Management of Natural Resources, Sustainable Development and Ecological Hazards II

Book excerpt: This book ontains papers presented at the Second International Conference on the Management of Natural Resources, Sustainable Development and Ecological Hazards, held in South Africa, December 15-17, 2009. The Conference goes by the shortened name Ravage of the Planet to emphasize the urgency of the problems under discussion. Like the first conference held in Patagonia, Argentina, this meeting was prompted by the need to take stock of the continuous deterioration of our planet and to formulate constructive policies for the immediate future. The success of the first Conference led to the decision to reconvene the meeting in Africa. That continents engagement in global change trends became more pronounced with the World Summit on Sustainable Development that took place in Johannesburg in 2002 and addressed Millenium Development Goals. South Africa actually held its first National Conference on Environment and Development in 1991. It is well known that in the effort to achieve sustainable development, Africa faces challenges with water and energy supply, sanitation access; renewable technologies transfer, food security, health issues (especially childrens health), rapid urbanization, housing, biodiversity threats, and climate change vulnerability. Because of its geographic position, spanning two hemispheres and nearly all climatic zones, as well as its still low carbon emissions, pristine ecosystems and endemic biodiversity regions, Africa provides excellent opportunities for environmental research and earth and space observations, as well as studies of the socio-economic aspects of sustainability sciences. AUDIENCE: Researchers and professionals involved in ecosystems and environmental problems, as well as policy makers, social and political scientists