Natech guide words: A new approach to assess and manage natech risk to ensure business continuity

The risk posed by natural hazards to the technological systems is known as Natech risk. It is different from the more widely known and studied risk posed by such sites to the environment and society. Though currently, available risk assessment techniques recognize Natech, the specific qualitative technique for Natech risk assessment and reduction has not yet been developed. After analyzing past data of Natech accidents, relevant guide words have been suggested in this study. These guide words will help anticipate Natech risk and visualize the Natech scenario. Once the Natech risk is identified, corresponding risk reduction measures can be taken to avoid possible Natech accidents and consequences.     

Recent developments in young driver education, training and licensing in Australia

Australian young driver education and training approaches have differed from the mandatory school-based programs found internationally; generally comprising voluntary programs conducted outside of licensing. This paper reports on recent developments pertaining to the pre-learner, learner, and provisional license stages. Given its important context, state-based graduated driver licensing systems are also reviewed. There has been a shift toward starting driver education younger (pre-learner), greater involvement of parents, and more school-based programs; many now conducted by licensing authorities. The majority of initiatives are yet to be evaluated, particularly relative to crash outcomes; however, some studies suggest other positive outcomes, including increased supervised practice and delayed licensure. Furthermore, the federal government is proceeding with plans for a national license-based program. Several jurisdictions have also announced the introduction of passenger and nighttime restrictions on provisional licenses. Together these initiatives offer promise of reductions in young driver-related fatalities and injuries in the very near future.     

Impact of Growing Income Inequality on Sustainable Development in China: A Provincial-level Analysis

Abstract

A growing body of literature has documented the rapidly increasing income disparities that accompanied China's economic growth in the 1980s and 1990s, and the driving factors behind this. Growing income inequality in its turn may have important implications for the accumulation of physical capital, human capital, and natural capital and as a consequence for sustainable economic development. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential impact of income inequality on savings, human resources and the environment in China. It starts with an overview of the different causal mechanisms through which income inequality may affect the accumulation of physical capital, human capital, and natural capital, and discusses to what extent these causal relationships may be relevant in the case of China. Next, provincial data for the year 2002 are used to explore the relationship between income inequality and different elements of sustainable development in China. It is found that income inequality does not affect aggregate savings levels. Rising inequality, however, contributes to lower health and possibly also to higher fertility levels. It also lowers the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture and therefore is likely to reduce water pollution. Other types of environmental degradation are not affected.     

Engaged Communication Scholarship for Environmental Justice: A Research Agenda

ABSTRACT

As a discipline of crisis and care, environmental communication needs to address questions of environmental justice. This article argues that the most appropriate approach to studying environmental justice communication is engaged scholarship, in which academics collaborate with community partners, advocates, and others to conduct research. The article reviews prior engaged communication scholarship on environmental justice, and proposes four streams of future research, focused on news and information, deliberation and participation, campaigns and movements, and education and literacy.     

Typifying conservation practitioners’ views on the role of education

Education is an established tool to enhance human–environment relationships, despite the lack of empirical evidence to support its use. We used theories of change to unpack assumptions about the role of education in conservation. We interviewed practitioners from 15 conservation organizations in Madagascar to typify implicit pathways of change and assess whether emerging pathways echo theoretical advances. Five pathways were drivers of change: increasing knowledge, changing emotional connection and changing traditional cultural practices, fostering leaders, diversifying outcomes, and influencing community and society. These pathways reflect existing sociopsychological theories on learning and behavioral change. Most interviewees’ organizations had a predominant pathway that was often combined with elements from other pathways. Most pathways lacked culturally grounded approaches. Our research reveals assumptions about the role of education in conservation and indicates that organizations had different ideas of how change happens. The diversity of practices reflects the complexity of factors that influence behavior. Whether this diversity is driven by local sociocultural context, interaction with other conservation approaches, or contingencies remains unclear. Yet, typifying the pathways of change and reflecting on them is the first step towards comprehensive evaluation of when and which pathways and interactions to promote.     

海河流域近500年大旱大涝时空特征及趋势预测

作者选择记录年代较长、系统性较好、分布均匀的十八个站作为海河流域的代表站，分别统计了近５００年及每世纪、各年代大旱大涝的出现频数，探讨了它的时空分布特征。还根据天文、气候背景制作了１９９５～２０１０年旱涝趋势预测。研究表明，１９９５～２０１０年海河流域大致处于太阳活动２３周的黑子低值位相和第２４周的高值位相之间，同时又处在太阳黑子世纪周期的下降段。从全国旱涝型指数和北京地区旱涝等级变化曲线看，目前海河流域正处于持续下降期，未来将进入湿润多雨阶段     

论灾害“预防文化”

本文以现代灾害管理和系统工程的观点,论述了灾害预防文化的基础背景以及在我国建设灾害预防文化的内容。     

自然灾害等级划分及灾情比较模型探讨

作者参照灰色关联分析方法，提出了一种自然灾害等级划分和灾情比较的模型，应用该模型，在计算出关联度后，很容易得到灾害分级和灾情比较的结果。此外，该模型对分级 指标项数没有限制，故有很强的灵活和实用性。     

论案例教学在环境法教学中的运用

环境法教学中案例教学具有十分重要的作用,可以帮助学生提高理论学习的效率和实务操作的能力。案例教学不仅仅是由教师单纯的讲授案例,还可以让学生去进行案例讨论。在案例教学中,教师需要选择合理的方式,持有宽容的态度,并做好充分的准备工作。     

安全文化宣教机理研究

为明晰安全文化宣教机理,从而提升安全文化宣教效果,基于宣传与教育的定义,提出安全文化宣教的定义,并分析其内涵。基于此,构建并解析安全文化宣教的“5-13”模式和受众处理安全文化符号信息的过程模型。在此基础上,提炼驱动受众心理的猎奇心理、重情心理与审美需要等16条理论依据和与之对应的一些具体方法。结果表明,设计、筹划和实施安全文化宣教活动和行为应以安全文化宣教的“5-13”模式和受众处理安全文化符号信息的过程模型为依据,有效驱动受众心理是提高安全文化宣教效果的关键。