Community and individual reaction to environmental hazards: Developing a measurement technology

This study was an attempt to develop an efficient method of monitoring and assessing how members of a community react to a toxic hazard in their community. The intent was to develop a short instrument which could be applied in multiple settings, or in the same setting several times. The methodology was a short questionnaire that addressed six issues: sources of information about the hazard, beliefs about justice and responsibility, beliefs about why the hazard is a problem, extent of active concern, involvement in community affairs, and satisfaction with life. A mailed questionnaire was developed and tested in a community near an EPA Superfund site in the United States. Results of the effort are discussed relative to the particular community studied, and relative to furthering the assessment technology begun in this research.     

FLOOD WARNINGS AND FLOOD RESPONSES FOR THE RED RIVER OF THE NORTH1

ABSTRACT The flooding conditions in the basin of the Red River of the North are reviewed in terms of the accuracy of the flood forecasts and the response of both the floodplain occupants and government agencies to these forecasts. The flood prediction methods in Canada and the United States are compared. The accuracy of these prediction measures for the major floods in recent history is reviewed. The differences between the way in which the American and Canadian authorities approach the flood emergencies are outlined. The accuracy of the forecasts are plotted against a number of parameters which reflect the efficiency of the flood fighting measures initiated by those flood forecasts. The significant features of these plots are discussed.     

Community Exchange and Training in the Suid Bokkeveld: A UNCCD Pilot Project to Enhance Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management

Community knowledge exchanges have played a key role in developmental processes in the Suid Bokkeveld community of South Africa. Two exchange visits were undertaken with the support of the Department of Agriculture and an NGO, the Environmental Monitoring Group, which have led to local economic development and enhanced capacity to manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. These pilot projects were undertaken within the framework of the Community Exchange and Training Programme of the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The methodology applied included facilitation to develop a community-based vision for development, in terms of which the community exchange process was designed. A Facilitation Team of service providers conducted preparatory workshops, and identified potential partner communities. Two exchange visits were carried out, one focused on Rooibos production and marketing, and the other on community-based eco-tourism. Following report-back and planning workshops, emerging community-driven initiatives were supported through their formative stages. The initiatives have not only resulted in enhanced livelihoods, but the methodology has also been applied widely in a number of different contexts.     

Connecting Community Action and Science to Combat Desertification: Evaluation of a Process

Combating desertification requires the involvement of many people ranging from communities who experience the effects on a daily basis and scientists attempting to understand the biophysical and socio-economic causes and consequences of desertification, to developers and policy makers on all levels. In many instances, however, the understanding, approaches and actions of these different groups contradict rather than support one another. Over the period 2000 to 2002, a conference process undertaken in southern Africa brought together communities, scientists, and development workers to test the concept that they could connect and work together to combat desertification, given an appropriate framework. The conference was a success, and communities, scientists and developers did exchange experience, knowledge and information. Many lessons were learned, although some pitfalls were experienced. Time, funding, enhanced communication, and good will are the primary ingredients for ensuring that different sectors complement one another in their efforts to combat desertification.     

库水作用下公路土质岸坡稳定性影响因素综合评判

以三峡库区公路土质岸坡为研究对象,通过对库水作用的影响效应分析,建立了岸坡稳定性评价的参数指标评价体系以及相应的分级标准.在此基础上,应用影响因素综合评判方法,对实例岸坡进行了稳定性分级评价,评价结果与实际情况基本相符.     

Living with Pollution in Egypt

Environmental issues are increasingly discussed in Egypt, and there is some progress in dealing with pollution. This paper examines the environmental understandings of Egyptians living in four localities. People are preoccupied with such pollution problems as dirty streets, dirty air and water, and noise, for they aspire to live in a clean, healthy environment. To achieve this, they pressure the government, and take certain individual and collective actions themselves, although direct political action is rare.     

Conservation of Biodiversity: How Are We Doing?

A question rarely raised in discussions on biodiversity conservation, but surely the biggest question of all, is “How much time do we have left before the mass extinction underway surpasses our best efforts to contain it?” This prompts a further prime question because—and unlike all other problems, whether environmental or otherwise—the biotic crisis threatens to leave a severely impoverished planet for millions of years ahead; “Why do we not undertake the necessary actions to get on top of the problem before it gets on top of us?”     

Take Action Now: Motivational Framing and Action Requests in Climate Advocacy

This article explores similarities and differences between Internet-mediated climate change advocacy organizations and their legacy counterparts. It relies on a content analysis of advocacy emails produced by Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Greenpeace USA, League of Conservation Voters, Climate Reality Project, 1Sky, and 350.org. The study finds differences and similarities in strategic Internet use, including greater emphasis by climate groups on high threshold, offline actions; greater emphasis by legacy groups on low threshold, online actions; and high reliance by both framings that demand accountability from political elites. Implications for Internet-mediated and climate advocacy are discussed.     

36种典型除草剂对绿藻的毒性研究

近年来,农药对生态系统的初级生产者——藻类的毒性及其生态毒理学研究引起了国内外学者的广泛关注。除草剂在生产中广泛应用,对藻类的毒性作用最强,其毒性效应远高于杀虫剂和杀菌剂。论文选择市场上具有典型代表性的36种除草剂原药,分析解读除草剂在国内的登记情况,以及在作物、旱田和水田的使用情况;明晰对藻类生长抑制急性毒性效应。结果表明:1)除草剂的作用方式和化学类别对绿藻毒性影响显著;对于抑制植物细胞分裂和作用于植物叶绿体的除草剂对绿藻毒性均较高,以人工合成植物生长素为代表的除草剂对绿藻毒性均较低;2)相同作用方式,不同化学类别的除草剂,对单一绿藻的毒性差异明显。在水稻上获得登记的除草剂对藻类毒性整体低于在旱田获得登记的除草剂对藻类的毒性。开展多种农药对水生生态毒性的研究,为农药的合理安全使用、农药在淡水环境中的生态效应评价以及保护淡水生态系统提供科学依据。     

混合污染物联合毒性评价模型曲线和实际浓度效应曲线之间交叉现象的研究进展

许多研究在使用评价模型进行混合物联合作用模式判别时发现,混合污染物的评价模型曲线和浓度效应曲线之间存在交叉的现象,表现为联合作用模式随混合物浓度发生变化。虽然交叉现象不断被报道出来,但是该现象形成机制的研究却非常欠缺。本文系统分析了文献中出现的交叉现象,探讨了交叉现象可能的形成原因和机制,提出了化合物的hormesis效应是导致交叉现象的关键因素:混合组分中某些化合物在低浓度时会对受试生物的某些蛋白、基因等的表达量产生刺激作用,影响其他化合物对机体产生的效应,从而改变混合组分的联合作用模式。该研究不仅为交叉现象形成机制的进一步探索提供了理论依据,还为混合物的生态毒理评估和环境风险评价提供理论指导。