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Responsible Investing: An Introduction to Environmental, Social, and Governance Investments
by Matthew W. Sherwood Julia PollardResponsible Investing serves as a holistic resource on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing for undergraduate and graduate programs. It provides a thorough background and history of ESG investing, as well as cutting-edge industry developments, introducing the reader to the rapidly evolving field of responsible investing. Building on the first edition, this second edition provides updates where appropriate, as well as new emphasis on the development of standards in terminology and metrics. Opening with the background of ESG investing, the book discusses the development of ESG risks and provides an overview of ESG rating systems. It outlines the current position of ESG investing in portfolio management through granular analysis, offers insight into common investor concerns about ESG investments, presents qualitative theories, and reviews literature modeling ESG investment performance. Finally, the authors provide readers with a foundation on the development of financial models measuring risk and return, which can be used to evaluate the performance of ESG investments. This edition features updated statistics and a new chapter on regulation, reporting, and taxonomy in ESG investing, as well as new international case studies. Following a summary approach, Responsible Investing is a valuable textbook, providing a context in which upper-level students of ESG investment and sustainable finance can specialize.
Responsible Investment in Fixed Income Markets (The Responsible Investment Series)
by Rory Sullivan Joshua KendallThis book provides the world’s first comprehensive account of responsible investment for fixed income investors. It enables readers to understand the key characteristics of fixed income investments and the relevance of sustainability-related issues to fixed income markets. The expert contributors to this volume explain how sustainability-related issues can be taken into account in fixed income research and decision-making, in portfolio construction, and in active ownership (engagement). They provide a series of detailed case-studies from different parts of the fixed income market (corporate investment grade and high yield, emerging markets, sovereign and municipal debt), from a range of organisations with a variety of investment approaches. The contributors also provide in-depth critical analysis of key issues such as the role and influence of credit rating agencies, green bonds, data and public policy in shaping investment practice. For investors, this book provides practical guidance on how to improve the financial and the sustainability performance of their fixed income investments. For stakeholders such as companies, civil society organisations, and governments it allows them to understand the role that fixed income might play in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to understand how they might encourage fixed income investors to pay greater attention to sustainability-related issues in their investment practices and processes.
The Responsible Investor Handbook: Mobilizing Workers' Capital for a Sustainable World (The Responsible Investment Series)
by Thomas Croft Annie MalhotraFor decades, workers’ capital stewards have invested wisely to provide a secure retirement for millions of people around the world. This money – our money – represents an enormous share of economic and capital market wealth. It has seeded and grown innumerable innovative industries that have had far-reaching impacts. However, the 2008 financial crisis has seriously threatened these trusted assets and drained away prosperity.In response, a growing number of investors are moving towards responsible investment policies and strategies, addressing the rising expectations of consumers and benefiting from the financial advantages such strategies bring. Everyday citizens now want to see their investments not only do well, but do good. But, what constitutes responsible investment, and how can it be undertaken in practice? What is the impact of responsible investment strategies on investment performance? How can trustees, managers and advisors implement these strategies in line with their fiduciary responsibilities? How can plan trustees and staff members convince all stakeholders of the need to invest in resilient growth?The Responsible Investor Handbook, commissioned by the AFL-CIO and global progressive investors, is a lay-friendly “how-to” manual, sharing the best in responsible investment practice with capital stewards and other policy leaders who want to do the right thing with our common wealth.This invaluable toolkit enables readers to: Understand the pioneering role of workers’ capital in building infrastructure and vital services Devise a responsible investment strategy Select and monitor service providers Bring on board stakeholders with conflicting interests Avoid short-termism The Responsible Investor Handbook is the first book devoted to aligning the long-term investment priorities of working people with capital stewards and the financial complex that manages their assets. It is an essential read for trustees and capital stewards seeking the positive outcomes of a responsible investment strategy; pension and institutional investors looking to realign their strategies with the interests of workers and citizens; and any professional seeking a better understanding of the importance of responsible investment and its impact on capital markets.
Responsible Leadership: Realism and Romanticism (Routledge Studies in Leadership Research)
by Brigid Carroll Steve KempsterIt is time for the development of a new kind of business leadership. Global needs call for a revision of market capitalism and a move towards moral capitalism; a move "from value to values, from shareholders to stakeholders, and from balance sheets to balanced development" (Kofi Annan). With the challenge of this transition in mind, this book argues that it is time for a new understanding of leadership, a new romanticism which looks behind the overvalued, heroic leadership notion. The editors explore a romanticized rhetoric and situate it within current discourses of authentic, distributed and ethical leadership, where societal, economic and environmental challenges require us to take a collective lead towards doing good and growing well. Exploring this dichotomy of romantic ideal and essential requirement, this book combines the insights of leading academics and with those of practitioners in the field. Thought-provoking and engaging it will challenge both thinking and practice, and is essential reading for all those operating or researching in the field of leadership, particularly those who realize the overwhelming challenges of sustainability, and corporate social responsibility which the world now faces.
Responsible Leadership: Essential to the Achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
by Mike SaksWith a range of well-respected voices from across the business, political, third sector and research spectrum, this important book provides an accessible insight into responsible leadership. It represents the most comprehensive and informed work on responsible leadership linked to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) produced to date. This carefully edited volume, based on a collaborative partnership between the Institute for Responsible Leadership (IRL) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), contains twenty chapters in seven parts which address the relationship between responsible leadership and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These original and accessible contributions discuss progress in a variety of areas relevant to the goals, including climate change and biodiversity, global health, cybercrime, human trafficking, corporate social responsibility, gender, education and social cohesion. The world-leading expert contributors are drawn from a wide range of societies and continents and cover key aspects of responsible leadership in a lively and impactful fashion. This book is for leaders at every level in the public, private and third sectors, students concerned with responsible leadership, academics and researchers studying leadership in different disciplinary fields, and all those committed to sustainable development and progressing the UN SDGs.
Responsible Living
by Victoria W. Thoresen Declan Doyle Jorgen Klein Robert J. DidhamFocusing on the challenges of the transition to responsible, sustainable lifestyles, this book examines developments over the last decade in relation to: - the creation of awareness of consumer citizenship, civic involvement and environmental stewardship - research, projects and publications on education for responsible living - the creation and implementation of relevant teaching methods and materials - policies on education for sustainable consumption and lifestyles - global processes for education on sustainable development The articles deal with topics related to policy support, institutional approaches, educators, young people, and local communities. They draw attention to successful initiatives and reflect upon what still needs to be done. The book also looks at the roles that central actors such as PERL (The Partnership for Education and research about Responsible Living) play in this process.
Responsible Management Education: The PRME Global Movement (The Principles for Responsible Management Education Series)
by Principles for Responsible Management EducationThe ebook will be Open Access and made available on publication. Written by many of the key influencers at the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), the book focuses on advancing sustainable development into education, research and partnerships at higher education institutions and, specifically, at business schools, with the purpose of educating responsible leaders for today and tomorrow. The book serves as a concrete source of inspiration for universities and other stakeholders in higher education on structures, processes and content for how to advance responsible management education and sustainable development. It articulates the importance of key themes connected with climate change, gender equality, anti-corruption, business for peace, anti-poverty and other topics that are related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The book emphasizes the significance of local–global interaction, drawing on local action at management schools in combination with global knowledge exchange across the PRME community. In addition, the book clearly demonstrates the background, key milestones and successful achievements of PRME as a global movement by management schools in collaboration with a broader community of higher education professionals. It exemplifies action in various local geographies in PRME Chapters, PRME Working Groups and the PRME Champions work to advance responsible management education. The authors of the book are all globally experienced deans, professors, educators, executives and students with a global outlook, who are united to advance responsible management education locally and globally. The book will be invaluable reading for university leaders, educators, business school deans and students wanting to understand and embed responsible management education approaches across their institutions and curricula.
Responsible Tourism: Critical Issues for Conservation and Development
by Anna Spenceley�Responsible Tourism presents a wide variety of valuable lessons learned in responsible tourism initiatives in Southern Africa that many tourism practitioners can use in their efforts to make the tourism sector work for the poor and for the environment.� Dr Harsh Varma, Director, Development Assistance Department, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) �For those interested in how tourism can assist in the economic and social development of societies in need, Responsible Tourism effectively integrates scales and types of knowledge to present an informative, stimulating perspective. It will be on my bookshelf.� Steve McCool, Professor Emeritus, Wildland Recreation Management, University of Montana �Responsible tourism is one of the most significant contemporary issues for tourism scholars and practitioners alike. This useful and clearly written collection of new research demonstrates the innovations in responsible tourism occurring within southern Africa and provides lessons for international research and practice.� Professor Christian Rogerson, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa Conservation efforts are often seen to be in conflict with local livelihoods and resource use - the �park versus people� debate. �Responsible tourism� and �Ecotourism� are often invoked as a third way that serve both ends. Yet do they actually work in practice? This volume delves deep into practice in southern Africa, the hotbed of innovation on the issue, and provides a comprehensive, evidence-based examination of what works and what fails, using a wealth of information from scholars and practitioners working in the region. This book opens with an overview of the issues, looks at what sustainable and responsible tourism are in practice and how they may contribute to conservation, poverty alleviation and local economic development. Part 1 examines policies and institutional activities in responsible tourism by governments, donor agencies and nongovernmental organizations, and addresses the market for responsible travel. Part 2 considers responsible nature-based tourism, the economics of wildlife tourism and ecotourism, transfrontier conservation areas, ecological impacts of tourism and other issues. Part 3 looks at more detailed case studies of community-based tourism projects, and highlights the reasons for successes and failures in this sector. The book concludes with a synthesis of the key findings with implications for policy, destination planning, business management, and future private sector and donor interventions. Published with the Southern African Sustainable Use Specialist Group (SASUSG) of IUCN
Responsible Tourism and CSR
by Mara Manente Valeria Minghetti Erica MingottoWhat are Responsible Tourism and Corporate Social Responsibility? What is the industry's awareness regarding these concepts? What are the systems and tools currently available on the market that tourism SMEs can use to assess their engagement and the sustainability of their business? This book is aimed at replying to these questions and offering an innovative contribution to the current debate in the field. After having defined Responsible Tourism and CSR and the environment in which these methodologies develop, the authors present and compare the main European assessment and certification systems, describe their characteristics and functionalities and discuss the relevant issues concerning their application. Through the AHP model and the selection of a number of relevant case histories, the suitability and efficacy of these systems in monitoring the level of responsibility of tourism SMEs are analyzed and debated. The results obtained contribute to enhance the recognition and diffusion of CSR principles in tourism and to support tourism businesses in choosing the assessment tool that best fits with their characteristics and the nature of their activity. The study also enables students and researchers to build or enhance their knowledge about the main reporting initiatives available in Europe and to assess the potential of the mathematical model applied for this kind of study.
The Responsible Traveller: A Practical Guide to Reducing Your Environmental and Social Impact, Embracing Sustainable Tourism and Travelling the World With a Conscience
by Karen EdwardsThe Responsible Traveller is your ticket to sustainable and ethical travel. This pocket-sized book provides the knowledge and tools that can help you to explore the world with a lighter footprint.Whether you travel out of curiosity, to find respite, to remind yourself of how vast and wonderful our planet is, or in search of life-shaping adventures, having the freedom to explore can be exhilarating and hugely rewarding. However we owe it to the people, cultures, ecosystems and wildlife that we encounter along the way to travel with respect; to preserve our beautiful world for generations to come.The Responsible Traveller will show you how to make actionable changes that result in more thoughtful and adventurous travels, while also doing our very best for Planet Earth. Through case studies and storytelling, you’ll learn about the environmental and social effects of tourism and gain a deeper understanding of cultural sensitivity. And through simple, achievable tips and practical lifestyle changes, you’ll discover how you can make an almighty difference in reducing your impact. Empowered with this information, perhaps your next adventure will be inspired by consideration, understanding and compassion.
The Responsible Traveller: A Practical Guide to Reducing Your Environmental and Social Impact, Embracing Sustainable Tourism and Travelling the World With a Conscience
by Karen EdwardsThe Responsible Traveller is your ticket to sustainable and ethical travel. This pocket-sized book provides the knowledge and tools that can help you to explore the world with a lighter footprint.Whether you travel out of curiosity, to find respite, to remind yourself of how vast and wonderful our planet is, or in search of life-shaping adventures, having the freedom to explore can be exhilarating and hugely rewarding. However we owe it to the people, cultures, ecosystems and wildlife that we encounter along the way to travel with respect; to preserve our beautiful world for generations to come.The Responsible Traveller will show you how to make actionable changes that result in more thoughtful and adventurous travels, while also doing our very best for Planet Earth. Through case studies and storytelling, you’ll learn about the environmental and social effects of tourism and gain a deeper understanding of cultural sensitivity. And through simple, achievable tips and practical lifestyle changes, you’ll discover how you can make an almighty difference in reducing your impact. Empowered with this information, perhaps your next adventure will be inspired by consideration, understanding and compassion.
Responsive Envelopes and Climate Change: State of the Art, Design Strategies, and Future Perspectives for Resilient Buildings (Digital Innovations in Architecture, Engineering and Construction)
by Francesco Fiorito Francesco Carlucci Ludovica Maria CampagnaThis book provides the theoretical background and the practical tools to assess the energy behaviour of different responsive envelope technologies in current and future climate scenarios. Starting from the state of the art of the climate change and of the most innovative responsive technologies, it includes a detailed description of the tools and settings required to run building energy simulations that properly account for the envelope responsiveness in current and future scenarios. The purpose of the book is to help architects, façade consultants, researchers, and students of building engineering and environmental design of buildings to understand, simulate, and consider the emerging responsive envelope technologies as viable solutions to improve the energy consumption and the climate resilience of buildings. Therefore, it bridges the gap between innovative technologies and design practice, providing all the required tools to begin to spread these systems improving the climate resilience of the built environment.
Ressourceneffizienz und Nachhaltigkeit: Sechs Planspiele für die betriebliche Weiterbildung
by Kerstin Anstätt Frank Bertagnolli Mario SchmidtKlimaschutz und Ressourceneffizienz gehen häufig Hand in Hand. Mit Spiel und Spaß ressourceneffizientes Handeln fördern – das ist die Devise der Planspiele rund um das Thema Energie- und Materialeffizienz, die in diesem Buch vorgestellt werden. Die Planspiele schließen eine Lücke im betrieblichen Weiterbildungsangebot und bilden ein niederschwelliges Angebot, mit dem ressourceneffizientes Denken und Handeln spielerisch in Unternehmen eingeführt werden kann. Unternehmen aller Art können gleich auf mehrere Arten von den in den Spielen vermittelten Kenntnissen und Methoden profitieren: Durch Ressourceneffizienz-Maßnahmen werden sowohl deutliche Kosteneinsparungen erzielt als auch ein Beitrag zum Klimaschutz durch die Minderung von Treibhausgasemissionen geleistet. Dies wirkt sich nicht zuletzt positiv auf die Wettbewerbs- und die Innovationsfähigkeit aus. Darüber hinaus werden die Mitarbeiter intern mit einem attraktiven und kurzweiligen Schulungsangebot weiterqualifiziert. Die Interaktion im Spiel involviert die Mitarbeiter aktiv und motiviert sie, ihr Wissen produktiv einzubringen. Das Ergebnis sind neue Ideen für noch mehr Effizienz im Unternehmen und gleichzeitig für mehr Klimaschutz. In diesem Open Access-Buch werden sowohl das fachliche Hintergrundwissen für die in den Spielen vermittelten Methoden beschrieben als auch konkrete Anleitungen zur Durchführung der Spiele gegeben.
RESTART Sustainable Business Model Innovation (Palgrave Studies in Sustainable Business In Association with Future Earth)
by Sveinung Jørgensen Lars Jacob PedersenTaking the business model as point of departure, this open access book explores how companies and organizations can contribute to a more sustainable future by designing innovative models that are both sustainable and profitable. Based upon years of research, it draws together theoretical foundations and existing literature on the topic of sustainable business alongside case studies and practical solutions. After examining the theoretical foundations of sustainable business model innovation, the authors present their own framework – RESTART. Consisting of seven factors, this framework can be the basis for restarting any business model. The final section outlines a research agenda for sustainable business informed by the perspectives and frameworks put forward in this book.
Restoration and Development of the Degraded Loess Plateau, China
by Norikazu Yamanaka Sheng Du Atsushi Tsunekawa Guobin LiuThis book presents state-of-the-art scientific evidence and technological innovations to restore lands on the Loess Plateau of China, known worldwide for its serious land degradation and desertification problems. Supported by a rapidly developing Chinese economy and the dissemination of effective technology, the Grain-for-Green Project and Western Development Action launched by the Chinese government have resulted in successful ecological restoration and protection over the past 30 years. These programs have contributed not only to conservation of soil and water, but also to economic development. At the same time, however, these developmental interventions have brought new challenges that have not yet been fully addressed. The book describes (1) case studies of success and failure in practice, including rare success stories of combating desertification; (2) technical issues such as erosion control and breeding of stress-tolerant plant species, and socioeconomic measures taken by the Chinese government and lending policies with support from the World Bank; and (3) comprehensive measures against desertification, such as water and wind erosion, salinization, and deforestation. This volume is recommended for researchers and students above the undergraduate level in diverse fields including soil science, rural engineering, social technology and civil engineering, biology, ecology, climatology, physical and human geography, and developmental economics, among others. It also serves as a valuable resource for engineers, government officials, and NPOs and NGOs involved in afforestation, ecological restoration, combating desertification, disaster prevention, and sustainable rural development.
Restoration of Boreal and Temperate Forests (Integrative Studies in Water Management & Land Development)
by John A. StanturfThis substantially updated new edition reflects the growing recognition that large areas of forests are degraded globally. This edition describes forest restoration in the context of rapid social, economic, environmental, and climate change. Covering the last decade's significant advances in forest restoration concepts and practice, this edition has 16 new chapters and 19 thoroughly revised chapters. This book is an excellent source of information for researchers, managers, policymakers, and graduate students in forestry and ecology.
Restoration of Coastal Dunes
by Luisa M Martínez Juan B. Gallego-Fernández Patrick A. HespThe continuously growing human population along the world's coasts will exacerbate the impact of human activities on all coastal environments. Restoration activities will therefore become increasingly important. In particular, sandy shores and coastal dunes will require significant restoration efforts because they are preferred sites for human settlement, industrial and urban development and tourism. With this book experts in the field present a comprehensive review of restoration studies and activities, where 'successful' and 'failed' studies or approaches from around the world are contrasted and compared. A major asset the book provides is a compendium of studies showing that coastal dune restoration has many definitions and thus leads to many different actions. This volume addresses those with an interest in conservation ecology and biology, coastal dune dynamics and geomorphology, and coastal management who are seeking information on the different strategies for coastal dune restoration applied in different regions of the world. Finally, it will be a valuable resource for coastal scientists and planners, as well as for local and state officials, residents of coastal communities, environmental advocates and developers.
Restoring Communities Resettled After Dam Construction in Asia (Routledge Special Issues on Water Policy and Governance)
by Mikiyasu Nakayama and Ryo FujikuraThe rapid economic expansion and population growth of developing countries in Asia has led to increasing demands for water and energy. To meet these demands, large dam development projects have been completed, which has inevitably caused involuntary resettlement. In order to support these projects, dam developers must find appropriate ways to ensure adequate livelihood reconstruction for resettled individuals. Resettlement causes both short-term and long-term effects (both positive and negative) for the relocated populations, meaning that in order to evaluate the larger impact of such projects long-term post-project evaluations must be carried out. However, post-project evaluations by international donors have typically been conducted within a few years after completion; the long-term impact of such projects is seldom evaluated.This book aims to fill this gap. A study team composed of researchers from Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Sri Lanka, and Turkey has conducted ten case studies focusing on resettled individuals satisfaction, opportunities offered, and income generation. The volume provides an overview of the ten case studies, which were carried out across five countries. It also discusses how a compensation programme should be designed and what sort of options should be presented to resettled individuals for their maximum benefit.This book was originally published as a special issue of the International Journal of Water Resources Development.
Restoring Disturbed Landscapes
by John Ludwig David J. TongwayRestoring Disturbed Landscapes is a hands-on guide for individuals and groups seeking to improve the functional capacity of landscapes. The book presents a five-step, adaptive procedure for restoring landscapes that is supported by proven principles and concepts of ecological science. Abundantly illustrated with photos and figures that clearly explain concepts outlined in the book, Restoring Disturbed Landscapes is an engaging and accessible work designed specifically for restoration practitioners with limited training or experience in the field. It tells restorationists where to start, what information they need to acquire, and how to apply this information to their specific situations.
The Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land Workbook (Science Practice Ecological Restoration)
by Steven I. Apfelbaum Alan HaneyThis is the first practical guidebook to give restorationists and would-be restorationists with little or no scientific training or background the "how to" information and knowledge they need to plan and implement ecological restoration activities. The first part of the book introduces the process of ecological restoration in simple, easily understood language through specific examples drawn from the authors' experience in restoring their own lands. The second half shows how that same "thinking" and "doing" can be applied to North America's major ecosystems and landscapes in any condition or scale. No other ecological restoration book leads by example and first-hand experience like this one. It represents a unique and important contribution to the literature on restoration.
Restoring Eden: Unearthing the Agribusiness Secret That Poisoned My Farming Community
by Elizabeth D. HilbornAll spring, Dr. Elizabeth Hilborn watched as her family fruit farm of many years became increasingly diminished, suffering from a lack of bees. The plentiful wildlife, so abundant just weeks before, was gone. Everything was still, silent. As an environmental scientist trained to investigate disease outbreaks, she rose to the challenge. Step by step, day by day, despite facing headwinds from skeptical neighbors, environmental experts, and agricultural consultants, she'd assembled information. Her observations provided a framework, a timeline to explain the evidence she'd collected. The chemicals found in her water samples showed beyond any doubt that not only her farm, but her greater farming community, was at risk from toxic chemicals that travelled with rain water over the land, into water, and deep within the soil. Hilborn was given a front row seat to the insect apocalypse. Even as a scientist, she'd been unaware of the risks to life from some common agricultural chemicals. Her goal was to protect her farm and the animals who lived there. But first she had to convince her rural neighbors of the risk to their way of life, too.A lyrical celebration of nature by a passionate citizen scientist who felt called to advocate for the land, earth, and creatures who don't have a voice, Restoring Eden ultimately offers hope that citizens can create change, that reform is possible.
Restoring Lands - Coordinating Science, Politics and Action
by Herman Karl Juan Carlos Vargas-Moreno Lynn Scarlett Michael FlaxmanEnvironmental issues, vast and varied in their details, unfold at the confluence of people and place. They present complexities in their biophysical details, their scope and scale, and the dynamic character of human action and natural systems. Addressing environmental issues often invokes tensions among battling interests and competing priorities. Air and water pollution, the effects of climate change, ecosystem transformations--these and other environmental issues involve scientific, social, economic, and institutional challenges. This book analyzes why tackling many of these problems is so difficult and why sustainability involves more than adoption of greener, cleaner technologies. Sustainability, as discussed in this book, involves knowledge flows and collaborative decision processes that integrate scientific and technological methods and tools, political and governance structures and regimes, and social and community values. The authors synthesize a holistic and adaptive approach to rethinking the framework for restoring healthy ecosystems that are the foundation for thriving communities and dynamic economies. This approach is that of collective action. Through their research and practical experiences, the authors have learned that much wisdom resides among diverse people in diverse communities. New collaborative decision-making institutions must reflect that diversity and tap into its wisdom while also strengthening linkages among scientists and decision makers. From the pre-publication reviews: "Finally, we have a book that explains how science is irrelevant without people. It's people who decide when and how to use science, not scientists. This book gives us a roadmap for how to really solve complex problems. It involves hard work, and creating new relationships between scientists and the public that don't typically exist in our society." -John M. Hagan, Ph.D. President, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
Restoring Natural Capital: Science, Business, and Practice (Science Practice Ecological Restoration)
by Peter H. Raven James Aronson James N. Blignaut Suzanne J. MiltonHow can environmental degradation be stopped? How can it be reversed? And how can the damage already done be repaired? The authors of this volume argue that a two-pronged approach is needed: reducing demand for ecosystem goods and services and better management of them, coupled with an increase in supply through environmental restoration. Restoring Natural Capital brings together economists and ecologists, theoreticians, practitioners, policy makers, and scientists from the developed and developing worlds to consider the costs and benefits of repairing ecosystem goods and services in natural and socioecological systems. It examines the business and practice of restoring natural capital, and seeks to establish common ground between economists and ecologists with respect to the restoration of degraded ecosystems and landscapes and the still broader task of restoring natural capital. The book focuses on developing strategies that can achieve the best outcomes in the shortest amount of time as it: * considers conceptual and theoretical issues from both an economic and ecological perspective * examines specific strategies to foster the restoration of natural capital and offers a synthesis and a vision of the way forward Nineteen case studies from around the world illustrate challenges and achievements in setting targets, refining approaches to finding and implementing restoration projects, and using restoration of natural capital as an economic opportunity. Throughout, contributors make the case that the restoration of natural capital requires close collaboration among scientists from across disciplines as well as local people, and when successfully executed represents a practical, realistic, and essential tool for achieving lasting sustainable development.
Restoring Nature: The Evolution of Channel Islands National Park (America’s Public Lands)
by Lary M. Dilsaver Timothy J. BabalisOff the coast of California, running from Santa Barbara to La Jolla, lies an archipelago of eight islands known as the California Channel Islands. The northern five were designated as Channel Islands National Park in 1980 to protect and restore the rich habitat of the islands and surrounding waters. In the years since, that mission intensified as scientists discovered the extent of damage to the delicate habitats of these small fragments of land and to the surprisingly threatened sea around them. In Restoring Nature Lary M. Dilsaver and Timothy J. Babalis examine how the National Park Service has attempted to reestablish native wildlife and vegetation to the five islands through restorative ecology and public land management. The Channel Islands staff were innovators of the inventory and monitoring program whereby the resource problems were exposed. This program became a blueprint for management throughout the U.S. park system. Dilsaver and Babalis present an innovative regional and environmental history of a little-known corner of the Pacific West, as well as a larger national narrative about how the Park Service developed its approach to restoration ecology, which became a template for broader Park Service policies that shaped the next generation of environmental conservation.
Restoring Neighborhood Streams: Planning, Design, and Construction (The Science and Practice of Ecological Restoration Series)
by Ann L. RileyThirty years ago, the best thinking on urban stream management prescribed cement as the solution to flooding and other problems of people and flowing water forced into close proximity. Urban streams were perceived as little more than flood control devices designed to hurry water through cities and neighborhoods with scant thought for aesthetics or ecological considerations. Stream restoration pioneers like hydrologist Ann Riley thought differently. She and other like-minded field scientists imagined that by restoring ecological function, and with careful management, streams and rivers could be a net benefit to cities, instead of a net liability. In the intervening decades, she has spearheaded numerous urban stream restoration projects and put to rest the long-held misconception that degraded urban streams are beyond help.What has been missing, however, is detailed guidance for restoration practitioners wanting to undertake similar urban stream restoration projects that worked with, rather than against, nature. This book presents the author's thirty years of practical experience managing long-term stream and river restoration projects in heavily degraded urban environments. Riley provides a level of detail only a hands-on design practitioner would know, including insights on project design, institutional and social context of successful projects, and how to avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes. Early chapters clarify terminology and review strategies and techniques from historical schools of restoration thinking. But the heart of the book comprises the chapters containing nine case studies of long-term stream restoration projects in northern California. Although the stories are local, the principles, methods, and tools are universal, and can be applied in almost any city in the world.