Earth Sciences, Geography & Environment Books

Book SynopsisIn the past few decades, the field of ecology has made huge advancements thanks to stable isotopes. Ecologists need to understand the principles of stable isotopes to fully appreciate many studies in their discipline. Ecologists also need to be aware of isotopic approaches to enrich their toolbox for further advancing the discipline. A Primer on Stable Isotopes in Ecology is a concise and foundational resource for anyone interested in acquiring theoretical and practical knowledge for the application of stable isotopes in ecology.Readers will gain a more in-depth and complete knowledge of stable isotopes and explore isotopic methods used in ecological research, learning about stable isotope definitions, measurement, ecological processes, and applications in research. Chapters include in-depth descriptions of stable isotopes and their notation, isotope fractionation, isotope mixing, heavy isotope enrichment, and quantification methods by mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopy. The textTable of Contents1: Stable isotopes as a tool for ecologists 2: Stable isotopes, notations, and standards 3: Isotopic fractionation 4: Isotope mixing 5: Heavy isotope enrichments 6: Measuring stable isotopes

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Book SynopsisIsland biogeography is the study of the distribution and dynamics of species in island environments. Due to their isolation from more widespread continental species, islands are ideal places for unique species to evolve, but they are also places of concentrated extinction. Consequently, they are widely studied by ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and conservationists.This accessible textbook builds on the success and reputation of its predecessors, documenting the recent advances in this exciting field and explaining how islands have contributed to both theory development and testing. In addition, the book describes the main processes of island formation, subsequent dynamics, and eventual demise, explaining the relevance of island environmental history to island biogeography. The authors demonstrate the significance of islands as hotspots of biodiversity and of prehistoric and historic anthropogenic extinction. Since island species continue to feature disproportionally in the lists of threatened species today, the book examines both the chief threats to their persistence and some of the mitigation measures that can be put in play, with conservation strategies specifically tailored to islands.Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgements PART 1: Setting the Scene: Islands as Natural Laboratories 1: The natural laboratory paradigm 2: Island types, origins, and dynamics 3: Island environments 4: The biogeography of island life: biodiversity hotspots in context PART 2: Island Ecology 5: Island macroecology 6: Assembly rules for island metacommunities 7: Extending the timescale: island biodynamics in response to island geodynamics PART 3: Island Evolution 8: Colonization, evolutionary change, and speciation 9: Evolutionary diversification across islands and archipelagos 10: Island evolutionary syndromes in animals 11: Island evolutionary syndromes in - and involving - plants PART 4: Human Impact and Conservation 12: The application of island theory to fragmented landscapes 13: The human transformation of island ecosystems 14: Anthropogenic extinction on islands: a synthesis 15: Meeting the conservation challenge

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Book SynopsisWritten primarily for 16-19 year old students, this primer introduces the key features of the marine environment and explores the great diversity of life which the ocean supports, as well as discussing the threats to this environment and its biodiversity that result from human activity.Trade ReviewA great resource for any student or practitioner with an interest in marine science. * Dr Cecilia Liszka, The Marine Biologist, 26 April 2023 *It is undeniably an ambitious undertaking and strikes a necessary balance between breadth and depth of subject matter. It also does an impressive job of synthesizing this dynamic multidisciplinary field, and the result is a neat review of cross-cutting concepts and considerations any student of marine science will encounter throughout their career. * Dr Cecilia Liszka, The Marine Biologist, 26 April 2023 *The Marine Environment and Biodiversity certainly fulfils its brief: it provides an overview of some of the core branches of oceanographic science, illustrated with interesting case studies and a glossary of terms; it offers the motivated reader 'pause for thought' problems to explore independently; and each chapter ends with a selection of further reading and questions to stimulate discussion. * Dr Cecilia Liszka, The Marine Biologist, 26 April 2023 *Table of Contents1: The marine environment: United and divided 2: The ocean in motion 3: Seawater matters 4: What is marine biodiversity? 5: Measuring marine biodiversity 6: What does marine biodiversity do for us? 7: What are we doing to marine biodiversity?

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Book SynopsisVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, InspiringCoral reefs are among the most beautiful, and most diverse, of ecosystems. Early seafarers were wary of them, naturalists were confused by them, yet many coastal people benefited greatly from these mysterious rocky structures that grew up to the surface of the sea. They have been rich in their supply of food, and they provided a breakwater from storms and high waves to countless coastal communities that developed from their protection. Their scale is enormous and their value high. Found in countless locations around the world, from the Indo-Pacific coral reef province to the Caribbean and Australia, they support both marine and human life.But today coral reefs are in trouble, with many dying or suffering from over-exploitation, pollution, and the warming and acidification of the oceans. Understanding reefs, their conservation and management, is vital, and so is conveying this to authority if we are to preserve these remarkable ecosystems. In this Very Short Introduction Charles Sheppard describes the complex structure and interdependencies of a reef, how reefs have evolved, the diversity of marine life that they support, and their importance to the human population who live beside them. This new edition describes the latest research on the complex symbioses of coral animals with microorganisms. It also highlights the scale of the challenge facing our reefs today, following recent ocean heatwaves - part of wider climate disruption - that killed half the world''s reefs, and considers what can be done to preserve these essential and vibrant ecosystems.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1: Geology or biology? 2: Ancient reefs and islands 3: The architects of a reef 4: The resulting structure - a reef 5: Microbial and planktonic engines of the reef 6: Reef fish and other major predators 7: Regional scale pressures on reefs 8: Global scale pressures on reefs - Climate change 9: Doing something about it Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisThe British have always been obsessed by the weather. Astronomers at Durham Observatory began weather observations in 1841; weather records continue unbroken to this day, one of the longest continuous series of single-site weather records in Europe. Durham Weather and Climate since 1841 represents the first full publication of this newly digitised record of English weather, which will be of lasting appeal to interested readers and climate researchers alike. The book celebrates 180 years of weather in north-east England by describing how the records were (and are) made and the people who made them, examines monthly and seasonal weather patterns and extremes across two centuries, and considers long-term climate change. Local documentary sources and contemporary photographs bring the statistics to life, from the great flood of 1771 and skating on the frozen River Wear in February 1895 right up to Durham''s hottest-ever day in July 2019 and its wettest winter in 2021. Extensive links are provided to full daily weather records back to 1843. This volume is a sister publication to Oxford Weather and Climate since 1767 by the same authors, published by Oxford University Press in 2019.Trade ReviewGroundbreaking book on climate...The book includes 11 detailed appendixes, and the Stephen and Tim employ statistical methodology suitable for study in college statistics courses. This volume will prove indispensable for research universities and teaching colleges with programs in environmental science. * Choice *In this groundbreaking book on climate, Stephen Burt (Univ. of Reading) and Tim Burt (emer., Durham Univ.) consider data gathered for 180 years, from 1843 to the present, at the Durham University Observatory. This is the longest single-site meteorological study in northern England and among the lengthiest in all of Western Europe. * J. P. Davis, Hopkinsville Community College, CHOICE connect *This book represents climatology at its best, particularly through the efforts to improve the homogeneity of past records and to present them in a single publication. The value of the observations to us is probably beyond the imagination of the original observers. * Julian Mayes, Weather, August 2022 *Durham University has a venerable history of observational climate science. When Gordon Manley, perhaps the greatest British climatologist of the 20th century, arrived in Durham in 1928 to establish the Department of Geography, he resolved to place the Durham Observatory weather records on the same basis as those of the Radcliffe Observatory in Oxford, which had long been recognised as a valuable resource. This book updates and extends Manley's pioneering work. * Karen O'Brien, Vice-Chancellor, Durham University *This definitive book beautifully discusses the variations in the weather and climate in Durham over nearly two centuries, including all the highs and lows. The long-term view provided by these detailed records clearly highlights the warming of our climate and the fingerprint of human influence on our weather, even at this local scale. * Ed Hawkins MBE, University of Reading, UK *This lovingly-crafted history will be the envy of all long-term weather stations around the world. Tim and Stephen have respectfully interpreted the painstaking efforts of those who came before them, delivering an engaging and useful volume which transports you to the University grounds throughout the seasons and the decades. As the Earth continues to warm, these kinds of careful histories will only become more important. * Linden Ashcroft, The University of Melbourne, Australia *Durham Weather and Climate since 1841 undertakes a comprehensive rescue and analysis of this hugely valuable long-term meteorological station record including an in-depth reconstruction of the station history. The resulting meticulous data analysis provides key new insights into long-term UK climate changes that are essential to understanding our rapidly changing climate. * Peter Thorne, ICARUS Climate Research Centre, Maynooth University, Ireland *Climate science relies on long, carefully re-evaluated meteorological records. It is this long-term view that allows changes in weather and climate to be assessed and put into perspective. In Durham Weather and Climate since 1841, Tim Burt and Stephen Burt, two widely-known experts in the field, present another long record. The book describes the history of weather and climate in northern England and the role of weather in daily lives. It tells the story of meteorological measurements in Durham, which at the same time is a story about astronomy, the University and about the life-long dedication of individuals such as Gordon Manley - and the authors of this book. * Stefan Brönnimann, University of Bern, Switzerland *Durham has long been known for its eminence in meteorology and climatology. In this beautifully illustrated volume, Stephen Burt and Tim Burt place Durham's long record of observations in their complete historical and social context. They describe the struggles and accomplishments of the observers, both the famous and those who quietly carried out their daily duties. Burt and Burt take these centuries' worth of observations and turn them into analytical descriptions of Durham's climate, month by month and season by season, linking climatic events with citizen's daily lives. Packed with statistics, meteorological and climatological analysis, and historical commentary, this will be of interest to anyone interested in long-term climate change, observational records, historical climatology, weather analysis and the history of meteorology. * Victoria Slonosky, McGill University, Montreal, Canada *Durham provides an excellent record for discussing climate change in north-east England and for a wider area. * Chris Folland, Met Office, Exeter, UK *While the Durham record is less well-known than the Oxford one, it is still impressive and its analysis will give a picture of a very different location. Climate change is an increasingly significant issue. The volume is very timely. * Andrew Goudie, University of Oxford *Table of ContentsPart 1 Durham's weather and climate 1: Durham - its regional, economic and physical setting 2: Meteorological observations in Durham Part 2 Durham weather through the year 3: The annual cycle 4: January 5: February 6: March 7: April 8: May 9: June 10: July 11: Aaugust 12: September 13: October 14: November 15: December 16: The calender year Part 3 Durham weather through the seasons 17: Winter: December, January and February 18: Spring: March, April and May 19: Summer: June, July and August 20: Autumn: September, October, November Part 4 Long-term climate change in Durham 21: Climate change in Durham 22: Chronology of notable weather events in and around Durham Part 5 Durham weather averages and extremes 23: Warmest, driest, sunniest 24: Temperature extremes in Durham 25: Precipitation extremes in Durham 26: Sunshine extremes in Durham 27: Barometric pressure extremes in Durham APPENDICES Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5 Appendix 6 Appendix 7 Appendix 8 Appendix 9 Appendix 10 Appendix 11

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Book SynopsisThis advanced textbook moves beyond a basic scientific comprehension of urban ecosystems to understand the essential details of how scientists, policy makers, and practitioners develop solutions to effectively manage urban biodiversity. Such efforts necessitate unravelling the complex components that bolster or constrain biodiversity including human-wildlife interactions, resource availability, climate fluctuations, novel species relationships, and landscape heterogeneity. However, key to an understanding of these processes is also recognizing the tremendous social variation inherent within and across urban areas. The diversity of urban human communities fundamentally shapes how society designs, builds, and manages urban landscapes. This means that urban environmental management unavoidably must account for human social variation. Unfortunately, urban systems have a history and continued legacy of social inequality (e.g., systemic racism and classism) that govern how cities are both bu

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Book SynopsisModern Geography has come a long way from its historical roots in exploring foreign lands, and simply mapping and naming the regions of the world. Spanning both physical and human Geography, the discipline today is unique as a subject which can bridge the divide between the sciences and the humanities, and between the environment and our society. Using wide-ranging examples from global warming and oil, to urbanization and ethnicity, this Very Short Introduction paints a broad picture of the current state of Geography, its subject matter, concepts and methods, and its strengths and controversies. The book''s conclusion is no less than a manifesto for Geography''s future.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewMatthews and Herbert's book is written- as befits the VSI series- in an accessible prose style and is peppered with attractive and understandable images, graphs and tables. * geographical. *The authors make an honest effort to represent the wide and diverse range of proffesional geographers' interests. * Geographical, *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Geography: the World is our stage ; 2. The physical dimension: our natural environments ; 3. The human dimension: people in their places ; 4. Geography as a whole: the common ground ; 5. How geographers work ; 6. Geography's present and future ; References ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisThere are few stories more remarkable than the evolution of life on earth. This Very Short Introduction presents a succinct guide to the key episodes in that story - from the very origins of life four million years ago to the extraordinary diversity of species around the globe today. Beginning with an explanation of the controversies surrounding the birth of life itself, each following chapter tells of a major breakthrough that made new forms of life possible: including sex and multicellularity, hard skeletons, and the move to land. Along the way, we witness the greatest mass extinction, the first forests, the rise of modern ecosystems, and, most recently, conscious humans. Introducing ideas from a range of scientific disciplines, from evolutionary biology and earth history, to geochemistry, palaeontology, and systematics, Michael Benton explains how modern science pieces the evidence in this vast evolutionary puzzle together, to build up an accessible and up-to-date picture of the key developments in the history of life on earth.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. The origin of life ; 3. The origin of sex ; 4. The origin of skeletons ; 5. The origin of life on land ; 6. Forests and flight ; 7. The biggest mass extinction ; 8. The origin of modern ecosystems ; 9. The origin of humans ; References and Further Reading

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Book SynopsisJapan is an icon of the modern world, and yet it remains an enigma to many, who see it as a confusing montage of the alien and the familiar, the ancient and modern. The aim of this Very Short Introduction is to explode the myths and explore the reality of modern Japan - by taking a concise look at its history, economy, politics, and culture.Trade ReviewA wonderfully engaging narrative of a complicated history, which from the beginning to end sheds light on the meaning of modernity in Japan as it changed over time. An exemplary text. * Carol Gluck, Columbia University *With remarkable clarity and breadth of coverage, Goto-Jones introduces the major topics and themes of the modern history of Japan, giving particularly thoughtful attention to the complex and tortured efforts of figures seeking to define and defend a properly Japanese modernity, and those striving to come to grips with the trauma and shadow of World War II. * Andrew Gordon, Harvard University *Lively, lucid, and full of insight, this is an outstanding exploration of Japan's troubled modern past. * Stephen S. Large, Wolfson College, Cambridge University *Table of ContentsIntroduction: What is Modern Japan? ; 1. Japan's Encounter with the Modern World ; 2. Overcoming Modernity in Imperial Japan ; 3. Overcome by the Modern: the US Occupation ; 4. Japan's Miraculous Modern Economy ; 5. Towards a Post-Modern Society ; 6. Normalcy and Japan's Place in the Modern World ; Further reading

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Book SynopsisAn accessible yet rigorous introduction to the field, Environmental Ethics: Theory in Practice helps students develop the analytical skills to effectively identify and evaluate the social and ethical dimensions of environmental issues. Covering a wide variety of theories and critical perspectives, author Ronald Sandler considers their strengths and weaknesses, emphasizes their practical importance, and grounds the discussions in a multitude of both classic and contemporary cases and examples. FEATURES * Discusses a wide range of theories of environmental ethics, representing their strengths and weaknesses as charitably as possible without advocating for any particular theory, thereby encouraging students to think critically about which views are well justified and which are not * Extensive use of cases and examples links theoretical and practical issues and shows how environmental issues have both social and ecological components; issues covered include climate change, species coTrade ReviewEnvironmental Ethics is a really splendid introduction. It is clear and accessible, yet rigorous and engaging. Sandler's text provides excellent overviews, telling examples, and stimulating opinions. It is a gift to students, instructors, and to the field at large. * Steve Gardiner, University of Washington *Environmental Ethics combines careful theoretical explanation of concepts like environmental justice and rights with lively and illuminating practical case studies. Sandler discusses pressing environmental issues, from climate change to animal agriculture, with his hallmark clarity, theoretical depth, knowledge of the field, and approachable style. This book is an invaluable introduction to environmental ethics. * Clare Palmer, Texas A&M University *Ron Sandler is one of the most important voices in environmental philosophy today. His work always balances stunning originality with amazing analytic clarity. While serving the needs of an introductory textbook, this volume is his most thorough and comprehensive effort to date. * Paul Thompson, Michigan State University *Table of ContentsDOING ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS; CHAPTER 1. WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS; CHAPTER 2. METHODS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS; NATURE AND NATURALNESS; CHAPTER THREE. THE NORMATIVITY OF NATURE; CHAPTER FOUR. NATURAL VALUE; MORAL CONSIDERABILITY: WHICH INDIVIDUALS MATTER?; CHAPTER FIVE. ANTHROPOCENTRISM, RATIOCENTRISM, AND INDIRECT DUTIES; CHAPTER SIX. ENLIGHTENED ANTHROPOCENTRISM: EFFICIENCY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS; CHAPTER SEVEN. NONANTHROPOCENTRIC INDIVIDUALISM: THE MORAL CONSIDERABILITY OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS; NORMATIVE THEORIES: HOW DO THINGS MATTER?; CHAPTER EIGHT. CONSEQUENTIALIST ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: ANIMAL WELFARE AND UTILITARIANISM; CHAPTER NINE. DEONTOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: RESPECT FOR NATURE, ANIMAL RIGHTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS; CHAPTER TEN. CHARACTER ETHICS: VIRTUE, VICE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT; HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS; CHAPTER ELEVEN. ECOCENTRISM: ALDO LEOPOLD'S LAND ETHIC; CHAPTER TWELVE. DEEP ECOLOGY; CHAPTER THIRTEEN. SPECIES AND BIODIVERSITY; SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE ENVIRONMENT; CHAPTER FOURTEEN. ECOFEMINISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRAGMATISM; CHAPTER FIFTEEN. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE; CHAPTER SIXTEEN. GLOBAL JUSTICE: POPULATION, POVERTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT; FINAL THOUGHTS; CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. THE ANTHROPOCENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

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Book SynopsisWhat were the landscapes of the past like? What will landscapes look like in the future? Landscapes are all around us, but most of us know very little about how they have developed, what goes on in them, and how they react to changing climates, tectonics and human activities. Examining what landscape is, and how we use a range of ideas and techniques to study it, Andrew Goudie and Heather Viles demonstrate how geomorphologists have built on classic methods pioneered by some great 19th century scientists to examine our Earth. Using examples from around the world, including New Zealand, the Tibetan Plateau, and the deserts of the Middle East, they examine some of the key controls on landscape today such as tectonics and climate, as well as humans and the living world. They also discuss some key ''landscape detectives'' from the past, including Charles Darwin who did some important, but often overlooked, research on landscape. Concluding with the cultural importance of landscape, and exploring how this has led to the conservation of much ''earth heritage'', they delve into the future and look at how we can predict the response of landscapes to climate change in the future.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. The changing landscape ; 2. The present is the key to the past ; 3. Landscapes past and present ; 4. Landscapes, tectonics, and climate ; 5. Living landscapes ; 6. Landscapes and us ; 7. Landscapes of the future ; 8. Landscapes, art, and culture ; 9. Unseen landscapes ; Further Reading

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Book SynopsisIntegrates the theoretical principles underlying disease transmission with the practical health considerations involved in helping wildlife professionals and conservation biologists to manage disease outbreaks and conserve biodiversity.Trade ReviewRecent events surrounding the SARS-CoV-2-caused COVID-19 pandemic show the need for a comprehensive approach to research on and management of emerging infectious diseases affecting humans and other living populations. [This book] provides a comprehensive overview of the convergence of conservation biology, theoretical ecology, and veterinary science in the study of emerging infectious diseases and their respective impacts on natural populations. Of particular interest are discussions on modeling, data analysis, and epidemiological concepts associated with population-level impacts and outcomes from emerging infectious diseases and parasites in animals and other natural populations. * Dr. Kip R. Thompson, Associate Professor, Missouri State University, Department of Public Health and Sports Science *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Glossary Introduction I: Epidemiological Background 1: Conservation Biology and Parasitism 2: Disease Epidemiology in Natural Systems 3: Anthropogenic Effects and Wildlife Diseases II: Acquisition of Field Data 4: Sampling, Experimental Design, and Analysis 5: Capture, Restraint, and Euthanasia of Target Species 6: Disease and Agent Detection in the Field 7: The Environmental Context of Wildlife Disease 8: Agent and Disease Detection: Laboratory Methods III: Modeling and Data Analysis 9: Disease Modeling 10: Estimating Basic Epidemiological Parameters IV: Epidemiological Control and Prevention 11: Disease Management: Introduction and Planning 12: Preventing New Disease Occurrences 13: Disease Elimination and Eradication 14: Disease Control: How to Live with Infection 15: Infectious Diseases as Biocontrol Agents 16: Ethical and Public Outreach Considerations

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Book SynopsisWith the World desperate to find energy sources that do not emit carbon gasses, nuclear power is back on the agenda and in the news, following the increasing cost of fossil fuels and concerns about the security of their future supply. However, the term ''nuclear power'' causes anxiety in many people and there is confusion concerning the nature and extent of the associated risks. Here, Maxwell Irvine presents a concise introduction to the development of nuclear physics leading up to the emergence of the nuclear power industry. He discusses the nature of nuclear energy and deals with various aspects of public concern, considering the risks of nuclear safety, the cost of its development, and waste disposal. Dispelling some of the widespread confusion about nuclear energy, Irvine considers the relevance of nuclear power, the potential of nuclear fusion, and encourages informed debate about its potential.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Reviewhere's your chance to become an instant expert * The Times *Table of Contents1. A new science is born ; 2. A new technology is developed ; 3. Thermal nuclear reactors ; 4. Nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste management ; 5. Nuclear safety ; 6. The cost of nuclear power ; 7. Nuclear fusion power ; 8. The need for nuclear power ; Appendix

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Book SynopsisRivers have played an extraordinarily important role in creating the world in which we live. They create landscapes and provide water to people, plants and animals, nourishing both town and country. The flow of rivers has enthused poets and painters, explorers and pilgrims. Rivers have acted as cradles for civilization and agents of disaster; a river may be a barrier or a highway, it can bear trade and sediment, culture and conflict. A river may inspire or it may terrify. This Very Short Introduction is a celebration of rivers in all their diversity. Nick Middleton covers a wide and eclectic range of river-based themes, from physical geography to mythology, to industrial history and literary criticism. Worshipped and revered, respected and feared, rivers reflect both the natural and social history of our planet. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThis small paperback is a succinct and yet impressively broad and engaging introduction to the subject ... Middleton covers an astonishing amount of ground in five chapters. * Martin Smart, Geographical *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; EPILOGUE; FURTHER READING

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Book SynopsisOrigins of Biodiversity is a unique introduction to the fields of macroevolution and macroecology, which explores the evolution and distribution of biodiversity across time, space and lineages. Using an enquiry-led framework to encourage active learning and critical thinking, each chapter is based around a case-study to explore concepts and research methods from contemporary macroevolution and macroecology.The book focuses on the process of science as much as the biology itself, to help students acquire the research skills and intellectual tools they need to understand and investigate the biological world around them. In particular, the emphasis on hypothesis testing encourages students to develop and test their own ideas.This text builds upon the foundations offered in most general introductory evolutionary biology courses to introduce an exciting range of ideas and research tools for investigating patterns of biodiversity.Trade ReviewAn exceptionally well-written textbook on large-scale evolution and ecology, which engages students by using a problem-based approach to recent controversies and debates. * Dr Peter Bennett, University of Kent *The treatment of the topics is authoritative and up-to-date, and it is certainly written with modern undergraduates in mind. * Prof Arne Mooers, Simon Fraser University *This book is well-placed to invigorate the fields of macroevolution and macroecology by filling a gap that will open up the subject to the next generation of budding young scientists. * Dr Kevin Arbuckle, Swansea University *This book succeeds in being a different sort of textbook: one which helps the students to understand science better by helping them understand the process of knowledge creation. * Dr Richard Field, University of Nottingham *Table of Contents1: What is macroevolution? What is macroecology?2: How did evolution get started?3: Does evolution favour increased size and complexity?4: What caused the explosion of animal evolution in the Cambrian?5: Were dinosaurs evolutionary failures?6: Was the diversification of mammals due to luck?7: Is sex good for survival?8: Why are most species small?9: Why are there so many kinds of beetles?10: Why are there so many species in the tropics?11: What is the future of biodiversity?

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Book SynopsisEnvironmental politics is an established part of the political landscape, covering a host of different issues and impacting society, businesses, and individuals. Andrew Dobson explores the various actions, ideas, and dimensions that shape environmental politics - both on a local and global scale - and considers the role it will play in our future.Table of ContentsIntroduction: What is environmental politics? ; 1. Origins ; 2. Ideas ; 3. Movements, parties, policies ; 4. Local and global, North and South ; 5. Environmental futures ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisFor much of history, soil has played a major, and often central, role in the lives of humans. Entire societies have risen, and collapsed, through the management or mismanagement of soil; farmers and gardeners worldwide nurture their soil to provide their plants with water, nutrients, and protection from pests and diseases; major battles have been aborted or stalled by the condition of soil; murder trials have been solved with evidence from the soil; and, for most of us, our ultimate fate is the soil. In this book Richard Bardgett discusses soil and the many, and sometimes surprising, ways that humanity has depended on it throughout history, and still does today. Analysing the role soil plays in our own lives, despite increasing urbanization, and in the biogeochemical cycles that allow the planet to function effectively, Bardgett considers how superior soil management could combat global issues such as climate change, food shortages, and the extinction of species. Looking to the future, Bardgett argues that it is vital for the future of humanity for governments worldwide to halt soil degradation, and to put in place policies for the future sustainable management of soils.Trade Reviewhighly readable and authoritative book * Network Review *Richard Bardgett is one of the most eloquent and knowledgeable of the soil scientists who have cotnributed to the current enthusiasm about soils ... a must read * Wim H. van der Putten, Trends in Ecology & Evolution *In conclusion this is an excellent, concise and very well written text which should be read by as wide a readership as possible, not just Soil Scientists. Soil Scientists will find this text interesting, non-Soil Scientist will find it fascinating! * IUSS Bulletin *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Soil and the Distant Past ; 2. Soil and Biodiversity ; 3. Soil and the Grower ; 4. Soil and the City ; 6. Soil and War ; 7. Soil and Climate Change ; 8. Soil and the Future

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Book SynopsisOceans make up most of the surface of our blue planet. They may form just a sliver on the outside of the Earth, but they are very important, not only in hosting life, including the fish and other animals on which many humans depend, but in terms of their role in the Earth system, in regulating climate, and cycling nutrients. As climate change, pollution, and over-exploitation by humans puts this precious resource at risk, it is more important than ever that we understand and appreciate the nature and history of oceans. There is much we still do not know about the story of the Earth''s oceans, and we are only just beginning to find indications of oceans on other planets. In this book, geologists Jan Zalasiewicz and Mark Williams consider the deep history of oceans, how and when they may have formed on the young Earth -- topics of intense current research -- how they became salty, and how they evolved through Earth history. We learn how oceans have formed and disappeared over millions of years, how the sea nurtured life, and what may become of our oceans in the future. We encounter some of the scientists and adventurers whose efforts led to our present understanding of oceans. And we look at clues to possible seas that may once have covered parts of Mars and Venus, that may still exist, below the surface, on moons such as Europa and Callisto, and the possibility of watery planets in other star systems.Trade ReviewThis book crams a lot of information into its 265 pages, all well referenced with notes at the back. From pirates to exoplanets and penis-worms to space probes this is truly the story of water, life, and discovery. A must-read for those with a hunger for general knowledge, or any interest in the topic. You will certainly find something new to explore further in this fascinating and accessibly written book. * Jonathan Scafidi, The Geological Society *Fluid and fascinating prose with just the right dosage of entertaining anecdotes and human interest * Chemistry & Industry, Michael Gross *readable and absorbing account * Guardian, Devorah Bennu *[A] fast-paced but very readable ride through deep time ... Recommended. All academic library collections * CHOICE *Exhilirating foray * Barbara Kiser, Nature *Table of ContentsPreface 1: Water in the Cosmos 2: Ocean Origins on Earth 3: Ocean Forms 4: The Salt of the Earth 5: Moving the Waters 6: Life of the Oceans 7: Oceans in Crisis 8: The End of Earthly Oceans 9: Oceans of the Solar System 10: Undreamed Shores Notes References and Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisMinerals existed long before any forms of life, playing a key role in the origin and evolution of life; an interaction with biological systems that we are only now beginning to understand. Exploring the traditional strand of mineralogy, which emphasises the important mineral families, the well-established analytical methods (optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction) and the dramatic developments made in techniques over recent decades, David Vaughan also introduces the modern strand of mineralogy, which explores the role minerals play in the plate tectonic cycle and how they interact with the living world. Demonstrating how minerals can be critical for human health and illness by providing essential nutrients and releasing poisons, Vaughan explores the multitude of ways in which minerals have aided our understanding of the world.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Reviewan excellent choice for those curious to dig deeper into the mineral world. * Geoscientist *Table of Contents1. The mineral world ; 2. Studying minerals ; 3. Minerals and the interior of the Earth ; 4. Earth's surface and the cycling of minerals ; 5. Minerals and the living world ; 6. Minerals as resources ; 7. Minerals past, present, and future ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisWest Germany and the Iron Curtain takes a fresh look at the history of Cold War Germany and the German reunification process from the spatial perspective of the West German borderlands that emerged along the volatile inter-German border after 1945. These border regions constituted the Federal Republic''s most sensitive geographical space where it had to confront partition and engage its socialist neighbor East Germany in concrete ways. Each issue that arose in these borderlands - from economic deficiencies, border tourism, environmental pollution, landscape change, and the siting decision for a major nuclear facility - was magnified and mediated by the presence of what became the most militarized border of its day, the Iron Curtain. In topical chapters, the book addresses the economic consequences of the border for West Germany, which defined the border regions as depressed areas, and examines the cultural practice of western tourism to the Iron Curtain. At the heart of this deeply-researched book stands an environmental history of the Iron Curtain that explores transboundary pollution, landscape change, and a planned nuclear industrial site at Gorleben that was meant to bring jobs into the depressed border regions. The book traces these subjects across the caesura of 1989/90, thereby integrating the long postwar era with the post-unification decades. As Eckert demonstrates, the borderlands that emerged with partition and disappeared with reunification did not merely mirror some larger developments in the Federal Republic''s history but actually helped to shape them.Trade ReviewEckert's book offers a fresh and inspiring look at the history of divided Germany. Rather than stopping at the Iron Curtain, it delves into discussions not only about the discursive and performative creation and consolidation of borders but also about crossborder entanglements. * Stefanie Eisenhuth, Journal of Contemporary History *Engaging and well-written....One of the greatest contributions of this book is the way it situates environmental history among the major narratives of German history Pollution knew no borders, forcing the West German government to engage in 'environmental diplomacy.'... The militarized border also had a profound impact on plant and animal life. * Dolores L. Augustine, American Historical Review *West Germany and the Iron Curtain brings a fascinating perspective to the flourishing literature on Cold War history, which has been recently concerned with dismantling Cold War myths and reimagining the Cold War period from a multifaceted perspective. * Cristina Florea, H-Borderlands *An ambitious re-examination of German history from its literal margins. Eckert's methodologically innovative analysis not only straddles the East-West divide but interrogates 1945 and 1989/90 as chronological caesuras. Refracted through the environmental history of these borderlands, Germany's political, social and cultural history looks familiar but also different in illuminating ways: Cold War border pilgrimages resemble their interwar predecessors, East Germany's devastating pollution looks less like an exception than like the rule, and the apparent successes of unification are shown to be both ambiguous and highly contingent. Written with nuance, perspicacity and subtle humour, West Germany and the Iron Curtain masterfully re-evaluates the history of twentieth-century Germany. * Andrew Tompkins, German History *An imaginative and compelling local study of West Germany during the Cold War told from the perspective of the German borderlands. While the book carefully examines the economic and political implications of this fortification, it is at heart an environmental history. Eckert explores not only the contaminants that created diplomatic headaches, and, therefore, discussions between East and West, but also the ways in which the borderlands' ecosystems transformed ideas about nature and environments more broadly. * Gretchen Heefner, Environmental History *This is one of the best books I have read all year from any subfield. The author asks big questions but answers them in a way that is both focused and sophisticated. A major contribution to German history, environmental history, and the history of borders/borderlands. One of the most impressive aspects of the work is the depth and rigor of archival research. The author used sources from tiny rural archives in Germany through the records of international organizations and transnational bodies. Despite the weight of evidence, the book is sprightly, the prose is economical, and the historiographical interventions are worn lightly. Quite simply - a great book. * Adam R. Seipp, Texas A & M University *This study makes an important contribution to the literature, representing the first environmental history of the Iron Curtain....Eckert does not limit her investigation to the local level, instead taking a wider perspective to document the profound impact the Iron Curtain left beyond 1990. She has produced a well-conceptualized study, combining cultural, economic, and environmental methodologies to great effect....The unique framing, impeccable research, and judicious interpretations will delight historians of Germany, while the engaging writing will charm audiences beyond academia. * Peter Gengler, H-Soz-Kult *The notable and accessibly written monograph West Germany and the Iron Curtain is a contribution to the history of the Federal Republic that distinguishes itself from the established historiographic metanarratives.... Eckert delivers a refreshingly different perspective on certain highlights of West German history. The approach of addressing the (political) center from the periphery is implemented consistently. It's welcome that economic, political, cultural and environmental historical questions are intentionally investigated in connection with one another....The integration of developments after 1989/90...represents particular value added and offers multiple points of departure for future research. * Pascal Pawlitta, Sehepunkte *Eckert offers a fascinating, thoroughly source-based account....[This book] provide[s] ample evidence of the changing scientific and public knowledge, meaning and images of nuclear science and technology in the twentieth century as well as the attempts to control and to challenge such knowledge and its producers. * Jan-Henrik Meyer, NTM Journal of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine *Innovative and deeply researched....[Eckert's] writing is crisp and engaging....Appropriate for research scholars as well as advanced undergraduates, West Germany and the Iron Curtain is a landmark work of postwar German environmental and economic history. * Thomas Lekan, German Studies Review *From the spatial perspective of the inner German border, Astrid M. Eckert casts new light on the history of the "old" Federal Republic, and she analyzes the legacies of the border in post-unification Germany. The border, as is turns out, not only defined the GDR but also shaped economic relations, environmental policy and mobility in the Federal Republic. This brilliant book is a timely reminder of how borders and walls remake the human and natural environments they seek to divide. Deeply researched and deftly written, West Germany and the Iron Curtain is a major accomplishment that is certain to have a lasting impact on the field. * Frank Biess, University of California, San Diego *Astrid Eckert has written a magnificent, multi-faceted history of West Germany's eastern borderlands during and after the Cold War. Her pioneering analysis combines economic, social and environmental approaches and is essential reading for all students of post-1945 Europe. * Pertti Ahonen, author of Death at the Berlin Wall *West Germany and the Iron Curtain shows how the Cold War border dividing Germany reshaped economic life, ecological conditions, and political struggles on both sides of Germany's Iron Curtain. Eckert's economic and environmental history of the borderlands offers an important material corrective to histories focused primarily on the discursive power of borders. This is a timely book, not only for German and borderland studies, but also for our contemporary political moment. The revalorization of borders during the current populist wave makes it all the more important to examine how 'hard' borders have distorted ecologies, economies, and political cultures in the past. * Eagle Glassheim, author of Cleansing the Czechoslovak Borderlands: Migration, Environment, and Health in the Former Sudetenland *For much of the Cold War decades, the world's most militarized border was that between East and West Germany. In this exhaustively researched yet accessibly written book, Eckert balances local nuance and European context in tracing the multiple meanings of the border for West Germans living along it. A brilliant exploration of the economic and environmental peculiarities of the border zone. * J.R. McNeill, Georgetown University *This well-conceptualized and well-argued history of the border separating East and West Germany illustrates that even as it was shaped by politics, nature shaped politics in turn. A detailed and concrete case study in the mutual dependence of environment and society that will interest historians of Germany and environmental historians alike. * Timothy Scott Brown, Northeastern University *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction: On the Western Side of Germany's Iron Curtain 1. The Making of the West German Borderlands, 1945-1955 2. The East of the West: An Economic Backwater at the Border 3. "Greetings from the Zonal Border": Tourism to the Iron Curtain 4. Salts, Sewage, and Sulfurous Air: Transboundary Pollution in the Borderlands 5. Transboundary Natures: The Consequences of the Iron Curtain for Landscape 6. Closing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle at Gorleben? West Germany's Energy Future in the Borderlands Conclusion West Germany from the Periphery Abbreviations Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe AQA Geography for A Level & AS Physical Geography Revision Guide is the most student-friendly resource for the 2016 AQA A Level and AS Level Geography specifications - written to help students to consolidate key knowledge for every topic. Accessible, clear and thorough, this revision guide engages all your students. Each Physical Geography section is condensed into interesting, relevant single- or double-page examples. Clearly written objective open each section, setting out for students what they need to revise, using high-quality photos, maps and diagrams to aid retention of key geographical processes and information. Motivating revision activities and a focus on the exam requirements reinforce the rigorous approach.

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Book SynopsisThis title attempts to look at some of the key theoretical and empirical debates in the fields of urbanization, industrialization and stratification in India. It engages with the problems of typologies - tribal, peasant and industrial - in order to understand the problem of modernity and tradition in India.

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Book SynopsisThe book delves into global and Indian environmental crises, discussing causes, impacts, and solutions. It addresses threats to ecosystems, species, pollution, and resources, offering real-life examples and highlighting successes and failures. Appendices offer additional resources and a glossary to enhance reader awareness.Trade ReviewThis book is not a mere textbook. The author has written with passion and zeal ... In fact, I have read out the book's account on the Bhopal gas tragedy to my students and received silence as their affirmation of the seriousness of the world's worst industrial disaster ... The author makes clear suggestions on what must be done, including collective and individually conducted actions ... The dispersion of facts and figures throughout the book will engage the wandering student mind of the amateur environmentalist. It felt good to have read this book as it made me feel closer to my green home. It has also made me feel more responsible and realise once again the urgency of the planetary crisis. * V.R. Manoj, International Journal of Environmental Studies *Table of ContentsPREFACE; INTRODUCTION; PROLOGUE: THE CONSERVATIONIST'S LAMENT AND THE TECHNOLOGIST'S REPLY; PART I: THE CRISIS AND ITS CAUSE; PROLOGUE: A FABLE FOR TOMORROW; PART II: THE CRISIS DESCRIBED; PROLOGUE: HOW CAN ONE SELL THE AIR?; PART III: THE CURE; PROLOGUE: THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES; APPENDICES; FURTHER READING: BOOKS AND MAGAZINES, WEBSITES; RESOURCES: ORGANIZATIONS, ETC; ANSWERS TO 'FIND OUT AND BE SURPRISED!'; GLOSSARY OF TERMS; INDEX

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Book SynopsisAQA A Level Geography Exam Practice covers the skills and techniques required to be successful in the new rigorous A Level AQA Geography specification, plus key geographical skills practice - written specially to target the demands of answering synoptic exam questions. Accessible, clear and thorough, this exam practice book engages all your students. Clearly-written using Oxford''s popular On Your Marks approach, it focuses on planning, writing, and marking answers supported with sample answers at a range of levels, with marked and annotated versions pointing out good practice and useful tips. Motivating skills practice - based on the AQA sample assessment materials - reinforces this rigorous approach. In addition, guided answers and mark schemes will be provided online.

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Book SynopsisGeography for Edexcel A Level Year 1 and AS Level Revision Guide is the most student-friendly resource for the 2016 Edexcel A Level and AS Level Geography specifications - written to help students to consolidate key knowledge for every topic. Accessible, clear and thorough, this revision guide engages all your students. Each Student Book section is condensed into interesting, relevant single- or double-page examples. Clearly written objective open each section, setting out for students what they need to revise, using high-quality photos, maps and diagrams to aid retention of key geographical processes and information. Motivating revision activities and a focus on the exam requirements reinforce the rigorous approach.

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Book SynopsisEdexcel A Level Geography Exam Practice covers the skills and techniques required to be successful in the new rigorous A Level Edexcel Geography specification, plus key geographical skills practice - written specially to target the demands of answering synoptic exam questions. Accessible, clear and thorough, this exam practice book engages all your students. Clearly-written using Oxford''s popular On Your Marks approach, it focuses on planning, writing, and marking answers supported with sample answers at a range of levels, with marked and annotated versions pointing out good practice and useful tips. Motivating skills practice - based on the AQA sample assessment materials - reinforces this rigorous approach. In addition, guided answers and mark schemes will be provided online.

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Book SynopsisThe Geography for Edexcel A Level Year 2 Revision Guide is the most student-friendly resource the 2016 Edexcel A Level and AS Level Geography specifications - written to help students to consolidate key knowledge for every topic. Accessible, clear and thorough, this revision guide engages all your students. Each Student Book section is condensed into interesting, relevant single- or double-page examples. Clearly written objective open each section, setting out for students what they need to revise, using high-quality photos, maps and diagrams to aid retention of key geographical processes and information. Motivating revision activities and a focus on the exam requirements reinforce the rigorous approach.

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Book SynopsisThe AQA Geography for A Level & AS Human Geography Revision Guide is the most student-friendly resource for the 2016 AQA A Level and AS Level Geography specifications - written to help students to consolidate key knowledge for every topic. Accessible, clear and thorough, this revision guide engages all your students. Each Human Geography section is condensed into interesting, relevant single- or double-page examples. Clearly written objective open each section, setting out for students what they need to revise, using high-quality photos, maps and diagrams to aid retention of key geographical processes and information. Motivating revision activities and a focus on the exam requirements reinforce the rigorous approach.

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Book SynopsisThe book examines socio-economic conditions in Pakistan, focusing on past, present, and emerging trends. It discusses actors of change, relationships, and community impacts. Divided into six sections, it covers development, governance, the informal sector, globalization, and community resistance to development projects.

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Book SynopsisCould the race to de-carbonize our energy systems be leading us closer to environmental disaster?Why did biology choose carbon, in a variety of compounds, as its energy carrier and storage substance? From the smallest life forms, through multicellular organisms, and up to whole ecosystems, this economy of carbon compounds is fundamentally sustainable. Yet today, many are working to expunge carbon-based energy carriers from human economies, replacing them with solutions based on other elements and minerals. In The Decarbonization Delusion, independent scientist and writer Andrew Moore shows that the race to decarbonize is leading us further down the road to environmental degradation. Instead of banishing carbon, Moore argues that we should look to life on Earth, which has used carbon in highly sustainable ways for 3.5 billion years, as a model for how humans can use carbon sustainably.The Decarbonization Delusion begins by discussing carbon''s role in the inception of the universe and iTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Foreword Chapter 1: What carbon "does" in the universe - From the first stars to life on Earth Chapter 2: The carbon economy of nutrition and food production - Getting out of control in most respects Chapter 3: Sources and sinks - Where carbon compounds accumulate on Earth, and what they do there Chapter 4: Fuels, efficiency, and emissions - Understanding carbon-based energy carriers in the larger picture of sustainability Chapter 5: The call to "decarbonize" - Public perception, hard-to-abate carbon-positives, and hard-to-achieve carbon-negatives Chapter 6: Decarbonizing the car - Trading off CO2 against larger environmental problems? Chapter 7: A carbonaceous, biology-inspired recipe for sensible and environmentally-conscious energy economies List of figures References Index of topics

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Book SynopsisBuild strong potential for the latest Cambridge assessments with this clear Revision Guide. It works alongside the Student Book to reinforce your students'' knowledge and understanding, clarifying all the key concepts. The course is mapped to the latest Cambridge syllabus, for first examination in 2018.

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Book SynopsisIB Prepared resources are developed directly with the IB to provide the most up-to-date, authentic and authoritative guidance on DP assessment. IB Prepared: Geography combines a concise review of course content with strategic guidance, authentic sample material and exam-style practice opportunities, allowing learners to consolidate the knowledge and skills that are essential to success.

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Book SynopsisThis book is unique in providing a comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis of what is known about soil biodiversity and the factors that regulate its distribution, as well as the functional significance of below-ground biodiversity for ecosystem form and function. It describes the vast diversity of biota that live in the soil environment - the most complex habitat on Earth - and discusses the factors that act as determinants of this diversity across different spatial and temporal scales. The Biology of Soil also considers how biotic interactions in soil influence the important soil processes of decomposition and nutrient cycling . It demonstrates how interactions and feedbacks between diverse plant and soil communities act as important drivers of ecosystem form and function. The importance of these relationships for understanding how ecosystems respond to global change phenomena, including climate change, is discussed in depth. Much is still to be learned about the soil biota and their rolTrade ReviewI recommend this book to soil ecologists across a range of expertise and to soil and environmental scientists who want to increase their understanding of the role of soil biota in ecosystem processes. * European Journal of Science, 58, 1213-1220 *Our understanding of how soils function is rapidly growing and this small, easily read book will bring everyone up to date, backed up by an impressive bibliography...as an introductory text it is excellent. Peter Thomas, Bulletin of the British Ecological Society 2006, 37:2... this book has immense potential as a core key teaching resource for instructing ecology students about the importance of soils and aboveground-belowground feedbacks. In addition to recommending this as a teaching text, I strongly recommend The Biology of Soil to any ecologist who does not actively work in soils and wants to learn more about their fascinating ecology. * Trends in Ecology and Evolution and Evolution *Table of ContentsPreface and acknowledgements ; 1. The soil environment ; 2. The diversity of life in soil ; 3. Organism interactions and soil processes ; 4. Linkages between plant and soil biological communities ; 5. Above-ground trophic interactions and soil biological communities ; 6. Soil biological properties and global change ; 7. Conclusions ; Bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisThe only book to successfully integrate social, economic and environmental considerations with an accessible, quantitative approach to energy science.Energy Science introduces the latest energy technologies, explaining the physical principles underlying technology and discussing their environmental, economic, and social impacts. With a focus on the transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon sources of energy, the text enables students to evaluate the key sources of energy available, and introduces potential solutions to the energy problems facing us today.A core text in the field, Energy Science is full of topical case studies and examples using current data to highlight the practical application of relevant theory. Discussion questions throughout the text encourage the development of deep critical thinking skills, ensuring that students are properly equipped to approach the energy challenges that lie ahead.Digital formats and resources The book is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats, and is supported by online resources: The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks Online resources include multiple choice questions and further reading links for students to enhance their understanding, and, for registered adopters, a solutions manual, PowerPoint slides, figures and tables from the book Available now: comprehensive author updates for summer 2023 include discussion of the main developments in the subject since publicationTrade ReviewReview from previous edition This is an excellent introduction to the physics behind energy production. It is easy to follow and provides helpful examples and case studies. * Dr Martin Wilding, Aberystwyth University *The most comprehensive book I have seen that covers the fundamentals of energy science in detail whilst still providing enough bigger picture content to be highly relevant to all readers. * Dr Simon Smart, University of Queensland *A very comprehensive textbook that covers the scientific principles behind the multitude of technologies we use to produce energy today. * Dr Alan Dunbar, University of Sheffield *Table of Contents1: An introduction to energy science 2: Essentials of thermal, chemical, and fluid energy 3: Energy from fossil fuels 4: Bioenergy 5: Solar thermal and geothermal energy 6: Hydropower, tidal power, and wave power 7: Wind power 8: Photovoltaics 9: Nuclear power 10: Electricity and energy storage 11: Energy demand in buildings, industry, and transport 12: Energy and society: making the transition from fossil fuels to renewables

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Book SynopsisClimate change, rapid urbanisation, pandemics, as well as innovations in technologies such as blockchain, AI and IoT are all impacting urban space. One response to such changes has been to make cities ecologically sustainable and ''smart''. The ''eco smart city'' for instance uses networked sensing, cloud and mobile computing to optimise, control, and regulate urban processes and resources. From real-time bus information to autonomous electric vehicles, smart parking, and smart street lighting, such initiatives are often presented as a social and environmental good.Critics, however, increasingly argue that technologically driven, and efficiency-led approaches are too simplistic to deal with the complexities of urban life. Sustainability in the smart city is predominantly performed in limited ways that leave little room for participation and citizen agency despite government efforts to integrate innovative technologies in more equitable ways. More importantly, there is a growing awarene

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Book SynopsisAn authoritative and wide-ranging new edition of A Dictionary of Weather containing almost 2,000 entries on all areas of the subject. Provides clear definitions and illustrative examples of terminology taken from meteorology, forecasting, and climatology. Revised and fully updated, this edition includes 300 new and revised entries, such as A-Train, Pineapple Express, and Watermelon snow, and added feature entries highlighting actual occurrences of extreme weather, including the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. Generously illustrated, and containting recommended websites for further reading, this reference work is thoroughly comprehensible. Find out where and when the world''s largest hailstone fell or where the highest temperature was recorded using the list of weather records, and check climate data for different weather types from around the world. Key terms from the related fields of oceanography, hydrology, and climatology are also covered as well as biographical information on important people in the development of meteorology. Arranged in A-Z format, it is a unique dictionary and an essential reference source for meteorology and geography students, whether at school or university, as well as for amateur meteorologists and the general reader.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition It is the definitive reference for all things meteorological * Bill Giles *a welcome and important contribution, especially suitable for amateur meteorologists * Weather *Table of ContentsFOREWARD; PREFACE; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; LIST OF PLATES; THE DICTIONARY; APPENDICES

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Book SynopsisDeserts make up a third of the planet''s land surface, but if you picture a desert, what comes to mind? A wasteland? A drought? A place devoid of all life forms?Deserts are remarkable places. Typified by drought and extremes of temperature, they can be harsh and hostile; but many deserts are also spectacularly beautiful, and on occasion teem with life. Nick Middleton explores how each desert is unique: through fantastic life forms, extraordinary scenery, and ingenious human adaptations. He demonstrates a desert''s immense natural beauty, its rich biodiversity, and uncovers a long history of successful human occupation. This Very Short Introduction tells you everything you ever wanted to know about these extraordinary places and captures their importance in the working of our planet.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a newTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION; EPILOGUE

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Book SynopsisIf environmental protection is costly, how much should we spend on pollution control? Is it worth reducing pollution to zero, or should we accept some level of pollution because of the economic benefits associated with it? How can we assess the benefits that people get from a less-polluted atmosphere?In broad terms, environmental economics looks at how economic activity and policy affect the environment in which we live. Some production generates pollution, such as power station emissions causing acid rain and contributing to global warming, but household consumption decisions also affect the environment, where more consumption can mean more waste sent to polluting incinerators. However, pollution is not an inevitable consequence of economic activity - environmental policies can require polluting firms to clean up their emissions, and can encourage people to change their behaviour, through environmental taxes on polluting goods, for example. Generally, though, these measures will involve some costs, such as installing pollution control equipment. So there''s a trade-off: a cleaner environment, but economic costs. In recent years, many economists have argued for greater use of incentive in the form of pollution charges and emissions trading rather than more traditional direct regulation of polluters. In this Very Short Introduction, Stephen Smith discusses environmental issues including pollution control, reducing environmental damage, and global climate change policies, answering questions about how we should balance environmental and economic considerations, and what form government policies should take. Including many illustrative case studies and examples he shows that this is an exciting field of economics, and one that is at the heart of many public debates and controversies.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. The economy and the environment ; 2. The economic theory of efficient pollution control ; 3. Environmental policy: instrument choice ; 4. Economic information and values in environmental policy decisions ; 5. The economics of climate change ; Further Reading ; References ; Index

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Book SynopsisMountains cover a quarter of the Earth''s land surface and are home to about 12 percent of the global population. They are the sources of all the world''s major rivers, affect regional weather patterns, provide centres of biological and cultural diversity, hold deposits of minerals, and provide both active and contemplative recreation. Yet mountains are also significantly affected by climate change; as melting and retreating glaciers show. Given the manifold goods and services which mountains provide to the world, such changes are of global importance. In this Very Short Introduction, Martin Price outlines why mountains matter at the global level, and addresses the existing and likely impacts of climate change on mountain, hydrological and ecological systems. Considering the risks associated with the increasing frequency of extreme events and ''natural hazards'' caused by climate change, he discusses the implications for both mountain societies and wider populations, and concludes by emphasizing the need for greater cooperation in order to adapt to climate change in our increasingly globalized world.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Reviewneat little book, perfect for carrying in a pocket or in hand luggage ... I would certainly recommendthis as a suitable text for pre-A level or undergraduate reading lists, or for anyone with a wider interest in mountains. * Jane Terry, GeographyMountain Research and Development *The text is packed with information and details on mountains and gives an easy-to-read insight into many facts about mountains and people's interaction with them. It is highly recommended for anybody interested and its small light-weight format allows taking it along to read at the top of a mountain. * eco.mont *Even if your interest in mountains stops short at the Cheviot, you should find food for thought in these pages. * Mike Merchant, Scottish Mountaineer *conveys a vivid impression of the many ways in which mountains are important to us. * Network Reviews *Table of Contents1. Why do mountains matter? ; 2. Mountains are not eternal ; 3. The world's water towers ; 4. Living in a vertical world ; 5. Hotspots of diversity ; 6. Protected areas and tourism ; 7. Climate change in the mountains ; Further Reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisThis is a book about an ocean that vanished six million years ago - the ocean of Tethys. Named after a Greek sea nymph, there is a sense of mystery about such a vast, ancient ocean, of which all that remains now are a few little pools, like the Caspian Sea. There were other great oceans in the history of the Earth - Iapetus, Panthalassa - but Tethys was the last of them, vanishing a mere moment (in geological terms) before Man came on the scene. Once Tethys stretched across the world. How do we know? And how could such a vast ocean vanish? The clues of its existence are scattered from Morocco to China. This book tells the story of the ocean, from its origins some 250 million years ago, to its disappearance. It also tells of its impact on life on Earth. The dinosaurs were just beginning to get going when Tethys formed, and they were long dead by the time it disappeared. Dorrik Stow describes the powerful forces that shaped the ocean; the marine life it once held and the rich deposits ofTrade ReviewReview from previous edition Vanished Ocean is an ideal book for those who are already widely read in natural science. It should appeal strongly to legions of former science students who, having since made their way in the world as accountants and personnel managers, hanker for the interest ad excitement of a life they once glimpsed but were unable to grasp. * Ted Nield, Literary Review *'Vanished Ocean' is an ideal general reader for students and those who are already widely read in natural science. * Ted Nield, Geoscientist *A wealth of nourishing knowledge revealed through the history of Tethyan Realm. * Ted Nield, Geoscientist *'Vanished Ocean' is an ideal book for those who are already widely read in natural science. * Ted Nield, Literary Review *A well argued contribution to one of the great scientific debates of the last 30 years. * Jonathan Beard, New Scientist *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Tethys the Sea Goddess ; 2. Pangea the Supercontinent and the Birth of Tethys ; 3. Extinction, Evolution, and the Great Cycles of Life ; 4. Tethyan Fecundity in the Jurassic Seas ; 5. Black Death to Black Gold ; 6. The Greatest Flood of All Time: Rise and Fall of the Seas ; 7. End of an Era: The Debate Continues ; 8. Portrait of the Tethys Seaway ; 9. Closing Ocean, Rising Mountain ; 10. Death Throes of an Ocean ; 11. Epilogue: Perspective on the Future ; Further Reading ; Glossary of terms

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Book SynopsisThe impact of volcanic eruptions on the Earth's environment has been the source of many a debate and the cause of extensive research activities by leading academics worldwide. The new edition of Peter Francis's Volcanoes preserves the particular strengths of the orignal in its accessibility, immense clarity, engaging humour and excellent illustrations. The book updates the original by reflecting on new research findings and new eruptions (such as that on Montserrat) as well as including a new chapter on volcanic hazards, which looks at the complex and scientific and sociological issues surrounding risk mitigation. In updating the planetary perspective of the book new co-author Clive Oppenheimer provides us with an insight into studies of Mars and Jupiter. The book is designed primarily for undergraduate students across a range of disciplines including geology, Earth sciences, geography, environmental sciences and planetary sciences, yet, is an equally valuable source for volcanologistsTrade Review'Oppenheimer does not shy away from difficult concepts, and as part of a more modern treatment of magma vesiculation (bubble formation) he presents a skilful precis of Yuri Siezin's catastrophe theory model, whereby a slight change in the pressure driving up a conduit can trigger an enormous change in magma ascent velocity.' Times Higher Education Supplement, April 2004.Review from previous edition 'the work is organized around the styles of volcanism found on the earth ... the lay reader is skilfully guided around or over the technical hurdles without the storyline being lost and perseverance, when it is needed, is rewarded by many fascinating details about particular eruptions ... the thoroughness and range of the coverage in the text make this an excellent adjunct to the reading list for even a postgraduate course in volcanology ... Francis has succeeded in producing an extremely readable, entertaining, authoritative and informative work that should bring a better appreciation of modern volcanology to a wide audience.' * L. Wilson, Nature August, 07/09/1993 *'the lay readers is skilfully guided around or over the technical hurdles without the storyline being lost; and perseverance, when it is needed, is rewarded by many fascinating details about particular eruptions ... the thoroughness and range of the coverage in the text make this an excellent adjunct to the reading list for even a postgraduate course in volcanology ... Francis has succeeded in producing an extremely readable, entertaining, authoritative and informative work that should bring a better appreciation of modern volcanology to a wide audience.' * Lionel Wilson, University of Lancaster, Nature, Vol. 364, August 1993 *'This is simply the best book I have seen on the science that underlies modern understanding of volcanology - and on top of that it is a pleasure to read ... a coherent and lively overview of his field, from historical accounts of great eruptions to lavas on Mars and elsewhere ... it is difficult to put down, principally because of Francis's lively style ... His lucid style and individual ... voice entices committed and casual readers alike. This is the book for all those who have wondered why and how volcanoes erupt as they do, and are prepared to think a little to find out ... what makes this text so compelling is the sense of contact with research. Francis refers throughout to the scientists involved - what they saw and how they interpreted their observations.' * Sue Bowler, New Scientist, September 1993 *'In an easy-to-read style, he has produced a scholarly work that is a suitable text both for earth and environmental science students and for those who wish to know more about this important natural process. The book is extremely well illustrated with high-quality drawings and photographs. This is a good follow-up to the author's earlier and highly successful book on the same subject.' * Times Higher Education Supplement *'This is above all a very readable account of one of the Earth's fundamental geological processes and as such will appeal equally to students of geology and geography, nonspecialists, and the general reader. The book is magnificently illustrated and the author writes from first hand experience of research in this field.' * Aslib Book Guide, Vol. 59, No. 3, March 1994 *'targeted specifically to a popular audience. It went on to achieve considerable success, in part because of its accessible style, low price, and lack of competitors ... Francis has written a highly personal discourse, focusing on those volcanoes and topics that most captivate him ... it is Francis's subtle appreciation of how volcanoes work that really sets this book apart.' * Science, Vol 263, 21 January 1994 *'Graduates would find much new material of interest and plenty of references for further study.' * OUGS Journal 16.1, Spring Edition 1995 *'In part, reading this book is simply a pleasure, as Francis and Oppenheimer write very clear and precise, adding occasionally the odd joke...To the present writer, this book is the best work on volcanoes and volcanology...the clarity of the presentation makes this book very readable for the educated non-special...I thus conclude: simply the best!' * Dr Ulrich Knittel, http://vulkanismus.de/reviews/volcs_eng.html *'In my opinion Dr Oppenheimer has combined the original work with new material to produce a superb book which is a pleasure to read and at a modest price it should be on the book list of everyone interested in volcanology' * Elizabeth Maddocks OUGS Journal 25 (2) Symposium Edition 2004. *Table of Contents1. The Basics: isotopes and green cheese ; 2. Keeping planets cool: volcanoes, hot-spots, and plate tectonics ; 3. Four classic eruptions ; 4. Magma - the hot stuff ; 5. Types of volcanic activity ; 6. Lava Flows ; 7. Pyroclastic eruptions: bubbles, bangs, columns, and currents ; 8. What goes up must come down: pyroclastic fall deposits ; 9. Pyroclastic currents from collapsing domes and transient eruptions ; 10. Pyroclastic currents and ignimbrites associated with plinian eruptions ; 11. Super-eruptions, super-volcanoes and calderas ; 12. Debris avalanches and flows: magic carpets and muck ; 13. Volcanoes as landscape forms ; 14. Submarine volcanism ; 15. Extraterrestrial volcanoes ; 16. Eruptions and climate ; 17. Volcano monitoring ; 18. Reducing volcanic risks

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Why do we shrug? Why do dogs wag their tails? Why do we scowl when angry and pout when sad rather than the other way around? What is the difference between guilt and shame? This would be an extraordinary book even if it had only answered these and scores of similar questions about the emotions in 1872. But Expression also proved that the human mind, not just the body, is a product of evolution. It showed, during the heyday of scientific racism, that the races of mankind are fundamentally similar; anticipating virtually every twentieth-century behavioral science ... Darwin enriched his arguments with hundreds of insightful observations, many with the pathos and humor of great literature, as when he describes the terror of a man being led to his execution or the comical dejection of his dog as soon as it sensed that a walk might end ... This edition has the feel not of a lovingly restored museum piece but of a recent seminal work." -Steven Pinker, Science Darwin's most readable and human book ... It was never republished in his lifetime, even though Darwin made many additions and revisions in the text. Only now have all of Darwin's changes been incorporated into the book, along with a full apparatus of notes and appendices and a number of photographs that never made it into the 1873 edition ... This new comprehensive edition of Expression will introduce a new generation of readers to Darwin's masterpiece, undiminished and intensely relevant even 125 years after publication. -Oliver Sacks "The Expression of the Emotions predates Freud, and it will still be illuminating human psychology long after Freud's discrediting is complete." --Richard Dawkins "Highly original ... this is scholarship at its best." -Simon Baron-Cohen, Nature "Ekman's edition is no mere reprint plus introduction." -Mark Ridley, Scientific AmericanTable of ContentsAcknowledgments; List of Illustrations Figures Plates; Preface to the Anniversary Edition by Paul Ekman; Preface to the Third Edition by Paul Ekman; Preface to the Second Edition by Francis Darwin; Introduction to the Third Edition by Paul Ekman; The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals; Introduction to the First Edition; 1. General Principles of Expression; 2. General Principles of Expression -- continued; 3. General Principles of Expression -- continued; 4. Means of Expression in Animals; 5. Special Expressions of Animals; 6. Special Expressions of Man: Suffering and Weeping; 7. Low Spirits, Anxiety, Grief, Dejection, Despair; 8. Joy, High Spirits, Love, Tender Feelings, Devotion; 9. Reflection - Meditation - Ill-temper - Sulkiness - Determination; 10. Hatred and Anger; 11. Disdain - Contempt - Disgust - Guilt - Pride, Etc. - Helplessness - Patience - Affirmation and Negation; 12. Surprise - Astonishment - Fear - Horror; 13. Self-attention - Shame - Shyness - Modesty: Blushing; 14. Concluding Remarks and Summary; Afterword, by Paul Ekman; APPENDIX I: Charles Darwin's Obituary, by T. H. Huxley; APPENDIX II: Changes to the Text, by Paul Ekman; APPENDIX III: Photography and The Expression of the Emotions, by Phillip Prodger; APPENDIX IV: A Note on the Orientation of the Plates, by Phillip Prodger and Paul Ekman; APPENDIX V: Concordance of Illustrations, by Phillip Prodger; APPENDIX VI: List of Head Words from the Index to the First Edition; NOTES; NOTES TO THE COMMENTARIES; INDEX

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Book SynopsisAs major environmental crises loom, Christina Ergas makes the argument in Surviving Collapse that one possible way forward is a radical sustainable development that turns the focus from monetary gain to social and ecological regeneration and transformation. Employing qualitative and cross-national comparative methods, Ergas examines two alternative, community-scale, socioecological models of development: the first is a grassroots urban ecovillage in the Pacific Northwest, United States, while the second is a government-subsidized, but cooperatively run, urban farm in Havana, Cuba. While neither are panaceas, they prioritize social and ecological efficiency and subsume economic rationality towards those ends. Featuring cases that not only allow us to synthesize their strengths but evaluate their weaknesses, Surviving Collapse reveals a multitude of varied paths toward reaching radical urban sustainability and empowers us all to imagine, and possibly build, more resilient futures.Trade ReviewChristina Ergas's book Surviving Collapse appears at a timely moment and represents a significant shift in the climate change discussion. * John Bellamy Foster, University Of Oregon, Social Forces *Libraries with reserve collections focusing on environmental philosophy, environmental sociology, and environmental politics should own this text. * K. M. Woosnam, University of Georgia, Choice Connect *Christina Ergas's book Surviving Collapse...appears at a timely moment and represents a significant shift in the climate change discussion.... Considerable attention is given to such concepts as metabolic rifts, real utopias, the treadmill of production, ecological footprints, ecofeminism, climate denialism, and total liberation. Surviving Collapse was completed in 2020 prior to both the COVID-19 pandemic and the new nuclear threat presented by the war in Ukraine. This simply means, however, that today there are even more reasons to focus both in theory and practice on the creation of a society of radical sustainability, making Ergas's book more rather than less relevant. * Social Forces *Christina Ergas, one of the most insightful sociologists of her generation, has produced a wonderfully readable and engaging book that advances our understanding of the forces that have contributed to our present dire circumstances while also providing us with a vision for how we can navigate to a better world." -Richard York, Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies, University of OregonRadical sustainability is something we desperately need, and Christina Ergas shows us why in this powerfully written book. Ergas immersed herself in two communities offering different approaches for addressing the great socioecological challenges of our time, and she offers clear evidence and persuasive analysis for how we can build just, caring, equitable, and ecologically healthy communities for a more livable future." -David N. Pellow, UC Santa Barbara, and author of What is Critical Environmental Justice?Surviving Collapse is brimming with hope for our future, and for our collective survival. Ergas centers the power and potency of stories and values, and makes the radical claim that we must scale up our narrative before we scale up our solutions. Her book illuminates a path forward, out of the mire and confusion of our current conditions, and reminds us that the future is made through a set of choices. Far from an idealistic enterprise disconnected from reality, Ergas' presentation of sustainability experiments in ecovillages and urban farms offers a view into what life might look like were we living in connection to a greater reality." -Autumn Brown, Host of How to Survive the End of the WorldErgas makes a strong case for 'radical sustainability'. Her book is an substantial overview of aspects of the urgent present debate. * Dr Greg Shepherd, Postgraduate researcher, Department of Geography and Environment, University of Adelaide *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction: Building Socioecological Community Chapter 1: In the Shadow of Sustainable Development Chapter 2: Grassroots Sustainability in a Concrete Landscape: An Urban Ecovillage in the Pacific Northwest Chapter 3: Urban Oasis: Socioecological Sustainability in Cuban Urban Agriculture Chapter 4: Beyond Neoliberalism: The Promise of a Communitarian Story Chapter 5: Scaling Up the Values Themselves: Real Utopian Stories for the Climate Apocalypse Conclusion: There Is No Future That Is Not Built in the Present Appendix: Methods and Cases Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisEcology of a Changed World outlines the importance of species conservation relative to human existence. Paired wiwth a useful companion website with engaging practical applications, the book breaks down ecological principles and explains six threats to biodiversity in terms anyone studying ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental science, or environmental justice will understand.Trade ReviewThis book offers a treatise on ecology, focusing particularly on biodiversity...Recommended. All readers. * Choice *Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Changed World Chapter 2: Population Growth Chapter 3: Population Regulation Chapter 4: Interactions between Species: Competition Chapter 5: Predation and Food Webs Chapter 6: Parasites and Pathogens Chapter 7: Evolution and Disease Chapter 8: The Human Food Supply: Competition, Predation, and Parasitism Chapter 9: Food Security Chapter 10: Prediction Chapter 11: Human Population Growth Chapter 12: Growth of Wealth and Urbanization Chapter 13: Habitat Conversion Chapter 14: Economics of Habitat Conversion Chapter 15: Climate Crisis: History Chapter 16: Predictions of Future Climate and Its Effects Chapter 17: Pollution Chapter 18: Invasive Species Chapter 19: Introduced Disease Chapter 20: Harvesting on Land Chapter 21: Harvesting in the Ocean Chapter 22: Harvesting: Prospects Chapter 23: Species Chapter 24: Population Declines Chapter 25: Extinction Chapter 26: Species across Space Chapter 27: Island Biogeography and Reserve Design Chapter 28: Value of Species Appendix A: Estimation and Uncertainty Appendix B: Derivations References Index

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Book SynopsisFollowing the pattern of From Field to Fork (OUP, 2015) Paul B. Thompson provides a highly readable and up-to-date analysis of contemporary ethical issues connected with food. Thompson reinterprets Peter Singer''s work on famine relief in light of the history of funding development assistance through food aid, defends locavore diets against philosophical critics, and analyzes the ethics of food labelling in light of J.S. Mill''s On Liberty. Further exploring today''s key ethical questions about food, Thompson compares anthropological and toxicological approaches to pollution and defends a revised notion of agricultural sustainability. These topics provide an entry point for a novel approach in practical ethics that blends pragmatist philosophy of language, historical interpretation of agrarian thought, and recent philosophical writings on race and structural racism.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1: A Little Throat-Clearing before Dinner Chapter 2: Food Ethics Arrives (or Does It?) Chapter 3: The Ethics of Food Aid and Famine Relief Chapter 4: Local Food: The Moral Case Reconsidered Chapter 5: The Ethics of Food Labels Chapter 6: Pollution as a Moral Problem Chapter 7: Sustainable Food Systems Chapter 8: Agrarian Pragmatism Chapter 9: Food Ethics and the Philosophy of Race Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA witty, irreverent guide to the birth, development, and state-of-the-art of one of the most important theories in Earth Science. The book explains how modern plate tectonics accounts for phenomena such as great earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and how it controls conditions at the Earth's surface, including global geography and climate.Trade ReviewThis book is full of delightful surprises...I highly recommend this book as one for you if you want to be properly informed and royally entertained. * Pete Loader, Teaching Earth Science *I think that it is useful and important for current and future generations of earth scientists to have an understanding of the roots of their science; this book may be one pathway that our students could reach that goal. * Kevin P. Furlong, professor in the department of geosciences at the Pennsylvania State University, American Journal of Physics *Far from being a dense, jargon-laden history book, Livermore brings an accessible writing style and brilliant humour to the story, which certainly had me chuckling. If you know anyone (including yourself!) who is keen to find out more about our planet, give them this book. * Jonathan Scafidi, The Geological Society *...a super read; I thoroughly enjoyed it! If you have the slightest interest in the history of plate tectonics, do read this bookyou will not be disappointed! * Michael Brown, International Geology Review *The Tectonic Plates are Moving! is a rock-solid read... the pacing of the book is great, the irreverent jokes and anecdotes genuinely amusing, the overview of different schools of thought balanced, and the explanations lucid. * The Inquisitive Biologist *This book explains modern plate tectonics in a non-technical manner, showing not only how it accounts for phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, but also how it controls conditions at the Earths surface, including global geography and climate. * Ian Angus, Green Left Weekly *This is a great read for anyone interested in this fascinating subject. * Chris Darmon, Down to Earth *[A] packed account, richly contextualized. * Barbara Kiser, Nature *Roy Livermores book provides a comprehensive and authoritative account of the development of plate tectonics theory, from the earliest days of sea-floor spreading to current ideas on mantle plumes and the tectonics of Mars. It clearly describes the critical interactions of science, technology, human personalities and historical accidents. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, written from the point of view of a knowledgeable insider. * Roger C. Searle, Durham University, UK *Table of ContentsPart I: First Generation 1: Probably the best theory on Earth 2: The Paving Stone Theory of World Tectonics 3: Poles Apart 4: Plate Tectonics by Jerks 5: Plate Tectonics by Creeps Part II: Second Generation 6: Scum of the Earth 7: Continents and Supercontinents 8: All at Sea 9: Chilling Out 10: Ups and Downs 11: The Final Frontier

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Book SynopsisThis practical, step-by-step introduction to environmental assessment examines EA tools, procedures, and methodology while taking into account both physical and human environments. With its interdisciplinary approach and extensive Canadian case studies, this text exposes students to EA at work in the real world.Trade ReviewConcise, relevant and well organized. This book is both approachable and thorough, a rare combination. It is definitely an improvement over an already good text in my opinion." * Ian Spooner, Acadia University *Established from the first edition as a solid guide to environmental assessment, this text has improved with each edition, and with the fourth edition (and added section on the federal Impact Assessment Act) it is up-to-date." * Thom Meredith, McGill University *Table of ContentsList of Boxes, Boxed Features, Figures, and Tables Preface Acknowledgements 1. Aims and Objectives of Environmental Assessment Introduction Environmental Assessment The EA Process Purpose and Objectives of EA Who's Who in the EA Process Getting the Big Picture Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 2. Environmental Assessment in Canada Overview of Environmental Assessment in Canada Provincial EA Systems Northern EA Origins and Development of EA in Canada Continuous Learning Process Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 3. Pre-project Planning and Public Engagement Introduction Roles and Responsibilities Project Need and Consideration of Alternatives Public Engagement Project Description Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 4. Determining the Need for Assessment Screening Screening Approaches Level of Assessment Required Screening and the Precautionary Principle Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 5. Scoping and Baseline Assessment Scoping Baseline Assessment Knowledge to Support Baseline Assessments Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 6. Impact Prediction and Characterization Impact Prediction Change and Project Effects What to Predict How to Predict Characterizing Predicted Impacts Addressing Uncertainty Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 7. Managing Project Impacts Impact Management Mitigation Hierarchy Checklist for Management Prescriptions Adaptive Management Creating and Enhancing Positive Impacts Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 8. Significance Determination Impact Significance Measurement and Meaning: Components of Significance Approaches to Significance Determination Key Principles for Determining Significance Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 9. Follow-Up and Monitoring Follow-Up Rationale for Post-decision Monitoring Effective Follow-Up and Monitoring Monitoring Methods and Techniques Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 10. Indigenous Consultation and Engagement Indigenous Engagement Duty to Consult Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems Enduring Challenges to Indigenous Engagement Toward Meaningful Indigenous Engagement in EA Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 11. Cumulative Effects Assessment Cumulative Effects Assessing Cumulative Environmental Effects Regional Assessment Basic Science Components of a CEA Framework Governance for Cumulative Effects Management Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 12. Strategic Environmental Assessment Higher-Order Assessment Defining Strategic EA Origins and Evolution Foundational Principles of Strategic EA SEA Benefits SEA Design Enduring Challenges Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 13. Professional Practice and Ethics Professional Practice Ethical Conduct Key Terms Review Questions and Exercises References 14. Environmental Assessment Prospects References Glossary Index

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