Sustainability Management - by Steven Cohen (Paperback)

About the Book

Written by a former analyst and consultant for the EPA, this book sketches out a unique plan to combine sustainable efforts in water, agriculture, urban, and power management to achieve--in practice, not just in theory--a sustainable planet and economy. Steven Cohen begins with the technical, financial, managerial, and political challenges of such a project, and then assesses possible sustainable practices in the manufacturing and service industries. He also addresses renewable and carbon-free energy production; water sustainability, especially with regard to energy issues involving filtration, distribution, and changing rainfall patterns; food cultivation and distribution; and ways to maintain the interdependent systems on which we rely on to live. Taking examples from New York City, one of the most sustainable and sustainability-minded metropolises in the world, Cohen explains how everything from construction to waste management can be designed to facilitate a sustainable environment. He concludes with the global efforts necessary to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems, and the impact of war, terrorism, and human conflict on sustainability.

Book Synopsis

Can we grow our world economy and create opportunities for the poor while keeping the planet intact? Can we maintain our vibrant, dynamic lifestyles while ensuring the Earth stays productive and viable? Aimed at managers, students, scholars, and policymakers, Sustainability Management answers these questions in the affirmative, arguing it is possible for environmentally sustainable business practices and policies to foster economic and long-term growth.

Written by a former analyst and consultant with the EPA, this book originally combines sustainable efforts in water, agriculture, urban, and power management to achieve--in practice, not just in theory--a sustainable planet and economy. Steven Cohen begins with the technical, financial, managerial, and political challenges of such a project, and then honestly assesses sustainable practices in the manufacturing and service industries. He addresses renewable and carbon-free energy production; water sustainability, especially with regard to energy issues involving filtration, distribution, and changing rainfall patterns; food cultivation and distribution; and ways to maintain the interdependent systems on which we depend to live. Taking examples from New York City, one of the most sustainable and sustainability-minded metropolises in the world, Cohen explains how everything from construction to waste management can be designed to facilitate a sustainable environment, not just for New York but also for the world. He concludes with this macroscopic view, outlining the global efforts necessary to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems, and the impact of war, terrorism, and human conflict on sustainability.

Review Quotes

[Sustainability Management] will be used widely as a text for environmental studies, political science, and business majors. Strongly recommended.-- "Library Journal"

About the Author

Steven Cohen is executive director of Columbia University's Earth Institute and professor in the practice of public affairs at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). He is also director of the masters program in sustainability management at Columbia's School of Continuing Education and the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program at SIPA. His books include Understanding Environmental Policy and The Effective Public Manager, now in its fifth edition.