Global sustainability : the impact of local cultures : a new perspective for science and engineering, economics and politics

This first book to focus on cultural diversity as a key element of sustainable development in the context of science and engineering provides cross-disciplinary information and assistance in understanding our world in transition. As such, it furnishes the global scientific community and decision makers in governmental and non-governmental institutions as well as in industry with much-needed information on how the various factors affecting sustainable development -- including culture -- depend on and interfere with each other. Featuring a contribution by the President of the Club of Rome, HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, this is vital reading for all (natural) scientists, engineers, economists, ecologists, environmental organizations, and consultants.Content: Chapter 1 History and Mandate of Sustainability: From Local Forestry to Global Policy (pages 5–19): Prof. Dr. Gabriele Weber?Blaschke, Prof. Dr. Reinhard Mosandl and Prof. Dr. Martin Faulstich Chapter 2 Sustainable Development: Exploring the Cross?Cultural Dimension (pages 21–41): Prof. Dr. Ortwin Renn Chapter 3 Sustainable Development and Cultural Diversity (pages 43–51): Prof. Dr. Hartmann Liebetruth Chapter 4 Technological Progress in Different Cultures and Periods: Historical Evolution Projected into the Future (pages 53–64): Prof. Dr. Raoul Weiler Chapter 5 Views of Sustainability: Elements of a Synthesis (pages 65–85): Dr. Dimitris Kyriakou Chapter 6 A New Way of Thinking about Sustainability, Risk and Environmental Decision?Making (pages 87–93): Prof. Dr. William E. Kastenberg, Gloria Hauser?Kastenberg and Dr. David Norris Chapter 7 Humility and Establishing the Sustainable Environment (pages 95–106): Prof. Dr. Edward D. Schroeder Chapter 8 Conflicts and Conflict?Solving as Chances to Make the Concept of Sustainable Development Work (pages 107–122): Prof. Dr. Armin Grunwald Chapter 9 Sustainability through Science?Technology?Society Education (pages 123–130): Prof. Dr. David Devraj Kumar Chapter 10 Sustainability and Consumption of Raw Materials in Germany (pages 131–140): Prof. Dr. Werner Schenkel Chapter 11 Sustainability, Culture and Regional Scales: Some Remarks from Human Geography (pages 141–145): Prof. Dr. Horst Kopp Chapter 12 Sustainable Development in Asia: Traditional Ideas and Irreversible Processes (pages 147–155): Prof. Dr. Dietmar Rothermund Chapter 13 Sustainability of Development and Valuation of Non?renewable Resources: An Analysis in the Context of Local Cultures (pages 157–169): Prof. Dr. Michael von Hauff and Prof. Dr. Amitabh Kundu Chapter 14 Sustainability in Latin American Countries: Challenge and Opportunities for Argentina (pages 171–185): Prof. Dr. Monica Renner Chapter 15 On the Roles Engineers May Play in the Attempt to Meet Basic Demands of Man and Nature (pages 187–199): Prof. i. R. Dr.?Ing. Dr. h. c. Peter A. Wilderer and Mirka C. Wilderer Chapter 16 Integrating Cultural Aspects in the Implementation of Large Water Projects (pages 201–219): Dipl.?Ing Martin Grambow Chapter 17 Sustainability from an Entrepreneurial Point of View Seen from the Particular Standpoint of a Company Active in the Water Industry (pages 221–226): Dipl.?Ing. Hans G. Huber Chapter 18 Synthesis (pages 227–231): Prof. i. R. Dr.?Ing. Dr. h. c. Peter A. Wilderer, Prof. Dr. Edward D. Schroeder and Prof. Dr. Josef Bugl "This first book to focus on cultural diversity as a key element of sustainable development in the context of science and engineering provides cross-disciplinary information and assistance in understanding our world in transition. As such, it furnishes the global scientific community and decision makers in governmental and non-governmental institutions as well as in industry with much-needed information on how the various factors affecting sustainable development - including culture - depend on and interfere with each other." "This is vital reading for all (natural) scientists, engineers, economists, ecologists, environmental organizations, and consultants."--Résumé de l'éditeur This first book to focus on cultural diversity as a key element of sustainable development in the context of science and engineering provides much-need multidisciplinary information and help in understanding our changing world. As such, it shows all (natural) scientists, engineers, economists, ecologists, environmental organizations, consultants and chemists how the various factors affecting sustainable development depend on and interfere with each other Focuses on cultural diversity as a key element of sustainable development in the context of science and engineering. This book provides cross-disciplinary information and assistance in understanding our world in transition.