Technological Trajectories and the Human Environment

Technological Trajectories and the Human Environment PDF

Author: National Academy of Engineering

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1997-02-03

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 0309176786

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Technological Trajectories and the Human Environment provides a surprising projection of a much greener planet, based on long-range analysis of trends in the efficient use of energy, materials, and land. The authors argue that we will decarbonize the global energy system and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We will dematerialize the economy by leaner manufacturing, better product design, and smart use of materials. We will significantly increase land areas reserved for nature by conducting highly productive and environmentally friendly agriculture on less land than is used today, even as global population doubles. The book concludes that the technological opportunities before us offer the possibility of a vastly superior industrial ecology. Rich in both data and theory, the book offers fresh analyses essential for everyone in the environmental arena concerned with global change, sustainable development, and profitable investments in technology.

Technological Trajectories and the Human Environment

Technological Trajectories and the Human Environment PDF

Author: National Academy of Engineering

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1997-02-17

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 0309521270

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Technological Trajectories and the Human Environment provides a surprising projection of a much greener planet, based on long-range analysis of trends in the efficient use of energy, materials, and land. The authors argue that we will decarbonize the global energy system and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We will dematerialize the economy by leaner manufacturing, better product design, and smart use of materials. We will significantly increase land areas reserved for nature by conducting highly productive and environmentally friendly agriculture on less land than is used today, even as global population doubles. The book concludes that the technological opportunities before us offer the possibility of a vastly superior industrial ecology. Rich in both data and theory, the book offers fresh analyses essential for everyone in the environmental arena concerned with global change, sustainable development, and profitable investments in technology.

Global Environmental Challenges of the Twenty-first Century

Global Environmental Challenges of the Twenty-first Century PDF

Author: David E. Lorey

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 342

ISBN-13: 9780842050494

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The most serious environmental problems of the twenty-first century have the potential to alter the course of life on this planet. Global warming, toxic waste, water and air pollution, acid rain, and shrinking energy supplies are frightening challenges that may threaten our future if we do not face up to them.p Global Environmental Challenges provides important information and gives us hope about the environment. This book first helps us to grasp these difficulties, then shows us the choices we can make. How long to leave a light on, whether to take the car, the train, or bicycle to work, whether to recycle or throw away, whether to vote to curb continued suburban sprawl-all of these decisions can make a difference.p This collection of some of the best essays and articles on the environment comes from a variety of sources, including journals, magazines, websites of ecological/conservation organizations, and other publications.p Five major sections investigate the interaction of population growth,consumption, and environment; the emerging crisis in freshwater around the globe; global climate and atmosphere (including global warming); biodiversity loss; and the concept of sustainable development-using natural resources to place future human development on a sustainable path. The final section on sustainable development reveals how we can take action. As individuals, we can make a difference readily and easily without making huge personal sacrifices. As societies, we can work together in a global community of interest to sustain the earth.p This valuable resource offers readers a better understanding of our environmental problems and presents solutions to improving the health of theplanet.p

The Ecology of Industry

The Ecology of Industry PDF

Author: National Academy of Engineering

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1998-09-03

Total Pages: 160

ISBN-13: 0309063558

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This volume provides insights into the environmental practices of five industry sectors: materials processing, manufacturing, electric utilities, and pulp and paper. The ecology of industry is presented in terms of systems of production and consumption, taking into account the flows of material, energy, capital, and information. The book examines ways to improve the environmental performance of these industries (and others, such as the service sector) and shows how decisions made by industry managers can leverage systemic environmental improvements elsewhere in the economy.

Technology and Environment

Technology and Environment PDF

Author: National Academy of Engineering

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1989-02-01

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13: 030904426X

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Technology and Environment is one of a series of publications designed to bring national attention to issues of the greatest importance in engineering and technology during the 25th year of the National Academy of Engineering. A "paradox of technology" is that it can be both the source of environmental damage and our best hope for repairing such damage today and avoiding it in the future. Technology and Environment addresses this paradox and the blind spot it creates in our understanding of environmental crises. The book considers the proximate causes of environmental damageâ€"machines, factories, cities, and so onâ€"in a larger societal context, from which the will to devise and implement solutions must arise. It helps explain the depth and difficulty of such issues as global warming and hazardous wastes but also demonstrates the potential of technological innovation to have a constructive impact on the planet. With a range of data and examples, the authors cover such topics as the "industrial metabolism" of production and consumption, the environmental consequences of the information era, and design of environmentally compatible technologies.

Annual Editions: Environment 09/10

Annual Editions: Environment 09/10 PDF

Author: Zachary Sharp

Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin

Published: 2009-02-19

Total Pages: 246

ISBN-13: 9780073515496

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Annual Editions is a series of over 65 volumes, each designed to provide convenient, inexpensive access to a wide range of current articles from some of the most respected magazines, newspapers, and journals published today. Annual Editions are updated on a regular basis through a continuous monitoring of over 300 periodical sources. The articles selected are authored by prominent scholars, researchers, and commentators writing for a general audience. The Annual Editions volumes have a number of common organizational features designed to make them particularly useful in the classroom: a general introduction; an annotated table of contents; a topic guide; an annotated listing of selected World Wide Web sites; and a brief overview for each section. Each volume also offers an online Instructor's Resource Guide with testing materials. Using Annual Editions in the Classroom is the general instructor's guide for our popular Annual Editions series and is available in print (0073301906) or online. Visit www.mhcls.com for more details.

Environmental Literacy in Science and Society

Environmental Literacy in Science and Society PDF

Author: Roland W. Scholz

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2011-07-21

Total Pages: 657

ISBN-13: 0521183332

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A comprehensive review and analysis of environmental literacy within the context of environmental science and sustainable development. Approaching the topic from multiple perspectives, the book explores the development of human understanding of the environment and human-environment interactions in the fields of biology, psychology, sociology, economics and industrial ecology.

What Technology Wants

What Technology Wants PDF

Author: Kevin Kelly

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2011-09-27

Total Pages: 417

ISBN-13: 0143120174

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From the author of the New York Times bestseller The Inevitable— a sweeping vision of technology as a living force that can expand our individual potential In this provocative book, one of today's most respected thinkers turns the conversation about technology on its head by viewing technology as a natural system, an extension of biological evolution. By mapping the behavior of life, we paradoxically get a glimpse at where technology is headed-or "what it wants." Kevin Kelly offers a dozen trajectories in the coming decades for this near-living system. And as we align ourselves with technology's agenda, we can capture its colossal potential. This visionary and optimistic book explores how technology gives our lives greater meaning and is a must-read for anyone curious about the future.

Environment 02/03

Environment 02/03 PDF

Author: John Allen

Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 246

ISBN-13: 9780072506822

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A compilation of current articles from such sources as World Watch, Audobon, The Atlantic Monthly and Scientific American. These selections explore the global environment, the world's population, energy, the biosphere, natural resources and pollution. Includes a listing of related Web sites and access to the student support site Dushkin Online (www.dushkin.com/online).