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        Agriculture & related industries
        November 2013

        Promoting Investment in Agriculture for Increased Production and Productivity

        by Saifullah Syed, Masahiro Miyazako

        Investing in agriculture is one of the most effective ways of reducing hunger and poverty, promoting agricultural productivity and enhancing environmental sustainability. Covering the development of sustainable agriculture, food production and food security, this paper explains the relationship between all levels of investment and their interdependence to be successful. It also describes how to drive increased investment, at what stage and where, providing a useful overview of investment in agriculture for policymakers and researchers.

      • Trusted Partner
        April 2023

        Speculation by Commodity Index Funds

        The Impact on Food and Energy Prices

        by Scott H. Irwin, Dwight R. Sanders

        Commodity futures prices exploded in 2007-08 and concerns about a new type of participant in commodity futures markets began to emerge. Market participants, regulators, and civic organizations began raising concerns that inflows from new "commodity index" investments were driving the increases in commodity prices instead of economic fundamentals. The main argument was that unprecedented buying pressure from these speculative long-only futures traders created massive bubbles that resulted in prices substantially exceeding fundamental value. At the time, it was not uncommon to link concerns about speculation and high prices to world hunger, food crises, and civil unrest. Naturally, this outcry resulted in numerous regulatory proposals to restrict speculation in commodity futures markets through transaction taxes, speculative position limits, and even the bizarre idea of a "virtual reserve" whereby a public agency would take futures positions opposite speculators. At the core, these assertions raised major economic questions about the efficiency of price discovery in commodity futures markets. Moreover, these so-called remedies did not come without a potential cost. Burdensome regulations would increase compliance and risk sharing costs across the global food system-lowering prices for producers and increasing costs to consumers. To guide this debate, a rigorous approach was needed to understand the dynamics between prices and commodity index activity. This book documents a curated selection of papers on the impact of index investment on commodity futures prices. The chronology of the papers roughly follows the timeline of our involvement in the world-wide debate about commodity speculation as it evolved after 2007. The 10 papers follow the evolving speculation debate with new author forwards highlighting the contribution and impact. Policy-makers, researchers, and market participants will find this not only as useful documentation of the debate; but, also a natural starting point when high commodity prices inevitably create the next speculation backlash.

      • Trusted Partner
        February 2024

        Sustainable Events Management

        by Razaq Raj, Kevin Griffin, Ruth Craggs

        This book introduces the reader to sustainable events management theory, based on academic research and illustrated with empirical case studies. The book provides a comprehensive view of the concepts of sustainable management and how it relates to the many sectors within the events industry. It emphasizes the fundamental importance of local communities, businesses and stakeholders to events organisation in regional, national and international locations. It brings into focus the international governing bodies, and national government strategic objectives as the corner stone for sustainable development in the events sector. The relationship between these strategic objectives and on-the-ground operational responsibilities are presented using research by contributing authors and accredited organisations to add scope and depth. Best-practice case studies are used throughout the book to highlight and explain particular sustainable management issues. The scope of the book is international and designed to educate undergraduate and postgraduate students and to support practitioners in their operational and administrative duties within their industry sectors.

      • Trusted Partner
        June 2023

        Sustainable Tourism in the Americas

        by Edward W Manning, Luis Márquez

        Sustainable Tourism in the Americas introduces the reader to the establishment of sustainable tourism across the region. It examines questions such as 'what is really meant by sustainable tourism?' Covered in eight chapters, the book discusses the evolution and application of the concept in the Americas from its origins as well as documenting established success stories of sustainable tourism policy and implementation from several countries in the Americas. The country and regional case studies critically examine what sustainable tourism means in their destination and address how in practice the concept of sustainability can be built to show results across different cultural and ecological situations ranging from local indigenous sites to urban environments. The book presents solid findings and includes content from: · research of academics and experiences of those working within the heritage setting; · recent criteria and indicators of sustainable tourism developed by GSTC and other standards, indicators and observatories work associated with UNWTO; · success stories of managing Western tourism destinations and applies relevant lessons to Americas; · Provides support to those who need to study and manage impacted destinations. It will be a valuable addition to the current lack of literature on this concept and of particular interest to those working within and studying tourism management and related themes.

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        Business, Economics & Law
        September 2019

        Winter Tourism

        Trends and Challenges

        by Ulrike Pröbstl-Haider, Harold Richins, Stefan Türk

        Winter tourism has seen increased levels of investment in recent times as new ski destinations develop and traditional skiing destinations merge to reduce economic risks by means of spatial distribution. Increasingly environmental issues in many established ski resorts, including certifications and adaptions of the management regime, and new mobility concepts to reduce CO2 emissions caused by the travel behavior of the winter tourists, are growing areas of consideration. This includes the importance of scenic beauty, nature and sustainable development as well as snow reliability and avalanche safety. Finally skiers themselves and their preferences (destination choice), need to be considered as part of demographic change and changing leisure time habits, in particular considering the Chinese market and its impact in the future. The book will explore these trends and discuss the different approaches and adaption strategies that are employed in the European Alpine region, North America, and Eastern Europe.

      • Trusted Partner
        April 2022

        Sustainable Agricultural Intensification

        A Handbook for Practitioners in East and Southern Africa

        by Mateete Bekunda, Jonathan Odhong, Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon

        This book provides an insight into the background, lessons learned, and the methodology of facilitating the application of best-bet/best-fit agricultural technologies to smallholder farms in East and Southern Africa (ESA). All technologies highlighted within this book, except those on livestock feeding, were trialed and demonstrated in farmers' fields over an eight-year period [2012 - 2020] as part of the Feed the Future/USAID funded research-for-development Africa RISING ESA Project and supported by the CGIAR. The livestock feed technologies were compiled from Eastern Africa literature and included to offer a full set of technologies relevant for farmers in mixed farming systems. Topics covered include the introduction of resilient and nutrient-dense crops, better arrangement of crops in the field to amplify intercrop benefits, and the management of soils to improve soil fertility and minimize physical soil and nutrient loss. The publication also features technologies for postharvest loss reduction, livestock feeding, food processing, and in the later chapters, important expositions on how multiple technologies can be creatively integrated in a farming system and how key products of research can be taken to scale. In the first chapter and throughout the handbook, the importance of taking gender dynamics into account to ensure technologies produce equitable outcomes is emphasized. This book: provides evidence-based descriptions of sustainable agricultural intensification technologies that have been validated iteratively with smallholder farmers. a convenient, easy-to-read, and science-based 'how-to' guide for successful deployment of improved agricultural technologies that will ensure readers from development/scaling agencies save time and resources for research trials and instead focus on technology deployment. gives evidence of how building research and development partnerships can be a critical element for successful delivery and scaling up of agricultural technologies. The book is aimed primarily at development practitioners who seek new competences in taking new technologies to scale. However, the breadth of topics covered makes this book an essential resource for agricultural scientists as well as university and college students aspiring to apply systems thinking in future agricultural research and development work.

      • Trusted Partner
        Business, Economics & Law
        December 2017

        Transforming Travel

        Realising the potential of sustainable tourism

        by Jeremy Smith

        Transforming Travel combines stories from leading companies, interviews with pioneers and thinkers, along with thorough analysis of the industry's potential to make lasting, positive change. - A unique collection of case studies and stories of the most successful, inspirational, impactful and innovative travel businesses in the world. - A vital presentation of the latest research and statistics on the positive impacts and potential of transformative, sustainable tourism, - A positive and realistic vision of the scope of tourism to promote sustainable development at a time when travel and interaction with foreign cultures is facing numerous existential challenges. Written in a highly engaging style Transforming Travel presents an urgent argument for transforming tourism so it might reach its potential to promote tolerance, restore communities and regenerate habitats, while providing a vital guide for anyone looking to develop the successful sustainable tourism enterprises and destinations needed to do so.

      • Trusted Partner
        January 1983

        Der Naturgarten

        Mehr Platz für einheimische Pflanzen und Tiere

        by Schwarz, Urs / Vorwort von Stern, Horst; Herausgegeben von World Wildlife Fund

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        The Arts
        May 2024

        Adaptation and resilience in the performing arts

        The pandemic and beyond

        by Pascale Aebischer, Rachael Nicholas

        This book offers insights into some of the digital innovations, structural adaptations and analogue solutions that enabled live performance in the UK to survive through the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides evidence of values-led policies and practices that have improved the wellbeing of the creative workforce and have increased access to live performance. Through sections that address digital innovations, workforce resilience and programming live performances outdoors and in community settings, this book provides practical insights into the challenges live performance faced during the pandemic. It shows how, in order to survive, individuals and companies within the sector drew on the creativity and resourcefulness of its workforce, and on new and existing networks. In these accounts, the pandemic functioned as catalyst for technological innovations, stock-taking regarding exploitative industry structures, and a re-valuing of the role of live performance for community-building.

      • Trusted Partner
        February 2024

        Agritourism for Sustainable Development

        Reflections from Emerging African Economies

        by Brighton Nyagadza, Farai Chigora, Azizul Hassan, Admire Mthombeni, Bronson Mutanda, Collen Sabao, Dumisani Rumbidzai Muzira, Dzingai Kennedy Nyahunzvi, Edward Chinongwa, Enard Mutenheri, Ernest Mugoni, Felix Chari, Geoffrey Korir, Gilda Eyang, Gracious Mutipforo, Hellen Amunga, Jabulani Garwi, Judith Moyo, Katsande Chipo, Martin Dzapasi, Noreen Watyoka, Nyasha Tendai Makiwa, Lucyna Przezborska-Skobiej, Komborerai Wilfred Chikwape, Obert Sifile, Ranganayi Njodzi, Raymond Mapuranga, Regis Muchowe, Samulo Mutale, Sharon Chisango, Shingirai Siziba, Solomon Marime, Tendai Shelton Muwani, Tichakunda Valentine Chabata, Willard Muntanga, Yeukayi Dzapasi, Zibanai Zhou

        Through the lens of African emerging economies, this text examines empirical studies and the related practices of agritourism. By looking at tourism innovation, entrepreneurship ethics and responsibility of public and private organizational stakeholders, the text promotes an understanding of how radical novel sustainable agritourism might be implemented to help society's living become more sustainable with low usage of material resources, low energy and environmental cost. Informed by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, which emphasize the fostering of novel sustainable agritourism, the book includes: methodologies, theory, reviews, primary research findings and practice topics such as start-ups, legal aspects, CSR and digital technologies techniques and tools with global application The book will be of interest to academics and postgraduate students interested in the challenges of sustainable agritourism and African emerging economies.

      • Trusted Partner
        Business, Economics & Law
        February 2018

        Sustainable Bamboo Development

        by Zhu Zhaohua, Jin Wei

        This book presents over 40 cases of bamboo development across 22 major bamboo-industry countries and explores the knowledge gained from their successes and failures. It synthesises experiences and exchanges with country experts from international training courses and consultations, study tours, and seminars. Each case includes observations and summaries of discussions related to the development of bamboo-based industries in a healthy, sustainable way, and the facilitation of strategic and balanced development of bamboo in different global regions. Industrial and artisanal bamboo growing and processing is expanding worldwide and this book brings together key experiences to help inform future developments. This book provides an analysis of bamboo plant features, including strong renewability, fast-growing, and high biomass production. It also reviews important ecological functions of bamboos, such as water and soil conservation, carbon sink and storage, and adaptation to climate change, as well as addressing the diversified culture of bamboo and key issues affecting the sector. Sustainable Bamboo Development: - Is authored by an internationally recognised leading expert in the growth and use of bamboo - Takes a holistic view, covering technical, socio-economic, policy, cultural and business development - Provides practical knowledge to guide the development of bamboo sectors - Gives a clear idea and rich examples of what has been attempted in many countries - Acts as a roadmap for using bamboo as a poverty reduction and environmental security tool Highly illustrated and in full colour throughout, this book is an essential resource for all those interested in bamboo, from private sector investors to governmental and development agencies, academic researchers and students.

      • Trusted Partner
        2021

        The sustainable pharmacy

        Climate change, protection of the environment and health

        by Esther Luhmann (ed.), By Björn Schittenhelm, Gabriele Renner and Florian Giermann

        We encounter the effects of climate change on a daily basis. It also presents a danger to our health. So is it not part of our responsibility as healthcare professionals to do something for the health of our planet? What contribution can pharmacy staff make? The authors explore these questions in depth. They examine the side effects that medicinal products can have on the environment and where alternatives are to be found. To help ensure that environmental protection is part-and-parcel of everyday pharmacy practice, the book offers practical tips and checklists for the whole team. For not only can the pharmacy conserve resources and advise patients on the consequences of climate change for their health – it can be a role model. The future lies in our hands!

      • Trusted Partner
        Economics
        September 2007

        Impact of Science on African Agriculture and Food Security

        by Edited by Ponniah Anandajayasekeram, Mandivamba Rukani, Suresh Babu, Frikkie Liebenberg, C L Keswani

        The need for agricultural research resources in the developing world cannot be underestimated, but the availability of such resources is often poor due to lack of funding and investment. In order for Africa and other such developing countries to achieve productivity in agriculture - vital to food security, poverty reduction and sustainable management of natural resources - investment and policy development needs to be assessed. This book, a joint effort from IFPRI, ILRI and the Kellogg Foundation, explores the importance of impact assessment studies in Africa, and assembles important evidence to pave the way for further, much needed investment in agricultural research all over the developing world.

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        Medicine

        Notes for Dementia Support Workers

        The Quick Reference Book on Working with People with Dementia

        by Sylke Werner

        The practical quick reference book for dementia support workers, who inspire, support, and care for people with dementia in their daily lives in their own homes and in residential care. With a clear, specific, and professional approach, Sylke Werner explains the responsibilities that dementia support work entails and the forms and symptoms of dementia. She provides detailed descriptions of activities and ways of life for people with dementia, as well as work on the patient’s life story, care, and activities in the patient’s own home, care homes, and palliative care environments. Challenging behavior, the importance of care workers’ being attentive to their own needs, and legal principles are also covered in this practical handbook for dementia support workers.   Target Group: Dementia support workers, geriatric nurses, activity and enrichment specialists, nursing assistants/direct care workers

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        Technology, Engineering & Agriculture
        December 2021

        Conservation Agriculture in Africa

        Climate Smart Agricultural Development

        by Saidi Mkomwa, Amir H Kassam

        Tillage agriculture has led to wide-spread soil and ecosystem degradation globally, and more particularly in the developing regions. This is especially so in Africa where traditional agricultural practices have become unsustainable due to severe exploitation of natural resources with negative impacts on the environment. In addition, agriculture in Africa today faces major challenges including increased costs, climate change effects and a need for more sustainable production intensification methods. Conservation (no-tillage) agriculture has emerged as a major alternative sustainable agriculture practice in Africa and has spread to many African countries in the past decade as more development and research has enabled its extension and uptake. This landmark volume is based on the material presented at the Second Africa Congress on Conservation Agriculture which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, 9-12 October 2018. The main theme of the Congress was: Making Climate Smart Agriculture Real in Africa with Conservation Agriculture: Supporting the Malabo Declaration and Agenda 2063. The Congress was aligned to mobilize stakeholders in all agriculture sectors to provide development support, impetus and direction to the vision and agenda for transforming African agriculture as set out by the Malabo Declaration and Agenda 2063. This book is aimed at all agricultural stakeholders in the public, private and civil sectors in Africa engaged in supporting the transformation of conventional tillage agriculture to Conservation Agriculture. This includes: researchers, academics, students, development stakeholders and policy makers as well as institutional libraries across the world.

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        Rural communities
        September 2007

        Sustainable Poverty Reduction in Less Favoured Areas

        by Edited by Ruerd Ruben, John Pender, Arie Kuyvenhoven

        Less-favoured areas with limited agricultural potential or difficult access conditions, support 40 percent of the world's rural population suffering from chronic poverty. While agricultural innovations and rural development programs have begun to be implemented within developing countries, they do not address the specific obstacles faced by this large population. Instead, a targeted approach is needed to identify different resource management strategies for particular types of households and communities as well as creating balanced investments aimed at sustainable intensification of rural livelihoods. Such efforts have been the focus of the research program on Regional Food Security Policies for Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Economies (RESPONSE). Through the study of less-favoured areas in Africa, Latin America, and South and East Asia, development pathways allowing for the careful adjustment of resource use strategies at the field, farm-household and village level are explored.

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