Our current civilisation has fallen into a self-destructive process by which natural resources are consumed at an increasing rate. This process has now spread across the planet in search of further sources of energy and materials. The aggressiveness of this quest is such that the future of our planet is in the balance. The process is compounded by the pernicious effects of the resulting pollution.

This book contains papers presented at the second International conference on the Management of Natural Resources, Sustainable Development and Ecological Hazards, which was held in Western Cape, South Africa. The conference discussed the objective of reaching sustainability in the framework of all different disciplines in order to arrive at optimal solutions. Hence, the meeting was essentially transdisciplinary in order to find appropriate sustainable solutions, i.e. those involving collaboration across a wide range of disciplines. The aim of the conference was to take stock of our situation and try to facilitate constructive principles and policies for a way forward.

This book contains papers on the following topics: Development issues; Environmental issues; Changing climates; Transborder strategies; Air quality; Energy; Aquifer studies; Selected South African Water Issues.