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This book presents the history of, and current approaches to, farmer-breeder collaboration in plant breeding, situating this work in the context of sustainable food systems, as well as national and international policy and law regimes.Plant breeding is essential to food production, climate-change adaptation and sustainable development. This book brings together experienced practitioners and researchers involved in collaborative breeding programmes across a diversity of crops and agro-ecologies around the world. Case studies include collaborative sorghum and pearl millet breeding for water-stressed environments in West Africa, participatory rice breeding for intensive rice farming in the Mekong Delta, and evolutionary participatory quinoa breeding for organic agriculture in North America. While outlining the challenges, the volume also highlights the positive impacts, such as yield increases, farmers'empowerment in the innovation and development processes, contributions to maintenance of crop genetic diversity and adaptation to climate change. This collection offers a range of perspectives on enabling conditions for farmer–breeder collaboration in plant breeding in relation to biodiversity agreements such as the Plant Treaty, trade agreements and related intellectual property rights (IPR) regimes, and national seed policies and laws.Relevant to a wide audience, including practitioners with experience in plant breeding and management of crop genetic resources and those with a broader interest in agriculture and development, as well as students of international cooperation and development, this volume is a timely addition to the literature.

The existential environmental crisis prompted the United Nations to formulate the Millennium Development Goals at the turn of the 21st century in order to embark on an era of sustainable development. The progress and deficiencies in achieving the Millennium Development Goals provided impetus to the intelligentsia and policymakers to map out the pertinent goals for a sustainable growth trajectory for humanity and the planet. The United Nations'2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted in September 2015, took the shape of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets. In effect, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals focus on protecting the earth's life support systems for intra- and inter-generational equity and for development that is rooted in sustainability science. Attaining these goals is an uphill task; nevertheless, scientific knowledge, trans and interdisciplinary inquiries, concerted global action and capacity building would provide an enabling environment for achieving the SDGs. This book explores the synergies and trade-offs between climate change management and other SDGs. It highlights the policy imperatives as well as the interrelations between combating climate change and its impacts (SDG 13) and food and nutritional security (SDG 2), water security (SDG 6), soil security (SDG 15), energy security (SDG 7), poverty eradication (SDG 1), gender equality (SDG 5), resilient infrastructure (SDG 9), and sustainable and resilient cities (SDG 11).

This book provides essential insights into methods and practices of ‘Climate-smart Agriculture,'which is driven by the principles of climate resilience and smart resource use in agricultural production. Climate-smart agriculture is a key policy instrument for achieving poverty eradication and a hunger-free world, as well as mitigating the effects of climate change. This book discusses in detail climate-smart agricultural technologies and practices that can reduce the vulnerability of agricultural systems, improve the livelihoods of farmers and other stakeholders, and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from crop production and livestock husbandry. The agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) sector produces roughly 10–12 gigatons of CO2-equivalent per year; therefore, sustainable practices for agriculture and related land use hold immense potential to mitigate climate change. The potential impacts of climate variability and climate change on agriculture areextensively documented and articulated, especially with regard to global and national environmental agendas that call for innovation, transformation and climate-resilient advances in agriculture. As the book demonstrates, climate-smart agriculture offers an excellent tool for boosting agricultural output to feed the growing global population; for reducing greenhouse gases emissions from agriculture and other land use; and for protecting agricultural production systems from the impending dangers of climate change.

The cropping system is one of the important components of sustainable agriculture, since it provides more efficient nutrient cycling. As such, balanced fertilization must be based on the concept of sustainable crop production. Feeding the rapidly growing world population using environmentally sustainable production systems is a major challenge, especially in developing countries. A number of studies have highlighted the fact that degradation of the world's cultivated soils is largely responsible for low and plateauing yields. Soil is lost rapidly but only formed over millennia, and this represents the greatest global threat to nutrient dynamics in agriculture. This means that nutrient management is essential to provide food and nutritional security for current and future generations. Nutrient dynamics and soil sustainability imply the maintenance of the desired ecological balance, the enhancement and preservation of soil functions, and the protection of biodiversity above and belowground. Understanding the role of nutrient management as a tool for soil sustainability and nutritional security requires a holistic approach to a wide range of soil parameters (biological, physical, and chemical) to assess the soil functions and nutrient dynamics of a crop management system within the desired timescale. Further, best nutrient management approaches are important to advance soil sustainability and food and nutritional security without compromising the soil quality and productive potential. Sustainable management practices must allow environmentally and economically sustainable yields and restore soil health and sustainability. This book presents soil management approaches that can provide a wide range of benefits, including improved fertility, with a focus on the importance of nutrient dynamics. Discussing the broad impacts of nutrients cycling on the sustainability of soil and the cropping systems that it supports, it also addresses nutrient application toallow environmentally and economically sustainable agroecosystems that restore soil health. Arguing that balanced fertilization must be based on the concept of INM for a cropping system rather than a crop, it provides a roadmap to nutrient management for sustainability. This richly illustrated book features tables, figures and photographs and includes extensive up-to-date references, making it a valuable resource for policymakers and researchers, as well as undergraduate and graduate students of Soil Science, Agronomy, Ecology and Environmental Sciences.

This book reviews modern strategies in the breeding of vegetables in the era of global warming. Agriculture is facing numerous challenges in the 21st century, as it has to address food, nutritional, energy and environmental security. Future vegetable varieties must be adaptive to the varying scenarios of climate change, produce higher yields of high- quality food and feed and have multiple uses. To achieve these goals, it is imperative to employ modern tools of molecular breeding, genetic engineering and genomics for ‘precise'plant breeding to produce ‘designed'vegetable varieties adaptive to climate change.This book is of interest to scientists working in the fields of plant genetics, genomics, breeding, biotechnology, and in the disciplines of agronomy and horticulture.

The conservation of crop genetic resources is one of the important elements in efforts to sustainably increase agricultural production in low-income countries, and to guarantee long-term food security, especially for the low-income population groups in these countries. Horticultural crops, as high-value crops, have an important role to play in revitalizing rural economies and can add significantly to national economies. Moreover, horticulture provides more than twice the number of jobs compared to traditional cereal crop production, and the shifting of conventional agriculture towards high-value horticulture has increased employment opportunities in developing countries. To exploit this potential, researchers need a vast array of horticultural genetic resources and information on new traits. Horticultural crops, which are only a part of PGRFA (Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture), are characterized by a wide and varied range of species. In fact, there are five major horticultural crop groups: fruit and nut crops, vegetables, food legumes, roots and tubers, and lastly the ornamental and medicinal group. In this context, the present book provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of conservation and utilization of horticultural genetic resources, addressing contemporary approaches to conservation in connection with different technologies, including biotechnological approaches as practised in India and in some cases, globally. It includes a brief chapter on the unique nature of horticultural genetic resources, providing a rationale for viewing them as being distinct from field crop genetic resources. Subsequent chapters share insights on protocols for the conservation of selected horticultural crops ex situ, and focus on the increased need to complement these efforts with in situ conservation approaches. Geospatial tools are also briefly described, emphasizing their utility with regard to mapping and managing resources. The book also explores the wild gene pool in horticulture crops; discusses legal aspects related to horticultural genetic resources and biotechnological aspects; and describes the key aspects of sustainable management and replenishment. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable resource for all horticulturists, graduate students, researchers, policymakers, conservationists, and NGOs engaged in horticulture in particular and biodiversity in general.

This book presents recent advances in global wheat crop research, including the effects of abiotic stresses like high and low temperatures, drought, hypoxia, salinity, heavy metals, nutrient deficiency, and toxicity on wheat production. It also highlights various approaches to alleviate the damaging effects of abiotic stress on wheat as well as advanced approaches to develop abiotic-stress-tolerant wheat crops. Wheat is probably one of the world's most important cereals; it is a staple food in more than 40 countries, and because of its adaptability is cultivated in almost every region. Global wheat production has more than doubled in the last 50 years due to higher yields. However, despite their high yield potential, modern wheat cultivars are often subject to crop loss due to the abiotic stresses. As such, plant breeders have long aimed to improvetolerance in order to maintain yield. Written by 85 experts, and offering the latest insights into wheat responses and tolerance to various abiotic stresses, it is a valuable tool for agronomists, plant breeders, plant physiologists and students in the field of plant science and agriculture. It is the first book to comprehensively cover past and current abiotic stress problems and tolerance mechanisms.

As the world population is exploding and alongside fluctuations in climate is also prevalent, there is an increasing stress on the food requirements of the population. We have an urgent necessity to produce more food in the limited agricultural land. Further, to feed 7 billion people there is a requirement of high yielding crops, without harming environment and limiting the use of unnecessary pesticide and chemical fertilizers. Therefore it has become crucial to develop agri-bio-techniques which are environment friendly and also give high crop productivity. Many countries are evaluating the utility of biotechnology and its role in addressing problems of food security and poverty. Biotechnology is the application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing and production of materials by utilising biological agents. These agents are exploited to provide goods and services. Agricultural biotechnology encompasses a growing list of techniques that range from simple probes to determine a relevant gene from the complete genome to manipulating genes for a desired outcome. Many other popular methods used in the realm of agricultural technology are – gene integration, Marker-assisted breeding, Tissue culture, Gene profiling or association mapping, Metabolomics etc. The fundamental challenge facing the scientific community is how to devise innovative strategies that will bring all developed as well as developing countries into the “biological fold” and to do so in ways that will take full advantage of advances in the biological sciences to curb poverty, improve public health, and promote human development. This book contains information on eco-friendly techniques for high crop productivity and it is a myriad of different techniques and technology used to sustain productivity in crop plants. There are fewer books focusing on large-scale organic farming, molecular farming etc. Multidisciplinary research and literature is needed to deliver knowledge and products into the marketplace which fulfil these requirements. The present book is a collection of literature contributed by experts, scientists, professors, and researchers from around the world, it emphasizes work of concerned scientist and his choice of techniques used for enhancement of agricultural production. This book analyses the use of modern techniques to increase crop yields, production, and risk of hunger linked to socioeconomic scenarios.

Das Buch gibt einen Einblick in systemische Verknüpfungen, denen der Anbau von gentechnisch veränderten Pflanzen in Deutschland unterliegen würde. Es thematisiert Verknüpfungen, die sich zwischen ökologischen und sozialen Systemzusammenhängen herstellen lassen. Bisherige Betrachtungen widmeten sich dem Thema entweder aus ökologischer Perspektive oder thematisieren (agrar-)politische Zusammenhänge. Das Buch resultiert aus einem Forschungsprojekt, in welchem das BMBF die Erforschung sozialökologischer Wechselwirkungen gefördert hat.

This edited volume summarizes the recent advancements made in plant science including molecular biology and genome editing, particularly in the development of novel pathways tolerant to climate change-induced stresses such as drought, extreme temperatures, cold, salinity, flooding, etc. These stresses are liable for decrease in yields in many crop plants at global level. Till date conventional plant breeding approaches have resulted in significant improvement of crop plants for producing higher yields during adverse climatic conditions. However, the pace of improvement through conventional plant breeding needs to be accelerated in keeping with the growing demand of food and increasing human populationl, particularly in developing world. This book serves as a comprehensive reference material for researchers, teachers, and students involved in climate change-related abiotic stress tolerance studies in plants.

This book focuses on recent advances in Molecular Tools, Nanotechnology and Artificial Intelligence to monitor, manage and improve horticultural crops in terms of plant growth, nutrient deficiency, toxicity, diseases, abiotic stress, soil amendments and agrochemicals entering the surrounding environment. The book consists of 11 chapters grouped in 3 parts. Part I Nanotechnology and Artificial Intelligence, Part II Monitoring Abiotic and Biotic Stress, Part III Genetic Engineering and Genomics. This book provides an overview of nanotechnology and omics used to improve the productivity of crops and sustainability in the future. It also describes the basic structures of six popular artificial intelligence techniques and their applications in horticultural crop improvement. The book presents molecular techniques such as molecular markers, genome sequencing, genome editing and genetic modification that are considered efficient tools to achieve the goals of plant breeders in horticultural crop improvement programs. Chapters are written by globally recognized scientists and subjected to a rigorous review process to ensure quality presentation and scientific precision. Each chapter begins with an introduction that covers similar contexts and includes a detailed discussion of the topic accompanied by high-quality color images, diagrams and relevant details and concludes with recommendations for future study directions in addition to a comprehensive bibliography.

This book focuses on recent advances in biosensors and nanosensors to monitor, manage and improve horticultural crops in terms of plant growth, nutrient deficiency, toxicity, diseases, abiotic stress, soil amendments and agrochemicals entry into surrounding environment. Besides contributing to sustainable agriculture, these innovative tools facilitate promoting plant health and horticultural products quality and safety. The book consists of 11 chapters grouped in 4 parts. Part I Growth, Development and Productivity, Part II Trends in Abiotic and Biotic Stress Management, Part III Harvest Quality, Part IV Precision Agriculture and Environment Sustainability. Increased productivity, stimulation of plant growth, precise farming, monitoring food quality and freshness during production, processing, distribution and storage, reduced costs and waste, and sustainable agriculture are some of the concepts discussed. The book presents the mechanisms of biosensors and nanosensors for monitoring the various changes during pre- and post-harvest stages of horticultural crops. These are considered as efficient tools to achieve goals of plant breeders in horticultural crops improvement programs. Chapters are written by globally recognized scientists and subjected to a rigorous review process to ensure quality presentation and scientific precision. Each chapter begins with an introduction that covers similar contexts and includes a detailed discussion of the topic accompanied by high-quality color images, diagrams and relevant details and concludes with recommendations for future study directions in addition to a comprehensive bibliography.

This open access book analyzes the regulation and governance of gene editing in the global agrifood system as applications of gene editing, regulations and the intellectual property landscape continue to evolve. The primary focus of the manuscript is the dynamic interactions between regulatory frameworks and agricultural applications of gene editing in plant breeding. The goal is to give readers a holistic perspective on why the status of gene editing in agricultural applications is in a state of flux in some jurisdictions (e.g., the European Union) while more settled in others (e.g., Canada). Readers are provided with a clearer picture of what the future might hold for the use of gene editing in agriculture as a means to address food insecurity as the climate crisis grows and amid global geopolitical and economic turbulence.

This book contains the most up-to-date data on the most important crops grown in various regions. Extensive discussion is given to the origins of agriculture, the evolution of agricultural plants, the discovery of plants, the migration of plants, the domestication of plants, and the proliferation of plants. Following a study of the ancestry and diversification of cultivated plants, we turn to a review of tropical, subtropical, and temperate crops used for food, beverages, spices, and medicines, as well as plant insecticides, timber plants, and essential oil-producing plants. Products from these crops range from food and drink to spices and even medicine. Plants that are used to make essential oils are also discussed. The beneficial impacts of a number of plants are examined in light of their unique genetic and evolutionary properties. Commercially important subtropical and temperate plants, as well as petro-crops, ethnobotanical studies, and biodiversity conservation, are discussed in this volume. The most important plant species belonging to each group are identified, and their significance is discussed at length. This book is an excellent resource for students of botany, food science, nutrition, forestry, agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding, and environmental science. One of the book's strongest selling qualities is that it was written by a person who has devoted their entire life to the field of economic botany. Extensive photographs and line drawings are provided, all of which include descriptive captions.

Agricultural biotechnology (agrobiotechnology) is endowed with great significance in today's world, taking up roles of increasing agricultural productivity and farmers'income, safeguarding food security, improving human health and nutrition, as well as conserving the environment and ecology. It also offers solutions in overcoming critical challenges such as population growth, climate change, environmental pollution, pest and diseases, food inequality, social disparity, etc., in the present and the future.Initiated and hosted by Professor Hon-Ming Lam at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Agrobiotechnology Talk Series kicked off in November 2020 and was broadcasted worldwide with the aim to promote agrobiotechnology, enhance understanding of the potential applications of agricultural products, and establish an exchange platform to connect people who are engaged/interested in the agrobiotechnology field, such as international and local scholars, researchers, agricultural industry practitioners as well as the general public.This edited review volume documents selected agrobiotechnology talks of the series in 13 chapters, bringing together the knowledge and expert insights of agrobiotechnology by international and local speakers with diverse expertise. It covers a wide range of topics from food chemistry and nutrition, seed trade and quality assurance, plant breeding, agricultural product marketing, crop genomics, soybean culture and history, plant laws, agribusiness, sustainability, chemical pollution, to food security.This book provides not only the latest knowledge and technology sharing in the field of agrobiotechnology, but also covers a wider perspective such as legal and industrial perspectives of how agrobiotechnology is/can be applied and the issues concerning agrobiotechnology applications.

For sustainable environmental management as a whole, the roles of phytoremediation and biofortification as two sides of the same coin must be highlighted. Phytoremediation is a process in which biological organisms are used to eliminate or nullify an environmental pollutant by a metabolic course of action. Biofortification, in contrast, is an agrarian process that enhances the micronutrient content of a food crop through plant breeding, genetic modification, use of enriched fertilizers, or management of agricultural practices. These two strategies, although targeting different objectives, both work on the same principle of the bio-extraction process that involves uptake, accretion, removal, and modification of micro- and macro-nutrient elements from the soil. This volume offers a comprehensive overview of phytoremediation and biofortification of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Cd, etc., and illustrates the emerging and innovative combination of these technologies.With chapters written by experts, the book highlights a wide range of topics and discusses the integration of advanced phytoremediation and biofortification approaches for sustainable ecological and health management. Topics include phytoremediation and biofortification strategies that use nanotechnology; algae, fungi, and other plants; CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering; and more for decontamination of water and soil and for fortifying plants against climate change, toxic chemicals, and other challenges.Key features: reviews and integrates the currently available information on phytoremediation and biofortification from molecular, biochemical, and physiological levels provides a direction towards implementation of programs and practices to enable the sustainable production of crops, resilient to climatic alterations This volume will be valuable for investigators who are working or have an interest in sustainable environmental management as well as for research students, teachers, scientists, and engineers, whether in academia, industry, or government, and those who have an interest in environmental remediation and micronutrient fields.

This book presents an inclusive approach to deal with plant stresses in light of recent technological advances. As we have entered into a new decade, researchers and scientists should review and evaluate the recent findings in the field of plant stress management and visualize what we need to focus upon in the near future to increase crop yield. Above all, global climate changes present the greatest challenges of all time for plant scientists. In this context, the book highlights the recent findings and future perspectives in crop improvement to the faculties, scientists, research scholars, and postgraduate students. Major features of the book include an inclusive approach in understanding the mechanism of stress tolerance; recent advances and innovations in the field of allied disciplines like microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, plant breeding, nanobiotechnology, etc., for improving plant stress tolerance; and illustrative sketches to convey the mechanism and strategies of stress alleviation.

This book discusses a number of recent technological and methodological progressions in achieving sustainable agriculture. It covers innovative and economically viable techniques for growers, laborers, consumers, policymakers, and others working to develop food-secure and ecologically sound agricultural practices to benefit humans and the environment. The key topics addressed include the increasing role of biofertilizers in sustainable agriculture, green synthesized nanoparticles for higher crop production rates, eco-friendly plant-based pesticides as alternatives to synthetic/chemical pesticides, use of genomics for improved plant breeding practices, and the use of biochar to increase the water-holding capacity in soil. The book concludes with an overview of satellite-based soil erosion practices to monitor and control the harmful impacts of land degradation, and a discussion of long-term strategies to reduce crop losses due to pest and insecticide damage. The book will be of interest to students and researchers in the field of environmental science, agriculture science, agronomy, and sustainable development.

This book consists of 10 Chapters in 4 Parts. The first Part is an introduction and contains Chapter 1 to introduce the book chapters to the audiences. The second Part consists of two chapters under the name, Impact of Climate Change on Crop Production and the Physiological and Biochemical Basis for Crops Tolerance. The Chapter 2 focus on critical periods of crop plants to stress conditions and the expected impacts of climate changes mainly on the productivity and quality of field crops. While, Chapter 3 highlights the foundations of crop tolerance to environmental stress and plant traits relevant to stress tolerance. It is devoted to explain and discuss mechanisms of adaptation to environmental stress conditions and addresses various plant traits related to stress environmental tolerance i.e. phenological, morpho-physiological and biochemical traits which could be used as selection criteria for crops improvement. The third Part consists of 5 Chapters under the theme “Improve Crop Adaptability and Stability to Climate Change and Modern Technology'. Chapter 4 highlights the most important strategic food grain crop (wheat), Chapter 5 focuses the important staple food crop (rice), while Chapter 6 deals with one of the most important food legume crops (faba bean). Chapter 7 and 8 discuss two important oil crops (sesame and sunflower). However, Chapter 9 focuses on cotton as one of the most important fiber crops. The author addresses these crops under the following headings: genotype x environment interaction and its relation to climatic change on yield production, performance of genotypes in response to environmental changes, adaptability and yield stability to environmental conditions, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model, gene action, genetic behavior and heritability for traits related to environmental stress tolerance, role of recent approaches, biotechnology and nanotechnology. This is besides how can measure sensitivity of genotypes to environmental stress, and finally the appropriate agricultural practices to mitigate environmental stress on crops under attention. The book ends with Chapter No. 10 where the author presents an update of the book topics, present the most important conclusions and recommendations from all chapters.This book has been prepared and supported by recent references and statistics with coloured tables and illustrations for audiences interested in crop science,environment, plant breeding, genetics and biotechnology, as well as postgraduate students and researchers in universities and research centres.

This book presents systematic scientific appraisal, classification, genesis and viable technologies for reclamation and management of salt-affected soils and marginal quality waters across India and several other countries. Nature, solubility and geo-chemical mobility of salts have been provided as basis for the development of alkali and saline soils and groundwaters under specific agro-hydro-ecological regions. Chemical amendment (gypsum) based reclamation technology of alkali soils and related pre and post-reclamation water, nutrient and crop management interventions, including re-sodification issues have been comprehensively addressed. Features and operational guidelines of surface, subsurface, vertical and bio-drainage systems have been thoroughly discussed; likewise, amelioration of irrigation induced saline soils in inland and coastal regions and preventive measures for control of salinity and waterlogging along with environmental trade-offs. Practical approaches for amelioration and judicious use of saline, alkali, high SAR- saline and waste waters have been synthesized for different cropping and agro- forestry systems. Emerging issues on use of industrial by-products as amendments for alkali soils, physiological aspects of salt resistance, anatomical and biochemical mechanism of submergence tolerance, specific ion effects of poor quality waters, crop diversification, groundwater recharge, rejuvenation of tsunami affected coastal soils, safety against occurrence of poisonous gas in tube well pits, paddy straw burning and others have been adequately deliberated upon. Combining scientific principles with field experiences, the book is expected to serve as a useful knowledge base for research workers, teachers and students of soil science, agronomy, plant breeding, forestry, irrigation engineering, extension workers, environmentalists and planners associated with reclamation and management of salt affected soils and waters on sustainable basis in developing and developed countries.

Written in easy to follow language, the book presents cutting-edge agriculturally relevant plant biotechnologies and applications in a manner that is accessible to all. This book updates and introduces the scope and method of plant biotechnologies and molecular breeding within the context of environmental analysis and assessment, a diminishing supply of productive arable land, scarce water resources and climate change. New plant breeding techniques including CRISPR-cas system are now tools to meet these challenges both in developed countries and in developing countries. Ethical issues, intellectual property rights, regulation policies in various countries related to agricultural biotechnology are examined. The rapid developments in plant biotechnology are explained to a large audience with relevant examples. New varieties of crops can be adapted to new climatic conditions in order to reduce pest-associated losses and the adverse abiotic effects

In more than four decades as president of The Land Institute, Wes Jackson became widely known as one of the founders of the sustainable agriculture movement for his work on perennial grains and Natural Systems Agriculture. But Jackson's contribution to contemporary intellectual and political life goes well beyond plant breeding. Ever since he created one of the first university environmental studies programs in the early 1970s, Jackson has been exploring the human predicaments around sustainability and justice, asking questions that pull not only on agriculture and ecology but also on politics, economics, and culture. That work has appeared in four sole-authored books by Jackson, but nowhere is there an accessible summary of his key ideas.Robert Jensen provides a short, elegant introduction to Jackson's ideas on ways to provide humanity with a truly sustainable foundation in grain agriculture, presented in a way that connects to the growing concern about climate change and other ecological crises. Jackson's strength has been in generating new ideas and pushing the envelope not only on sustainable agriculture but also on the other dramatic changes necessary if we are to create a sustainable and just society. This volume helps the reader to organize those exciting ideas in a way that can expand the horizons of students and lay readers as well as challenge specialists in these fields.In a time when critical thinking and clear understanding are desperately needed if we are to face the multiple, cascading ecological and social crises, The Restless and Relentless Mind of Wes Jackson presents Jackson’s crucial insights about the natural world and human societies that can help provide a framework for understanding the tough decisions we will have to make. But just as important is the book's glimpse into the curiosity that drives Jackson and the creativity that distinguishes his intellectual and activist work.

This book focuses on food security and safety issues in Africa, a continent presently challenged with malnutrition and food insecurity. The continuous increase in the human population of Africa will lead to higher food demands, and climate change has already affected food production in most parts of Africa, resulting in drought, reduced crop yields, and loss of livestock and income. For Africa to be food-secure, safe and nutritious food has to be available, well-distributed, and sufficient to meet people's food requirements. Contributors to Food Security and Safety: African Perspectives offer solutions to the lack of adequate safe and nutritious food in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as highlight the positive efforts being made to address this lack through a holistic approach. The book discusses the various methods used to enhance food security, such as food fortification, fermentation, genetic modification, and plant breeding for improved yield and resistance to diseases. Authors emphasize the importance of hygiene and food safety in food preparation and preservation, and address how the constraints of climate change could be overcome using smart crops. As a comprehensive reference text, Food Security and Safety: African Perspectives seeks to address challenges specific to the African continent while enhancing the global knowledge base around food security, food safety, and food production in an era of rapid climate change.

Climate Change and Food Security with Emphasis on Wheat is the first book to present the full scope of research in wheat improvement, revealing the correlations to global issues including climate change and global warming which contribute to food security issues. Wheat plays a key role in the health of the global economy. As the world population continuously increases, economies modernize, and incomes rise, wheat production will have to increase dramatically to secure it as a reliable and sustainable food source. Since covering more land area with wheat crops is not a sustainable option, future wheat crops must have consistently higher yields and be able to resist and/or tolerate biotic and abiotic stresses that result from climate change. Addressing the biophysical and socioeconomic constraints of producing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and good quality wheat, this book will aid in research efforts to increase and stabilize wheat production worldwide. Written by an international team of experts, Climate Change and Food Security with Emphasis on Wheat is an excellent resource for academics, researchers, and students interested in wheat and grain research, especially as it is relevant to food security. - Covers a wide range of disciplines, including plant breeding, genetics, agronomy, physiology, pathology, quantitative genetics and genomics, biotechnology and gene editing - Explores the effect of climate change on biotic stresses (stripe rust, stem rust, leaf rust, Karnal bunt, spot blotch) on wheat production and utilization of biotechnology - Focuses on whole genome sequencing and next-generation sequencing technologies to improve wheat quality and address the issue of malnutrition in developing world

This book examines the role of local knowledge in promoting agricultural innovation and legislative support for agricultural innovation through intellectual property laws and the protection of farmers'rights. In assessing the role of intellectual property in promoting agricultural innovation the book examines plant variety rights protection, the patenting of plant varieties and plant breeding methods; gene patents and climate change; open source biotechnology and agricultural innovation and geographical indications and the marketing of agricultural products. As a test bed for the application of the themes of the book, it applies a case study approach to look at the role of local knowledge and intellectual property rights in the cultivation of traditional rice varieties in Kerala, South West India and the extent to which this cultivation is supported by Indian legislation. The book concludes with an examination of the success of self-help groups, such as Farmers'Clubs. This book appeals to all readers interested in policies to promote sustainable agriculture at a time of increasing food insecurity. A special feature of the book is the case study approach. To date, the role of local knowledge and agricultural innovation has been almost entirely ignored and the role of intellectual property in this space has been largely ignored. The book is a result of a research collaboration between the University of Western Australia and Kerala Agricultural University, funded in part by the Australian Research Council.

This book is an outcome of the keynote/lead papers presented by the experts from different disciplines in the Indian Ecological Society International Conference 2016 on “Natural Resource Management: Ecological Perspectives”, organized at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, India. The book captures the essence of natural resource management from the intra and interdisciplinary perspectives of agricultural sciences (entomology, plant pathology, plant breeding and genetics, agronomy and soil sciences), social sciences (resource economics, agricultural extension education), medical sciences, and environmental sciences to stimulate discussion on the ecological perspectives of natural resource management. Wide-ranging topics on land and water resources, biodiversity, integrated farming system, role of microbes in agriculture, climate change and its impact on human health and crop pests, exploiting chemical ecology for pest management, human disease-causing pesticides, beneficial insects like lac insects, integrated pest management, resistance management in insect pests and Bt cotton, and diffusion and adoption of ecologically sustainable technologies at individual and organizational level are covered in the book.. The book will serve the professionals, researchers, academia, government, industry and students.

The debate over genetically modified organisms: health and safety concerns, environmental impact, and scientific opinions.Since they were introduced to the market in the late 1990s, GMOs (genetically modified organisms, including genetically modified crops), have been subject to a barrage of criticism. Agriculture has welcomed this new technology, but public opposition has been loud and scientific opinion mixed. In GMOs Decoded, Sheldon Krimsky examines the controversies over GMOs—health and safety concerns, environmental issues, the implications for world hunger, and the scientific consensus (or lack of one). He explores the viewpoints of a range of GMO skeptics, from public advocacy groups and nongovernmental organizations to scientists with differing views on risk and environmental impact.Krimsky explains the differences between traditional plant breeding and “molecular breeding” through genetic engineering (GE); describes early GMO products, including the infamous Flavr Savr tomato; and discusses herbicide-, disease-, and insect-resistant GE plants. He considers the different American and European approaches to risk assessment, dueling scientific interpretations of plant genetics, and the controversy over labeling GMO products. He analyzes a key 2016 report from the National Academies of Sciences on GMO health effects and considers the controversy over biofortified rice (Golden Rice)—which some saw as a humanitarian project and others as an exercise in public relations. Do GMO crops hold promise or peril? By offering an accessible review of the risks and benefits of GMO crops, and a guide to the controversies over them, Krimsky helps readers judge for themselves.

This book outlines a new paradigm, “Agro-ecological Intensification of Crop Protection”, which reduces negative impacts on the environment and enhances the provision of ecosystem services. It discusses the use of ecologically based management strategies to increase the sustainability of agricultural production while reducing off-site consequences, highlighting the underlying principles and outlining some of the key management practices and technologies required to implement agro-ecological pest management. It also comprehensively explores important topics like stimulo-deterrent diversion strategy, precision agriculture, plant breeding, nutrient management, habitat management, cultural approaches, cultivar mixtures/multiline cultivars, crop rotation, crop residue management, crop diversity, cover crops, conservation tillage, biofumigation, agro-forestry, and addition of organic matter. This timely book promotes the rapid implementation of this technology in farming community around the globe. It is a valuable resource for the scientific community involved in teaching, research and extension activities related to agro-ecological pest management as well as policymakers and practicing farmers. It can also be used for teaching post-graduate courses.

Plant Biotechnology is the study of techniques, methods and processes that are adopted and applied to plants generally for genetic manipulation for attaining plant varieties with advantageous characteristics that have greater utility in industrial, agricultural, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and other purposes. Through biotechnology not only the variety is improved, but yield also improves through growing crops having resistance to diseases, herbicides and pesticides. Through understanding basic concepts of plant biotechnology and adopting improved genetically mutated seed varieties, the grower as well as the consumer is benefitted a great lot. “Plant Biotechnology” presents all the latest techniques of plant tissue culture, transfor-mation and bioengineering at the outset and discusses in detail various issues of plant breeding, cloning, disease resistance, herbicide and pest resistance. The book makes elaborate presentation on radioimmunoassays, enzyme immunoabsorbent assays, genetic recombi-nation, pharmaceutical products and solar energy that have immensely impacted the field of biotechnology. The book provides tremendous utility to students, teachers, researchers, farmers and general readers.

Plant tissue culture is an essential component of Biotechnology which has gained unbeatable recognition in plant sciences for successful micropropagation and improvement of plant species, leading to the commercial application. A number of plant species have been investigated around the globe. This book presents current research on the application of in vitro technology in the improvement of Balanites aegyptiaca Del., a medicinal plant of semi-arid tropics. The worldwide importance of forestry, summed to the lengthy generation cycles of tree species, makes unavoidable development of new technologies that complement conventional tree breeding programmes in order to obtain improved genotypes. Recently, a new set of tools has become available in the past 20 years that combined with traditional plant breeding will allow scientists to generate products that are genetically improved varieties of the future. These set of tools come under the general title of ‘Biotechnology'. The three specific biotechnological tools have been successfully used in several programmes of plant conservation, namely, tissue culture techniques for in vitro propagation, the use of molecular markers to assess the degree of variability among population and techniques of long-term conservation such as encapsulation and cryopreservation. Plant tissue culture techniques are particularly relevant and become an alternative not only for large scale propagation of individuals that are threatened, reduce production costs and increase gains to the industry, but also to provide ecological advantages as in phytoremediation or in the establishment of artificial plantings in weed infested site. The book gives a complete documentation of the results and demonstration of Balanites aegyptiaca conducted by the authors over the past 5 years. The end-to-end approach developed through plant tissue culture techniques is reflected in the book and there has been a successful transfer of technology from lab tofield. The authors hope that this information would provide valuable data and also be a reference material for future research activities in this area.

How can cultivated plant biodiversity contribute to the transformation and the'ecologization'of agriculture in Southern countries? Based on extensive field work in the Southern countries, a great deal of scientific progress is presented in all areas affecting agriculture (agronomy, plant breeding and crop protection, cultivation systems, etc.) in order to intensify the ecological processes in cultivated plots and at the scale of rural landscapes.

Managed ecosystems cover a large part of the Earth's land surface, provide almost all of our food and most of our wood and fibre, and are increasingly a source of renewable energy. Forecasting the ability of managed ecosystems to continue these vital roles in a globally changing environment is an inter-disciplinary challenge. To elucidate the complex responses of managed systems to elevated [CO2], several free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) facilities were established. These FACE systems allow large areas to be exposed to the elevated [CO2] we expect by the middle of the century. This volume summarizes the main findings from 13 experiments with annual crops, permanent pastures and plantation forests at 11 sites throughout the world during the past ten years. The results significantly alter our perception of how rising [CO2] will directly affect these managed ecosystems, with implications for policy, plant-breeding objectives and adaptation.

Hazardous Chemicals: Overview, Toxicological Profile, Challenges, and Future Perspectives offers comprehensive coverage of hazardous chemicals and their routes of exposures, mechanism of toxicity, hazard control measures, handling and storage, emergency guidelines, and safety measures. The book is organized into specific classifications of chemical hazards: pesticides, fertilizers, insecticides, automotive, paint and paint solvents, chemical manufacturing solvents, dyes, cleaning agents, pharmaceuticals, and radioactive products. It discusses the health risk and environmental impact of these toxic substances. It also provides management strategies including risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. Hazardous Chemicals is a practical resource for researchers, academics, industry professionals, graduate and postgraduate students in toxicology and environmental science engaged in the evaluation of toxic substances and human health concerns. - Covers exposure routes, health impacts, risk assessment and control measures of hazardous chemicals - Includes storage and handling information for personnel vulnerable to hazards and risks from the toxic substances - Provides case studies related to toxic substances that have resulted in a disastrous event - Examines recent research trends in the field of specific toxic substances

Plant-Forward Cuisine is a beautifully illustrated book that promotes the environmental and health benefits of a plant-forward diet and will inspire readers with a range of exciting recipes.The book addresses the urgent need to make changes to those culinary cultures where animal-sourced proteins play a central role. To ensure that there is enough food for a growing world population, to lessen the burden on the environment, and to promote healthier, sustainable eating patterns, it is crucial to transition to a diet that focuses primarily on plants as the key ingredients. Yet, many people dislike the taste of plants because of their texture and lack of sweetness and umami. Luckily, the book provides a solution to these challenges. It offers key scientific descriptions of the physical characteristics of plants, mushrooms, algae, and fungi and their nutritional components, along with information about creation of texture and flavour. Armed with this knowledge, the recipes then provide tips and tricks for transforming plants into delicious meals with pleasing textures and flavours. The authors stress that it is not necessary to embrace a fully vegetarian or vegan diet. Rather, they suggest that taking a flexitarian approach, which incorporates small quantities of animal products to elicit umami, may be a more viable and lasting solution for people at large. Throughout the text readers will find interesting narratives about various aspects of green gastronomy around the world. The book concludes with two helpful reference sections: a glossary of main ingredients used in the recipes and a compilation of ingredients that can be used to add taste and aroma.This book will be of great interest to those concerned with building a sustainable food system, and it will serve as a practical guide for those seeking to transition to plant-rich diets without compromising their taste experience and enjoyment of food.

This volume presents recent biotechnological advances in the application of extremophiles in sustainable agricultural production, plant health and soil remediation. It highlights the physiology and biochemistry of extremophiles to ensure their survival and adaptation under stressful agricultural conditions, as well as their ecological diversity and taxonomical attributes that allow them to be useful in improving abiotic and biotic tolerance among crops. The chapters cover genomic, metagenomic and metabolomic approaches for improving crop production, biocontrol, nutrient solubilization and soil health to ensure food and nutrition security in a sustainable manner in difficult growing environments. The book will be useful for students and researchers studying soil and plant management, sustainable agriculture, microbiology and biochemistry.

'Transforming Agricultural Management for a Sustainable Future: Climate Change and Machine Learning Perspectives'is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of agriculture and the role that technology can play in mitigating the impact of climate change. The book delves into the challenges facing agriculture today, such as climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity. It then explores how machine learning can be used to overcome these challenges and promote sustainable agricultural practices. One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of data-driven decision-making in agriculture. With the help of machine learning algorithms, farmers can analyze vast amounts of data, such as weather patterns, soil quality, and crop yields, to make informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and fertilizer use. By using this data, farmers can optimize their yields while minimizing their impact on the environment. Another important aspect of the book is its focus on climate change. Agriculture is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and farmers are already feeling the impact of climate change through droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the ways in which machine learning can be used to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment, such as by optimizing irrigation and reducing fertilizer use. The book also explores the role of technology in promoting sustainable agriculture practices. For example, precision agriculture techniques, such as GPS-guided tractors and drones, can help farmers reduce waste and improve crop yields. The book provides examples of how these techniques are already being used in practice, and how they can be further developed to promote sustainability. Overall,'Transforming Agricultural Management for a Sustainable Future: Climate Change and Machine Learning Perspectives'is an insightful and informative read for anyone interested in the future of agriculture. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing agriculture today and the ways in which technology can be used to overcome these challenges and promote sustainable practices. It is a must-read for farmers, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of our planet.

This book is a unique text that explores recent research on the management of sustainable groundwater use in the North China Plain (NCP), where aquifers are suffering the most severe over‑pumping in the world and have caused serious ecological degradation. It contains research conducted by the editor and his teams on several projects over the past 18 years.Key topics covered include: comprehensive scheme and pathways to achieve sustainable groundwater management description of theoretical basis for water saving and technologies developed in practice at field scale adjusting cropping patterns and planting structure to reduce the cultivation intensity to a suitable extent soft measures such as water metering, pricing, and water marketing being applied in groundwater management practice in the NCP It will be an invaluable resource to graduate students, education and research staff, and agriculture or water resources authorities.

This updated book presents research on how Internet of Things plays a part in shaping the future of our communities. The author shows how the research and education ecosystem promoting impactful solutions-oriented science can help citizenry, government, industry, and other stakeholders to work collaboratively in order to make informed, socially-responsible, science-based decisions. The author also provides updated data on how communities can address complex, interconnected socio-environmental challenges. This book addresses the key inter-related challenges in areas such as the environment, climate change, mining, energy, agro-economic, water, and forestry that are limiting the development of a sustainable and resilient society -- each of these challenges are tied back to IoT based solutions.

This open access book describes in detail what life on this planet would be like if its average surface temperature were to rise 3 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial level. On this basis, the book argues that it is imperative to keep this temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius. It then lays out a detailed plan of what politically feasible, cost-effective measures should now be taken to achieve this goal. In this context, the book provides detailed discussions of climate finance, climate education and nature-based solutions. The book has been translated into English from the original German version published in 2022, and contains an original foreword and preface.

This book offers perspectives on more productive, sustainable and resilient modes of agriculture. The chapters highlight successful, evidence-based local and regional practices across the globe that are resulting in more sustainable and viable methods of farming, particularly important within the context of weather variability and climate change. The efficient use of weather and climate services for agricultural applications are fundamental to these efforts. In the past, weather and climate services have not been used to their fullest potential for developing sustainable agriculture. But now more than ever, as this book documents, agrometeorology is an essential tool for current and future food production and security around the world. This book offers strategic recommendations for strengthening the role and availability of agrometeorological services around the globe.

The Global Casino is an introduction to environmental issues which deals both with the workings of the physical environment and the political, economic and social frameworks in which the issues occur. Using examples from all over the world, the book highlights the underlying causes behind environmental problems, the human actions which have made them issues and the hopes for solutions. It is a book about the human impact on the environment and the ways in which the natural environment impacts human society.The seventh edition has been fully revised and updated throughout, with new case studies, figures and online resources comprising a complete lecture course for tutors and multiple-choice questions for students. New concepts and topics covered for the first time in this edition include the blue economy, marine heatwaves, Africa's Great Green Wall, rewilding, net-zero commitments, nature-based solutions, emerging contaminants in global rivers, green infrastructure in sustainable cities, initiatives promoting zero-emission vehicles, and zoonotic diseases (including the COVID-19 pandemic). New case studies include gender impact assessment of big dams in Laos and Vietnam, reducing food loss and waste, liming sugar maple trees in North America to counteract soil acidification and soil erosion and poverty in Rwanda. Eighteen chapters on key issues follow three initial chapters which outline the background contexts of the physical and human environments and the concept of sustainable development. Each chapter provides historical context for key issues, outlines why they have arisen and highlights areas of controversy and uncertainty to appraise how issues can be resolved both technically and in political and economic frameworks. Each chapter also contains an updated critical guide to further reading—most of them open access—and websites, talks and podcasts, as well as discussion points and essay questions. The text can be read in its entirety or individual chapters adopted as standalone reading.This book is an essential resource for students of the environment, geography, development studies and earth sciences. It provides comprehensive and inspirational coverage of all the major global environmental issues of the day in a style that is clear, concise and critical.

Integrated Agriculture - An Approach for Sustainable Agriculture offers a comprehensive examination of a transformative agricultural paradigm aimed at revolutionizing farming practices worldwide. This book explores the core principles and practical applications of integrated agriculture, presenting a holistic perspective that merges traditional wisdom with modern scientific advancements. The book is an indispensable resource that bridges theory and practice, offering readers a roadmap to embracing a holistic and forward-thinking approach to farming on a global scale. Through its comprehensive exploration of integrated agricultural practices, this book advocates for a sustainable and prosperous future for agriculture worldwide.With a focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, profitability, sustainability, and environmental health, this book serves as a guiding beacon for practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and students invested in the future of global agriculture.

Trends and Technological Challenges in Green Energy: Selected Papers from ICGET 2023 offers readers selected and expanded papers from the 2023 8th International Conference on Green Energy Technologies held at the University of the Applied Sciences in Hamburg, Germany. It features innovative work by academics, researchers, and industry experts highlighting the latest renewable energy developments. The book covers fundamental and practical applications for green energy resources, including security, energy consumption, localization, energy access, environment-friendly energy systems, sustainable energy development, energy-saving technologies, and conservation. It is a valuable interdisciplinary reference for young researchers, postgraduate students, professionals, and industry practitioners working with green energy technology and applications.

This book addresses the relationship between religion, climate change, and food security in Africa. Contributors to this volume interrogate how and to what extent religion in Africa serves as a resource (or confounding factor) in responding to Sustainable Development Goals 13 (action on climate change) and 2 (achieve Zero Hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture). Approaching the theme from diverse disciplinary and methodological angles, contributors probe the potential role of religion in Africa to accelerate the achievement of these two SDGs, especially the role of religion with regard to food availability, food accessibility, food utilization, and food systems stability.

This book is presented on biofuel production which includes different technologies developed and adopted to synthesize green renewable fuel alternatives for sustainable development. It also reflects different sources of biofuel, application of microbial community and microbial engineering to design fuel production and the biosynthetic pathways of biofuel production by microbes.Although the expenses for the physical and chemical technologies for energy production and fossil fuel utilization to protect our environment are very high, these technologies are not eco-friendly and safe. Hence, the need of certain modern eco-friendly and cost-effective techniques to protect our environment is deeply apprehended by different workers of this field. These techniques involve some feasible technologies utilizing different biological agents like microbes to produce renewable energy. This book provides an outline of the science behind the multidisciplinary aspects of biofuel production. It summarizes a solid foundation in the fundamentals and progresses to practical applications in this field. It structures stepwise route for a number of effective techniques to screen, select, identify and utilize microbes for biofuel production and utilization. It also focuses on the theoretical groundworks of biofuel production, recent technologies related to microbial engineering like myco-engineering technologies, microbial metabolism or modelling approaches to microbial physiology utilized for the same purpose. The techniques covered in this book ensure that scientists have the knowledge to practice effective biofuel production techniques themselves in a contaminated ecosystem in a sustainable way.Recent progress in the field of biofuels using microbial genetic engineering has larger perspectives in commercial-scale production. However, its large-scale production is still challenging; hence, to resolve this problem, it is essential to convert biomass into biofuels by developing novel technology to increase biofuel production to fulfil the current and future energy demand.

A climate defined by wet and dry seasons, a mostly mountainous terrain, a biota prone to disturbances, a human geography characterized by a diversity of peoples all of whom rely on burning in one form or another: Mexico has ideal circumstances for fire, and those fires provide a unique perspective on its complex history. Narrating Mexico's evolution of fire through five eras, historian Stephen J. Pyne describes the pre-human, pre-Hispanic, colonial, industrializing (1880–1980), and contemporary (1980–2015) fire biography of this diverse and dynamic country. Creatively deploying the Aztec New Fire Ceremony and the “five suns” that it birthed, Pyne addresses the question, “Why does fire appear in Mexico the way it does?” Five Suns tells the saga through a pyric prism. Mexico has become one of the top ten “firepowers” in the world today through its fire suppression capabilities, fire research, and industrial combustion, but also by those continuing customary practices that have become increasingly significant to a world that suffers too much combustion and too little fire. Five Suns completes a North American fire-history trilogy written by Pyne over the past 40 years, complementing his histories of Canada and the United States.

China announced the national goal of achieving carbon peaking before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060. The great cause of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality requires relentless efforts of the whole society. 100 Q&As on Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality explains in simple language some core and key issues about achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in the form of Q&As. This book will enhance the recognition and awareness of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality among officials at all levels, enterprise personnel, and the general public.

This book delves into the specific subject area of life sciences, focusing on the remarkable world of millets and their multifaceted contributions. This book serves as a comprehensive guide to the diverse aspects of millets, addressing their biology, significance, functional potential, and applications. The content in this book is divided into two distinct sections, Section I contains the detailed introduction to the Millets, their biology, classification, applications, and various types (major, minor, and pseudo millets) and Section II contains their safety, extraction, industrial applications, and SDG goals. This book is not only an asset for professionals and experts but also a readable guide for Academicians and advanced students looking to engage with this ever-expanding subject area. The book is a boon for entrepreneurs in the area millets, as they will get the complete comprehensive information about all the different types of millets with their biology, functional potential and processing.

The world faces escalating environmental and healthcare challenges, from climate change to managing natural resources and providing efficient medical services. These issues are complex, often requiring intricate modeling and intervention from domain experts. Traditional analytical methods need help to cope with the complexity and scale of these challenges, leading to inefficiencies and suboptimal outcomes. There is a pressing need for innovative solutions that can enhance our ability to address these issues effectively. Advancements in Climate and Smart Environment Technology present a compelling solution to these pressing problems. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, we offer a path toward more efficient and effective solutions in environmental engineering, healthcare management, and natural resource conservation. AI provides the tools to model complex systems, optimize processes, and make informed decisions without constant expert intervention, thus revolutionizing these fields. This book is a comprehensive guide for scholars, researchers, and practitioners in various fields related to environmental and healthcare sciences. It explores the applications of AI in areas such as innovative environments, sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation, and healthcare delivery. By offering insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of AI models, our book equips readers with the knowledge and tools needed to tackle these challenges head-on. Through a deep dive into AI and its intelligent technologies, readers will gain a broader understanding of how to create sustainable solutions for our planet and healthcare systems.

Every civilization in history has faced moments of overwhelming existential crises, and they all eventually collapsed. Was this failure inherent in the evolution of civilization, something within the human species, or a combination of both? More importantly, was it predictable and unavoidable? Most civilizations believed they had a special relationship with the divine and were beyond the laws of nature. Our current economic civilization is now global and interdependent. Today's economy is responsible for the most rapid mass extinction in Earth's history. We face imminent catastrophic climate change and environmental disruption, yet the same sense of exceptionalism and hubris clouds humanity's judgement and ability to act rationally.Environmental disruption is making the planet uninhabitable. No economy can consume its way out of scarcity. This law of nature conflicts with many longstanding economic theories. Sheltered and self-absorbed elitists promote lies and prey on humanity's most vulnerable instincts of pecking order, conformity, and obedience to authority. These primal instincts may be maladapted to civilization in its current form. Today's elitists are choosing mass extinction in a false belief in their own invincibility. To survive, humanity can no longer follow delusional leaders to self-destruction.In non-technical language, the author explores common phases in the development of past civilizations, and the critical junctures and decisions that made collapse inevitable. He investigates the linkages and contradictions between human social behavior, the economy, and the environment. In the closing pages, he identifies a clear path to redemption.