The operation of cost-effective on-site process for the bio-treatment of mixed municipal solid waste in rural areas

The application of on-site waste treatment significantly reduces the need for expensive waste collection and transportation in rural areas; hence, it is considered of fundamental importance in developing countries. In this study, the effects of in-field operation of two types of mini-scale on-site solid waste treatment facilities on de-centralized communities, one using mesophilic two-phase anaerobic digestion combined with composting (TPAD, 50 kg/d) and another using decentralized composting (DC, 0.6–2 t/d), were investigated. Source-separated collection was applied to provide organic waste for combined process, in which the amount of waste showed significant seasonal variation. The highest collection amount was 0.18 kg/capital day and 0.6 kg/household day. Both sites showed good performance after operating for more than 6 months, with peak waste reduction rates of 53.5% in TPAD process and 63.2% in DC process. Additionally, the windrow temperature exceeded 55 °C for >5 days, indicating that the composting products from both facilities were safe. These results were supported by 4 days aerobic static respiration rate tests. The emissions were low enough to avoid any impact on nearby communities (distance <100 m). Partial energy could be recovered by the combined process but with complicated operation. Hence, the choice of process must be considered in case separately.     

Sustainable mobility in rural China

Rural areas in China suffer from various problems. The stagnating economic development and a lack of (sufficient) job opportunities and basic services, etc., lead to disadvantages for great parts of China's population. In this context, the transport sector plays a crucial role for the development of rural settlements. Although the degree of undersupply varies between villages, the situation of Chinese villages is often worsened by an insufficient developed transport sector. Regarding mobility in rural China, major constraints and therefore challenges are the difficult access to the transport infrastructure, bad road conditions and the lack of public transport systems. Improvements within the transport sector can be regarded as crucial for the economic and social development of (rural) China and should be carried out in a sustainable and holistic manner using participatory approaches. The aim should be the development of mobility strategies considering the specific needs within the field of transport, which shall have a decisive and positive impact on related sectors. This paper is based on experiences made during the 3 years lasting Sino-European research project SUCCESS (Sustainable Users Concept for China Engaging Scientific Scenario) that analyses the present and the potential future role of transport systems in selected rural areas of China. Referring to the case studies of three villages in rural China, some mobility-related projects that present a favourable impact not only on the transport sector but also on the social system and the economy shall be highlighted. Finally, based on the analysis, instruments and measures for the development of a pathway to a sustainable mobility in rural China will be outlined.     

成都市基层环境保护管理机构与制度建设研究

随着农民的生活质量水平的日益显著提高,农村公共环境质量问题也引起了全社会普遍关注,但是农村传统的生产生活方式和落后的环保基础设施,导致农村环境形势仍然十分严峻。本文介绍了我国的农村环境保护政策法规和成都市乡镇环境保护机构建设现状,剖析了其存在的主要问题,最后提出了乡镇环保机构模式、运行机制和相关的政策建议。     

农村沼气建设对四川省节能减排的贡献——以西昌市的典型调查为例

以西昌市农村能源利用结构为例,分析发展农村户用沼气后,在能源的需求量减少的情况下,可以获得更多的热能,并达到减排的目的。     

Contemporary Western Rural USA Economic Composition: Potential Implications for Environmental Policy and Research

/ The rural West of the United States is considered strongly antienvironment. The traditional economic reliance of the area on natural resources has long explained this antienvironment stance. The region consistently elects federal officials who as a group consistently vote against environmental bills and seek to undo existing federal environmental regulation. These politicians defend their antienvironment actions based on their perception of the economic composition and interests of the region. Recent studies, however, have suggested that rural residents are increasingly concerned about environmental issues. These studies, however, lack a consistent theoretical basis. This article uses an alternative economic typing system to examine the economic composition of rural Idaho and suggests that the results found using the alternative typing system might provide a theoretical basis to explain why some studies are finding increased rural environmental support. The results show that rural Idaho is much more economically diverse using this alternative typing methodology compared to the outcomes of traditional USDA economic methodologies. The policy and research implications of these findings are examined.KEY WORDS: Rural; Environmental policy; Economic composition     

Sustainability assessment of national rural water supply program in Tanzania

Sustainability of rural water supply programs in developing countries is still an elusive goal. It is widely accepted that, as a rule, they have failed to deliver benefits to society in the long run. Emphasis has frequently been placed on the short‐term activities. Fast production of new schemes is thus a common strategy, prioritizing the engineering component, while sidestepping social and participatory issues and community empowerment. In 2006, the Government of Tanzania launched a national program to meet water sector targets set out in the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015. In this study we evaluate key features of the program on a sustained basis. There is evidence that the Government is promoting more sustained facilities, focusing on cost recovery and on ‘decentralization by devolution’. Nevertheless, there are several shortcomings which threaten the long‐term functionality of the infrastructure that has to be built. In light of the implementation of the program, and based on the outputs of its pilot phase, we review the factors that can determine its sustainability.     

河北省农村城镇化对生态环境的影响及对策研究

当前河北省农村城镇化进入了快速发展的时期,由于规划不合理、传统经济增长方式制约、基础设施薄弱等原因,出现了自然资源的浪费和耗竭,以及严重的环境污染问题。因此各级政府须科学合理规划、切实推进农村城镇化,转变农村传统经济增长方式,加大对农村环境基础设施建设的资金投入,同时也要加强对农村居民生态环境保护的教育。     

农村面源污染现状分析与防治对策——以四川省南充市为例

通过走访、问卷调查及查阅文献等形式对四川省南充市农村面源污染现状进行调研,为加强农村环境质量监督监测及污染防治提供依据。结果表明:过量施用化肥和农药,畜禽废弃物、生活废水和垃圾、污水灌溉等是农村面源污染日趋严重的主要原因。为此,本文针对性地提出了推广循环农业和先进适用技术,加强基础设施建设及完善法规体制等对策。