Technological Choices for Sustainability [Paperback]

This book offers a critical evaluation of current scientific work on defining the issue of sustainability and on measuring progress towards a sustainable state. It aims to provide a common understanding of how progress towards sustainability can be achieved by optimising technological development, environmental impact and socio-economic factors. A further objective is to identify the major trends in methodologies that assist progress towards sustainability.

This book was made possible by the exceptional support provided by NATO Sci? entific and Environmental Division, University of Maribor (Slovenia), Govern? ment of the Republic of Slovenia, British and the United States Embassies (Ljubl? jana, the Republic of Slovenia). The authors, as listed in this book, took the time to prepare excellent manu? scripts focusing on various issues related to technological choices for sustainabil? ity. These manuscripts were rigorously reviewed and refereed by scientists and engineers before inclusion in this book. An introductory chapter was prepared to provide an overview and to integrate technical issues covered in the book. A summary chapter is included at the end that provides a synthesis of panel discus? sions related to the three main sections of the book. The editors are most grateful to the contributors, sponsor organizations, and many colleagues who were kind enough to assist us in making this book possible. We are particularly grateful to Damjan Krajnc of the University of Maribor for compiling all the manuscripts in the correct format, creating the index, and assur? ing that all the contents are faithfully presented in this volume. Background in? formation about the editors and principal authors and contributors to this book fol? lows.Framing the Issue of Sustainability.- Science and Sustainability: who knows best?.- Sustainability: Ecological, Social, Economic, Technological, and Systems Perspectives.- US EPA/Academia Collaboration for a Green Engineel3#