This volume focuses on the contemporary political, economic and security affairs of the Western Hemisphere. Following a decade of focus on economic matters around the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the authors argue that the Bush Doctrine formed in the wake of 9/11 has resulted in a renewed U.S. concentration on security matters.
This book invites us to reflect on the restoration of terrestrial ecosystems in the context of a region whose identity is still under construction, Latin America and the Caribbean, immersed in a social, economic, ecological and political crisis, whose roots originate historically and politically in colonialism and in the prevailing model of capital accumulation. For the first time, insights and practical experiences on restoration are gathered from most Latin-American and Caribbean countries. Furthermore, this book offers a social approach to restoration, which will likely become preponderant in this field and in this region. The authors claim that a Latin-American knowledge of restoration is under construction and that this discipline can be a significant tool to empower local populations, which might, in turn, lead to a collective action of change. Case studies from 11 countries of the region were compiled, involving multiple voices that emerge beyond generalist principles and with a bottom-up approach. The main idea of the book is to open a debate about the identity of ecological and social restoration in this region. This book is targeted to restoration specialists, volunteers, environmental managers, researchers, politicians and NGOs working on the complexity of socioecological restoration in a region with unavoidable social problems. It is intended for people with similar concerns to those of the chapters' authors. This work tries to integrate a movement on the rise, almost silent, born with its own narratives of successes and failures that do not hinder its development. Finally, the determination and commitment of Latin-American and Caribbean social actors to restore not only natural values but also social, ethical and cultural ones is remarkable.
This book offers a conceptual framework for the critical understanding of the present socio-environmental conflicts. It reflects on the evolution of subject and thought, a shift in environmental thinking triggered by the development of eco-territorial conflicts and the social responses given to the environmental question. Bringing together 40 years of the authors writing and research, the book explores the transition from ecological economics and historical materialism to ecological Marxism. It unpacks the forging of political ecology from value theory in political economy, to ecological distribution and ecologies of difference; a transition to an environmental rationality grounded in the ontology of diversity, a politics of difference and an ethics of otherness. This evolution in thinking gives consistency to a theoretical discourse able to respond to the territorial conflicts generated by the radicalization of the environmental question as a key social issue of our times. The book is a call to respond to the urgent challenge of reversing the tendency towards the entropic death of the planet and to building a sustainable world order.
Peasants are a majority of the world's poor. Despite this, there has been little effort to bridge the fields of peasant and poverty studies. Peasant Poverty and Persistence in the Twenty-first Century provides a much-needed critical perspective linking three central questions: Why has peasantry, unlike other areas of non-capitalist production, persisted? Why are the vast majority of peasants poor? And how are these two questions related? Interweaving contributions from various disciplines, the book provides a range of responses, offering new theoretical, historical and policy perspectives on this peasant 'world drama'. Scholars from both South and North argue that, in order to find the policy paths required to overcome peasants' misery, we need a seismic transformation in social thought, to which they make important contributions. They are convinced that we must build upon the peasant economy's advantages over agricultural capitalism in meeting the challenges of feeding the growing world population while sustaining the environment. Structured to encourage debate among authors and mutual learning, Peasant Poverty and Persistence takes the reader on an intellectual journey toward understanding the peasantry.
Knots like Stars: The ABCs of the Ecological Imagination in Our Americas is an encyclopedia of essays and aphorisms, at times personal, at times speculative and analytical, that invites readers to understand and enjoy an ecological perspective on Latin American literature and arts. It is simultaneously a summons to join creative forces with the non-human world. Through 43 key, interdependent entries from diverse environmental traditions, writing becomes a meditation on the poetry, films, and visual artistic traditions that sustain life, while opposing the actual destruction of Mesoamerican, Andean, and Amazonian biodiversity. The book will appeal to all people wanting to understand how poetic, artistic, and critical endeavors can enrich, rather than impoverish, the imperiled world around us. Since the Hispanic population and influence have increased dramatically in recent years, a better understanding of the complexity of this diverse culture will be an important asset for a sustainable and more interconnected future. This book invites its readers to expand their horizons and enjoy connections in order to build a sustainable community by integrating ecological perspectives in literature, film, and other arts.
While a number of gases are implicated in global warming, carbon dioxide is the most important contributor, and in one sense the entire phenomena can be seen as a human-induced perturbation of the carbon cycle. The Global Carbon Cycle offers a scientific assessment of the state of current knowledge of the carbon cycle by the world's leading scientists sponsored by SCOPE and the Global Carbon Project, and other international partners. It gives an introductory over-view of the carbon cycle, with multidisciplinary contributions covering biological, physical, and social science aspects. Included are 29 chapters covering topics including: an assessment of carbon-climate-human interactions; a portfolio of carbon management options; spatial and temporal distribution of sources and sinks of carbon dioxide; socio-economic driving forces of emissions scenarios. Throughout, contributors emphasize that all parts of the carbon cycle are interrelated, and only by developing a framework that considers the full set of feedbacks will we be able to achieve a thorough understanding and develop effective management strategies. The Global Carbon Cycle edited by Christopher B. Field and Michael R. Raupach is part of the Rapid Assessment Publication series produced by the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE), in an effort to quickly disseminate the collective knowledge of the world's leading experts on topics of pressing environmental concern.
In light of the power strategies in play in the new geopolitics of economic and ecological globalization, there is need for critical analysis of how the agenda of sustainable development is being conceived, shaped, and implemented. This volume considers issues of equity and development in the US-Mexico border region?and highlights the fact that regions at the juncture of the industrial and developing worlds most clearly illustrate the problems inherent in current economic paradigms. Jane Clough-Riquelme is a regional planner with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). Her work focuses on borders planning, including tribal liaison and binational and interregional planning with neighboring jurisdictions. Nora L. Bringas Rabago is research professor in the Department of Urban and Environmental Studies, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, in Tijuana.CONTENTS: Testing the Limits of Equity and Sustainable Development in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands?the Editors. The Johannesburg Summit: Implications for the Americas?E. Leff. Toward Sustainable Development in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region?J. Friedmann. Cross-Border Regionalism and Sustainability: Contributions of Critical Regional Ecology?K. Pezzoli. Rethinking Urban Ecologies: Cultural Barriers to Sustainable Development??L.A. Herzog. Urban Structure and Social Segregation in Tijuana?T. Alegria. Counting the Environment In: Considerations of the Risk of Hazardous Maquiladora Waste?K. Kopinak. Social Vulnerability and Disaster Risk in Tijuana: Preliminary Findings?N.L. Bringas R. and R.. Sanchez R.. Environment, Poverty, and Gender: Using and Managing Environmental Resources in a Tijuana Colonia?R. Gaxiola Aldama. Acquiring Knowledge and Improving Environmental Policy: A Binational Agenda for Civic Organizations?B. Verduzco Chavez. Environmental Justice and San Diego County Tribes?M.C. Miskwish. Youth and Educating for Sustainability on the Border: Imagining the Future Citizens of Baja California?A. Monsivais and L. Silvan. NGOs, Environment, and Gender in Tijuana?S. Lopez Estrada. Accessible Information Technology for Equitable Community Planning?A.H. Lam, L.M. Norman, and A.J. Donelson. Cross-Border Policy Collaboration in the San Diego?Tijuana Metropolitan Area: Where Do We Go from Here? ?J. Clough-Riquelme. Equity and Justice in Binational Environmental Policy?Stephen P. Mumme. Looking Ahead: Equity in the U.S.-Mexico Border?R.L. Bach.
The fourth report in the Global Environment Outlook series provides a comprehensive, scientifically credible, policy-relevant and up-to-date assessment of, and outlook for, the state of the global environment. Environment for development is the GEO-4 underlying theme and the report pays special attention to the role and impact of the environment on human well-being as well as to the use of environmental valuation as a tool for decision-making. GEO-4's 2007 publication date marks the half-way point for the Millennium Development Goals, The environment, as well as being the subject of MDG 7, is also a thread that runs through all the goals. Includes Errata.
This book comprehensively analyzes the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning to sustainable energy systems in Latin America. Recognizing that energy transition goes beyond mere changes in energy systems, it is also essential to address the imperative of ensuring a just transition and equitable benefits for all, particularly for vulnerable populations. This recognition emphasizes prioritizing social equity and inclusivity throughout the energy transition process. By adopting a critical perspective grounded in multidisciplinary approaches from the social sciences, the book delves into the complex energy transition issues, exploring the broader social, economic, and political dimensions involved. The book is divided into four parts. Part I highlights the changing energy mix in Latin America and the geopolitical implications of the increasing reliance on renewable sources. Part II examines the dilemmas faced by countries that rely on oil and gas revenues and the obstacles they face in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Part III analyzes the production, technology, and costs as limits and opportunities for energy transition and adoption of renewable energies. Finally, part IV explores energy access and the democratization of energy generation in Latin America, including efforts to address energy poverty, the growth of distributed energy, and prosumers. Energy Transitions in Latin America: The Tough Route to Sustainable Development is a valuable resource that will benefit researchers in energy studies and policymakers alike. It serves as a comprehensive guide for those seeking to navigate the complexities of energy transitions. It is an essential source for fostering informed decision-making and driving sustainable development in the region.
Research in Administrative Sciences under COVID-19 examines the context surrounding organizations in the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic, detailing aspects related to Latin American and Mexican companies and their competitiveness in the face of the global health crisis.