Natural capital

Sample

Gretchen C. Daily

Nature's Services brings together world-renowned scientists from a variety of disciplines to examine the character and value of ecosystem services, the damage that has been done to them, and the consequent implications for human society. Contributors present a detailed synthesis of our current understanding of a suite of ecosystem services and a preliminary assessment of their economic value. Nature's Services represents one of the first efforts by scientists to provide an overview of the many benefits and services that nature offers to people and the extent to which we are all vitally dependent on those services. The book enhances our understanding of the value of the natural systems that surround us and can play an essential role in encouraging greater efforts to protect the earth's basic life-support systems before it is too late.

Sample

Christian de Perthuis

"Since the publication of the Stern Review, economists have started to ask more normative questions about climate change. Should we act now or tomorrow? What is the best theoretical carbon price to reach long-term abatement targets? How do we discount the long-term costs and benefits of climate change? This provocative book argues that these are the wrong sorts of questions to ask because they don't take into account the policies that have already been implemented. Instead, it urges us to concentrate on existing policies and tools by showing how the development of carbon markets could dramatically reduce world greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, triggering policies to build a new low-carbon energy system while restructuring the way agriculture interacts with forests. This provides an innovative new perspective on how a post-Kyoto international climate regime could emerge from agreements between the main GHG emitters capping their emissions and building an international carbon market"--

Sample

Marilyn A. Brown and Benjamin K. Sovacool

Tackling climate change and improving energy security are two of twenty-first century's greatest challenges. In this book, Marilyn Brown and Benjamin Sovacool offer detailed assessments of most advanced commercially available technologies for strengthening global energy security, mitigating the effects of climate change, and enhancing resilience through adaptation and geo-engineering. They also evaluate the barriers to deployment of these technologies and critically review public policy options crucial to their adoption. Arguing that society has all technologies necessary for the task, Brown and Sovacool discuss options available today, including high-efficiency transportation, renewable energy, carbon sequestration, and demand-side management. They offer eight case studies from around the world that document successful approaches to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and improving energy security. These include the Danish approach to energy policy and wind power, Brazil's ethanol program, China's improved cook stove program; and the U.S. Toxics Release Inventory. Brown and Sovacool argue that meeting twin challenges of climate change and energy security will allow us to provide energy, maintain economic growth, and preserve natural environment.

Sample

Robert W. McGormley ... [et al

TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 43: Guidebook of Practices for Improving Environmental Performance at Small Airports outlines federal environmental regulations and requirements, and identifies activities in which airport operators can be proactive in promoting environmental stewardship. As a quick reference, summary graphics provide information pertaining to the cost and savings as well as the necessary knowledge and amount of time to implement a particular activity. In addition, there are five case studies that discuss environmental initiatives already undertaken at airports that can serve as a guide for other airports. The report includes the collection of environmental stewardship practices in a searchable, filterable spreadsheet format on a CD-ROM, which is packaged with the report. The CD-ROM included as part of ACRP Report 43 is also available for download from TRB's website as an ISO image.