Environment And Health In Sub Saharan Africa Managing An Emerging Crisis

This book is the second edited compilation of selected, refereed papers submitted to ERTEP 2007. The book is organized into 10 chapters along four of the key themes that were discussed at the conference: Environmental Health Management; Mining and Environment; Environmental Monitoring and Policy Development; and Susta- ability and Social Responsibility. It is hoped that the contents of the book will p- vide an insight into some of the environmental and health management challenges confronting the developing world and the steps being taken to address them. The ?rst three chapters under the Environmental Health and Management theme discusses issues related to food security and related environmental distress in sub- Saharan Africa. Chapter 1 argues that pervasive poverty and low agricultural p- ductivity are important factors in understanding food insecurity in the region, and broader global processes are examined. This chapter maintains that while poverty undermines individual and household access to suf?cient food through market p- chase, land inequalities, corruption, structural adjustment programs, civil con?ict, HIV/AIDS and the role of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Agric- ture are decisive. The authors argue that achieving food security in sub-Saharan Africa requires policies and actions that are integrated with efforts to reduce poverty, enhance livelihoods and incomes and increase agricultural output, while also paying attention to underlying structural factors that bear on agriculture in the region.

3. Investing in people.

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing increasing pressures on its natural environments, economics, and societies. Financial burdens, difficulties with economic reform, problems of social transformation and of rapidly growing cities, combined with loss of productive topsoil, deforestation, and scarce or poor-quality fresh water, are among the major contributors. While global climatic change and other physical phenomena may play a part, the present environment is largely a result of the interactions between people, natural resources, and cultural development. This book focuses on sustainable environmental and resource management development in the Sub-Saharan Africa region in the medium-term future. The first part analyses the driving force of environmental change in the region, including persistent poverty, population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and energy production and consumption. The second part takes up issues central to sustainability, including agriculture, on which the majority of people still depend for their livelihood. Among the conclusions, the authors stress the need for policies aimed at poverty eradication and equitable economic development to counter unsustainable use of natural resources and to reduce vulnerability to environmental deterioration, economic decline, and hazards. Much greater cooperation between the North and South--and a more open system or trade in particular--are recommended for better resource management. And finally, a strengthening of environmental institutions and environmental education at all levels is advised.

This volume deals with crisis and renewal in African development policy and management. It digs deep into, takes stock of, and thoroughly analyzes the nature, impact, and future of development policy and management on the continent. It demonstrates the failure of post-independence policy and management in most of Africa, traces the emergence and results of reform measures, and advocates the lessons of success for the rest of Africa derived from Botswana’s approach to sustainable development and its achievement of economic prosperity and the maintenance of political stability and good governance. It concludes, rather optimistically, that the prospects for sustainable development are much better now than they have ever been before with the 21st century likely to be hailed as ‘The African Century’ – bringing with it a durable peace and sustainable growth.

Emerging Africa describes the too-often-overlooked positive changes that have taken place in much of Africa since the mid-1990s. In 17 countries, five fundamental and sustained breakthroughs are making old assumptions increasingly untenable: - The rise of democracy brought on by the end of the Cold War and apartheid - Stronger economic management - The end of the debt crisis and a more constructive relationship with the international community - The introduction of new technologies, especially mobile phones and the Internet - The emergence of a new generation of leaders. With these significant changes, the countries of emerging Africa seem poised to lead the continent out of the conflict, stagnation, and dictatorships of the past. The countries discussed in the book are Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Mali Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Principe, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

Intercultural Crisis Communication poses pertinent questions and provides powerful responses to crises that have characterised the modern world since 2010. Language mediation in situations of disaster, emergency and conflict is an under-developed area of scholarship in Translation Studies. This book responds to a clear need for research drawn from practical experiences in the field and explores the crucial role of translation, interpretation and mediation in contexts of crises. Particular consideration is given to situations where rare or minority languages represent a substantial obstacle to humanitarian operations. Contemporary case studies from the USA, Africa, Europe, and Armenia provide major examples of crisis communication that call for more efficient language mediation. Such examples include Syrian displacement, the refugee crisis in Croatia and Italy, international terrorism and national public administration, interpreting in conflict and for Médecins sans Frontières, as well as the integration of refugee doctors for employment in the UK. With contributions from experts in the field, this volume is of international relevance and provides a multifaceted overview of intercultural communication issues and remedies during crises.

This textbook provides readers with the fundamentals and the intent of environmental regulations so that compliance can be greatly improved and streamlined. Through numerous examples and case studies, it explains concepts from how environmental laws are applied and work to why pollution prevention and sustainability are critical for the future of all life on Earth. It is organized to accommodate different needs of students with different backgrounds and career choices. It is also useful for site safety and environmental managers, researchers, technicians, and other young professionals with a desire to apply environmental regulations and sustainability measures to their facilities and stay up to date on recently changed regulations. FEATURES Introduces students to issues of global environmental and sustainability challenges and policy Explains the science behind issues such as climate change, how environmental policy is made at the national and international levels, and what role politics play in determining environmental resource use Focuses on fundamental principles that are applicable in all nations and legal contexts Addresses the planet as one biosphere and briefly discusses environmental laws and regulations of more than 50 countries Provides numerous case studies that demonstrate major concepts and themes, examples, questions, and exercises to strengthen understanding and promote critical thinking, discussion, and debate This book will benefit students in advanced undergraduate and graduate programs in environmental sciences and environmental engineering. It will also be of use to new practitioners who are entering the field of environmental management and need an introduction to environmental regulations.