Variation in perception of environmental change in nine Solomon Islands communities: implications for securing fairness in community-based adaptation

Community-based approaches are pursued in recognition of the need for place-based responses to environmental change that integrate local understandings of risk and vulnerability. Yet the potential for fair adaptation is intimately linked to how variations in perceptions of environmental change and risk are treated. There is, however, little empirical evidence of the extent and nature of variations in risk perception in and between multiple community settings. Here, we rely on data from 231 semi-structured interviews conducted in nine communities in Western Province, Solomon Islands, to statistically model different perceptions of risk and change within and between communities. Overall, people were found to be less likely to perceive environmental changes in the marine environment than they were for terrestrial systems. The distance to the nearest market town (which may be a proxy for exposure to commercial logging and degree of involvement with the market economy), and gender had the greatest overall statistical effects on perceptions of risk. Yet, we also find that significant environmental change is underreported in communities, while variations in perception are not always easily related to commonly assumed fault lines of vulnerability. The findings suggest that there is an urgent need for methods that engage with the drivers of perceptions as part of community-based approaches. In particular, it is important to explicitly account for place, complexity and diversity of environmental risk perceptions, and we reinforce calls to engage seriously with underlying questions of power, culture, identity and practice that influence adaptive capacity and risk perception.

     

Atmospheric pollution in Beijing, China, as recorded in sediments of the Kunming Lake

The fluxes of heavy metals and magnetite, a fly-ash component, from coal burning, to sediments of the Kunming Lake in Beijing have increased measurably over the last fifty years. Ages were introduced to the sediment strata through Pb-210 geochronologies. Even with a doubling of coal usage by the year 2000, the anthropogenic metal fluxes will still be less than those recorded in metropolitan Tokyo and U.S. lakes.     

The use of Landsat multispectral scanner data for the analysis and management of flooding on the river Severn,England

Remote sensing has emerged as one of the major techniques for the analysis and delineation of large floods. This analysis can provide data invaluable for the hydrological management of large river systems. A need for information on the extent of floodplain inundation for the lower reaches of the largest river in the UK was met by a search through Landsat images of floods and the analysis of the best example recorded. Automated classification of the Landsat imagery of this flood on the river Severn in 1977 was used to provide estimates of the extent and spatial distribution of inundation. Flood images were generated using the Plessey IDP 3000 image processor, and the maps derived accorded well with aerial photography and qualitative flood information. Three distinct floodplain environments were delineated and flood images produced by different spectral bands compared. Specific questions prompted by flood hazard management and concerning the processes and extent of flooding were answered by the Landsat data analysis. Management of the flood risk of large rivers is expensive and remote sensing data is a relatively cheap and effective way of monitoring control works and providing data for the prediction of the effects of future hydrological works. Remote sensing is a practical way in which spatial information concerning the behavior of large dynamic systems can be obtained both quickly and relatively cheaply.     

ELECTROPHORETIC WATER CLARIFICATION TECHNIQUES1

Only very recently has a limited amount of attention been focused directly on electrophoresis as a method for improving water quality. This approach has been proposed primarily as a method for removal of suspended colloidal material, although solutes can also be removed by this method. Very simply electrophoresis is defined as the movement of charged suspended particles in a dc electric field. Several electrophoretic clarification systems and techniques have been developed and evaluated primarily for removing colloidal clay from suspension. The methods should apply equally well to any negatively charged particulate matter. Design for optimal clay removal efficiency and operating cost efficiency has been based upon previous theoretical results and upon modification of the combination filter-el ectrophores is model of Bier. These systems and techniques along with the theoretical developments leading to their design are discussed. Results and conclusions are given for tests that have been concluded concerning the feasibility or practicality of these electrophoretic clarification systems for commercial use. These are viewed in light of various limiting factors such as electrical conductivity of the medium, quality of water desired, colloid concentrations and electrophoretic mobility of the suspended materials.     

Accounting for the quality of work life

This study describes the development and issuance of an independent report on the quality of work life in a Corporation. The theory underlying the report, criteria, definitions, measurement procedures, the properties of the measures, and report itself are presented. A survey indicating a favourable reception to the data by stockholders, financial analysts, and employees is analysed. Recommendations for increased collaboration between accountants and behavioural scientists in the measurement and assessment of the quality of work life are presented in an effort to stimulate further research in the development of standardized measures and in the preparation of independent reports on the quality of work life in organizations.     

Future areas of investigation regarding the problem of urban road dust

In a number of metropolitan areas of the country, failure to attain national primary air quality standards for total suspended particulates (TSP) has fostered a detailed reexamination of the nature of the urban TSP problem. Reentrained dust from paved streets and other traffic-related emissions are now recognized as major sources of TSP in urban areas. While numerous reports and studies have examined this subject, some significant aspects of urban road dust have not been studied in enough detail, if at all. Examples of this are the effects of gutters and pavement composition and shape. This paper discusses those areas of the urban road dust problem that are felt to require further attention and outlines the priorities with which the data should be obtained.     

Explaining Agricultural Expansion, Resource Booms and Growth in Latin America

The following paper examines the main factors determining long-run agricultural land expansion in Latin America compared to other tropical regions. Given the importance of natural resource-based sectors for most economies in Latin America, the impact of price-induced "resource booms" on economic growth in the region is explored. In addition, the paper examines whether there is an inherent "boom and bust" pattern of economic development associated with agricultural land expansion in Latin America, and the extent to which economic policies in the region exacerbate this problem. The paper concludes by examining the role of targeted policies in alleviating the structural obstacles to Latin American agricultural and economic development.     

Separability, partial demand systems, and consumer's surplus measures

In practice, complete demand systems are not estimated. Rather, either an incomplete demand system is estimated, or separability is invoked and a partial demand system is estimated. This paper considers the relationship between the conventional compensating variation (equivalent variation) and the corresponding welfare measure that can be derived from a partial demand system and the current budget allocation to the separable group. Even assuming the separability assumption invoked is appropriate, these partial measures provide, in general, only a limited amount of information about the compensating variation and no information about the equivalent variation. Great care is therefore needed when using partial welfare measures to evaluate policy.     

Philanthropy and the environmental movement in the United States

Summary Philanthropy has been vital to the environmental movement in the United States. Individual gifts and foundation grants have sustained the organizations, people, and programs of the independent sector which, although small in comparison to either government or industry, has contributed much through shaping environmental issues and setting directions for public policy. The importance of these efforts belies their size and the small amount of money which has supported them. Recent trends, however, indicate that the amount of support received by environmental groups may have peaked, a development which could have disturbing consequences for the field.Prior to this, E. Ames was Programme Officer for the Ford Foundations's Office of Resources and Environment. Former Director of the Wilderness Society and the Open Space Institute. Associated with Harvard University and the Carnegie Institution, Washington.