Silting Problems in Hydro Power Plants: Proceedings of the First International Conference, New Delhi, India, 13-15th October 1999 C.V.J. Varma 0 Resenhas Taylor & Francis, 2000 - 356 páginas The 33 papers focus primarily but not exclusively on the Indian subcontinent, through which passes nearly a third of all the earth carried by rivers and streams to the sea. Their concern is with design, operation, and maintenance approaches to preventing or mitigating the filling of reservoirs and damaging turbines and other equipment used in hydro-electric plants. Plenary papers discuss the Indian scenario, environmental and economic aspects, and reducing silt by implementing ISO 14000 for hilly projects. The technical sessions cover reservoir sedimentation, desilting and its economic optimization, damage mechanisms and their analysis, design criteria, and material technology. There is no index.

Natural disasters and sustainable development Riccardo Casale, Claudio Margottini 0 Resenhas Springer, 2004 - 397 páginas nbsp;Natural disasters are a clear example of people living in conflict with the environment. Disasters cause human, social and environmental losses and, sometimes, even threaten geopolitical stability, as in many less developed countries. They are also a problem of global concern, even when damage is local: the mechanisms are often dependent on global meteoro-climatic circulation. Losses frequently affect severalnbsp; countries, as could be seen in the floods in central Europe in 2002. It is obvious that there is a clear need for a new approach, capable of incorporating the prevention of natural disasters, whilst mitigating strategies within the cycle of sustainable development. There are no thematic disciplines or political boundaries limitating initiatives: the integration of data providers, data users/information providers and information users,nbsp;in a global and holistic manner, is the desired outcome of the new frontier. This book falls into this new category: multidisciplinary interventions and socio-economic point of views are the basic inputs for a changing science, implementing sustainable development for the benefit of citizens and society. It is comprised of studies and investigations which explain natural processes and modelling, as well as assessing hazards and risks and is rounded of with suggestions for sustainable development. Thus reflecting the best results of research on this topic funded by the European Commission. « Menos

Flood Problem and Management in South Asia M. Monirul Qader Mirza, Ema. Manirula Kādera Mirjā, Ajaya Dixit, Ainun Nishat 0 Resenhas Springer, 2002 - 210 páginas Flood Problem and Management in South Asia focuses on both the hazard and the vulnerability aspects of floods. This book addresses floods in South Asia from a multidisciplinary approach. The characteristics and nature of the flood problem and its management aspects are examined. It is suggested that flood control and management focused on structural solutions using embankments and reservoirs are insufficient. Effective solutions must go beyond structural measures and require major restructuring of both legal systems and institutions responsible for management. For those people living in the vast flood plains of South Asia to be able to overcome social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities, an adaptive approach to management of flood risks that identifies specific strategies is needed.

Understanding the economic and financial impacts of natural disasters Charlotte Benson, Edward J. Clay 0 Resenhas World Bank Publications, 2004 - 119 páginas This study examines the short and long term economic and financial effects of natural disasters and the problems they pose for long-term development. It draws on evidence from studies of Bangladesh, Dominica, Malawi and southern Africa to explore macroeconomic and development issues, including the factors that contribute to underlying sensitivities, and opportunities for improving the economic management of risk and disasters.

Managing disaster risk in Mexico: Market Incentives for Mitigation Investment Alcira Kreimer, World Bank 0 Resenhas World Bank Publications, 1999 - 57 páginas Disaster Risk Management Series. Since 1980, Mexico has suffered from 79 disaster events. Over half of these disasters were weather related, such as hurricanes or flooding. One fourth of them were geology related, that is, volcanic eruptions, landslides, or earthquakes. The rest of them were instigated by humans in the form of industrial accidents, chemical and oil spills, explosions, and structural fires. Mexico was chosen for the first appraisal mission due to its experience with natural disaster losses, and because it is considering significant public policy changes in the realm of insurance regulations. The World Bank established the Disaster Management Facility in July 1999 to provide proactive leadership in coordinating efforts to introduce disaster prevention and mitigation practices in development-related activities. This report synthesizes the findings of a World Bank mission to Mexico on disaster management, mitigation, and financing, which was followed up by a workshop to discuss those findings. The scope of this study is quite broad and examines the following issues: -- Mexico's experience with disasters of all kinds; -- how risk and vulnerability are assessed and can be assessed as a means toward greater mitigation, that is, better planning and construction standards; -- disaster mitigation in practice; -- the specific contribution that the insurance industry can make to disaster mitigation in Mexico, and why this industry is so underutilized at present; and, -- the government's role in risk transfer as a way of enhancing mitigation especially through the operation of its Natural Disaster Fund, FONDEN.

Managing disaster risk in emerging economies Alcira Kreimer, Margaret Arnold 0 Resenhas World Bank Publications, 2000 - 193 páginas In 1999 natural catastrophes and man-made disasters claimed more than 105,000 lives, 95 percent of them in the developing world, and caused economic losses of around US$100 billion. In 1998 the twin disasters of the Yangtze and Hurrican Mitch accounted for two-thirds of the US$65 billion loss. The geographical areas affected may vary, but one constant is that the per capita burden of catastrophic losses is dramatically higher in developing countries. To respond to an increased demand to assist disaster rcovery programmes, the World Bank set up the Disaster Management Facility in 1998, to help provide the Bank with a more rapid and strategic response to disaster emergencies. The DMF focuses on risk identification, risk reduction, and risk sharing/transfer, the three major topics in this volume. The DMF also promotes strategic alliances with key private, government, multilateral and nongovernmental organisations to ensure the inclusion of disaster risk reduction as a central value of development. The most important of these partnerships is the ProVention Consortium, launched in February 2000, based on the premise that we must all take responsibility for making the new millennium a safer one

Global warming, natural hazards, and emergency management Jane A. Bullock, George D. Haddow, Kim Haddow 0 Resenhas CRC Press, 2008 - 282 páginas Due to the damage caused by global warming, scientists predict that the frequency and severity of weather-related disaster events will increase dramatically. This book provides a clear procedural roadmap for emergency managers, policy makers, and community officials, demonstrating how to reduce the impacts of future disaster events intensified by the effects of global warming. Case studies describe past and present real-world experiences in community-based hazard mitigation and illustrate how efforts should be designed and implemented. The authors explain in detail how to develop community partnerships that include all stakeholders and identify staffing and resource requirements for successful programs.

Disaster communications in a changing media world George D. Haddow, Kim Haddow 0 Resenhas Butterworth-Heinemann, 2009 - 218 páginas Communications that supports disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery by disseminating accurate information to the general public, to elect

Risk Communication: A Handbook for Communicating Environmental, Safety, and Health Risks R. Lundgren, Andrea Mcmakin, Regina E. Lundgren, Andrea H. McMakin 7 Resenhas Wiley-IEEE, 2009 - 362 páginas A fully updated edition of the preeminent book on risk communication For more than a decade, Risk Communication: A Handbook for Communicating Environmental, Safety, and Health Risks has been a trusted compendium of strategies and guidance for effectively conveying risk information. Managers, scientists, engineers, students, communication specialists, healthcare professionals, agency representatives, and consultants in more than twenty countries have benefited from its contemporary, practical advice on what to do and what to avoid for successful risk communication. Now in its Fourth Edition, the handbook has been updated with expanded coverage of laws, approaches, messages, and technology-based applications such as social media, as well as all-new information on international risk communication. The handbook guides readers on: Understanding Risk Communication-Approaches to communicating risk; laws that mandate risk communication; constraints to effective risk communication; ethical issues; and principles of risk communication Planning the Risk Communication Effort-Determine purpose and objectives; analyze your audience; develop your message; determine appropriate methods; set a schedule; and develop a communication plan Putting Risk Communication into Action-Information materials; visual representation of risks; face-to-face communication; working with the media; stakeholder participation; and technology-assisted communication Evaluating Risk Communication Efforts-Why it's important to evaluate risk communication efforts; types of evaluation; and conducting the evaluation Special Cases in Risk Communication-Emergency risk communication and international risk communication Combining in-depth scientific underpinnings and the greatest breadth of information av

Exploring risk communication Jan M. Gutteling, Oene Wiegman 0 Resenhas Kluwer Academic, 1996 - 221 páginas Exploring Risk Communication presents a systematic planning approach to risk communication. Risk communication is seen by many as an important tool for managing technological, environmental, and natural risks. The book's goal is to improve risk communication processes in these areas between private and public risk communication sources and the public. The systematic planning approach focuses on research activities which are considered to be diagnostic tools providing insight into the public's reactions to risks and into the public's cognitive abilities to process risk information. These studies give us the necessary ingredients for an adequate risk communication from the audience side of the risk communication process. Evaluation studies are considered necessary to monitor the effectiveness of the communication. Exploring Risk Communication provides a review of current research in risk communication, focusing on perceived trust and credibility of risk communication sources, and arguments in risk messages, risk comparison, and framing of risk. Special attention is paid to the mass media context of risks and its impact on public perception. Finally, the potential of the new interactive media for risk communication is reviewed. The authors have performed several communication studies in the risk area, working from their social psychological background. This results in a monograph interesting to those working on risk communication issues on an academic level, but the systematic planning approach is also a useful frame of reference for risk communication practitioners, or for those who are just interested in the often complex risk communication issues.

The social amplification of risk Nick F. Pidgeon, Roger E. Kasperson, Paul Slovic 0 Resenhas Cambridge University Press, 2003 - 448 páginas The management of and communication about risks has become a major question of public policy and intellectual debate in the modern world. The social amplification of risk framework describes how both social and individual factors act to amplify or dampen perceptions of risk and through this create secondary effects such as stigmatisation of technologies, economic losses or regulatory impacts. This volume, edited by three of the world's leading analysts of risk and its communication, brings together contributions from a group of international experts working in the field of risk perception and risk communication. Key conceptual issues are discussed as well as a range of recent case studies (spanning BSE and food safety, AIDS/HIV, nuclear power, child protection, Y2K, electromagnetic fields, and waste incineration) that take forward the state-of-the-art in risk amplification theory. The volume also draws attention to lessons for public policy, risk management and risk communication practice.

Social theories of risk Sheldon Krimsky, Dominic Golding 2 Resenhas Praeger, 1992 - 412 páginas The social science approach to risk has matured over the past two decades, with distinct paradigms developing in disciplines such as anthropology, economics, geography, psychology, and sociology. Social Theories of Risk traces the intellectual origins and histories of twelve of the established and emerging paradigms from the perspective of their principal proponents. Each contributor examines the underlying assumptions of his or her paradigm, the foundational issue it seeks to address, and likely future directions of research. Taken together, these essays illustrate that the principal achievement of social sciences has been to broaden the debate about risk beyond the narrow, technical considerations of engineers and the physical and life sciences. The authors conclude that expert knowledge is not value-free, that public perceptions of and attitudes toward risks vary according to a wide range of social, psychological, and cultural variables, and that public opposition to particular risks cannot be assuaged by technical fixes. The essays reveal the circuitous paths that lead people to the study of risk, highlight how these paths have crossed and discuss some of the seminal influences on individuals and the field in general. Social Theories of Risk presents a broad, retrospective view of the state of the theory in the social sciences, written by many who have been on the cutting edge of risk research since its early days. The book includes both established and novel perspectives that address the theoretical foundations of the field and reflect what we know about risk as a psychological, social, and cultural phenomenon. The collection of papers not only informs us of the tributary ideas that spawned the social studies of risk, but also how the field has matured. The biographical flavor of the essays provides fascinating reading for established members of the field, and a v

Managing nano-bio-info-cogno innovations: converging technologies in society William Sims Bainbridge, Mihail C. Roco, National Science Foundation (U.S.), World Technology Evaluation Center 0 Resenhas Springer, 2006 - 390 páginas This book provides a unique review of technical developments related to the unification that is rapidly taking place today among nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science (NBIC).It assesses potential for revolutionary applications of these developments and their likely impact in improving the human condition and offers a wide variety of scholarly views on the likely societal impacts and policy implications of these developments and applications, including assessments of educational, economic, commercial, legal, ethical, political, and social implications

Nanotechnology: societal implications Mihail C. Roco, William Sims Bainbridge, National Science Foundation (U.S.), World Technology Evaluation Center 0 Resenhas Springer, 2007 - 450 páginas Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology promise to have major impacts on human health, wealth, and peace in the coming decades. Among the expected breakthroughs are orders of magnitude increases in computer efficiency, human organ restoration using engineered tissue, 'designer' materials created from directed assembly of atoms and molecules, and the emergence of entirely new phenomena in chemistry and physics. This book includes a collection of essays by leading scientists, engineers, and social scientists reviewing the possible uses of these impending technical developments in various industrial, medical, and national security applications, and the corresponding ethical, legal, social, economic, and educational issues that they raise. The report outlines potential areas for research into societal implications of nanotechnology, as well as some preliminary suggestions for how potential positive impacts of nanotechnology can be maximized, while minimizing any possible negative impacts, real or imagined. This book also provides the beginning of a blueprint for how one should address second-order consequences of the new technology, either positive implications or potential risks. This material was prepared under the auspices of the US National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). The issues raised in the book are global in scope, going far beyond the immediate impact of the NNI. They ask the general questions of how history and the human condition are affected by technological progress, and how individuals and institutions can seek to guide that progress in ways most beneficial to mankind in the long run

Global Risk Governance: Concept and Practice Using the IRGC Framework Ortwin Renn, K. Walker 0 Resenhas Springer, 2007 - 367 páginas The establishment of the international risk governance council (IRGC) was the direct result of widespread concern within the public sector, the corporate world, academia, and society at large that the complexity and interdependence of health, environmental, and technological risks facing the world was making the development and implementation of adequate risk governance strategies ever more difficult. IRGC set out to conduct a thorough examination of the fundamental principles and structures that guide the way emerging risks and issues are identified, assessed, managed, and communicated. From this process, a framework for risk governance was developed and proposed, which forms part I of this volume. This IRGC framework was then subjected to rigorous peer review and comments from other experts and the public at large were invited; these comments make up part II of the volume. The framework was also tested by applying it in a series of diverse, international case studies on such diverse topics as genetically modified crops, acrylamide in food in Germany, construction of the Nagara River Estuary Barrage in Japan, energy security in the Baltic, and nanotechnology, among others. This constitutes part III of the work. The last part of the book, part IV, consolidates the lessons learned, and proposes a path forward that, it is hoped, will lead to better management of global risks.

Risk governance: coping with uncertainty in a complex world Ortwin Renn 0 Resenhas Earthscan, 2008 - 455 páginas This book, for the first time, brings together and updates the ground-breaking work of renowned risk theorist and researcher Ortwin Renn and integrates the major disciplinary concepts of risk in the social, engineering, and natural sciences. The book unfolds through consecutive acts, opening with the context of risk handling and flowing through the core topics of assessment, evaluation, perception, management, and communication, culminating in a look at the transition from risk management to risk governance and a glimpse at a new understanding of risk in (post)modern societies. The focus is on systemic risks, such as genetically modified organisms, that load high on complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity and have major repercussions on financial, economic, and social impact areas beyond the physical world. This is essential reading for all researchers, academics, and professionals across the social sciences, sciences, medical, engineering, and financial secto

This article explores emerging discursive formations concerning the relationship of business and morality. It suggests that contemporary tendencies to economize public domains and methods of government also dialectically produce tendencies to moralize markets in general and business enterprises in particular. The article invokes the concept of 'responsibilization' as means of accounting for the epistemological and practical consequences of such processes. Looking at the underlying 'market rationality' of governance, and critically examining the notion of 'corporate social responsibility', it concludes that the moralization of markets further sustains, rather than undermining, neo-liberal governmentalities and neo-liberal visions of civil society, citizenship and responsible social actio

How should we understand the politics of security today? This article addresses this question from one particular perspective, that of 'biosecurity'. It examines contemporary strategies for managing biorisks in three European states: France, Germany and the United Kingdom. We suggest that the framing of threat and response differs, even within Europe, and that one can identify three different configurations: contingency planning, protection and resilience. Each of these embodies a significantly different way of reconciling fundamental imperatives for those who would govern a liberal society today - the imperative of freedom and the imperative of security

Understanding Risk: Informing Decisions in a Democratic Society Committee on Risk Characterization, National Research Council 0 Resenhas National Academies Press, 1996 - 264 páginas