Sustainable Future for the Mediterranean

<p>'Here's a work arriving just at the right moment and contributingnew insights at precisely the time when public opinion remains sceptical of the not very promising future we are preparing for our children when governments balk at explaining to their electorates the vital but unpopular decisions that have to be taken and when civil society with few ways and means is finally becoming involved. This remarkable work will help all actors to understand the inter-linkages between economic activities and the environment in the Mediterranean Basin and take concerted effective action to build a positive sustainable future' <br>Mohamed Ennabli former Minister of the Environment and Land Use Panning Tunisia</p> <p>'The Blue Plan has carried out a remarkable assessment of the serious environmental probems and insufficiently targeted cooperation in the Mediterranean and also of new financing systems to be implemented which would increase the capacities of local authorities and economic and social partners' <br>Georges Corm former Minister of Finance Lebanon</p> <p>The Mediterranean Basin and its surrounding countries is a microcosm of the environmental and sustainability challenges facing people across the world. Depending on the development path it takes in the future the region can either become a positive model for the regional regulation of globalization or more onerously it might reinforce global instability.</p> <p>This unique volume is the definitive authoritative assessment of the environment and development of the Mediterranean Basin and its 22 countries and territories spanning five decades from 30 years in the past to 20 years into the future. Produced by the Blue Plan within the framework of UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan and backed by the EU and national governments it brings together the work of more than 100 researchers from dozens of national regional and local governments and research groups into the only comprehensive insight into sustainable development issues in the region.</p> <p>Core coverage includes water energy transport cities rural and coastal areas as well as related issues such as climate change population growth geopolitical changes unemployment and poverty pollution economic and environmental policies regional cooperation and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. Information is clearly presented through hundreds of full-colour maps graphs tables and a wealth of case studies.</p> <p>This is a must-have reference for all levels of government NGOs and libraries as well as practitioners academics and businesses involved in economics natural resource management land and maritime transport water energy infrastructure urban and rural development agriculture fishing and aquaculture tourism and coastal management.</p> <p>Countries and territories covered: Spain France Italy Monaco Malta Cyprus Slovenia Croatia Bosnia-Herzegovina <br>Serbia and Montenegro Albania Greece Turkey Syria Lebanon Palestinian Territories Israel <br>Egypt Libya Tunisia Algeria and Morocco.</p> <p>Preface by Lucien Chabason Chairman of the Blue Plan.</p>