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Advances in Watersheds Water Pollution and Ecological Restoration: Selected Papers of the 2023 9th International Conference on Advances in Energy Resources and Environment Engineering (Environmental Science and Engineering)
by Fadi Hage Chehade Zawawi Bin Daud Mohammed J. K. Bashir Aliasgahr EnsafiThis book provides a glimpse into the cutting-edge research on pollution management and detection in the water environments of watersheds, covering topics like water pollution traceability, pollution monitoring, and management techniques. According to the United Nations World Water Development Report provided by the World Water Forum, millions of tons of garbage are dumped into rivers, lakes, and streams around the world every day, and every liter of wastewater pollutes eight liters of freshwater, causing a serious damage to the water environment in watersheds. The protection and prevention of water in watersheds, which is related to freshwater resources for human development and survival, has always been a crucial research direction in the field of environmental engineering. This book aims to promote the exchange of scientific information among scholars from the world's leading universities, research centers, and high-tech companies and is of great benefit to researchers and professionals in the field of environmental control of watershed management.
Adventures in Backyard Gardening: Inspiring Young Gardeners to Grow Their Own Food (The Adventures Series)
by Ron SmithAuthor is a Environmental Science Educator, Citizen/Community Science Project Leader, and Curriculum Writer The health of the planet and of humanity is connected to food. Where our food comes from matters. How our food is grown matters. The diversity of our food matters. With so many educational initiatives, if kids learn early, it becomes an enduring part of their lives.
Aesthetics of Participation: Atmosphere, Design, and Experience at the Oslo Opera House (Ambiances, Atmospheres and Sensory Experiences of Spaces)
by Jeremy Hektor Payne-FrankThis book explores the way people participate with the Oslo Opera House, Norway. As an iconic and culture-led building, these different modes of participation reveal the tensions between staged space and individual experience.Movement, materiality, light, and art are viewed through an atmospheric lens to demonstrate how architecture can shape people’s engagement with, and understanding of, urban space. This book contributes to a growing literatureon atmosphere in relation to our experience of the built environment. In adopting this atmospheric perspective, the book speaks to the concerns of designers, users, and researchers interested in the way contemporary development infuses our cities with the experiential, as a means of developing access, participation, and democracy. It explores the ways in which people experience a building, held up against the claims, intentions, and assumptions that surround it. The book’s focus on design, participation, and experience, in relation to political ideals, will appeal to architects, planners, and academics concerned with the production of space. Equally, its underlying atmospheric contribution and methodological approach will be of interest to designers, scholars, professionals, and students of ambiance, affect and atmosphere, architecture, city planners and urban developers, human geographies, anthropology, and urban studies.
African Values and Development: Rethinking Agenda 2063 (Routledge Studies in African Development)
by Ezra Chitando Eunice KamaaraThis book considers the importance of African values, not only in catalysing development, but in sustaining it. Arguing for an urgent need for rapprochement between African politicians and intellectuals, the book discusses how African values and identities can contribute to the successful realization of initiatives such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the course of the book, the authors consider key themes such as identity, indigenous and modern worldviews; personhood; individual and communal perspectives; peace and conflict; and well-being. The book explores the role of religion and moral values, as well as African worldviews such as Ubuntu. Overall, the book demonstrates that African values will be central to galvanising Africa’s post-colonial transformation. This book will be an important read for policymakers and for researchers working on African development, politics, sociology, religion and philosophy.
Against Catastrophism: Climate Change, Pandemics, and Hope for the Future
by Cosimo SchinaiaAgainst Catastrophism explores catastrophism from multiple vantage points and considers the impact of ongoing crisis on individuals.Bringing together contributors from psychoanalysis, economics, anthropology, and gastroenterology, this book explores themes including fossil fuel culture, social movements like Extinction Rebellion, the COVID-19 pandemic, media messaging, and the future of food supply chains. By assessing the value of a constant barrage of information about catastrophes and considering the need for a containing environment, the chapters explore how we can avoid endorsing a closed-off vision of the future and instead unlock possibilities. The book concludes with a discussion of optimism, radical hope, and how we can put forward a new narrative on nature.Against Catastrophism will be of great interest to psychoanalysts, psychologists, psychiatrists, economists, anthropologists, sociologists, food scientists, environmentalists, ecologists, politicians, and communication experts.
Agency in Poverty and War: Consciousness in Rural Human Development (Routledge Studies in Hazards, Disaster Risk and Climate Change)
by Vivianna Rodriguez CarreonThis book examines how people's self-awareness is affected by both internal and external factors amid war and poverty. It explores how agency has influenced the inward human development of rural women who face triple disadvantages related to gender, ethnicity, and access to economic power.It presents a multidisciplinary perspective on the intersection of war and poverty through narratives of surviving women. It advances understandings of how rural people, peasants, and Indigenous Peoples of Peru, particularly women, have experienced poverty and war as a combination of oppression, repression, and aggression. It explores their agency is affected and how it evolves during and after conflict in their search for truth and justice. It does this by taking the capability approach combined with insights from perspectives on raising consciousness and inner transformation in human development in which awareness of rural people’s experience enables them to be free and can move them from survival to conscious agents.This book offers new narratives to evaluate the hazards of poverty and war and the potential human security for rural people agency and empowerment in building peace. It will be of interest to scholars and practitioners of development studies, peace and security, political Latin America geography, rural communities, peace and conflict studies, human development and political studies.
Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Senegal (Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development)
by Marieme ToureIn the light of the impact of extreme weather events, declining agricultural productivity and child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, this book explores the potential for sustainable agriculture to better respond to climate-related threats. By presenting a case study of Senegal, the author offers insights into the impact of climate change on long-term crop production, food security, and child malnutrition. Furthermore, the study sheds new light on the financialization of agricultural production and foreign direct investments, discusses policy instruments and adaptation strategies for implementing sustainable agriculture, and highlights the role of green financing instruments to enable the harmonization of private financing and green infrastructure. It will appeal to scholars of agricultural and development economics, and anyone interested in climate risk mitigation strategies and sustainable agriculture to achieve a green transition in sub-Saharan Africa.
Agricultural Land Use: Structural Transformations, Environment Challenges, Planning and Policy (Earthscan Food and Agriculture)
by Jerzy BańskiThis book presents contemporary trends and challenges in agricultural land use, drawing on an array of global case studies.This volume examines agricultural land use through a three-pronged approach: structural transformations, environmental challenges, and planning and policy. Reflecting the global relevance of contemporary challenges to agricultural land use, the book presents a wide range of novel case studies from across the world, including Poland, Hungary, Denmark, Slovenia, Czechia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Algeria, Northeast Africa countries, China, India, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Brazil. Each chapter focuses on a particular issue related to agricultural land use in that country or region, including land fragmentation, reduction of crop land, agricultural intensification, desertification of soils, climate change, biodiversity loss, traditional agricultural systems, urbanization and rural development, and planning challenges for agricultural land. Together the chapters present a global view of the challenges facing the agricultural industry and offer solutions for developing sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security and environmental and biodiversity conservation.This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of food and agriculture, land use and land management, rural studies, and sustainable development.
Agricultural Nutrient Pollution and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities
by Lixia Wang Naseer Hussain Chih-Yu HungThis book presents a comprehensive exploration of advanced scientific techniques for reducing agricultural nutrient pollution in the context of climate change. It delves into the sources, pathways, and extent of nutrient release into the environment, offering stakeholders valuable insights into how scientific advancements can help reduce environmental footprints. The authors critically examine key knowledge gaps, policy interventions, and challenges related to nutrient management from agrochemicals, synthetic fertilizers, and organic manures. As the demand for safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly agricultural practices grows in the face of climate change, this book synthesizes scientific research, reports, and policies. It provides reliable information for scientists, students, policymakers, and organizations to promote effective nutrient utilization in agriculture while minimizing environmental impacts.
Agricultural Soil Science: Sustainable Management of Agricultural Soils (ISTE Invoiced)
by Yves Coquet Joel MichelinSoils are a vital resource in agricultural production. This book aims to provide an overview of several topics concerning agricultural soil management. Without claiming to be exhaustive, it nevertheless provides a useful basis for understanding how agricultural soils function, and how to manage these functions within agroecosystems. Our approach to soils is multidisciplinary, ranging from natural sciences to human and social sciences. Agricultural Soil Science also highlights the characteristics of soils in specific geographical regions (Mediterranean soils, tropical soils) and environments (urban soils). The content of this book is based on the training programs run by its authors at the higher education establishments where they teach. At a time of ecological transition, soils must once again play a central role in the management of agroecosystems. This book sets out to play its part in making that happen.
Agricultural and Climate Change Adaptation Law in Africa: Reflections from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa (Earthscan Food and Agriculture)
by Habib Sani UsmanThis book presents an analysis of climate change and agricultural laws in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa in order to determine whether they adequately addressed the concept of agricultural adaptation.Agriculture is one of the sectors of the economy that is contributing to climate change, and at the same time the sector is heavily impacted by climate change. Therefore agricultural adaptation is required. Focusing on three countries, this book provides a novel, comparative examination of how and to what extent the law promotes agriculture-focused adaptation in these countries. The role of the law in addressing issues such as water management strategies, soil conservation methods, and crop production methods is discussed. This book identifies gaps in the regulatory frameworks for agricultural adaptation and highlights the lack of adaptive capacity of African agriculture due to weak or non-existing legal frameworks. It discusses ways to remedy these gaps through specific on-farm adaptation strategies, legislative amendments to consolidate all relevant national climate change-related policies and laws with agricultural policies and laws that have relevant provisions on adaptation as medium-term solutions, and the development of a specific framework law for agriculture-focused adaptation, incorporating essential agricultural adaptation strategies, could perhaps be enacted as long-term solutions to the regulatory gaps.This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of law, climate change, food and agriculture, sustainable development, and African studies.
Airstream Country: A Geologic Journey Across the American West
by Neil MathisonA herd of bison standing in the snow. Layered bluffs of multicolored sandstone. A silver Airstream trailer on a mountain highway. These are familiar sights for Neil Mathison and his wife, Susan. Newly retired, their son in college, they embark upon a great American road trip &“uncoupled from the tyranny of calendars or a specific journey.&” Airstream Country recounts their travels across the western United States as they move from Montana to Malibu and Seattle to Silverton, winding their way through millions of years of geological history with their Airstream in tow. Along the way they encounter upheavals and depositions, ancient seas and young mountains, and stone towers and striated canyons, which are all illuminated by Mathison&’s knowledgeable commentary. Even after thousands of miles and eons of geology, their adventures are never finished, for, as Mathison writes, &“We learn by travel where we ought to travel more.&”
Airy and Other Analytical Waves for Beginners (Synthesis Lectures on Mechanical Engineering)
by Juan J. Muñoz-Perez Antonio Contreras-de-Villar Pilar Diaz-CarrascoThe aim of this book is to become something practical, providing a description of the essential theory (explained simply) and many solved exercises. The basic concepts necessary to understand the rudiments of the Airy wave and other analytical waves (and their application to Coastal Engineering) are clarified. Moreover, the appropriate mathematical tools are given in certain cases because some science courses do not require a minimum background in mathematics or physics. Despite not going into depth into the theoretical developments, experience has demonstrated that students are ensured to acquire the bare minimum of knowledge necessary to pursue any subsequent improvement course.
Alternating Current Field Measurement Technique for Detection and Measurement of Cracks in Structures
by Wei Li Xiao Li Xin'an Yuan Jianming Zhao Xiaokang YinThis open access book serves as a comprehensive exploration of Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM), encompassing the foundational theory crucial for subsequent chapters, as well as the design and testing of ACFM probes, instruments, and software. Providing guidance and serving as a reference for ACFM instrument development, the text delves into visualization research in ACFM, offering valuable insights for technical engineering applications. Nondestructive testing (NDT) emerges as a pivotal method for detecting and assessing defects, offering support for safety pre-warning and maintenance decisions in industrial structures. Originating from the 1980s, the demand for an NDT technique arose to inspect fatigue cracks at welded intersections in offshore underwater structures in the North Sea. Conventional NDT methods proved impractical in this distinct underwater environment with quantitative evaluation requirements, prompting the development of the ACFM technique by researchers in the mechanical engineering department at University College London. Over the past four decades, ACFM's theory model, inspection methods, and equipment have undergone rapid advancements, gaining widespread utilization in ocean engineering, the power industry, rail traffic, and special equipment fields. This book encompasses diverse facets, including the global development history of alternating current field measurement technology, core basic theory, signal processing methods, probe instrument development, standardization construction, and engineering applications. Serving as a valuable learning reference for students and offering fundamental theoretical guidance for scientific researchers, it also provides case introductions for engineering applications. The book aims to propel both theoretical research and practical applications of alternating current field measurement technology, contributing significantly to its popularization and widespread application.
Alternative Finance: A Framework for Innovative and Sustainable Business Models (Routledge International Studies in Money and Banking)
by Mina Fanea-Ivanovici Hasnan BaberThe alternative financing space has grown exponentially in the last few decades, namely as a consequence of the financial crisis, technological advancement, niche customer segments, and more recently the pandemic. Now, with the inclusion of Fintech, online lenders, crowdfunding, accelerators, venture capitalists, or angel investors, this funding channel is no longer seen as a substitute for formal financing, but rather a core one. This book is a comprehensive guide to alternative financing methods, offering insights into emerging trends, the role of FinTech, and the intersection of finance with sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship.It fills a knowledge gap by exploring innovative financing channels such as fintech, green finance, and venture capital as well as other non-traditional ways of raising funds, which have become crucial for startups and businesses. It discusses the impact of financial technology (FinTech) on these methods and their function in supporting entrepreneurship and sustainable business, while also examining the implications of these technological advancements in the wider financial sector. It addresses challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs and explores how alternative financing options can support growth and innovation, particularly in the context of environmentally and socially focused ventures, including how to integrate economic, social, and environmental considerations. The emphasis on sustainability and green finance aligns with the growing global concern for responsible business practices and the Sustainable Development Goals.While the primary audience for the book is scholars, researchers, and students, the inclusion of case studies, and the exploration of various financing options, extends practical cues for policymakers and practitioners and contributes to the understanding of how finance, entrepreneurship, and sustainability intersect in real-world business scenarios.
Alternative Fuels for Environmentally-Friendly Ships: Hydrogen, Ammonia, Bio-fuels and E-fuels (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)
by Youngsub LimThis book reports on current shipping and shipbuilding industries' efforts for decarbonization. It demonstrates what regulations have been made for large ships on international voyages and points to what is to change in the future. The book also quantitatively reviews the current challenges of alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, biofuels, and e-fuels, considering economics, safety, and greenhouse gas emissions assessments.
American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest
by Kyle PaolettaAn expansive and revelatory historical exploration of the multicultural, water-seeking, land-destroying settlers of the most arid corner of North America, arguing that in order to know where the United States is going in the era of mass migration and climate crisis we must understand where the Southwest has already beenAlbuquerque. Phoenix. Tucson. El Paso. Las Vegas. Iconic American cities surrounded by desert and rust. Teeming metropolises that seem to exist independently of the seemingly inhospitable and arid landscape that surrounds them, belying the rich insight they offer into American stories of migration, industry, bloodshed, and rebirth. Charting a geographic path through America's largest and hottest deserts, acclaimed journalist Kyle Paoletta maps the past and future of these cities, and the many other settlements from rural town to urban sprawl that make up the region that has come to be called &“the American Southwest.&” Weaving together the stories of immigrants and indigenous populations, American Oasis pulls back the layers of settlement, sediment, habit, and effect that successive empires have left on the region, from the Athapascan, Diné, Tewa, Apache, and Comanche, to the Spanish, Mexican, and, finally, American. As Paoletta&’s journey into the Southwest&’s history becomes inextricably linked to an exploration of its dependency on water, he begins to ask: where, ultimately, will cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix find themselves once the Colorado River and its branches dry up? Richly reported and sweeping in its history, American Oasis is the story of what one iconic region&’s past can tell us about our shared environmental and cultural future.
Amphibians of Ecuador: Phyllomedusidae, Leptodactylidae, Ceratophryidae, Hemiphractidae, Eleutherodactylidae, Centrolenidae, Gymnophiona and Caudata, Volume IV
by William E. Duellman Luis A. ColomaAmphibians of Ecuador, Volume IV is the final installment in a four-volume series that provides comprehensive, well-illustrated, and authoritative insights into the amphibian species of Ecuador, making it an invaluable resource for biologists, conservationists, and others. The series explores, in comprehensive detail, the cultural history and the rich amphibian diversity of Ecuador, providing a thorough review of biogeography, amphibian declines, and conservation.Volume IV specifically focuses in Phyllomedusidae, Leptodactylidae, Ceratophryidae, Hemiphractidae, Eleutherodactylidae, Centrolenidae, Gymnophiona, and Caudata. Characteristics of each species are listed, defined, and compared to similar other species. Reproductive behavior, where known, is described as are data on vocalizations, larvae and ontogenetic changes. Amphibian distributions are detailed and illustrated with physiographic maps with dots. The volume also addresses the declines, extinctions, and conservation status of each species, highlighting their occurrence in protected areas.Key Features: Provides detailed and comprehensive accounts for all species from Ecuador of Phyllomedusidae, Leptodactylidae, Ceratophryidae, Hemiphractidae, Eleutherodactylidae, Centrolenidae, Gymnophiona, and Caudata. An Addendum includes accounts of species described from 2023 to 2024. New data are incorporated for many species. Describes with full color maps the distribution of all known taxa. Includes information on the ecology, reproduction, and behavior of all taxa.
Amphibians of Ecuador: Pipidae, Telmatobiidae, Microhylidae, Dendrobatidae, Ranidae, Bufonidae, and Hylidae, Volume II
by Luis A. Coloma William E. DuellmanThis book is the second of four volumes, which are comprehensive, well-illustrated, and authoritative works invaluable to biologists, conservationists, and others. It explores, in comprehensive detail, the rich amphibian diversity of Ecuador, providing a thorough review of biogeography, amphibian declines, and conservation. This volume covers Pipidae, Telmatobiidae, Microhylidae, Dendrobatidae, Ranidae, Bufonidae, and Hylidae. Characteristics of each species are listed, defined, and compared to similar other species. Reproductive behavior, where known, is described, as are data on vocalizations, larvae, and ontogenetic changes. Amphibian distributions are illustrated with physiographic maps with dots. Each volume addresses the declines, extinctions, and conservation status of each species and provides notations of their occurrence in reserves.KEY FEATURES Provides detailed and authoritative accounts for each species in seven families: Pipidae, Telmatobiidae, Microhylidae, Dendrobatidae, Ranidae, Bufonidae, and Hylidae New data are incorporated for many species Describes with full-color maps the distribution of all known taxa Includes information on the ecology, reproduction, and behavior of all taxa
Amphibious Concepts at the Edge of the Sea (Cities Research Series)
by Joerg Baumeister Daniela A. Ottmann Ioana C. GiurgiuThis book explores interfaces between land and sea and their geostrategic, ecological, urban, productive, indigenous, legal, historical, and artistic dimensions. The oceans, comprising two-thirds of the earth's surface, were initially utilised mainly for transportation and fishing. Today they serve diverse purposes such as supplying energy, freshwater, mineral resources, supporting leisure activities, and providing habitat. Additionally, the UN set up the first international agreement establishing Marine Protection Areas for a third of the sea to mitigate the growing use and exploitation. The more interest in oceans' territories increases, the more the question arises about the beneficial evolution of their physical and legal boundaries. What innovative amphibious concepts can be developed for the edge of the sea? The book pushes the boundaries of current knowledge to provide a deeper insight into the upcoming challenges and opportunities, makingit easier to apply the best strategies for a healthy future for both the ocean and humanity.
An Algebraic Approach to the Many-Electron Problem (SpringerBriefs in Physics)
by Jaroslav Zamastil Tereza UhlířováThis book presents an algebraic approach to the coupled cluster method for many-electron systems, pioneered by Josef Paldus. Using field methods along with an algebraic, rather than diagrammatic, approach facilitates a way of deriving the coupled cluster method which is readily understandable at the graduate level. The book begins with the notion of the quantized electron field and shows how the N-electron Hamiltonian can be expressed in its language. This is followed by introduction of the Fermi vacuum and derivation of the Hartree-Fock equations along with conditions for stability of their solutions. Following this groundwork, the book discusses a method of configuration interaction to account for dynamical correlations between electrons, pointing out the size-extensivity problem, and showing how this problem is solved with the coupled cluster approach. This is followed by derivation of the coupled cluster equations in spin-orbital form. Finally, the book explores practical aspects, showing how one may take advantage of permutational and spin symmetries, and how to solve coupled-cluster equations, illustrated by the Hubbard model of benzene, the simplest quasi-realistic model of electron correlation.
An Anthology of Shells: A Collection of Fascinating Shells from Around the World (DK Little Anthologies)
by Simon AikenA beautiful collection featuring notes, spectacular photos, and illustrations of more than 100 types of shell.A compact version of DK’s bestselling anthology series, An Anthology of Shells is perfect for young nature enthusiasts aged 7-9 for taking on the go.Children can marvel at a wide range of shells from around the world that no collection would be complete without. Learn all about the shell shapes, colors, and textures–and get up close with the snails, crabs, and clams that live in them.This impressive shells anthology for kids offers:The third book in the new compact spin-off of the bestselling Children’s Anthologies series.A magnificent collection of over 100 shell profiles and their creatures from all over the world, from tropical rainforests to icy Antarctic waters.A quality gift book, with metallic foil and striking photographs on every page.An Anthology of Shells pairs photography with storybook descriptions that will captivate young readers, whether it’s marveling at conchs or clams. Featuring photographs of striking formations and illustrations by the artist behind DK’s bestselling Anthology series, as well as plenty of intriguing information, this book will be one to treasure for young conchologists.More in the seriesAnthology of Shells is part of the beautiful, new, and compact Anthology spin-off series. Complete the series and nurture your child's curiosity as they explore geology and earth materials with Rocks and Minerals or mushroom species with the Fungi field guide.
An Introduction to Coastal Engineering
by Michael IsaacsonUnderstand and respond to a changing coastline with this comprehensive reference Coastal engineering concerns society’s interactions with coastlines and relates, for example, to coastal flooding, beach erosion, seawalls and breakwaters, and the design of marinas. As climate change drives sea level rise, coastal engineering is critical in responding to increased coastal flooding and receding shorelines. The need to develop coastal infrastructure while minimizing environmental impacts makes this a vital field. An Introduction to Coastal Engineering offers a comprehensive overview of this subject, designed to bridge existing gaps in the general civil engineering literature. Covering all major aspects of coastal engineering, including ocean wave behaviour, structures, sediments, mixing processes, and modelling, the book emphasizes practical solutions and applications for students and practicing engineers alike. Thorough and rigorous, yet highly readable, the book is a must-own tool for developing solutions towards a sustainable coastal future. An Introduction to Coastal Engineering readers will also find: Pertinent descriptions of wave theories, wave transformations, and random wavesDetailed discussion of practical solutions, recent advancements in the field, and up-to-date data sourcesWorked-through examples and end-of-chapter problems with some written assignmentsA spreadsheet appendix containing a set of reference solutions An Introduction to Coastal Engineering is ideal for students in upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in coastal engineering, practicing coastal engineers, and other engineers engaged in coastal flood protection, waterfront development projects, and the minimization of environmental impacts along shorelines.
An Introduction to Environment, Society and Sustainability
by Paul Sutton Helen HazenThis timely and innovative book delves into the complex interplay of human activities and natural limits in generating today’s sustainability challenges. By contrasting the pressures of growing populations with ecological footprints associated with consumption, the volume navigates the contested terrain where human societies generate environmental impacts.Adorned with illustrative figures, examples and case studies throughout, this book presents insightful analysis of ecological, economic, technological, and social justice responses to the challenges faced by human civilization, including land degradation, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation of natural resources. Many of these issues are wicked problems, characterized by incomplete information, multiple stakeholders, and contested approaches to addressing them. In simple terms, sustainability issues are an interplay between population growth and rising consumption, which are placing impossible demands on finite resources. Potential solutions to the crisis are split between green growth approaches that emphasize technology and institutional capacity to guide economic growth in more sustainable ways, and degrowth approaches that call for a fundamental rethinking of the way we structure society and generate value. This book emerged from a student seminar where undergraduate and graduate students highlighted sustainability topics of concern, helped consider their framing, and then assisted with co-writing several of the chapters. The volume encourages readers to consider structural questions that underpin sustainability dilemmas, and begins with four theoretical frameworks for understanding sustainability issues: ideas from the natural sciences, the population/consumption debate, economic frameworks, and ethical approaches. It then uses a systems approach to apply these theoretical ideas to complex global systems such as the atmosphere, oceans, and agriculture.This volume will be of pivotal interest to students, scholars and academics in the fields of environmental studies, environment and society, human geography and environmental geography, as well as those with an interest in these areas more generally.
An Introduction to Humanitarian Action (Routledge Humanitarian Studies)
by Kristina Roepstorff Katrin RadtkeThis important new textbook provides a concise and practice-oriented introduction to the workings of the humanitarian sector and the key contemporary debates surrounding it.The number of people around the world in need of humanitarian action and protection is at its highest figure in decades; yet at the same time, the humanitarian system is facing numerous problems and undergoing fundamental reforms. This book invites us to tackle these challenges head on, addressing the increasing complexity of humanitarian crises and the implications for humanitarian principles and standards as well as the management of humanitarian projects. Expansive in scope, the book covers: The sector’s historical foundations and the need to decolonise The main types of crises and sectors of humanitarian response State and non-state actors and institutions The key rules, norms, and project management approaches Key trends and challenges, including access, innovation, and anticipation The book also covers important debates on localisation, inclusive programming, and the decolonisation of the humanitarian system. This exciting new textbook will be an important read for students looking for a comprehensive introduction, as well as for practitioners wanting to stimulate critical thinking and enhance their practical skills.