This book provides a synthesis of sustainable development, formulating and promoting a lifestyle that would facilitate the reasonable satisfaction of the needs of all people throughout the world, be environmental friendly, and not exceed the carrying capacity of ecosystems. It details the big picture of the human story, discussing cultural evolutions and current global issues, including the influence of humans on the environment. The text is, above all, a comprehensive and future-oriented study, mapping the potential opportunities and threats associated with development. It discusses phenomena that are both easily demonstrable and those which are harder to prove.
Resilience is a term that is gaining currency in conservation and sustainable development, though its meaning and value in this context is yet to be defined. Searching for Resilience in Sustainable Development examines ways in which resilience may be created within the web of ecological, socio-economic and cultural systems that make up the world in. The authors embark upon a learning journey exploring both robust and fragile systems and asking questions of groups and individuals actively involved in building or maintaining resilience. Through a series of wide ranging interviews the authors give voice to the many different approaches to thinking of and building resilience that may otherwise stay rooted in and confined by specific disciplinary, professional or spatial contexts. The book documents emerging trends, shifting tactics and future pathways for the conservation and sustainable development movement post Rio+20, arriving at a set of diverse but connected conclusions and questions in relation to the resilience of people and planet. This book is ideal for students and researchers working in the fields of conservation, sustainable development, education, systems thinking and development studies. It will also be of great interest to NGOs and government officers whose interests and responsibilities focus on conserving or reconstructing biodiversity and system resilience.
A global assessment of potential and anticipated impacts of efforts to achieve the SDGs on forests and related socio-economic systems. This title is available as Open Access via Cambridge Core.
Improving the Sustainable Development Goals evaluates the Global Goals (Agenda 2030) by looking at their design and how they relate to theories of economic development. Adopted unanimously by the member states of the United Nations (UN) in 2015, the goals are remarkable for the global commitment on a set of targets to reach by 2030, but also for the lack of a strategy of implementation. The choice of appropriate action is handed over to individual governments, some of which are limited by their lack of resources. This book explores how implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) can be developed, especially in developing countries. The content, strengths and weaknesses of the SDGs are critically examined, alongside their relationship to ongoing academic research. The authors also investigate the actions of governments over the past three years by looking at the national strategies they have presented at annual meetings of the UN High-Level Political Forum. Improving the Sustainable Development Goals takes a critical but constructive approach, pointing out risks as well as possible remedies. The SDGs are seen as an opportunity for a global conversation on what works in solving some fundamental problems relating to poverty and environmental degradation. With the inclusion of a chapter by Tobias Ogweno, former member of the Kenya’s UN mission, this book will appeal to all those who are interested in policy analysis with a focus on development issues.
Back Cover Copy Humans have exploited a huge diversity of materials throughout history. Today’s conflict between rising demands and dwindling resources raises searching questions about how optimally to meet humanity’s needs efficiently and safely, challenging common assumptions. Plastics support many facets of modern life yet raise associated problems, whilst ‘natural’ materials may be far from benign when inputs extending their longevity are considered. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a plastic with adaptable, durable and other properties used in diverse construction, medical, information technology, domestic and many applications besides. However, PVC has faced significant NGO pressure relating to its chlorine content and the range of additives conferring desirable properties. Yet, unlike organochlorine pesticides, PVC plastic is inert and recyclable after providing long service life. This book is not ‘pro-PVC’, but draws on lessons learned from how the PVC value chain, particularly across Europe, has engaged with problems and made further progress under voluntary commitments to sustainable development. The book advocates a ‘level playing field’ of common sustainability principles for assessment of the benefits and risks of the use of all materials in the context of their incorporation within whole product life cycles, from raw material extraction to beyond end-of-life. The use of every material raises specific challenges, but also shares common problems arising from society’s legacy of wasteful, linear resource use. Activities surrounding the PVC value chain have generated novel ideas, assessment techniques and reconsideration of regulatory approaches relevant to sustainability assessment of the use of all materials in the context of whole product life cycles on a common ‘level playing field’, which best supports the meeting of the diversity of human needs in the safest and most efficient manner. This book is aimed at industry, regulatory and NGO audiences and influence on wider media.
Sustainable development is capturing the attention of planners, politicians and business leaders. Within the academic sphere its study is increasingly breaching disciplinary boundaries to become a focus of attention for natural and social scientists alike. But in studying such a key concept, it is vital that there is a clear definition of what it means, how it is applied on the ground, and the influence it exerts upon people's perceptions of change in the physical environment, economic activity and society. Exploring Sustainable Development is a major new text which provides a multifaceted introduction to key areas of study in this field, examining sustainability at the full range of spatial scales from the local to the global. Building on existing theory it demonstrates the unique contributions that thinking geographically about space, place and human-environment relationships can bring to the analysis of sustainable development. This book explores different interpretations of sustainable development in both theory and practice, in developed and developing countries, and in rural and urban areas. It pays particular attention to the local, national and international politics of implementation, the future of climate and energy, the role of business, and different conceptions of agricultural sustainability. This wide-ranging text is ideal for undergraduates and postgraduates in geography, environmental science, development studies, and related social and political sciences.
Sustainable Development Policy and Administration provides a learning resource describing the major issues that are critical to understanding the multiple dimensions of sustainable development. The overall theme of each contributed chapter in this book is the urgent need to promote global sustainability while adding insights into the challenges facing the current and future generations. This volume brings together diverse contributions that cover the multiple facets of development, resulting in a rich reference for students, development managers, and others interested in this emerging field.
A new challenge has become present in the field of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The fundamental nature of education, a vital element for advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), now grapples with the transformative impact of AI technologies. As we stand at this intersection of progress and pedagogy, critical questions surface about the future roles of educators and the integrity of assessment processes. AIs rapid progression prompts an exploration of the competencies our education systems must cultivate in a world where human and machine intelligence are becoming increasingly interconnected. Against this backdrop of transformative uncertainty, Integrating Generative AI in Education to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals addresses profound challenges and offers promising solutions at the crossroads of AI and education. This book assembles distinguished academics, researchers, and practitioners, forming a collective voice on the intersection of Generative AI and education. The three-part structure dissects the technical aspects of AI-powered innovations in educational design, explores multidisciplinary applications enhancing educational content, and highlights AI-driven solutions to address equality and inclusion concerns within educational systems. The book also underscores the importance of ethical considerations of generative AI to ensure a future where technology serves the broader goals of sustainability and equitable education.
The role and meaning of sustainable development have been recognized in the scientific literature for decades. However, there has recently been a dynamic increase in interest in the subject, which results in numerous, in-depth scientific research and publications with an interdisciplinary dimension. This edited volume is a compendium of theoretical knowledge on sustainable development. The context analysed in the publication includes a multi-level and multi-aspect analysis starting from the historical and legal conditions, through elements of the macro level and the micro level, inside the organization. Organizing Sustainable Development offers a systematic and comprehensive theoretical analysis of sustainable development supplemented with practical examples, which will allow obtaining comprehensive knowledge about the meaning and its multi-context application in practice. It shows the latest state of knowledge on the topic and will be of interest to students at an advanced level, academics and reflective practitioners in the fields of sustainable development, management studies, organizational studies and corporate social responsibility. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license. Funded by Uniwersytet Jagielloński.
The subjects of green energy and sustainability have never been more important, as governments around the world wrestle with the problem of how to protect the planet from the damage being caused to the environment by climate change. This book presents the proceedings of GEESD2023, the 4th International Conference on Green Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development, held in Mianyang, China from 15-17 June 2023 and online via Zoom. The conference aims to gather innovative academicians and industry experts in the fields of green energy, environment, and sustainable development in a common forum, providing a platform for the exchange of the latest research developments in related fields. This year, the call for papers attracted more than 280 submissions, 138 of which were accepted for inclusion in this collection. The process of evaluation and peer-review took place over six months and involved more than 100 TPC members and reviewers. The book is divided into 7 sections: green energy and systems; computer methods in the environment; chemistry and the environment; ecology and the rural environment; energy, environment and economy; environment and pollution; and water and mineral resources. Papers deal with the most up-to-date findings and technologies. The book provides a valuable overview of the latest research and developments and will be of interest to all those working in the fields of green energy and sustainable development.
