This book is meant to be an introductory text on the fundamentals of environment, climate change and resilience management and used as teaching material for Ph.D. students. Today, knowledge of environment is essential for students as well as practicing scientists of all disciplines. Here, an attempt has been made to provide precise and up-to-date information on the fundamental aspects of environment without going much in-depth in to specific areas, so as to be useful for a cross section of fields of study. This book covers all domains of this field, including the policy aspects and management practices.
The book adopts a simple narrative style keeping in mind both the knowledge requirements and the examination needs of university students. This self-teaching text book provides a comprehensive coverage of the key scientific, technical, social and political aspects of environment and climate change in an easily referenced and reader-friendly style. This text book can be used as self-teaching material for the Ph.D. students but in addition to this the author would recommend this text book to students new to the field that wish to expand their knowledge.
Table of Contents
1.Concepts of Environmental sustainability and climate change Resilience
1.1 What is Environment?
1.2 Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Studies
1.3 Classification of Environment
1.4 Structure of the environment, Biodiversity and Ecosystem
1.5 Functions of the environment/ environmental system
1.6 A brief history of conservation and environmentalism
1.7 Human population growth
1.8 Environment and Development(Managing Human Environment interaction)
1.9 Urbanization, Urban Development and the Environment
1.10 Urban Development and Environmental change
1.11 Historical Paradigms of Environmental Management and the Evolution toward Sustainability (Environment and Sustainable Development)
1.12 Climate
1.13 Climate change
1.14 Resilience
1.15 Confronting to Climate Change
2. Environmental Challenges of Urban Development/Urban Environmental Issues
2.1 Characteristic of Urbanization, urban development and the Environment
2.2 Major Environmental challenges
3. Areas of intervention in achieving environmental sustainability
3.1 Urban Environmental Problems
3.2 Management of natural resources
3.3 Integrated Environmental Management Systems
3.4 Concepts, objectives and principles of Environmental Planning and Management
3.5 The Urban Environmental Planning Process
3.6 Sustainable Urban Environmental Planning and Management
3.7 Environmental planning and management framework
3.8 Issues for Sustainable Urban Environmental Planning Interventions
3.9 Aesthetic quality
4. Climate and climate change Resilience
4.1 Climate
4.2 Climate change
4.3 Climate change Impacts and Policy responses
4.4 Urban system and Climate change Impacts and Responses
4.5 Climate Modeling
5. Mechanisms and tools in achieving environmental sustainability
5.1 Environmental Management Tools
5.2 Types of Environmental management tools
5.3 Choosing Environmental Management Tools
Objectives and Themes
This book aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of environmental science, climate change, and resilience management for doctoral students and professionals. It explores the complex interplay between human activities, natural systems, and the urgent need for sustainable development strategies in an era of global environmental change.
- The scientific foundations of environmental systems and biodiversity.
- The impacts of rapid urbanization and population growth on global environments.
- Strategies for sustainable urban planning, management, and green infrastructure.
- Climate change mitigation, adaptation policies, and building climate resilience.
- Practical tools and frameworks for environmental management and sustainable development.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 What is Environment?
The term environment is widely used and has a broad range of definitions, meanings and interpretations. In popular usage, for some people, the term environment means, simply, nature: in other words, the natural landscape together with all of its non-human features, characteristics and processes. To those people, the environment is often closely related to notions of wilderness and of pristine landscapes that have not been influenced or, at least, that have been imperceptibly influenced by human activities. However, for other people, the term environment includes human elements to some extent. Many people would regard agricultural and pastoral landscapes as being part of the environment, whilst others are yet more inclusive and regard all elements of the earth's surface - including urban areas as constituting the environment. Thus, in popular usage, the notion of the 'environment' is associated with diverse images and is bound up with various assumptions and beliefs that are often unspoken - yet may be strongly held. All of these usages, however, have a central underlying assumption: that the environment exists in some kind of relation to humans. Hence the environment is, variously, the 'backdrop' to the unfolding narrative of human history, the habitats and resources that humans exploit, the hinterland that surrounds human settlements, or the 'wilderness' that humans have not yet domesticated or dominated.
Summary of Chapters
1.Concepts of Environmental sustainability and climate change Resilience: This chapter provides fundamental definitions of the environment, environmental science, and the multidisciplinary approaches required to manage ecological and human systems sustainably.
2. Environmental Challenges of Urban Development/Urban Environmental Issues: This section addresses the major environmental risks associated with rapid urbanization, including pollution, land degradation, and infrastructure constraints in developing regions.
3. Areas of intervention in achieving environmental sustainability: This chapter explores practical interventions for environmental planning, natural resource management, and the integration of sustainable practices in urban environments.
4. Climate and climate change Resilience: This chapter details the science of climate change, its impacts on global systems, and strategies for both mitigation and building resilience at various scales.
5. Mechanisms and tools in achieving environmental sustainability: The final chapter covers regulatory frameworks, management tools, and policy strategies, such as Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), necessary for effective environmental governance.
Keywords
Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change, Resilience Management, Urban Development, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, Environmental Planning, Resource Management, Pollution Control, Sustainable Development, Environmental Impact Assessment, Climate Mitigation, Adaptation, Urbanization, Green Infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this book?
The book serves as an introductory text for PhD students and researchers to understand the fundamental concepts and principles of environmental sustainability, climate change, and resilience management.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The work covers scientific, technical, social, and political aspects of the environment, focusing on the interactions between human development and the planet's natural systems.
What is the primary research goal or purpose of the text?
The goal is to provide precise, up-to-date information on fundamental environmental aspects that are applicable across various fields of study, ultimately promoting informed action for a more sustainable future.
Which scientific methodologies are highlighted?
The book emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating fields such as ecology, geology, environmental economics, and spatial planning to analyze and manage environmental issues.
What topics are covered in the core sections?
The core sections treat the structure of the environment, human population growth, urbanization challenges, and provide detailed frameworks for environmental planning and management tools.
Which keywords define this publication?
Key terms include Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change, Resilience, Urban Planning, Biodiversity, and Environmental Management Tools.
How does the author characterize "environmental resilience" in the context of climate change?
Resilience is defined as the capacity of a social-ecological system to absorb or withstand perturbations while maintaining its structure and functions, allowing for adaptation to changing conditions.
What is the role of environmental planning in urban areas?
Environmental planning acts as a decision-making process to manage the relationship between natural and human systems, ensuring that urban development can be sustained for future generations.
- Quote paper
- Shishay Kiros (Author), 2020, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Resilience. A Self-Teaching Book for PhD Students, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1040018
