Book Description




Estuarine Cities Facing Global Change


Book Description

At the heart of the globalization of trade and of economies, estuarine cities are at the forefront of accelerating global change. They must confront the tensions generated by their demographic and socio-economic attractions and their ecological vulnerability linked to their location in trade flows, downstream of rivers and at the interface between land and sea. Using the examples of the estuarine cities of the Gironde, the Loire and the Seine and their specific challenges, such as climate change, flood risk, biodiversity, port flows and urban planning, this book analyzes their emerging trajectories guided by proactive governance of global change.




Circular Economy, Industrial Ecology and Short Supply Chain


Book Description

In contrast to the linear "take-make-dispose" model of resource consumption, a new industrial model is proposed in the form of a circular economy. This model aims to optimize the use of resources and to reduce or eliminate waste, and is based on re-use, repair, ecodesign, industrial ecology, sustainable supply and responsible consumption. Industrial ecology and short supply chains can contribute – particularly on a territorial scale – to the emergence of a real sustainable development. This book develops these concepts and presents experiments that are taking place in France and other countries, in addition to an integrated model which details the mechanisms through which industrial ecology and short supply chains can generate economic, social and environmental profits. The possible issues and obstacles facing these new practices are also analyzed, in order to develop the outline of an adapted management and governance which will enable them to be fully realized.




Mineral Resources and Energy


Book Description

Our consumption of raw materials and energy has reached unprecedented levels which are continuing to increase at a steady rate due to the economic emergence of many countries and the development of new technologies. Metal and cement usage has doubled since the beginning of the 21st Century and this production, between now and 2050, will be equivalent to that produced since the beginning of humanity. It is in this context that the transition to low-carbon and renewable energies is taking place, which involves profound changes to the existing global energy system. This book addresses these different aspects and attempts to estimate first-order requirements for cement, steel, copper, aluminum and energy for different power generation technologies, and for three types of energy scenarios. Some dynamic modeling approaches are proposed to assess the needs and likely evolution of primary production and recycling. The link between production and primary reserves, recycling and stocks of end-of-life products, production costs, incomes and prices using a prey–predator dynamic is discussed. - Approaches the issues of commodities and energy in terms of needs, technological innovation and economic and social issues - Emphasizes the couplings between these different aspects - Helps readers understand and integrate these couplings through global modeling




Concilier économie et écologie


Book Description

La croissance économique est-elle compatible avec la protection de l'environnement ? Quelles politiques énergétiques faut-il déployer ? Quelle forme peut prendre la sobriété énergétique ? À quoi ressemblerait une planification écologique ? Ces questions peuplent notre actualité mais elles sont loin d'être nouvelles. Le Centre international de recherche sur l'environnement et le développement (CIRED) s'efforce d'y répondre depuis la conférence mondiale sur l'environnement et le développement de Stockholm en 1972. À l'occasion de son cinquantième anniversaire, le CIRED republie des textes remarquables écrits entre 1972 et 1997, une période marquée par deux chocs pétroliers, le dialogue et les tensions Nord / Sud autour du développement durable, l'émergence des problèmes environnementaux mondiaux. Les chercheurs du CIRED imaginent les voies d'un écodéve-loppement, analysent les implications industrielles et sociales des choix énergétiques, proposent des moyens de combattre le changement clima-tique. Ces pistes peuvent encore utilement alimenter le débat public contemporain. Les vingt-deux contributions rassemblées dans cet ouvrage offrent un tour d'horizon des enjeux, pratiques comme théoriques, de l'articulation de l'environnement et du développement. Elles posent les bases d'une socio-économie de l'environnement et de ce que serait un développement écologique. Quiconque s'intéresse aux relations société-environnement trouvera dans ce recueil les clefs pour en saisir la complexité.




The Mediterranean region under climate change


Book Description

This book has been published by Allenvi (French National Alliance for Environmental Research) to coincide with the 22nd Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) in Marrakesh. It is the outcome of work by academic researchers on both sides of the Mediterranean and provides a remarkable scientific review of the mechanisms of climate change and its impacts on the environment, the economy, health and Mediterranean societies. It will also be valuable in developing responses that draw on “scientific evidence” to address the issues of adaptation, resource conservation, solutions and risk prevention. Reflecting the full complexity of the Mediterranean environment, the book is a major scientific contribution to the climate issue, where various scientific considerations converge to break down the boundaries between disciplines.













Society Against Nature


Book Description