REDD+ benefit sharing under models tested by pilot projects in Tanzania: Inputs towards developing national benefit-sharing mechanism models

This paper presents results of the assessment on benefit sharing and payment mechanisms tested by six non-governmental organizations (NGOs)-piloted Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) initiatives in Tanzania. Results from the assessment indicate that models applied by most of the REDD+ pilot projects have provided most of decisions for the distribution of benefits to the communities through village general assemblies. Based on requirements of the tested models, national benefit-sharing mechanism models are proposed. Major attributes to be considered in the development of national benefit-sharing models should include: (i) ensuring that the existing government structure is not excluded to ensure sustainability; (ii) village general assembly is involved in determining the distribution of the benefits accrued; and (iii) transparency in handling the carbon finance is ensured. Models that are proposed for the national REDD+ benefit sharing apply to two forest management systems, namely Joint Forest Management (JFM) and Community Based Forest Management (CBFM). The paper recommends testing of the two proposed models to determine whether they could be useful in sharing benefits resulting from REDD+ in Tanzania.     

Reconstituting “America”: The Clean Energy Economy Ventriloquized

With the foregrounding of “clean energy” policies by climate change concerns, the rhetorical constitution of “America” as a collective subject, mobilized to adopt the clean energy economy (CEE), becomes crucial. Here, I analyze the constitutive rhetoric of Pew Charitable Trusts’ landmark 2009 report on the CEE, drawing from the ventriloqual perspective to communication. I argue that this approach provides a more pragmatic, conversational understanding of the interpellative process constituting “America,” noting it to be hybridized and composed of various human and nonhuman agents. Tracing the ingoing interaction among agents—some manifest in the text, others spectral—sheds light on the complex relations of power at stake, recognizes the open-ended possibilities (and restrictions) of agency, and the role of material structures shaping environmental communication and policy.     

Credibility and advocacy in conservation science

Conservation policy sits at the nexus of natural science and politics. On the one hand, conservation scientists strive to maintain scientific credibility by emphasizing that their research findings are the result of disinterested observations of reality. On the other hand, conservation scientists are committed to conservation even if they do not advocate a particular policy. The professional conservation literature offers guidance on negotiating the relationship between scientific objectivity and political advocacy without damaging conservation science's credibility. The value of this guidance, however, may be restricted by limited recognition of credibility's multidimensionality and emergent nature: it emerges through perceptions of expertise, goodwill, and trustworthiness. We used content analysis of the literature to determine how credibility is framed in conservation science as it relates to apparent contradictions between science and advocacy. Credibility typically was framed as a static entity lacking dimensionality. Authors identified expertise or trustworthiness as important, but rarely mentioned goodwill. They usually did not identify expertise, goodwill, or trustworthiness as dimensions of credibility or recognize interactions among these 3 dimensions of credibility. This oversimplification may limit the ability of conservation scientists to contribute to biodiversity conservation. Accounting for the emergent quality and multidimensionality of credibility should enable conservation scientists to advance biodiversity conservation more effectively.     

Molecular tools for bathing water assessment in Europe: Balancing social science research with a rapidly developing environmental science evidence-base

The use of molecular tools, principally qPCR, versus traditional culture-based methods for quantifying microbial parameters (e.g., Fecal Indicator Organisms) in bathing waters generates considerable ongoing debate at the science–policy interface. Advances in science have allowed the development and application of molecular biological methods for rapid (~2 h) quantification of microbial pollution in bathing and recreational waters. In contrast, culture-based methods can take between 18 and 96 h for sample processing. Thus, molecular tools offer an opportunity to provide a more meaningful statement of microbial risk to water-users by providing near-real-time information enabling potentially more informed decision-making with regard to water-based activities. However, complementary studies concerning the potential costs and benefits of adopting rapid methods as a regulatory tool are in short supply. We report on findings from an international Working Group that examined the breadth of social impacts, challenges, and research opportunities associated with the application of molecular tools to bathing water regulations.     

Invasive Species Research to Meet the Needs of Resource Management and Planning

Abstract: As zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) continue to spread among inland lakes of the United States and Canada, there is growing interest from professionals, citizens, and other stakeholders to know which lakes are likely to be colonized by zebra mussels. Thus, we developed a classification of lake suitability for zebra mussels on the basis of measured or estimated concentrations of dissolved calcium in lake water and applied the classification to >11,500 lakes in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The majority of lakes (58%) were classified as unsuitable (<10 mg/L Ca) for survival and reproduction of zebra mussels, 27% were identified as suitable (≥21 mg/L Ca), and 15% were classified as borderline suitable (≥10 and <21 mg/L Ca). Of the 77 inland lakes with confirmed zebra mussel records for which data on dissolved calcium were available, our method classified 74 as suitable and 3 as borderline suitable. To communicate this lake‐specific suitability information and to help prioritize regional efforts to monitor and prevent the expansion of zebra mussels and other invasive species, we developed a web‐based interface (available from http://www.aissmartprevention.wisc.edu/ ). Although we are still uncertain of how access to suitability information ultimately affects decision making, we believe this is a useful case study of building communication channels among researchers, practitioners, and the public.     

太阳风暴对短波电子装备性能的影响及应对措施

目的掌握太阳风暴对短波电子装备性能的影响及应对措施,为系统设计提供参考。方法分析太阳风暴的表现形式,并从作用距离、目标检测、定位精度等方面给出太阳风暴对短波超视距雷达、短波通信等装备的影响。结果电离层SID、电离层暴可造成短波通信中断,短波通信可用频段变窄。电离层强吸收可降低天波超视距雷达作用距离和目标定位精度,电子浓度、电离层虚高快速变化影响超视距雷达检测性能和定位精度,负相电离层暴使天波超视距雷达可用频段严重变窄。地球磁暴期间,电磁场突变产生的强电压和电流有可能烧毁用于天、地波超视距雷达的电子设备。电离层非规则现象对超视距雷达有严重影响。结论太阳风暴对电子装备性能有利有弊,要分别对待。系统设计时应充分考虑太阳风暴的影响,在出现太阳风暴时,采取针对性措施降低其影响。     

舰载短波天线现存问题及对策

从多年工作经验出发,综述了某测量船舰载短波天线使用过程中出现的主要问题及潜在严重后果,从材料、结构等方面对其进行了深入分析,指出环境考虑不足、材料选择不当、结构存在缺陷是引发以上问题的根本原因。同时,结合工程实践,就如何在现有条件下提高舰载短波天线的可靠性,分别从如何选用合适材料、改进结构设计给出了意见建议。     

浅析LCNG汽车加气站建设项目的环境影响评价

随着经济发展和人口增加,中国大气污染日益加剧,在大中型城市,汽车等交通工具排放的污染造成的生态危害正在不断加剧,世界范围内的能源危机也日益严峻,这就促使人们开发新的替代燃料。因此,汽车使用液化天然气（LCNG）代替石油或柴油是重要途径。文章介绍了汽车加气站的环境影响评价的内容和评价重点,重点探讨了加气站建设项目环境影响评价时应关注的主要问题,对加气站建设的环境风险防范进行了分析,并指出此类项目的危险防范措施。     

中国建设项目环境监理现状与发展趋势研究

建设项目环境监理是中国环境管理制度的一个组成部分,目前尚处于试点阶段,环境监理的管理体系还有待进一步完善。在对国内环境监理工作研究之后介绍了中国环境监理产生的背景、发展历程与现状,总结了现阶段已经取得的环境监理成果,并将部分省、市、自治区的环境监理工作开展情况进行了对比;同时对国家和各级地方环保主管部门开展环境监理工作存在的不足进行了剖析并提出了一些完善环境监理制度的建议,期冀中国的环境监理制度逐步健全并在环境管理工作中发挥重要的作用。