Earth and Environmental Science

This book promotes better understanding and awareness of South Africa' significant water problems by describing the country's and especially the Upper Vaal River’s water resources. It is a “go-to” book for students, professionals and regular citizens when information is required regarding the country's and more specifically the Upper Vaal River’s freshwater resources. It highlights the major problems and risks which need to be addressed and give a realistic and true representation of the current water affairs.

This book presents an assessment of endeavors towards Financial Inclusion and its role in Sustainable development. An attractive feature is that it deals with almost all the contemporary issues essential for reaching UN Sustainable Development Goals. This book would be an exclusive and authentic source to the students of undergraduates, postgraduates and professional courses in Commerce and Management. This manuscript is divided into nine chapters.

This book presents a significant amount of structural, paleomagnetic and magnetic fabric data in the Central High Atlas (Morocco). The authors thoroughly described and analyzed the present-day structure of this intraplate chain through 22 of cross-sections, potential field data analysis and 3D reconstruction. In addition, the authors propose a palinspastic reconstruction of the structure of the basin at 100 Ma (i.e., post-extension and pre-compression) to finally evaluate its Mesozoic and Cenozoic geodynamic evolution. This books presents (1) a unique three-dimensional model at the chain scale, (2) an analysis of the ca. 100 Ma remagnetization, to perform palinspastic restorations of most representative structures, (3) as well as the interpretation of the magnetic fabrics in order to unravel the tectonic or deformation setting that the rocks underwent in different parts of the basin.

This book is of interest to structural geologists in Northern Africa, the Mediterranean and Iberia, as well as to those interested in inverted intraplate basins and paleomagnetists from around the planet. Also, this book is intended to help students to understand better the geological evolution of the Atlas and therefore Morocco and surrounding areas.

The aim of this book is to open a vision to sustainability and development through a holistic perspective comprising the critical blocks of energy, environment and economy. From renewable energy, urban infrastructure, societal health to industrial symbiosis, the book assesses critical issues to reach a green future with realistic solutions proposed by a diverse range of multidisciplinary experts. It is intended for a broad readership of academics, researchers and industry experts focusing on these fields, and with specializations in sustainability. 

The book is divided into different clusters starting with an introductory foreword to express the theme of the book and the route of the titles. The first cluster of the book highlights various multidisciplinary perspectives considering the interaction between different expertise. From engineering to economy supported with social pillars, this section gives the critical points of selected topics to focus on the future with a sustainability vision. The second cluster focuses on health issues, with discussion about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the way forward. Critical points like vaccines, health care and food security are highlighted. The third cluster is comprised of titles related to the urban environment and infrastructure. New solutions and discussions on biodesign, waste management and transportation are covered in this section. The last cluster covers energy, and highlights renewable energies such as bioethanol, biogas and wind. 

This volume aims to explore project management contributions to sustainable business change based on renewability, reuse, and repair as well as the effect of circular economy business solutions on project management in terms of the management approach, governance, and leadership. The main aim of integrating project management with a circular business paradigm is not only to learn how project management can contribute to achieving circular economy principles, but also to understand the impact of business needs on project management. By understanding these needs, recommendations can be developed and promoted among different stakeholders such as governments, financial institutions, and education institutions with the goal of supporting and assisting project management to drive sustainable business change. This approach will enable readers to assess how project management professions can support a shift toward sustainable business. The primary audience of this work is management scholars, educators, researchers, and students. Scholars, government representatives, financial institutions, management educators, start-up companies, innovative entrepreneurs, and all others who use the circular economy to support sustainable development can also find much of use in this book.

This book updates the first edition for the status of knowledge in the physics of lake ice and the interactions between the ice cover and the liquid water underneath. Since the first edition was written in 2013, there has been a lot of progress in the field, in particular concerning environmental questions and the impact of climate change. Life conditions in ice-covered lakes and practical matters are now brought more into the picture so that the revision also properly serves as a handbook for applications. The author has worked widely with boreal lakes, polar lakes and Central Asian lakes that provides a wide geographical spectrum.

Chapter 1 gives a brief overview and presents the research fields. The second chapter contains the classification of ice-covered lakes and observation techniques, especially remote sensing. In Chapter 3, the structure and properties of lake ice are presented including optics and geochemistry. Ice growth and melting are treated in Chapter 4, while the following chapter focuses on ice mechanics with applications to traffic on ice and ice loads. Chapter 6 goes into the exotic environment of pro-glacial lakes. Chapter 7 contains the stratification and circulation of the water body beneath lake ice, Chapter 8 presents the winter ecology of freezing lakes and discusses the lake ice interface toward the society, and Chapter 9 summarizes the climate change impact on lake ice seasons. The book ends into a brief closing chapter and list of references. Research problems for student learning are listed throughout the book. Annexes are included to provide numerical data of constants and standard formulae to help practical calculations and student tasks.

The Designing Environments book series addresses questions regarding necessary environmental transformation in the context of the fast-unfolding environmental crisis. This is done from a broad interdisciplinary perspective, examining the negative impact of human transformations of the environment and providing different inroads towards sustainable environmental transformation with net positive impact.

Volume one of the Designing Environments book series brings together experts from different disciplines and often inter- and transdisciplinary contexts, who discuss specific approaches to overcoming the negative impact of the transformation of environments by humans. Across the 12 chapters of volume one, specific keywords recur that are indicative of shared insights and concerns. These include Anthropocene, climate change, complexity, critical zone, ecosystem services, and sustainability. Furthermore, interdisciplinary approaches to human–environment interactions, sustainability transitions, and socio-ecological systems take center stage and are discussed in relation to conceptual and methodological as well as societal and technological challenges and opportunities.

This book showcases the latest trends and innovations in the field of Green Building, covering topics from research and design to innovative practices and challenges. It is a compilation of communication papers presented at the 2023 International Conference on Green Building (ICoGB 2023), a leading annual event that focuses on sharing and discussing developments in this field. Green Building principles constitute key aspects to achieve the sustainable development goals. This conference is dedicated to providing a platform for researchers, scientists, engineers, and scholars to exchange and share their experiences, new ideas, and research and to discuss the challenges encountered as well as the solutions adopted.

ICoGB 2023 was organized in Malmo, Sweden, during May 19–21, 2023. The target audience are all professionals in the building design and construction fields, such as architects, engineers, scholars, researchers, builders, promoters, among others.

This proposed book aims to present an analysis of several crisis issues induced by global climate changes and implications at the micro-level, particularly from the perspective of ground-based study. Climate crisis leads to several socio-ecological issues which need to discuss with some empirical case studies from the contextual global evidences. Climatic crisis generates several social responses which are associated with mitigating issues in addition to sustainable development goals. Under these circumstances, several loopholes interlinked with climatic crisis need to expose in the present-day context. This book argues that it is important to understand the issues from multiple dimensions. It identifies some important dimensions to discuss in the process. Themes we purpose to cover are: several field-based studies are included for which micro-level field-based data would incorporate to understand current crisis induced by climate change, thus exposing the vulnerabilities of the communities which would be incorporated in different chapters with adequate representation of qualitative methods, modelling-based geospatial approach. Therefore, some secondary data-based studies have also been included to provide a broader picture.

Additionally, this book aims to provide an interdisciplinary understanding of the issues mainly from the lenses of Geography, Economics, and Sociology as well as Environmental Studies too. Given the focus of this study, it is believed that an approach that harmonizes the cognitive domain from different discipline is appropriated. A combination of chapters using qualitative as well as quantitative methods also made this book exclusive from others. We believe that this edited book surely contributes the knowledge domain with some relevant chapters’ discussion in the contemporary time and leads to reduce the gap of knowledge.

This book dedicates to publish exceptionally important and high-quality, agenda-setting research so as to tackle the key global and societal challenges of ensuring the provision of energy and protecting our environment for the future. The book appeals to chemical scientists, chemical and process engineers, energy researchers, bio-scientists and environmental scientists from across academia, industry and government. The scope is intentionally broad, and the book recognizes the complexity of issues and challenges relating to energy conversion and storage, alternative fuel technologies and environmental science. The main topics of this book include but not limit to (1) alternative energy and the environment, (2) assessments of the condition of ecosystems and environmental quality, (3) behavior of and impacts of pollutants in atmosphere, soil and water, (4) management of ecosystems, environment and water resources, (5) modeling and regional environmental assessments (includes global change), (6) treatment/restoration of ecosystems, environment and water resources, (7) sustainable/renewable energy and(8) energy and built environment.

All scales of studies and analysis, from impactful fundamental advances, to interdisciplinary research across the (bio)chemical, (bio/geo)physical sciences and chemical engineering disciplines are welcomed. So, this book is linked to the energy-environment nexus and is of significant general interest to our community-spanning readership.

This book is a great opportunity to make the research community discuss the dangerous environmental challenges such as climate change and its huge effects in addition to the world's reliance on fossil fuel and non-renewable resources.

In recent years, the authors have been focused on the advancements of technology and how it can improve our lives, but the authors often overlook the fact that it is creating an unsustainable approach that comes at a high cost which makes a sustainable approach to cities necessary, focusing on accessible public transport, energy, water, and food security, and regenerating compact fabric areas.

To discuss how to reach this sustainable approach, IEREK held the Advances in Energy Research, Materials Science and Built Environment (EMBE) conference from October 3 to 4, 2024, with attendees from all over the world.

It provides an opportunity to exchange ideas and solutions on urban planning, sustainable architecture, climate change mitigation, and innovative design.

The EMBE conference hosts a variety of knowledgeable keynote speakers and researchers who discussed the integration of technology in sustainable urban planning, green urbanism, preservation of coastal areas, innovative renewable materials, and responsive architecture. The book covers a wide range of scientific knowledge that can lead humanity toward a sustainable and greener future.

This book comprehensively discusses different scientific approaches, including groundwater sustainability, numerical modeling, index approach, isotope hydrology, environmental Isotopes, and advanced GRACE satellite data from different regions in developing countries globally, to help understand the groundwater system for strategic management of freshwater resources. This would help estimate an accepted logistic framework that might help control, and evaluate the significance of predicted climatic and anthropogenic impacts on groundwater resources.

The book presents and discusses unique case studies from Asia (Turkey, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan), MENA (Middle East and North Africa), particularly focussing on Algeria, Egypt New Delta, and KSA and West Africa (Nigeria) and has chapters covering most of the other MENA countries. The book presents a comprehensive investigation of the methods employed for groundwater utilization, with a dual focus on elucidating existing issues and confronting contemporary challenges. The findings are significant as they provide a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding groundwater utilization. Approaches for enhancing and rationalizing water extraction from Saharan aquifers are discussed to promote regional advancement and preserve long-term sustainability. The book will be of great help to numerous researchers and academicians, and will be an important account for stakeholders.  

This book provides the latest research on zero carbon industry and its practical implications for eco-innovation and environmental sustainability for businesses in current scenario. In a zero-carbon industry, there would be profound, sometimes disruptive, changes in our economy compared to our current one. As the world approaches zero carbon industry by 2050, economic output will shift progressively (and permanently) toward those goods and services that do not emit greenhouse gases. Changes in these dynamics would ripple along entire value chains, transforming industries. Creating a zero-carbon industry will require fundamental changes in both our economies and societies. Taking eco-innovation and environmental sustainability seriously will be crucial to businesses, and companies are increasingly keen to signal this commitment. This book aims to illustrate a detailed exploration of the complex and interconnected domains of zero carbon industry, eco-innovation, and environmental sustainability. In addition to combining the academic expertise of emerging and established scholars from different academic fields, this book provides an integrated understanding of the topic on zero carbon emissions, eco-innovation, and environmental sustainability from a broader perspective by combining the work of established and emerging scholars. There is a need to fundamentally transform the zero carbon industry, eco-innovation ecosystem in order to achieve sustainability through the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of things, blockchain, and cloud technologies.

The book sheds light on various advancements in zero carbon industry, eco-innovation, and emerging technologies for the purpose of sustainability, and it aims to address the urgency of responding to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) as part of the global mandate.

This book provides an extensive critical review of seismic inversion methods and applications. Hydrocarbon reservoir extensions and properties cannot be accurately defined from information provided by geological data, geophysical data, and well log data. Seismic data has adequate spatial coverage but lacks vertical resolution, while well data has excellent vertical resolution but spatially sparse. Seismic reflection amplitudes are related to pore fill and lithology changes. Seismic AVO analysis and inversion exploit variation of amplitudes with angle of incidence to derive useful attributes and elastic rock properties such as velocity, impedance, and density. Seismic inversion attempts to fill the gap between and away from the already drilled wells with rock properties that are available from the measured and/or interpreted well log data. In this endeavour, seismic data, well log data, and all available geological model data are integrated to predict rock and ultimately reservoir properties such as porosity, water saturation, shale content, brittleness, and pore pressure. This book is aimed at graduate and postgraduate students, academics, and geoscientist exploiting earth resources. It is especially directed to oil and gas industry professionals in supporting their efforts in quantitative reservoir description from seismic data. While brief theoretical derivations are provided to understand power and limitations of inversion methods used, emphasis has been on the practical applications. A comprehensive critical review of the seismic inversion and AVO theory and applications published and presented at technical meetings is provided with ample references and further references for probing geoscientists.

This book provides an extensive critical review of seismic inversion methods and applications. Hydrocarbon reservoir extensions and properties cannot be accurately defined from information provided by geological data, geophysical data, and well log data. Seismic data has adequate spatial coverage but lacks vertical resolution, while well data has excellent vertical resolution but spatially sparse. Seismic reflection amplitudes are related to pore fill and lithology changes. Seismic AVO analysis and inversion exploit variation of amplitudes with angle of incidence to derive useful attributes and elastic rock properties such as velocity, impedance, and density. Seismic inversion attempts to fill the gap between and away from the already drilled wells with rock properties that are available from the measured and/or interpreted well log data. In this endeavour, seismic data, well log data, and all available geological model data are integrated to predict rock and ultimately reservoir properties such as porosity, water saturation, shale content, brittleness, and pore pressure. This book is aimed at graduate and postgraduate students, academics, and geoscientist exploiting earth resources. It is especially directed to oil and gas industry professionals in supporting their efforts in quantitative reservoir description from seismic data. While brief theoretical derivations are provided to understand power and limitations of inversion methods used, emphasis has been on the practical applications. A comprehensive critical review of the seismic inversion and AVO theory and applications published and presented at technical meetings is provided with ample references and further references for probing geoscientists.

This proposed book provides deeper insights into artificial intelligence techniques and procedures available for earth sciences. This book unveils several applications of metaheuristic approaches (i.e., swarm intelligence and IoT technologies) in collaboration with AI for earth sciences. It presents the science behind smart technologies that reveal the power of artificial intelligence and IoT. These methodologies help to extract meaningful insights from earth sciences big data analytics. These advanced technologies used in earth science practices can remove geographical barriers, locally adaptive, operationally feasible, and economically affordable. The areas can be explored with the aim of digitizing the whole world. Technological advancement also impacts the financial aspect involved in managing the earth sciences. Intelligent AI applications have made significant strides in the field of earth sciences, offering novel solutions to complex challenges, driving impactful research, and revolutionizing data analysis and interpretation. This intersection of artificial intelligence and earth sciences has paved the way for an enhanced understanding of our planet and its various phenomena.

This edited volume is based on the accepted papers for presentation at the 3rd MedGU Annual Meeting, Istanbul 2023. With four parts spanning a large spectrum of geological and geophysical topics, this book presents a series of newest research studies that are nowadays relevant to Middle East, Mediterranean region, and Africa. The book gives a general overview on current research, focusing on geoenvironmental issues and challenges in hydrogeosciences in the Middle East and Mediterranean region and surrounding areas. It offers a broad range of recent studies that discuss the latest advances in geoenvironmental and hydrogeosciences from diverse backgrounds including climate change, geoecology, biogeochemistry, water resources management, and environmental monitoring and assessment. It shares insights on how the understanding of ecological, climatological, oceanic and hydrological processes is the key for improving practices in environment management, including the eco-responsibility, scientific integrity, and social and ethical dimensions.

This book, "Energy for Sustainable Development: Capitalising on the Transformative Potential of Energy to Promote Economic Growth and Improve Livelihoods" explores the interconnections between energy and sustainability. Authored by a diverse group of scholars and practitioners, the book argues that much can be gained, by capitalising on the potential of energy as a tool for income generation, economic development and improvements in livelihoods across the world.
 
The authors delve into various matters related to energy and sustainability, describing various approaches, methods, initiatives and projects aimed at inspiring and motivating individuals and communities to adopt more sustainable practices in respect of energy generation and use. By drawing on lessons from across the world, the book advocates for a holistic approach to energy generation and use, that integrates technical, environmental, economic and social dimensions.
 
In summary, "Energy for Sustainable Development: Capitalising on the Transformative Potential of Energy to Promote Economic Growth and Improve Livelihoods" is a thought-provoking exploration of how energy can be sustainability produced and used.
 
This book is a valuable resource for researchers, students, policymakers, and practitioners in the energy sector. It invites readers to rethink how energy is generated and used, while inspiring transformative actions that prioritise sustainability and equity. This book offers practical insights and fresh perspectives for anyone committed to using energy resources to build a more sustainable future.
 

The future of space exploration, space stations, and space settlements hinges on our ability to grow tasty nutritious foods as part of efficient long term recycling the air, water, and wastes. This book provides a walkthrough of the chemistry, biology, machinery, plants, animals, and engineering required to make these synthetic ecologies possible with realistic foods, current technologies, and real crops.  Plentiful diagrams and illustrations, dozens of tables, and simple processes allow a variety of professions and backgrounds to estimate and understand the principles of farming in space.  Tables have rules of thumb that can quickly contribute to space proposals. This book will be a key resource at the elbow of business professionals, engineers, space architects, and space students. The book also includes a story to show what it is like to work in a space farm, menus and meals from the farm, and future work to bridge the technological gaps to bring long term space ideas to fruition.

This book offers a rich compilation of diverse research, innovative practices, and forward-thinking strategies that redefine how cities can grow sustainably while effectively adapting to climate impacts. In an era characterized by rapid urbanization and escalating climate challenges, the need for sustainable cities has never been more urgent. This comprehensive book, compiled from conference proceedings, explores how cities can evolve and transform into resilient, inclusive, and ecologically balanced urban environments through holistic, integrated approaches.

The book is organized into four parts, each addressing a key dimension of green urbanism and resilience.

This book serves as a valuable resource for urban planners, environmental researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in community development. It goes beyond theoretical discussions, showcasing case studies and practical examples from different parts of the world, including Belgium, Italy, Brazil, and Indonesia. By addressing diverse geographic and socio-economic contexts, the book presents a well-rounded perspective on the opportunities and challenges inherent in transitioning to more sustainable urban forms.

Through its interdisciplinary approach, this collection encourages readers to think broadly and act locally. It illuminates how the collective power of urban planning, technological innovation, community engagement, and circular economy can be harnessed to foster environmental sustainability and social resilience and equity. Ultimately, it inspires hope for the future of urban environments, where cities become models of resilience, inclusivity, and ecological harmony.

For small-scale fisheries around the world, the Blue Growth and Blue Economy initiatives may provide sustainable development, but only insofar as they align with the global consensus enshrined in the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. If states do nothing to fulfill the promises they made when they endorsed these guidelines in 2014, the Blue Economy will come at a loss for small-scale fisheries and further their marginalization in the ocean economy. Under the umbrella of Blue Justice, this book demonstrates that these risks are real and must be considered as states implement their sustainable ocean development plans. These are human rights issues, which are embedded into governance principles and institutions and which make a difference for small-scale fisheries people in their daily lives. In stressing the importance of policies and institutions that build on the experiences of small-scale fisheries people in the contexts in which they operate, this book draws on case studies of small-scale fisheries from countries on all continents to clarify what Blue Justice entails for small-scale fisheries and make suggestions for real change. 

“Through the Blue Justice paradigm, this book flags the relevance of recognizing the potential impact that different factors, including the Blue Economy approach, could bring to fishing communities, their livelihoods, cultural traditions, and other potential multidimensional conflicts. Vulnerability in fishing communities can increase and inequalities can be reinforced at different levels if individuals and community capabilities are not strengthened… A first of its kind, not to be missed, this book is informative, purposeful, and pertinent in an era of change”.

Silvia Salas, CINVESTAV, Marine Resources Department, Mérida, Mexico 

"The studies reveal that Blue Justice is a ‘governability’ issue, which requires establishing ‘right’ institutions, that are transdisciplinary (integrated), participatory, and holistic. It is implicit from these writings that the SSF Guidelines and Blue Growth initiatives do not form two different discourses, and that the implementation of the former would resolve many of the justice issues caused by the latter, in favor of small-scale fisheries and their communities". 

Oscar Amarasinghe, Professor & Chancellor, Ocean University of Sri Lanka and    President, Sri Lanka Forum for Small Scale Fisheries (SLFSSF)

Due to its vulnerability to a wide variety of climate change impacts, Bangladesh has become a laboratory for adaptation and resilience strategies in the developing world.  The knowledge shared by experienced practitioners who have a deep understanding of the complex context of this country is an invaluable resource. The International Centre for Climate Change and Development has brought together a host of experts across multiple disciplines to provide a detailed look at Bangladesh's ongoing struggle to prepare for the inevitable threats that climate change poses. This volume presents public policy-oriented strategies across numerous sectors, including agriculture, freshwater management, forests, finance, human rights, health systems, flood control, infrastructure, solar energy, and more.  Successes and shortcomings both provide useful lessons for other countries grappling with similar climate threats.  This book offers the latest research findings for a wider audience.

-  Showcasing the wealth of experience with adaptation and resilience in Bangladesh

-  Drawing from expert practitioners across the numerous sectors affected by climate change

-  Highlighting key lessons for other Least Developed Countries.

This book explores the theoretical contribution of peace ecology to the understanding and practice of environmental and conventional peacebuilding. It integrates environmental questions and factors that drive socio-political violence and climate change-induced violence in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Anthropocene.

·   It demonstrates how international peace and global security are no longer solely grounded in conventional peacebuilding that has evolved from liberal to democratic peace theories, but rather in the complex, critical and synergic relations between peace studies and environmental studies.

·   It underscores the potential of peace ecology to reduce the Earth systems' vulnerability, to mitigate anthropogenic global warming's consequences on humanity, the ecosystem and biodiversity.

·         It yields various models of peacebuilding, conflict-sensitive and climate-sensitive adaptation strategies to enhance the African Region’s security and stability.