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Walden Warming: Climate Change Comes to Thoreau's Woods
by Richard B. PrimackIn his meticulous notes on the natural history of Concord, Massachusetts, Henry David Thoreau records the first open flowers of highbush blueberry on May 11, 1853. If he were to look for the first blueberry flowers in Concord today, mid-May would be too late. In the 160 years since Thoreau’s writings, warming temperatures have pushed blueberry flowering three weeks earlier, and in 2012, following a winter and spring of record-breaking warmth, blueberries began flowering on April 1--six weeks earlier than in Thoreau’s time. The climate around Thoreau’s beloved Walden Pond is changing, with visible ecological consequences. In Walden Warming, Richard B. Primack uses Thoreau and Walden, icons of the conservation movement, to track the effects of a warming climate on Concord’s plants and animals. Under the attentive eyes of Primack, the notes that Thoreau made years ago are transformed from charming observations into scientific data sets. Primack finds that many wildflower species that Thoreau observed--including familiar groups such as irises, asters, and lilies--have declined in abundance or have disappeared from Concord. Primack also describes how warming temperatures have altered other aspects of Thoreau’s Concord, from the dates when ice departs from Walden Pond in late winter, to the arrival of birds in the spring, to the populations of fish, salamanders, and butterflies that live in the woodlands, river meadows, and ponds. Primack demonstrates that climate change is already here, and it is affecting not just Walden Pond but many other places in Concord and the surrounding region. Although we need to continue pressuring our political leaders to take action, Primack urges us each to heed the advice Thoreau offers in Walden: to "live simply and wisely. ” In the process, we can each minimize our own contributions to our warming climate.
Walden Warming: Climate Change Comes to Thoreau's Woods
by Richard B. PrimackIn his meticulous notes on the natural history of Concord, Massachusetts, Henry David Thoreau records the first open flowers of highbush blueberry on May 11, 1853. If he were to look for the first blueberry flowers in Concord today, mid-May would be too late. In the 160 years since Thoreau’s writings, warming temperatures have pushed blueberry flowering three weeks earlier, and in 2012, following a winter and spring of record-breaking warmth, blueberries began flowering on April 1—six weeks earlier than in Thoreau’s time. The climate around Thoreau’s beloved Walden Pond is changing, with visible ecological consequences. In Walden Warming, Richard B. Primack uses Thoreau and Walden, icons of the conservation movement, to track the effects of a warming climate on Concord’s plants and animals. Under the attentive eyes of Primack, the notes that Thoreau made years ago are transformed from charming observations into scientific data sets. Primack finds that many wildflower species that Thoreau observed—including familiar groups such as irises, asters, and lilies—have declined in abundance or have disappeared from Concord. Primack also describes how warming temperatures have altered other aspects of Thoreau’s Concord, from the dates when ice departs from Walden Pond in late winter, to the arrival of birds in the spring, to the populations of fish, salamanders, and butterflies that live in the woodlands, river meadows, and ponds. Primack demonstrates that climate change is already here, and it is affecting not just Walden Pond but many other places in Concord and the surrounding region. Although we need to continue pressuring our political leaders to take action, Primack urges us each to heed the advice Thoreau offers in Walden: to “live simply and wisely.” In the process, we can each minimize our own contributions to our warming climate.
Wandel (v)erkennen
by Dietmar RostAngemessene Antworten auf die Problematik von Klimawandel und Artenschwund verlangen eine gesellschaftliche Wahrnehmung von langfristigen Veränderungen in Natur und Gesellschaft. Das Buch fragt nach den Formen, Grenzen und Konsequenzen der individuellen und kollektiven Wahrnehmung von Wandel und eröffnet ein wissenssoziologisch fundiertes Verständnis der (Nicht-)Wahrnehmung vergangener wie auch zukünftiger Veränderungsprozesse. Dies erfolgt zunächst in einer theoretischen Perspektive durch die Zusammenführung von relevanten Gesichtspunkten aus der Erinnerungs-, Generationen- und Zeitforschung. Das Konzept der ,,Shifting Baselines" liefert hierfür einen Ausgangspunkt. Daran anschließend blickt das Buch anhand von Aufschlüssen aus qualitativen Interviews auf die Wahrnehmung von Wandlungsprozessen unterschiedlicher Dynamik - von langsamem, rapidem und krassem (d. h. katastrophischem) Wandel -, um schließlich die Frage der Varianz und historischen Veränderung der Wahrnehmung von Wandel zu diskutieren.
Wann bekommen die Küstenbewohner denn nun nasse Füße?
by Rüdiger SchachtAlltagsleben und Wissenschaft - ein ,,wunderbares" Beispiel für Parallelgesellschaften und in vielen Fällen ein Kommunikationsdesaster erster Güte: Längst versteht der Mensch auf der Straße den Wissenschaftler nicht mehr. Gerade am Beispiel der zum Teil hochemotional besetzten Debatte um die Klimaforschung zeigt sich, wie weit die beiden Welten auseinanderklaffen. Die vielfach schlechte Kommunikation der Methoden und Ergebnisse der Klimaforschung und die mediale Überspitzung der Vergangenheit rächen sich und kaum ein Mensch außerhalb des Wissenschaftsbetriebs überblickt noch die Methoden und Facetten der Klimaforschung. So versucht das vorliegende Buch die Debatte um die Klimaforschung wieder auf die Sach- und Faktenebene zu ziehen und einmal nachzuschauen, auf welchen Methoden die Ergebnisse der modernen Klimaforschung eigentlich fußen. Woher stammen die Daten, wie kann man die Ergebnisse zusammenführen und wie sehen die Schlussfolgerungen aus? Führende Klimaforscher schildern ihren Ansatz, der von der Datenerhebung bis zu den Klimamodellen reicht - und darüber hinaus! Mit einem Nachwort von Prof. Dr. Mojib Latif.
Wärmeschutz und Heizungstechnik: Ein Überblick (essentials)
by Bernd Schröder Ekbert HeringBeim Wärmeschutz im Hochbau werden Maßnahmen getroffen, um in beheizten Gebäuden ein für Menschen behagliches Raumklima zu schaffen. Grundlegend ist hierzu die Wärmebewegung durch Bauteile, die es zu berechnen gilt. Mindestanforderungen an den Wärmeschutz im Winter sind nach DIN geregelt. Im Bereich der Heizungstechnik unterscheidet man Einzelheizgeräte für Wohnräume, größere Räume und Hallen. Für die Zentralheizung gibt es je nach Wärmeträger unterschiedliche Systeme. Heizkörper und Heizflächen treten in verschiedenen Ausführungen auf. Neben dem hierfür notwendigen Rohrnetz sind noch Armaturen und meist Umwälzpumpen nötig. Die Wärmeerzeugung erfolgt in Heizkesseln, eventuell unterstützt durch Wärmepumpen und Sonnenkollektoren. Auch Fernheizungen haben sich stellenweise etabliert.
Water and the Future of Humanity
by Springer International PublishingThis unique, engaging, and highly authoritative volume enlightens readers on changes needed in the way society accesses, provides, and uses water. It further shines a light on changes needed in the way we use food, energy, and other goods and services in relation to water, and offers projections and recommendations, up to 2050, that apply to water access challenges facing the poor and the common misuse of water in industry, agriculture, and municipalities. Written by an unparalleled slate of experts convened by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the book takes on one of the most critical issues on the planet today. In a frank yet optimistic assessment of major developmental challenges, but also opportunities, facing future generations, the author elucidates linkages between water and a range of other drivers from various disciplinary and stakeholder perspectives. Ultimately portraying the belief that Humanity can harness its visionary abilities, technologies, and economic resources for increased wellbeing and sound stewardship of resources, the book presents an optimistic statement stressing actions scientists, policy makers, and consumers can and must take to meet the water management challenges of a warming planet anticipating nine billion inhabitants by 2050. Gulbenkian Think Tank on Water and the Future of Humanity: Benedito Braga, Pres. World Water Council & Prof. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of São Paulo, Brazil; Colin Chatres, Director General of the International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka; William J. Cosgrove, Pres. of Ecoconsult Inc. & Senior Adviser for the UN World Water Development Report, Canada; Luis Veiga da Cunha, Prof. Environmental Science and Engineering, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal; Peter Gleick, Pres. of the Pacific Institute, USA; Pavel Kabat, Director, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria; and Prof. & Chair, Earth Systems Science, Wageningen University, The Netherlands; Mohamed Ait Kadi, President of the General Council of Agricultural Development, Morocco; Daniel P. Loucks, Prof. of Civil Engineering, Cornell Univ. USA; Jan Lundqvist, Senior Scientific Advisor, Stockholm International Water Institute, Sweden; Sunita Narain, Director, Center for Science & Environment, New Delhi, India; Jun Xia, Pres. , International Water Resources Association, Chair Prof. & Dean, The Research Institute for Water Security (RIWS), Wuhan University, China.
Water Governance and Civil Society Responses in South Asia
by N. C. Narayanan S. Parasuraman Rajindra AriyabanduThis book addresses paradigm shifts in water policy and governance, and examines the role of civil society organizations in influencing public policy, while focusing on social equity and democratic participation. It illustrates a range of interesting developments in policy formulation, donor–state nexus, and interventions by civil society and voluntary organizations. The collection of articles provides a comprehensive and current narrative of the state–society relations in South Asia under neoliberal governance reforms, their implications and key responses with regard to water policies. Using case studies, it closely investigates the impact, effectiveness, drawbacks and challenges faced by voluntary organizations and social movements working at various levels in the water sector. The work will interest researchers and students of development studies, environmental studies, natural resource management, water governance, and public administration, as also water sector professionals, policymakers, civil society activists and governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Water Management in Italy
by Andrea Guerrini Giulia RomanoThis book describes the water sector as it is structured in Italy. The first part describes the legal framework which rules the sector in Italy, its evolution since the last 20 years, and its weaknesses. The second part describes the governance of Italian water utilities, distinguishing full public-owned companies from public-private partnership and private companies. The third part reports insights on water utilities performance to enquire the presence of economies by scope, scale and density in the Italian water sector, and to verify the presence of any differences in terms of efficiency and tariffs among public and private firms. The fourth part describes the investment policies carried out by water utilities, observing the total amount of per capita investments and the actual realization of planned investments. The fifth part describes if and how utilities applied water conservation practices to incentive the sustainable water use.
Water Resources: An Integrated Approach
by Joseph HoldenThe world faces huge challenges for water as population continues to grow, as emerging economies develop and as climate change alters the global and local water cycle. There are major questions to be answered about how we supply water in a sustainable and safe manner to fulfil our needs, while at the same time protecting vulnerable ecosystems from disaster. Water Resources: An Integrated Approach provides students with a comprehensive overview of both natural and socio-economic processes associated with water. The book contains chapters written by 20 specialist contributors, providing expert depth of coverage to topics. The text guides the reader through the topic of water starting with its unique properties and moving through environmental processes and human impacts upon them including the changing water cycle, water movement in river basins, water quality, groundwater and aquatic ecosystems. The book then covers management strategies for water resources, water treatment and re-use, and the role of water in human health before covering water economics and water conflict. The text concludes with a chapter that examines new concepts such as virtual water that help us understand current and future water resource use and availability across interconnected local and global scales. This book provides a novel interdisciplinary approach to water in a changing world, from an environmental change perspective and inter-related social, political and economic dimensions. It includes global examples from both the developing and developed world. Each chapter is supplemented with boxed case studies, end of chapter questions, and further reading, as well as a glossary of terms. The text is richly illustrated throughout with over 150 full colour diagrams and photos.
Water Resources and Decision-Making Systems (Routledge Special Issues on Water Policy and Governance)
by Cecilia Tortajada Kevin ParrisWater data and information are essential to support efforts to understand, manage, allocate, utilize and protect water resources. The linkages between Water Information Systems and needs of decision makers are complex, but can be encapsulated in a Driving Force (Policy Needs) – Monitoring – Data Management – Reporting framework. The rapid development in water policy reforms in many sectors and growing emphasis on demand-side policy solutions to water resources management has created an information imbalance. This imbalance can be characterised in terms of an inverted pyramid with implementation of many water policy initiatives supported by little data and information, especially related to economic and financial elements, to help guide decision makers toward more effective and efficient water resources management strategies. Additionally, as stress and demands on water systems increase and water becomes a more valued resource, this tends to increase the value of water information both for water providers and users. Nevertheless, many countries are reporting that the capacity to collect water information is being undermined by a lack of resources, while expertise to collect, analyse and interpret water data for decision makers is being lost. Finally, the impact of climate change on hydrological regimes represents a key potential stress on water systems. This issue could be the catalyst for adapting policies to provide more efficient and effective use and management of water resources and advance institutional and governance reforms in the water sector.This book is based on a special issue of the International Journal of Water Resources Development.
Water Resources Research in Northwest China
by Yaning ChenThis book examines the possible impacts of climate change on hydrology and water resources in the vast arid region of Northwest China, which is one of the world's largest arid places. The first chapter offers an introductory discussion of the physical geography and socioeconomic conditions in the region. Chapters 2 through 7 discuss the climate system and hydrologic system changes in the region, and assess some implications of these changes in relation to potential evapotranspiration, the hydrological cycle and spatiotemporal variations of the snow cover and glaciers as measured via remote sensing, geographic information systems, and statistical analysis. Chapters 8 and 9 focus on model description and experimental design for interpreting the hydro-climatic process, emphasizing the integration of water, climate, and land ecosystems through field observations and computer-based simulations. Chapter 10 examines some extreme hydrological events and presents a study using the historical trend method to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of changing temperature and precipitation extremes in the hyper-arid region of Northwest China. A concluding chapter discusses possible strategies for sustainable watershed management. The contributors are acknowledged experts who bring broad, relevant experience on water resources research in China's cold and arid regions. The lessons of this volume will prove useful for understanding arid areas elsewhere in the world.
Water Scarcity, Livelihoods and Food Security: Research and Innovation for Development (Earthscan Studies in Water Resource Management)
by Larry W. Harrington Myles J. FisherThis volume reviews the evolution of ten years’ learning and discovery about water scarcity, livelihoods, and food security within the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. It draws on the experiences of over 100 projects conducted in ten river basins in the developing world. The book describes how the program’s design evolved from an emphasis on water scarcity, water productivity, and water access to an emphasis on using water innovations to improve livelihoods and address development challenges in specific river basins. It shows how the research was used to foster change in stakeholder behavior, linking it to improved knowledge, attitudes, and skills, which were fostered by stakeholder participation, innovation, dialogue, and negotiation. The authors describe development challenges, their drivers and their political context, how to address them through technical, institutional, and policy innovations; and the consequences of change at different scales, time frames on equity, resilience, and ecosystem services. Overall, the work represents a major synthesis and landmark publication for all concerned with water resource management and sustainable development.
Water Security: Principles, Perspectives and Practices (Earthscan Water Text)
by Bruce Lankford Karen Bakker Mark Zeitoun Declan ConwayThe purpose of this book is to present an overview of the latest research, policy, practitioner, academic and international thinking on water security—an issue that, like water governance a few years ago, has developed much policy awareness and momentum with a wide range of stakeholders. As a concept it is open to multiple interpretations, and the authors here set out the various approaches to the topic from different perspectives. Key themes addressed include: Water security as a foreign policy issue The interconnected variables of water, food, and human security Dimensions other than military and international relations concerns around water security Water security theory and methods, tools and audits. The book is loosely based on a masters level degree plus a short professional course on water security both given at the University of East Anglia, delivered by international authorities on their subjects. It should serve as an introductory textbook as well as be of value to professionals, NGOs, and policy-makers.
Weather Matters for Energy
by Alberto Troccoli Laurent Dubus Sue Ellen HauptIt is the purpose of this book to provide the meteorological knowledge and tools to improve the risk management of energy industry decisions, ranging from the long term finance and engineering planning assessments to the short term operational measures for scheduling and maintenance. Most of the chapters in this book are based on presentations given at the inaugural International Conference Energy & Meteorology (ICEM), held in the Gold Coast, Australia, 8-11 November 2011. The main aim of the conference was to strengthen the link between Energy and Meteorology, so as to make meteorological information more relevant to the planning and operations of the energy sector. The ultimate goal would be to make the best use of weather and climate data in order to achieve a more efficient use of energy sources. This book seeks to realise the same objective.
Weathering and the Riverine Denudation of Continents
by Pedro José Depetris Andrea Inés Pasquini Karina Leticia LecomteIn this monograph the authors present an overview of the state-of-the-art and use examples or case histories to illustrate the combined role of rock decay and rivers on continental denudation. The Earth's surface dynamics would not be conceivable without the fundamental component of rock weathering and the subsequent transport of solid debris and dissolved components to the coastal ocean through riverine drainage pathways. In other words, continental wear away is highly dependent on the mechanisms that control mineral decay. Moreover, besides the significant role played by rivers in shaping the Earth's outer skin, there is the important function that rivers perform in all geochemical cycles, mediating between the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the hydrosphere. Drainage basins and the weathering of rocks that occur therein may be significant sources (or sinks) of carbon dioxide and, hence, play a significant role in affecting the Earth's climate.
Welcome to Subirdia
by Jack Delap John M. MarzluffWelcome to Subirdia presents a surprising discovery: the suburbs of many large cities support incredible biological diversity. Populations and communities of a great variety of birds, as well as other creatures, are adapting to the conditions of our increasingly developed world. In this fascinating and optimistic book, John Marzluff reveals how our own actions affect the birds and animals that live in our cities and towns, and he provides ten specific strategies everyone can use to make human environments friendlier for our natural neighbors. Over many years of research and fieldwork, Marzluff and student assistants have closely followed the lives of thousands of tagged birds seeking food, mates, and shelter in cities and surrounding areas. From tiny Pacific wrens to grand pileated woodpeckers, diverse species now compatibly share human surroundings. By practicing careful stewardship with the biological riches in our cities and towns, Marzluff explains, we can foster a new relationship between humans and other living creatures-one that honors and enhances our mutual destiny.
What Do You Know About the Water Cycle? (20 Questions: Earth Science)
by Gillian GosmanThe 20 questions in this volume give kids a thorough tour through the water cycle. The questions and their answers also explain related topics such as the difference between freshwater and saltwater, and the causes and effects of water pollution. This is a wonderful resource for reports and for building a vocabulary of scientific terms.
Wheat Diseases and Their Management
by Yeshwant Ramchandra MehtaWheat Diseases and Their Management addresses biotic and abiotic constrains to wheat production. Besides detailed illustrations and descriptions of the most important diseases of wheat in the world, it offers an updated view on the reemergence of some old diseases and the occurrence of new races of the pathogen. It deals with the sustainability of wheat production through precision agriculture and focuses on the importance of conservation tillage. The book also deals with pillars of integrated disease management which would be eco-friendly and reduce severity of diseases and yield losses, with acquired Latin-American experiences of more than 40 years.
Where Do Camels Belong?: Why Invasive Species Aren't All Bad
by Ken ThompsonWhere do camels belong? In the Arab world is the obvious answer. But they are relative newcomers there. They evolved and lived for tens of millions of years in North America, while today they retain their greatest diversity in South America and have their only wild populations in Australia. This is a classic example of the problems that underlie the issues of natural and invasive species, a hot issue right now, as the flip side of biodiversity. But do we need to fear invaders? And indeed, can we control them, and do we choose the right targets? In Where Do Camels Belong? Ken Thompson puts forward a fascinating array of narratives on invasive and natural plants and animals to explore what he sees as the crucial question - why only a minority of introduced species succeed, and why so few of them go on to cause trouble. He discusses, too, whether fear of invasive species could be getting in the way of conserving biodiversity, and especially of responding to the threat of climate change. This is a timely, instructive and controversial book that delivers unexpected answers.
Where in the World Will We Go Today
by Heather TonerLet's go on a journey! A tour of the world exploring Africa, Europe, South America, Asia, and the Middle East! Follow along on these pages to learn more about countries from all over the globe--countries that each have a story and a place on the map.
Whidbey Island: Reflections on People & the Land
by Mary Richardson Elizabeth Guss Janice O'MahonyFor generations, Whidbey Island's vivid beauty has made it a home for those drawn in by a rural landscape and thriving communities. Whether native tribes, pioneers, vacationers or retirees, all have enjoyed the island's legacy. Their stories illustrate Whidbey Island residents' devotion to their home. Authors Elizabeth Guss, Janice O'Mahony and Mary Richardson offer a compelling anthology that captures the history behind the intentional protection and restoration of natural and cultural areas on the island. Each story sheds new light on Whidbey Island's rich heritage. From the early settlements of Native Americans and Europeans, to federal involvement with the Civilian Conservation Corps and the U.S. Navy, continuing through the activism in the 1960s and 1970s, to today, this is the story of Whidbey Island.
Who Needs a Desert?: A Desert Ecosystem (Ecosystem Series)
by Karen PatkauKaren Patkau takes readers on an amazing voyage of discovery to find out • How deserts are formed • Where deserts are found • How plants and animals adapt to the severe environment • What wildlife thrives there • Which plants bloom under the blazing sun • How desert plants and animals get energy and food • What happens in the rainy seasons • Why desert land becomes barren • Why we need deserts
Who Needs a Prairie: A Grassland Ecosystem
by Karen PatkauKaren Patkau takes readers on an amazing voyage of discovery to find out <p><p> • How wild and rugged prairies become grasslands <p> • Why prairie inhabitants depend on each other and their surroundings <p> • What wildlife and plants thrive in large open spaces <p> • How seasons and weather conditions affect life on the prairies <p> • How fire restores the land <p> • What life is like on the Great Plains <p> • How a food chain forms <p> • How some prairie plants protect the land <p> • Why we need prairies
Who Needs a Prairie?: A Grassland Ecosystem (Ecosystem Series)
by Karen PatkauKaren Patkau takes readers on an amazing voyage of discovery to find out • How wild and rugged prairies become grasslands • Why prairie inhabitants depend on each other and their surroundings • What wildlife and plants thrive in large open spaces • How seasons and weather conditions affect life on the prairies • How fire restores the land • What life is like on the Great Plains • How a food chain forms • How some prairie plants protect the land • Why we need prairies