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Showing papers in "Global Environmental Change-human and Policy Dimensions in 1990"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the human dimensions of global environmental change through research that integrates findings from spatial scales ranging from the global to the local and a regional or meso-scale focus represents a particularly promising avenue of approach.
Abstract: Clarification of several issues in the human dimensions of global environmental change is essential to the creation of a balanced research agenda. Global environmental change includes both systemic changes that operate globally through the major systems of the geosphere-biosphere, and cumulative changes that represent the global accumulation of localized changes. An understanding of the human dimen sions of change requires attention to both types through research that integrates findings from spatial scales ranging from the global to the local. A regional or meso-scale focus represents a particularly promising avenue of approach.

263 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The notions of "limits to growth" and "global change" have a number of similarities as mentioned in this paper and have gained prominence as global rationales for wide-ranging environmentalist agendas.
Abstract: The notions of ‘limits to growth’ and ‘global change’ have a number of similarities. Both are neo-Malthusian, are based on quantitative scientific research, and have gained prominence as global rationales for wide-ranging environmentalist agendas. Most importantly, both notions have served simultaneously as scientific concepts and as environmental movement ideologies. However, the favourable political reception accorded ‘global change’ is markedly different from the hostile reception of the ‘limits to growth’ Weltanschauung of the early 1970s. The two formulations are compared and contrasted, and possible explanations and implications are discussed. The relatively high degree of consensus on global change that currently prevails may mask contradictions that will lead to major conflicts over environmental policy.

99 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors make use of export data for Peninsular Malaysia and each political unit of the island of Borneo to provide a consistent data source around which events can be described and analysed.
Abstract: Since the 1960s the Dipterocarp forests of Southeast Asia have become the principal source of tropical hardwood timber entering world trade. The transformation of the rain forest environment in the Malay Peninsula and Borneo has generated increasing international and local concern. After reviewing the general issues, the authors make use of export data for Peninsular Malaysia and each political unit of the island of Borneo to provide a consistent data source around which events can be described and analysed.

56 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the context of humankind's growing recognition that it is part of the biosphere and a major agent of its change, the author assesses the evolution of international interdisciplinary research programs, identifies obstacles to the development of such programs, and suggests future directions as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In the context of humankind's growing recognition that it is part of the biosphere and a major agent of its change, the author assesses the evolution of international interdisciplinary research programmes, identifies obstacles to the development of such programmes, and suggests future directions. In doing so, he considers the increasing scales of environmental change which necessitate International interdisciplinary research, defines interdisciplinary research, and discusses obstacles to such research which may limit its evolution. The article concludes with a discussion of the contemporary evolution of international interdisciplinary research programmes emphasizing the interactions of humankind with other elements of the biosphere and offers suggestions for the future evolution of such programmes.

26 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the role of various actors involved in tropical deforestation and the political jurisdictions within which they operate is analyzed and a framework is presented to analyse the role and role of the actors.
Abstract: The escalation of debate over deforestation from local to international levels Is challenging government institutions and may complicate the forging of multilateral agreements to curb deforestation. Attempts to curb deforestation have proven technically difficult, costly, and politically controversial at local, national, and international levels. The ecopolitlcal framework presented in this article provides a means of analysing the role of various actors involved in tropical deforestation and the political jurisdictions within which they operate. Deforestation policies may have limited impact on global warming but will greatly affect millions of Third World peoples who subsist in and around tropical forests.

25 citations