The UNEP Year Book 2009 (formerly the GEO Year Book) presents selected new scientific findings and events of 2008 that are likely to shape important environmental issues and trends in the coming year of 2009. Highly illustrated, the Year Book examines new developments in ecosystem management, harmful substances and hazardous waste, climate change, disasters and conflict, resource efficiency, and environmental governance with a cross-cutting thematic discussion of cumulative effects of pressing environmental issues and problems.