The contribution of energy efficiency to sustainable development in developing countries

The demand for energy services is growing rapidly in developing countries. Low levels of energy efficiency in electric power supply and in energy use mean that the energy sector threatens to absorb an intolerably high share of available financial resources. Energy inefficiency also contributes to local and global environmental problems. A strategy of vigorously improving energy efficiency is thus a key element of a sustainable development path. Results reported in this paper show that there is considerable room for efficiency improvement in both existing and new capital stocks, but a much larger effort than presently underway is essential if the potential is to be realized. Assistance from the industrialized countries can play a major role in such an effort.     

Survey of water use behaviour in rural North Ghana

Evaluation research of rural water projects has not paid much attention to examining the extent to which intended beneficiaries actually utilized the new water points for drinking purposes. This paper presents a survey of water use patterns in a rural district of Ghana to find out the source(s) of water for drinking both at home and when on the farm. Because farms are at a considerable distance from the settlements where the boreholes are located, the use of borehole water when on the farm provides a good standard with which to evaluate community education components of the water programmes.     

Measuring environmental success

Process improvement, environmental results, and customer satisfaction all can—and need to—be measured in order to achieve total quality environmental management. This article details why and how to take such measures, with examples of leading company practices.     

Environmental community relations: A vital component in TQEM

In the current regulatory climate, environmental professionals are becoming increasingly involved with a side of the business that has often been given low priority in the past: communicating with the public about environmental and health risk issues. This article describes effective approaches to such communication, and demonstrates their implementation success.     

On averting the tragedy of the commons

One of the enduring facts of the human condition is that the earth's resources are finite and its environment fragile. It is also evident that human behavior is rarely based on an appreciation of these facts. While the outlook may be bleak, so are some of the proposed solutions. Reasonable people have suggested that, to survive, an environmentally enlightened authoritarian government must be adopted. This article suggests that such a solution is unworkable, in part because it fails to consider critical aspects of human nature. A framework is proposed for developing solutions compatible with human capabilities.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and chlorinated pesticides in a cod liver oil reference material

A cod liver oil reference material, Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1588, which was issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 1989, has certified concentrations for five polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and ten chlorinated pesticides. Recently, this SRM has been extensively characterized by additional analyses at NIST and by analyses at the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) where the SRM was used as a control sample during routine analyses of wildlife tissue specimens. In this paper the results from NIST and CWS are compared and the concentrations for over 40 PCB congeners and 20 chlorinated hydrocarbons are reported.     

The Steubenville comprehensive air monitoring program (SCAMP): associations among fine particulate matter, co-pollutants, and meteorological conditions

We determined 24-hr average ambient concentrations of PM2.5 and its ionic and carbonaceous components in Steubenville, OH, between May 2000 and May 2002. We also determined daily average gaseous co-pollutant concentrations, meteorological conditions, and pollen and mold spore counts. Data were analyzed graphically and by linear regression and time series models. Multiple-day episodes of elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations often occurred during periods of locally high temperature (especially during summer), high pressure, or low wind speed (especially during winter) and generally ended with the passage of a frontal system. After removing autocorrelation, we observed statistically significant positive associations between concentrations of PM2.5 and concentrations of CO, NOx, and SO2. Associations with NOx and CO exhibited significant seasonal dependencies, with the strongest correlations during fall and winter. NOx, CO, SO2, O3, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed were all significant predictors of PM2.5 concentration in a time-series model with external regressors, which successfully accounted for 79% of the variance in log-transformed daily PM2.5 concentrations. Coefficient estimates for NOx and temperature varied significantly by season. The results provide insight that may be useful in the development of future PM2.5 reduction strategies for Steubenville. Additionally, they demonstrate the need for PM epidemiology studies in Steubenville (and elsewhere) to carefully consider the potential confounding effects of gaseous co-pollutants, such as CO and NOx, and their seasonally dependent associations with PM2.5.     

Fossil fuels in the 21st century

An overview of the importance of fossil fuels in supplying the energy requirements of the 21st century, their future supply, and the impact of their use on global climate is presented. Current and potential alternative energy sources are considered. It is concluded that even with substantial increases in energy derived from other sources, fossil fuels will remain a major energy source for much of the 21st century and the sequestration of CO2 will be an increasingly important requirement.     

Human Culture and Large Carnivore Conservation in North America

We examined and compared human attitudes toward wolves ( Canis lupus ), grizzly bears ( Ursus arctos horribilis ), and mountain lions ( Puma concolor ) in North America, with an emphasis on the Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada. Primary research, literature review, and secondary data were included in the analysis. Wolves were historically persecuted by Euro-American settlers, but they have been the focus of a significant attitudinal transformation during the latter half of this century. Many now view the wolf in positive and protective ways. Considerable variation remains, however, in contemporary attitudes. Attitudes toward mountain lions have been highly ambivalent, never assuming the prominence or clarity of views on wolves. The behavior and physiology of the species, along with human psychological factors, are important reasons for the difference in human perceptions of wolves and mountain lions. We also examined attitudes toward grizzly bears. Many indigenous cultures revered grizzly bears, although European settlers were interested in exploiting and eliminating them. Today, perceptions of grizzly bears range from positive to negative. Our recommendations include targeting key groups with education programs, building support through the use of spokespeople within the target groups, integrating human and ecological concerns, and designing species-specific education initiatives in some cases.     

Determination and comparison of nitrated-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons measured in air and diesel particulate reference materials

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has issued numerous environmental matrix standard reference materials (SRMs) for the measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; however, only one SRM (diesel particulate material) was issued with certified and reference values for four nitrated-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAH). The objective of this study was to develop an improved analytical procedure to quantify 28 mononitro- and dinitro-PAHs, including numerous isomers, in air and diesel particulate SRMs. Two air particulate matrix SRMs, SRM 1649a Urban Dust and SRM 1648 Urban Particulate Matter, and fine particulate matter, collected from Baltimore MD for use as an "interim reference material" for the determination of organic contaminants, have been characterized for nitro-PAHs. Concentrations of nitro-PAHs in all three air particulate materials were at the ng/g level with the highest nitro-PAH concentration being 2-nitrofluoranthene (range between 246 and 340 ng/g). For the three diesel particulate-related SRMs, SRM 1650a Diesel Particulate Matter, SRM 1975 Diesel Particulate Extract, and SRM 2975 Diesel Particulate Matter (Industrial Fortlift), concentrations of nitro-PAHs were in the microg/g range, with 1-nitropyrene as the dominant nitro-PAH (range between 18 and 40 microg/g). Distinct nitro-PAH isomer patterns were present between the air and diesel particulate materials. These results will provide isomer identification and reference concentrations for a large number of nitro-PAHs in the existing diesel and air particulate SRMs. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.