“Science is Everywhere,but No One Knows It”: Assessing the Cultural Distance to Science of Rural South African Publics

ABSTRACT

In science communication, a prerequisite for reaching different parts of a society is to find out how these publics experience and interpret science. Since rural South African publics are perceived to exhibit a large cultural distance to science, the present exploratory study aimed to know in more detail how rural South Africans perceive and understand science in their local and social contexts. Theoretical notions on cultural distance and the methodological approach of segmentation studies were considered. Semi-structured interviews with rural South Africans were carried out in four towns (n?=?52) that differ with respect to having a large scientific installation in their vicinity, or not. Sensitively comparing local and social contexts helped identifying three different publics who differed regarding their perceptions of science; however, the large scientific installations only made a difference in perceptions for those publics who were generally less exposed to and less knowledgeable about science.     

Factors influencing perceptions of aquatic ecosystems

While factors influencing perceptions of drinking water have been well studied, those of aquatic ecosystems have been to lesser extent. We conducted a review to improve awareness of these factors. Environmental factors found to influence public perceptions of aquatic ecosystems were presence/absence of water plants and algae, presence/absence of floating debris, the odor, movement (for flowing waters) and clarity/turbidity of the water, and the type, condition, setting, naturalness, and overall aesthetic appeal of the ecosystem. Sociocultural factors found to influence public perceptions of aquatic ecosystems included age, education, gender, and place-based knowledge. We provide perspectives of how managers can better meet the diverse social demands placed on aquatic ecosystems. The importance and benefits of considering these perspectives may be especially beneficial where significant multi-generational and culturally relevant place-based knowledge exist.     

车辆高原环境模拟试验技术发展现状综述

由于高原环境对车辆性能影响的严酷性,现代车辆的高原环境适应性越来越受到重视,推动了车辆高原环境模拟试验技术的快速发展。阐述了车辆高原环境模拟试验技术的基本内涵,以及车辆高原环境适应性试验的类型、特点和试验项目等,分析了国内外高原环境模拟试验技术研究与发展概况。以某型车辆高原环境实验室为例,详细介绍了车辆高原环境实验室的结构、功能及原理。     

浅谈环境监测实验室仪器设备的期间核查

实验室仪器设备的准确性是检测结果准确性的重要保证,按规定和要求对仪器进行期间核查,可以确保检测数据的准确可靠。结合仪器设备期间核查的实例说明期间核查是维持设备校准状态的可信度的重要手段。     

间歇式生物反应器回灌量对渗滤液水质的影响研究

通过两套间歇式生物反应器填埋模拟装置开展实验,对不同回灌量下的垃圾降解前期渗滤液pH值、CODcr、NH4^＋-N、VFA以及渗滤液产生量的变化规律进行了对比研究,实验结果表明：间歇式生物反应器填埋方式能够有效抑制填埋初期渗滤液pH值的快速下降,渗滤液采取部分回灌能有效降低NH4^＋-N浓度的积累,回灌量为70％较50％能够更好地改善渗滤液的水质。     

宿迁市公众环境意识调查研究

采用问卷调查与社会访问相结合的方法,对江苏省宿迁市居民的环境意识进行了调查。统计结果表明宿迁市居民对当地环境处于基本满意阶段,并认为政府对环境保护工作比较重视;宿迁市公众具备了一定的环境保护基础知识．但是环境意识比较低,环境保护行为相对滞后,需要政府加以引导,加强环境宣传教育,提高民众的环境意识。     

粪大肠菌群测定中的实验室质量控制研究

对在粪大肠菌群实验过程中涉及到的实验室质控设备、培养基、精密度检验等内容进行了分析,并对实验过程中的关键问题进行了阐述。     

加强环境监测站规范化管理的有效措施

环境监测质量是监测工作的生命线,也是监测技术管理的核心内容,其根本目的是确保监测数据达到代表性、精密性、准确性、可比性和完整性的要求。实践证明,加强环境监测站规范化管理可以全程序的保证监测质量,提高工作效率,减少工作中的随意性。实验室资质认证、持续有效运行的质量管理体系、完善的监测技术规范、强化培训机制提高人员素质、加强全程序质量监督等措施可以有效地提高监测站规范化管理。     

条件价值评估法研究居民改善空气质量需求

采用条件价值评估方法,调查了北京市居民改善空气质量的支付意愿,初步分析居民对空气质量这种公共环境物品的需求状况,探讨了影响居民对公共环境物品需求的人口和社会经济因素.研究结果表明,居民的经济状况是影响对公共环境物品需求的重要因素,居民的经济状况比较好则对公共环境物品的需求越高,但是支付意愿与家庭收入弹性<1.随着教育水平的提高,对公共环境物品的需求也增加.另外,性别和健康状况也影响居民对公共环境物品的需求.从政策实施的角度来看,政府必须完善人们对公共环境物品需求偏好的表达机制,才能制定政策实现公共环境物品的有效供给.     

简述环境影响评价中的公众参与

环境影响评价制度是一项重要的环境法律制度,公众参与是环境影响评价程序的关键。其目的是使项目能被公众认可,提高项目的环境和经济效益。我国的《环境影响评价法》对公众参与的主体、对象、范围、方式所做的规定还不能令人满意。借鉴西方国家和港台地区立法的先进经验,我们应当通过使法律具有可操作性、协调好国家干预和公众参与、赋予公众提起环境诉讼的权利、加强公众宣传、保证信息透明等方式对其加以完善。