Search results for ""author matthias ruth""

This innovative volume systematically brings together two strands of applied research that, to date, have been carried out separately - 'smart growth' research and climate change adaptability research. By providing theory, models, and case studies from North America, Oceania and Europe, the book creates synergies between the two strands, reconciles differences, and provides insights for decision-makers at national and local levels.The contributors to the volume draw on modeling tools complementary to both camps as they explore the issues surrounding: water and energy use, health, transportation, urbanization and regional development. Examples from around the world illustrate the relationships between regional land use, infrastructure development, quality of life and climate change. The contributors take special care to develop theory and models in real-world contexts as they emphasize both the science of climate change and its land use management, policy and investment implications. In addition, they pay special attention to bridging the gaps that may exist among science and engineering, stakeholder interests, and policy implementation.Students, scholars and practitioners in the areas of geography, planning, land use, civil and environmental engineering, environmental economics, and policy will find the approaches and strategies in this volume of great interest.

Read more less

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world?s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. 'Ecological economics has roots in numerous disciplines including various branches of economics, ecology, physics, systems analysis and the study of technology. In his succinct Advanced Introduction to Ecological Economics, Matthias Ruth shows how each of these lines of intellectual inquiry has contributed to the development of ecological economics. He covers its history, main findings and current issues closing with a valuable discussion of complexity and the challenges for analysis and management in a full world.'- Peter A. Victor, York University, Canada Any human endeavor is shaped by, and shapes, changes in the physical and biological environment. In this Advanced Introduction, Matthias Ruth draws on a diverse set of theories, methods and applications to critically assess key concepts in ecological economics. Understanding biophysical foundations of economic growth and development is at the core of ecological economics. The author provides a precise introduction to the interdependencies between economic and environmental change, focusing on the fundamental dependence of the economy on the environment, as a provider of energy, materials and waste assimilation services.Key features include:? an advanced introduction to theories, methods and applications of ecological economics that are reflective rather than enumerative? clarification of the differences between traditional resource and environmental economics? valuable insights from the Global South as well as from experiences in industrialized countries to explore the topic in depth. Offering a unique insight into a field that is still in its formative years of development, this concise and accessible Advanced Introduction will greatly benefit students, researchers and instructors in environmental science and ecological economics.

Read more less

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world?s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. 'Ecological economics has roots in numerous disciplines including various branches of economics, ecology, physics, systems analysis and the study of technology. In his succinct Advanced Introduction to Ecological Economics, Matthias Ruth shows how each of these lines of intellectual inquiry has contributed to the development of ecological economics. He covers its history, main findings and current issues closing with a valuable discussion of complexity and the challenges for analysis and management in a full world.'- Peter A. Victor, York University, Canada Any human endeavor is shaped by, and shapes, changes in the physical and biological environment. In this Advanced Introduction, Matthias Ruth draws on a diverse set of theories, methods and applications to critically assess key concepts in ecological economics. Understanding biophysical foundations of economic growth and development is at the core of ecological economics. The author provides a precise introduction to the interdependencies between economic and environmental change, focusing on the fundamental dependence of the economy on the environment, as a provider of energy, materials and waste assimilation services.Key features include:? an advanced introduction to theories, methods and applications of ecological economics that are reflective rather than enumerative? clarification of the differences between traditional resource and environmental economics? valuable insights from the Global South as well as from experiences in industrialized countries to explore the topic in depth. Offering a unique insight into a field that is still in its formative years of development, this concise and accessible Advanced Introduction will greatly benefit students, researchers and instructors in environmental science and ecological economics.

Read more less

This Handbook provides a comprehensive guide to the topical and methodological breadth and diversity of the interdisciplinary field of environmental studies. The chapters, each written by leading experts in the field, illustrate cutting-edge quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodologies used in environmental studies research. The Handbook will make an ideal primary or supplemental textbook for graduate research and methods courses. It will also be an excellent resource for environmental studies students, faculty and researchers.'- Robin Leichenko, Rutgers University, US'Usually a book with a title like this is bought by libraries, used occasionally by desperate researchers seeking a new analysis tool. This book is not like that - although between the covers you will find everything need for such emergencies. Rather this is a walk through magic and mystery of environmental science, from cultural aspects to green economy, virtual water to the latest in gaming. Buy and use it for emergencies by all means, but it's a great read too!'- Peter Bridgewater, Centre for Museums and Heritage, The Australian National University'An up-to-date collection of methods and applications for analyzing environmental problems ranging from energy return on energy invested to international trade in virtual water and much else. The book will be of both academic and practical value to ecological economists, geographers, and environmental scientists. Highly recommended.'- Herman E. Daly, University of Maryland, USThis Handbook presents methods to advance the understanding of interdependencies between the well-being of human societies and the performance of their biophysical environment. It showcases applications to material and energy use; urbanization and technological transition; economic growth and social vulnerabilities; development and governance of social and industrial networks; and the role of history, culture, and science itself in carrying out analysis and guiding policy as well as the role of theory, data, and models in guiding decisions.Unique features include:- in-depth presentation of methods and applications in environmental studies- diverse examples of research methods complemented by a wide geographic and thematic range of applications- a careful balance between a review of the state of the art in environmental studies and an exploration of new developments in research methods and applications- strong emphasis on historic, social, and cultural issues together with the life sciences needed to fully assess environmental change- accessibility to a wide readership.Academics and students interested in broadening their knowledge of methods and applications in environmental studies will find this book to be a valuable resource. It will also be of great use to practitioners in environmental agencies looking to gain an insight into particular research methods.Contributors: L. Alçada-Almeida, P. Antunes, E.B. Barbier, A.M.Bassi, C.R. Binder, R. Boyd, L.K. Campbell, J.J.T. Connolly, C. Court, L.C. Dias, A. Drachen, K. Feng, D.R. Fisher, H. Folmer, H. Ghadimi, B. Gill, S. Gößling-Reisemann, C.A.S. Hall, D. Hardy, C. Hartefeld, K. Hubacek, M.E. Ibarrarán, R. Jackson, H.W. Kua, S. Locke, M. Olazabal, M. Paolisso, M. Patterson, M. Popp, D. Reckien, M. Ruth, R. Santos, R. Schoell, J. Schubert, L. Shi, S. Silva, H. Smith, K. Stave, E.S. Svendsen, C. Taiapa, D.S.K. Thomas, P. Von Mouche, N. Videira, J. Zhu, T. Zimmermann

Read more less

Presenting critical insights on how economic activity is constrained by the environment's ability to provide material and energy resources, this timely Research Agenda explores how humanity shapes, and is shaped by, environmental change and sustainability challenges. Chapters highlight how, under these constraints, people may seek to improve their lives and standards of living without undermining the abilities of others to do so now or in the future. With contributions from top economic scholars, as well as from a range of other disciplines including ethics, law, and the physical and life sciences, this book explores how interdisciplinary insights can be integrated to provide meaningful investment and policy advice. Offering diverse understandings of the topic from both the Global North and South, this Research Agenda challenges previous economic conceptualizations of human-environment interactions, exploring resource use and environmental impact from micro- and macro-economic perspectives. Students of environmental and ecological economics will find this to be a thought-provoking and stimulating read. The suggestions for future research and use of clear case studies will also prove valuable for environmental law and ethics scholars, as well as environmental policy-makers. Contributors include: D.C. Andersen, Y. Bramoullé, L.P. Breckenridge, M. Faber, M. Frick, A. Kander, R. Kemp, D. Malghan, R.B. Norgaard, C. Orset, S.V. Ramani, M. Ruth, J. Sager, M. Sagoff, M.R. Sers, D.I. Stern, D.J. Thampapillai, E. van Leeuwen, M.d.M.R. Varas, P.A. Victor

Read more less

Presenting critical insights on how economic activity is constrained by the environment's ability to provide material and energy resources, this timely Research Agenda explores how humanity shapes, and is shaped by, environmental change and sustainability challenges. Chapters highlight how, under these constraints, people may seek to improve their lives and standards of living without undermining the abilities of others to do so now or in the future. With contributions from top economic scholars, as well as from a range of other disciplines including ethics, law, and the physical and life sciences, this book explores how interdisciplinary insights can be integrated to provide meaningful investment and policy advice. Offering diverse understandings of the topic from both the Global North and South, this Research Agenda challenges previous economic conceptualizations of human-environment interactions, exploring resource use and environmental impact from micro- and macro-economic perspectives. Students of environmental and ecological economics will find this to be a thought-provoking and stimulating read. The suggestions for future research and use of clear case studies will also prove valuable for environmental law and ethics scholars, as well as environmental policy-makers. Contributors include: D.C. Andersen, Y. Bramoullé, L.P. Breckenridge, M. Faber, M. Frick, A. Kander, R. Kemp, D. Malghan, R.B. Norgaard, C. Orset, S.V. Ramani, M. Ruth, J. Sager, M. Sagoff, M.R. Sers, D.I. Stern, D.J. Thampapillai, E. van Leeuwen, M.d.M.R. Varas, P.A. Victor

Read more less

Industrial ecology provides a consistent material and energetic description of human production and consumption processes in the larger context of environmental and socioeconomic change. The contributors to this book offer methodologies for such descriptions, focusing on the dynamics associated with stocks of materials and capital, flows of raw materials, intermediate products, desired outputs and wastes, as well as the associated changes in behaviors of producers, consumers and institutions. The book begins by presenting analogies and analytical concepts pertinent to understanding the dynamics of industrial ecosystems, and offers a reflection on the use of those analogies and concepts, their limitations and potential extensions. Part II focuses on stocks and flows dynamics at the firm and industry level. Part III turns to the use of agent-based modeling and organization behavior theory to better understand and represent the dynamics within firms and the larger institutional environment within which they choose to use materials, energy and technology. Connections are made throughout between those dynamics and the associated changes in environmental quality. The concluding chapter addresses how to change a firm's environmental performance from within. Researchers and students in the fields of industrial ecology; resource and environmental economics; ecological economics; environmental, energy, and climate change policy; environmental engineering; and energy economics will find this comprehensive volume highly informative.

Read more less

Industrial ecology provides a rigorous and comprehensive description of human production and consumption processes in the larger context of environmental and socioeconomic change. This volume offers methodologies for such descriptions, with contributions covering both basic and advanced analytical concepts and tools to explore the dynamics of industrial ecosystems, concentrating specifically on regions and networks.Each of the book's three parts contains an introduction by a leader in the field, as well as chapters ranging from conceptual models to case study applications. The first part offers an introduction to the main themes and issues surrounding regional and networked industrial ecosystems. The subsequent two parts broaden and deepen the discussion with emphasis on the regional and network characters relevant for analysis and management. The scale of issues ranges from buildings to regions to entire nations, with methods that range from input-output analysis to computer-assisted simulation games.Researchers in the fields of industrial ecology, ecological economics, environmental and energy policy, environmental engineering, and resource and environmental economics will find this comprehensive book of great interest.

Read more less

Improving the resilience of social systems is a goal increasingly adopted in our modern world. This unique and comprehensive Handbook focuses on the interdependencies of these social systems and the technologies that support them. It explores the ways in which the resilience of elements and social systems interact with each other to promote or undermine resilience for one or both, how these interactions manifest themselves through space and time, and how they can be shaped through active intervention.Original and multi-disciplinary contributions illustrate the nuances in the way resilience is interpreted through corresponding case studies and applications. The use of diverse tools, such as cost-effectiveness analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis, transition theory and network science provides readers with a balanced treatment of both theoretical issues surrounding resilience and applications to specific socio-technical systems. Case studies from across the globe are used to discuss the ways in which natural disasters, terror attacks, cyber attacks and infrastructure impact the resilience of these systems. Timely and innovative, this Handbook is an ideal resource for university think-tanks, researchers and advanced students exploring the resilience of both social and technical systems. Planners and policy-makers will also greatly benefit from the lessons drawn from contemporary case studies.Contributors include: D.L. Alderson, U. Bhatia, R. Biggs, C.R. Binder, R. Bowman, A. Cryan, N. Dormady, D. Fannon, K. Fischer, L. Fischer, A.R. Ganguly, B. Giese, S. Goessling-Reisemann, E. Gordon, H.-D. Hellige, B. Helmuth, S. Hiermaier, S. Lehnhoff, I. Linkov, K. Maciejewski, T. Malloy, S. Mirzaee, S. Mühlemeier, K. Poinsatte-Jones, A. Roa-Henriquez, J.C. Rocha, A. Rose, H. Rosoff, M. Ruth, A.J. Schaffer, B. Scharte, M. Schneider, S. Scyphers, J.C Stephens, P. Thier, B.D. Trump, A. von Gleich, M.E. Warner, D.D. Woods, R. Wyss

Read more less

Climate change tends to increase the frequency and intensity of weather-related disasters, which puts many people at risk. Economic, social and environmental impacts further increase vulnerability to disasters and tend to set back development, destroy livelihoods, and increase disparity nationally and worldwide. This book addresses the differential vulnerability of people and places, introducing concepts and methods for analysis and illustrating the impact on local, regional, national, and global scales.The chapters in the first section set the stage by focusing on the relationship between climate change and disasters and by broadly exploring their economic and social aftermaths. Further chapters explore particular impacts of climate change, including the social, political and even military conflicts that may arise over scarce natural resources, as well as the effects on biodiversity and thus the natural environment. Chapters in the last section discuss responses to climate change in terms of information sharing and preparedness, adaptation and mitigation - particularly the relevance of improving the role of markets, through investment and insurance, to face these challenges. Researchers and policymakers involved in the study of climate change and disaster prevention will find this comprehensive volume of great interest.

Read more less

Integrated assessments of the impacts of, and adaptation to, climate change and variability at urban and regional scales are presented in this comprehensive volume. Six thematically distinct yet methodologically related projects illustrate 'horizontal' integration, which focuses on impacts and responses across different sectors, and 'vertical' integration, which traces changes from the climate system through to the economy and society. Areas of application include water resource allocation, wildfire management, agriculture, public health and urban infrastructure in the United States. In its development of methodologies and their applications to individual regions, this book presents a rich set of insights and a set of guides for investment and policymaking. Each of the six studies focuses on a finer geographic scale than is customary in integrated assessment research. They introduce innovations for impact analysis and contribute to the knowledge of localized experiences of climate change - how it affects a variety of sectors, how different stakeholders perceive its implications and adapt to it, and how decision support systems can promote dialogues between researchers, stakeholders and policymakers. The contributors' conclusions will be of great interest to urban and regional planners, environmental scientists and engineers, physical and human geographers, ecologists, environmental and natural resource economists, public administrators, public service providers and utility managers, among others.

Read more less