The North American Mosaic has four overarching features. First, it is, to the extent feasible, based on comparable information on the status and trends of major indicators of the state of the environment in Canada,Mexico, and the United States. Second, the report confirms that these three countries together make up an incredibly complex, dynamic, and interconnected ecosystem in which humans play a dominant and decisive role. Third, the report raises important and sometimes disquieting questions concerning the sustainability of some current trends. Finally, the report is a reminder that our economic, social, and physical well-being are utterly dependent on the life-sustaining services provided by nature. This report emphasizes the importance of developing mutually compatible economic, social, and environmental goals and policies across the three-country region.

Confronting Climate Uncertainty in Water Resources Planning and Project Design describes an approach to facing two fundamental and unavoidable issues brought about by climate change uncertainty in water resources planning and project design. The first is a risk assessment problem. The second relates to risk management. This book provides background on the risks relevant in water systems planning, the different approaches to scenario definition in water system planning, and an introduction to the decision-scaling methodology upon which the decision tree is based. The decision tree is described as a scientifically defensible, repeatable, direct and clear method for demonstrating the robustness of a project to climate change. While applicable to all water resources projects, it allocates effort to projects in a way that is consistent with their potential sensitivity to climate risk. The process was designed to be hierarchical, with different stages or phases of analysis triggered based on the findings of the previous phase. An application example is provided followed by a descriptions of some of the tools available for decision making under uncertainty and methods available for climate risk management. The tool was designed for the World Bank but can be applicable in other scenarios where similar challenges arise.

National information needs on forests have grown considerably in recent years, evolving from forest area and growing stock information to key aspects of sustainable forest management, such as the role of forests in the conservation of biodiversity and the provision of other ecosystem services. More recently, information on changes in carbon stocks, socio-economic aspects including the contribution to livelihoods and poverty reduction, governance and broader land use issues has become critical for national planning.

An Integrated Approach to Managing the World's Water Resources Water Reuse: Issues, Technologies, and Applications equips water/wastewater students, engineers, scientists, and professionals with a definitive account of the latest water reclamation, recycling, and reuse theory and practice. This landmark textbook presents an integrated approach to all aspects of water reuse _ from public health protection to water quality criteria and regulations to advanced technology to implementation issues. Filled with over 500 detailed illustrations and photographs, Water Reuse: Issues, Technology, and Applications features: In-depth coverage of cutting-edge water reclamation and reuse applications Current issues and developments in public health and environmental protection criteria, regulations, and risk management Review of current advanced treatment technologies, new developments, and practices Special emphasis on process reliability and multiple barrier concepts approach Consideration of satellite and decentralized water reuse facilities Consideration of planning and public participation of water reuse Inside This Landmark Water/Wastewater Management Tool • Water Reuse: An Introduction • Health and Environmental Concerns in Water Reuse • Technologies and Systems for Water Reclamation and Reuse • Water Reuse Applications • Implementing Water Reuse