Abstract
From the geological perspective, the two overriding environmental management concerns are the destructive impact of hazardous natural events on human health and property and the deleterious impact of human activity on the natural environment. The knowledge derived from the geological sciences serves as the basis for a more enlightened approach to the reduction of unnecessary risk involved in the siting and construction of buildings and transportation networks, as well as the extraction of natural resources and waste management. Armed with such knowledge along with political sensitivity, environmental managers will have opportunities for positive social impact in negotiating the challenges as they weigh costs, risks, and benefits. When considering natural resource and energy issues, environmental managers should foster science-based solutions to maximize resource utilization while minimizing harmful impacts, bearing in mind externalities and long-term consequences. The chapter provides an overview of key geological aspects of environmental management, illustrating fundamental principles via representative examples. The main geological subjects addressed include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, coastal processes, freshwater resources, waste management, and fossil fuel resources. They are discussed in tandem with their associated environmental problems and risks.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | An Integrated Approach to Environmental Management |
Publisher | wiley |
Pages | 1-45 |
Number of pages | 45 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781118744406 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781118744352 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Oct 2016 |
Keywords
- Barrier island
- Coastal hazards
- Earthquake hazards
- Flooding hazards
- Lahar
- Liquefaction
- Seismic safety
- Slope instability
- Tsunami
- Volcanic hazards