Dictionary and Introduction to Global Environmental Governance

Description

This unique dictionary and introduction to Global Environmental Governance (GEG), written and compiled by two veterans of the international stage, provides a compilation of over 5500 terms, organizations and acronyms, drawn from hundreds of official sources. An introductory essay frames the major issues in GEG and outlines the pitfalls of talking past one another when discussing the most critical of issues facing the planet. It challenges those who are concerned with the management of our planet and its inhabitants to understand and accept a vocabulary common to the often-opposing objectives sought in the many GEG instruments. The result is a practical tool that should find a central place on the desk of anyone involved in environmental management, development or sustainability issues anywhere in the world, including the United Nations, government policy makers, NGOs and other stakeholder groups, the business community, and students and professionals. This fully revised and updated edition contains over 500 new entries and acronyms on global environmental governance as well a new introductory section on global water governance, one of the most pressing environmental issues in our era of climate change, growing populations and food shortages. Praise for the first edition:

Richard E. Saunier was Senior Environmental Management Advisor in the Department of Regional Development and Environment of the Organization of American States (1975-1996). Richard A. Meganck is the Rector of the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in Delft, the Netherlands and former Director of Sustainable Development and Environment at the Organization of American States.

'Indispensable and illuminating... a virtual astrolabe for international environmental policy.' Tom Lovejoy, President, The Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment 'A dictionary ... that will be used by all involved parties and hopefully bring a bit of understanding, if not order, to a very disordered process.' Mikhail Gorbachev, Chairman, Green Cross International 'How amazing to find a spirited and passionate glossary!' Margaret Catley-Carlson, Secretary General Advisory Board on Water; Chair, Global Water Partnership 'This book will become the 'yellow pages' for students and practitioners alike, assisting them in becoming 'fluent' in the ways of GEG and envirospeak.' James Gustave Speth, Dean, Yale School of Forestry, Former Administrator of UNDP 'Without question, this book should be a great help to the novice and veteran negotiator alike.' Yolanda Kakabads, Former President, IUCN 'This book contains a profoundly unambiguous message, with prose that borders on the poetic.' Robin Rosenberg, Deputy Director, Dante B. Fascell North-South Center, University of Miami 'A very useful addition to the reference shelf.' Ecological and Environmental Education 'Words matter - they transform ideas into action. This power of communication is amplified with a common vocabulary. Saunier and Meganck's ambitious glossary makes a valuable contribution to enhancing the potential of global environmental agreement.' Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Former Executive Director, UNEP 'Saunier and Meganck have zeroed-in on one of the most confounding issues related to Global Environmental Governance: language and most importantly its context. This book will become the 'yellow pages' for students and practitioners alike, assisting them in becoming 'fluent' in the ways of GEG and envirospeak.' James Gustave Speth, Dean, Yale School of Forestry, Former Administrator of UNDP 'A useful tool in order to come to terms with the vocabulary of GEG'. Harry Bauer, Environment and Planning C; Government and Policy, 2008. 'Well-crafted and unique, this will appeal to a specialized audience. Recommended for large academic or specialised collections' Mary Rumsey, BurrellesLuce, Library Journal