Sustainable Harvest and Marketing of Rain Forest Products [Paperback]
6 new from $28.00 21 used from $0.27
Book Description
Based on a Conservation International conference in Panama, “Sustainable Harvest and Marketing of Rain Forest Products” brings together the world’s leading experts on rain forest development and sustainability.
Customer Review
Serious and welcome!
“As someone involved in trying to help slash and burn farmers in Honduras try alternatives ( see [...]) this side of the rainforest issue is one I would dearly love to do more, when the slashing and burning susbsides a little. A great book, packed with all kinds of useful information. It has whetted my appetite for further reading.”
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Green Outcomes in the Real World [Hardcover]
Price: $99.95 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Book Description
Over the last three decades the world economy has grown strongly on the back of ‘globalization’ supported by the policies of free-trade, open markets and privatisation. Over a similar period support has been growing for the concept of ‘sustainability’ defined in terms of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the first decade of the 21st century, as the Earth’s systems come under increasing strain, the inherent conflict between sustainability and globalization has been exposed. This book examines the shift in thinking required to reconcile these two important areas of policy. In this ground breaking book, Peter McManners has coined the term ‘Proximization’ to define a new policy framework. A new term ensures that the ideas do not get confused with existing concepts. For example the policies of proximization will lead to localising more activities, but this is not ‘localization’ as described by many green economists. The book argues that localization does not work as the prime focus of policy. There are many activities that operate best at a global scale and proximization allows this. The principles of Proximization put forward are: ‘sustainability’, ‘subsidiarity’, ‘primacy of the state’ and ‘market economics’. The application of these familiar concepts towards a sustainable globalised world is novel and different. It is argued that adherence to the principles of proximization will return world society to a stable natural order. This will mean in practice a number of changes. Global commodity flows will reduce and barriers to migration will increase. National governments will demand more control over their finances leading to restrictions on capital flows. Indeed, Peter McManners believes that an element of ‘selfish determination’ is needed. The new world order will be sustainable by design. Global organisations such as the UN, national governments and global corporations will have to understand and apply a different paradigm. The arguments in this book do not reflect the idealism or even naivety of some of the green movement. This book is about hard-edged reality presented by an author with huge experience and a deep understanding of the business perspective. It will, therefore appeal to a wide range of professionals involved in setting policy and future direction for businesses, governments, and non-governmental bodies, as well as to those with an academic interest in business, economics, social and environmental issues, and public policy.
Editorial Review
‘This excellent book provides a unique perspective on sustainability and globalisation, two subjects which are usually viewed as inherently contradictory. The author argues convincingly that the two can be reconciled if we are willing to introduce some fundamental changes in the way we run our economy and society. He provides some powerful and bold insights into how to achieve this.’ – Professor Emilio Herbolzheimer, Henley Business School ‘In this ground-breaking book, Peter McManners shines a spotlight on some of the most intractable and important issues of the current age. He exposes the ‘dark underbelly’ of globalization and the problems that arise from the narrow pursuit of economic objectives. He is not alone in recognising the problems, but the strength of this book is the policy framework proposed to solve them…Green Outcomes in a Real World is published at a time when the world needs new ideas and a new direction. It defines that new direction and should be compulsory reading for policy makers and students of international affairs. It sets the framework that could support the greening of the economy and society.’ – Paul Taylor, Emeritus Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics
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Beyond Intellectual Property: Toward Traditional Resource Rights for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities [Paperback]
Price: $20.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Book Description
For indigenous peoples’ groups, activists and policymakers in intellectual property, and all those concerned with the preservation of our planet’s biological and cultural diversity, Beyond Intellectual Property provides an invaluable and eye-opening look into one of the most provocative and explosive issues of this century and likely the next: the patenting of life.
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The Future of Life [Paperback]
Edward O. Wilson (Author)
List Price: $15.95 Price: $10.85 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Book Description
One of the world’s most important scientists, Edward O. Wilson, is also an abundantly talented writer who has twice won the Pulitzer Prize. In this, his most personal and timely book to date, he assesses the precarious state of our environment, examining the mass extinctions occurring in our time and the natural treasures we are about to lose forever. Yet, rather than eschewing doomsday prophesies, he spells out a specific plan to save our world while there is still time. His vision is a hopeful one, as economically sound as it is environmentally necessary. Eloquent, practical and wise, this book should be read and studied by anyone concerned with the fate of the natural world.
From Publishers Weekly
Legendary Harvard biologist Wilson (On Human Nature; The Ants; etc.) founded sociobiology, the controversial branch of evolutionary biology, and won the Pulitzer Prize twice. This volume, his manifesto to the public at large, is a meditation on the splendor of our biosphere and the dangers we pose to it. In graceful, expressive and vigorous prose, Wilson argues that the challenge of the new century will be “to raise the poor to a decent standard of living worldwide while preserving as much of the rest of life as possible.” For as America consumes and the Third World tries to keep up, we lose biological diversity at an alarming rate. But the “trajectory” of species loss depends on human choice. If current levels of consumption continue, half the planet’s remaining species will be gone by mid-century. Wilson argues that the “great dilemma of environmental reasoning” stems from the conflict between environmentalism and economics, between long-term and short-term values. Conservation, he writes, is necessary for our long-term health and prosperity. Loss of biodiversity translates into economic losses to agriculture, medicine and the biotech industries. But the “bottleneck” of overpopulation and overconsumption can be safely navigated: adequate resources exist, and in the end, success or failure depends upon an ethical decision. Global conservation will succeed or fail depending on the cooperation between government, science and the private sector, and on the interplay of biology, economics and diplomacy. “A civilization able to envision God and to embark on the colonization of space,” Wilson concludes, “will surely find the way to save the integrity of this planet and the magnificent life it harbors.”
Customer Review
The Future of Life
“I bought this book for a couple who felt that they were among a tiny minority who loved the beauty of this earth and were enraged at the criminally exploitative treatment of it. When I read the first chapter I could not put it down. This book is a must read for every sane person on the planet, a spectacularly clear and careful study of how things great and small fit together, interdepend on eachother. To disregard any part of it or abuse that living heritage, poses a threat to our very existence on the one hand and on the other, points to our interdependence. I was stunned to learn that most of the species have yet to be identified and catalogued. Wilson knows all the arguments of both extremes on environmental issues, and while he articulately addresses these with balance, reason, and knowledge that only a scientist of his calibre could do, he never looses the sense of joy and wonder over what he has discovered in his journey, nor the urgency to preserve and protect it. In the final chapter he offers realistic and visionary options for insuring a better world. This book is a masterpiece, a Virgilian guide away from the hell we are creating, the limbo we are in, and a view of the paradise we have been wontonly destroying.”
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Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others [Paperback]
List Price: $18.95 Price: $12.89 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Book Description
For those looking for a way to make a difference while on vacation–simultaneously getting away and using their talents to improve the world–this guide shows you how a short-term volunteer stint can transform your life as much as the people, animals, and ecology you choose to help. This fully updated edition is filled with in-depth information and profiles of more than 150 select organizations running thousands of quality programs in the United States and around the world.
Each listing includes complete contact information with locations, costs, dates, and project details you won’t find anywhere else. In addition, it features some of the better established long-term projects as well as organizations specifically tailored for families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Stories from recent volunteers and a host of photographs help you further imagine your volunteer adventure.
“Anyone who can’t find a dozen projects here to get excited about just doesn’t have a traveler’s soul.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“Details thousands of opportunities for anyone wanting to see the world with a purpose.” —Westworld Magazine
Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars: OPEN SOME NEW DOORS IN YOUR LIFE
“Having spent the past seven years volunteer travelling around the world for my vacations, I can honestly attest to the fact that this extremely helpful reference book was my starting point for research into the culturally-enriching, service-oriented travel experiences which have changed my life. Provided inside this handy book are the names of the volunteer organizations which arrange and organize the travel, listings of the type of volunteer work and skills required and all of the necessary logistics. (Actually the only skill often required is a desire to serve and to learn.)
The second half of the book contains numerous brief volunteer journals where the reader can obtain a clearer picture of how this type of travel impacts the recipients of the service work and more importantly perhaps how these deeply moving and life-altering experiences greatly enhance the life of the volunteer.
I have met people of all ages and from all walks of life on these incredible journeys. If you have a bit of adventure in your blood and a desire to serve and especially to learn from another culture’s experience…investigate this book…it may open some brand new doors in your life.”
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