New Book: Planning for the Planet: How Socialism Could Save the Environment By Pete Dickenson

Planning for the Planet: How Socialism Could Save the Environment By Pete Dickenson

Publisher: Socialist Publications Ltd
Published: 31 March 2012
Format: Paperback 154 pages
ISBN 13: 9781870958424 ISBN 10: 187095842X

Description 
This book explains how and why capitalism has failed to tackle global warming.The quest for profit and the tendency of competition to degrade the environment means that only a democratically planned socialist society can solve global warming.

For more information: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/books/thatbookframe.htm?bkno=356

Read More

New Book: Feminization of Environment by Md. Reazul Haque

<>Feminization of Environment

Is the National Water Policy Bangladesh - 1998 Gender Sensitive?

LAP Lambert Academic Publishing ( 2012-03-15 )

Book Details:

<><> <>

ISBN-13:	978-3-8484-3625-5
ISBN-10:	3848436256
EAN:	9783848436255
Book language:	English
Blurb/Shorttext:	Environment and women are linked like a chain to each other. Development of one can certainly be the reason of upholding the situation of the other and vis-à-vis. In the arena of water women play a key role of associating the water with the human world. Hence, we need to understand the dynamics of the inner affiliation between women and water. Accordingly, this research examined the gender sensitivity of the National Water Policy Bangladesh, 1998. The underlined causation of the research was to figure out whether the National Water Policy is gender sensitive or not so that, a more gender sensitive Water Policy framework for formulation and implementation could be recommended for future reference which can foster women empowerment in the long run. The research has been done upon the theoretical foundation of liberal feminism using the theories of ‘Strategic Gender Interests’ by Molyneux and ‘Feminist Environmentalism’ by Bina Agarwal and the theory of ‘Redistribution and Recognition’ by Nancy Fraser. The outcome has shown that, in Bangladesh, the framed Water Policy was not generated in gender sensitive manner and there are evident flaws in implementation of the policy.
By (author) :	Ruhun Wasata Md. Reazul Haque
Number of pages:	108
Published at:	2012-03-15
For more information :	https://www.lap-publishing.com/catalog/details/store/gb/book/978-3-8484-3625-5/feminization-of-environment

Read More

New Book: The Natural City: Re-envisioning the Built Environment by Ingrid Leman Stefanovic and Stephen Bede Scharper

The Natural City: Re-envisioning the Built Environment

%

Weight	0.00 lbs
Edited by Ingrid Leman Stefanovic and Stephen Bede Scharper
University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division © 2011
World Rights
356 Pages 12 Images Description Urban and natural environments are often viewed as entirely separate entities — human settlements as the domain of architects and planners, and natural areas as untouched wilderness. This dichotomy continues to drive decision-making in subtle ways, but with the mounting pressures of global climate change and declining biodiversity, it is no longer viable. New technologies are promising to provide renewable energy sources and greener designs, but real change will require a deeper shift in values, attitudes, and perceptions. A timely and important collection, The Natural City explores how to integrate the natural environment into healthy urban centres from philosophical, religious, socio-political, and planning perspectives. Recognizing the need to better link the humanities with public policy, The Natural City offers unique insights for the development of an alternative vision of urban life. For more information: http://www.utppublishing.com/The-Natural-City-Re-envisioning-the-Built-Environment.html

Read More

Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence

Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence

 

Five Experience Sharing seminars of different themes will be organized between April and May in order to provide an in-depth understanding of HKAEE to different organizations so that they can make sufficient preparations before they joint the HKAEE. Guest speakers from different winning organizations will share their successes and experience in implementing environmental management in the seminars, which definitely provide wide-angle methodologies and strategies in running environmental management in different companies. In order to encourage active attendance, each participant of the seminar will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance. In addition, several past winning organizations will display their themed booths on the seminar venue. Participants can gain more information about HKAEE and practical insights into environmental management.

Date:	20 April 2012 (Theme: Environmental Tips: Energy Conservation Showcases) 27 April 2012 (Theme: First-Class Environmental Management: A Key to become a Green Corporation) 11 May 2012 (Theme: Partnership for Environmental Excellence) 18 May 2012 (Theme: Using Better Environmental Strategies to Improve Your Business) 25 May 2012 (Theme: Green Innovations to Create Corporate Competitiveness)
Time:	2:30pm - 5:30pm (registration at 2:15 pm)
Venue:	Conference Hall, 4/F, HKPC Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon (Kowloon Tong MTR Station Exit C1)
Fee:	Free-of-charge
Language:	Cantonese (Some speakers may present in English and Mandarin. No simultaneous interpretation service available)
Enquiries:	HKAEE Hotline (Tel: 2788 5903) / Ms. Wan (Tel: 2788 5621)

For more information: http://www.hkaee.org.hk/questcms/main/main.php?obj=266&lg=en&theme=default&ci=&ii=&kw=&page=1

Read More

SEARC Seminar: Developing bureaucracies for environmental governance: at the interface of state authority and World Bank conditionality in Laos by Dr Sarinda Singh on 30 April 2012 (Monday)

Southeast Asia Research Centre
presents a research-in-progress seminar on

Developing bureaucracies for environmental governance:
at the interface of state authority and
World Bank conditionality in Laos

Date: 30 April 2012 (Monday)
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Venue: Y7302, 7/F, Yellow Zone, AC 1, City University of Hong Kong

Dr Sarinda Singh, School of Social Science,
University of Queensland, Australia

For more informations: http://www6.cityu.edu.hk/searc/Poster_seminar_Sarinda_30Apr12.pdf

Read More

New Publication: Global Environmental Commons: Analytical and Political Challenges in Building Governance Mechanisms

Global Environmental Commons: Analytical and Political Challenges in Building Governance Mechanisms

Edited by Eric Brousseau (eric@brousseau.info), Tom Dedeurwaerdere, Pierre-André Jouvet and Marc Willinger in OUP Catalogue from Oxford University Press

Abstract: Environmental challenges, and the potential solutions to address them, have a direct effect on living standards, the organization of economies, major infrastructures, and modes of urbanization. Since the publication of path-breaking contributions on the governance of environmental resources in the early 1990s, many political initiatives have been taken, numerous governance experiments have been conducted, and a large multi-disciplinary field of research has opened up. This interdisciplinary book takes stock of the knowledge that has accumulated to date, and addresses new challenges in the provision of environmental goods. It focuses on three essential dimensions with respect to governance. First, it addresses the issue of designing governance solutions through analyzing systems of rules, and levels of organization, in the governance and management of environmental issues. Second, it draws renewed attention to the negotiation processes among stakeholders playing a crucial role in reaching agreements over issues and solutions, and in choosing and implementing particular policy instruments. Finally, it shows that compliance depends on a combination of formal rules, enforced by recognized authorities, and informal obligations, such as social and individual norms. The evolution of the research frontiers on environmental governance shows that more legitimate and informed processes of collective decision, and more subtle and effective ways of managing compliance, can contribute to more effective policy. However, this book also illustrates that more democratic and effective governance should rely on more direct and pluralistic forms of involvement of citizens and stakeholders in the collective decision making processes Contributors to this volume - Thierry Brechet, Universite Catholique de Louvain, Belgium Eric Brousseau, Paris-Dauphine University and the European University Institute, Florence, Italy Graciela Chichilnisky, Columbia University, New York, USA Tom Dedeurwaerdere, Universite Catholique de Louvain, Belgium Denny Ellerman, European University Institute, Florence, Italy Johan Eyckmans, Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel (HUB), Belgium Michael Faure, Maastricht University, The Netherlands Rupert Gatti, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, UK Timo Goeschl, University of Heidelberg, Germany Ben Groom, SOAS, University of London, UK Hiroe Ishihara, University of Cambridge, UK Pierre-Andre Jouvet, Universite de Paris Ouest- Nanterre, France Gary Libecap, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA Paulo A. L. D. Nunes, Universite Catholique de Louvain, Belgium Laura Onofri, University of Venice, Ca'Foscari, Italy Elinor Ostrom, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA Unai Pascual, University of Cambridge, UK Charles Perrings, Arizona State University, USA Andries Richter, Wageningen University, The Netherlands Daan Van Soest, Tilburg University, The Netherlands Timothy Swanson, University College London, UK Arild Vatn, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), Norway Marc Willinger, University of Montpellier I, France Oran Young, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA

Date: 2012
ISBN: 9780199656202
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations Track citations by RSS feed

Full Text: Download

For more information: http://econpapers.repec.org/bookchap/oxpobooks/9780199656202.htm

Read More

New Book: Facing Catastrophe: Environmental Action for a Post-Katrina World By Robert R. M. Verchick

Facing Catastrophe: Environmental Action for a Post-Katrina World By Robert R. M. Verchick

Publisher: HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Published: 03 April 2012
Format: Paperback 336 pages
ISBN 13: 9780674064256 ISBN 10: 0674064259

As Hurricane Katrina vividly revealed, disaster policy in the United States is broken and needs reform. What can we learn from past disasters—storms, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and wildfires—about preparing for and responding to future catastrophes? How can these lessons be applied in a future threatened by climate change?

In this bold contribution to environmental law, Robert Verchick argues for a new perspective on disaster law that is based on the principles of environmental protection. His prescription boils down to three simple commands: Go Green, Be Fair, and Keep Safe. “Going green” means minimizing exposure to hazards by preserving natural buffers and integrating those buffers into artificial systems like levees or seawalls. “Being fair” means looking after public health, safety, and the environment without increasing personal and social vulnerabilities. “Keeping safe” means a more cautionary approach when confronting disaster risks.

Verchick argues that government must assume a stronger regulatory role in managing natural infrastructure, distributional fairness, and public risk. He proposes changes to the federal statutes governing environmental impact assessments, wetlands development, air emissions, and flood control, among others. Making a strong case for more transparent governmental decision-making, Verchick offers a new vision of disaster law for the next generation.

For more information: http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?recid=31853

Read More

New Book: Comparative Environmental Politics: Theory, Practice, and Prospects by Paul F. Steinberg and Stacy D. VanDeVeer

Comparative Environmental Politics: Theory, Practice, and Prospects by Paul F. Steinberg and Stacy D. VanDeVeer

Publisher: MIT Press
Published: 09 March 2012
Format: Paperback 424 pages
ISBN 13: 9780262693684 ISBN 10: 0262693682



Description
How do different societies respond politically to environmental problems around the globe? Answering this question requires systematic, cross-national comparisons of political institutions, regulatory styles, and state-society relations. The field of comparative environmental politics approaches this task by bringing the theoretical tools of comparative politics to bear on the substantive concerns of environmental policy. This book outlines a comparative environmental politics framework and applies it to concrete, real-world problems of politics and environmental management.

After a comprehensive review of the literature exploring domestic environmental politics around the world, the book provides a sample of major currents within the field, showing how environmental politics intersects with such topics as the greening of the state, the rise of social movements and green parties, European Union expansion, corporate social responsibility, federalism, political instability, management of local commons, and policymaking under democratic and authoritarian regimes. It offers fresh insights into environmental problems ranging from climate change to water scarcity and the disappearance of tropical forests, and it examines actions by state and nonstate actors at levels from the local to the continental. The book will help scholars and policymakers make sense of how environmental issues and politics are connected around the globe, and is ideal for use in upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses.


For more information: http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=12786

Read More

New Book: Urban Local Government and Environmental Management in Bangladesh By Mohammad Shahjahan Chowdhury and Purnendu Dev

Urban Local Government and Environmental Management in Bangladesh By Mohammad Shahjahan Chowdhury and  Purnendu Dev

Publisher: Lap Lambert Academic Publishing AG & Co Kg
Published: 12 March 2012
Format: Paperback 80 pages
ISBN 13: 9783848423309 ISBN 10: 3848423308


Full description for Urban Local Government and Environmental Management in Bangladesh
This book was an attempt to identify the role of urban local government in environmental management in Bangladesh. It also identified the problems of managing the environment and critical areas where improvements are needed. The book will be useful for those who are involved and interested in improving local government role in environmental development. The services rendered by the Paurashava, an urban local government authority, ensure a clean and healthy environment. But mismanagement of these services lead to a dreadful life and a threat to the environment. Urban local governments are the front line organizations, which deal with all types of social, political, economic and environmental problems, and they should devise more effective ways to ensure healthy environment. Increased level of management capacity of every Paurashava is a must to that end. The Paurashava requires proper management, Utilization of local resources, people oriented leadership and participation of people alongside development of the elements of the management of the Paurashavas.


For more information: http://www.bookdepository.com/Urban-Local-Government-Environmental-Management-Bangladesh-Mohammad-Shahjahan-Chowdhury/9783848423309

Read More

Workshop on 'Asian Environments: Governing Nature, Negotiating Knowledge, Constructing Subjectivities', 30.11.2012 – 02.12.2012

Asian Environments: Governing Nature, Negotiating Knowledge, Constructing Subjectivities

Workshop

30.11.2012 – 02.12.2012         

Location: Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society (RCC), Munich, Germany

Conveners: Ursula Münster (LMU Munich / RCC), Shiho Satsuka (University of Toronto / RCC), and Gunnel Cederlöf (Uppsala University)

Call for Papers - Invitation only (pdf, 299 KB)

Reflecting on the dynamic changes in environmental governance in Asia and its importance in the global context, the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society will host a two-day interdisciplinary workshop. The workshop aims to address in a comparative fashion how people in Asia have experienced changing forms of environmental governance in various places and at different historical periods. It will inquire into how they have negotiated and articulated modes of environmental knowledge and how their struggle and engagement with changing forms of nature management and competing knowledge systems have informed the construction of their subjectivities.

The workshop will bring together researchers from different disciplines and diverse sub-regional expertise and foster an engaging discussion and exchange of ideas. Through interdisciplinary dialogue, it aims to address both the commonality and diversity of historical trajectories that inform current environmental issues in Asia. The discussions will situate the Asian experiences and histories in a global context and explore how changing global power relations influence environmental governance in the region and, in turn, the global implications of the study of Asia.

Guiding themes for discussion:

- Formation of governance structures for managing human-nature relations in specific locations and at national and transnational levels.

- Expected and unforeseen transformations of landscapes and livelihood due to governmental and transnational policies—industrial and agrarian in relation to environmental.

- Subject formation both as a consequence of and in opposition to transformations in nature and the deterioration of particular landscapes.

- The expression, assertion, and utilization of different, sometimes competing forms of knowledge about human-nature relations.

- The challenge of reconceptualizing human-nature relations in the present while acknowledging the past.

For more information: http://www.carsoncenter.uni-muenchen.de/events_conf_seminars/calendar/ws_asianenv/index.html

Read More

The Laozi as Environmental Ethics and Aesthetics

Prof. Charles Kwong 鄺龑子教授

Department of Chinese, Lingnan University

Date: 26 April 2012 (Thursday)
Time: 3:30 – 5:30p.m.
Venue: B4-LP-07

Language: English

Source: http://www.ied.edu.hk/chi/?p=2717

Read More

New Publication: Effective environmental protection in the context of government decentralization

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS AND ECONOMIC POLICY
Volume 9, Number 1, 53-82, DOI: 10.1007/s10368-011-0178-z
ORIGINAL PAPER
Effective environmental protection in the context of government decentralization
ZhongXiang Zhang

Abstract

China has shifted control over resources and decision making to local governments and enterprises as the result of the economic reforms over the past three decades. This devolution of decision-making to local levels and enterprises has placed environmental stewardship in the hands of local officials and polluting enterprises who are more concerned with economic growth and profits than the environment. Therefore, effective environmental protection needs their full cooperation. Against this background, this paper discusses a variety of tactics that China’s central government has been using to incentivize local governments, and a number of market-based instruments, supporting economic policies, environmental performance ratings and disclosure and cooperation with financial institutions to promote long-lasting, improved corporate energy-saving and environmental performance. It concludes that there is a clear need to carefully examine those objective and subjective factors that lead to the lack of local official’s cooperation on the environment, and provides some suggestions for appropriated incentives to get their cooperation.

For more information: http://www.springerlink.com/content/c866q7q2p702422r/

Read More

Low Carbon Energy Future – Good news, Bad news and the Best route forward, 2 May 2012

Low Carbon Energy Future – Good news, Bad news and the Best route forward

DATE: 2 May 2012 

With CO2 emissions at record highs and demand for energy surging, the International Energy Agency has warned that dangerous climate change will be “locked in” by 2017. Dr Julia King, the UK’s Low Carbon Business Ambassador, will present the latest news on the urgency of de-carbonizing energy production and consumption. A panel of experts will then offer commentary on whether Asia, and China in particular, can rise to the challenge of clean energy — in time.



This event is co-organized by Business Environment Council, Civic Exchange and Climate Change Business Forum.

Agenda
10.30am Registration
11.00am Welcome & Introduction
11.05am Keynote: Low Carbon Energy Future
11.45am Panel: Asian Perspective
12.15pm Q&A
12.45pm Close

For more information: http://www.civic-exchange.org/wp/120502carbonfuture/

Read More

Symposium on Safety Management and Emergency Responses to a Serious Nuclear Accident, 24 April 2012

Symposium on Safety Management and Emergency Responses to a Serious Nuclear Accident

DATE: 24 Apr 2012 

The nuclear power plant accident occurred at Fukushima last year has highlighted the importance of safety management and emergency responses to a serious nuclear accident.  The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and City University of Hong Kong are co-hosting a symposium to discuss safety management and emergency responses to a serious nuclear accident upon nuclear plant accidents. Officials from Security Bureau, Hong Kong Observatory, Water Supplies Department, and Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will be there to share their views. Civic Exchange is supporting the captioned event.






Details:
Date: Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Time: 14:30 to 18:00
Venue: Peter Ho Lecture Theatre (LT-10), Academic 1 Building, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon.

Registration: Fee: Free of charge
Deadline: 23 April, 2012
Please register by filling in the REGISTRATION FORM and then send by email to: nuclear@ne.hkie.org.hk


Programme:
12.30pm: Opening Speech by Ir Dr B.L. Luk, Chairman of HKIE Nuclear Division
12.40m: Welcome Speech by Guest of Honour
15.00pm: Daya Bay Contingency Plan; by Mr David Wong, Contingency Plan Director, Security Bureau, HKSAR Government
15.30pm: Hong Kong Observatory’s Emergency Response Activities for the Fukushima Nuclear Accident; by Mr MA Wai Man, Senior Scientific Officer, Emergency Preparedness Division, Hong Kong Observatory
16.20pm: Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Radiation Monitoring for Water Supplies in Hong Kong under the Daya Bay Contingency Plan; by Dr. LK LAM, Chemist, Water Supplies Department
16.50pm: Ingestion Counter Measures under the Daya Bay Contingency Plan Related to Centre for Food Safety; by Mr. MO Kwong Tak, Superintendent (Emergency Response), Centre for Food Safety, Food and
nvironmental Hygiene Department
17.20pm: Discussion Forum

For more information: http://www.civic-exchange.org/wp/120424nuclearforum/

Read More

Local Seminar on EIA for Sustainable and Quality Living, 17 April, 2012

EIA for Sustainable and Quality Living

Introduction

The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Environmental Division Annual Seminar
Date:17 Apr 2012
Time: 08:45 - 17:30
Theatre II, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
1 Expo Drive, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Event Rationale:

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) identifies the potential impacts of plans, programmes, projects or strategic policies in the early planning stages. This includes evaluation of alternatives or mitigation measures.  With stakeholder engagement, EIA has been widely adopted in many developed cities like Hong Kong as a valuable tool to integrate environmental considerations into relevant perspectives of plans, programmes, projects, or strategic policies at the early stage.  Through this, we will move towards a more sustainable path of development and build a quality living environment.

In this context, the HKIE Environmental Division has organized an Annual Seminar with the theme of “Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable and Quality Living” aims to provide a platform for practising engineers, academics, managers and other professionals to share their valuable experience, views and know-how to adopt workable EIA on building a sustainable future and quality living .

More information, including contact information, registration form, event fees and detailed programme at event websites:http://ev.hkie.org.hk/en_it_events_inside_Upcoming.aspx?EventID=383&&TypeName=Events+/+Activities

Read More

World Economics Association Sustainability Conference 2012

Conference call 

Sustainability has many dimensions and we welcome contributions in the following areas, though others will be considered if the papers warrant them. We also welcome contributions from many countries as this would help an analysis of the comparative situation and of different perspectives on ecological issues.

• Cost benefit analysis on the usage of alternative sources of energy
• Sustainable firms and business
• Law, economics and ecology
• Global sustainable policies
• Strategies for building sustainable cities
• Ecology issues and policies in different countries

All submissions will be screened for relevance and suitability of content, after which they will be posted on this website for debate. The debate will take the form of an extended, text-based, online exchange and commentary over a period of four weeks, after which the papers and comments will be lodged within the WEA archives. We aim to publish conference proceedings or book volume if the contributions warrant it.

All WEA members interested in these issues are encouraged to register and participate in the conference. The participation can be as author of a paper, commentator, or attendee.

Conference Details

Organised by:
World Economic Association

Conference timetable:
Deadline for submission of papers 28th May
Discussion Forum period 18^th June- 15^th July

Contact Details:

Dr. Rita Yi Man Li
Hong Kong Shue Yan University

ritarec1@yahoo.com.hk

Location of Conference:

Online

For more information: http://sustainabilityconference2012.worldeconomicsassociation.org/

Read More

SGBC-DLS Seminar: Enhancing Green, Enhancing Productivity, 14 April 2012

SGBC-DLS Seminar: Enhancing Green, Enhancing Productivity

Date: Saturday, 14 April 2012
Time: 8.30am to 12.30pm
Venue: Grand Ballroom (Level5), Furama City Centre
60 Eu Tong Sen Street
Singapore 059804
Fee (Nett): S$80.00 / S$60.00 (SGBC Corporate Members) / S$30.00 (Students)
CPD: BOA-SIA, PEB, SISV, SPM pending

SGBC and DLS are pleased to jointly invite you to attend the seminar by our distinguished speakers to share their expertise and knowledge.

The seminar will explore the linkage between productivity and sustainability through 3 points of view – the public, private and education institution sectors, and how both could be achieved simultaneously in the development of the building and construction industries.

Download the registration form here: SGBC-DLS_Seminar_2012-Final.pdf

Read More

[China Updates] 2012 National Teleconference on Special Environmental Protection Campaigns on Cracking down the Enterprises with Environmental Infringements and Safeguarding Public Health Held in Beijing

2012 National Teleconference on Special Environmental Protection Campaigns on Cracking down the Enterprises with Environmental Infringements and Safeguarding Public Health Held in Beijing

"Ministry of Environmental Protection, NDRC, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Supervision, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, State Administration for Industry and Commerce, State Administration of Work Safety and State Electricity Regulatory Commission (hereinafter referred to as the nine departments of the State Council) jointly held a teleconference in Beijing on March 20 to make arrangements for 2012 national special environmental protection campaigns on cracking down the enterprises that discharge pollutants against the law and ensuring public health. MEP Minister Zhou Shengxian on behalf of the nine departments of the State Council presented the mobilization speech. He pointed out that we should take strong measures to address preeminent environmental problems affecting public health and sustainable development such as heavy metals pollution and safeguard public environmental rights and interests and social harmony and stability. "......

For full text: http://english.mep.gov.cn/News_service/infocus/201203/t20120329_225403.htm

Read More

[China Updates]Global Effort to Fight Environmental Crime Takes Shape

Global Effort to Fight Environmental Crime Takes Shape
2012-04-01 
For the first time, heads of environmental, biodiversity and natural resources agencies from across the world have met with heads of law enforcement agencies to craft a global compliance and enforcement strategy for environmental security.

Convened this week by Interpol and the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Chiefs of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Summit drew some 230 delegates from 70 countries to Interpol headquarters in Lyon.

The three-day summit concluded Thursday with an agreement to focus on key environmental crime issues - fisheries, forestry, pollution and wildlife crime, as well as violence, money laundering and tax evasion.

Bernd Rossbach, Interpol's acting executive director of Police Services, said evidence that environmental crime is connected to other forms of serious and organized crime is increasing.

"Interpol has helped to ensure that environment crime has become more mainstream and recognized for what it is, a form of serious, organized and often transnational crime," said Rossbach.

The international police force says the same routes used to smuggle wildlife across countries and continents are often used to smuggle weapons, drugs and people. Environmental crime often occurs hand in hand with other offenses such as passport fraud, corruption, money laundering and murder.

"Interpol has advocated the need for intelligence-led enforcement," Rossbach told summit participants. "This is a response we are familiar with in tackling other forms of crime, but when it comes to the environment, the need for crime prevention is imperative."

For more information: http://english.mep.gov.cn/News_service/media_news/201204/t20120401_225620.htm

Read More

7th China International Recycling Conference & Exhibition 2012

Event Type: Conference/Seminar
Date: May 15-17, 2012
Venue: The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel Beijing
Location: Beijing, China
Hosted by: CRRA
Organized by: Beijing Zhongzaixinghuan Consultation Co., Ltd.


As the 7th annual conference of China CRRA, China International Recycling Conference & Exhibition is one of the best and largest communication platforms in the recycling world. The conference has successfully attracted more than three thousand participants of experts, researchers, and companies in the recycling industry, domestic and overseas. It has already become an international platform for multi-scrap recycling and market extending. Conference highlights: 1. A close look at the policy and current trend of Chinese scrap recycling market. 2. Concentration of about 200 to 300 buyers from domestic marketplace. 3. Communication and trade with international participants.

For more information: Application From for China International Recycling Conference & Exhibition 2012

Read More

Inaugural AsiaEngage Event – Regional Conference on Higher Education-Industry-Community Engagement in Asia. Forging Meaningful Partnerships

The Regional Conference on Higher Education-Community-Industry Engagement: Forging Meaningful Partnerships across ASEAN & Asia that will take place at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM or The National University of Malaysia) on the 7th to 9th May 2012.

This Conference aims to bring together diverse practitioners from academia, industries, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations who are passionate about university-community-industry engagement for regional development.

The Conference is organized by AsiaEngage, a brand name created to maximize the strengths of the Asia-Talloires Network of Industry and Community Engaged Universities (ATNEU), the ASEAN University Network (AUN) Thematic Network on University Social Responsibility and Sustainability (AUN-USR&S) and the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Programme (AYVP).  Both these networks and programme leverage on exchange of expertise, knowledge and experience in community engagement to benefit communities across ASEAN and Asia. Initiated and driven by UKM through its Office of Industry and Community Partnerships (Hal Ehwal Jaringan Industri dan Masyarakat or HEJIM) and supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), AsiaEngage is the regional community-industry engagement brand of ATNEU, AUN USR&S, AYVP and its member-universities.

Website: http://conference2012.asiaengage.org/

Read More

New publication: From Rio to Rio and Beyond Innovation in Global Environmental Governance

From Rio to Rio and Beyond
Innovation in Global Environmental Governance

Liliana B. Andonova
Matthew J. Hoffmann

Abstract
The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro unleashed new energy in environmental governance, engaging actors beyond the state and across scales, from local to global, from communities to large transnational networks. In this paper we argue that this expanded pluralism has contributed to a remarkable array of governance experimentation and innovations for the environment. The impact and legacy of Rio thus goes far beyond the formal agreements that emerged in 1992. We explore why Rio had this effect by examining the context within which Rio took place and the dynamics that it served to catalyze. We close by discussing the need to generate processes that lead to coordinated innovations. Such a reorganization of the global governance space could start a new legacy of collective wondering and multiple pathways to a greener future.

For more information: http://jed.sagepub.com/content/21/1/57.abstract

Read More

Asia Clean Energy Forum 2012, 4 to 8 June 2012

Asia Clean Energy Forum 2012

Date: 4 to 8 June 2012
Venue: Mandaluyong, Manila, Philippines
Website: http://www.asiacleanenergyforum.org/
Organized by: Asian Development Bank

Organized jointly by ADB and USAID since 2006, the Forum enables participants to share practical knowledge about what works in the key areas of energy access, clean energy technology, policy and regulation, and finance.

Read More

International Environment and Health Conference (IEHC2012),6 to 7 June 2012

International Environment and Health Conference (IEHC2012)

Date: 6 to 7 June 2012
Venue: Penang, Malaysia

This conference aims to gather all environment and health scientists, policy makers and academicians to pursue their ideas and research findings regarding environmental problems

Website :http://www.ppsk.usm.my/conference/ehc12.nsf/
Contact name: Rapeah Suppian
Organized by: Universiti Sains Malaysia

Read More

New Book: Politics and the Environment: From Theory to Practice (Environmental Politics)

Politics and the Environment: From Theory to Practice (Environmental Politics) 
By James Connelly, Graham Smith,  David Benson, Clare Saunders

Publisher: ROUTLEDGE
Published: 15 March 2012
Format: Paperback 440 pages
ISBN 13: 9780415572125 ISBN 10: 0415572126 Sales rank: 1,055,558

Politics and the Environment has established itself as one of the most comprehensive textbooks in this area. This new edition has been completely revised and updated whilst retaining the features and the theory-to-practice focus which made the first two editions so successful. This text is designed to introduce students to the key concepts and issues which surround environmental problems and their political solutions. The authors investigate the people, movements and organisations that form and implement these policies, and explore the barriers which hinder successful introduction of international environmental politics. The 3rd edition has been expanded to include: The shift in focus in environmental politics from sustainable development to climate change governance An extensive discussion on climate change: including institutional, national and global responses in the aftermath of the Kyoto protocol An increased international focus with more case studies from the UK, Europe, Australia and North America More discussion of global environmental social movements: including the US environmental organisations, in particular the Green Party and the environmental justice groups This textbook is an invaluable and accessible resource for undergraduates studying environmental politics.

For more information: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415572125/

Read More

2012 2nd Journal Conference on Environmental Science and Development (JCESD 2012 2nd), 2 to 3 June 2012

Date: 2 to 3 June 2012
Venue: Hong Kong
Website: http://www.ijesd.org/jcesd/2nd/
Contact name: Journal Secretary
Organized by: CBEES
















General Information
2012 2nd Journal Conference on Environmental Science and Development (JCESD 2012 2nd) aims to provide a forum for researchers, pactitioners, and professinals from the industry, academia and government to discourse on research and development, professional practice in environmental science and development. JCESD 2012 1st will be held in Hong Kong During June 2-3, 2012. It is one of the leading international conferences for presenting novel and fundamental advances in the fields of environmental science and development. It also serves to foster communication among researchers and practitioners working in a wide variety of scientific areas with a common interest in improving environmental science and development related techniques.

Read More