We may be standing at the precipice of a revolution in propulsion not seen since the internal combustion engine replaced the horse and buggy. The proliferation of electric cars will change the daily lives of motorists, boost some regional economies and hurt others, reduce oil insecurity but create new insecurities about raw materials, and impact urban air quality and climate change. If you want to understand how quickly the transition is likely to occur, and the factors shaping the pace of the transition, this book delivers with a candid, illuminating style. The invention of the lithium-ion battery and its adaptation to the auto sector set the stage for the exciting proliferation of electric cars, beginning with California and Norway. This book focuses on the period from the oil crises of the 1970s to the present, tracing the development of this entirely new industry and its critical supply chain. John Graham delves into the major societal concerns, economic rationales, governmental policies and corporate strategies. He emphasizes that consumer concerns slowed the pace of the transition while spurring more innovation and new policies to persuade reluctant consumers. And he explains why the transition is now occurring much faster in China and Europe than in Japan and the United States. More broadly, the book tells the story of many successes and failures in public policy, technological innovation and corporate strategy. This book provides an in-depth understanding of how people on every continent in the world are contributing to the new electric-vehicle industry, including the raw materials, battery components, electric motors and charging stations. Faculty, students and researchers will appreciate the integrated treatment of the technical, economic, political and international issues. For the practitioner in industry, government and civil society, the book is an engaging look at the roles of key decision makers and organizations, both those favoring electric cars and those opposed.

From the author of The History of the World in 100 Animals, a BBC Radio Four Book of the Week, comes an inspirational new book that looks at the 100 plants that have had the greatest impact on humanity, stunningly illustrated throughout. As humans, we hold the planet in the palms of ours hands. But we still consume the energy of the sun in the form of food. The sun is available for consumption because of plants. Plants make food from the sun by the process of photosynthesis; nothing else in the world can do this. We eat plants, or we do so at second hand, by eating the eaters of plants. Plants give us food. Plants take in carbon dioxide and push out oxygen: they give us the air we breathe, direct the rain that falls and moderate the climate. Plants also give us shelter, beauty, comfort, meaning, buildings, boats, containers, musical instruments, medicines and religious symbols. We use flowers for love, we use flowers for death. The fossils of plants power our industries and our transport. Across history we have used plants to store knowledge, to kill, to fuel wars, to change our state of consciousness, to indicate our status. The first gun was a plant, we got fire from plants, we have enslaved people for the sake of plants. We humans like to see ourselves as a species that has risen above the animal kingdom, doing what we will with the world. But we couldn't live for a day without plants. Our past is all about plants, our present is all tied up with plants; and without plants there is no future. From the mighty oak to algae, from cotton to coca here are a hundred reasons why.

Climate Change Education: Reimagining the Future with Alternative Forms of Storytelling offers innovative approaches to teaching about climate change through storytelling forms that appeal to today's students-climate fiction and protest poetry, horror and documentary films, video games and social media. The stories are used as exemplars, from exploring space debris to urban design planning to fast fashion and provide entry points for investigating particular aspects of climate science, including the local and global impacts of a warming planet. Each chapter provides analysis and strategies for fostering climate (and space) literacy through knowledge, empathy, and agency. The contributors encourage educators to answer students' calls for comprehensive K-12 climate education by aligning pedagogy with real-world challenges to prepare students who understand the myriad injustices of the climate crisis and feel empowered to confront them. Contributors from around the world share their own stories and urge educators to join the growing, hopeful movement for action, classroom by classroom.

Addressing one of the most pressing environmental issues, this topical book carefully inspects the current extent of the plastic pollution crisis and observes contemporary approaches to its regulation. By adopting a strong interdisciplinary approach, the book fully encapsulates the key challenges and solutions surrounding this globally applicable problem. Through critical analysis, this insightful book methodically identifies the faults in existing efforts to tackle the problem of plastic pollution such as often-fragmented regulation tactics, proposing potential approaches to policy reform. It utilises stakeholder analysis to offer a study of key participants such as governments and industries and comprehensively surveys the ongoing nature of this provocative issue. This comprehensive book will be crucial for students and scholars of law, economics, politics, and environmental studies endeavouring to further understand the multi dimensional issue of global plastic pollution. It will additionally be valuable for policy and decision-makers seeking to understand the challenges involved in environmental policy regulation.

Economic issues arise in almost every water policy context. Water is of most concern when scarce, but physical scarcity is often overcome as human beings move water from place to place, sometimes creating monumental structures. The roles that cost and economic value play in water resource allocation are implicit, but often poorly understood. This second edition clarifies the role of economics and offers material that can be applied to water resource allocation problems around the world. Topics covered include: groundwater, floods and droughts, in situ uses of water, and institutions and law. New to the book is an exploration of water issues outside the United States as well as a new application of behavioral and experimental economics to the topic. A concise introduction to issues of water quality and quantity in both urban and agricultural settings, Water Resource Economics and Policy will be a valuable resource or text for students and researchers in the fields of agricultural economics, geography, law, and hydrology. Those involved in water resource agencies and private utilities will also find the book a useful reference. Acclaim for the first edition: 'This textbook is written for first-year graduate students and senior level undergraduates in economics. ... Graduate students in geography, water resources, and environmental management should also be interested. The well-done helpful diagrams and charts are those expected for a textbook in economics at this level. In every chapter many interesting real-world examples illustrate the concept being discussed. Some chapters have easy-to-read case studies set off from the text. ... I plan on keeping this excellent book as a shelf reference and would willingly adopt it for a class in water resource economics.' - Donald E. Agthe, Journal of the American Water Resources Association 'This is a much-needed book, which introduces the interested reader to the economics of water resource allocation, and analyzes relevant policy issues derived from all over the world. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first book which is focused on communicating the basic economic concepts that govern water resources allocation. ... The lively writing style of W. Douglass Shaw, which is enriched with excellent examples and case studies from various countries, makes this book an obvious choice for a textbook in relevant courses ... this excellent book should be a compulsory reading for all of us who work in the field of water resources management.' - Phoebe Koundouri, Ecological Economics

This book is comprised of enhanced, expanded, and updated versions of articles previously published in the the International Journal of Public and Private Perspectives on Healthcare, Culture, and the Environment (IJPPPHCE). The chapters will highlight critical trends focusing on the relationship between the public sphere, private sector, medicine, environmental health and wellbeing, and society. It covers critical topics such as environmental sustainability, ethics and medicine, healthcare and administration, corporate social responsibility, pollution and waste management, and related topics, and how the public sector and private industries contribute to these factors. This book will be interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary in its nature, as it is intended for a broad audience with interests in Healthcare, Culture, or the Environment or specifically professionals, policy makers, researchers, and graduate-level students in the fields of sociology, environmental science, public policy, healthcare administration, and business.

Sustainable development is a long-term solution to how we plan our indefinite progress in the future. The concept covers a broad scope of environmental, social, and economic development, which continues to prove its importance in our lives as it affects all aspects of them. Innovative Economic, Social, and Environmental Practices for Progressing Future Sustainability explores the current practice and implementation of economic, social, and environmental sustainable development. This book offers a reference for a wide number of stakeholders interested in the importance of economic, social and environmental development in sustainable development. New contributions, especially theoretical, practical and managerial, will be discussed in this book. This book is a reference for a wide number of stakeholders interested in the area of sustainable development, especially in the area of economic, social, and environment. This text is an international platform to bring together academics, researchers, lecturers, decision-makers, policymakers, and practitioners to share new theories, research findings, and case studies.

Artist Norman Thelwell is best known for his cartoons depicting plump, petulant ponies and their young riders, but The Effluent Society shows another aspect of his work and character. Thelwell was passionate about the countryside and nature. During his life he became increasingly concerned about the impact of development, pollution and society's treatment of the environment. When The Effluent Society was first published in 1971, his concerns were way ahead of their time. Today, environmental and conservation issues are in the mainstream and have become a global priority. Although the cartoons focus on a serious topic there is no mistaking Thelwell's inimitable style. He used his talent and humour to convey a powerful message: the need to protect the environment. He also takes a wry look at modern life and so-called progress. Thelwell admitted that out of all his books, The Effluent Society was the one that gave him the greatest 'personal satisfaction' and, as such, the re-issue of this title is a fitting tribute to the artist.

In good times, growth and profits are welcome, but in bad times we need resilience, and resilience cannot be spirited up overnight. The economic fallout from the 2008-9 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic has been considerable. Each required unprecedented measures to prevent the economy from crashing. We can learn from crisis to move beyond the superficial success of growth-based economics to adopt a more robust way to frame economics. The adoption of resilient economics should allow an economic system to evolve that is stable by default. The next crisis could be any number of issues, some very closely aligned with the economy and others related to health and environment, or something else entirely. A truly resilient economy should be able to weather any crisis and bounce back when it abates. We need to recalibrate economics to regain its place as a solid and respected discipline at the heart of policymaking. Resilient economics can do this. It provides a framework that moves away from focusing on expansion and growth, to focusing on security, stability, and sustainability. All societies are different; every economy should be different.

Urban Soil and Water Degration, Volume Seven explores a wide breadth of emerging and state-of-the-art technologies, including comprehensive coverage of topics such as Urban sprawl, Soil degradation, Hydrological challenges in urban areas, Soil and water quality - pollutant sources and pathways, Ecosystem services in urban areas, Freshwater-related nature-based solutions in cities, Property Rights and Climate Change - land use under changing environmental conditions, Municipal planning to prevent soil and water degradation: The case of Vilnius, In between water and fires: soil degradation in a new Mediterranean peri-urban landscape, and more. Additional chapters in this release include Groundwater in Venetian area, Soil protection and hydrogeological risk assessment. A strategic planning experience in Franciacorta, Data driven approach for assessing surface runoff in separated sewage systems: Israeli Case Study, Ecological status of urban streams and riparian habitats in the Czech Republic, Soil and water degradation in urban areas from western Romania, Mapping water ecosystem services: supply and demand in Stockholm, Land degradation and water availability in Ethiopia, and The study of land use and land cover changes in the Bekescsaba area, Hungary.

Wetlands are vital for human survival. They are among the world's most productive environments as they are cradles of biological diversity that provide the water and productivity upon which countless species of plants and animals depend for survival. Wetlands provide habitat for thousands of species of aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals as well as a number of societal benefits such as food and habitat for fish and wildlife, water quality improvement, flood storage, shoreline erosion control, economically beneficial natural products for human use, and opportunities for recreation, education, and research. According to the Federal Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Wetlands, more than one-third of the United States' threatened and endangered species live only in wetlands, and nearly half use wetlands at some point in their lives. This book offers a comprehensive look at the importance of wetland conservation, its challenges, and future aspects. The book highlights the challenges of wetland conservation and current scenarios of existing wetlands; the importance of the inland wetland and its conservation is particularly highlighted as it is critical and very important in the current existing wetland scenario. This book is critical for industries, academics, research scholars, and environmental consultants who are practicing wetland management.

Discover the fascinating world of mushrooms with this beautiful pocket guide, featuring trivia, history, identification tips, delicious recipes and more One of nature’s most extraordinary organisms can be found right under your feet: the mushroom. For thousands of years these fungi have intrigued humankind, providing food, inspiring folklore and proving to be both poison and cure. The Little Book of Mushrooms will allow you to uncover this mysterious kingdom for yourself. Learn the difference between a giant puffball and a scarlet elf cup and discover how mushrooms and the fungal network help plant life to communicate. You will also find: Fascinating facts about the fungi kingdom Mushroom folklore from around the world A beginner’s guide to identifying common wild mushrooms A collection of delicious mushroom-based recipes  Mushrooms are vital to life on earth, and this book will be your guide to these spectacular organisms that have influenced our past and could shape our future.

The hilarious true-life tale of one man's journey from self-confessed planet-killing lad to eco-friendly, green-crusader Dad set against the backdrop of Cool Britannia, Blair's Britain and the rise of the green movement. Back in the nineties, Loaded journalist, Pete May was your normal twenty-something male: a football mad, beer guzzling, Dr Who watching lad's lad, quite happy surrounding himself with countless pizza boxes, beer cans and other environmentally unfriendly consumer items. Recycling to Pete was a debate about whether he should turn his socks inside out and reuse them. Then one day, out of nowhere, along came eco bunny Nicola - a greener than green environmental activist. Could two people so different really fall for each other? Would Pete ever change his ways and sign up to the green lifestyle of composting loos, freezing cold houses, multiple jumper wearing, chicken rearing, recycling, cycling, energy saving and general self-sufficiency? This is the charming and funny true-life tale of one man's struggle to grapple with the good life, go green and get the girl.

Humanitarian engineering is to provide disadvantaged individuals and communities with engineering solutions that improve lives and livelihoods. The provision of water, energy, food, shelter, energy and information are some of the issues targeted by this "discipline". Humanitarian Engineers could be the key towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, UNESCO is working to strengthen engineering education through curricula development and capacity building. It is also incorporating sustainability topics into engineering education by highlighting the need for green technology in engineering applications. The careful use of resources in a way that does not compromise the environment or deplete the materials for future generations is called sustainable engineering. Both sustainable engineering and humanitarian engineering require a highly interdisciplinary approach since they aim to improve the quality of life for all. The current book looks for the most recent challenges and approaches in the field of humanitarian engineering. A wide variety of topics that fall under the domain are technology-based solutions that tackle humanitarian problems. Pandemics, ageing of population, climate change, social inclusion, extreme poverty and hunger, maternal health and child mortality, education for all, are some indicative topics that could be addressed by technology. Early warning and alerting mechanisms for physical disasters, green engineering approaches, mobile health solutions for remote and underserved populations, are some paradigms that fall under the researched theme. The book is accepting research, real-life case studies, innovative models and approaches, and other work that lies in the presented theme. The proposed collection of chapters will provide an overview of the present thinking and state-of-the-art developments in humanitarian engineering. The book aims at providing latest research findings and their practical implementations, as well as new formulations, solutions, and case studies for tackling humanitarian contemporary issues. The book will give a unique opportunity to stakeholders, researchers and the academic community working in the aforementioned domains to understand the implications and solutions to a variety of topics. The book is anticipated to trigger further research on issues directly related to the proposed humanitarian topics.