Welfare states and environmental states: a comparative analysis

A framework is presented for thinking about state intervention in developed capitalist economies in two domains: social policy and environmental policy (and, within that, climate-change policy). Five drivers of welfare state development are identified, the ‘five Is’ of Industrialisation: Interests, Institutions, Ideas/Ideologies, and International Influences. Research applying this framework to the postwar development of welfare states in the OECD is summarised, distinguishing two periods: up to 1980, and from 1980 to 2008. How far this framework can contribute to understanding the rise and differential patterns of environmental governance and intervention across advanced capitalist states since 1970 is explored, before briefly comparing and contrasting the determinants of welfare states and environmental states, identifying common drivers in both domains and regime-specific drivers in each. The same framework is then applied to developments since 2008 and into the near future, sketching two potential configurations and speculating on the conditions for closer, more integrated ‘eco-welfare states’.     

成都地区污染天气分型及其污染气象特征研究

污染天气分型研究对空气质量预报、污染源总量控制等具有重要的意义。基于2013年1月~2014年12月高空及地面天气形势划分了成都市的天气类型并探讨各天气类型下的空气质量状况及其污染天气特征,以期为空气质量预报和预警提供依据。结果表明,空气污染过程中,500 hpa环流形势主要有两槽一脊型、一槽一脊型、纬向型、槽脊同位相型等,其中两槽一脊型和槽脊同位相型控制下的空气质量最差。发生空气污染时,地面环流形势可分为高压型、高压后部型、高压底部型、低压型、低压顶部型、低压前部型、低压底部型、鞍型场型、冷锋前部型和均压场型,其中高压型、高压底部型、高压后部型控制下的空气质量最差。     

Lessons from Integrating Fishers of Arapaima in Small-Scale Fisheries Management at the Mamirauá Reserve,Amazon

Fishers and small-scale fisheries worldwide have been marginalized historically. Now it is clear that integrating fishers in management processes is key to resource conservation, but it is less clear how to do it. Here, based on a literature review and new information, we present and analyze a case in which the participation of fishers in the management process was crucial in recovering an overexploited small-scale fishery for the pirarucu (Arapaima spp.) in the Amazon Basin, Brazil. In 8 years of experimental management, from 1999 to 2006, the population of pirarucu increased 9-fold (from about 2200 to 20,650 individuals), harvest quotas increased 10-fold (from 120 to 1249 individuals), and fishers’ participation in the management process increased and they benefited from increased monetary returns. Additionally, the number of communities conducting the management scheme increased from 4 in 1999 to 108 in 2006, following the demands of fishers and regional government agencies. Based on our analysis, we suggest that the participation of fishers in the management of other small-scale fisheries in the world can be improved by focusing on (1) applying the knowledge and skills of fishers in resource monitoring and management, (2) bridging knowledge systems among all involved stakeholders, (3) collaborating with fishers that are interested in, and capable of conducting, resource conservation schemes, and (4) conducting management under conditions of uncertainty.     

Assessing water use and quality through youth participatory research in a rural Andean watershed

Water availability, use and quality in a rural watershed of the Colombian Andes were investigated through participatory research involving local youth. Research included the quantification of disaggregated water use at the household level; comparison of water use with availability; monitoring water quality of streams, community water intakes and household faucets; and the determination of land use – water quality interactions. Youth were involved in all aspects of the research from design to implementation, dissemination of results and remediation options. Quantification of domestic and on-farm water use, and water availability indicated that water availability was sufficient during the study period, but that only an 8% decrease in dry season supply would result in shortages. Elevated conductivity levels in the headwaters were related to “natural” bank erosion, while downstream high conductivity and coliform levels were associated with discharges from livestock stalls and poorly maintained septic tanks in the stream buffer zone. Through the involvement of youth as co-investigators, the knowledge generated by the research was appropriated at the local level. Community workshops led by local youth promoted water conservation and water quality protection practices based on research, and resulted in broader community participation in water management. The approach involving youth in research stimulated improved management of both land and water resources, and could be applied in small rural watersheds in developed or developing countries.     

衡水市空气主要污染物体积质量的时间分布特征

利用衡水市环境监测站2005—2007年度大气例行检测的数据,对衡水市大气中主要污染物SO^2、NO^2、PM10体积质量值的逐日数据进行统计分析,得出了衡水市空气污染的现状和时间变化规律：（1）污染物体积质量值的月变化曲线呈槽型分布,非取暖期的空气状况明显好于取暖期,取暖期SO^2平均体积质量是非取暖期的2．45倍;（2）污染物体积质量值的日变化曲线基本为两高两低型,其中取暖期污染指数早晨出现极高值的时间比非取暖期明显偏晚;（3）污染物体积质量值的年变化表明了SO^2的体积质量在降低,而NO^2的体积质量却有了小幅增长。     

新疆矿区煤矿瓦斯排放现状与趋势分析

为获得新疆矿区当前生产规模对应的瓦斯排放基量,调查了研究矿区生产矿井的瓦斯排放现状.根据各矿区2004-2006年生产矿井的开采煤层、生产水平、生产规模和瓦斯排放等参数,对不同矿区和煤田进行了统计分析,计算了新疆矿区当前生产规模对应的瓦斯排放总量,同时对重点瓦斯防治矿区和一般瓦斯防治矿区进行了分类.调查结果表明,新疆矿区煤矿平均吨煤相对瓦斯涌出量由2004年的2.82m3/t增加到2006年的3.09 m3/t,呈逐年递增趋势; 新疆矿区2004-2006年的年平均瓦斯(CH4)排放量为1.05×108 m3/a;准南煤田(I)和塔北煤田(VI)的平均绝对瓦斯涌出量分别占全疆绝对瓦斯涌出总量的64.82%和15.19%,为相对瓦斯富集区,也是当前瓦斯防治的重点区域.按照矿区3年平均绝对瓦斯涌出量(大于1.00m3/min)或平均相对瓦斯涌出量(大于5m3/t)将新疆矿区分为重点瓦斯防治矿区和一般瓦斯防治矿区,并提出了瓦斯分类治理的具体建议.应用灰色系统理论,结合调查数据分别求解了新疆矿区原煤产量与绝对瓦斯涌出量的GM[1,1]预测模型.本研究为新疆煤炭资源后续规模开发过程中的相关环境决策和节能减排政策的实施提供了依据.     

水安全及城市水安全研究进展与趋势

归纳和总结国内外水安全及城市水安全相关研究实践及其所用的评价指标体系,并对几种常用模型与方法的应用情况及其各自的特点进行分析,针对目前水安全及城市水安全研究中存在的主要问题,指出水安全及城市水安全进一步研究的方向:从自然、生态环境、社会经济、人文4个基本方向,以系统性、持续性、动态性和层次性4个特征为基础,分析水安全及城市水安全的概念与内涵;根据研究区域特征及其主要水安全问题建立评价指标体系;以研究者对各个模型的理解程度及驾驭能力为准则选用或改造现有模型与方法;针对加强城市应急水源地建设、突发性水安全事件应急预案、湿润地区水安全等问题开展研究。     

Environmental evaluation for workplace violence in healthcare and social services

PROBLEM: Federal policy recommends environmental strategies as part of a comprehensive workplace violence program in healthcare and social services. The purpose of this project was to contribute specific, evidence-based guidance to the healthcare and social services employer communities regarding the use of environmental design to prevent violence. METHOD: A retrospective record review was conducted of environmental evaluations that were performed by an architect in two Participatory Action Research (PAR) projects for workplace violence prevention in 2000 and, in the second project in 2005. Ten facility environmental evaluation reports along with staff focus group reports from these facilities were analyzed to categorize environmental risk factors for Type II workplace violence. RESULTS: Findings were grouped according to their impact on access control, the ability to observe patients (natural surveillance), patient and worker safety (territoriality), and activity support. DISCUSSION: The environmental assessment findings reveal design and security issues that, if corrected, would improve safety and security of staff, patients, and visitors and reduce fear and unpredictability. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Healthcare and social assistance employers can improve the effectiveness of violence prevention efforts by including an environmental assessment with complementary hazard controls.     

重金属超积累植物的研究进展

植物修复技术是治理土壤重金属污染的重要手段之一。在倡导绿色技术的今天,人们更看到了它的巨大潜力,而超积累植物则是该技术的关键。文章就超积累植物的概念、特征,修复机制,产后处置技术和开发现状作了详尽的叙述,并对今后超积累植物研究存在的问题和发展方向作了有益的探讨。