Putting Systems to Work

Putting Systems to Work PDF Author: Derek K. Hitchins
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
The author presents a radical approach to both systems thinking and systems practice. Instead of the "soft" and "hard" schisms, he visualizes these notions as ends of a continuous spectrum running from the fuzzy and uncertain, to the firm and well structured. His theory, Unified System Hypothesis, provides both a bridge between soft and hard systems thinking, and practical methods, tools, and techniques. Illustrated with many case studies. Topics include chaos, the human element, creativity, and systems architecture. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Putting Systems to Work

Putting Systems to Work PDF Author: Derek K. Hitchins
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 352

Get Book Here

Book Description
The author presents a radical approach to both systems thinking and systems practice. Instead of the "soft" and "hard" schisms, he visualizes these notions as ends of a continuous spectrum running from the fuzzy and uncertain, to the firm and well structured. His theory, Unified System Hypothesis, provides both a bridge between soft and hard systems thinking, and practical methods, tools, and techniques. Illustrated with many case studies. Topics include chaos, the human element, creativity, and systems architecture. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor

Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor PDF Author: Rob Nixon
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 067424799X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 371

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Book Description
“Groundbreaking in its call to reconsider our approach to the slow rhythm of time in the very concrete realms of environmental health and social justice.” —Wold Literature Today The violence wrought by climate change, toxic drift, deforestation, oil spills, and the environmental aftermath of war takes place gradually and often invisibly. Using the innovative concept of "slow violence" to describe these threats, Rob Nixon focuses on the inattention we have paid to the attritional lethality of many environmental crises, in contrast with the sensational, spectacle-driven messaging that impels public activism today. Slow violence, because it is so readily ignored by a hard-charging capitalism, exacerbates the vulnerability of ecosystems and of people who are poor, disempowered, and often involuntarily displaced, while fueling social conflicts that arise from desperation as life-sustaining conditions erode. In a book of extraordinary scope, Nixon examines a cluster of writer-activists affiliated with the environmentalism of the poor in the global South. By approaching environmental justice literature from this transnational perspective, he exposes the limitations of the national and local frames that dominate environmental writing. And by skillfully illuminating the strategies these writer-activists deploy to give dramatic visibility to environmental emergencies, Nixon invites his readers to engage with some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

The Environmentalism of the Poor

The Environmentalism of the Poor PDF Author: Joan Martínez-Alier
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1843765489
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 325

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Book Description
This is a wonderful book rich in empirical detail, full of theoretical insights, offering hope in a bleak world, altogether inspiring. . . a tremendous achievement of having helped to create the disciplines of ecological economics and political ecology, bringing them alive in this book, and making their insights available to the developing worldwide movement for environmental justice. Pat Devine, Environmental Values Any book by the ecological economist Joan Martinez-Alier is a Big Publishing Event. . . this is a book by a writer who loves his subject, knows it well, respects its history, and is driven by the desire to do justice. These are qualities enough to send you to the bookshop or the library in search of The Environmentalism of the Poor. Andrew Dobson, Environment Politics The book is a worthy and in-depth contribution to debates about political ecology and ecological economics. It should be read by all environmental and ecological economists who wish to make their analysis more relevant. Tim Forsyth, Progress in Development Studies A marvellous combination of insight, research and activism. . . A must-read for policymakers, practitioners and academics alike, and for anyone concerned with sustainable development, environmentalism or poverty alleviation. Human Ecology Journal . . . one of the most important environmental books to have been published recently. Martinez-Alier integrates two of the most significant areas of environmental theory political ecology and ecological economics. Eurig Scandrett, Friends of the Earth Scotland The book has three main strengths: its bibliography, which is extensive; the global perspective on the environmental movement and the relationship with poverty; and the general theme of this interdisciplinary work, which is not so much to provide new information, but to consider the existing information in a new light. Martinez-Alier is to be commended for taking such a step in the literature . . . the writing style is extremely approachable . . . Recommended. B.J. Peterson, Choice [Joan] Martinez-Alier combines the honest discipline of a scholar with the passionate energy of an activist. The result, The Environmentalism of the Poor, is highly recommended! Herman E. Daly, University of Maryland, College Park, US The Environmentalism of the Poor has the explicit intention of helping to establish two emerging fields of study political ecology and ecological economics whilst also investigating the relations between them. The book analyses several manifestations of the growing environmental justice movement , and also of popular environmentalism and the environmentalism of the poor , which will be seen in the coming decades as driving forces in the process to achieve an ecologically sustainable society. The author studies, in detail, many ecological distribution conflicts in history and at present, in urban and rural settings, showing how poor people often favour resource conservation. The environment is thus not so much a luxury of the rich as a necessity of the poor. It concludes with the fundamental questions: who has the right to impose a language of valuation and who has the power to simplify complexity? Joan Martinez-Alier combines the study of ecological conflicts and the study of environmental valuation in a totally original approach that will appeal to a wide cross-section of academics, ecologists and environmentalists.

Observers and Navigators

Observers and Navigators PDF Author: Wg Cdr C.G. Jefford
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing
ISBN: 1909808024
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 417

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Book Description
This title first appeared in 2001 to universal acclaim, quickly went out of print and has remained so since. The author, meantime, has continued his research and the result is this updated edition, over half as long as the first, with stacks of new photographs. Absolutely essential reference for all those interested in military aviation.

Deepwater Horizon Accident Investigation Report

Deepwater Horizon Accident Investigation Report PDF Author: Mark Bly
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 143793921X
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. On April 20, 2010, a well control event allowed hydrocarbons to escape from the Macondo well onto Transocean¿s ¿Deepwater Horizon,¿ resulting in explosions and fire on the rig. This is the report of an internal BP incident invest. team. It presents an analysis of the events leading up to the accident, 8 key findings related to the causal chain of events, and recommend. to enable the prevention of a similar accident. The invest. team worked separately from any invest. conducted by other co. involved in the accident, and it did not review its analyses, conclusions or recommend. with any other co. or invest. team. Other invest., such as the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Justice Dept., and Bur. of Ocean Energy Mgmt., and the Pres. Nat. Comm. are ongoing.

Lighthouse Plans in the National Archives

Lighthouse Plans in the National Archives PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Lighthouses
Languages : en
Pages : 16

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Book Description


Macondo Well Deepwater Horizon Blowout

Macondo Well Deepwater Horizon Blowout PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309221412
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 213

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Book Description
The blowout of the Macondo well on April 20, 2010, led to enormous consequences for the individuals involved in the drilling operations, and for their families. Eleven workers on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig lost their lives and 16 others were seriously injured. There were also enormous consequences for the companies involved in the drilling operations, to the Gulf of Mexico environment, and to the economy of the region and beyond. The flow continued for nearly 3 months before the well could be completely killed, during which time, nearly 5 million barrels of oil spilled into the gulf. Macondo Well-Deepwater Horizon Blowout examines the causes of the blowout and provides a series of recommendations, for both the oil and gas industry and government regulators, intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of any future losses of well control during offshore drilling. According to this report, companies involved in offshore drilling should take a "system safety" approach to anticipating and managing possible dangers at every level of operation-from ensuring the integrity of wells to designing blowout preventers that function under all foreseeable conditions-in order to reduce the risk of another accident as catastrophic as the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. In addition, an enhanced regulatory approach should combine strong industry safety goals with mandatory oversight at critical points during drilling operations. Macondo Well-Deepwater Horizon Blowout discusses ultimate responsibility and accountability for well integrity and safety of offshore equipment, formal system safety education and training of personnel engaged in offshore drilling, and guidelines that should be established so that well designs incorporate protection against the various credible risks associated with the drilling and abandonment process. This book will be of interest to professionals in the oil and gas industry, government decision makers, environmental advocacy groups, and others who seek an understanding of the processes involved in order to ensure safety in undertakings of this nature.

Psychology

Psychology PDF Author: Michael W. Passer
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities, Social Sciences & World Languages
ISBN: 9780073228860
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This textbook reflects its authors' experiences both as faculty members who have taught the introductory psychology course several dozen times, and, earlier, as students whose own interest in psychology was sparked by instructors who brought the introductory course to life. The text's flexible organizing framework (Levels of Analysis), depth of research, emphasis on critical thinking, and engaging writing help instructors convey the expanse and excitement of the field of psychology, while maintaining scientific rigor. The new third edition features a separate chapter on intelligence, chapter reorganizations, and updated research throughout.

Deep-Sea Mining

Deep-Sea Mining PDF Author: Rahul Sharma
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319525573
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 535

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Book Description
This comprehensive book contains contributions from specialists who provide a complete status update along with outstanding issues encompassing different topics related to deep-sea mining. Interest in exploration and exploitation of deep-sea minerals is seeing a revival due to diminishing grades and increasing costs of processing of terrestrial minerals as well as availability of several strategic metals in seabed mineral resources; it therefore becomes imperative to take stock of various issues related to deep-sea mining. The authors are experienced scientists and engineers from around the globe developing advanced technologies for mining and metallurgical extraction as well as performing deep sea exploration for several decades. They invite readers to learn about the resource potential of different deep-sea minerals, design considerations and development of mining systems, and the potential environmental impacts of mining in international waters.

Tourist's Experience of Place

Tourist's Experience of Place PDF Author: Jaakko Suvantola
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351732293
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 331

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Book Description
This title was first published in 2002: This volume follows on from the tradition of humanistic geography to examine tourism from an experiential perspective - examining the experience of the tourists themsleves. By analyzing theories on tourism from anthropology, psychology and culural tourism, it aims to further the geographical debates on interactions which occur in tourism. The text offers a geographical approach which examines how the resulting experience of tourism can reveal something of our relationship with places in general, and also about ourselves.