Robert Brinkmann

Introduction to Sustainability (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Introduction to Sustainability is the first major textbook to review major themes in the cutting-edge field of sustainability. The book is suitable for introductory interdisciplinary courses on sustainability, as well as those in the fields of geography, geology, sociology, planning, political science, and anthropology. Brinkmann s book allows students to see the world in new ways while also encouraging them to become part of the change needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the planet. The text includes material on the development of the field of sustainability; environmental sustainability issues like water, food, and energy; social sustainability themes like environmental justice and transportation; and economic sustainability topics like green businesses and economic development. The book concludes with a chapter on sustainability issues in college and universities. Brinkmann intersperses many fascinating case studies and text boxes that encourage students to deeply explore the material. This is a book that not only organizes the complex field of sustainability, but also encourages students to take action to make the world a better place.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: John Wiley & Sons
• Seitenzahl: 336
• Erscheinungstermin: 23. Februar 2016
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781118487211
• Artikelnr.: 44714609

Autorenporträt

Robert (Bob) Brinkmann is the Director of Sustainability Studies in the Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability at Hofstra University and is the author of many books and research articles. Bob has served as an officer in many organizations and is currently Chair of the Board of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute.

Inhaltsangabe

Acknowledgments xv

About the Author xvii

About the Companion Website xix

1 Roots of the Modern Sustainability Movement 1

Meaning of Sustainability 1

Nineteenth Century Environmentalism 3

Pinchot, Roosevelt, and Muir 5

Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic 6

Better Living Through Chemistry, The Great Smog of 1952, and Rachel Carson 8

Environmental Activism of the 1960s and 1970s and the Development of Environmental Policy 10

The Growth of Environmental Laws in the 1960s and 1970s 13

The First Earth Day 14

International Concerns 14

Ozone and the World Comes Together 15

Globalization and the Brundtland Report 16

Deep Ecology 18

Environmental Justice 19

Measuring Sustainability 21

The Climate Change Challenge 23

The Road Ahead 24

Organization 26

2 Understanding Natural Systems 29

The Earth, its Layers, and the Rock Cycle 29

The Rock Cycle 32

Biogeochemical Cycles 33

Water and the Water Cycle 34

The Carbon Cycle and Global Climate Change 37

Global Climate Change and the Carbon Cycle 38

The Sulfur Cycle 40

The Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycles 42

Nitrate Pollution of groundwater 45

Organisms and Ecosystems 46

Urban Ecosystems 49

Understanding the Anthropocene 53

3 Measuring Sustainability 57

The United Nations Millennium Goals 58

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 59

National sustainability planning 60

Canada 64

Bhutan 67

Regional sustainability planning 69

Local sustainability measurement 73

Green local governments in Florida 75

Specific community plans 79

PlaNYC 79

London and sustainability 81

Small towns and sustainability 84

Business sustainability 85

4 Energy 89

World Energy Production and Consumption 89

Traditional or "Dirty" Energy Resources 91

Oil 91

Oil shale and tar sands 93

Natural gas 95

Coal 97

Coal mining 98

Pollution from coal 99

Green energy 100

Biomass 100

Biomass: wood, manure, peat, and other organic sources 100

Burning of garbage: waste-to-energy 101

Conversion of biomass to liquid or gas fuel 102

Wind energy 103

Solar energy 105

Passive solar energy 105

Active solar energy 106

Concentrated solar power 107

Critiques of solar power 107

Nuclear energy 107

Other innovations 110

Energy efficiency 110

Living off the grid 112

5 Global Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Management 113

The end of nature? 113

The science of global climate change: The greenhouse effect 114

Water vapor 116

Carbon dioxide 116

Methane 118

Sinks of carbon 120

Forests 120

Reefs 120

The IPCC and evidence for climate change, and the future of our planet 121

Ocean acidification 122

Phenological changes 123

Conducting greenhouse gas inventories 124

Step 1 Setting boundaries 125

Step 2 Defining scope 125

Step 3 Choosing a quantitative approach 126

Step 4 Setting a baseline year 126

Step 5 Engaging stakeholders 126

Step 6 Procuring certification 127

Greenhouse gas equivalents used in gr