One laptop per child,local refurbishment or overseas donations? Sustainability assessment of computer supply scenarios for schools in Colombia

With the intention of bridging the ‘digital divide’ many programmes have been launched to provide computers for educational institutions, ranging from refurbishing second hand computers to delivering low cost new computers. The fast and economical provision of large quantities of equipment is one of the many challenges faced by such programmes. If an increase is to be achieved in the sustainability of computer supplies for schools, not only must equipment be provided, but also suitable training and maintenance delivered. Furthermore, appropriate recycling has to be ensured, so that end-of-life equipment can be dealt with properly. This study has evaluated the suitability of three computer supply scenarios to schools in Colombia: (i) ‘Colombian refurbishment’, -refurbishment of computers donated in Colombia, (ii) ‘Overseas refurbishment’, -import of computers which were donated and refurbished abroad, and (iii) ‘XO Laptop’, -purchase of low cost computers manufactured in Korea. The methods applied were: Material Flow Assessment, -to assess the quantities-, Life Cycle Assessment, -to assess the environmental impacts, and the application of the Multiple Attribute Utility Theory, -to analyse, evaluate and compare different scenarios. The most sustainable solution proved to be the local refurbishment of second hand computers of Colombian origin to an appropriate technical standard. The environmental impacts of such practices need to be evaluated carefully, as second hand appliances have to be maintained, require spare parts and sometimes use more energy than newer equipment. Providing schools with second hand computers from overseas and through programmes such as ‘One Laptop Per Child’ has the disadvantage that the potential for social improvements – such as creation of jobs and local industry involvement – is very low.     

The whole relationship between environmental variables and firm performance: Competitive advantage and firm resources as mediator variables

The examination of the possible direct link between environmental protection and firm performance in the literature has generally produced mixed results. The present paper contributes to the literature by using the resource-based view as a mediating process in this relationship. The study specifically tests whether or not the resource-based view of the firm mediates the positive relationships of proactive environmental management and improved environmental performance with competitive advantage, which also has consequences for financial performance. We also check the possible link between the adoption of a pioneering approach and good environmental management practices. Our findings support that early investment timing and intensity in environmental issues impact on the adoption of a proactive environmental management, which in turn helps to improve environmental performance. The findings also show that a firm's resources and competitive advantage act as mediator variables for a positive relationship between environmental protection and financial performance. This contribution is original because the present paper develops a comprehensive whole picture of this path process, which has previously only been partially discussed in the literature. In addition, this study clarifies a relevant point in the literature, namely that the effect of environmental protection on firm performance is not direct and can vary depending on the sector considered. Whereas competitive advantage in relation to costs influences financial performance in the IPPC law sector, the relevant influence in the hotel sector comes from competitive advantage through differentiation.     

山东省统筹城乡人口布局发展研究

探讨了建国后山东城乡人口布局的历史演变特征,分析了自然因子和人文因子对城乡人口空间布局的影响,对城乡人口年龄结构、经济结构和文化素质结构进行了比较分析。通过分析得出,建国以后山东城乡人口布局在城市化进程中不断优化,特别是改革开放以后,城乡人口布局演变加快,说明经济快速发展成为推动城乡人口布局变动的主要因素。     

基于“反规划”视角的乡村旅游规划新途径探析

引入"反规划"思想,针对传统规划方法给乡村旅游带来的不利影响,强调"反规划"在乡村旅游规划中应用的必要性与可行性。通过与传统规划方法进行对比分析发现,当前乡村旅游规划中存在不少亟待解决的问题。同时,探析了"反规划"思想在乡村旅游规划中的运用,建立乡村旅游"反规划"发展模式为保障乡村旅游可持续性发展提供了理论依据。     

应用CALINE4模式估算机动车排放污染物的浓度——以济南市主干道为例

随着经济的快速发展,机动车排气污染已成为我国城市空气污染的重要来源,而且在一定时段,机动车排气污染已成为空气污染最主要的污染源之一。以济南市经十路为例,采用实地调查的方法,得出各时段的车流量,选用大气环评助手EIAA中的CALINE4模式对机动车尾气中的主要污染物CO、NOx、THC的排放浓度进行估算,得出3种污染物CO、NOx、THC最大值均出现在7:00—8:00之间,最小值均出现在12:00-13:00之间,排放强度由大到小为:CO、THC、NOx。     

生态文明背景下的环保企业文化

文章从企业文化的视角,论述了企业发展与生态文明建设并重是历史发展的客观要求,是促进社会与企业和谐的重要内容,是可持续协调发展的战略需要。环保企业只有将生态文明意识与环境保护责任全面地融入企业文化建设,才能更好地增强企业的凝聚力和竞争力。     

我国火电厂脱硫脱硝行业2008年发展综述

介绍了2008年我国火电厂脱硫脱硝行业的发展概况,分析了行业存在的主要问题,并提出了对策及建议。     

水泥厂煤粉制备系统袋除尘器的选型及应用

本文介绍了煤粉制备系统含尘废气的特性及治理技术的发展与应用,并从袋除尘器类型的确定、处理风量的确定、过滤风速的选取、过滤面积的计算和除尘器规格的选取等方面介绍了煤磨袋除尘器的选型,以及FGM（M）型气箱脉冲防爆袋除尘器、MMC型脉冲喷吹防爆袋除尘器和LPMC型低阻高效防爆袋除尘器在煤粉制备系统除尘中的应用推广情况。     

加快发展福建省环保产业的对策措施

分析了福建省环保产业的发展状况及存在的主要问题,对福建省环保产业的发展进行了展望,提出了加快福建省环保产业市场发展的对策与措施。     

环保新思维：绿色保险

我国现在正处于环境事故高发期,而环境污染损害赔偿是企业,甚至是国家必须面对的现实问题。然而单凭企业承担责任是力所不能及的,最终不得不由国家买单,给国家带来沉重的负担。这种情况迫切需要建立环境污染损害责任保险机制,即绿色保险,把赔偿引向社会化。保险本身就是一种救灾形式,因为它能分散风险,减少损失。针对我国的具体情况,建立适宜的环境污染责任保险模式才能平衡发展与环境保护的关系、在全社会牢固树立生态文明理念。