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Economic History of Energy and Environment
by S. SugiyamaThis book is the first volume of a monograph series published by the Socio-Economic History Society, Japan. The purpose of the series is to make works by Japanese scholars accessible to a wider readership and to increase the knowledge of scholars in this field, particularly in relation to Asia. This volume includes four chapters on energy and the environment of Japan, China and Britain and four short book reviews on recent academic works published in Japanese and English. The four chapters cover the following topics: the relationship between deforestation and the development of the silk reeling industry in a district of Nagano Prefecture (central Japan) from the 1870s to the 1900s and the subsequent shift from firewood to coal; the importance of timber supplies for the development of industry as illustrated by a case study on the supply of timber for use as rail sleepers in the Japanese national railway network during the prewar period; a methodological survey of the history of ecology and the environment in China; and an analysis of the British Smoke Nuisance Abatement Act of 1821 as a measure that incorporated the interests of politicians, landlords and industrialists.
An Economic History of Europe
by Karl Gunnar PerssonThis concise introduction is the only textbook students will need to understand Europe's unique economic development and its global context.
The Economic History of Nuclear Energy in Spain
by M. d. Mar Rubio-Varas Joseba TorreThis book analyses the economic history of the nuclear program in Spain, from its inception in the 1950s to the nuclear moratorium in the early 1980s, and investigates the economic, financial and business origins of atomic energy in Spain. The actual dimension of the Spanish nuclear sector, which exceeded the relative economic and political clout of the country at the time, reflects the combination of domestic and foreign interests. Each contribution inserts the Spanish case within the international development of nuclear energy, but also shows how the Spanish nuclear program came about, how it was financed, and who the main architects and beneficiaries at the industrial, financial, commercial and banking levels were; all without losing sight of the energy policy aspects such as energy mix and energy security. The volume provides useful analysis and sources for a variety of core fields across the social sciences including economic history of post-war Europe, industrial and energy policy, international relations and history of technology.
Economic Incentives for Stormwater Control
by Hale W. ThurstonDealing with stormwater runoff in urban areas is a problem that is getting bigger and more expensive. As we cover porous surfaces with impervious structures-commercial buildings, parking lots, roads, and houses-finding places for rainwater and snowmelt to soak in becomes harder. Addressing a huge knowledge gap from a policy perspective, this volume focuses on the economic tools available for stormwater runoff control. It addresses the true costs and benefits of stormwater management practices and examines the incentives that can be used to encourage their adoption. The book provides case studies demonstrating the application of various incentives, such as tradable allowances and fees with rebate. It also presents the theory behind the different mechanisms used and illustrates successes and potential obstacles to implementation. The contributors are primarily concerned with the sociodemographic and economic aspects of people's participation in stormwater runoff control.
Economic Model Predictive Control
by Matthew Ellis Jinfeng Liu Panagiotis D. ChristofidesThis book presents general methods for the design of economic model predictive control (EMPC) systems for broad classes of nonlinear systems that address key theoretical and practical considerations including recursive feasibility, closed-loop stability, closed-loop performance, and computational efficiency. Specifically, the book proposes: Lyapunov-based EMPC methods for nonlinear systems; two-tier EMPC architectures that are highly computationally efficient; and EMPC schemes handling explicitly uncertainty, time-varying cost functions, time-delays and multiple-time-scale dynamics. The proposed methods employ a variety of tools ranging from nonlinear systems analysis, through Lyapunov-based control techniques to nonlinear dynamic optimization. The applicability and performance of the proposed methods are demonstrated through a number of chemical process examples. The book presents state-of-the-art methods for the design of economic model predictive control systems for chemical processes. In addition to being mathematically rigorous, these methods accommodate key practical issues, for example, direct optimization of process economics, time-varying economic cost functions and computational efficiency. Numerous comments and remarks providing fundamental understanding of the merging of process economics and feedback control into a single framework are included. A control engineer can easily tailor the many detailed examples of industrial relevance given within the text to a specific application. The authors present a rich collection of new research topics and references to significant recent work making Economic Model Predictive Control an important source of information and inspiration for academics and graduate students researching the area and for process engineers interested in applying its ideas.
Economic Parables and Policies: An Introduction to Economics
by Laurence S. SeidmanThis work includes sections on combating recessions and the free market, as well as updated material on the pros and cons of establishing new individual accounts under Social Security. It also includes a discussion of the tax-credit approach to encourage the purchase of health insurance.
Economic Regulation of Urban and Regional Airports: Incentives, Efficiency and Benchmarking (Advances in Spatial Science)
by Peter Forsyth Jürgen Müller Hans-Martin Niemeier Eric PelsThis book offers new insights into the theory and practice of economic airport regulation. In light of recent developments in aviation markets and policy, and the debate on airport regulation and benchmarking, it offers case studies on various aspects of economic regulation of city and regional airports. Written by experts in the field, the volume features contributions on the theory of regulation and benchmarking, as well as case studies on recent experiences in Europe and Latin America.This book is divided into three parts: Part I provides the theoretical background for the study of airport regulation and regulatory systems. Competition at airports is discussed, as are common forms of regulation and potential pitfalls. Part II addresses benchmarking, as benchmarking is often applied as an input to the regulatory process. Although benchmarking is necessary, reviews of how benchmarking is applied in the literature and in practice show that improvements can be made. Part III provides case studies on real-world examples.Addressing the question of whether and how European airport regulators set incentives for efficiency, and how benchmarking is used in the regulatory process, this book is an important contribution to the development of the transport industry in Europe and Latin America. It will appeal to scholars and students in transport economics, regional economics and related fields, as well as to practitioners and policy makers in the transport industry.
The Economic Superorganism: Beyond the Competing Narratives on Energy, Growth, and Policy
by Carey W. KingEnergy drives the economy, economics informs policy, and policy affects social outcomes. Since the oil crises of the 1970s, pundits have debated the validity of this sequence, but most economists and politicians still ignore it. Thus, they delude the public about the underlying influence of energy costs and constraints on economic policies that address such pressing contemporary issues as income inequality, growth, debt, and climate change. To understand why, Carey King explores the scientific and rhetorical basis of the competing narratives both within and between energy technology and economics. Energy and economic discourse seems to mirror Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion: For every narrative there is an equal and opposite counter-narrative. The competing energy narratives pit "drill, baby, drill!" against renewable technologies such as wind and solar. Both claim to provide secure, reliable, clean, and affordable energy to support economic growth with the most benefit to society, but how? To answer this question, we need to understand the competing economic narratives, techno-optimism and techno-realism. Techno-optimism claims that innovation overcomes any physical resource constraints and enables the social outcomes and economic growth we desire. Techno-realism, in contrast, states that no matter what energy technologies we use, feedbacks from physical growth on a finite planet constrain economic growth and create an uneven distribution of social impacts. In The Economic Superorganism, you will discover stories, data, science, and philosophy to guide you through the arguments from competing narratives on energy, growth, and policy. You will be able to distinguish the technically possible from the socially viable, and understand how our future depends on this distinction.
Economic Sustainability and Environmental Protection in Mediterranean Countries through Clean Manufacturing Methods
by José Coca-Prados Gemma Gutiérrez-CervellóThis volume, with contributions from a team of multi-disciplinary team experts, addresses the economic sustainability and clean manufacturing methods to deal with the challenges that water scarcity and water quality are imposing on many countries, particularly on Mediterranean arid areas, that are threatening their economic and social development. Water plays a crucial role in industry, agriculture and daily life. Its use has increased ten-fold between 1900 and 2000. On a global scale, about 70 % of clean water from available sources is used for agricultural purposes, primarily irrigation, the rest of it being used for domestic and industrial purposes. With the actual demographic and economic trends, it is expected that by 2025, two-thirds of the world population will live in water-stressed areas and it is expected a 40 % increase in water consumption.
Economic Systems Analysis and Assessment
by Andrew P. Sage William B. RouseAn Authoritative Introduction to a Major Subject in Systems Engineering and Management This important volume fills the need for a textbook on the fundamentals of economic systems analysis and assessment, illustrating their vital role in systems engineering and systems management. Providing extensive coverage on key topics, it assumes no prior background in mathematics or economics in order to comprehend the material. The book is comprised of five major parts: Microeconomics: a concise overview that covers production and the theory of the firm; theory of the consumer; market equilibria and market imperfections; and normative or welfare economics, including imperfect competition effects and consumer and producer surplus Program Management Economics: discusses economic valuation of programs and projects, including investment rates of return; cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis; earned value management; cost structures and estimation of program costs and schedules; strategic and tactical pricing issues; and capital investment and options Cost Estimation: reviews cost-estimation technologies involving precedented and unprecedented development, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software, software reuse, application generators, and fourth-generation languages Strategic Investments in an Uncertain World: addresses alternative methods for valuation of firms including Stern Stewart's EVA, Holt's CFROI, and various competing methodologies Contemporary Perspectives: covers ongoing extensions to theory and practice that enable satisfactory treatment of the increasing returns to scale, network effects, and path-dependent issues generally associated with contemporary ultra-large-scale telecommunications and information networks Also discussed in this comprehensive text are normative or welfare economics and behavioral economics; COCOMO I and II and COSYSMO as examples of a cost model; and options-based valuation models and valuation of information technology intensive enterprises. Economic Systems Analysis and Assessment serves as an ideal textbook for senior undergraduate and first-year graduate courses in economic systems analysis and assessment, as well as a valuable reference for engineers and managers involved with information technology intensive systems, professional economists, cost analysts, investment evaluators, and systems engineers.
Economic Systems in the New Era: Stable Systems in an Unstable World (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems #160)
by Svetlana Igorevna Ashmarina Jakub Horák Jaromír Vrbka Petr ŠuleřThis proceedings book presents outcomes of the Innovative Economic Symposium – 2020 organized by the Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice (VŠTE) in Russia in collaboration with two universities: Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation (Moscow) and Samara State University of Economics (Samara). The symposium aims to bring together experts and young scientists in economy, management, international relations, finance, marketing, and professional education from Asian and European countries, to share knowledge and experience and discuss issues related to stable economic development, international business, entrepreneurship, Industry 4.0, cooperation between educational and business structures, strategic decision-making, and processes of economic globalization and fragmentation. The book consists of two parts corresponding to the thematic symposium areas. The book content covers two sections: stable development in unstable world and globalization and fragmentation forces of the current world economy. The main topics included in the book are as follows: - Where is the world moving to and where is the economy in it? - Institutionalization of innovations. - Network architecture of economic relations. - Competences for the future. - Smart change management. - Monetary and fiscal policy development as a factor of economic modernization. - Role of international trade in the economy globalization. - Impact of globalization and economic fragmentation on the enterprise’s internal environment. - Financial conditions for entrepreneurship under the economic modernization. - Impact of scientific and technological progress on globalization and fragmentation of the economy.
Economic Theory for Environmentalists
by John GowdyEconomic Theory for Environmentalists is a much-needed and heralded new book that examines the implications of neoclassical economic theory and how it relates to the environment and environmental activity. It addresses the ongoing conflict between market forces and environmental integrity and explains how neoclassical economic theory views the relationship between economic activity and the natural world. Each chapter outlines the concepts of economic theory and the relevance of its environmental and policy implications. It focuses on both micro and macro-economics. Policy tools such as price and income elasticities, consumer surplus and methods for measuring the economic value of environmental resources are discussed. A case study which examines a range of policy options is presented. Examples are also given throughout the text to illustrate regional and international policy questions. Presented in a simple and easy to understand manner, this valuable book is suited for anyone dealing with environmental, economic, or policy issues.
Economic Trends and Sustainable Environmental Assessment
by Andrew Adewale Alola Festus Victor Bekun Uju Violet AlolaThe book ‘Economic Trends and Sustainable Environmental Assessment’ attempts to x-ray the economic and socioeconomic activities, and cultural or behavioural aspects from the concept of sustainability by employing several related research scenarios spanning the micro-, meso-, and macro-level approaches.Given the increasing awareness of the importance of social, economic, environmental, and even now human sustainability aspects to a sustainable global (present) future, the relevance of the dimensions of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) need to be consistently examined. For instance, decades of climate-related disasters which have increasingly endangered humans are the reason for ongoing advanced advocacy, policy, and research towards achieving an environmentally sustainable or net zero emission (NZE) future.Thus, considering the illustration of the theoretical and practical dimensions of the connectedness of the economic and socioeconomic aspects with environmental dimensions, this book should hugely benefit students, researchers, and policymakers to further understand and solve some of the world’s lingering challenges.
Economically Important Trees: Origin, Evolution, Genetic Diversity and Ecology (Sustainable Development and Biodiversity #37)
by Thomas K Uthup Rekha KarumamkandathilThe edited volume deals with the origin, evolution, genetic diversity, commercial, and cultural aspects of selected tree species such as Rubber, Pine, Poplar, Almond, Cashew, Teak, Olive, Eucalyptus, Mango, Jack, Fig, Sandalwood and Ashoka. It covers major aspects of the altered gene pool of each tree species, its impact on biodiversity, the current scenario, and the strategies to protect and conserve the wild progenitors of these trees. Human interventions in the evolution and development of these economically important trees began at least four thousand years ago. Over these years, significant improvements in the traits of economic value were achieved for most of these tree species. However, the long history of domestication and the selective breeding pressure applied to their wild progenitors accelerated the loss of biodiversity, resulting in reduced genetic diversity and shrunken germplasm resources of these domesticated species. The book portrays the novel dimensions of the propitiousness of tree domestication and the interesting history behind it, which is interlaced with the development of civilizations, religions, local traditions, medicine and cuisine. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, biodiversity experts, and policymakers. It can be used as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of forestry, ecology, genetics, and environmental sciences. The book also serves as an interesting and useful read for national and international agricultural scientists, as well as historians and the general public.
Economics: A Foundation Course for the Built Environment
by J.E. ManserMaking no assumption of your prior knowledge, Economics introduces the basics of economics as they relate to the built environment. Looking at the principles of microeconomics (markets, price mechanisms, resource allocation, theory of the firm, etc.), these principles are put into the context of construction firms and property markets. Lively, real-life case studies are built into the text to provide concrete examples of the theories being explained and macroeconomics are also covered. Key features of this easy-to-use book include: clear chapter structure tutorial questions linking the case histories to basic principles extracts from newspaper and journal articles to show the relevance of economics to the construction industry 100% construction orientation a useful bibliography, glossary of economic terms preview questions at the start of each chapter and exercises and discussion topics at the end to test your understanding. Economics will enable you to understand the working of economic forces as they relate to the construction industry.
Economics and Ecological Risk Assessment: Applications to Watershed Management (Environmental And Ecological Risk Assessment Ser. #Vol. 5)
by Randall J. F. Bruins Matthew T. HeberlingWith contributions from a wide array of economists, ecologists, and government agency professionals, Economics and Ecological Risk Assessment: Applications to Watershed Management provides a multidisciplinary approach to environmental decision-making at a watershed level. It introduces the fields of ecological risk assessment (ERA) and economic ana
Economics and Ecology: United for a Sustainable World (Social Environmental Sustainability)
by Charles R. Beaton Chris MaserThe earth, our home, is in crisis. There are two sides to this crisis-our global economy, and its effect on the ecology of our home planet. Despite conventional thinking that typical monetary and fiscal manipulations will put us back on the path of economic growth, the reality is not that simple. Meanwhile, the natural environment is sending unmist
Economics and Management of Geotourism (Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management)
by Vitor Braga Carla Susana Marques António DuarteThis book covers all aspects of the economics and management of geotourism, an increasingly important sector of nature tourism that focuses on the geology and landscape of different territories, providing a pleasurable and educational tourist experience. Geotourism is a sustainable form of tourism that has the potential to deliver significant benefits to host communities. To date, however, geotourism has been examined primarily from the natural sciences perspective, to the detriment of issues related to local social and economic impacts, inter-organizational collaboration, tourist responses, and community participation. This book therefore fills a major gap in the literature. While a key focus is the impacts of geotourism on economic and social development processes and the quality of life of local populations, detailed attention is also devoted to topics such as geopark and geosystem management, innovative and entrepreneurial strategies in geotourism, and territorial marketing. In addition, readers will gain a clear understanding of the extent to which the opportunities and challenges facing geotourism reflect current trends in the tourist industry as a whole.
Economics and Policy Issues in Climate Change
by William D. NordhausAlthough the negotiation of the Kyoto Protocol focused world attention on the global climate, it was just one step in the ongoing process of addressing climate change in all its facets. Research by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been ongoing since 1988. An extensive IPCC Working Group report published in 1995 examined the economic and social aspects of climate change. In this volume, eminent analysts assess that IPCC report and address the questions that emerge from it. The result is an instructive and cogent look at the realities of climate change and some methods (and difficulties) of dealing with them. William Nordhaus's introduction establishes the context for the book. It provides basic scientific background on climate change, reviews the IPCC's activities, and explains the genesis of the analyses. Subsequent contributions fall into two categories. Early chapters review analytical issues critical to social and economic understanding of climate change. A second set of chapters address specific economic questions surrounding climate-change policy. The result is an original and significant contribution to the evolving debate on this crucial hot-button topic.
The Economics and Policy of Concentrating Solar Power Generation (Green Energy and Technology)
by Pere Mir-Artigues Pablo del Río Natàlia CaldésThis book provides an up-to-date analysis of state-of-the-art concentrating solar power (CSP) generation. It focuses on the economic analysis of CSP generation technologies as well as the policies that have been and are being used around the globe to support it. The book describes the industrial sectors whose products make up the solar field, including the traditional manufacturers of turbines and generators.The authors provide the main theoretical tools needed to comprehend the costs of CSP technologies compared to other competing technologies (both conventional and renewable) and discuss the conceptual rationale behind creating public support for these technologies and the costs of various promotional techniques. Further, the book examines the concepts from different disciplinary traditions in economics (including environmental, innovation, industrial and public), which are then combined and integrated for an analysis of the costs and policies of CSP electricity.Addressing the main findings and the challenges for future CSP, the book is a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners. It is also of use to industrial engineers, as it identifies the features of the sector’s supply chain value, rooted in and supported by an industrial economics approach.
The Economics and Policy of Solar Photovoltaic Generation
by Pere Mir-Artigues Pablo Del RíoThis book provides an up-to-date, rigorous analysis of the state of the art of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. It focuses on the economic analysis of solar PV generation technologies as well as the policies that have been devised and implemented around the globe to support it. It provides the main theoretical tools for understanding the cost of these technologies, and discusses them from both a historical and comparative perspective with respect to other competing technologies (both conventional and renewable). In addition, it presents the conceptual rationale to maximize reader insights into whether and how public support for these technologies is justified as well as the consequences for the economy of different promotion measures. Integrating concepts from different economics disciplines (environmental economics, innovation economics, industrial economics and public economics) into a coherent basis for the analysis of the costs and policies for solar PV electricity, it provides an update to the literature to reflect recent advances in and deployments of solar electricity and the drastic reduction in associated costs.
Economics and Price Risks in International Pellet Supply Chains
by Rita Ehrig Frank Behrendt Manfred Wörgetter Christoph StrasserThe aim of this book is to investigate critical economic aspects and price risks along international pellet supply chains and to offer new insights into the interconnections between the sector, the various supply risks within the market and guidelines for de-risking biomass supply chains. It provides three real case studies as practical examples of determining actual supply costs from resource production to end-user and in doing so identifies and analyzes general economic performance indicators and price drivers for biomass supply chains. It also investigates the impact of several risks like raw material prices, exchange and freight rates on total prices. As a result, the reader learns how price risks are hedged to avoid project defaults and how to achieve the renewable energy targets of the end-user. Practical guidelines for recognising critical economic issues in biomass supply chains and for applying adequate de-risk strategies are also provided. Offering insights to a broad audience, this book is intended for researchers and professionals interested in renewable energy systems, biomass resource management and supply chain management. It also provides an invaluable resource to policy makers seeking guidelines for successfully managing the introduction of sustainable biomass projects.
Economics and Property: The Estates Gazette Guide
by Danny Myersa clear and easy-to-read introduction to any property economics module in a degree leading to a profession in real estate, surveying, construction and other related built environment fields Full colour figures and packed with features such as: glossary, chapter objectives and summaries, glossary, case studies, tutorial readings
Economics and Social Conflict: Evil Actions and Evil Social Institutions in Virtual Worlds
by Carl D. MildenbergerThis book brings to life the classic thought experiment of a natural state. Provides data on the economic aspects of social conflict of 400.000 people living in a virtual anarchy; showing evil actions and rules exist from an economic perspective. Non-instrumental violence has economic effects and inciting people to fight are not overcome in time.
Economics for Environmental Professionals
by Frank R. SpellmanEnvironmental professionals are often called upon to find solutions to environmental degradation problems or to lead the way in planning to prevent them. Because they come mainly from the environmental and science disciplines, most environmental professionals have limited training in the fundamentals of economics. This book is designed to provide t