Water, Environment and Society in Times of Climatic Change

Water, Environment and Society in Times of Climatic Change PDF Author: Arie S. Issar
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401736596
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 363

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Book Description
Since the greenhouse effect emerged as a predictable threat, necessitating the evalu ation of its future impact on the environment in the various parts of the globe, interest in the climate changes during the Holocene has gained momentum. The background can be summarized by the sentence: The past is a key to the future. As a matter of fact, this sentence is in the opposite direction, on the dimension of time, to the principle adopted by the founders of the science of geology. They proposed that geological processes in the present should be used as a key for understanding the past. Another reason for the interest in the history of the climate of the Holocene can be described as the renaissance of a modified deterministic approach to the inter relation between physical and human geography. This relates in the first place to the fact that various investigations, especially as carried out by Hubert Lamb, showed that the sequence of climate changes previously suggested by Blytt and Sernander for Europe and adopted by most Holocene climatologists was far too general, and that there were more climate changes during recent history than previously taken account of. In the second place it was found out that these changes had had an impact on the history of human communities. Thus, one can conclude that once the taboo on geographical determinism (i. e.

Water, Environment and Society in Times of Climatic Change

Water, Environment and Society in Times of Climatic Change PDF Author: Arie S. Issar
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401736596
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 363

Get Book

Book Description
Since the greenhouse effect emerged as a predictable threat, necessitating the evalu ation of its future impact on the environment in the various parts of the globe, interest in the climate changes during the Holocene has gained momentum. The background can be summarized by the sentence: The past is a key to the future. As a matter of fact, this sentence is in the opposite direction, on the dimension of time, to the principle adopted by the founders of the science of geology. They proposed that geological processes in the present should be used as a key for understanding the past. Another reason for the interest in the history of the climate of the Holocene can be described as the renaissance of a modified deterministic approach to the inter relation between physical and human geography. This relates in the first place to the fact that various investigations, especially as carried out by Hubert Lamb, showed that the sequence of climate changes previously suggested by Blytt and Sernander for Europe and adopted by most Holocene climatologists was far too general, and that there were more climate changes during recent history than previously taken account of. In the second place it was found out that these changes had had an impact on the history of human communities. Thus, one can conclude that once the taboo on geographical determinism (i. e.

Groundwater as a Key for Adaptation to Changing Climate and Society

Groundwater as a Key for Adaptation to Changing Climate and Society PDF Author: Makoto Taniguchi
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 4431549684
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 145

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Book Description
The book presents an overview of recent advances in knowledge related to the assessment and management of groundwater resources, giving special attention to the uncertainties related to climate change and variability. While proposing strategies of groundwater management as adaptation, alternative and resilience under the changing environments, this book also discusses new directions and initiatives of hydrological study, in particular on the groundwater. Groundwater is a major source of water across much of the world, and acts as a component of the global water cycle on the Earth. Groundwater has the capacity to balance large swings in precipitation and has the potential to supplement surface-water resources when they are close to the limits of sustainability such as during drought. Although groundwater is pivotal to sustain water supplies, these important resources are vulnerable to increased human activities and the uncertain consequences of climate change. This book presents that groundwater with longer resident time of water circulation can be an alternative water resources and environment in changing climate. Assessments of groundwater services and benefit as well as risk are important for sustainable groundwater uses under the climate change. Groundwater which is one of the leys of adaptation to climate change should be treated as common resources and environment beyond the tragedy of the commons and dilemma of the boundaries. While providing a comprehensive description of hydrogeological characteristics of groundwater systems, the present volume also covers important aspects of legal and institutional contexts required for groundwater resources management as well as social and economic considerations. This publication may contribute to an improved understanding of the impacts of climate change and human activity on groundwater resources, provides useful guidance for policy makers and planners to include groundwater into climate change adaptation schemes and strategies.

Water and Society II

Water and Society II PDF Author: C.A. Brebbia
Publisher: WIT Press
ISBN: 1845647424
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 365

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Book Description
Containing the proceedings of the Second International Conference on the title topic, the book examines issues related to the nature of water, and its use and exploitation by society. Since ensuring an adequate water supply is becoming a critical issue in more and more countries, the conference brings together specialists from the social sciences and humanistic disciplines and the physical and natural sciences, biology, environmental sciences, and health to bridge gaps between the disciplines in addressing the problem. The international, interdisciplinary nature of the conference participants makes it possible to arrive at equitable solutions to the many transnational issues, relating to the rights of states, which arise around water supply.The book discusses: The nature of water; Water as a human right; Water as the source of life; Water in a changing climate; Future water demands and adaptation strategies; Water resources contamination; Water resources management; Irrigation and desertification; Water, sanitation and health; Transnational water rights; Legislation and controls; Lessons to be learnt; Water and disaster management.

Emerging Issues in the Water Environment during Anthropocene

Emerging Issues in the Water Environment during Anthropocene PDF Author: Manish Kumar
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9813297719
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 365

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Book Description
This book intends to bring together and integrate the subject matter of water quality. The book covers aspects of water related to climate change, emerging aspects of engineering sciences, bio-geochemical sciences, hydro geochemistry, river management and morphology, social sciences, and public policy. The book covers the role of disruptive innovations in water management, policy formation and impact mitigation strategies. The book includes lab results as well as case studies. It provides recommendations and solutions for policy making and sustainable water management. The chapters in this book deal cohesively with many aspects of the water environment during the Anthropocene era. The contents cover myriad issues, such as land degradation, water scarcity, urbanization, climate change, and disruptive innovation. The book also discusses issues highly pertinent to society and sustainability, such as the prevalence of enteric viruses and pharmaceutical residues as a possible anthropogenic markers in the aquatic environment. The book will prove useful for students, professionals, and researchers working on various aspects of water related concerns.

Water and Society from Ancient Times to the Present

Water and Society from Ancient Times to the Present PDF Author: Federica Sulas
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317197372
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 374

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Book Description
As water availability, management and conservation become global challenges, there is now wide consensus that historical knowledge can provide crucial information to address present crises, offering unique opportunities to appreciate the solutions and mechanisms societies have developed over time to deal with water in all its forms, from rainfall to groundwater. This unique collection explores how ancient water systems relate to present ideas of resilience and sustainability and can inform future strategy. Through an investigation of historic water management systems, along with the responses to, and impact of, various water-driven catastrophes, contributors to this volume present tenable solutions for the long-term use of water resources in different parts of the world. The discussion is not limited to issues of the past, seeking instead to address the resonance and legacy of water histories in the present and future. Water and Society from Ancient Times to the Present speaks to an archaeological and non-archaeological scholarly audience and will be a useful primary reference text for researchers and graduate students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds including archaeology, anthropology, history, ecology, geography, geology, architecture and development studies.

Climate, Environment, and Society in the Pacific during the Last Millennium

Climate, Environment, and Society in the Pacific during the Last Millennium PDF Author: Patrick D. Nunn
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 9780080548210
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 316

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Book Description
The nature of global change in the Pacific Basin is poorly known compared to other parts of the world. Climate, Environment, and Society in the Pacific during the Last Millennium describes the climate changes that occurred in the Pacific during the last millennium and discusses how these changes controlled the broad evolution of human societies, typically filtered by the effects of changing sea level and storminess on food availability and interaction. Covering the entire period since AD 750 in the Pacific, this book describes the influences of climate change on environments and societies during the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age, focusing on the 100-year transition between these – a period of rapid change known as the AD 1300 Event. * Discusses the societal effects of climate and sea-level change, as well as the evidence for externally-driven societal change * Synthsizes how climate change has driven environmental change and societal change in the Pacific Basin * Contains a comprehensive and up-to-date survey of the evidence for climate, environmental, and societal change, supported by a full list of references

Managing Water Resources in a Time of Global Change

Managing Water Resources in a Time of Global Change PDF Author: Alberto Garrido
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135968888
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
Global change possesses serious challenges for water managers and scientists. In mountain areas, where water supplies for half of the world population originate, climate and hydrologic models are still subject to considerable uncertainty. And yet, critical decisions have to be taken to ensure adequate and safe water supplies to billions of people, millions of farmers and industries, without further deteriorating rivers and water bodies. While global warming is known to cause glaciers’ retreat and reduced snow packs around the world, it is not clear that mountain discharge will be lower. What is widely recognised is that water management must be adapted to accommodate significant regime changes. However, this inevitably involves managing transboundary rivers, adding further complexity to putting principles in practice. This book takes global warming and the importance of mountain areas in world water resources as the starting point. First, it provides detailed reviews of the processes going on in several rivers systems and world regions in Europe (Rhône and Ebro), North America (Canadian Rockies, Western US and Mexico), the Middle East (Jordan), Africa (Tunisia, Kenya and South Africa). These contexts provide case studies and examples that show the difficulties and potential for adaptation to global change. Land-use, economics, numerous modeling approaches are some of the cross-cutting issues covered in the chapters. The volume also includes the views of water practitioners, with two chapters authored by members of the US-Canada International Joint Commission, an industrialist from Western Canada and an environmental leader in Spain. By combining a rich set of contexts and approaches, the volume succeeds in offering a view of the global challenges faced by water agencies, international donors and researchers around the world. A case is made in some chapters to seek adaptive strategies rather than trying to reduce or control resources variability. This requires factoring in land-use, social and economic aspects, especially in developing countries. Another conclusion is that complex problems can and must be posed and negotiated with the help of models, mapping techniques and science-based facts. However complex these may be, there are ways to translate them to easily interpretable and visualisations of alternative scenarios and courses of action. This book provides numerous examples of the potential of such approaches to draft environmental programmes solve transboundary disputes and reduce the economic consequences of droughts and climate instability.

Climatic Changes and Water Resources in the Middle East and North Africa

Climatic Changes and Water Resources in the Middle East and North Africa PDF Author: Fathi Zereini
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540850473
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 558

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Book Description
"Climatic Change and Water Resources in the Middle East and North Africa" is dedicated to high-priority topics related to the impact of climate change on water resources in a water scarce region. The subject is described and discussed in three main chapters and different case studies. The three main chapters are (1) Climatic changes - sources and effects on the water cycle, (2) Impact of climate change on water resources, (3) Water resources and water management. These chapters are split up into further 26 sections. A total of 64 individuals from many countries have made contributions to this book. All topics in this book are complimentary and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between global climate change, world water cycle and water resources. A valuable and meaningful interdisciplinary mixture of topics is combined in this book which will be of great interest to many scientists.

Climate Changes during the Holocene and their Impact on Hydrological Systems

Climate Changes during the Holocene and their Impact on Hydrological Systems PDF Author: Arie S. Issar
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139436406
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 145

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Book Description
This volume provides a comprehensive review of the effects of climate variability on hydrological and human systems in the Holocene (last 10, 000 years), with a view to predicting similar effects in the future. It will be of value to researchers and professionals in hydrology, climatology, geology and historical geography.

Sustainable Water

Sustainable Water PDF Author: Ronald E. Hester
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
ISBN: 1849730199
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 191

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Book Description
It is predicted that climate change will result in big changes to the global distribution of rainfall, causing drought and desertification in some regions and floods in others. Already there are signs of such changes occurring, with particularly serious consequences for poorer countries. The need for international cooperation in managing the effects of climate change, and other influences on the hydrological cycle, is becoming urgent. Future wars may well be fought over water. This book is part of a series focusing on key issues in environmental science and technology. Focusing on the sustainability of water supplies to the growing populations throughout the world, this volume consists of articles contributed by a group of experts drawn from around the globe. Issues covered include: policy making in the European Union; rural water supplies in Africa; chemical monitoring and analytical methods; water use in agriculture; social justice in supplying water; potable water recycling, and sustainable water treatment. The book will be useful to those working in the water industry, policy makers and planners, researchers and environmental consultants, and students in environmental science, technology, engineering, and management. There is also much here to interest all concerned with major environmental issues such as climate change and the many other factors which influence the sustainability of water supplies.