Questionable accountability: MSF and Sphere in 2003

This article examines the relationship between Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Sphere Project. Prior to revisiting the concerns MSF had with the project, it looks at factors that give rise to differences between NGOs and cites some reasons for why an organisation such as MSF would not embrace such a project and clarifies some key elements of MSF-style humanitarianism. The author revisits the original concerns and arguments presented by MSF when it decided not to participate beyond assisting with the establishment of technical standards and key indicators for the handbook. This is followed by a critical discussion examining these concerns and counter-criticism with reference to experiences a few years after the inception of Sphere. It concludes with MSF's perceptions and stance regarding Sphere and accountability in 2003.     

A review of WTO and environmental issues

Multiple negotiating rounds of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and World Trade Organization (WTO) since 1947 have conferred economic benefits through liberalized international trade. A growing body of evidence also points to linkages between liberalized trade and damage to the global environment, ecology, and natural resource base. Ironically, the increased economic well-being conferred by trade liberalization ultimately provides the basis for improved environmental protection. It is the interim environmental damage due to trade liberalization that is controversial and needing amelioration. The proposition here is to promote further trade liberalization, but only as long as environmental ethics and sustainability issues are satisfactorily addressed. Trade liberalization should not be permitted at the expense of adequate environmental protection and sustainability. Future WTO rounds need to address both development benefits and environmental ethics issues in a net social welfare maximization setting.     

对沙漠化成因机制和治理途径的思考

我国土地沙漠化经过近半个世纪的研究与治理,目前沙漠化土面积仍然在以每年２４６０ｋｍ＾２的速度扩展,而且还有加速扩大的趋势。这就要求我们对以往沙漠化的研究治理进行反思,寻找它的症结所在。现代沙漠化主要是由于人的过度经济活动对资源的破坏造成的。其根本原因是由于人口压力过大。本文通过对沙漠成化因机制和当前沙漠化治理症结的分析,提出了沙漠化治理的新思路。     

A Review of WTO and Environmental Issues

Multiple negotiating rounds of the GeneralAgreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and World TradeOrganization (WTO) since 1947 have conferred economicbenefits through liberalized international trade. Agrowing body of evidence also points to linkagesbetween liberalized trade and damage to the globalenvironment, ecology, and natural resource base.Ironically, the increased economic well-beingconferred by trade liberalization ultimately providesthe basis for improved environmental protection. It isthe interim environmental damage due to tradeliberalization that is controversial and needingamelioration. The proposition here is to promotefurther trade liberalization, but only as long asenvironmental ethics and sustainability issues aresatisfactorily addressed. Trade liberalization shouldnot be permitted at the expense of adequateenvironmental protection and sustainability. FutureWTO rounds need to address both development benefitsand environmental ethics issues in a net socialwelfare maximization setting.     

我国节水型农业技术体系的发展方向

本文阐述了国内外节水农业的发展概况,总结了节水农业技术体系特别是高新技术的发展和应用现状,辩证地分析了我国节水农业出现的问题及发展前景。     

论我国环保产业的技术创新

我国环保产业在技术创新方面面临创新动力不足、研究与发展水平低下、产业创新能力不足、创新智力资源短缺、创造服务体系不完善和风险投资机制不健全等问题。     

建造循环经济走可持续发展道路

本文论述了建造循环经济是实现可持续发展战略的支持和基础,并提出发展循环经济必须采取的有效措施。     

我国城市污水处理技术剖析及对策研究

以我国近10年城市污水处理情况为基础,并参照国外情况,对排污系统建设、废水治理设施以及污水处理效果等方面的多项技术指标逐一进行了剖析,定量地分析评价了我国废水处理技术状况,并提出相应的对策建议,以求为提高我国的污水处理总体水平提供技术参考.      

热镀锌过程污染综合防治改造工程实践

热镀锌生产是传统的重污染行业,单纯的"三废"治理,不仅存在着治理费用高,且存在着"二次污染"的问题。通过以广州某热镀锌生产污染综合防治改造工程为例,全面分析生产过程中存在的污染源,通过对生产工艺进行改造,提高原料及能源利用率,减少污染物的产生,实现污染的全过程综合防治,在此基础上,总结成功实施的经验,为类似项目的污染防治工作提供参考和借鉴。     

斜板沉淀池在高炉煤气洗涤中的应用研究

对斜板沉淀池在新钢公司高炉煤气洗涤中的应用研究进行了报道,同时与原系统平流沉淀池从工艺参数和经济性等方面进行了比较。运行结果表明,采用斜板沉淀池节省了投资,使循环水利用率从55%提高92%,出水水质得到显著提高,减少了环境污染。