Wasn't school-sponsored prayer banned in 1962? Wasn't the Bible banned from public schools in 1963? Didn't the Supreme Court rule that both forms of religious expression and belief violated the US Constitution? Didn't the ACLU convince everyone that there should be no religion whatsoever promoted or supported by the public school system. Then why are Islamic prayer and Islamic religious exercises allowed to take place in America's public schools? Isn't every student told to be proud of their culture and heritage no matter where they came from? Shouldn't students feel proud to fly the American flag? Then why are the children in public schools being taught that they should feel guilty about America being so powerful and enjoying the freedoms that so many brave soldiers have fought and died for? This book discusses these and many other issues that all Americans should be concerned about, especially if their children are in public schools.

Pesticides have contributed impressively to our present-day agricultural productivity, but at the same time they are at the center of serious concerns about safety, health, and the environment. Increasingly, the public wonders whether the benefits of pesticides - the perfect red apple' - outweigh the costs of environmental pollution, human illness, and the destruction of animals and our habitat. Scientists and government officials are suspected of promoting commercial interests rather than protecting human welfare.

With contributions from more than 200 esteemed international authorities and containing approximately 200 entries, the Encyclopedia of Pest Management, Volume II is a key reference for professionals in academia, industry, and government, as well as students at all levels. Containing completely new entries, this volume is designed to be regularly consulted for immediate and precise information. Contributions address a wide spectrum of scientific and human topics, concepts, methodologies, strategies, solutions, questions, and dilemmas. It provides numerous references, giving you access to additional, more detailed information. Coverage includes: Principles of integrated pest management (IPM) Pests and their management in crops and livestock Insect pests Weed pests Plant pathogens Vertebrate pests Crop, livestock, and stored-food losses Biological, cultural, and mechanical pest control Pest control through breeding and bio- and gene-technology Pesticides: types and uses Pesticide and biocide application technology Pesticide laws and regulations Semiochemicals Water and soil pollution from pesticide use Ecological backlash Environmental impacts of pesticides and biocides Human health impacts and the costs of pesticide use Pest management and sustainable agriculture Social, ethical, and economic aspects, issues and debates Biochemical, ecological, behavioral, environmental, climatic interactions The encyclopedia focuses on the ecology and management of pest species that damage or destroy food, livestock, and forest products. All articles have been peer reviewed to assure their accuracy and objectivity. The articles assess the benefits and risks of various pest-management technologies. The use of pesticides as well as nonchemical controls are included, with every effort made to use quantitative data. Contact us to inquire about subscription options and print/online combination packages. US: (Tel) 1.888.318.2367 / (email) [email protected] International: (Tel) +44 (0) 20 7017 6062 / (email) [email protected]

The book deals with the present state and problems of integrated pest management (IPM) as relating to stakeholder acceptance of IPM and how IPM can become a sustainable practice. The book covers the implementation of integrated pest management in USA, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, China, India, Indonesia, Australia, Africa, and its impact in reducing pesticide use in agriculture. The book also deals with the impact of transgenic crops on pesticide use.

This book focuses on current food shortages and on the impact of pests in reducing world food supplies. At present, total worldwide food losses from pests are estimated to be about 45 percent. Preharvest losses alone, from insects, plant pathogens, and weeds, are estimated at about 30 percent. Additional postharvest losses from microorganisms, insects, and rodents range from about 10 to 20 percent. The contributors present data on the extent of these kinds of crop losses and analyze immediate and long-term pest management strategies. Emphasis is given to an evaluation of the effectiveness of integrated controls and the various new nonchemical pest controls used to reduce crop and livestock losses. The current worldwide environmental problems associated with both large-scale pesticide use and other pest control methods are also analyzed, including the impact that increased use of pesticides can be expected to have on the human environment. While the data included are technical, the presentation and analysis will be of interest to both the scientific community and the general public.

Chemical pesticides continue as a point of major controversy in our society. Increasingly stringent regulatory actions on the part of state and federal agencies, exemplified by the RPAR (Rebuttable Presump tion Against Registration) program of the Environmental Protection Agency, are supported by environmental groups and are generally op posed or viewed with skepticism by agriculturalists. The energy crisis invokes other questions on benefits of pesticides versus nonchemical controls and effects on labor utilization. As DDT and other persistent pesticides have been phased out, the more labile, short-lived chemicals have filled the voids in pest management systems; and effects on nontarget species appear to have declined in recent years as the shift occurred. However, nagging ques tions of the hazard to man and other nontarget species from long-term, low-level exposure to pesticides are frequently raised; and recent suggestions that certain well-known and long-used chemicals cause cancer, increase sterility, and initiate or augment other deleterious effects in test animals have instilled a sense of caution and raised con cern about the continued availability of some pesticides previously considered safe. So the facade of concern and confusion continues. This book is an outgrowth of a symposium at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in February, 1978. An introduction has been added, and some of the papers have been modified since presentation."

Biofuels and food are dependent on the same resources for production: land, water, and energy. The conjuncture of food, energy, and climate crises demands a new direction in how to harness agriculture to the joint tasks of energy-saving, emissions reduction, and food security. Global Economic and Environmental Aspects of Biofuels focuses on the all-important question of the efficacy of biofuels as a solution to the global energy problem. Written by a distinguished team from five countries and multiple disciplines including agronomy, petroleum engineering, ecology, and meteorology, the book addresses the use of biofuels produced from crops and various organic materials as alternatives or supplements to petroleum. Key Features Discusses biofuels within the context of the world population problem, food, malnutrition, resource depletion, and climate change Asks the critical question whether the production of ethanol from corn, sugar cane, crop residues, and other organic materials has proven too costly in both economic and environmental terms Analyzes the uses and interdependencies among land, water, and fossil energy resources in food versus biofuel production Includes case studies on the economic and environmental impacts of biofuel production and use from the United States, Europe, Brazil, and tropical environments Explores the future production of biodiesel and ethanol from salt-water algae and tropical palms, while recognizing the technological problems that must be resolved in processing these materials This book examines key environmental and economic issues associated with the production of ethanol as a fuel, from corn, sugar cane, crop residues, and other organic materials. It brings together the opinions of a number of U.S. scientists and experts from Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, and highlights the remarkable agreement among the contributors on the pros and cons of biofuels as an answer to future petroleum shortages. This mix of contributors and opinions presents a well-rounded view of the subject that puts a spotlight on unresolved concerns and complexities that are often overlooked.

The field of pest control research, of increasing importance in a world short of food, has been plagued for many years by a variety of problems, among them (1) the instability (including pesticide resistance) of many control techniques, (2) the continuing need for improved pest management methods to increase world food supplies, and (3) the environmental and social hazards of currently used pesticides. What historical or other factors affect the ability of science to generate useful new technologies to alleviate these three major problems? Are there barriers to cooperation among the different pest control specialists? This book attempts to answer these questions, examining past events and projecting likely impacts on contemporary pest management systems. The authors--sociologists, economists, lawyers, ecologists, political scientists, and pest control scientists--examine the social, economic, political, and ethical factors that are important in shaping pest management systems, as well as developmental patterns that show the importance of these factors in shaping today's systems.

Biofuels and food are dependent on the same resources for production: land, water, and energy. The conjuncture of food, energy, and climate crises demands a new direction in how to harness agriculture to the joint tasks of energy-saving, emissions reduction, and food security. Global Economic and Environmental Aspects of Biofuels focuses on the all-important question of the efficacy of biofuels as a solution to the global energy problem. Written by a distinguished team from five countries and multiple disciplines including agronomy, petroleum engineering, ecology, and meteorology, the book addresses the use of biofuels produced from crops and various organic materials as alternatives or supplements to petroleum. Key Features Discusses biofuels within the context of the world population problem, food, malnutrition, resource depletion, and climate change Asks the critical question whether the production of ethanol from corn, sugar cane, crop residues, and other organic materials has proven too costly in both economic and environmental terms Analyzes the uses and interdependencies among land, water, and fossil energy resources in food versus biofuel production Includes case studies on the economic and environmental impacts of biofuel production and use from the United States, Europe, Brazil, and tropical environments Explores the future production of biodiesel and ethanol from salt-water algae and tropical palms, while recognizing the technological problems that must be resolved in processing these materials This book examines key environmental and economic issues associated with the production of ethanol as a fuel, from corn, sugar cane, crop residues, and other organic materials. It brings together the opinions of a number of U.S. scientists and experts from Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, and highlights the remarkable agreement among the contributors on the pros and cons of biofuels as an answer to future petroleum shortages. This mix of contributors and opinions presents a well-rounded view of the subject that puts a spotlight on unresolved concerns and complexities that are often overlooked.

The field of pest control research, of increasing importance in a world short of food, has been plagued for many years by a variety of problems, among them (1) the instability (including pesticide resistance) of many control techniques, (2) the continuing need for improved pest management methods to increase world food supplies, and (3) the environmental and social hazards of currently used pesticides. What historical or other factors affect the ability of science to generate useful new technologies to alleviate these three major problems? Are there barriers to cooperation among the different pest control specialists? This book attempts to answer these questions, examining past events and projecting likely impacts on contemporary pest management systems. The authors--sociologists, economists, lawyers, ecologists, political scientists, and pest control scientists--examine the social, economic, political, and ethical factors that are important in shaping pest management systems, as well as developmental patterns that show the importance of these factors in shaping today's systems.

The book deals with the present state and problems of integrated pest management as relating to stakeholder acceptance of IPM and how integrated pest management can become a sustainable practice. The discussions include using less pesticides and the possibility of eliminating pesticides from agricultural practice.

The aim of this volume is to collect and present available data, both published and unpublished, on energy use in agriculture and forestry production. Energy analyses for some sciences such as ecology are not new, but their applications to agriculture started in 1973. These analyses have grown rapidly in number and complexity. This handbook is intended for agriculturalists and others concerned with energy use in crop, livestock, and forestry production.

Agriculture methods that exclude pesticides and other chemical inputs are spreading rapidly all over the world. Commonly known as organic farming, this agriculture model is increasingly recognized by farmers, consumers, environmentalists and policy-makers as a way to improve environmental, social, and economical sustainability in food production. This entry explains the concept of Organic Farming and gives an overview of the current situation, growth factors and dynamics, and basic practices. Dekker will provide subscribers and readers with new content each quarter. The list below indicates titles planned for future quarterly updates (new and revised articles). The alphabetical list below is not intended to specify when an individual article will be available. This timely resource ranges across a broad spectrum of interrelated disciplines-including botany, zoology, agriculture, engineering, environment, public health, and soil and water science-to identify diverse pest species that damage and destroy crops, livestock, and forest products. This user-friendly reference contains: an authoritative and comprehensive writing style that allows experienced professionals to find specific information overviews that enable quick understanding of never before encountered subject matter a flexible cross referencing system and exhaustive index that facilitate easy location

The book deals with the present state and problems of integrated pest management as relating to stakeholder acceptance of IPM and how integrated pest management can become a sustainable practice. The discussions include using less pesticides and the possibility of eliminating pesticides from agricultural practice.       

This book takes you on a unique journey through American history, taking time to consider the forces that shaped the development of various cities and regions, and arrives at an unexpected conclusion regarding sustainability. From the American Dream to globalization to the digital and information revolutions, we assume that humans have taken control of our collective destinies in spite of potholes in the road such as the Great Recession of 2007-2009. However, these attitudes were formed during a unique 100-year period of human history in which a large but finite supply of fossil fuels was tapped to feed our economic and innovation engine. Today, at the peak of the Oil Age, the horizon looks different. Cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas are situated where water and other vital ecological services are scarce, and the enormous flows of resources and energy that were needed to create the megalopolises of the 20th century will prove unsustainable. Climate change is a reality, and regional impacts will become increasingly severe. Economies such as Las Vegas, which are dependent on discretionary income and buffeted by climate change, are already suffering the fate of the proverbial canary in the coal mine. Finite resources will mean profound changes for society in general and the energy-intensive lifestyles of the US and Canada in particular. But not all regions are equally vulnerable to these 21st-century megatrends. Are you ready to look beyond "America's Most Livable Cities" to the critical factors that will determine the sustainability of your municipality and region? Find out where your city or region ranks according to the forces that will impact our lives in the next years and decades. Find out how: *resource availability and ecological services shaped the modern landscape *emerging megatrends will make cities and regions more or less livable in the new century *your city or region ranks on a "sustainability" map of the United States *urban metabolism puts large cities at particular risk *sustainability factors will favor economic solutions at a local, rather than global, level *these principles apply to industrial economies and countries globally. This book should be cited as follows: J. Day, C. Hall, E. Roy, M. Moersbaecher, C. D'Elia, D. Pimentel, and A. Yanez. 2016. America's most sustainable cities and regions: Surviving the 21st century megatrends. Springer, New York. 348 p.

Pesticides have contributed impressively to our present-day agricultural productivity, but at the same time they are at the center of serious concerns about safety, health, and the environment. Increasingly, the public wonders whether the benefits of pesticides - 'the perfect red apple' - outweigh the costs of environmental pollution, human illness, and the destruction of animals and our habitat. Scientists and government officials are suspected of promoting commercial interests rather than protecting human welfare.

Chemical pesticides continue as a point of major controversy in our society. Increasingly stringent regulatory actions on the part of state and federal agencies, exemplified by the RPAR (Rebuttable Presump tion Against Registration) program of the Environmental Protection Agency, are supported by environmental groups and are generally op posed or viewed with skepticism by agriculturalists. The energy crisis invokes other questions on benefits of pesticides versus nonchemical controls and effects on labor utilization. As DDT and other persistent pesticides have been phased out, the more labile, short-lived chemicals have filled the voids in pest management systems; and effects on nontarget species appear to have declined in recent years as the shift occurred. However, nagging ques tions of the hazard to man and other nontarget species from long-term, low-level exposure to pesticides are frequently raised; and recent suggestions that certain well-known and long-used chemicals cause cancer, increase sterility, and initiate or augment other deleterious effects in test animals have instilled a sense of caution and raised con cern about the continued availability of some pesticides previously considered safe. So the facade of concern and confusion continues. This book is an outgrowth of a symposium at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in February, 1978. An introduction has been added, and some of the papers have been modified since presentation."

The impact of invasive species is second only to that of human population growth and associated activities as a cause of the loss of biodiversity throughout the world. In the United States, invasions of nonnative plants, animals, or microbes cause major environmental damage. The second edition of Biological Invasions: Economic and Environmental Costs of Alien Plant, Animal, and Microbe Species represents the most current, single-source reference containing scientific and economic information on this timely subject.

This volume reconfirms the diverse and unpredictable roles that non-native species assume as they invade new ecosystems: destruction of vital crops and forests, major damages to ecosystems leading to loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and water loss. The text provides information on how the non-native species invade new ecosystems, their subsequent environmental effects, and estimates on economic impacts. Biological Invasions supplies scientists, policymakers, and the public with a better understanding of the invading species and how to prevent their spread and improve control procedures.

Since the publication of the first edition of Food, Energy, and Society, the world's natural resources have become even more diminished due to the rapid expansion of the global human population. We are faced with dwindling food supplies in certain geographic areas, increasing pressure on energy resources, and the imminent extinction of many threatened species. In light of these major issues, this third edition presents an updated and expanded analysis on the interdependency of food, energy, water, land, and biological resources.

Written by internationally renowned experts, the book includes new material on livestock production and energy use, the impacts of pesticides on the environment, and the conservation of biodiversity in agricultural, forestry, and marine systems. It also compares the energy inputs of crop production in developing and developed countries, covers the agricultural and environmental issues related to water resources, and details the threat of soil erosion to food and the environment. In addition, the book explores the very timely topics of solar energy, biomass systems, and ethanol production.

Offering a startling glimpse at what our planet may become, this edition shows how to achieve the necessary balance between basic human needs and environmental resources and provides potential solutions to the host of problems we face today.

Since the publication of the first edition of Food, Energy, and Society, the world's natural resources have become even more diminished due to the rapid expansion of the global human population. We are faced with dwindling food supplies in certain geographic areas, increasing pressure on energy resources, and the imminent extinction of many threatened species. In light of these major issues, this third edition presents an updated and expanded analysis on the interdependency of food, energy, water, land, and biological resources. Written by internationally renowned experts, the book includes new material on livestock production and energy use, the impacts of pesticides on the environment, and the conservation of biodiversity in agricultural, forestry, and marine systems. It also compares the energy inputs of crop production in developing and developed countries, covers the agricultural and environmental issues related to water resources, and details the threat of soil erosion to food and the environment. In addition, the book explores the very timely topics of solar energy, biomass systems, and ethanol production. Offering a startling glimpse at what our planet may become, this edition shows how to achieve the necessary balance between basic human needs and environmental resources and provides potential solutions to the host of problems we face today.

Land degradation from soil erosion has been considered by many to be a problem of significant proportion, affecting some 30 50% of the earth's land surface. At the time of the first publication of this book in 1993, estimates indicated that 10 15 million hectares of land were being lost each year through erosion and salinisation from irrigation and that at such a rate of loss, topsoil reserves on most sloping lands would be depleted within two hundred years. Since humankind's dependency on the land for food is almost total, soil erosion represents a real threat to the security of our food supply. The need for the immediate conservation of the world's soil resources is therefore clear. As part of the response to this need, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Commission on Ecology convened a special working group to consider the problem of world soil erosion and to propose practical solutions for soil conservation. This important book presents the outcome of their work.

In Psalms For Today, the author shares his innermost thoughts and concerns on important issues and topics of the modern world. The author discusses sensitive issues that most people must deal with on a daily basis, such as loneliness, aging, technology, bullying and sin. By sharing his own personal and deep reflections, the author hopes to encourage the reader to offer his or her own cries to God. The author also hopes to remind the reader that God is full of grace, mercy and love, and that God is waiting for all people to call upon His name.

In "Obama Must Go," the author takes a critical look at President Obama's performance for the last five years by discussing many key issues that need to be considered by all American citizens, especially the young people who will be paying down the national debt for years to come. The issues range from Obama's constant apologizing for America to the rest of the world to Obama's Obama's promise that would cut the deficit in half in four years. Instead, Obama has doubled the national debt with no sign of controlling the spending and waste of taxpayer funds. In discussing these important issues, the author argues that Obama's leadership, credibility and approval rating will continue their downward spiral until his last day in office.

Wasn't school-sponsored prayer banned in 1962? Wasn't the Bible banned from public schools in 1963? Didn't the Supreme Court rule that both forms of religious expression and belief violated the US Constitution? Didn't the ACLU convince everyone that there should be no religion whatsoever promoted or supported by the public school system. Then why are Islamic prayer and Islamic religious exercises allowed to take place in America's public schools? Isn't every student told to be proud of their culture and heritage no matter where they came from? Shouldn't students feel proud to fly the American flag? Then why are the children in public schools being taught that they should feel guilty about America being so powerful and enjoying the freedoms that so many brave soldiers have fought and died for? This book discusses these and many other issues that all Americans should be concerned about, especially if their children are in public schools.