An experimental investigation of explanations for inconsistencies in responses to second offers in double referenda

This paper demonstrates the potential for induced preference experiments to test previously unverified explanations of observed behavior in contingent valuation surveys. The NOAA Panel on Contingent Valuation called for experimental evidence on potential biases in the double referendum format. We test Carson, Groves, and Machina's (Incentives and informational properties of preference questions, Plenary address to the European Association of Resource and Environmental Economists, Oslo, Norway, June 1999) simple cost uncertainty and weighted averaging explanations of inconsistent responses to follow-up offers in such double referenda against a baseline of certainty and truthful preference revelation. The results find evidence to support the Weighted Average hypothesis. Results regarding the cost uncertainty hypothesis are more ambiguous and merit further investigation.     

An introductory note on the environmental economics of the circular economy

This paper provides an introduction to some of the fundamental principles and approaches in environmental economics which are of significance to achieving an integrated sustainability science. The concept of a circular economy, introduced by the late David Pearce in 1990, addresses the interlinkages of the four economic functions of the environment. The environment not only provides amenity values, in addition to being a resource base and a sink for economic activities, it is also a fundamental life-support system. Environmental economists have suggested that, taking these four functions as an analytical starting point, unpriced or underpriced services should be internalised in the economy. In Europe significant advances have been achieved in the pricing of externalities by means of truly interdisciplinary analysis which accounts in detail for the environmental consequences. The monetary estimates reached as a result of such interdisciplinary research are gradually being applied to the economic analysis of environmental policy priorities. Although such figures provide only a partial and incomplete picture of the environmental costs at stake, they support and inform the analysis of the virtues of a circular economy for individual resources as well as for sustainability as a future trajectory.     

Economic development and environmental protection: an ecological economics perspective

This paper argues on both theoretical and empirical grounds that, beyond a certain point, there is an unavoidable conflictbetween economic development (generally taken to mean 'materialeconomic growth') and environmental protection. Think for a moment of natural forests, grasslands, marine estuaries, salt marshes, and coral reefs; and of arable soils, aquifers, mineraldeposits, petroleum, and coal. These are all forms of 'natural capital' that represent highly-ordered self-producing ecosystemsor rich accumulations of energy/matter with high use potential (low entropy). Now contemplate despoiled landscapes, eroding farmlands, depleted fisheries, anthropogenic greenhouse gases,acid rain, poisonous mine tailings and toxic synthetic compounds.These all represent disordered systems or degraded forms of energy and matter with little use potential (high entropy). The main thing connecting these two states is human economic activity. Ecological economics interprets the environment-economyrelationship in terms of the second law of thermodynamics. The second law sees economic activity as a dissipative process. Fromthis perspective, the production of economic goods andservices invariably requires the consumption of available energy and matter. To grow and develop, the economynecessarily 'feeds' on sources of high-quality energy/matter first produced by nature. This tends to disorder and homogenizethe ecosphere, The ascendance of humankind has consistently been accompanied by an accelerating rate of ecological degradation, particularly biodiversity loss, the simplificationof natural systems and pollution. In short, contemporary political rhetoric to the contrary, the prevailing growth-oriented global development paradigm is fundamentally incompatible with long-term ecological and social sustainability. Unsustainability is not a technical nor economic problem as usually conceived, but rather a state of systemic incompatibilitybetween a economy that is a fully-contained, growing, dependent sub-system of a non-growing ecosphere. Potential solutions fly inthe face of contemporary development trends and cultural values.     

Incorporating natural capital into economy-wide impact analysis: a case study from Alberta

Traditionally, decision-makers have relied on economic impactestimates derived from conventional economy-wide models. Conventional models lack the environmental linkages necessary for examining environmental stewardship and economic sustainability, and in particular the ability to assess the impact of policies on natural capital. This study investigatesenvironmentally extended economic impact estimation on a regionalscale using a case study region in the province of Alberta knownas the Foothills Model Forest (FMF). Conventional economic impactmodels are environmentally extended in pursuit of enhancingpolicy analysis and local decision-making. It is found that theflexibility of the computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelingapproach offers potential for environmental extension, with a solid grounding in economic theory. The CGE approach may be the tool of the future for more complete integrated environment andeconomic impact assessment.     

长江流域等重污染行业经济和污染贡献率剖析

应用"污染贡献率"这一指标,分析了长江、黄河、珠江和松花江流域COD和氨氮排放的重污染行业以及地区分布,指出了各流域COD和氨氮排放的控制重点.同时分析了各流域重污染行业的经济贡献率,最后结合行业的污染贡献率和经济贡献率以及行业在地区所占的比例,提出了几点重要的结论.     

城市中水回用环境经济效益分析——以福州市洋里污水处理厂出水回用为例

以福州市洋里污水厂出水回用为例,运用费用效益分析方法计算得出静态投资回收期为2.64 a,远远小于基准投资回收期15~20 a。效益-费用比为1.44,大于1。结果表明,洋里污水厂达标出水作为中水回用的经济效益良好,并且具有明显的社会效益和环境效益。     

MBBR处理低浓度污水的工程应用

用 2座体积 12 0m3的移动床生物膜反应器处理抚顺乙烯有限公司厂区的低浓度 (CODCr6 0～ 80mg L)生活污水 ,停留时间 2 4h ,出水通过高效纤维球过滤罐 ,CODCr降至 2 0mg L ,BOD5降至 5mg L ,SS降至 5mg L ,氨氮降至 1mg L ,达到了循环冷却水的回用标准。进水浓度过低 ,对MBBR挂膜不利 ,工程中采用外加营养物质的措施后 ,3d内反应器成功挂膜启动。     

21世纪水处理厂考察报告

评介了美国 2 1世纪水处理厂处理和回收城市污水的总体方案、处理工艺、处理效果、处理水应用以及所取得的环境效益、社会效益和经济效益 ,其建厂目的体现了美国治理环境的战略思想 ,其工艺、装备和整体技术代表了美国环境污染综合整治的先进水平 ,有值得借鉴之处。     

城市生活垃圾管理及资源化

随着社会经济的发展和城市化进程加快，城市生活垃圾的产生量急剧增加。大中城市人均日垃圾产生量约1Kg，井以每年8％．10％的速度增长。至2005年底，生活垃圾清运量1．52亿t，垃圾的集中处理率约为51％。因此城市生活垃圾的处理问题．已成为城市环境保护一个需要迫切解决问题。解决中国城市生活垃圾问题的根本办法。一是建立有效的、环境友好型的城市生活垃圾管理体系，二是实现生活垃圾的资源化。建立有效的环境友好型的生活垃圾管理体系是解决城市生活垃圾问题的基础；生活垃圾的资源化是降低生活垃圾无害化成本，节约资源的根本出路。     

循环经济与上海可持续发展

介绍了近年来循环经济在德国等国家的崛起，勾勒了循环经济的基本理论和行原则，指出循环经济该成为上海实施可持发展战略的突破口提出了上海发展循环经济的必然性，目标，领域和行动举措。