Why not in your backyard? scientific data and nonrational decisions about risk

The siting of hazardous waste facilities constitutes a special case of the many no win environmental decisions we face. They share common features: (a) we must decide something; (b) the decision affects some people more than others; (c) as scientists we are not 100% confident of our research results; (d) elements of the decision remain unquantifiable; and (e) decisions combine both scientific and political elements. In this paper we attempt to illustrate and analyze several examples that combine all of these elements and to suggest methods which would lead toward a scientific valid and politically useful resolution. Using well-known examples such as the public's fear of death from nuclear power, snakebite, and smoking, we attempt to integrate public perception of risks into a decision-making model. Finally, the conclusions deal with the role of policy making, public perception, and science in resolving environmental controversies. We do not, however, solve this perplexing problem.     

Integration of accident scenario generation and multiobjective optimization for safety-cost decision making in chemical processes

Investment in Chemical Process Industries for improving their safety requires considering risk level, environmental effect, cost and many other aspects simultaneously. This paper focuses on a new systematic method of finding the most cost–risk–effective investment scenario set. The method uses the automatic accident scenario generation technique first to find a set of the most dangerous scenarios. Then it uses the multiobjective optimization method to decide the priority of the investment. These computations includes considering many constraints such as limited budget, environmental requirements and social demands. The Styrene Monomer plant case study proves the practical use of this integration method of accident scenario generation and multiobjective optimization.     

从哲学认识论的视角看环境伦理学的自然价值观

罗尔斯顿的环境价值理论强调了自然的创造性,把自然本身看成是价值的产生者和创造者。这样,他的价值就偏离了主体设定的维度,而把价值的所予性基础抽离掉了。     

Predicting support for non‐pharmaceutical interventions during infectious outbreaks: a four region analysis

Non‐pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are an important public health tool for responding to infectious disease outbreaks, including pandemics. However, little is known about the individual characteristics associated with support for NPIs, or whether they are consistent across regions. This study draws on survey data from four regions—Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States—collected following the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2002–03, and employs regression techniques to estimate predictors of NPI support. It finds that characteristics associated with NPI support vary widely by region, possibly because of cultural variation and prior experience, and that minority groups tend to be less supportive of NPIs when arrest is the consequence of noncompliance. Prior experience of face‐mask usage also results in increased support for future usage, as well as other NPIs. Policymakers should be attentive to local preferences and to the application of compulsory interventions. It is speculated here that some public health interventions may serve as ‘gateway’ exposures to future public health interventions.     

Impediments to refractory recycling decision-making

This paper focuses on organizational impediments to the successful implementation of industrial recycling programs. Even if a technologically viable and mutually beneficial solution were to exist, there are a number of organizational impediments that make it unlikely to succeed unless the benefits are very large and apparent. These impediments stem from the difficulty in identifying potential partners and involving the appropriate individuals within the firms that understand the technical requirements, value the strategic benefits and are receptive towards establishing the industrial recycling relationship. This dilemma applies to many industrial recycling opportunities, but solutions do exist. One way to avoid some of these obstacles is to use a middleman, or broker, who can play several crucial roles to establish the relationship. This paper describes the impediments and key broker roles, and provides a case study dealing with refractory recycling. It provides a case study that documents a recycling relationship between an aluminum-manufacturing firm that produces a large volume of spent refractories and a regional portland cement producer that is using the spent refractories as an alternative raw material source. This paper also provides a thorough literature search in the area of refractory recycling. Finally, the case study provides an opportunity for analysis and reflection on the implications of these findings to industrial firms, industrial societies and governmental agencies that seek to encourage successful recycling operations.     

A decision tree for Coastal Management permit guidelines

The Louisiana Coastal Management Division (CMD) uses over 90 guidelines for permitting construction activities in the coastal zone. The use of the guidelines by, the CMD staff is not always systematically applied to permit applications. A set of guideline decision trees was, therefore, developed for the permit review process using a structural modeling technique. A decision tree provides the framework for optimizing the decision process. The order in which decisions are made contributes to the efficiency and uniformity of the process. The result provides a more timely and consistent review of most permit applications regarding mining, hazardous wastes, levees, and zoning.     

Identifying Opportunities for Decision Support Systems in Support of Regional Resource Use Planning: An Approach Through Soft Systems Methodology

/ Regional resource use planning relies on key regional stakeholder groups using and having equitable access to appropriate social, economic, and environmental information and assessment tools. Decision support systems (DSS) can improve stakeholder access to such information and analysis tools. Regional resource use planning, however, is a complex process involving multiple issues, multiple assessment criteria, multiple stakeholders, and multiple values. There is a need for an approach to DSS development that can assist in understanding and modeling complex problem situations in regional resource use so that areas where DSSs could provide effective support can be identified, and the user requirements can be well established. This paper presents an approach based on the soft systems methodology for identifying DSS opportunities for regional resource use planning, taking the Central Highlands Region of Queensland, Australia, as a case study.     

重大决策的环境影响评价实证探讨

该文在阐述亟待建立重大决策环评制度的基础上，提出了重大决策环评的特点，程序，方法，并以江苏省和第三次发展机遇－结构调整为实例，进行实证研究。     

公众的主动型环保行为决策研究及发展探讨

自愿承担环保行为所产生相关成本的主动型环保行为对环境问题的长期持续改善有着重要意义。从主动型环保行为决策的内涵出发,根据现有研究的价值观、认知过程两大研究方向,分别就个体规范和环境自我认同,社会维度和时间维度介绍两种研究方向下的主动型环保行为决策研究现状,运用行为决策的研究方法,分析主动型环保行为决策的现有研究局限,亦希望为探索主动型环保行为决策的普适性决策理论拓展方向。