This book covers a variety of topics regarding environmental practices in our day-to-day lives, as well as topics concerning sustainable development as a broader concept embracing ecological, social, and economic aspects to improve the quality of life for people around the world. Starting with the traditional controversy between the neoclassical economy and sustainable economy, which may be overcome by scientific progress due to more intensive scientific studies of the sustainability paradigm, the book proceeds to discuss various problems and challenges regarding environmental protection and sustainable development in different countries and on different continents. This includes analyses of recent, sometimes fatal mining disasters in South and North America, challenges and opportunities for rural development in Africa and Australia, an exploration of the role of women for sustainable development in Palestine, water safety and water security issues in Asia and Australia, the environmental exploitation of popular tourism destinations like Acapulco, and deforestation in Malaysia, suggesting innovative approaches to turn challenges into opportunities to effectively tackle these problems. Other topics addressed involve sustainable energy creation for future generations, a research survey among Romanian students on sustainable consumption behavior, validity testing for a heat transfer model in a greenhouse, and a case study on sustainability risk management practices at Malaysia’s environmentally sensitive companies. The book closes with an examination of highly digitalized Smart Cities as a potentially valuable complement to conventional urban and rural lifestyles in connection with achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Offers a comprehensive framework for maintaining and strengthening the supporting bonds between cities and nature through innovative infrastructure projects. After presenting a broad approach to incorporating natural infrastructure priorities into urban planning, the author focuses each following chapter on a specific ecosystem service

The city of Pittsburgh and surrounding area of southwestern Pennsylvania face complex water quality problems, due in large part to aging wastewater infrastructures that cannot handle sewer overflows and stormwater runoff, especially during wet weather. Other problems such as acid mine drainage are a legacy of the region's past coal mining, heavy industry, and manufacturing economy. Currently, water planning and management in southwestern Pennsylvania is highly fragmented; federal and state governments, 11 counties, hundreds of municipalities, and other entities all play roles, but with little coordination or cooperation. The report finds that a comprehensive, watershed-based approach is needed to effectively meet water quality standards throughout the region in the most cost-effective manner. The report outlines both technical and institutional alternatives to consider in the development and implementation of such an approach.

FUNDAMENTALS OF WATER SECURITY Understand How to Manage Water Resources to Equitably Meet Both Human and Ecological Needs Burgeoning populations and the ever-higher standards of living for those in emerging countries increase the demand on our water resources. What is not increasing, however, is the supply of water and the total amount of water in earth’s biosphere—water that is integral to all standards of living. Fundamentals of Water Security provides a foundation for understanding and managing the quantity-quality-equity nexus of water security in a changing climate. In a broad sense, this volume explores solutions to water security challenges around the world. It is richly illustrated and pedagogically packed with up-to-date information. The text contains chapter learning objectives, foundation sections reviewing quantitative skills, case studies, and vignettes of people who have made important contributions to water security. To further aid comprehension, end-of-chapter problems are included—both qualitative and quantitative, with solutions available to instructors. Finally, extensive references feature books, journal articles, and government and NGO reports. Sample topics discussed include: How the study of water resources has evolved from a focus on physical availability to include social factors and governance How water security affects multiple disciplines across environmental science and engineering, hydrology, geography, water resources, atmospheric science, chemistry, biology, health science, and social and political science fields How to achieve a sufficient quantity and quality of water to equitably meet both immediate and long-term human and ecological needs Analysis of water security in an integrated manner by underscoring the complex interactions between water quantity, water quality, and society Students taking courses on hydrology, water security, and/or water resource management, along with scientists working in fields where water security is a factor will be able to use Fundamentals of Water Security as a comprehensive textbook to understand and achieve water security.