Stable taxation schemes in regional environmental management

Economists have frequently proposed the use of taxes to internalize externalities, the unit tax on a particular activity being equal to the marginal social damage it generates. This paper introduces such a taxation scheme, comprising a set of rules which, given a set of polluters, their profits, and costs, and a central authority for environmental control, generates a set of taxes to be levied on the waste emissions. Different attributes of the taxation schemes are then presented, the most important of which (stability) refers to the possibility of overall cooperation between all the polluters. The paper concludes by examining the implications of the existence of stable taxation schemes and of the imposition of constraints either on the emissions or on the percentage of load removed.     

A model for ecological assessment to pesticide pollution management

Applying the relational analysis in the Grey System Theory and Method, the comprehensive evaluation on five pesticide pollution controlling techniques in the vegetable production has been made and a comprehensive profit (cp–comprehensive cost (cc) evaluation system (composed of 15 comprehensive cost indices and 14 comprehensive profit indices) has been established, with a index optimization matrix of comprehensive cost indices and comprehensive profit indices obtained and a ratio model of comprehensive cost to comprehensive profit (R_cc/cp) built. Results show that the R_cc/cp value of vegetables intercropping soybeans in insect-proof thin film greenhouses is the smallest and the R_cc/cp value of vegetables intercropping taros in insect-proof net greenhouses, pheromones in insect-proof thin film greenhouses, pheromones in insect-proof thin film greenhouses and ground planting (only using chemical pesticide for insect-proof without covering materials and synthetic sex pheromone) other four techniques are 0.6268, 0.6393, 0.6407, 0.9809 respectively. In accordance with the R_cc/cp value, vegetables intercropping soybeans in insect-proof thin film greenhouses can be the most optimized pesticide pollution controlling technique in the vegetable growing.     

An integrated model of regional and local residential sorting with application to air quality

We examine the interconnectedness of demand for regionally and locally varying public goods using a residential sorting model. We propose a version of the model that describes household choices at the city (MSA) level and, conditional on city, the neighborhood (census tract) level. We use a two-stage budgeting argument to develop an empirically feasible sorting model that allows us to estimate preferences for regionally varying air quality while accounting for sorting at the local level. Our conceptual and empirical approach nests previous sorting models as special cases, allowing us to assess the importance of accounting for multiple spatial scales in our predictions for the cost of air pollution. Furthermore our preferred specification connects the city and neighborhood sorting margins to the upper and lower elements of a nested logit model, thereby establishing a useful correspondence between two stage budgeting and nested logit estimation. Empirically we find that estimates from a conventional model of sorting across MSAs imply a smaller marginal willingness to pay for air quality than estimates from our proposed model. We discuss how the difference is attributable in part to the omitted variable problems arising when tract level sorting is ignored.     

An environmental assessment of enhanced oil recovery

The objective of this assessment is to quantify some of the environmental effects of a significant increase in United States oil production by tertiary or enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. The problems associated with each EOR technology are discussed and controls and regulations are briefly summarised. A tertiary oil production scenario for the United States was developed focussing only on mainland fields in the lower 48 states. It included all of the EOR methods expected to be in use during the next two decades. The environmental impacts, including water requirements, air emissions and generation of solid wastes, are then scaled to this scenario. The effects of control technologies and state regulations are considered. A comparison is also made between the impacts of EOR as an energy source and impacts associated with coal and synthetic fuels which concludes that EOR is preferable in many respects. There are environmental risks associated with EOR technologies, specific projects and specific fields in the production scenario; however, most problems are solvable by responsible regulation, enforcement of regulations and application of the best professional engineering by project operators.     

Viral metagenomics: a new and complementary tool for environmental quality assessment

Metagenomic sequencing of nucleic acids from environmental or other complex samples can be successfully used as a powerful tool for environmental quality assessment. Being a culture-independent approach, it does not rely on the presence or absence of specific organisms or genes, and can even identify novel organisms. When focused on viruses, metagenomics can help to shed light on their involvement in ecosystem functioning, due to their dependence on their hosts and their ability to respond quickly to environmental changes. Moreover, viral metagenomics can show the impact of contamination on different natural ecosystems, highlighting putative sources and potential pathogens.     

The implications of model complexity for environmental management

The purpose of this paper is to consider the implicatons of model complexity for the quality of the information provided by models of production activities that account for the processes involved in residuals generation and treatment. Using each of the three primary technologies for iron and steel-making industry and models of varying detail for each, the paper compares the estimated levels of residuals generated and treatment costs for both atmospheric and waterborne effluents. The findings suggest that there are strategic details in model construction which have fundamental implications for the design of environmental policies. Moreover, preliminary estimates of the costs of model construction and operation suggest that policymakers may not be able to afford complexity for its own sake. Rather these costs will require the development of methods to isolate the strategic details in each technology that are potentially important to environmental policies.     

基于环境管理的河流健康评价体系的研究进展

随着河流环境的逐渐退化,其自然功能和社会功能都受到了严重的威胁,河流健康评价的研究也逐渐成为河流生态研究的热点之一。河流健康评价体系能够明确河流的健康状态,为环境管理和生态修复提高理论基础,同时提高环境管理和生态修复的针对性和有效性。然而,环境管理也是河流健康评价体系的制定基准和目标。文章从国内外研究对河流健康的内涵和河流健康评价的指标体系两个方面进行了综述和分析。目前,国际上对于河流健康的内涵逐渐由仅关注自然功能,向与社会功能等方面结合的方向扩充。河流健康评价指标体系主要有两种：一是指示物种评价法,二是指标综合体系评价法。通过比较这两种方法的发展和优劣,我国更适宜于指标综合体系评价方法,有助于环境管理措施的制定。最后,通过结合和借鉴国内外已有的研究成果,构建了针对我国国情的、基于环境管理的河流健康评价理论框架。     

A macroeconomic analysis of regional environmental modeling and planning

Alterations in the institutional structure of a region through exogenous investment can be viewed as a tool for regional adjustments in environmental quality. Two models are presented: an expanded Metzler interregional model that incorporates regional disamenities into the multiplier structure and a regional migration model for estimating regional disamenities. The underlying suggestion of the regional environmental trade model is that a concept of aggregate efficiency should be established for the allocation of large exogenous investment expenditures across regions. An example estimation is presented for the Southwest. Revised regional multipliers that include disamenity levels are calculated and the investment decisions with and without disamenity effects are considered. The example estimations suggest that failure to include disamenity corrections in regional multipliers will lead to greater regional inequality in welfare.     

An overview of the environmental finance policies in China: retrofitting an integrated mechanism for environmental management

Considering the significant roles of the policies in developing environmental finance, an overview is conducted on the environmental finance policies （EFPs） in China. This paper analyzed the definition, scope, evolution and main instruments of EFPs. The implementation progress of financial activities on each instrument are investigated respectively. Then the experiences learned from and failures discovered in the development of the EFPs are discussed well recommendations for further improvement of the EFPs and their implementation are provided. Our study found that the EFPs have been established in China after a four-phase evolution since the early 1980s. The policies have played a critical role in leading to a rapid development in environmental finance by involving more financial instruments to accomplish the objective-led environmental plans. Driven by the policies, the new green credit （GC）, green security （GS）, and green insurance （GI） instruments have been phased in as supplements to the conventional command and control approaches to improve the environmental governance of financial activities and pollution sources. However, the market mechanism of financial institution is limited due to their defensive and incapable performance on implementation some of EFP instruments. To further strengthen the effectiveness of EFPs in facilitating environmental man- agement, recommendations are made mainly on the aspects including developing more specific policy guidelines, enhancing information sharing and disclosure, providing sufficient economic incentives, establishing environmental liabilities with financial activities, and involving issues related to climate change, and biodiversity and ecosystem service.     

River water quality management model using genetic algorithm

Conventional mathematical programming methods, such as linear programming, non linear programming, dynamic programming and integer programming have been used to solve the cost optimization problem for regional wastewater treatment systems. In this study, a river water quality management model was developed through the integration of a genetic algorithm (GA). This model was applied to a river system contaminated by three determined discharge sources to achieve the water quality goals and wastewater treatment cost optimization in the river basin. The genetic algorithm solution, described the treatment plant efficiency, such that the cost of wastewater treatment for the entire river basin is minimized while the water quality constraints in each reach are satisfied. This study showed that genetic algorithm can be applied for river water quality modeling studies as an alternative to the present methods.     

Public expenditure and the environmental management of Brazilian municipalities: a panel data model

Environmental expenditure can be classified as an indicator to measure the efforts of public agents with the environment. Cities and countries seek to understand the determinants of environmental spending over time. This research aims to analyze the variables that influence the environmental spending of Brazilian municipalities between the years 2012 and 2016. Thus, this research helps fill the gap on lack of longitudinal research that involves local contexts in relation to public municipal expenditures on the environment. The research method consists of the panel data model. Data were collected on the environmental expenditures of the municipalities and other variables of 4269 Brazilian municipalities, the collection generated 21,329 observations. The results showed that the municipalities of the state of Amapá had better relative expenditure averages, it was also observed that the municipalities in the Northeast region show the worst results. The municipality of Itamaracá, located in the state of Pernambuco, presented the best percentage of the country, 9.47% of the environmental expenditure in relation to total expenditure. Regarding the results of panel data, the variables revenue, population, density, GDP, and HDI presented significance in all models; the models estimated by fixed effects ensure the consistency of the parameters.     

结构性环境问题——我国环境评价遭遇的"结构"困境

近年来 "结构性环境问题"在我国频发,尤其是结合项目环境影响评价(EIA)制度而突出表现为一种困境--"符合环保先进标准的高环境风险项目".当前学界对于环境问题的认识逐渐从物理层面转向社会层面,然而,对环境评价的研究还停留在基于环境要素功能特征的方法改进和制度完善,当前的结构性环境问题反映出的环境资源在不同利益群体间的不合理性分配还没有被充分认识到.由此,文章借助析出的环境问题两个主要影响变量:环境资源的稀缺性和配置结构的合理性,对"结构性环境问题"的产生过程和特征进行了分析.进而,文章借助系统论的功能-结构理论,结合厦门PX项目事件,认为现有环境评价主要定位于"功能性"特征,还不能针对性地把握结构性环境问题,由此面临结构性困境.为了避免这种困境,有必要进一步展开针对结构性环境问题的环境影响评价方法和制度研究,而且环境影响评价的"结构性"转化也具备着基础理论的支持.     

An overview of systems analysis methods in delineating environmental quality indices

Environmental quality indices (EQIs) have been developed for a variety of purposes ranging from enforcement of environmental standards, to analysis of trends of environmental degradation or improvement, to scientific research. EQIs currently in use are not organized within an integrated framework and thus it has been difficult to analyze adequately complex, multidisciplinary, large-scale, global phenomena. In this paper we compare four different approaches to developing EQIs within a systems perspective. Our analysis suggests that: (1) non-linear regression models that represent an ecosystem's response to different impacts within a stress-response framework (method of response functions) are useful tools for analysis of environmental data; (2) non-equilibrium thermodynamics models based on the concept of exergy, which represents the free energy a system possesses in relation to its environment, provide a common basis for representing many aspects of ecosystem development and response to environmental impacts as a single measure; (3) diagram models based on the concept of emergy, which represents both environmental values and economic values with a single measure, provide a common basis for integrating economic development and environmental protection values into one index; and (4) complex systems simulation models based on general systems theory, which use the methodologies of systems analysis and simulation to identify, quantify, and interrelate EQIs within a dynamic systems context, provide explicit linkages between causes and effects (vertical integration) and identify cross-linkages among different environmental issues (horizontal integration).     

Toxicity of environmental nanosilver: mechanism and assessment

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Nanosilver (nAg) is increasingly being used in a wide array of fields, and its toxicity has been extensively studied. Here we present a review of environmental nAg...     

An infinite-horizon model of dynamic membership of international environmental agreements

Much of the literature on international environmental agreements (IEAs) uses static models, although most important transboundary pollution problems involve stock pollutants. The few papers that study IEAs using models of stock pollutants do not allow for the possibility that membership of the IEA may change endogenously over time. In this paper we analyse a simple infinite-horizon version of the static model of self-enforcing IEAs, in which damage costs increase with the stock of pollution, and countries decide each period whether to join an IEA. Using a quadratic approximation of the value function of the representative country we show that there exists a steady-state stock of pollution with corresponding steady-state IEA membership, and that as the stock rises towards steady state the IEA membership falls. Moreover, we find that the greater is the cost of damage, and hence the greater are the potential gains from cooperation, the smaller is the membership of a self-enforcing IEA.     

A herbivore specific grazing capacity model accounting for spatio-temporal environmental variation: A tool for a more sustainable nature conservation and rangeland management

Grazing with livestock is a common feature of nature and rangeland management. Although both aim at different, seemingly opposing goals, i.e. maintenance of biodiversity values versus maximization of animal production, they nonetheless have a common interest in maintaining the rangeland or natural environment in a state that ensures either the first or the second goal. In order to accomplish an effective and efficient grazing management, in terms of grazer density, grazer composition, grazing seasonality, and to prevent under- and overgrazing, a grazing capacity model (GCM) was developed, that should be applicable in both rangeland and nature conservation management conditions and that takes spatio-temporal environmental variation into account. This spatio-temporally dynamic model considers crucial variables at both the terrain and the grazer level, such as (seasonally) fluctuating forage yield, forage quality, plant palatability, accessibility of the area, soil erosion vulnerability, animal nutritive requirements, animal behaviour and general habitat condition. It predicts the optimal grazer species and density, taking into account the seasonal variation in animal needs and fluctuating terrain characteristics. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to define each parameter's relative impact on the final outcome of the model.We present the GCM outline and illustrate the functionality of this model for Shetland ponies and Highland cattle, grazing in a temperate coastal dune environment. According to the model, seasonal fluctuations in optimal grazer densities occur: the area can support higher densities in summer and autumn than it can during winter and spring. With the current density of grazing animals and the choice for year-round grazing at non-fluctuating animal densities, the model consequently predicts overgrazing in winter and undergrazing in summer and autumn. Both undergrazing and overgrazing scenarios might lead to non-sustainable situations in the future.     

基于分形插值模型的平寨水库水质评价

平寨水库是黔中水利枢纽唯一源头水库,其水环境质量直接影响包括安顺和贵阳在内的整个黔中地区的农业灌溉和城市居民饮水安全.为了深入分析平寨水库的水环境质量状况,于2018年1月、5月、8月和11月对平寨水库7个监测断面水样进行采集,测定TP、TN、NH_3-N、COD和DO等5个监测指标,基于分形维数权重建立水质评价模型,对平寨水库水环境质量状况进行综合评价,并与模糊综合评价法和综合污染指数法进行对比分析.结果表明,平寨水库TP、NH_3-N和DO浓度均达到Ⅱ类水质标准,TN和COD浓度均超过Ⅱ类水质标准,主要为Ⅳ类和Ⅴ类,是主要污染因子;TP、NH_3-N和COD浓度在春季最高,TN浓度在秋季最高,DO浓度在冬季最低.平寨水库全年水质类别主要为Ⅲ类和Ⅳ类,在28个监测序列中,水质达到水功能区划标准的仅21.43%;平寨和跨桥断面水质最差,扈家河断面水质相对最好;春、秋季水质最差,冬、夏季次之.分形插值模型不仅能评价水质状况,而且能对同等级水质状况的优劣进行排序,具有较高的分类精度;其评价结果更客观、有效,在水质综合评价中具有良好的适用性.     

Deconstructing adaptive management: criteria for applications to environmental management.

The concept of adaptive management has, for many ecologists, become a foundation of effective environmental management for initiatives characterized by high levels of ecological uncertainty. Yet problems associated with its application are legendary, and many of the initiatives promoted as examples of adaptive management appear to lack essential characteristics of the approach. In this paper we propose explicit criteria for helping managers and decision makers to determine the appropriateness of either passive or active adaptive-management strategies as a response to ecological uncertainty in environmental management. Four categories of criteria--dealing with spatial and temporal scale, dimensions of uncertainty, the evaluation of costs and benefits, and institutional and stakeholder support--are defined and applied using hypothetical yet realistic case-study scenarios that illustrate a range of environmental management problems. We conclude that many of the issues facing adaptive management may have less to do with the approach itself than with the indiscriminate choice of contexts within which it is now applied.