Sea-level rise in Indonesia: on adaptation priorities in the agricultural sector

Adaptation to climate-change impacts requires understanding of where impacts are to be expected and what their magnitude may be. Adaptation funds are only a limited resource for helping affected parties in coping with climate-change impacts. The application of suitable methods helps to determine the recipients of adaptation aid. A quantification of impacts based on different impact analyses can aid in taking on various perspectives on the same problem in order to identify the appropriate perspective for the given decision-making context or for identifying impact patterns. Once executed, this prioritizes adaptation needs and finding a suitable allocation rule, given the policy makers perception of the decision-making context. The study introduces a set of methods of spatially explicit, sub-national (province level), and country-wide impact analyses regarding inundation impacts on agricultural areas for four important food crops in Indonesia. These methods are applied to a 1 and 2 m sea-level rise scenario and include a novel approach for impact analyses, data envelopment analysis, which is not widely used in environmental studies as of yet. Based on the given case study, the paper demonstrates the applicability of these methods and identifies impact patterns.     

Evaluating intervention options to achieve environmental benefits in the residential sector

Government intervention schemes in the form of policy instruments and financial incentives or rebates can have a major influence on the adoption of technologies by residential consumers to reduce their natural resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the pattern and rate of consumer uptake of voluntary schemes are not always well-understood or easily taken into account in future scenarios analyses. This paper presents an innovative extension of the Bass diffusion model that has been integrated with multi-criteria analysis to enable explicit consideration and balancing of the impacts of technology cost, financial benefits, demographic suitability and household income on the likelihood of adoption. This ‘Intervention Options’ model is formulated into a constrained integer programming problem to allow optimisation of the size and timing of government rebates to maximise adoption rate and, ultimately, environmental benefits. The model’s capability is demonstrated using an Australian case study of 25,000 households, and historical information on the uptake of solar hot water and solar photovoltaic panels in Brisbane, Queensland. Case study results reveal new insights and important context-relevant trends that could assist policy makers to substantially improve the effectiveness of intervention schemes to achieve environmental goals within desired budgets.     

An analysis of the environmental pressure exerted by the eucalyptus-based kraft pulp industry in Thailand

The study reported here focuses on the environmental pressure exerted by large-scale eucalyptus-based kraft pulp industry in Thailand. The objective of this study was to identify the most important sources of greenhouse gases, acidifying and eutrophying compounds and tropospheric ozone precursors, human toxicity compounds and solid waste associated with the kraft pulp industry. To this end, we performed an environmental systems analysis of the kraft pulp industry system in which we distinguished between two subsystems: the eucalyptus forestry subsystem and the kraft pulp production subsystem. The results indicate that the environmental pressure is caused by the kraft pulp production subsystem rather than by the eucalyptus forestry one. The chemical recovery unit was found to be the most important source of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and responsible for more than one-half of the emissions of greenhouse gases and acidifying compounds from eucalyptus-based kraft pulp production in Thailand. Biomass combustion in the energy gene ration unit is an important source of nitrogen oxide (NO _x ) and carbon monoxide (CO) which in turn are responsible for over 50% of the emissions of tropospheric ozone precursors. About 73% of the eutrophication is caused by biological aerobic wastewater treatment emitting phosphorus (P). With respect to the eucalyptus forestry, only fertilizer use in eucalyptus plantations is a relevant source of pollution through the emission of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and phosphate (PO ₄ ³⁻ ).     

The Response of Hydrophytes to Environmental Pollution with Heavy Metals

The effects of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Ni²⁺ at low and high concentrations (0.025 and 0.25 mg/ml) on the accumulation capacity, the state of the pigment complex, and photosynthesis rate have been studied in model experiments with three floating hydrophytes (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L., Lemna gibba L., and Potamogeton natans L.) and four submerged hydrophytes (Elodea canadensis Michx., Lemna trisulka L., Ceratophyllum demersum L., and Potamogeton lucens L.). Copper and cadmium are especially toxic at the concentrations studied. The effect of Cu²⁺ was the strongest in hydatophytes, and the effect of Cd²⁺, in pleustophytes. It is hypothesized that the differences between hydrophytes with respect to accumulation of metals and decrease in photosynthesis rate may cause predominant elimination of submerged species. Therefore, changes in the species structure of hydrophyte communities may be expected in waters polluted with metals.     

Institutional traps and vulnerability to changes in climate and flood regimes in Thailand

Vulnerabilities to floods in Thailand are changing as a result of many factors. Formal and informal institutions help shape exposure, sensitivity and capacities to respond of individuals, social groups and social-ecological systems. In this paper we draw on several case studies of flood events and flood-affected communities to first assess how current practices reflect various laws, procedures, programs and policies for managing floods and disasters and then explore the implications for dealing with additional challenges posed by climate change. Our analysis identifies several institutional traps which need to be overcome if vulnerability is to be reduced, namely capture of agendas by technical elites, single-level or centralized concentration of capacities, organizational fragmentation and overemphasis on reactive crisis management. Possible responses are to expand public participation in managing risks, build adaptive capacities at multiple levels and link them, integrate flood disaster management and climate change adaptation into development planning, prioritize risk reduction for socially vulnerable groups and strengthen links between knowledge and practice. Responses like these could help reduce vulnerabilities under current climate and flood regimes, while also improving capacities to handle the future which every way that unfolds.     

Revisit to community forest in northeast of Thailand: changes in status and utilization

The International Forest Resources and Institutions (IFRI) research program is designed by a network of social and natural scientists from different parts of the world and is intended to exam the interdependency relations between people and forests and to analyze forest conditions In 2003, in terms of IFRI methodology, our team has done some relative research in Kog Bung Preu community forest, which locates in the northeast of Thailand, and collected forest data including some key variables and parameters, such as DBH (Diameter at Breast Height), HEIGHT, BA (Basal Area), and DENSITY of trees and saplings in 31 plots in this community forest. In 2009, we re-visited the forests and 31 forest plots, using IFRI methodology and GPS technology again to collect data based on four key variables of trees and saplings. In the process of data management and analysis, we use IFRI Data Entry Application, and Access, Excel, SPSS, Map-source etc. to help us manage and analyze collected data. Meanwhile, a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to understand and analyze different variables and data. This paper will mainly focus on the changes in the Kog Bung Preu forest since last visit. By comparing and analyzing the forest plot data of two visits by using macro- and micro-scale, it is intended to reveal the actual status of Kog Bung Preu forest and to discuss the reasons behind the changes. From fieldwork and investigation in 31 forest plots and community residents again, we found that for saplings, DHB has slightly increased, however it did not test as significantly different, unlike HEIGHT which had also increased and had significant differences between the 2 years. Density and basal area for sapling revealed the same trend. They appeared to be notably decreasing from 2003 to 2009. BA does not prove to be significantly different, but DENSITY has a significant difference. Comparing tree variables between 2003 and 2009 gave different results. Every variable showed an increase from the previously recorded data. However, only the DBH and HEIGHT of trees demonstrated significant differences between the 2 years. The generally declining rate of sapling density and basal area may be related to the increase in the density and basal area of trees. It may be assumed that within the 6-year period, some saplings in the plots matured and now fall into the tree class. During this study, a total of 78 species in 38 families were recorded; 51 species are trees belonging to 22 families, 25 species from 14 families are saplings, 12 species from 9 families are seedlings, 2 woody climber species were recorded from 1 family; and herbs and grasses consisting of 27 Species from 16 families. Species composition has decreased compared to data recorded in 2003 from 97 to 78 species in 2009 as well as families which had higher recorded counts in 2003 (48 families) but lower recorded counts in 2009 (38 families). The socioeconomic situation of local community has some changes, from interview we found that most of changes focus on the collection of forest products and timber uses. The interaction between forest and people has improved. Finally, based on the analysis earlier, we discussed some aspects and provide relative suggestions.     

Inflammatory markers in relation to long-term air pollution

Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution can lead to chronic health effects such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Systemic inflammation has been hypothesized as a putative biological mechanism contributing to these adverse health effects. We evaluated the effect of long-term exposure to air pollution on blood markers of systemic inflammation.We measured a panel of 28 inflammatory markers in peripheral blood samples from 587 individuals that were biobanked as part of a prospective study. Participants were from Varese and Turin (Italy) and Umea (Sweden). Long-term air pollution estimates of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) were available from the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE). Linear mixed models adjusted for potential confounders were applied to assess the association between NO_x and the markers of inflammation.Long-term exposure to NO_x was associated with decreased levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α in Italy, but not in Sweden. NO_x exposure levels were considerably lower in Sweden than in Italy (Sweden: median (5th, 95th percentiles) 6.65 μg/m³ (4.8, 19.7); Italy: median (5th, 95th percentiles) 94.2 μg/m³ (7.8, 124.5)). Combining data from Italy and Sweden we only observed a significant association between long-term exposure to NO_x and decreased levels of circulating IL-8.We observed some indication for perturbations in the inflammatory markers due to long-term exposure to NO_x. Effects were stronger in Italy than in Sweden, potentially reflecting the difference in air pollution levels between the two cohorts.     

Trends in lung cancer in London in relation to exposure to diesel fumes

Mortality from lung cancer among males in England and Wales is now beginning to decline, and the urban excess that has persisted for many years is also becoming smaller. There is nothing in these national trends to suggest that pollution from diesel vehicles, which has been increasing in recent decades, would be involved. Some preliminary results are presented from a long-term study of the incidence of lung cancer among London Transport staff, including men who work in bus garages where there are high concentrations of smoke from diesel buses. Over the 25 year period from 1950–1974 the numbers of cases reported in each of the several job categories have been below those expected on the basis of Greater London rates. The absence of data on smoking habits makes it difficult to determine whether the small differences in rates between job categories are of any importance, but the standardised mortality ratios are all well within the range of those found in national studies of lung cancer mortality and smoking in relation to occupation.     

Formative Coorientation Research: A Tool to Assist with Environmental Decision Making

A growing body of research recommends interaction between managers and stakeholders to improve natural resource management decisions. While formative stakeholder research and summative evaluations of communication efforts have been well-studied, less research has included formative evaluations comparing managers and stakeholders to inform communication efforts. This study applies the communication concept of coorientation to the case of deer management on open-space lands owned by Cornell University and develops an approach to coorientation analysis for use with small decision-making teams. Mail surveys were used to assess the level of agreement and accuracy between decision makers and residents of nearby communities. Decision makers and residents varied in the topics for which they accurately predicted each other's responses; these differences have implications for approaches to communication. This study also illustrates the utility of coorientation research to reveal areas of difference within the decision-making team, as well as with the public.     

Spatiotemporal reconstruction of agricultural land cover in Nepal from 1970 to 2010

Regional Environmental Change - Agricultural land cover and changes in its extent are directly related to human activities. The rapidly growing population in Nepal has resulted in an increasing...     

Environmental occurrence,analysis and human exposure to the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A)-A review

TBBP-A is a high production volume chemical applied widely as a flame retardant in printed circuit boards. Recent studies have raised concern over potential harmful implications of TBBP-A exposure in human and wildlife, leading to its classification under group 2A “Probably carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This article provides a comprehensive review of the available literature on TBBP-A analysis, environmental levels and human exposure. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been identified as the method of choice for robust, accurate and sensitive analysis of TBBP-A in different matrices. TBBP-A has been detected in almost all environmental compartments all over the world, rendering it a ubiquitous contaminant. Human exposure studies revealed dust ingestion and diet as the major pathways of TBBP-A exposure in the general population. Toddlers are likely to be more exposed than adults via accidental indoor dust ingestion. Moreover, exposure to TBBP-A may occur prenatally and via breast milk. There are no current restrictions on the production of TBBP-A in the EU or worldwide. However, more research is required to characterise human exposure to TBBP-A in and around production facilities, as well as in e-waste recycling regions.     

Environmental impact of two electrical products with reference to the energy-using products directive

High energy consumption is one of the major factors that contributes to global warming. Connected to this, a directive has been approved by the European Union for establishing a legal framework to govern eco-design of energy-using products. This technical note reveals life cycle analysis of two electrical products, which rely on the same rechargeable battery system (i.e. the same energy source) for operations, with respect to the requirements of the aforementioned directive. Results concur with the argument that energy consumption of this sort of product plays a dominant role in terms of a variety of environmental impacts (like emission to air). Based on the results of this study, eco-design alternatives can be derived accordingly so that energy consumption and the existing solution can be benchmarked, as required by the directive.     

A multivariate analysis of the accumulation and fractionation of major and trace elements in agricultural soils in Hidalgo State, Mexico irrigated with raw wastewater

We evaluated the accumulation and distribution of major and trace elements in agricultural soils of District 03 (DR03) in the State of Hidalgo, Mexico, irrigated with raw wastewaters for an average of 20 years. Samples of topsoils (0-30 cm depth) were extracted using a modified Tessier method. Total concentrations of the species tested were in the ranges of 675-1176 mg K kg(-1), 277.9-1001 mg Na kg(-1), 6,708-81,854 mg Ca kg(-1), 23,800-106,974 mg Mg kg(-1), 9.2-123.8 mg B kg(-1), 0.6-1.9 mg Cd kg(-1), 11.6-27.4 mg Cr kg(-1), 3.9-47.0 mg Pb kg(-1). Concentrations of As and Hg were very low. Concentrations of total Cd, Cr and Pb were generally below the maximum permissible levels set by the regulations of the European Union except for cadmium, which was in the middle of the maximum European range allowed for two soils. Regarding lead, one soil (S5) could reach the maximum permissible level of the EU in 6 more years of continued irrigation. On the other hand, contents of Pb in the most mobile fractions ("e" in this work) were significant (range: 3-28%). This distribution translated into concentrations of soluble plus exchangeable lead of approximately 2 mg Pb kg(-1) in three of six soils, significantly higher than the Swiss tolerance limit of 1.0 mg Pb kg(-1) for mobile fractions of lead in soils. Multivariate analysis of the data (Pearson correlation and principal component analysis) quantitatively confirmed that: (i) there is a strong covariance between boron contents and several variables representing the salinity of soils (electrolytic conductivity, a variety of alkaline and alkaline-earth total and fraction concentrations). It appears that there is a problem with high boron content in soils, although the salinity is high only for one of the soils (S3); (ii) a significant correlation among irrigation time, lead content (total, fraction easily exchangeable and bound to organic matter and sulfides) and organic carbon in soils was found; (iii) another association among irrigation time, total contents of cadmium, chromium and boron, and organic carbon was observed.     

环境信息公开及在中国的实践

环境信息公开是一种新的环境管理制度，对于提高环境决策的质量和执行，控制污染有着一定的作用。我国已在政府环境信息公开、企业环境信息公开和其它形式环境信息公开进行了一些探索和实践。在实践中，我国存在着环境信息公开法规体系不完善、公开的环境信息不准确、企业及产品的环境信息公开不充分等问题，应在健全环境信息公开的法规体系、加大企业环境信息公开力度、建设公共环境信息系统等方面做进一步的工作。     

Variation in Population Parameters: Adaptation to Toxic Environmental Factors

Some mechanisms of adaptation of natural populations to toxic environmental factors are discussed. The dandelion and hole-nesting birds are used as examples for demonstrating that an increase in the variation of reproductive parameters upon chemical environmental pollution favors the survival of those individuals in the populations that are better adapted to changes in the climate and other environmental conditions. The increased variation in reproductive parameters may promote the elimination of less fit individuals from populations. The ensuing energy loss is the cost of maintaining the population size in the chemically degraded environment.     

Cancer risks in relation to other health hazards in a modern society

This paper is an attempt to place some of the health risks in a modern society in perspective. Apparently objective assessments of health risks are often highly value-laden, and incorporate many social assumptions. Cancer is often considered by the public to be more “dangerous” than many other diseases. Cancer research workers may also be emotional in their reactions to new results, and this can easily destroy their credibility. The public often seem to be more concerned with industrial carcinogens, which are probably responsible for less morbidity and mortality than an unhealthy life style. The importance of a critical scientific attitude tempered by concern for individuals is emphasized.     

Cancer risks in relation to other health hazards in a modern society

This paper is an attempt to place some of the health risks in a modern society in perspective. Apparently objective assessments of health risks are often highly value-laden, and incorporate many social assumptions. Cancer is often considered by the public to be more “dangerous” than many other diseases. Cancer research workers may also be emotional in their reactions to new results, and this can easily destroy their credibility. The public often seems to be more concerned with industrial carcinogens, which are probably responsible for less morbidity and mortality than an unhealthy life style. The importance of a critical scientific attitude tempered by concern for individuals is emphasized.     

SWOT analysis of renewable energy sector in Mazowieckie Voivodeship (Poland): current progress,prospects and policy implications

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Renewable energy (RE) plays an increasingly important role in the economy of almost every country in the world. In order to examine the state of...     

Spatial analysis of the environmental conflict between state,society and industry at the Map Ta Phut-Rayong conurbation in Thailand

Industrialization is a common strategy adapted by developing countries in order to stimulate urban development and socio-economic development. Unless guided by a stringent development plan, industrialization-based urban development can lead to negative environmental consequences. This paper examines the environmental conflict that raged into an impasse between the state, society and industry stakeholders at the Map Ta Put industrial zone of the Eastern Seaboard Development Program of Thailand. Using RS–GIS tools, the study conducted a spatial–environmental analysis to elucidate the causes for the conflict and the outcome of the pragmatic approach of the state to resolve it. The study finds expansion of industries and spread of industrial air pollution beyond the buffer zone into the surrounding residential area as the main reasons for the conflict. The policy interventions by the government since 2007 were found to be ineffective to resolve the conflict. Based on the lessons learnt, the study recommends a three-pronged approach to guide similar type of industrial development toward green growth in future.