Environmental Foresight and Models: A Manifesto (Developments in Environmental Modelling) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 008044086X ISBN 13: 9780080440866

Publisher: Elsevier Science, 2002

Synopsis

Policy-makers and the public, it has famously been said, are more interested in the possibility of non-linear dislocations and surprises in the behaviour of the environment than in smooth extrapolations of current trends. The International Task Force in Forecasting Environmental Change (1993-1998) dedicated its work to developing procedures of model building capable of addressing our palpable concerns for substantial change in the future. This volume discusses the immense challenges that such structural change presents - that the behaviour of the environment may become radically different from that observed in the past - and investigates the potentially profound implications for model development.

Drawing upon case histories from the Great Lakes, acidic atmospheric deposition and, among others, the urban ozone problem, this discourse responds to a new agenda of questions. For example: "What system of 'radar' might we design to detect threats to the environment lying just beyond the 'horizon'?" and "Are the seeds of structural change identifiable within the record of the recent past?"

Meticulously researched by leading environmental modellers, this milestone volume engages vigorously with its subject and offers an animated account of how models can begin to take into consideration the significant threats and uncertainties posed by structural change.

About this title

Review:

"...it presents substantially new thinking, the beginnings of a change of perspective based on almost a decade of research..."
-WASTE MANAGEMENT, VOL. 24, 2005

...Meticulously researched by leading environmental modellers, this milestone volume engages vigorously with its subject and offers a vital account of how models can begin to take into consideration the significant threats and uncertainities that structural change poses.
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry
...I highly recommend the book for all modelers involved in the environmental sciences.
Resources, Conservation & Recycling
S. Balram
...advanced students, professionals, and academic researchers involved with modelling environmental systems will find this book valuable reading.
Environments

About this edition

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 008044086X
• ISBN 13: 9780080440866
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 490
• Editor: Beck M.B.