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Flood Assessment in the Context of Sustainable Development using the DPSIR Framework
Marzieh Samareh Hashemi,
Fateme Zare,
Ali Bagheri,
Ali Moridi
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
41-49
Received:
24 December 2013
Published:
10 March 2014
Abstract: The assessment in the context of sustainable development is a holistic approach for assessing the impacts and trade-offs related to various land and water management options. It is a procedure in which a knowledge-based approach should be derived to develop a basis for decision making. A Diver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework has been adopted to carry out the assessment. It is illustrated in the case of Gorganrood Basin (located in the north east of Iran) for the issue of flood to describe the relationship between the origin and consequences of flooding and also to understand the dynamics underpinning the problem. The analysis of the state of flood by DPSIR shows that the responses in Gorganrood Basin have led to inadequate problem-solving results not even effective to reduce system sensitivity to flood in the long term. In the context of DPSIR some reasonable responses may be regarded as decreasing the rates of urbanization, deforestation, land consolidation, and immigration; watershed management programs; and river dredging. DPSIR helps in structuring data in a reasonable way and allows decision makers to trace step wise fundamental problem drivers and explores leverage points where appropriate responses can be exerted.
Abstract: The assessment in the context of sustainable development is a holistic approach for assessing the impacts and trade-offs related to various land and water management options. It is a procedure in which a knowledge-based approach should be derived to develop a basis for decision making. A Diver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework has be...
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Waste to Treat Waste of Landfill Leachates
Abdelkader Anouzla,
Salah Souabi,
Mohamed Safi,
Younes Abrouki,
Hayat Loukili,
Hicham Rhbal
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
50-53
Received:
26 January 2014
Published:
20 March 2014
Abstract: This study treated the waste valorisation of steel industrial wastewater (SIWW) rich of ferric chloride as an original coagulant for removal of landfill leachates. The study also compares the different dosage of SIWW with ferric chloride. Jar-test experiments were employed in order to determine the optimum condition for the removal of organic matter. The effect of different dosages of SIWW in contamination with classic coagulant was also studied. The results reveal that lower pH values less than 5 enhance removal efficiency of contaminants. The percentage removal of 56, 78.3 and 72% of COD, BOD5 and NTK respectively were achieved by addition to 7 ml/l SIWW. 54.4, 76.7 and 70% removal of COD, BOD5 and NTK respectively were achieved by addition to 1200 mg/l classic coagulant. The volume of sludge produced, was lower compared to classic coagulant.
Abstract: This study treated the waste valorisation of steel industrial wastewater (SIWW) rich of ferric chloride as an original coagulant for removal of landfill leachates. The study also compares the different dosage of SIWW with ferric chloride. Jar-test experiments were employed in order to determine the optimum condition for the removal of organic matte...
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Living Standards and Health Problems of Lesser Fortunate Slum Dwellers: Evidence from an Indian City
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
54-63
Received:
22 February 2014
Published:
20 March 2014
Abstract: For a fast growing economy like India where most of its cities experiencing consistently increase in urban population, the future welfare of city residents is heavily relied on providing better living conditions and health prospects to the urban dwellers particularly to those who are living in miserable and unhygienic environment. The paper derived slum condition index (Slum CI) of notified and non-notified slums for assessing relative status of living conditions and health status of slum dwellers in a fast growing city. Slum CI as a composite index of its four components of household environmental index (HECI), social condition index (SCI), economic condition index (ECI) and health condition index (HCI) worked as an effective tool for identifying not only the slums requiring attention but also priorities required for the development of healthy and smart city. Slum CI based analysis revealed wide inequalities in its four components. Non-notified slums were found to have poor slum conditions. Social, economic and health conditions demand higher priority over household environmental conditions in Nangla Battu. In Shobhapur and Phelera household environmental conditions should be accorded higher priority over social, economic and health conditions. The study has also identified priorities for the notified slums which have better slum conditions. For instance, in Jamna Nagar, social, economic and health conditions and in Uttam Nagar household environmental conditions should be given higher priority for sustainable urban environmental management. Social conditions, health conditions and household environmental conditions are the outcome factors of poor economic conditions in the sampled slums. Priority based policy responses were suggested. Thus, slum condition index based approach can be utilized for assessing welfare programmes and relative status in slums, and providing holistic framework for healthy city.
Abstract: For a fast growing economy like India where most of its cities experiencing consistently increase in urban population, the future welfare of city residents is heavily relied on providing better living conditions and health prospects to the urban dwellers particularly to those who are living in miserable and unhygienic environment. The paper derived...
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The Adherence of the Diet to Mediterranean Principle and Its Impacts on Human and Environmental Health
De Marco Alessandra,
Velardi Maria,
Camporeale Cecilia,
Screpanti Augusto,
Vitale Marcello
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
64-75
Received:
24 February 2014
Published:
20 March 2014
Abstract: The Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI) trends from 1961to 2007, for 48 countries pooled in 4 clusters according to their geographical location (Mediterranean European (ME) countries, Other Mediterranean (OM) countries, Northern European (NE) countries, Eastern European (EE) countries), has been analysed. In almost all the countries the adherence to Mediterranean diet is decreasing from 1961up to 2007, even if with different trend linked to the geographical and cultural characteristic of the clusters (respectively -56% for European Mediterranean and -21 for non-European Mediterranean). The cluster more adherent to healthy Mediterranean diet principles is the OM one, where the incidence of colorectal cancer is shown to be around 50% lower respect to the incidence in ME countries, and around 60% lower respect to the incidence in EE and NE countries. A significant relationship was observed between colorectal cancer incidence and animal protein consumption. On the other hand, vegetable protein intake is suggested to be slightly protective against colorectal cancer incidence. The ecological footprint of food production is higher in ME and NE than in OM and EE countries, even if it is generally higher than the biocapacity. In the 70% of the analysed countries water consumption for food production exceeds the total water exploitable, with an increasing trend from 1961 to 2007. An increase of 1 unit of MAI can decrease the ecological, carbon and water footprint (around 20-25%), in dependence on the initial level of MAI. Due to the environmental and health beneficial effects, the Mediterranean diet can be promoted as a win-win diet system.
Abstract: The Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI) trends from 1961to 2007, for 48 countries pooled in 4 clusters according to their geographical location (Mediterranean European (ME) countries, Other Mediterranean (OM) countries, Northern European (NE) countries, Eastern European (EE) countries), has been analysed. In almost all the countries the adherence to...
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International Environmental Agreements (IEAs): An Integrated Perspective on the Concept of Effectiveness
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
76-95
Received:
27 February 2014
Published:
30 March 2014
Abstract: The effectiveness of international environmental agreements (IEAs) has been conceptualized in various ways in the literature, and several assessment methodologies have been postulated. There has not been any attempt at integrating the various perspectives, nor of determining the fit between the assessment methodology and the goals of the IEAs or of the IEA institutions. This article reviews the various effectiveness conceptualizations, and proposes the ‘effectiveness web’ as an integrative framework for understanding the inter-relationships that exist among the various determinants and potential indicators of IEA effectiveness. This article argues for an evolutionary and dynamic conceptualization of IEA effectiveness, as well as a multi-track assessment of effectiveness, which is more in line with the activities of the IEA institutions. This article identifies potential indicators for various stages of the life-cycle of an IEA, and using the premise of global environmental sustainability as guiding framework, provides a hierarchy of effectiveness assessment methodologies.
Abstract: The effectiveness of international environmental agreements (IEAs) has been conceptualized in various ways in the literature, and several assessment methodologies have been postulated. There has not been any attempt at integrating the various perspectives, nor of determining the fit between the assessment methodology and the goals of the IEAs or of...
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Taxation on Nuclear Waste in Spain
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
96-103
Received:
24 January 2014
Accepted:
8 April 2014
Published:
10 April 2014
Abstract: Fiscal Measures for Energy Sustainability Act 15/2012, modified by 16/2013 Act, established in Spain four new environmental taxes and extended the scope objective excise duties on mineral oils to tax the use of natural gas and coal as sources of electricity. One of the newly created taxes falls on all electric power producers, and has as tax base the turnover. The second one tax hydropower production and the other two fall on the nuclear industry. So, there are two new taxes in Spain on the production of electricity from nuclear sources. The first one is a tax on nuclear waste production; the second one is a tax on the storage of nuclear waste. However, these are not the only levies in the Spanish tax system affecting nuclear waste. At the State level there are already several charges on nuclear waste. At the regional level, on the other hand, two Autonomous Communities were taxing nuclear waste. The creation of these new State taxes will finish with the regional taxes, but the State will be oblige to compensate these regions for losing revenues. The purpose of this work is to carry out a critical analysis of the Spanish system of taxation on nuclear waste.
Abstract: Fiscal Measures for Energy Sustainability Act 15/2012, modified by 16/2013 Act, established in Spain four new environmental taxes and extended the scope objective excise duties on mineral oils to tax the use of natural gas and coal as sources of electricity. One of the newly created taxes falls on all electric power producers, and has as tax base t...
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