spatial conflicts in
the city; Urban transportation and planning; Conservation and
regeneration; Architectural issues; Sustainable energy and the
city; Environmental management; Flood risk; Waste management; Urban
air pollution; Health issues; Water resources; Landscape planning
and design; Intelligent environment; Planning for risk and natural
hazards; Waterfront development; Case studies.
This book is available as open access through the Bloomsbury Open
Access programme and is available on bloomsburycollections.com.
Continuation along current development pathways is not sustainable.
Available technology and production practices and the consumption
patterns of modern societies are leading to global warming and
ecological destruction. Business as usual is not an option. There
is an urgent need to find a new development paradigm that ensures
environmental sustainability while managing to provide, now and in
the future, a decent livelihood for all of humankind. In Technology
and Innovation for Sustainable Development, experts in the area
provide a variety of insights about the technical transformation
needed for sustainable development. It spells out the behavioural
and policy changes that would need to accompany the next
technological transformation, taking into account the complexity of
inducing technological change in the energy and agricultural
sectors. The assessment suggests that this will require major, but
doable improvements in national innovation systems and major, but
affordable shifts in investment patterns and related macroeconomic
adjustments.
Despite three decades of scientists' warnings and
environmentalists' best efforts, the political will and public
engagement necessary to fuel robust action on global climate change
remain in short supply. Katharine K. Wilkinson shows that, contrary
to popular expectations, faith-based efforts are emerging and
strengthening to address this problem. In the US, perhaps none is
more significant than evangelical climate care.
Drawing on extensive focus group and textual research and
interviews, Between God & Green explores the phenomenon of
climate care, from its historical roots and theological grounding
to its visionary leaders and advocacy initiatives. Wilkinson
examines the movement's reception within the broader evangelical
community, from pew to pulpit. She shows that by engaging with
climate change as a matter of private faith and public life,
leaders of the movement challenge traditional boundaries of the
evangelical agenda, partisan politics, and established alliances
and hostilities. These leaders view sea-level rise as a moral
calamity, lobby for legislation written on both sides of the aisle,
and partner with atheist scientists.
Wilkinson reveals how evangelical environmentalists are reshaping
not only the landscape of American climate action, but the contours
of their own religious community. Though the movement faces complex
challenges, climate care leaders continue to leverage
evangelicalism's size, dominance, cultural position, ethical
resources, and mechanisms of communication to further their cause
to bridge God and green.
This collection features three peer-reviewed literature reviews on
pesticide residues in agriculture. The first chapter outlines the
ways in which pesticide use can lead to increased pest problems,
such as pest resurgence and replacement, and the development of
pesticide resistance. The chapter examines current strategies for
mitigating the impacts of pesticides and refers to a detailed case
study on the diamondback moth (DBM) to demonstrate the practical
application of these strategies. The second chapter explores the
threat of pesticide poisoning to human health, either via
deliberate self-poisoning or via occupational exposure. It
discusses how best to monitor exposure to pesticides, as well as
how to minimize the human health risks that may arise as a result
of their use/exposure. The authors refer to a case study on
smallholder cotton farmers in the Republic of Benin to emphasise
the global pesticide poisoning crisis. The final chapter reviews
the environmental impacts of pesticide use in agriculture,
focussing on their contribution to global human and ecological
health issues. It provides an overview of how pesticides are
currently addressed in emission inventory and impact assessment,
and discusses the relevance of spatiotemporal variability in
modelling emissions and the toxicity and ecotoxicity impacts of
pesticides.
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