An Integrated Assessment of Climate Change and the Accelerated Introduction of Advanced Energy Technologies - An Application of MiniCAM 1.0

We report results from the application of an integrated assessment model, MiniCAM 1.0. The model is employed to explore the full range of climate change implications of the successful development of cost effective, advanced, energy technologies. These technologies are shown to have a profound effect on the future magnitude and rate of anthropogenic climate change. We find that the introduction of assumptions developed by a group of ‘bottom-up’ modelers for the LEESS scenarios into a ‘top-down’ model, the Edmonds-Reilly-Barns Model, leads to ‘top down’ emissions trajectories similar to those of the LEESS. The cumulative effect of advanced energy technologies is to reduce annual emissions from fossil fuel use to levels which stabilize atmospheric concentrations below 550 ppmv. While all energy technologies play roles, the introduction of advanced biomass energy production technology is particularly important. The consideration of all greenhouse related anthropogenic emissions, and in particular sulfur dioxide, is found to be important. We find that the consideration of sulfur dioxide emissions coupled to rapid reductions in carbon dioxide emissions leads to higher global mean temperatures prior to 2050 than in the reference case. This result is due to the short-term cooling impact of sulfate aerosols, which dominates the long-term warming impact of CO₂ and CH₄ in the years prior to 2050. We also show that damage calculations which use only mean global temperature and income may be underestimating damages by up to a factor of five. Disaggregating income reduces this to a factor of two, still a major error. Finally, the role of the discount rate is shown to be extraordinarily important to technology preference.     

Heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of pesticides using decatungstate intercalated macroporous layered double hydroxides

Decatungstate W₁₀O₃₂ ^4? was efficiently intercalated between the layers of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous Mg₂Al-layered double hydroxide. The structural and textural properties of as-prepared intercalated compound were characterized using different solid-state characterization techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies and electronic microscopy. The photocatalytic properties of immobilized W₁₀O₃₂ ^4? within Mg₂Al structure were investigated using 2-(1-naphthyl) acetamide (NAD) as a model of pesticide. The influence of different parameters such as amount of catalyst, pH and oxygen concentration were investigated. An optimal NAD degradation was obtained for a photocatalyst concentration of 60 mg l^?1. Under our experimental conditions, this heterogeneous photocatalyst induces photodegradation of 60 % of NAD after 17 h of irradiation at 365 nm and at pH 6.6. Interestingly, pesticide photodegradation leads to the mineralization of substrates to H₂O and CO₂ and the photocatalyst can be recycled and reused without any loss of activity over four cycles.     

Bauxite and alumina - Jamaica's reach for the future

Jamaica has developed a new strategy designed to allow it to expand its bauxite and alumina production, to diversify both its markets and its sources of investment and, to move downstream into the production of aluminium and semi-finished products. Some benefits of this new strategy are already evident, several bauxite mines are being expanded, alumina plants are being re-opened while others are adding additional capacity, and the countries of Europe, Asia and North America are showing renewed interest in investing in Jamaica. With its new strategy, Jamaica intends to participate more fully in the world economy.     

Reductive dehalogenation: A subsurface bioremediation process

Introduction and large-scale production of synthetic halogenated organic chemicals over the last fifty years has resulted in a group of contaminants that tend to persist in the environment and resist both biotic and abiotic degradation. The low solubility of these types of contaminants, along with their toxicity and tendency to accumulate in food chains, make them particularly relevant targets for remediation activities. Among the mechanisms that result in dehalogenation of some classes of organic contaminants are stimulation of metabolic sequences through introduction of electron donor and acceptor combinations; addition of nutrients to meet the needs of dehalogenating microorganisms; possible use of engineered microorganisms; and use of enzyme systems capable of catalyzing reductive dehalogenation. The current state of research and development in the area of reductive dehalogenation is discussed along with possible technological application of relevant processes and mechanisms to remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with chlorinated organics. In addition, an overview of research needs is suggested, which might be of interest for development of in-situ systems to reduce the mass of halogenated organic contaminants in soil and groundwater.     

Farming salmon ethically

Salmon farming is a rapidly expanding industry. In order for it to develop in an ethical manner, many ethical issues must be confronted. Among these are questions regarding the quality of life of salmon on farms. To develop reasonable answers to these questions considerable thought must be devoted to developing appropriate standards of care for salmon. If these questions are not addressed the results could be bad both for salmon and for salmon farmers.     

On the moral acceptability of killing animals

According to a rights view it is acceptable to kill animals if they are innocent threats or shields or are in a lifeboat situation. However, according to advocates of such a view, our practices of killing animals for food or scientific research may be morally unacceptable. In this paper we argue that, even if we grant the basic assumptions of a rights view, a good deal of killing of animals for food and scientific research continues to be morally acceptable.