Climate Change and Cultural Heritage : A Race against Time

ISBN-13: 9780415660044 / Angielski / Twarda / 2013 / 216 str.

Peter F. Smith

Opis

Awareness and interest in the meaning of civilisation and the extraordinary heritage for which humanity is the trustee is on the rise. If the current rate of carbon dioxide emissions continues unabated, scientists are increasingly warning of the threat it poses to civilisation. The less to least developed countries have already experienced impacts that have been scientifically attributed to global warming.

Bringing together a range of subjects - from science, energy and sustainability to aesthetics theory and civilization theory - this book uniquely deals with climate change and the ensuing catastrophes in relation to cultural factors, urbanism and architecture. It links the evolution of civilisation, with special emphasis on the dynamics of beauty as displayed in architecture and urbanism, to climate change. It then considers both the historic and predicted impacts of climate change and the threat it poses to the continued viability of civilisation when survival is the top priority.

This book gives students, researchers and professionals in architecture and sustainable design as well as anyone interested in the threat of global warming to civilisation, new insights as to what could be lost if action is not taken at a global level.

Spis treści

Introduction: Bridging the Cultural Divide  1. Goldilocks  2. The Evolution of Civilisation  3. The Dynamics of Climate Change  4. Climate and the Price of Progress  5. Predictions for the UK  6. The Race Against Time  7. From Climate to Civilisation and the Principle of Harmony  8. Beyond the Maths  9. The energy Dilemma  10. Green Technologies - a sample  11. Access to Clean Energy  12. Carbon Dioxide Uncertainties  13. Nuclear Developments and Complementary Technologies  14. Essential Services Provided by Nature  15. China, on the Ascent  16. The Four Degrees Scenario

O autorze

Peter F. Smith is Honorary Professor in Sustainable Energy, University of Nottingham, and Emeritus Professor and former Head of the School of Architecture, Leeds Metropolitan University. He was Vice President of The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and chairman of the RIBA Environment and Energy Committee.