Impact assessment due to rural electrification in hill tract of Bangladesh for sustainable development

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) of any project is essential for understanding the sustainability of the project. For sustainable development of hill tracts, electricity is inseparable. Like other parts of Bangladesh hill tracts districts felt increasing demand of electricity. In this paper an attempt has been taken to present the existing environmental condition and analysis the future environmental condition after implementation of project. Electrification will extend the length of the active day. Electrification will improve security (people’s perception of safety and security) at the region. The elements of the project identified as components for analysis are chosen based on DOE’s guideline. The study showed that 87% people say that they feel safer at night since being electrified. Impacts are classified on the basis of EPA’s scaling and DOE, university’s teachers, NGOs expert’s opinions. Value more than 10 is classified significantly affected element of the project. In this paper advantages and disadvantages of the Electrification Project has been presented.     

Environmental Economics and the Mining Industry: Monetary benefits of an abandoned quarry rehabilitation in Greece

During the last decades legislative actions on environmental issues have dramatically increased all over the world. The impacts of environmental legislation on the mining sector are quite significant. Although an extensive list of legislation exists, this paper focuses on an issue that currently has a significant influence on the mining industry: natural resource damage assessment and, in particular, the valuation of non-market goods. Therefore, the basic elements of the most important valuation methods are outlined and a demonstrative example is presented, in the context of appraising a reclamation scheme of an abandoned quarry site. The analysis is fairly general, and it does not intend to comprise either a complete introduction to environmental economics or a comprehensive presentation of valuation techniques. Still, it provides an idea of how these methods can be applied to mining issues. Further, the findings may prove useful to practitioners and mining managers, providing information about the monetary benefits of mined land reclamation that could contribute to sound decision- and policy-making.     

铜矿开采辐射环境影响评价

矿产开发过程中的辐射环境影响日益被管理部门和广大公众所重视。针对我国南方某铜矿开采项目,在详细工程分析和现状调查的基础上,对铜矿开采可能带来的辐射环境影响进行了细致分析,预测和评价项目建设对辐射环境的可能影响,并针对性地提出环境保护措施。相关结论和措施对于铜矿资源合理开发和保护环境具有指导意义。     

An Environmental Risk Assessment/Management Framework for Climate Change Impact Assessments

This paper presents an environmental risk assessment/risk management framework to assess the impacts of climate change on individual exposure units identified as potentially vulnerable to climate change. This framework is designed specifically to manage the systematic uncertainties that accompany the propagation of climate change scenarios through a sequence of biophysical and socio-economic climate impacts. Risk analysis methods consistent with the IPCC Technical Guidelines for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Adaptations are set within a larger framework that involves stakeholders in the identification, assessment and implementation of adaptation measures. Extensive consultation between parties occurs in a flexible structure that embeds scientific methods of risk analysis within a broad setting of social decision-making. This format is consistent with recent forms of environmental risk assessment/management frameworks. The risk analysis links key climatic variables expressed as projected ranges of climate change with an upper and lower limit, with impact thresholds identified collaboratively by researchers and stakeholders. The conditional probabilities of exceeding these thresholds are then assessed (probabilities using this method are conditional as the full range of uncertainty for the various drivers of climate change, and their probability distributions, remains unknown). An example based on exceeding irrigation demand limited by an annual farm cap is used to show how conditional probabilities for the exceedance of a critical threshold can be used to assess the need for adaptation. The time between the identification of an acceptable level of risk and its exceedance is identified as a window of adaptation.The treatment of risk consists of two complementary actions, adaptation to anticipated changes in climate and the mitigation of climate change through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Both of these actions will reduce the risk of critical thresholds being exceeded. The potential of this framework for addressing specific requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change is discussed.     

Using a mathematical model to assess the sustainability of proposed bauxite mining in Andhra Pradesh, India from a quantitative-based environmental impact assessment

The theory and practice of sustainability involves the understanding and management of the coupled relationship between the environment and humans. This relationship is very evident in respect to mining where the impacts of operations, both positive and negative, are environmental and socioeconomic in nature. In recent years, evaluating the sustainability of a mining operation has grown within the literature due to the impacts that mining has upon a local community. However, the literature has been often characterised by a variety of case study-specific approaches to define and evaluate the sustainability of mining operations. This is due to the fundamental problem of defining what is sustainability. The paper applies, based on our previous research, a mathematical model of sustainability to the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of a proposed bauxite mining project in the Andhra Pradesh province, India. The model??s application to the impact assessment, which used the rapid impact assessment matrix, was undertaken for the purpose of determining the level and nature of sustainability (if appropriate) of the proposed project. The results indicated that the project was considered as unsustainable in its current form, based on an obtained E value of 0.249 and an H _NI value of 0.500. The results suggested that the project would greatly benefit from an environmental management plan in order to mitigate the extensive negative environmental and social impacts of the project. The results also indicated the potential of the model in assisting in the resolution of questions of the sustainability of local projects, which are assessed through quantitative-based EIA.     

建设场地污染土综合评价方法探讨

污染土的污染程度评价内容包括土壤物理力学性质的变化、对建筑材料的腐蚀性评价、对环境（人与植物）影响的评价。目前国内土木工程界仅关注前两类指标的评价,环境评估时仅关注第三类指标的评价。而对污染的建设场地而言,单一指标的评价方法欠全面。本文探索建设场地污染地基土的综合评价方法,以客观、全面评价污染土的污染程度,为后期修复与处置提供科学的依据。     

A summary of environmental issues and findings: Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway

The enactment of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) had a substantial influence on the manner in which the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (Tenn-Tom) was constructed The interdisciplinary approach, including a board of outside consultants functioning as environmental advisors, played a valuable role toward meeting the objectives of minimizing adverse impacts and maximizing the positive environmental aspects Several of the key environmental issues associated with the Tenn-Tom are addressed and the findings are presented impacts addressed include aquifer drawdown, waterlogging, water quality, interbasin transfer, mixing of species, endangered species, erosion, sedimentation, and loss of wildlife habitat Additional discussion is also presented to explain the findings and place the identified impacts into perspective While implementation of the Tenn-Tom involved losses and resource tradeoffs, measures have been incorporated into the project to mitigate for significant resource losses The evaluation, planning, and design process for the Tenn-Tom can serve as a model approach for compliance with NEPA and other environmental statutes     

Oil pipeline construction in Eastern Siberia: Implications for indigenous people

Traditional economic activities, lifestyles and customs of many indigenous peoples in the Russian North, such as reindeer herding, hunting and fishing, are closely linked to quality of the natural environment. These traditional activities that constitute the core of indigenous cultures are impacted by extractive sector activities conducted in and around traditional territories of indigenous peoples. This paper examines implications of an oil pipeline development in Eastern Siberia on the Evenki community in the Aldan district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It examines community concerns about potential environmental damage and impacts on traditional livelihood. The paper analyses the interaction of indigenous communities with the pipeline project through interrogation of elements such as impact assessment, consultation, compensation, benefits, communication and public activism. The paper discusses how state policy and industry’s approach towards land rights and public participation affects the position of indigenous peoples and discusses barriers for their effective engagement. The analysis shows a number of policy failures in the protection of traditional natural resource use of indigenous peoples and provision of benefits with regards to the extractive sector that leave indigenous peoples marginalised in the process of development. There is a need to involve indigenous peoples on the basis of dialogue and partnership, improve regulation and shift industry’s approach towards consideration and engagement.     

气候变化适应对策的评价方法和工具

气候变化影响和适应对策方法评估的研究目的主要是建立和应用先进有效的分析工具和评价方法对气候变化脆弱性和适应对策进行科学评估. 因此需要了解当前已经在自然资源和环境研究中广泛使用的决策分析工具,掌握和了解各种适应对策评估工具的关键特性及其优缺点. 首先介绍各种有关适应对策的定义及两大类适应评估方法途径, 同时举例介绍不同方法在气候变化影响和适应评估研究中的应用. 常规的适应对策评估分析主要以政府间气候变化专业委员会(IPCC)气候变化影响和适应对策评估技术指南中的方法工具为代表, 另一种适应对策研究则致力于改善各种对气候变化敏感系统的适应能力和复原能力. 文中对各种适应对策评估方法和工具进行了介绍和讨论,并提出气候变化适应研究的新方向.     

Synthetic impact response functions for flood vulnerability analysis and adaptation measures in coastal zones under changing climatic conditions: a case study in Gippsland coastal region,Australia

There is an increasing concern that the current management practices for many coastal regions are unsustainable. Very few countries have planned to deal with the exacerbation of environmental decline in the face of sea level rise. It is therefore necessary to assess socioeconomic and environmental impacts of sea level rises to better understand the vulnerability of coastal zones, as part of devising adaptive and integrated management principles. This paper presents a systematic approach by which relevant stakeholders can be actively engaged in prioritising flood impact issues and deriving information for quantification of impacts for adaptation measures and demonstrates the approach through implementation in the Gippsland coastal region. As outcomes of the project, we have identified key issues of concern for this region for flood impacts and constructed synthetic response functions for quantification of impacts of floods on some of the key issues in the region. The analysis also showed that stakeholders consider that some of the issues are not likely to be significantly affected by floods and thus may not require adaptation measures. The analysis did not provide high agreement on some issues. Different approaches are required to assess the importance of these issues and to establish impact response functions for them.     

A theoretical framework for a ‘spatially conscious’ economic analysis of environmental issues

This paper proposes a theoretical framework for the integration of economic aspects and environmental aspects into the decision-making process for sustainable development strategies. The aim is integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and environmental valuation methods in the structure of a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) in order to better evaluate spatial concerns. The conceptual approach is augmented by a modest case study of a marina development in Santa Rosaliita on the Baja California peninsula in Mexico. This marina project is part of the proposed ‘Escalera Nautica’ an ambitious regional development scheme, which has caused controversy concerning its social, economic and environmental implications. The paper outlines the necessity to develop spatially conscious methodologies for a policy relevant research regarding sustainable regional development. Additionally, the paper contributes a spatial analytic perspective based on normative economic principles to the recent discussion on environmental economic geography.     

Implications for planning of hydroelectric projects in Northeast India: an analysis of the impacts of the Tipaimukh project

In recent years, while developed countries are decommissioning hydroelectric projects (HEPs)/dams at a higher rate than constructing new ones, developing economies are doing the opposite. Although HEPs are regarded green, renewable and cheap, recent studies reveal that they do more harm than good. The impacts of HEPs are multiple, including socio-economic, environmental and geopolitical. India’s Northeastern (NE) region is a part of the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna river basin, and has immense hydropower potential. A large number of HEPs are planned or under construction in the region, mainly in the hilly states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Mizoram. One such mega project is the Tipaimukh multipurpose HEP, to be constructed on the Barak river in the state of Manipur. The project is highly controversial, and is being protested against by the locals, academicians, researchers, social activists, NGOs, as well as Bangladesh. Further, a serious cost–benefit analysis, judicious environmental impact assessment and democratic public hearings have been questioned. The area submergence of the project is disproportionately high compared to other such projects of NE India, and the project site and the adjoining areas form a part of Indo-Burma global biodiversity hotspot. The present study details the impacts of the project from multidisciplinary perspectives, categorized into bio-physical, socio-economic and geopolitical impacts, including impacts on the downstream riparian nation—Bangladesh. Based on the study, we have provided recommendations, if ever the construction of project is actualized. Since there is lack of any such analysis, the present study is of immense significance on the decision making of the project, and paves a guideline for impact analysis of the upcoming large number of projects of the region.

     

全球环境变化与中国国家安全

20世纪90年代以来,安全概念的内涵有了重大扩展。全球环境变化作为威胁人类安全的因素之一,对国家安全和社会的发展构成了新的挑战。由全球环境变化所引发的国家安全问题一方面直接与全球环境问题相联系,另一方面是通过国际事务中的冲突表现出来的。中国未来发展面临全球环境变化的严峻挑战。中国的全球环境变化人文因素研究需要关注可能对中国国家安全产生深远影响的重大环境变化问题,重视科学地评估中国自然和社会经济系统对全球环境变化影响的脆弱性,积极推动中国国家风险管理体系建设,将全球环境变化问题纳入风险管理之列,为我国可持续发展、和谐社会构建做出应有的贡献。     

氯化法钛白粉生产项目放射性环境影响评价

在放射性核素走向分析和环境现状调查的基础上,对某氯化法钛白粉生产项目的放射性环境影响进行了分析、预测与评价。放射性环境现状调查表明,评价因子总体在区域环境本底范围内,经分析确定了放射性敏感点。经放射性环境影响预测,工作人员和公众所受的附加剂量分别为0.59mSv/a和9.28×10-4mSv/a,均低于年有效剂量管理限值。在落实辐射防护和环境保护措施并加强放射性环境监测后,该项目的放射性环境影响符合国家有关法规和标准限值要求。     

Contested H2O: Science, policy and politics in water resources management in Chile

This paper critically explores the politics that mediate the use of environmental science assessments as the basis of resource management policy. Drawing on recent literature in the political ecology tradition that has emphasised the politicised nature of the production and use of scientific knowledge in environmental management, the paper analyses a hydrological assessment in a small river basin in Chile, undertaken in response to concerns over the possible overexploitation of groundwater resources. The case study illustrates the limitations of an approach based predominantly on hydrogeological modelling to ascertain the effects of increased groundwater abstraction. In particular, it identifies the subjective ways in which the assessment was interpreted and used by the state water resources agency to underpin water allocation decisions in accordance with its own interests, and the role that a desocialised assessment played in reproducing unequal patterns of resource use and configuring uneven waterscapes. Nevertheless, as Chile’s ‘neoliberal’ political-economic framework privileges the role of science and technocracy, producing other forms of environmental knowledge to complement environmental science is likely to be contentious. In conclusion, the paper considers the potential of mobilising the concept of the hydrosocial cycle to further critically engage with environmental science.     

贵州省矿产资源接替区选区及综合评价研究

通过系统对贵州省矿产资源勘查与开发资料的收集分析,特别是充分利用近年来国土资源大调查矿产资源评价项目取得的成果,开展了贵州非煤重要矿产资源接替选区及综合评价研究,初步筛选了8个勘查开发接替选区及5个开发接替选区;并对接替选区开展了矿产资源潜力、潜在经济价值及开发技术、环境影响等因素综合评价分析,对开展贵州省矿产资源接替选区研究提出相应对策建议,为进一步贵州开展矿产资源接替选区提供科学参考依据。     

尾矿库环境影响指标体系及评价方法及其应用

考虑到尾矿库事故对地质环境、自然环境和生态环境的破坏,建立了尾矿库环境影响评价指标体系,采用模糊综合层次分析模型对银山尾矿库进行了环境影响评价。该模型采用反映主观判断的模糊性和不确定性的模糊数据来构造判断矩阵,降低了专家的主观影响;采用多因素加权模型法来分层次计算评价的最终结果,并依据评价标准得出最后银山尾矿库对环境的影响程度为轻度影响。     

Environmental impact assessment of structural flood mitigation measures: a case study in Šiba,Slovakia

The proposed flood mitigation measures in the Slovak Republic are subject of environmental impact assessment (EIA) process before its approval. The paper elaborates and demonstrates the application of the risk analysis method for evaluating alternatives, which is core in EIA. Risk analysis is an appropriate tool to determine the level of the risk of the proposed flood mitigation measures and through which it is possible to choose the alternative with the lowest level of risk for the environment. The article presents the application of the developed methodology based on universal matrix of risk analysis in ?iba village that is in existing flood risk. It analyses and discusses the results of the impact assessment from EIA practice in the Slovakia. The aim of the work is to improve existing qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing the impacts of proposed activities on the environment. Developed methodology stimulates creative approaches in searching of the best alternative to proposed activities (constructions) that are environmentally friendly. Innovation in this paper is presented by an implementation of universal matrix of risk analysis for flood mitigation measures (developed by the authors) for the purposes of EIA process.     

贵州福泉桅杆坪磷矿区绿色勘查实践与应用效果

绿色勘查是在实施找矿过程中,以绿色发展理念为指导,通过运用先进的勘查手段、方法、设备、工艺和科学管理,最大限度减少对生态环境的负面影响,控制地质勘查全过程环境影响最小化,实现找矿和环保双赢的一种勘查模式。本文阐述了福泉市桅杆坪磷矿区绿色勘查在地质勘查中的实践应用,分析了施工过程中对生态环境的影响因素,总结了实施绿色勘查取得成效,以期对今后地质勘查工作中起到推广应用。     

Some spatial aspects of environmental impact statements in Israel

While many studies have analyzed EIS procedures, only a few have analyzed EISs as part of the development process. When viewed from this perspective, EISs are shown to have a skewing effect on territorial development; they address mainly infrastructure projects, and consequently delay them, but hardly touch any of the residential projects which the infrastructure is designed to serve. This discrepancy can have deleterious consequences due to residential encroachment on various infrastructure facilities, as well as due to the growing shortfall of transport and environmental infrastructure. When EISs are analyzed in terms of project area, areas where impacts and benefits are felt, and administrative control zones, it becomes apparent that the impacts and benefits analyzed may be affected by the spatial scope of administrative control and project areas. A case in point is the ‘Kalanit’ landfill in Israel. Here the benefit and impact areas analyzed in the EIS were affected by the jurisdiction of the committee that requested the EIS and to which it was submitted. This discrepancy between benefit, impact and administrative control areas is also at the source of the emerging interest in cross-boundary EIA.