Five propositions for improving decision making about the environment in developing communities: insights from the decision sciences

Decisions focused on managing natural resources in developing areas present some of the most imposing challenges to policy makers, scientists, and stakeholders alike. The response of policy makers and the technical community in the face of these challenges has been significant. However, our experiences as researchers and facilitators of group planning and decision-making processes have left us concerned about the lack of attention devoted to supporting the underlying processes used to make these complex decisions. To this end, we present five propositions based on work in the decision sciences that we believe stand out as essential for improving decision-making processes in developing communities.     

四川省北川县暴雨泥石流的发育与汶川地震的响应特征

2008年9月24日,在汶川8.0级地震主要震区北川县境内爆发了区域性的泥石流灾害,造成了重大的灾情。为探明震区内暴雨泥石流发育与地震的响应特征,以北川县为例,在对该区域内震后暴雨泥石流特征调查的基础上,对境内72条暴雨泥石流沟的发育特征与断裂带相对位置及不同地震烈度区的对应关系进行了分析。结果表明,汶川地震后,北川县境内的暴雨泥石流数量具有典型的"上下盘效应",主要集中分布在断裂带(北川—映秀)的上盘;同时,泥石流的发育密度与地震烈度也表现出显著的"正烈度效应"关系,主要表现为泥石流发育的密度随地震烈度的增加而增大。研究结果对解释地震对泥石流发育及分布的影响具有重要的作用,可为震区泥石流的防灾减灾及风险控制提供科学依据。     

A Random,Roadside Breathalyzer Survey of Alcohol Impaired Driving in Ghana

To ascertain the prevalence and pattern of alcohol impaired driving in an African nation, we conducted a random, roadside, breathalyzer survey of drivers in Ghana. A total of 149 (21%) of 722 drivers tested had a detectable blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In addition, 7.3% of drivers had a BAC ≥ 80 mg/dl. The prevalence of impaired driving (BAC ≥ 80) was higher among private drivers (9.8%) than commercial drivers (6.4%). However, due to a higher volume, the majority (64%) of impaired drivers were commercial drivers. Alcohol use was higher among uneducated (11%) compared to educated drivers (5.4%) and was higher among middle aged drivers (30 - 49 years, 9.1% impaired) compared with younger (< 30 years; 5.0%) or older drivers (≥ 50 years; 0%). Alcohol impaired driving is a significant problem in this African nation. Anti-drunk driving measures should be an important component of road safety efforts. Such measures may need to be different than industrialized nations and will need to target less educated drivers, middle aged drivers, and commercial drivers.     

Greenhouse gas mitigation in developing countries through technology transfer?: a survey of empirical evidence

While greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are projected to rise primarily in the developing countries, the potential for developing new GHG mitigation technologies exists primarily in the industrialized countries. It is thus important, not only for predictions about future emission paths but also for climate change mitigation policies, to understand how the international diffusion of such technologies takes place and how it affects the energy infrastructure and GHG emissions in developing countries. This paper provides an overview of the channels through which these technologies diffuse and focuses on the empirical evidence pertaining to the effects these technologies have on GHG emissions in developing countries.

Sustainable development as a framework for developing country participation in international climate change policies

The paper presents a number of ideas on how climate change policy implementation in developing countries can be supported by alternative international cooperation mechanisms that are based on stakeholder interests and policy priorities including broader economic and social development issues. It includes a brief review of current development policies, technological research and promotion efforts, and climate change that demonstrates that mutual policy initiatives undertaken by governments and the private sector actually have major positive impacts on climate change without being initiated by this global policy concern. Furthermore a number of examples are given on how future development objectives in Brazil, China, and India jointly can support economic and social goals and global climate change concerns if these goals are taken into consideration and supported by international cooperative mechanisms. The paper proposes international cooperative mechanisms that can support the implementation of integrated development and climate change policies. The mechanisms include an international sustainable development (SD) and Climate Finance Mechanism (SDCFM), technology development and transition programmes, technology standards, and other measures.

我国城市污水厂污泥处置途径的选择

分析了我国城市污水厂的污泥特性，结合当前的污染处置技术及其发展趋势，根据国情，提出了近期以及农用为主，填埋，焚烧为补以，面向未来的污泥处置的技术。     

一些发达国家发展循环经济的经验与启示

从建立和完善循环经济法律法规体系、发挥社会中介服务组织的作用、构建生产组织体系和循环生产技术体系等8个方面,概括总结了世界一些发达国家发展循环经济的经验,并通过对我国现实情况的分析得出相应的启示,对加快我国循环经济发展,实施可持续发展战略具有重要的现实意义。     

中外能源形势及电力发展状况研究

介绍了世界主要发达国家的能源形势、能源政策以及电力发展状况,分析了国内外能源形势、政策与电力工业发展之间的关系,提出在我国能源利用及电力发展方面应加大天然气发电以及IGCC发电力度、提高能源的利用效率以及工业用电效率、大力发展可再生能源发电、加快核电发展等政策建议。