Influences of Border Carbon Adjustments on China’s Foreign Trade

The EU, the United States and other economies, with the intention to implement unilateral trade measures Border Carbon Adjustments, impose emission reduction pressure on developing countries. Once implemented, the measures will have great impact on China’s foreign trade. Using the input-output table in 2007, this paper had analyzed the influences on China’s foreign trade as a whole and sub-sectors in three tax rates scenarios. The results showed that the tariff level of China’s exports will increase by 3.6%-6.3% if the tax was levied on exports embodied emissions, and by 1.0%-1.7% if levied on export direct emissions. In 2007, the former total amount of carbon tax was about US$42.6-73.0 billion, 4 times that of the latter. Based on export embodied emissions, sectors largely influenced were non-traditional energy intensive ones, such as textile, et al. These sectors should be encour-aged to carry out industrial upgrading, raising the value-added of export goods, and reducing their embodied emissions by reduction of energy intensity. Taking into account of the complexity of data collection, the tax levied on products direct emission is more operational. The results showed that the five top sectors most affected were other chemical materials, processing of petroleum and nuclear fuel, coking, smelting and rolling of ferrous metal and textile. Most of them were energy intensive sectors. Therefore, adjusting export products structure, and controlling too fast development of energy intensive industries are also important strategies in China.     

Influences of Border Carbon Adjustments on China＇s Foreign Trade

The EU, the United States and other economies, with the intention to implement unilateral trade measures Border Car- bon Adjustments, impose emission reduction pressure on develop- ing countries. Once ...     

Influences of Border Carbon Adjustments on China’s Foreign Trade

Abstract

The EU, the United States and other economies, with the intention to implement unilateral trade measures Border Carbon Adjustments, impose emission reduction pressure on developing countries. Once implemented, the measures will have great impact on China’s foreign trade. Using the input-output table in 2007, this paper had analyzed the influences on China’s foreign trade as a whole and sub-sectors in three tax rates scenarios. The results showed that the tariff level of China’s exports will increase by 3.6%–6.3% if the tax was levied on exports embodied emissions, and by 1.0%–1.7% if levied on export direct emissions. In 2007, the former total amount of carbon tax was about US$42.6–73.0 billion, 4 times that of the latter. Based on export embodied emissions, sectors largely influenced were non-traditional energy intensive ones, such as textile, et al. These sectors should be encouraged to carry out industrial upgrading, raising the value-added of export goods, and reducing their embodied emissions by reduction of energy intensity. Taking into account of the complexity of data collection, the tax levied on products direct emission is more operational. The results showed that the five top sectors most affected were other chemical materials, processing of petroleum and nuclear fuel, coking, smelting and rolling of ferrous metal and textile. Most of them were energy intensive sectors. Therefore, adjusting export products structure, and controlling too fast development of energy intensive industries are also important strategies in China.     

Effects of the Bacterial Component on the Viability of the Paramecium bursariaSymbiotic Complex (Infusorian–Zoochlorella)

A hypothesis is considered that the establishment and maintenance of mass exchange processes in the Paramecium bursariasymbiotic complex (infusorian–alga) depends on the presence of the third component—bacteria—whose role is underestimated but essential for completing the exchange cycle. The role of this component in the symbiotic cycle of Paramecium bursariais possible to reveal using special bactericidal preparations specifically inhibiting the bacteria involved in the metabolic cycle but having no effect on the functions of the host cell and the zoochlorella population. Experiments with various preparations of this type were performed, and the response to treatment was estimated from growth rates of the symbiotic complex and its components. This allowed identification of an antibiotic (rifampicin) that had no adverse influence on free-living zoochlorella and chlorella-free paramecia (the basic components of the symbiotic cycle) but drastically inhibited the growth of the P. bursariasymbiotic complex, which could be interpreted as evidence in favor of the hypothesis concerning the existence of the third symbiotic component.     

Decomposition of factors influencing carbon emissions in the region of Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei,based on the perspective of terminal energy consumption

In order to analyze the factors influencing carbon emissions in the region of Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei and to explore the pathways to developing a low-carbon economy, this paper begins with the terminal energy consumption of three industries and residential consumption, and constructs an identical equation which is composed of population size, level of economic development, energy intensity, the proportion of energy consumption, energy structure, and the coefficient of carbon emissions. Based on the data of terminal energy consumption during 2000–2012, various factors are analyzed and their contribution is measured by Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI). The results show that the levels of population and economy have a positive driving effect while energy intensity, energy structure, and carbon intensity have a negative driving effect; the proportion of energy consumption had a negative driving effect prior to 2006, then changed to positive. Among suggestions for a low-carbon economy are controlling population size, improving the quality of economic development, supporting research into new energy technology, accelerating regional integration and optimizing industrial structure, and enhancing environmental protection and spreading the concept of a low-carbon economy.     

Predicting the effects of ionising radiation on ecosystems by a generic model based on the Lotka–Volterra equations

The present work describes a model for predicting the population dynamics of the main components (resources and consumers) of terrestrial ecosystems exposed to ionising radiation. The ecosystem is modelled by the Lotka–Volterra equations with consumer competition. Linear dose–response relationships without threshold are assumed to relate the values of the model parameters to the dose rates. The model accounts for the migration of consumers from areas characterised by different levels of radionuclide contamination. The criteria to select the model parameter values are motivated by accounting for the results of the empirical studies of past decades. Examples of predictions for long-term chronic exposure are reported and discussed.     

Reconstruction of May–June precipitation in the territory of Bashkiria based on Scots pine tree-ring data from the Bugulma–Belebey Upland

The relationship between Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) tree-ring width and temperature and precipitation was analyzed in pine forests on the Bugulma–Belebey Upland, Bashkiria. A close correlation between tree-ring width and the current spring–summer precipitation was revealed. On this basis, a reconstruction of May–June precipitation in the period from 1860 to 1994 was made.     

The Empirical Analysis of the Impacts of Income Distribution Gap on Consumption Demand: Based on the Statistic Data of Chinese Urban Residents in 2000–2010

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of income distribution gap on consumption demand from a theoretical view, and draws the conclusion that there is an inverse relationship between income distribution gap and consumption demand. Then, the paper finds that the existing widening income distribution gap in China has a negative impact on consumption demand, but this is not the key factor for the insufficient consumption demand because of the low level of per capital income. At last, it suggests that governments should improve the income level of entire residents and adjust income distribution structure simultaneously.     

Radioecology of the Rhône basin: Data on the fish of the Rhône (1974–1984)

Some twenty nuclear sites are located along the Rhône. A radioecological study of the river has been in progress since 1974 and a brief outline is given here of its hydrological, chemical, sedimentological and biological features. The techniques used for sampling, processing and radioactivity measurement in fish are also described. A summary of the results demonstrates the influence of the nuclear power stations and fuel cycle plants on the evolution of radioactivity levels in fish as a function of time or distance from liquid waste discharge points.Comparison with data for the Meuse shows that at the present time activities in fish downstream of the nuclear power stations are comparable in both rivers. Levels are, however, higher in the Rhône downstream from the Marcoule reprocessing plant. The data collected in situ together with the results of laboratory experiments demonstrate the mechanisms of transfer of radionuclides into the aquatic environment and supply information for the protection of environmental health.     

Controversy of International Carbon-motivated Border Tax Adjustment and Its Impact on China’s Manufacturing Industries

Carbon-motivated border tax adjustment (BTA) aims to compensate for the loss of competitiveness of carbon intensive products due to carbon dioxide abatement actions.Based on the analysis of the international background of carbon-motivated BTAs,this paper discusses the fundamental motivation leading to US policy transformation,the potential impacts of the policy on China’s manufacturing industries,and the compatibility of the policy to WTO rules.Carbon-motivated BTAs violate the fundamental principle of the UNFCCC,and potentially conflict with the core WTO principle of non-discrimination reflected in the GATT Articles I and III.However,Article XX of the GATT may be applicable.Thus,the author suggests several measures to alleviate the impacts of carbon-motivated BTAs,and puts forward countermeasures based on carbon consumption per capita.     

Influence of fertilizing on the Cs soil–plant transfer in a spruce forest of Southern Germany

Fertilization with 2.5 t/ha limestone: (83% CaCO₃, 8% MgO, 6% K₂O, 3% P₂O₅) reduces the ¹³⁷Cs transfer from spruce forest soil into plants like fern (Dryopteris carthusiana) and blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) by a factor of 2–5 during at least 11 years as measured by the aggregated transfer factor T_ag. In 1997 and 2006 these results were confirmed by additional measurements of the ¹³⁷Cs transfer factor TF, related to the root zone (O_h horizon), which were explained by the selective sorption of ¹³⁷Cs in the root zone by measurements of the Radiocaesium Interception Potential (RIP) in fertilized (RIP > 179 meq/kg) and non-fertilized soils (RIP < 74 meq/kg).     

The Edge Effect on the Herb–Dwarf Shrub Layer of Urbanized Southern Taiga Forests

Russian Journal of Ecology - We estimated when the edge effect appears in the herb–dwarf shrub layer of pine forests near Yekaterinburg (Central Urals; Southern Taiga subzone) on 14 transects...     

Assessment of vegetation β-diversity on the basis of syntaxonomy

Using the example of vegetation in four specially protected natural areas in the Southern Urals, it has been shown that its β-diversity can be estimated in two ways: from the number of syntaxa ranking from the class to the association and from the syntaxonomic spectrum, i.e., the ratio between associations of different classes. The second approach is more informative and better reflects the diversity of vegetation.     

Evolution and interaction of ecological civilization construction pattern from the perspective of path dependence–based on the panel data of Jiangsu Province,China

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Ecological civilization is an advanced form after industrial civilization. Improving China's ecological civilization system will provide developing...     

Review on the Progress of Marine Ecosystem Management

Along with the industrial development, adverse impacts on the natural environment become more serious, and ecosystem health and ecological security have also been deteriorated. The traditional environment management focused on the shorterm and economic benefits. Such managing pattern is not accommodating to the new situation of increasingly global environment problems and large scale marine environment problems. This paper introduces the advance and definition of a new managing patternecosystem management. Meanwhile, the con- notation of ecosystem management was summarized as seven points： Sustainability; Human is an important aspect of ecosystem management; Cooperation is the foundation of ecosystem management; Maintain health and security of ecosystem; Ecological diversity protection characters ecosystem management; Maintain the integrity of ecosystem; Ecosystem management must be founded on scientific theories and precise information. Somebody said Ecosystem Management is ＂a new label of old ideas＂. However, there is an essential difference between ecosystem management and traditional environmental management. In the last part of this paper, the differences of the approaches between ecosystem management and traditional environmental management are compared.     

Population Analysis of Sables in the Ural–Ob Region of the Species Range

An attempt at population analysis of sables in the Ural–Ob region of the species range was made with the use of vast biological material (craniometry, 1909 specimens; ecological structure, 2157 specimens; and coat color, 439169 pelts). Population groups in the region were mainly described on the basis of morphological, geographic, historical, and ecological criteria. Seven spatially separated population groups were found, which were named after the main rivers of their habitats: the Tavda–Konda–Sos'va, Dem'yanka, Salym–Yugan, Agan–Vakh, Kazym–Nazym, Nadym–Kunovat, and Pur–Taz groups. They distinctly differed from one another with respect to cranial measurements, coat color, and some structural demographic parameters. In some cases, morphological differences reached the subspecies level. The data obtained make it possible to revise the pattern of geographic variation within the species range.     

Water Environmental Degradation of the Source Area of the Yellow River on Northeast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

1 INTRODUCTION Environmental changes caused by mankind's exploitation and regional climate changes have long been a severe problem in the world, especially in the arid and semiarid areas because of their ecosystems' vulnerability (Chen & Qu, 1992; Wang & Cheng, 1999; Liu et al., 1999). During the last half-century, especially the last 30 years, drastic environmental changes have occurred owing to exploitation and development, which have invoked society's concerns. In the Qinghai-Tibet …     

Research on Methods of Ecological Security Assessment of the Middle and Lower Reaches of Liaohe River Based on GIS

1INTRODUCTIONResources and environment crisis are accompanied byincreasing economic development pressures and rapidpopulation growth in many countries of the world(RobSwart,1996).Ecological security is a hotspot.Majorityof scholars have taken in the hot discussions of ecologicalsecurity of different regions,most of which is differentfrom their background of subjects(Alex F.Mc Calla,1999;Xiao Duning,Chen Wenbo and Guo Fuliang,2002).With the development of GIS,GPS,RS and modeltechno…     

Study on the Balance of Agricultural Water and Land Resources on Ningxia Plain

The article puts forward the process and means of regional water and land balance research, and then from two scenarios which are the balances under natural regulation and human intervention, calculated and analysed the balance between water and land on Ningxia Plain. For the balance under natural regulation named farmland water balance, using farmland water resource balance equation, the research estimated the monthly farmland＂ water balance of 8 major crops for all of the 12 counties on Ningxia Plain in the period of 1960-2001; for the balance under human intervention, the research estimated land-use water balance equation of the counties in 2000, and calculated the balance between land use and water resources including irrigating water of all the 12 counties on Ningxia Plain. Results showed that ①precipitation can not meet the water demand of the crops for growth and development on Ningxia Plain, and water shortage is the primary character of farmland water balance under natural regulation. ②the diversity of water and land balance of different counties is distinctly influenced by the crop structure, water quantity for irrigation and irrigation level. ③Irrigation water could meet the crop water demand on Ningxia Plain in 2000, but there was not much space to expand irrigating cultivated land.