This title was first published in 2002: While world-wide political, sociological and economic processes encourage the marginalization of peripheral areas, the general degradation of the ecosystem increasingly affects marginal populations as they are more likely to use natural resources. The fact that these communities suffer greatly from environmental, economic and social problems also tends to prevent them adopting a sustainable use of these local resources. Using a series of international case studies from both developed and developing countries, this remarkable volume explores issues of sustainable development in marginalized regions of the world. It discusses population development and sustainability, as well as environment and sustainability, from the point of view of regional development. It also examines globalization and the role of education in encouraging a sustainable path of development. A common focus shared by the contributors is that of the human aspects of development, as well as the concept of sustainability and its usefulness in geographical and economic research. The volume provides an insightful overview of the issues that touch sustainability in marginal and critical regions.

Sustainable development is capturing the attention of planners, politicians and business leaders. Within the academic sphere its study is increasingly breaching disciplinary boundaries to become a focus of attention for natural and social scientists alike. But in studying such a key concept, it is vital that there is a clear definition of what it means, how it is applied on the ground, and the influence it exerts upon people's perceptions of change in the physical environment, economic activity and society. Exploring Sustainable Development is a major new text which provides a multifaceted introduction to key areas of study in this field, examining sustainability at the full range of spatial scales from the local to the global. Building on existing theory it demonstrates the unique contributions that thinking geographically about space, place and human-environment relationships can bring to the analysis of sustainable development. This book explores different interpretations of sustainable development in both theory and practice, in developed and developing countries, and in rural and urban areas. It pays particular attention to the local, national and international politics of implementation, the future of climate and energy, the role of business, and different conceptions of agricultural sustainability. This wide-ranging text is ideal for undergraduates and postgraduates in geography, environmental science, development studies, and related social and political sciences.

"This book tackles topics related to development of Geographic Information in terms of the technologies available for retrieving, managing, and analyzing geographical data"--Provided by publisher.

The definitions for 'marginality' and 'marginal regions' are vague and differ between academic disciplines. Marginal regions could however be characterized as regions lying off mainstream processes (in a sort of vacuum) both in society and economy, but also in relation to the natural environment and geographical remoteness. Illustrated by a wide range of international case studies, this book provides a complete overview of current research into marginality and examines a wide range of possible development options which could offer hope to marginal regions. It explores the background to various kinds of marginality, describes various types of marginal regions and discusses possible solutions for political, economic and socio-cultural actors to fight the ongoing processes of marginalization. Marginality and marginal regions are looked at from a wide perspective and are seen as being in part the outcome of globalization and deregulation. The book not only discusses practical policy options, but also considers marginality in its relation to ethics and spirituality.

Area Studies - Regional Sustainable Development Review: Africa is a component of Encyclopedia of Area Studies - Regional Sustainable Development Reviews in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on Area Studies - Regional Sustainable Development Review: Africa discusses matters of great relevance to our world in general and to the African Continent in particular as it deals with topics such as: International Cooperation for Sustainable Development in Africa; Food Security in Africa: Challenges and Prospects; Combating Poverty in Africa; Demographic Dynamics and Sustainability in Africa; Protection and Promotion of Human Health in Africa; Strategies for Promoting Human Development in Africa; Integrating Environment into Decision-Making in Africa; The Planning and Management of Land Resources in Africa; Combating Desertification and Drought in Africa; Conservation of Biological Diversity in Africa; Ecotoxicology of Stable Pollutants in African Marine Ecosystems; Safe and Environmentally Sound Management of Radioactive Waste; Strengthening Business and Industry for Sustainable Development in Africa; Concepts and Trends in Environmental Education for Sustainable Development; International Institutional Arrangements; International Legal Instruments and Mechanisms; Agreements: Forestry Principles: Focus on the Congo Basin Rainforests; The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development; Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development in Africa; Literature and Culture - The Sustainability Connection from an African Perspective; History and Civilizations: Impacts on Sustainable Development in Africa; The Sustainable Development of Tourism in Africa; Environmentally Displaced People These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. The academic community, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society must work together and share experiences on the implementation of SDGs. Open discussion on lessons learned from the inclusive education policies, the difficulties and obstacles developing economies face in implementing the SDGs, and the affordability of the clean energy policies initiated by the SDGs will guide and inform better decision making for future implementations across the world. Public Policy’s Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals is authored by various esteemed researchers, policymakers, and academics from a multidisciplinary perspective and emphasizes quality research-based studies that contribute to theory, lessons learned, best practices, critical understanding, and policy implications or formulation on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in any country. It supports the acceleration required to implement the SDGs by mobilizing the academic community, policymakers, industry, and civil society to discuss experiences focusing on the SDGs and their implementation in the context of public policy, administration, and governance deemed most important for world regions. Thus, the book will have a global discussion while addressing the SDGs in a way that considers each region’s specificities. It is designed for researchers from the social sciences, arts and humanities, sociology, politics, and the broader interdisciplinary fields of business and economics and also for policymakers, corporations, NGOs, government bodies, research centers, think tanks, and university libraries worldwide.

This book ontains papers presented at the Second International Conference on the Management of Natural Resources, Sustainable Development and Ecological Hazards, held in South Africa, December 15-17, 2009. The Conference goes by the shortened name Ravage of the Planet to emphasize the urgency of the problems under discussion. Like the first conference held in Patagonia, Argentina, this meeting was prompted by the need to take stock of the continuous deterioration of our planet and to formulate constructive policies for the immediate future. The success of the first Conference led to the decision to reconvene the meeting in Africa. That continents engagement in global change trends became more pronounced with the World Summit on Sustainable Development that took place in Johannesburg in 2002 and addressed Millenium Development Goals. South Africa actually held its first National Conference on Environment and Development in 1991. It is well known that in the effort to achieve sustainable development, Africa faces challenges with water and energy supply, sanitation access; renewable technologies transfer, food security, health issues (especially childrens health), rapid urbanization, housing, biodiversity threats, and climate change vulnerability. Because of its geographic position, spanning two hemispheres and nearly all climatic zones, as well as its still low carbon emissions, pristine ecosystems and endemic biodiversity regions, Africa provides excellent opportunities for environmental research and earth and space observations, as well as studies of the socio-economic aspects of sustainability sciences. AUDIENCE: Researchers and professionals involved in ecosystems and environmental problems, as well as policy makers, social and political scientists

Wu explores how farmers have organised themselves to initiate technical innovation, and considers communication networks and co-operative mechanisms.

This title was first published in 2000. An examination of environment and marginality in geographical space. It discusses the issue of marginalization from the point of view of the environment by using the viewpoints of land use, landscape and development. The aim of the book is to provide an overview of the issues at hand, while keeping a close connection with practical real-world examples of what, where and how environmental issues manifest on marginal areas. The book is divided into four main parts, which address: land use and environment; territorial marginalization; development in margins and peripheries; and summary and conclusions.

This title was first published in 2001. An examination of globalization and marginality in geographical space, it discusses the issue of marginalization and the effects that economic globalization have on marginal and critical regions from the point of view of politics and policies and the shift from economic to social issues of development.