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Global Warming and the Future of the Earth
Global Warming and the Future of the Earth
The globally averaged surface temperature of the Earth has increased during the past century by about 0.7°C. Most of the increase can be attributed to the greenhouse effect, the increase in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide that is emitted when fossil fuels are burned to produce energy.The book begins with the important distinction between weather and climate, followed by data showing how carbon dioxide has increased and the incontrovertible evidence that it is caused by burning fossil fuels (i.e., coal, oil, and natural gas). I also address the inevitable skepticism that global warming arouses and offer a number of responses to the global warming skeptics. After dealing with the skeptics, I analyze both the current and future effects of global warming. These future effects are based on scenarios or “storylines” put forth by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. In closing, I address the controversial (and grim) suggestion that we have already passed the “tipping point,” which is the time after which, regardless of our future actions, global warming will cause considerable hardship on human society. I intend this book to be approachable for all concerned citizens, but especially students of the sciences and engineering who will soon be in a position to make a difference in the areas of energy and the environment. I have tried to frame the debate in terms of what the engineering community must do to help combat global warming. We have no choice but to think in terms of global environmental constraints as we design new power plants, factories, automobiles, buildings, and homes. The best thing for scientists to do is to present what we know, clearly separating what is known from what is suspected, in a non-apocalyptic manner. If matters are clearly and passionately presented to the public, we must be prepared to accept the will of the people. This presents the scientific community with an enormous responsibility, perhaps unlike any we have had in the past. Contents: Weather and Climate (and a Little History) / Are the Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere Increasing? / The Greenhouse Effect and the Evidence of Global Warming / The Skeptics: Are Their Doubts Scientifically Valid / Impacts: The ""So What"" Question / The Bottom Line
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Nature-Based Solutions to 21st Century Challenges
Nature-Based Solutions to 21st Century Challenges
This book provides a systematic review of nature-based solutions and their potential to address current environmental challenges. In the 21st century, society is faced by rapid urbanisation and population growth, degradation and loss of natural capital and associated ecosystem services, an increase in natural disaster risks, and climate change. With growing recognition of the need to work with ecosystems to resolve these issues there is now a move towards nature-based solutions, which involve utilising nature’s ecosystem to solve societal challenges while providing multiple co-benefits. This book systematically reviews nature-based solutions from a public policy angle, assessing policy developments which encourage the implementation of nature-based solutions to address societal challenges while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. This includes enhancing sustainable urbanisation, restoring degraded ecosystems, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and reducing risks from natural disasters. While nature-based solutions can be applied strategically and equitably to help societies address a variety of climatic and non-climatic challenges, there is still a lack of understanding on how best to implement them. The book concludes by providing a best practice guide for those aiming to turn societal challenges into opportunities. This book will be of great interest to policymakers, practitioners and researchers involved in nature-based solutions, sustainable urban planning, environmental management, and sustainable development generally.
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Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management
Whether your students are HRM majors or general business majors, Human Resource Management: Functions, Applications, and Skill Development, Third Edition, will help them build the skills they need to recruit, select, train, and develop talent. Bestselling authors Robert N. Lussier and John R. Hendon explore the important strategic function HR plays in today′s organizations. A wide variety of applications, self-assessments, and experiential exercises keep students engaged and help them see the relevancy of HR as they learn skills they can use in their personal and professional lives. A Complete Teaching & Learning Package SAGE Premium Video Included in the interactive eBook! SAGE Premium Video tools and resources boost comprehension and bolster analysis and illustrate HRM in action. Watch this video on Culture Shock for a preview. Learn more. Interactive eBook Includes access to SAGE Premium Video, multimedia tools, and much more! Save when you bundle the interactive eBook with the new edition. Order using bundle ISBN: 978-1-5443-2106-6. Learn more. SAGE coursepacks FREE! Easily import our quality instructor and student resource content into your school’s learning management system (LMS) and save time. Learn more. SAGE edge FREE online resources for students that make learning easier. See how your students benefit.
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Decentralized Water Reclamation Engineering
Decentralized Water Reclamation Engineering
This book presents technical information and materials concerning the engineering of decentralized infrastructure to achieve effective wastewater treatment while also minimizing resource consumption and providing a source of reclaimed water, nutrients and organic matter. The approaches, technologies and systems described are targeted for green building and sustainable infrastructure across the United States and similar industrialized nations, but they are also applicable to water and sanitation projects in developing regions around the world. Today, decentralized infrastructure can be used to sustainably serve houses, buildings and developments with water use and wastewater flows of 100 to 100,000 gal/d or more. The book provides in-depth engineering coverage of the subject in a narrative and slide format specifically designed for classroom lectures or facilitated self-study. Key topics are covered including: engineering to satisfy project goals and requirements including sustainability, contemporary water use and wastewater generation and methods to achieve water use efficiency and source separation, alternative methods of wastewater collection and conveyance, and treatment and reuse operations including tank-based (e.g., septic tanks, aerobic treatment units, porous media biofilters, membrane bioreactors), wetland-based (e.g., free water surface and vegetated subsurface bed wetlands), and land-based unit operations (e.g., subsurface soil infiltration, shallow drip dispersal). Approaches and technologies are also presented that can achieve nutrient reduction and resource recovery in some cases or pathogen destruction to enable a particular discharge or reuse plan. The book also describes requirements and methods for effective management of the process solids, sludges and residuals that can be generated by various approaches, technologies, and systems. The book contains over 300 figures and illustrations of technologies and systems and over 150 tables of design and performance data. There are also more than 200 questions and problems relevant to the topics covered including example problems that have solutions presented to illustrate engineering concepts and calculations.
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Systems Thinking for Geoengineering Policy
Systems Thinking for Geoengineering Policy
Even by the scientists most closely associated with it, geoengineering – the deliberate intervention in the climate at global scale to mitigate the effects of climate change – is perceived to be risky. For all its potential benefits, there are robust differences of opinion over the wisdom of such an intervention. Systems Thinking for Geoengineering Policy is the first book to theorise geoengineering in terms of complex adaptive systems theory and to argue for the theoretical imperative of adaptive management as the default methodology for an effective low risk means of confronting the inescapable uncertainty and surprise that characterise potential climate futures. The book illustrates how a shift from the conventional Enlightenment paradigm of linear reductionist thinking, in favour of systems thinking, would promote policies that are robust against the widest range of plausible futures rather than optimal only for the most likely, and also unlock the policy paralysis caused by making long term predictions of policy outcomes a prior condition for policy formulation. It also offers some systems driven reflections on a global governance network for geoengineering. This book is a valuable resource for all those with an interest in climate change policy, geoengineering, and CAS theory, including academics, under- and postgraduate students and policymakers.
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Planning Health Promotion Programs
Planning Health Promotion Programs
The Intervention Mapping bible, updated with new theory, trends, and cases Planning Health Promotion Programs is the "bible" of the field, guiding students and practitioners through the planning process from a highly practical perspective. Using an original framework called Intervention Mapping, this book presents a series of steps, tasks, and processes that help you develop effective health promotion and education programs using a variety of approaches. As no single model can accurately predict all health behavior or environmental changes, this book shows you how to choose useful theories and integrate constructs from multiple theories to describe health problems and develop appropriate promotion and education solutions. This new fourth edition has been streamlined for efficiency, with information on the latest theories and trends in public health, including competency-based training and inter-professional education. New examples and case studies show you these concepts in action, and the companion website provides lecture slides, additional case studies, and a test bank to bring this book directly into the classroom. Health education and health promotion is a central function of many public health roles, and new models, theories, and planning approaches are always emerging. This book guides you through the planning process using the latest developments in the field, and a practical approach that serves across discipline boundaries. Merge multiple theories into a single health education solution Learn the methods and processes of intervention planning Gain a practical understanding of multiple planning approaches Get up to date on the latest theories, trends, and developments in the field Both academic and practice settings need a realistic planning handbook based on system, not prescription. Planning Health Promotion Programs is the essential guide to the process, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to develop solutions without a one-size-fits-all approach.
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The Ancient Maya, 6th Edition
The Ancient Maya, 6th Edition
The rich findings of recent exploration and research are incorporated in this completely revised and greatly expanded sixth edition of this standard work on the Maya people. New field discoveries, new technical advances, new successes in the decipherment of Maya writing, and new theoretical perspectives on the Maya past have made this new edition necessary.
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Economic Problems of Peace after War
Economic Problems of Peace after War
Originally published in 1917, this book presents the content of lectures which analyse the relationship between economics and post-war peace.
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