This volume provides an insightful overview of renewable and alternative energy technologies and policies in the United States and around the world. Are renewable and alternative energy solutions needed to combat many of the negative effects of fossil fuel (including global warming)? Can such solutions be "clean," and still economically viable? For readers wanting clear, objective answers to questions like these, this fascinating, highly informative volume is the ideal source. Renewable and Alternative Energy Resources: A Reference Handbook provides an authoritative, unbiased overview of existing and potential renewable and alternative energy technologies, covering the benefits and drawbacks associated with each. It then looks at a number of specific questions and controversies on this issue, examining the social, political, and economic aspects of renewable and alternative energy use in the United States and other countries—detailing different approaches and activities of international organizations, national governments, and private sector initiatives.

This book examines recent energy use trends and their potential consequences for the global population. Global energy needs have increased dramatically over the past 100 years, and they will continue to increase, creating energy, environmental, and social crises. Can we solve this problem? The first step, according to the authors of Energy Use Worldwide: A Reference Handbook, is to understand fundamental energy issues. Combining their knowledge from the complementary fields of science and policy, the authors begin by explaining the basic facts of energy—what it is, where it comes from, why it is important. Then they show how energy use is linked to global economics, identify key players, and examine the social and environmental consequences of our energy decisions. For readers interested in—or worried about—our use of fossil fuels, this book provides a keen understanding of both the problem and the possible solutions.

This extensive yet concise introduction to the phenomenon of globalization looks at its economic, environmental, and security dimensions as interpreted from different political points of view. Globalization: A Reference Handbook goes beyond the typical focus on multinational corporations and the wired world to explore the full scope of a process that actually began well before the dawn of the Digital Age. This timely, highly informative resource describes the development of globalization, especially in the era from World War II to the present, covering not only its economic aspects, but crucial, interrelated environmental and security issues as well. Rather than limit itself to one interpretation, the book offers an unbiased review of the definitions and assessments of globalization from various points of view, serving readers as an authoritative introduction to what scholars and activists across the political spectrum think about the central phenomenon of our time.

A compelling look at the challenges of freshwater conservation and management issues facing the United States at the start of the new millennium. Battles have been fought, lives have been lost, countries divided-and all for one reason-water. Freshwater Issues provides a quick education in the basics and essential issues of freshwater management. From water supply and resource information to the role of water in ecosystems, the coverage also provides global water data, examines uncertainties about future water supplies, and addresses technological advances in the development of water resources and environmental safeguards. Thorough treatment is given to water rights, allocation issues, and U.S. water laws and their many regional variations. This is followed by an explanation of the economics of water, from ownership and pricing to social impact and discussions of often-conflicting public, environmental, and private interests. The war over water has just begun.

Environmental issues are growing in concern worldwide and college courses/enrollments continue to flourish. No other book combines ecology, law, politics and environmental science in a way designed to inform the reader on how it all fits together. Discussion questions to the end of each chapter that can be used by instructors in long answer/essay examinations. Appendices presents broader theories of the policy process and how bills become laws. Students have found these to be a useful guide to frame their thinking about issues discussed during the course. Extensiveness of the topics covered enables lecturers to familiarize their students with a large number of topics in a single text. Clear and coherent framework to show how much environmental policy is an issue of politics (and competing values and preferences). Strong organization that fits course structures. Textbook begins with the policymaking process before covering specific areas of environmental policy. Up to date and detailed presentation of major laws and policy changes related to the main topics of environmental policy that will be of interest to students.

A sweeping overview of the problems, politics, and policies of international and domestic management of the world's oceans. The world ocean is one of the most important global resources. Without it most life on earth would not survive because the ocean provides temperature regulation and produces oxygen, among other vital functions. However, this life-sustaining resource faces dangerous threats from over fishing, industrial wastes, oil pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Ocean Politics and Policy covers the major types of pollution, deep sea-bed mining, international jurisdictional disputes, and piracy, examining the underlying reasons for these problems and providing practical policy suggestions for reducing their impact. Special focus is placed on historical and contemporary ocean laws, from the concept of "freedom of the seas" to the 2001 Fishery Stock Agreement. Solving the problems facing the world ocean should be a high priority for the international community, and this book provides a starting place for this process. Provides a chronology of the development of ocean management Reproduces portions of documents along with important raw data on world fish catch trends and whale populations

Proponents of globalization argue that it protects the global environment from degradation and promotes worldwide sustainable economic growth while opponents argue the exact opposite. Examining the local, national, and international impacts of globalization, the Handbook of Globalization and the Environment explores strategies and solutions that support healthy economic growth, protect the environment, and create a more equitable world.

The book sets the stage with coverage of global environmental issues and policies. It explores international sustainable development, the evolution of global warming policy, transborder air pollution, desertification, space and the global environment, and human right to water. Building on this foundation, the editors discuss global environmental organizations and institutions with coverage of the UN's role in globalization, the trade-environment nexus, the emergence of NGOs, and an analysis of the state of global environmental knowledge and awareness from an international and comparative perspective.

Emphasizing the effects of increasingly integrated global economy on the environment and society, the book examines environmental management and accountability. It addresses green procurement, provides an overview of U.S. environmental regulation and the current range of voluntary and mandatory pollution prevention mechanisms in use, explores a two-pronged approach to establishing a sustainable procurement model, and examines a collaborative community-based approach to environmental regulatory compliance. The book concludes with an analysis of controversial issues, such as eco-terrorism, North-South disputes, environmental justice, the promotion ofeconomic growth through globalization in less developed countries, and the ability of scientists to communicate ideas so that policy makers can use science in decision making.

This completely revised third edition of Zachary A. Smith's classic text on Arizona politics and public policy brings its examination up to date through the most recent election cycle. Intended for courses on state and local politics and policy, the text provides an introduction to and analysis of the political process in the State of Arizona and the policies that process has produced. The new edition includes contributions from experts on Arizona law, politics, criminal justice, and sociology, and retains the first edition's two-pronged analysis of Arizona's political institutions (the courts, legislature, governor's office, etc.) and the current policy issues facing the state (the environment, water, health care, immigration, and land use, among others). The complete text for courses in public policy and politics.

Environmental issues are growing in concern worldwide and college courses/enrollments continue to flourish. No other book combines ecology, law, politics and environmental science in a way designed to inform the reader on how it all fits together. Discussion questions to the end of each chapter that can be used by instructors in long answer/essay examinations. Appendices presents broader theories of the policy process and how bills become laws. Students have found these to be a useful guide to frame their thinking about issues discussed during the course. Extensiveness of the topics covered enables lecturers to familiarize their students with a large number of topics in a single text. Clear and coherent framework to show how much environmental policy is an issue of politics (and competing values and preferences). Strong organization that fits course structures. Textbook begins with the policymaking process before covering specific areas of environmental policy. Up to date and detailed presentation of major laws and policy changes related to the main topics of environmental policy that will be of interest to students.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) attempts to address climate change from one angle - by paying developing countries to slow or stop deforestation and forest degradation. Trumpeted as a way to both mitigate climate change and assist countries with development, REDD was presented as a win-win solution. However, there have been few attempts to understand and analyse the overall framework. Why REDD Will Fail argues that the important goals will not be met under the existing REDD regime unless the actual drivers of deforestation and forest degradation are diminished. The book delves into the problematic details of the regime, ranging from; national capacity to monitor results, the funding mechanism, the definition of a forest, leakage, and the impetus behind the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. As the international community rallies around REDD and developed countries and companies are willing to commit substantial amounts to implement the scheme, this books seeks to address whether REDD has the potential to achieve its purported goals. This is an important resource for academics and students interested in the policy and management aspects of mitigating climate change, environmental policy, international relations and development studies as well as policy makers involved in the REDD process.

In this second edition, the authors present new developments in the sustainability discussion and argue that a new understanding of sustainability is needed if we are to truly serve future generations ecologically, economically, and equitably. Despite the great flurry of activity around sustainability, the concept itself remains highly contested. This book argues that a new conceptualization of sustainability is needed if we are to achieve a healthful and sustainable environment for the long term. The authors examine the uses, misuses, and abuses of sustainability, and provide case studies of faux sustainability in practice. Seeking to redefine and clarify the concept and its application, they offer a new definition of sustainability - what they call neo-sustainability - to help guide policies and practices that respect the primacy of the environment, the natural limits of the environment, and the relationship between environmental, social, and economic systems. Offering a comprehensive view of sustainability, this text is essential reading for all students and scholars in the field. It will also be of interest to environmental professionals and activists.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) attempts to address climate change from one angle - by paying developing countries to slow or stop deforestation and forest degradation. Trumpeted as a way to both mitigate climate change and assist countries with development, REDD was presented as a win-win solution. However, there have been few attempts to understand and analyse the overall framework. Why REDD Will Fail argues that the important goals will not be met under the existing REDD regime unless the actual drivers of deforestation and forest degradation are diminished. The book delves into the problematic details of the regime, ranging from; national capacity to monitor results, the funding mechanism, the definition of a forest, leakage, and the impetus behind the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. As the international community rallies around REDD and developed countries and companies are willing to commit substantial amounts to implement the scheme, this books seeks to address whether REDD has the potential to achieve its purported goals. This is an important resource for academics and students interested in the policy and management aspects of mitigating climate change, environmental policy, international relations and development studies as well as policy makers involved in the REDD process.

In this second edition, the authors present new developments in the sustainability discussion and argue that a new understanding of sustainability is needed if we are to truly serve future generations ecologically, economically, and equitably. Despite the great flurry of activity around sustainability, the concept itself remains highly contested. This book argues that a new conceptualization of sustainability is needed if we are to achieve a healthful and sustainable environment for the long term. The authors examine the uses, misuses, and abuses of sustainability, and provide case studies of faux sustainability in practice. Seeking to redefine and clarify the concept and its application, they offer a new definition of sustainability - what they call neo-sustainability - to help guide policies and practices that respect the primacy of the environment, the natural limits of the environment, and the relationship between environmental, social, and economic systems. Offering a comprehensive view of sustainability, this text is essential reading for all students and scholars in the field. It will also be of interest to environmental professionals and activists.

This book is an invaluable resource for any prisoner fighting for his or her freedom. Armed with knowledge unknown by most other clemency applicants, he or she will gain a serious advantage. Smith lays out every aspect of the clemency process, step by step: the relief available, the statutory regulations (for all fifty state jurisdictions as well as federal), the grounds for executive clemency, the self-development, personal growth, and transformation processes, social intelligence, communication skills clemency campaign strategies, how to prepare a clemency application, examples of successful applications, and much more.

Growing public concerns about environmental degradation and the compromised integrity of the earth's ecological system spurred Congress to pass the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the first law to focus such environmental concerns into a comprehensive national policy.Though NEPA has had a positive effect on U.S. environmental policy and the national quality of life, this book shows how federal courts and agencies have failed to implement many of the values and goals fundamental to the success of NEPA. To explain this divergence, Matthew J. Lindstrom and Zachary A. Smith examine NEPA's origins, address how it had been implemented and enforced, and highlight its shortcomings. Lindstrom and Smith argue compellingly that if NEPA were fully and properly implemented, it would prove to be a valuable tool for balancing the needs of the world population and the protection of the earth's environment.

Hawai'i is in many ways the most unique of the American states. Distinguished by its unusual beauty, ethnic diversity, and lingering image as a paradise, Hawai'i is special for other important, but less apparent, reasons. It is the only American state to have evolved from a kingdom, the only state with no jurisdictions below the level of county, the only state in which Caucasians have never been in the majority, and the only state whose historic identity and contemporary relationships are as much with Asia and the Pacific as with the rest of the United States.

The nature and trajectory of Hawaiian politics spring from the interaction of these unique elements with more traditional American cultural practices, institutions, and political processes. Also shaping past and present politics are multiple collisions among Native Hawaiians, western missionaries and businessmen, and Asian immigrants. "Hawai'i Politics and Government" brings together information on historical development, ethnic relations, public institutions, political culture, and current issues to discover both the similarities and the differences between Hawai'i and the rest of the country.

This book addresses policy topics of importance to Hawai'i and other communities facing rapid growth, unsettling change, and a new economic environment. The authors describe the policy formation process characteristic of the island state, the formal institutional environment, and significant policy issues. The latter include social and ethnic dynamics, land use, housing, crime, natural resources, budgetary politics, and the situation of contemporary Hawai'ians. The chapters are tied together by the comparative, historical, and prospective approach that characterize each analysis, and by the interpretive comments of editors Smith and Pratt.