Carbon taxation,OPEC and the end of oil

I develop a differential game between an oil cartel and an importer investing in research and development (R&D) to reduce the cost of a green substitute to oil. In equilibrium, the cartel is forced to deter the substitute, which thus imposes a price ceiling falling over time. Credible carbon taxes are below the Pigovian level, implying the importer cannot internalise the full pollution externality, much less capture resource rents. Without carbon pricing, the importer curtails long-run pollution using a costly R&D programme. Normatively, climate policy will be more expensive if relying on green R&D programmes only.     

Environmental regulation as a double-edged sword for housing markets: Evidence from the NOx Budget Trading Program

We investigate the effects of environmental regulations on housing markets using a quasi-experimental setting—the NO_x Budget Trading Program (NBP). Hedonic theory predicts that house prices should rise as pollution levels decrease. However, environmental regulations may also affect labor markets, and thus housing demand. Employing a difference-in-differences framework, we find that house prices shifted up in the regulated areas with low manufacturing intensity, whereas in the areas with high manufacturing intensity, housing markets were weakened. We also find that in high-manufacturing-intensity areas, loan application volume declined, rejection rate augmented, and the probability of loan default increased.     

Energy performance certification and time on the market

This paper analyzes whether energy performance certificates (EPCs) serve as means to reduce the information asymmetry among market participants during the sale of homes. Using a sample of 876,000 single-family homes in the Netherlands, we examine the impact of EPC adoption on the speed of sale. Our results indicate that energy-rated homes sell faster than non-energy-rated homes, an effect that varies by 7–12 percent depending on model specifications and increases when positive (green) ratings are granted. The information conveyed by these certificates reduces the information asymmetry between buyers and sellers, which helps to reduce the uncertainty of quality.     

Spatial aggregation and the value of natural capital

Location matters for the value of capital assets. The value of changes in natural capital wealth can depend on whether natural capital asset prices are measured locally and then aggregated or whether average values are applied over aggregate representative areas. Spatial heterogeneity of resource characteristics and institutions impact approximations of the intertemporal welfare function and accounting price function because when spatial aggregation precedes valuation it implies greater arbitrage opportunities leading to more inelastic shadow (accounting) price functions than when valuation is done locally and then aggregated. Aggregation of observed values across varying resource and institutional characteristics can lead to omitted variables bias. We illustrate these results in the context of groundwater in the Kansas High Plains Aquifer and demonstrate that the accounting price function is less elastic when the accounting price is measured locally. Failure to measure locally and then aggregate could lead to undervaluing scarce resources and overvaluing plentiful ones, which biases wealth accounts in favor of passing the non-declining wealth sustainability test.     

Effects of stricter environmental regulations on resource development

This analysis seeks to understand whether changes in oil regulation brought about by the shale revolution have restricted the pace of drilling and production. This hypothesis is tested using data on North Dakota and Montana both before and after North Dakota increased regulations that raise fixed costs. Results generally find that the new regulations had no statistical impact on the pace of drilling and production, however it is found that smaller operators reduced their production and exited. These results are instructive for policymakers who weigh the loss of economic welfare against improved environmental quality when deciding on new regulations.     

PM10浓度及微观特征季节分布分析--以乌鲁木齐天山区2004年为例

利用2004年乌鲁木齐城区(以天山区为例)PM10日平均浓度和气象要素观测资料,对不同季节PM10浓度变化特征、不同级别污染日数进行统计分析.同时,结合环境扫描电镜/X射线能谱(ESEM-EDX)对不同季节的颗粒物的形貌及来源进行了初步探讨。结果表明2004年PM10浓度变化为:冬季>秋季>春季>夏季;冬季出现4级以上污染日数最多,占39.5%;夏季最为洁净,好于2级的日数占到76.1%.PM10和气象因子的相关分析表明浓度与风速成正比,与降水成反比,与温度,相对湿度和逆温层厚度相关比较复杂,有时成正相关,有时呈负相关。颗粒物的形貌在不同季节特征明显,冬季颗粒物多呈圆球形,春季形貌不规则,夏季既有圆球形又有不规则形貌的颗粒,而秋季颗粒物多呈链状.     

Source apportionment studies for particulates (PM10) in Kozhikode,South Western India using a combined receptor model

In the present work, source apportionment studies were carried out for particulate matter – one among the significant pollutants as addressed by The National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Advantages and disadvantages of each receptor model were addressed using a combined receptor model which integrates Factor Analysis (FA), Positive Matrix Factorisation (PMF) and Chemical Mass Balance (CMB). Verification of the approach was done using sets of synthetic data as well as field data from Kozhikode. Sampling was carried out in National Institute of Technology, Calicut for a period of over 26 days with 24-hour sampling. The sampling gave an average PM concentration value in the range of 29.174–129.176 µg m^?3. Studies using field data revealed five dominant sources and their contributions obtained from CMB and PMF were compared. Soil dust (contribution from CMB: 18%; contribution from PMF: 16%), marine aerosol (17%; 25%), construction and aggregate processing (46%; 11%), garden waste combustion (18%; 45%), and vehicular exhaust (1%; 3%) were major contributors in the site under study. The outcomes of the study integrated with the support of local authorities and by the acceptance of residents can definitely curb the pollution levels in the site under the study.     

HEPA空气净化器对学校室内颗粒物的净化效果研究

为了解HEPA（high efficiency particle air filter,高效空气过滤器）空气净化器在小学教室和寝室的净化效果,于2019年3—4月在北京市一所全寄宿小学开展了一项HEPA空气净化器的交叉干预研究.记录干预组、非干预组室内和室外PM_2.5、PM₁₀、PM₁的浓度,计算空气净化器的净化率;采用多元线性回归模型探索净化效果的影响因素.结果表明:①空气净化器对PM_2.5、PM₁₀、PM₁的净化率分别为41.3%〔Q_l~Q_u（下四分位数~上四分位数,下同）:0~53.1%〕、40.7%（10.5%~46.2%）和34.9%（9.6%~40.3%）,其中对PM_2.5的净化率最高;寝室的净化率高于教室的净化率.②当室外PM_2.5浓度为[115,150）μg/m3时对PM_2.5的净化率最高,为52.83%（50.26%~56.13%）,PM₁₀和PM₁亦有类似结果.③多元线性回归分析表明,室外PM_2.5浓度 < 35 μg/m3时,开门通风和室内人员活动分别使室内PM_2.5浓度下降3.73 μg/m3〔95%置信区间（95% CI）:（0.60 μg/m3,6.86 μg/m3）〕和升高3.4 μg/m3（0.22 μg/m3,6.58 μg/m3）;室外PM_2.5浓度为[35,150）μg/m3时,空气净化器使室内PM_2.5浓度下降33.36 μg/m3（16.47 μg/m3,50.25 μg/m3）;室外PM_2.5浓度≥150 μg/m3时,空气净化器和开门通风分别使室内PM_2.5浓度下降48.87 μg/m3（25.62 μg/m3,72.12 μg/m3）和升高37.65 μg/m3（5.60 μg/m3,69.69 μg/m3）.研究显示:空气净化器可同时降低室内PM_2.5、PM₁₀、PM₁的浓度;当室外PM_2.5浓度 < 35 μg/m3时,不需开启空气净化器;当室外PM_2.5浓度为[35,150）μg/m3时,空气净化器有较好的净化效果,偶尔开窗通风不影响空气净化器的净化效果;当室外PM_2.5浓度≥150 μg/m3时,开启空气净化器时应关闭门窗,以免影响其净化效果.      

南京冬季雾天颗粒物中PAHs分布与气象条件的关系

为研究南京冬季雾天PM10、PM2.5中PAHs的分布特征以及雾天气条件对其影响,2007年11月15日至12月30日分别于雾天和晴天采集了大气气溶胶PM10分级样品,测定了样品中的16种优控PAHs.结果表明,雾天PM10和PM2.5中Σ16PAHs质量浓度较晴天分别高出34.72,35.35ng/m3,且昼夜变化没有晴天明显.低环PAHs在所在粒径段内占有比例逐渐递减,而高环PAHs逐渐增大.雾天苯并(a)芘(BaP)等效质量浓度(BaPE)超出BaP居民区标准(5.0ng/m3)1.48ng/m3.分析气象条件看出,雾天逆温层结稳定、相对湿度较大,且0.65~2.10μm粒子中PAHs质量浓度有增加的趋势,呈现出积聚模态颗粒物富集;雾天有东南暖湿气流和西南气流存在,为雾的发展提供了丰富水汽来源,带来的污染颗粒充当雾凝结核;同时弱风条件使上下层空气发生交换,雾体变厚,维持雾发展,加重了PAHs污染.     

沙尘天气PM10对多种心血管疾病日门诊人数的影响

为研究沙尘天气大气可吸入颗粒物(PM10)与心血管系统疾病每日门诊人数的联系,采用半参数广义相加泊松回归模型(GAM),在排除了混杂因素如季节趋势、日历效应、气象因素和时间长期趋势等作用的前提下,分析2004年3月1日~5月31日沙尘暴频发区——甘肃省武威市大气PM10与多种心血管疾病每日门诊相对危险度(RR)的关系.结果表明,PM10与男、女总心血管系统疾病门诊RR均在滞后第2d(lag2)的联系有统计学意义.PM10分别在lag3和lag4对男、女性风湿性心脏病门诊RR的影响有统计学意义; PM10(lag2)与男性高血压门诊RR的联系有统计学意义.PM10在lag2对男性缺血性心血管疾病门诊RR的影响有统计学意义;PM10对男、女性心律失常以及充血性心力衰竭门诊RR的影响均无统计学意义.在调整了SO2和/或NO2后,PM10对男、女性心血管系统疾病门诊RR的作用有所下降,但在统计学上仍有意义.然而在分别调整了其他污染物后,SO2和NO2变得无统计学意义.沙尘天气PM10浓度分类模型分析表明,从正常清洁天、轻度污染天到扬沙天气、沙尘暴天气,随着PM10浓度水平的增大,心血管系统疾病(缺血性心血管疾病、充血性心力衰竭、心律失常、高血压、风湿性心脏病)门诊RR也随之增高,呈现一定的剂量效应关系.沙尘天气可吸入颗粒物可引起暴露居民多种心血管系统疾病(缺血性心血管疾病、充血性心力衰竭、心律失常、高血压、风湿性心脏病)门诊人数增多,且均呈现滞后效应. PM10浓度与心血管系统疾病门诊RR表现为一定的剂量效应关系.PM10浓度与沙尘天气强度有密切关系, 随着PM10浓度与沙尘天气强度的增大,暴露居民心血管系统多种疾病日门诊RR也增大,具体为:正常清洁天＜轻度污染天＜扬沙天＜沙尘暴天.