Many economies of the world are changing from rural agriculture orientation to industrialized systems. This rapid growth and related developement is causing significant changes in environmental management in the face of serious degradation problems. The Pacific Rim is rich in resources, environmental and human, and pollution problems are widespread affecting water and air quality, contaminating groundwater and soils, and dramatically increasing human exposure to hazardous waste. Critical resources (rain forests for example) are being permanently damaged or lost at an alarming rate. Integrated Environmental Management provides an information-packed review of the region's environmental problems, with a focus on problem solving, sustainable developement, and education. Anyone faced with environmental problems related to population growth, rapid industrialization, sustainable developement, increased resource degradation, and environmental protection and restoration will find this book particularly enlightening.
The final chapters of the book make an effort to outline education and information-sharing strategies designed to change environmental policy to focus less on fostering rapid economic growth. This is mandatory reading for professionals and policy makers, regulatory agencies, the planning community, and students in environmental sciences.