Testing the validity of the “value of a prevented fatality” (VPF) used to assess UK safety measures

The “value of a prevented fatality” (VPF), the maximum amount that it is notionally reasonable to pay for a safety measure that will reduce by one the expected number of preventable premature deaths in a large population, is published by the UK Department for Transport (DfT). The figure, updated for changes in GDP per head, is used by the DfT, the Health and Safety Executive and other UK regulatory bodies as well as very widely in the process, nuclear and other industries as the standard by which to judge how much to spend to reduce harm to humans. The paper tests the validity of the 1999 study on which the VPF is based and finds that that study fails numerous tests of its validity. It is concluded that there is no evidential base for the VPF that has been used for many years in the UK and is still in standard use today. Given the difficulties evident in the interpretation of survey results, an urgent re-appraisal is needed of alternative statistical methodologies that can allow robust regulatory and industry safety decision making and, vitally, give adequate protection to the UK public and to those working in the UK's transport, process, nuclear and other industries.     

Root causes of hydrocarbon leaks on offshore petroleum installations

Hydrocarbon leaks on offshore installations may result in severe consequences to personnel, to the environment and to assets. In order to prevent such leaks, it is crucial to understand their root causes. The objective of this paper is to study the circumstances of hydrocarbon leaks on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). In the study, all reported hydrocarbon leaks from process inventories on all offshore installations on the NCS, with an initial leak rate higher than 0.1 kg/s in the period 2008–2014, have been considered. This includes 78 hydrocarbon leaks, of which about 60% have occurred during manual intervention on normally pressurized systems. The dominating activity when leaks occur is preventive maintenance. A significant fraction of the leaks occur during the preparation for maintenance; such a preparation is typically carried out during the night shift. About half of the leaks are associated with wellhead area and manifolds, separation and compression systems. A substantial fraction of the leaks can be associated with verification faults, dominated by the failure to comply with procedural requirements that are needed to carry out independent verification.     

论环境教育法制建设与环境保护社会治理

加强环境法制教育有利于提升公众的环境保护理念,促进环保社会治理。日本和我国台湾地区在环境教育法律依据、教育内容、教育职责、教育制度等方面的经验可供我们借鉴。在我国大陆开展环境教育法制建设,须强调政府的主导作用,强调党、政府、社会、公民和市场关系的制度化,解决组织主体、参与主体和经费保障等关键问题,符合实际并发挥实际作用。在党内法规方面,要制定与国家立法相衔接的环境保护党内法规和其他规范性文件;在国家立法的建设方面,制定专门了《环境教育法》或者《环境教育条例》,按照十八届四中全会决定要求,把全民普法和守法作为依法治国的长期基础性工作,明确中央和地方政府、企业、学校、社会组织和公民个体的环境宣传教育权利和义务,把环境宣传教育作为基础性工作纳入国民经济和社会发展计划,完善环境信息公开、社会监督、行政监督和司法监督等制度和机制,采取有针对性和可接受的宣教方法与机制,促进环境保护宣传教育制度得以运行。     

Nature and COVID-19: The pandemic,the environment,and the way ahead

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought profound social, political, economic, and environmental challenges to the world. The virus may have emerged from wildlife reservoirs linked to environmental disruption, was transmitted to humans via the wildlife trade, and its spread was facilitated by economic globalization. The pandemic arrived at a time when wildfires, high temperatures, floods, and storms amplified human suffering. These challenges call for a powerful response to COVID-19 that addresses social and economic development, climate change, and biodiversity together, offering an opportunity to bring transformational change to the structure and functioning of the global economy. This biodefense can include a “One Health” approach in all relevant sectors; a greener approach to agriculture that minimizes greenhouse gas emissions and leads to healthier diets; sustainable forms of energy; more effective international environmental agreements; post-COVID development that is equitable and sustainable; and nature-compatible international trade. Restoring and enhancing protected areas as part of devoting 50% of the planet’s land to environmentally sound management that conserves biodiversity would also support adaptation to climate change and limit human contact with zoonotic pathogens. The essential links between human health and well-being, biodiversity, and climate change could inspire a new generation of innovators to provide green solutions to enable humans to live in a healthy balance with nature leading to a long-term resilient future.     

生态文明视阈下公民环境教育的文化价值思考

生态文明建设要有坚实的公民环境教育作支撑。公民环境教育的文化价值是环境教育价值的内在表现形式之一。作为生态文明建设的重要组成部分,环境教育与生态文明建设有着不可断裂的天然的关系。生态文明建设需要环境教育的文化价值体现。环境教育的文化价值能够促进生态文化的生成与人文资源的开发,能够发挥环境教育的文化选择与批判功能,促进价值观念转型,能够发挥环境教育的文化传播功能,促进人文理性精神的活化。     

高校开设环境教育公共必修课探究

在高校中开设环境教育公共必修课,培养大学生的环境意识,提高环境素质,是实现可持续发展的一个重要措施。本文阐述了环境教育的内涵,论述了国内外高校环境教育的发展概况,分析了高校开设环境教育公共必修课的必要性。以济南市为例,对高校学生和教师分别进行了问卷调查,从学生的环境意识和环境行为、学校开设环境教育公共必修课的现状、师生对环境教育公共必修课的态度等方面进行了调查。结合调查结果。总结出中国高校环境教育公共必修课建设存在的主要问题,如高校对环境教育的重视不足、环境教育课程体系不合理、教学形式单一、师资力量薄弱等,并借鉴国外环境教育的经验,提出完善高校环境教育公共必修课的建议和措施。     

Exploring the relationship between municipal promotion and education investments and recycling rate performance in Ontario,Canada

This study examines the effects of municipal promotion and education (P&E) investments on the recycling rates of recyclables found in Ontario's residential waste stream. Using panel data collected from 223 Ontario municipalities between 2003 and 2012, this study examines whether investments in recycling P&E lead to an increase in household recycling. Investments in recycling promotion and education have been characterized as a policy best practice and is promoted as one of the primary drivers of resource conservation and sustainability in Ontario. Focus is placed on analyzing: (a) the relationship between P&E expenditures and recycling rates in the province, (b) the relationship between municipal recycling rates and P&E investments at different funding levels and (c) the impact of locality on promotion and education efficacy. The results of the statistical regressions indicate that investments in recycling P&E do not increase municipal recycling rates, necessitating a re-evaluation of existing policy and management practices.     

Enhancing older driver safety: A driving survey and evaluation of the CarFit program

Objective

To evaluate CarFit, an educational program designed to promote optimal alignment of driver with vehicle.

Methods

A driving activity survey was sent to 727 randomly selected participants living in retirement communities. Drivers (n = 195) were assigned randomly to CarFit intervention (n = 83, M age = 78.1) or Comparison (n = 112, M age = 79.6) groups. After 6 months, participants completed a post-test of driving activity and CarFit recommendations.

Results

Nonconsenting drivers were older and participated in fewer driving activities. CarFit participation was moderate (71%) with 86% of the participants receiving recommendations. 60% followed the recommendations at the 6-month re-evaluation). The CarFit (67.6%) and Comparison (59.3%) groups reported at least one type of self-regulation of driving activity at baseline. There was no significant change in the driving behaviors at the six-month follow-up.

Conclusion

CarFit was able to detect addressable opportunities that may contribute to the safety of older drivers.

Impact on industry

CarFit recommendations may need stronger reinforcement in order to be enacted by a participant.     

Assessment of Quality for Middle Level and High School Student‐Generated Water Quality Data

Student scientists have analyzed groundwater used for drinking water in rural areas to understand groundwater quality. This was part of a greater effort to understand risks to drinking water. The data produced by middle level and high school students have not been accepted by experts because of concerns about method and student accuracy. We assessed the inherent errors associated with method accuracy, student precision, and sample variability to establish bounds for attainable trueness in water analyses. Analytical test kits and probes were evaluated for the determination of pH, conductivity, chloride, hardness, iron, total soluble metals, and nitrate. In terms of precision, all methods met or exceeded design specifications. Method trueness was variable and in general ranged from good to poor depending on method. A gage reproducibility and repeatability analysis of instrumental methods (pH and conductivity) partitioned the variances into student error (12‐46%), instrumental error (8‐21%), and random error (45‐68%). Overall, student‐generated data met some of the quality objectives consistent with the method limitations. Some methods exhibited a systematic bias and data adjustment may be necessary. Given good management of the student analyst process, it is possible to make precise and accurate measurements consistent with the methods specifications.