This is the third volume in a series edited and published by the Japan Environmental Council. Part l covers four topics: the military and the environment, the environment and trade, agriculture/food and the environment, and the biodiversity of forests and rice paddies. Part 2 uses the perspective of "regions" that straddle multiple countries to examine the problems unique to Northeast Asia, the Mekong region, and Inner Asia, and also discusses recent trends in 10 countries/regions. Japan, Republic of Korea, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India. Part 3 analyzes data based on 22 topics.
Preface -- Launching the Era of Global Environmental Governance from Asia Guaranteeing Fairness Through the Involvement; Principles Contents; List of Contributors.- Part I Asia by Theme: Military Impacts on the Environment Working Toward the Century of Peace and Environmental Progress; Trade and the Environment Promoting Environmentally Friendly Trade; Food, Farming and the Environment -- The Development of Sustainable Agriculture; Forest and Rice Paddy Biodiversity Working Toward Comprehensive Management Based on Community Participation; Part II Asia by Country and Region: Northeast Asia Region Building Based on Environmental Cooperation; The Mekong Region -- Incorporating the Views of Regional Civil Society; Inner Asia -- Balancing the Environment with Socioeconomic Development; Country/Region Updates (Japan / Republic of Korea / People's Republic of China / Taiwan / Philippine / Vietnam / Kingdom of Thailand / Malaysia / Indonesia / India).- Part III Data and Commentary: Economic Inequality, Poverty and Human Development; Population and Lender: Reproductive Health and Rights; Preventing Occupational Injuries and Improving Occupational Safety and Health; Improving Health and Education; Disputes over Regulating GM Crops and Food; Forest Resources on the Decline; Local Perspectives in Protected Area Management; Regal Wildlife Trade Flourishes; Coastal and Marine Environments in Crisis; Deepening Water Crisis; The Spreading Cadmium Scourge; Pollution Export and Rising Foreign Direct Investment; Urbanization Proceeds Rapidly; Motor Vehicles and Air Pollution; Burgeoning Wastes and New Management Policies; The internationalization of Recycling; The Challenges of Controlling Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Nuclear Power Development and KEDO; International Contact among Environmental NGOs Grows More Vigorous; Trends in Environmental ODA, and the Need for Post-Project Evaluation; Environmental Conventions and Agreements; Environmental aPolicy Instruments Diversify; Notes; References; Translator's Afterward; Index.
From the reviews: "What makes this book both challenging and refreshing is that it's produced from within the area by those with a vested interest in examining the real issues and commenting upon them. ! Overall, this is a very interesting book. ! It also contains a wealth of detail not easily found elsewhere. ! it would make a fascinating case study and an entry into more detailed work about the region." (Journal of Economic Literature, Vol. 43 (3), 2005)