Understanding and Solving Environmental Problems in the 21st Century (eBook)

Front Cover 1
Understanding and Solving Environmental Problems in the 21st Century: Toward a new, integrated hard problem science 4
Copyright Page 5
Contents 16
Preface 6
EcoSummit Participant List 8
Introduction: Understanding and Solving Environmental Problems in the 21st Century: Toward a new, integrated “hard problem science” 24
References 26
Chapter 1. Integrated Assessment and Modeling – Science for Sustainability 28
Abstract 28
1. Introduction 29
2. The global context 29
3. Changes to the enterprise of scientific research 30
4. “Clean and green” drivers on policy and markets 33
5. The science of IA and IAM – integration and synthesis 34
6. IAM and ESM – the science of the future? 37
References 39
Chapter 2. The Potential for Integrated Assessment and Modeling to Solve Environmental Problems: Vision, Capacity, and Direction 42
Abstract 42
1. Introduction 43
2. Integration 44
3. Visions of the future 46
4. Evolution of IAM 48
5. IAM current position: Points of agreement 49
6. Case studies 51
7. Model complexity 52
8. Validation 52
9. Integrated Assessment 54
10. Agent-based models 55
11. Communication 56
12. Values in models 57
13. Future of IAM 57
14. Links to other groups 59
15. Conclusion 60
References 61
Chapter 3. Complex Adaptive Hierarchical Systems 64
Abstract 64
1. The new confrontation – biocomplex wholeness 65
2. Measuring the organizational complexity of CAHSystems 76
3. Systemicity 96
4. Concluding thoughts 105
Glossary 105
References 110
Chapter 4. Complex Adaptive Hierarchical Systems 118
Abstract 118
1. Introduction 118
2. About theory 119
3. About applications 120
4. About modeling 121
5. Conclusions 122
References 122
Chapter 5. Ecosystem Services, Their Use and the Role of Ecological Engineering: State of the Art 124
Abstract 124
1. Introduction 125
2. Defining ecosystem services 126
3. Humankind’s relationship with the natural environment 128
4. The use and misuse of ecosystem services 132
5. Designing and engineering to restore a sustainable relationship with ecosystems 133
6. Ecological engineering 137
7. Under-utilization of ecosystem services 145
8. Conclusions 146
Acknowledgements 147
References 147
Chapter 6. Ecosystem Services 150
Abstract 150
1. Introduction 150
2. Ecosystem services 152
3. Key questions and common ground 155
4. The role of ecosystems services tomorrow 157
5. Conclusions 160
References 160
Chapter 7. Science and Decisionmaking 162
Abstract 162
1. Science and decisionmaking 163
2. Scientists’ role in decisionmaking 163
3. Three case studies 164
4. Characteristics of scientists and decisionmakers influence how they interact 169
5 . Questions about the relationship between science and decisionmaking 172
Acknowledgements 173
References 174
Chapter 8. Science and Decisionmaking 176
Abstract 176
1. Introduction 176
2. Increasing the effectiveness of the individual environmental scientist 181
3. Case studies 183
4. Conclusions 186
Acknowledgements 187
References 188
Chapter 9. Ecosystem Health and Human Health 190
Abstract 190
1. Introduction 190
2. Ecosystems, humans, and the concept of health 191
3. Ignoring the link 195
4. Climate change 198
5. Agrosystems and food production 201
6. Biodiversity and declining productive capacity 204
7. Discussion 206
Acknowledgements 208
References 208
Chapter 10. Ecosystem Health and Human Health: Healthy Planet, Healthy Living 212
Abstract 212
1. Introduction 213
2. Linkages between ecosystem health and human health 216
3. Sources of solutions 222
4. Priority actions 225
5. Barriers to effective action 228
6. Measures, indicators, or metrics of progress 231
7. Conclusions 236
Acknowledgements 240
References 240
Chapter 11. Quality of Life and the Distribution of Wealth and Resources 244
Abstract 244
1. How is Quality of Life (QOL) defined? 244
2. How has Quality of Life been measured? 248
3. A comparison of two approaches to fairness in the distribution of wealth and resources 260
4. Can we measure fairness? 271
5 . What is the relationship between fairness and QOL? 274
6 . Principles for achieving a sustainable, fair, and high-QOL society 276
References 278
Chapter 12. Quality of Life and the Distribution of Wealth and Resources 282
Abstract 282
1. How do we define Quality of Life (QOL)? 282
2. How can we measure QOL? 287
3. Development of indicators of fairness in the distribution of wealth and resources 292
4. Approaches to measuring fairness 300
5. Implications of the relationship between fairness and QOL 305
6. How do we achieve sustainable, fair, and high QOL? 307
7. Conclusion 320
Appendix. The Sustainability Bill of Rights 321
References 321
Conclusions 326
References 330
Author Index 332
Subject Index 342