The environmental impact of Chernobyl in the soviet union

Summary The author describes events subsequent to the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident and something of their environmental impact as it affects the Soviet Union. He is somewhat adversely critical of the lack of information currently being released by the Soviet authorities.Dr Zhores Medvedev was born in Tbilisi, and trained firstly as a plant biochemist and subsequently as a molecular biologist in the USSR. He studied the ecological effects of the 1958 Kyshtym nuclear accident in the USSR and published his findings in a bookNuclear Disaster in the Urals in 1979. He is currently a research scientist at the National Institute of Medical Research in London. A comprehensive analysis ofSoviet Agriculture is about to appear in a book of that title under Dr. Medvedev's authorship.     

WATER RESOURCES OF MEXICO1

The aim of this paper, based fundamentally on the experiences and data obtained by staff members of the Secretaria de Recursos Hidráulicos, is to present a general view of the water resources of the Mexican territory. Unfortunately, there does not exist a rational and adequate distribution of those resources, due to a great number of factors, mainly natural, which we must control to attain a convenient rationalization to meet the requirements of a growing population and industry.     

The environmental impact of a chloro-alkali factory in a river basin in Eastern India

Summary It has been established that the electrodes of the dialyser in a chloro-alkali plant in Eastern India release mercury beyond the permissible limits into the River Koel. Mercury in elemental form, as well as certain organo-mercury compounds, including methyl mercury, have been detected at a distance of 25 km from the discharge point. Even at a distance of 5–10 km, the mercury content of the sediment may be as high as 0.6–3.2 mg kg^–1 above the value of sediment upstream of the plant. This sediment itself is contaminated, probably by battery and paint factories, etc., still further upstream. Thus, the chloro-alkali factory has contributed 60–320 times above the permissible limit (0.01 mg kg^–1) of mercury release, at a distance of 5–10 km from the point of release. Furthermore, various phytoplankton and zooplankton have been contaminated, leading to very high mercury contents in certain fish. This food chain, therefore, threatens man himself.Dr Sajalendu Nanda is currently a Research Associate at Bangur Institute of Neurology in Calcutta. He possesses an MSc in Environmental Biology and a PhD in Ecology. His address for correspondence is c/o Dr P.K. Tapaswi, Professor-in-Charge at the Biological Sciences Division of the Indian Statistical Institute.     

Environmental problems affect ecological balance of animal species in Brazil

Summary In this short article the author analyses some of the causes for the recent depletion in the natural fauna and wildlife of Brazil. A plea for support in their protection is made.Dr Walter Leal Filho is a Brazilian biologist who has recently completed a PhD programme in Environmental Sciences at Bradford University, UK. He has been collaborating in a wide range of conservationist projects in Brazil and has published a number of articles and papers promoting the conservation of Brazilian fauna and flora, including the bookEcology and Education.     

TWO DECADES OF MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT: THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS

The Department of Technical Co-operation for Development of the United Nations Secretariat in New York, which now incorporates the Division of Natural Resources and Energy (formerly the Centre for Natural Resources, Energy and Transport) has, over the past 20 years, assisted the geology and mineral development programmes of most of the world's developing countries. Funding for this technical co-operation has been provided mainly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with roughly equivalent amounts by recipient governments, generally in the form of national facilities, staff and local operating costs. The total UNDP expenditures of some $170 million have supported more than 200 projects so far. At present, about 45 projects are operational with a total budget of about $55 million. The large-scale operational activities of the United Nations programme in the past have concentrated primarily on systematic mineral exploration combined with strengthening of national institutions, basic geological mapping and feasibility investigations. Associated with the United Nations programme are the projects of the United Nations Revolving Fund for Natural Resources Exploration, more recently established to provide an additional source of exploration financing in recognition of the needs of developing countries which are not being adequately met by their own resources and the limited resources available within the United Nations Development Programme. Le Département de la coopération technique pour le développement du Secrétariat des Nations Unies à New York dont fait maintenant partie la Division des ressources naturelles et de l'énergie (anciennement le Centre des ressources naturelles, de l'énergie et des transports) a apporté son assistance pendant ces vingt demières années aux programmes de mise en valeur de la géologie et des minéraux de la plupart des pays en développement du monde. Le financement de cette coopération technique a été essentiellement assuré par le Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD) et les gouvernements receveurs qui ont fourni des sommes approximativement équivalentes, généralement sous forme d'installations, de personnel et de frais d'exploitation au niveau national. Le montant total des dépenses du PNUD, s'élevant à quelque $170 millions, a financé jusqu'à présent l'exécution de plus de 200 projets. Auparavant, les activités opérationnelles de grande échelle du programme des Nations Unies ont été dirigées principalement vers l'exploration systématique des minéraux conjointement avec le renforcement des institutions nationales, l'établissement de cartes géologiques de base et les enquêtes de faisabilité. Les projets du Fonds autorenouvelable des Nations Unies pour l'exploration des ressources naturelles, associés au programme des Nations Unies, ont été récemment établis afin de fournir une source supplémentaire de financement de l'exploration pour répondre aux besoins des pays en développement que leurs propres ressources de même que celles disponibles mais limitées du Programme de développement des Nations Unies n'arrivent pas à satisfaire de manière adéquate. El Departamento de Cooperación Técnica para el Desarrollo del Secretariado de las Naciones Unidas, que incorpora la División de Recursos Naturales y Energía (anteriormente Centro de Recursos Naturales, Energía y Transportes) ha, en los últimos 20 años, asistido a los programas de geología y desarrollo de minerales en la mayoría de los países en desarrollo. La financiación para esta cooperación técnica fue proveída principalmente por el Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD) y por los Gobiernos, en especie, por un monto aproximadamente igual a la contribución del PNUD. La contribución total del PNUD de unos $170 millones ha sido aplicado a más de 200 proyectos hasta ahora. Acerca de 45 proyectos están en ejecución al presente por un monto aproximado de $55 millones. En el pasado los proyectos de gran escala del programa de actividades de las Naciones Unidas se han concertado principalmente en la exploración sistemática de minerales combinada con el reforzamiento de instituciones nacionales, geológico basico y estudios de factibilidad. Asociados al programa arriba mencionado se ejecutan los proyectos del Fondo Revolvente de las Naciones Unidas para la Exploración de Recursos Naturales, fondo recientemente establecido con el objeto de proveer financiación adicional a las actividades de exploración. La limitación de los recursos propios de los países en desarrollo y la del Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarollo para hacer frente a las necesidades de dichos países han urgido la creación del Fondo.     

Subject indicators to present the nature and limit of environmental studies in US graduate schools

Summary The purpose of this paper is to examine subjects to show the nature and limit of interdisciplinary communication in existing environmental programmes in US graduate schools. Ultimately, this analysis may provide more effective communication with the general public. Following comparative historical reviews of both the sciences and the human activity for environmental protection, and a content analysis of empirical documents used by the public, a mushroom computer model has been produced. This model is based on organizational behaviour theory and contains the following 15 subjects which were originally introduced before the lack of communication resulting from curriculum failure in the 19th century: philosophy, politics, economics, architecture, sociology, biology, medicine, agriculture, ecology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, statistics. The subjects should foster effective communication with the general public, leading to more effective environmental protection.Dr Hong S. Kim is at the Environmental Studies Program, California State University, Fullerton, USA. He received a PhD from the Administration and Management Program at Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. His numerous papers are focused on environmental pollution analysis, environmental impact assessment, environmental management, and environmental law. He has written a book entitledEnvironmentology which is forthcoming.Dr James P. Dixon is the Chairperson of Health Services at Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401, USA. He was recently Professor of the Department of Policy and Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. He was also past President of Antioch College (1959–1975). His many publications are concentrated in the areas of organizational development, public health and preventive medicine, and administration of human service organizations.     

Resources development or instream protection? The case of Queensland,Australia

Summary In Queensland, Australia, instream resources planning ranges from "fragmentary" to overlooked. But the State of Queensland, with engineer dominant water management, is only a little behind some other Australian States and Western countries in evaluating the environmental uses and values of river systems. Management is pragmatic about its abundant water endowment! Highly contrasting biophysical environments, from arid to tropical rainforest, as well as a dominance of ephemeral river systems should not preclude instream assessment. The new coastal $A430 million, Burdekin Falls Dam, the "1800's dream" has radically altered that river and delta region for economically amorphous agricultural purposes and, seemingly, to encourage crocodiles to recreate. In comparison, the "urbanised" Brisbane River is the focus of southern state water use competition issues such as flooding, eutrophication, turbidity, public access, preservation of river islands, sand and gravel mining, and recreation. A veritable host of river related management authorities preside!Dr Diana Day is trained as a fluvial geomorphologist and a water policy analyst. Her research has focused on natural resources management especially related to water and soil/land assets. Dr Day is an editor of the newAustralian Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Her many publications include a recent book entitledWater and Coal -Industry, Environment and Institutions in the Hunter Valley, N.S.W., published by The Australian National University, Canberra, where until recently she was a Research Fellow. Dr Day is currently a Water Planner in the public sector.     

Stockholm Recommendation 96: Viable in the Dominican Republic

Summary The Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries face serious challenges to their natural resource base. In recent years the government of the Dominican Republic has taken major steps toward the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for national natural resources management. This plan is called Plan Sierra. An important component of this plan is the outline of actions for carrying out an environmental education programme within the country. This demonstrates a commitment to fulfill Recommendation No. 96 of the Stockholm Conference in a way that could become a model for other Latin American nations. Clinton L. Shepard is Assistant Professor in the Division of Environmental Education, School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University. Dr Shepard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Kentucky and graduate degrees from The Ohio State University in Natural Resources/Environmental Education and Education-Foundations and Research. He has worked as an interpreter and Environmental Education Coordinator for the State of Ohio Department of Natural Resources, a research associate for ERIC—Science, Math, and Environmental Education Clearinghouse, and College instructor in interpretive methods, environmental education methodology, resident outdoor programming, and natural resources development. He is also involved in international research and development, especially in the Caribbean Basin. Robert E. Roth is Chairman/Professor in the Division of Environmental Education, School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University. Dr Roth received a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management, a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Science Education, a Master's degree in Conservation Education from The Ohio State University, and his Ph.D. in Environmental Education from The University of Wisconsin. he came to OSU in 1969 and since that time has designed and institutionalized the only academic unit in the US that offers both well developed undergraduate and graduate programmes in Environmental Communications, Education and Interpretation and has published over 40 works in the field. He has been instrumental in implementing a growing international environmental education research and development emphasis in the wider Caribbean, he continues as an Executive Editor of theJournal of Environmental Education.     

Management of environment in developing countries

Summary Environmental problems in developing countries partly arise out of lack of development, hence they are intricately linked to the socio-economic conditions. Environmental awareness and environmental education are critical under these conditions but these are time consuming and slow solutions. Integration of economic and environmental plans for various regions have to be attempted systematically. Time is running out, and unless comprehensive steps are taken up some of the capital assets (such as forests, fresh water, soils, etc.) are likely to be irretrievably damaged.Dr B. Bowonder was, until recently, Chairman of the Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology at the Administrative Staff College, Hyderabad. He recently joined this Journal's Advisory Board and his analysis of the Bhopal Incident (The Environmentalist, 5 (2) 89–103) created considerable interest. He is currently a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific.     

Issues in the environmental sanitation of Lagos mainland,Nigeria

Summary Lagos is asserted to be the filthiest capital in the world. The influx of people into the metropolitan area has no corresponding technology to cope with the solid waste generated by the ever increasing population. Coupled with this lack of technology is the lack of adequate knowledge of the composition and generation rate of the refuse which has led to mismanagement of the environment. Paper waste is identified to constitute the major form of waste generated in Lagos and, in most cases, over 90 percent of the wastes generated are combustible, therefore, the use of incineration is recommended for effective management of the refuse.Dr Afolabi A. Adedibu and Mr A.A. Okekunle are members of staff in the Department of Geography at the University of Ilorin. Dr Adedibu, the senior author, has recently served as Foreign Curriculum Consultant to the Center for African Studies at the University of Florida. Dr Adedibu has presented earlier papers on Nigeria's solid waste management problems inThe Environmentalist, Vol.5, pp.123–127 and Vol.6, pp.63–68.     

Responding to the World Conservation Strategy

Summary The nature, achievements and shortcomings of the World Conservation Strategy (WCS) are reviewed. In particular, the National Conservation Strategies (NCS) prepared in response to WCS are discussed, and the differences between developed and less developed countries are noted in this respect. Special attention is paid to the UK follow-up. It is concluded that more emphasis must be placed on popularizing WCS and on acquiring a more balanced appreciation of conservation.Dr Paul Selman is lecturer in Environmental Management at the University of Stirling. He holds qualifications in environmental science and town planning from East Anglia, Heriot-Watt and Stirling Universities, and has worked as a local authority planner as well as in higher education. He has published extensively on the interface between planning and ecology.     

The role of citizen scientist in nature resource decision-making: Lessons from the spruce budworm problem in Canada

Summary An increased role for citizen participation in natural resource decision-making has been advocated by, amongst others, the United Nations (Brundtland Commission) as a means of initiating fundamental changes in the way we exploit natural resources. However, attempts at meaningful participation by the public are met with resistance, commonly by the dominant elites who control environmental and economic policies. Citizen groups press for involvement, only to be dismissed by local establishments as ill-informed amateurs. The resulting conflicts seldom lead to innovations in policy or to constructive cooperation in the face of new environmental problems. This leads the author to feelings of pessimism about prospects for genuine public participation in the absence of political change. In arguing in support of such change, a case study is offered which illustrates the unfortunate consequences that ensue when participation is sought and rejected. The paper closes with recommendations for the way in which citizen groups could contribute in a meaningful way to natural resource decision-making, were they to be given the opportunity.Dr Alan Miller is currently Professor of Psychology at the University of New Brunswick. He has published previously in this journal on the topic of Ideology and Environmental Risk Management (The Environmentalist,5(1), 21–30.)     

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WATER AND HUMAN HEALTH1

The following paper was presented by Dr. Abel Wolman at the Plenary Session of the 22nd Annual Conference of the American Water Resources Association in Atlanta, Georgia, November 10, 1986. Dr. Wolman is Professor Emeritus of Sanitary Engineering at The Johns Hopkins University. He was educated at Johns Hopkins and has received an Honorary Doctor of Engineering (1937) and Honorary Doctor of Laws (1969) from his alma mater. Dr. Wolman held a number of positions before joing the faculty of The Johns Hopkins University as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Sanitary Engineering (1937–1959). He has served as consultant for many studies and projects, in the United States and overseas, and has a long-term record of service to communities, states and governments. A long list of awards and honors include the Sedgwick Memorial Award, APHA; Arthur Sidney Bedell Award, WPCF; Hemisphere Award, inter-American Association of Sanitary Engineers; U.S. Award of the National Medal of Science; Tyler Award, Ecological Society of America; Ben Gurion Award from the State of israel; and the Gordon Maskew Fair Award, WPCA. He is author, co-author or editor of four books and over 3000 technical publications, most in refereed journals.     

Environmental accounting: Neo-classical framework or alternative?

Summary Traditional environmental accounting framework is based on a neo-classical economic theory that treats environmental assets and liabilities as if their contribution to economic acitivity were similar to that of conventional, marketed assets and liabilities. The environment is viewed as a producer of outputs consumed by other productive economic sectors. It is proposed in this article that the environment is not only a producer of outputs, but also an output itself. The environment requires not only its protection, but importantly its continual improvement. Under this framework environmental accounting as a discipline is split into two categories: corporate environmental accounting and social environmental accounting. Two information streams exist under this framework: products-oriented information and environment-oriented information.Dr Simon S. Gao is a Senior Lecturer in the Accounting and Finance Division of the Business School at Staffordshire University. He obtained a BA in Economics in 1993, and an MA in Accounting and Finance, in 1987, both from Shaanxi Institute of Finance and Economics, China. He was recently awarded a PhD from Faculty of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam (The Netherlands). His research intersts include among others, environmental accounting and reporting, environmental cost and risk analysis, and environmental asset management. He has published papers widely on accounting and finance issues.     

Federalism and environmental politics: An Australian overview

Summary This overview paper examines past Australian conservation controversies and experiences to identify prospective means of ameliorating environmental conflict in the future. Since all community disputes should be resolved by means of political and administrative actions, emphasis is placed on federalism and intergovernmental relations, and measures are suggested which might improve environmental policy and practices in the future.Dr Bruce W. Davis is currently Head of the Department of Political Science, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and member of the Council of the University of Tasmania. He possesses qualifications and professional experience in engineering, economics and administration. He has numerous publications within the fields of public sector planning and natural resources management, and acts in an advisory and consulting capacity to State and Federal agencies involved in national parks administration, heritage conservation and land-use planning.In addition to University commitments, Dr Davis holds the following appointments: Commissioner, Australian Heritage Commission; Member, Australian National Commission for UNESCO, Man and Biosphere Program; Trustee, World Wildlife Fund Australia; Councillor, Australian Conservation Foundation; and Consultant to IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.     

Planning for environmental project implementation and development: as exemplified by the songklha lake basin planning study,Thailand

Summary This paper describes use of the economic-cumenvironmental regional development planning process (as differentiated from regional economic planning and regional environmental planning) for its first application in the Asia-Pacific region, for The Songkhla Lake Basin Planning Study, in southern Thailand. The study project was carried out, with Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan financing, as a joint venture of the national economic and national environmental planning agencies. Because of its pioneering nature, in both technical and institutional aspects, numerous lessons were learned from the project. These are described, and yield guidelines valuable for future studies of this type.Dr Harvey F. Ludwig, Chairman of Seatec International Consulting Engineers in Bangkok, has a unique record of distinguished experience in environmental engineering. This includes, in addition to his present role, experience as a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, in research (four USA national awards), in government (as Assistant Chief Engineer of the US Public Health Service Engineering Group, the predecessor to USEPA), and with numerous international assistance agencies including the World Bank, ADB, and many UN affiliates. Dr Ludwig moved to live in Bangkok in 1973 and has since been a continuing adviser to the National Environment Board of Thailand and to the Institutes of Water Resources Research of Indonesia. He is the author/coauthor of some 160 professional publications and the senior author of a textbook onEnvironmental Technology in Developing Countries, now being printed by CRC Press of Boca Raton, Florida. His work record includes projects in more than 30 Developing countries.     

The declining cocoa economy and the Atlantic Forest of Southern Bahia,Brazil: Conservation attitudes of cocoa planters

Summary The causes of the degradation of Brazilian Atlantic Forest in the south-eastern cocoa region of the State of Bahia are investigated by means of a survey on cocoa planter's forest conservation attitudes. Large land-owners were found to be responsible for most of the forest clearing that occurred in the past: cocoa prices compensated investment in the expansion of the area planted to cocoa on planters' forested land-holdings. Large land-owners were also responsible for most of the recent forest clearing, which occurred simply to sell trees in order to earn income while cocoa prices were depressed. Large land-owners are nonetheless more interested than small land-owners in conserving some of their forest. Policies encouraging private forest conservation, and the development of forest-conserving agricultural alternatives for the landless poor are recommended.Dr Keith Alger teaches at the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz in Southern Bahia, a community college in Brazil's cocoa producing region. He is Vice-President of Fundação Pau Brasil, a non-profit association of local researchers and environmentalists whose objective is to encourage the conservation of biodiversity in regional, economic and social development. He does volunteer work for Projeto Mico-Leão Baiano (The Bahian Lion Tamarin Project), an environmental education project coordinated by maria Cristina Alves and sponsored by the Wildlife Preservation Trust International. Dr Alger's current research on land-use tendencies in a wildlife park buffer zone is supported by Conservation International and the World Wildlife fund. Marcellus Caldas took his MS in agricultural economics at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa in Minas Gerais, and teaches at the Universidade Federal da Bahia in Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil.     

Ecological effects of the frog's legs trade

Summary The author reviews the trade in frogs from India, conducted to provide a culinary delicacy in frogs' legs for the West. Excessive harvesting of frogs upsets the ecological balance in their natural habitats and increases the need for extensive use of insecticides, with consequent additions to both pollution and costs.Dr G.M. Oza is Reader in Botany in the Faculty of Science at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. He is also General Secretary of the International (formerly Indian) Society of Naturalists (INSONA), and Founding Editor ofEnvironmental Awareness. He serves as a Member of the Commission on Ecology and the Commission on Education and Training of IUCN — the World Conservation Union. This paper was first submitted for publication in 1986.     

Pesticides: a wider perspective

Summary The importance of pesticides and other inputs into intensive agriculture is assessed not only in terms of the types of hazards that may arise but also the consequences of such inputs to overall economic structure in the countries concerned. The contrasting level of control of pesticides in countries with more or less advanced economies is examined and some of the dangers associated with pesticide use are discussed.Dr. Kenneth Hassall is Senior Lecturer in the Chemistry of Pesticides at the University of Reading. He is author ofChemistry of Pesticides: their metabolism, mode of action and uses in crop protection. Macmillans, England, 1982.     

Climate and Water Conflicts Coevolution from Tropical Development and Hydro‐Climatic Perspectives: A Case Study of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a nation with a vast wealth of water resources; however, recently the country has faced water conflicts (WC) due to social, economic, legal, and political impediments in response to limited water availability during El Niño events and inefficient use of its water resources. This study presents a spatial distribution and temporal analysis of WC in Costa Rica from 2005 to 2015. In total, 719 WC were analyzed of which 54% were among private individuals and government. The largest urban areas and the Grande de Tárcoles Basin were identified as the main “hot spot” for the conflicts. WC were mainly caused by spills of wastewater, water pollution, water shortage, infrastructure damage, and flooding, and can be predicted using a multiple linear model including the population size and the number of hydro‐meteorological events (HME) (R² = 0.77). The identified HME also coevolved significantly with the changes in precipitation regimes (r = 0.67, p = 0.021). Our results suggest that there is a need to recognize that water infrastructure longevity across the country concatenates and amplifies WC, mainly in the most populated area located in the Central Valley. Implications of our findings include the need for truly integrated water resources management plans that include, for example, WC as indicators of hydro‐climatic changing conditions and water supply and sanitation infrastructure status.