SIMPLE-G

<p>This is an open access book.</p><p>Crafted for both the economist and the curious mind this book introduces a novel approach to blending economic and biophysical sciences to enable multi-scale analysis of a range of sustainability challenges confronting the world���s land and water resources at both local and global scales. It focuses specifically on the interface between the environment and food systems utilizing economic theory to structure the overall framework. However within the SIMPLE-G framework there is ample room to incorporate fine-scale biophysical knowledge from agronomy climate science ecology geography hydrology as well as a range of socioeconomic considerations. This enables multi-scale analyses incorporating grid cells that can vary in size from 250 meters to sub-regional scales. This in turn allows for investigation of global change drivers��� impacts on local sustainability as well as feedbacks from local sustainability policies to regional and global outcomes.</p><p>The book opens with a foreword by a prominent sustainability scientist Prof. Navin Ramankutty and proceeds in five parts covering respectively: (1) introduction and overview (2) basic economic theory underpinning SIMPLE-G (3) the SIMPLE-G framework including structure data parameters computer implementation and validation (4) eight diverse applications of the SIMPLE-G framework covering a range of geographies and sustainability challenges and (5) a forward-looking chapter on future directions. The book provides step-by-step guidance on building and utilizing gridded models with real-world case studies demonstrating practical applications which will facilitate its use by academics practitioners and students conducting research on climate impacts land-use water resource management food security poverty equity nutritional outcomes and overall sustainability.</p>