Are people eternally destined to live in cities? Are jungles made of concrete, metal and glass the only environment in which they deserve to exist – even in the remote future? Today, these important questions coexist with various correlations and consequences in multiple areas of life and expertise. Historically, mankind emerged from rural environments, which have an inherent closeness to natural wildness, and endlessly strived for life in the city. This used to be t...

Ecosystem restoration has become a dominant activity for many natural resource management agencies throughout the United States and the world. Although it is now one of the fastest growing fields, large-scale ecosystem restoration is a significant challenge. A recent Northeast-Midwest Institute report identified four challenges for such large-scale projects: These ecosystems are immense and complex. Restoration efforts must bring together interests with lit...

In July 2005, British crowds cheered as the city was selected to host the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. London 2012 will be big. Roughly 14,700 Olympic athletes from 205 nations and 4,200 Paralympic athletes are expected to arrive for 46 Olympic and Paralympic Games in 55 venues within 77 days. The City will host more than nine million ticketed visitors with nearly 250,000 visitors expected daily during the peak of the Games, which will be held Jul...