Biomass energy consumption and economic growth: panel data evidence from ASEAN member countries

The present study investigates the dynamic impact of biomass energy consumption on economic growth across nine (9) ASEAN economic union member countries for the period of 1980–2011. We applied heterogeneous panel cointegration techniques. The result based on Pedroni panel cointegration test shows that, variables have long-run relationship as the null hypothesis of no cointegration was rejected at 1% and 5% respectively. Kao residual cointegration test also shows the same result as null hypothesis of no cointegration is rejected at 1% level of significance. The main empirical finding based on dynamic OLS, fully modified OLS and panel OLS reveals that; there is a positive and significant relationship between biomass energy consumptions and economic growth in the region. Moreover, the result based on dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) also shows that; capital stock and human capital have a positive and significant impact on economic growth. Same result is also obtained from fully modified OLS (FMOLS) with the exception of human capital which is insignificant on economic growth. Panel ordinary least square also reconfirmed the finding of DOLS as all the three variables significantly influences economic growth. The policy suggestion remains that, authorities in ASEAN economic union should focus more on encouraging the use of renewable sources of energy, particularly biomass source of energy considering its positive impact on enhancing economic growth with little or no environmental degradation.     

Dynamic implication of biomass energy consumption on economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from panel data analysis

The present article examines the dynamic linkages between biomass energy consumption, capital stock, human capital and economic growth across selected Sub-Saharan African countries based on dynamic heterogeneous panels of a mean group (MG) and pooled mean group (PMG) techniques. The finding based on PMG as the preferred method reveals that biomass energy consumption, capital stock and human capital are statistically significant, which means aforementioned variables have positive significant impact on economic growth in the countries studied. When an alternative panel estimation techniques of panel cointegration, dynamic OLS (DOLS) and fully modified OLS (FMOLS) are applied, the result based on panel cointegration technique reveals that biomass energy consumption, capital stock, human capital and economic growth are cointegrated as null hypothesis of most statistics are rejected at 1 % level of significance. The finding based on FMOLS shows that biomass energy consumption, capital stock and human capital positively influences economic growth at 1 % level and same result is obtained from panel OLS. The result based on DOLS however reveals that biomass energy consumption and capital stock are significant at 1 % on economic growth while human capital is insignificant. Considering its positive effect on economic growth with little or no environmental degradation when compared with fossil fuel uses, consumption of biomass energy is more preferable in these countries therefore is the best option to adopt by the policy makers of Sub-Saharan African countries.     

Human-made disasters and economic impact for a developing economy: evidence from Brazil

Natural Hazards - This article analyzes the short-term economic impacts of the collapse of the ‘Fundão’ mining tailings dam, located in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. This...     

A new methodological perspective on the impact of energy consumption on economic growth: time series evidence based on the Fourier approximation for solar energy in the USA

From the empirical energy literature, it is observed that studies focusing on the energy-economic growth nexus ignore the possible existence of gradual breaks as they employ methods without or with sharp structural breaks. Therefore, one can argue that they may yield biased and inefficient output in the presence of gradual breaks. The goal of this paper is to investigate the impact of solar energy consumption on GDP utilizing quarterly data over the period 1984–2018 for the USA. For this purpose, the paper performs a unit root test and a cointegration test that are based on the Fourier approximation to take gradual breaks into account. The paper also performs the dynamic ordinary least squares estimator to estimate long-run parameters. The findings document that there exists cointegration in the empirical model and that GDP is positively associated with solar energy consumption. Some implications based on the empirical findings are presented in the paper.

     

龙门山褶皱冲断带扩展生长过程——基于低温热年代学模型证据

基于多封闭系统低温热年代学特征的浅部地貌构造模型重建在揭示褶皱冲断带-前陆盆地系统形成演化过程中受到越来越广泛的重视与应用。青藏高原东缘龙门山地区多封闭系统低温年代学年龄总体上具有逐渐从冲断带前缘、由SE向NW至高原内部减小趋势,且走向上由NE向SW也具微弱减小趋势;龙门山褶皱冲断带热年代学年龄变化范围明显大于高原内部,揭示出盆-山过渡带新生代加强的褶皱冲断剥蚀浅表作用。基于龙门山区域低温热年代学和褶皱冲断带-前陆盆地系统稳态冲断剥蚀热模型,揭示出青藏高原东向扩展速率约为5～10 mm/a,抬升剥蚀速率为0.4～1.0 mm/a和龙门山褶皱冲断带缩短速率为0～15 mm/a,它们与现今地质学和大地测量学特征具有较好的一致性。因此,青藏高原东缘由西向东的多封闭系统热年代学年龄特征反映出新生代稳态的高原东向扩展生长过程,即龙门山褶皱冲断带冲断扩展和浅表剥蚀作用耦合过程。     

Paleocene alkaline volcanism in the Nares Strait region: evidence from volcanic pebbles

Paleogene sediments in fault-bounded basins on Judge Daly Promontory, northeast Ellesmere Island, Canadian High Arctic, are rich in volcanogenic material. Volcanic pebbles within the Cape Back basin near Nares Strait were studied for their petrography, geochemistry, Sr and Nd isotopes, and geochronology to identify and characterize their parent rock. The pebbles are derived from lava flows and ignimbrites of a continental rift-related, strongly differentiated, highly incompatible element enriched, alkaline volcanic suite, the proposed Nares Strait volcanic suite, which is distinct from other alkaline volcanic suites on the northern coasts of Ellesmere Island and Greenland. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar amphibole and alkali feldspar ages indicate that volcanism was active around 61–58 Ma and was probably contemporaneous with sedimentation resulting in Middle to Late Paleocene age for deposition within the Cape Back basin and the other Paleogene basins on Judge Daly Promontory.     

Energy production,economic growth and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> emission: evidence from Pakistan

Extreme weather events present environmental and social challenges across the Eurasian steppe. In Mongolia much attention is given to drought and dzud (severe winter conditions) impact on rural livelihoods, landscapes and governance. A link between the two events, fostered by international and state agencies, speculates that drought leads to dzud; this has become the widely accepted doctrine. However, the relationship between the two events is assumed rather than analysed. Whilst there may be natural links between climate events, causality is more difficult to establish yet often claimed post-event. This paper stresses Mongolia’s destructive dzuds of 1999–2001 and 2009–2010 in examining drought frequency before dzud events. Findings question the hazard connection as just 3 of 32 examined dzud events were preceded by drought. Investigation did not document a relationship between the disasters; linkages between extreme events were implied rather than established. The human role in disaster also needs to be assessed as preparation, and response are key factors for mitigation. Study results identified a lack of causality between the disasters, suggesting more assiduous investigation of hazards is needed in Mongolia. This can clarify causal factors, identify risk and improve disaster mitigation strategies in Mongolia.     

Using a new decoupling indicator (ZM decoupling indicator) to study the relationship between the economic growth and energy consumption in China

The decoupling analysis has become an important tool to explore whether an economy is becoming less dependent on energy resources. Based on the LMDI (Log-Mean Divisia Index) method, this paper defines a new decoupling indicator (ZM decoupling indicator), which depicts the relationship between energy saving influence factors and energy driving influence factors. Then, the ZM decoupling indicator is utilized to explore the state of decoupling between economic growth and energy consumption in China. The main results are as follows: (1) The gap of economic structure between the secondary industry and tertiary industry gradually narrowed during the study period 1991–2012. (2) The economic growth effect (\(\Delta E_{\text{g}}^{t}\)) was the critical factor in the growth of the final energy consumption in China. However, the energy intensity effect (\(\Delta E_{\text{ei}}^{t}\)) played an important role in decreasing the final energy consumption. (3) Based on the definition of ZM decoupling indicator, only four decoupling statuses occurred in China over the study period: weak decoupling, expansive coupling, strong decoupling, and expansive negative decoupling.     

Episodic crustal growth in the Tanzania Craton: evidence from Nd isotope compositions

The analysis of available Nd isotope data from the Tanzania Craton places important constraints on the crust-mantle separation ages, and events marking juvenile crustal addition and crustal recycling. Nd model ages date the oldest crust extraction to 3.16 Ga in the Tanzania Craton, although a rock record of such antiquity is yet to be found there. The most significant period of juvenile crustal addition as well as crustal recycling is 2.7–2.6 Ga. The Nd isotopes of mafic samples show that chemical heterogeneity existed in the mantle beneath the Tanzania Craton, with some samples originating from significantly depleted mantle, and most samples originating from the mixture of primitive mantle and depleted mantle. The Nd isotope section reveals significant differences in Nd isotopes between the north craton and central craton; compared to the north craton, the central craton yields a Nd model age that is approximately 100 Ma older, and its ε_Nd(t) values are more negative, indicating that the two parts of the craton have different mantle source regions. Different types of granitoids are distributed in the Tanzania Craton, such as high-K and low-Al granite, calc-alkaline granite, peraluminous granite and transitional types of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorites (TTGs). Most of the granitoids formed later than the mafic rocks in syn-collision and post-collision events.     

Lateglacial ice-cap dynamics in NW Scotland: evidence from the fjords of the Summer Isles region

The seaboard of western Scotland is a classic fjord landscape formed by glaciation over at least the last 0.5 Ma. We examine the glacial geology preserved in the fjords (or sea lochs) of the Summer Isles region of NW Scotland using high-resolution seismic data, multibeam swath bathymetry, seabed sediment cores, digital terrain models, aerial photographs, and field investigations. Detailed analyses include seismic facies and lithofacies interpretations; sedimentological and palaeoenvironmental analyses; and radiocarbon dating of selected microfauna. Our results indicate that the Pleistocene sediments of the Summer Isles region, on- and offshore, can be subdivided into several lithostratigraphic formations on the basis of seismic character, geomorphology and sedimentology. These are: subglacial tills; ice-distal and glacimarine facies; ice-proximal and ice-contact facies; moraine assemblages; and Holocene basin fill. The submarine landscape is also notable for its large-scale mass-movement events – the result of glaciodynamic, paraglacial or seismotectonic processes. Radiocarbon dating of marine shells indicate that deglaciation of this part of NW Scotland was ongoing between 14 and 13 ka BP – during the Lateglacial Interstadial (Greenland Interstadial 1) – consistent with cosmogenic surface-exposure ages from previous studies. A sequence of numerous seafloor moraine ridges charts oscillatory retreat of the last ice sheet from a buoyant calving margin in The Minch to a firmly grounded margin amongst the Summer Isles in the early part of Lateglacial Interstadial (GI-1) (pre-14 ka BP). Subsequent, punctuated, frontal retreat of the ice mass occurred in the following ～1000 years, during which time ice-cap outlet glaciers became topographically confined and restricted to the fjords. A late-stage readvance of glaciers into the inner fjords occurred soon after 13 ka BP, which calls into question the accepted limits of ice extent during the Younger Dryas Stadial (Greenland Stadial 1). We examine the wider implications of our chronostratigraphic model, discussing the implications for British Ice Sheet deglaciation, Lateglacial climate change, and the style and rates of fjord sedimentation.     

Thrifty, green or frugal: Reflections on sustainable consumption in a changing economic climate

In the context of a string of economic crises that have affected major world economies between 2007 and 2009, there seems to be a certain amount of overlap between debates around these issues and debates around long term environmental problems such as climate change. One of the interesting points of overlap is a renewed interest in notions of austerity with optimistic commentators offering up hope that a (re)turn to frugality represents a unique opportunity for the pursuit of sustainable consumption. Against this backdrop the analysis sets out an approach to frugality as a social practice and drawing on a qualitative study of persons who identified themselves as attempting to reduce their environmental impacts, it considers the links between frugality and sustainable consumption. Crucially, a distinction is drawn between thrift and frugality in relation to: (1) the scale at which they exercise care and compassion; (2) their relationship to the normative expectations of consumer cultures, and; (3) their consequences in terms of environmental impacts. Taking these distinctions alongside historical analyses of changing consumption patterns, a note of caution is offered that the passage from the economic downturn to sustainable consumption may not be as clear as might be hoped.     

Late Jurassic I-type rhyolites from the Duobuza region,north-central Tibet: evidence for the occurrence of juvenile lower crust and crustal growth in the Southern Qiangtang Terrane

ABSTRACT

Previous studies of the Southern Qiangtang (SQ) Terrane in Tibet have shown significant growth of continental crust during the late Mesozoic (ca. 170–120 Ma) through underplating of mantle-derived melts beneath ancient lower crust. However, the mechanism of crustal growth remains defective during the Late Jurassic. In this contribution, we report new zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock major and trace element concentrations, and zircon Hf isotopic compositions of Late Jurassic rhyolites from the Duobuza area in the SQ Terrane. Zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating yields concordant ages and weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 151–149 Ma, indicating that the rhyolites were erupted during the Late Jurassic. The rhyolite samples yield high SiO₂ (69.1–73.4 wt.%) and Na₂O (3.82–6.49 wt.%) concentrations, high values of the differentiation index (95.4–98.5), moderate Al₂O₃ (13.1–15.5 wt.%) and K₂O (2.55–3.26 wt.%) concentrations, and relatively low TiO₂ (0.34–0.44 wt.%), MgO (0.14–0.67 wt.%), and MnO (0.01–0.10 wt.%) concentrations and Mg# values (8.9–33.5). They are enriched in Rb, Th, Ba, and Pb, depleted in Nb, Ta, Sr, Ti, and P, and yield negative Eu anomalies. These characteristics suggest that the Duobuza rhyolites represent medium- to high-K calc-alkaline, highly fractionated I-type granitoids. Variations in major and trace element concentrations indicate that the rhyolites underwent significant fractionation of Fe–Ti oxides, plagioclase, K-feldspar, hornblende, biotite, and apatite. The samples yield positive zircon ε_Hf(t) values (+0.08 to +10.9) and young T^CD _M model ages (816–386 Ma), indicating that they were generated through partial melting of juvenile lower crust of the SQ Terrane. These data are distinct from those of Late Jurassic intermediate–felsic plutons in the SQ Terrane that generally yield negative ε_Hf(t) values and ancient T_C ^DM model ages. We suggest that the occurrence of the Duobuza rhyolites is the significant witness. The presence of juvenile lower crust beneath the SQ Terrane during the Late Jurassic (ca. 150 Ma) rather than during the Early Cretaceous (ca. 120Ma). The transition from ancient to juvenile lower crust has already began in the SQ Terrane during the Late Jurassic.     

Important crustal growth in the Phanerozoic: Isotopic evidence of granitoids from east-central Asia

The growth of the continental crust is generally believed to have been essentially completed in the Precambrian, and the amount of juvenile crust produced in the Phanerozoic is considered insignificant. Such idea of negligible growth in the Phanerozoic is now challenged by the revelation of very large volume of juvenile crust produced in the period of 500 to 100 Ma in several orogenic belts. While appreciable volumes of juvenile terranes in North America (Canadian Cordillera, Sierra Nevada and Peninsular Range, Appalachians) have been documented based on Nd isotopic data, the mass of new crust formed in the East-Central Asian Orogenic Belt (ECAOB), eastern part of the Altaid Tectonic Collage, appears to be much greater than the above terranes combined. New and published Nd-Sr isotope data indicate that the Phanerozoic granitoids from the southern belt of the ECAOB (Xinjiang-West Mongolia-Inner Mongolia-NE China) as well as from Mongolia and Transbaikalia were generated from sources dominated by a depleted mantle component. These granitoids represent a significant growth of juvenile crust in the Phanerozoic. Although most plutons in this huge orogenic belt belong to the calc-alkaline series, the ECAOB is also characterized by the emplacement of voluminous A-type granites. The origin of these rocks is probably multiple and is still widely debated. However, the isotopic data (Sr-Nd-O) and trace element abundance patterns of A-type granites from the ECAOB clearly indicate their mantle origin. The evolution of the ECAOB and the entire Altaid Collage is most likely related to successive accretion of arc complexes. However, the emplacement of a large volume of post-tectonic A-type granites requires another mechanism—probably through a series of processes including underplating of massive basaltic magma, partial melting of these basic rocks to produce granitic liquids, followed by extensive fractional crystallization. The proportion of juvenile to recycled, as well as that of arc-related to plume-generated, continental crust remains to be evaluated by more systematic dating and isotope tracer studies.     

Continental crustal growth and the supercontinental cycle: evidence from the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Studies of supercontinental cycle are mainly concentrated on the assembly, breakup and dispersal of supercontinents, and studies of continental crustal growth largely on the growth and loss (recycling) of the crust. These two problems have long been studied separately from each other. The Paleozoic–Mesozoic granites in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt have commonly positive Nd values, implying large-scale continental crustal growth in the Phanerozoic. They coincided temporally and spatially with the Phanerozoic Pangea supercontinental cycle, and overlapped in space with the P-wave high-V anomalies and calculated positions of subducted slabs for the last 180 Ma, all this suggests that the Phanerozoic Laurasia supercontinental assembly was accompanied by large-scale continental crustal growth in central Asia. Based on these observations, this paper proposes that there may be close and original correlations between a supercontinental cycle, continental crustal growth and catastrophic slab avalanches in the mantle. In this model we suggest that rapid continental crustal growth occurred during supercontinent assembly, whereas during supercontinental breakup and dispersal new additions of the crust were balanced by losses, resulting in a steady state system. Supercontinental cycle and continental crustal growth are both governed by changing patterns of mantle convection.     

Cenozoic uplift and subsidence in the North Atlantic region: Geological evidence revisited

The topographic evolution of the “passive” margins of the North Atlantic during the last 65 Myr is the subject of extensive debate due to inherent limitations of the geological, geomorphological and geophysical methods used for studies of uplift and subsidence. We have compiled a database of sign, time and amplitude (where possible) of topographic changes in the North Atlantic region during the Cenozoic (65–0 Ma). Our compilation is based on published results from reflection seismic studies, AFT (apatite fission track) studies, VR (vitrinite reflectance) trends, maximum burial, sediment supply studies, mass balance calculations and extrapolation of seismic profiles to onshore geomorphological features. The integration of about 200 published results reveal a clear pattern of topographic changes in the North Atlantic region during the Cenozoic: (1) The first major phase of Cenozoic regional uplift occurred in the late Palaeocene–early Eocene (ca 60–50 Ma), probably related to the break-up of the North Atlantic between Europe and Greenland, as indicated by the northward propagation of uplift. It was preceded by middle Palaeocene uplift and over-deepening of some basins of the North Sea and the surrounding areas. (2) A regional increase in subsidence in the offshore marginal areas of Norway, the northern North Sea, the northern British Isles and west Greenland took place in the Eocene (ca 57–35 Ma). (3) The Oligocene and Miocene (35–5 Ma) were characterized by regional tectonic quiescence, with only localised uplift, probably related to changes in plate dynamics. (4) The second major phase of regional uplift that affected all marginal areas of the North Atlantic occurred in the Plio-Pleistocene (5–0 Ma). Its amplitude was enhanced by erosion-driven glacio-isostatic compensation. Despite inconclusive evidence, this phase is likely to be ongoing at present.     

The Litorina transgression in the Helsinki region, southern Finland: new evidence from coastal mire deposits

Sediment profiles were obtained, from the basal sections of two mire basins located above the highest Litorina shore in the Helsinki region, for pollen, diatom and Cladocera analyses and radiocarbon dating with the aim of exploring the relative sea-level changes during the Litorina stage of the Baltic Sea. Both profiles provided indications of 'long-distance effects' of the Litorina transgression around 7500–6100 BP, in the form of eutrophication, inundation, increased Pediastrum abundances, declined chydorid diversity and the presence of saline water diatoms. The results support the idea that sea level rose during the Litorina stage in the Helsinki region and suggest that this transgressive event had considerable effects on natural conditions in the coastal ecosystems. The findings contradict earlier accounts of a shore level stillstand during the Littorina stage in the Helsinki district.     

Risk,perception and adaptation to climate change: evidence from arid region,India

The paper contributes to the growing literature highlighting the significance of assessing risk and vulnerability, micro-level perceptions and adaptation decision-making in building resilience of farm communities to climate change in dryland region of India. To select a region for grassroots enquiry, spatial differential in risk to climate change was assessed in Rajasthan, using IPCC AR5 framework. Among the highly vulnerable and risky districts, Bikaner district was selected for elicitation of micro-level imperatives. Rising atmospheric temperature, inter-seasonal displacements of rainfall and recurrence of extreme events were perceived by the farmers resulting in resource degradation, production risks and erosion of households’ socio-economic dynamics. As risk preventive measures, suitable adjustment in agricultural practices, natural resource management, shift to off-farm activities and other relief measures were adopted by the farmers. Farmer’s choice of adaptation was influenced by several climatic, socio-economic and infrastructural & institutional factors in varying degree. Moreover, several financial, economic, infrastructural and informational bottlenecks to adaptations were reported during household survey and FGDs. The results suggest that capturing grassroots evidence is crucial for directing locally tailored adaptation strategies, along with the improving deficiencies in the developmental pathways for climate-resilient agriculture.

     

Fore-arc evolution and continental growth: a general model

The extended evolution of fore-arc regions which leads to their eventual incorporation into stable kratonic continental crust is elucidated by a general model based upon observations from the modern circum-Pacific and the Palaeozoic Tasman Geosyncline.Fore-arc regions widen during subduction in the manner described by Karig & Sharman (1975). Their history, after subduction has ceased, depends upon the thickness of the accretionary prism formed during subduction. Where the prism is thick (ca. 20 km) kratonization is a single-step process. The fore-arc region remains above sea-level; post-arc silicic volcanics accumulate due to granitoid plutonism, the magmas being derived by melting of the subduction complex and from the oceanic lithosphere trapped beneath it. The volcanic arc subsides, becoming the site of a fore-deep.Intermediate-thickness accretionary prisms (ca. 16 km) are kratonized in a two-step process. They remain at shelf depths, while their associated volcanic arcs sink to comparable depths. Both acquire a post-arc shallow marine sequence of typical platform-cover facies. They are then deformed and intruded by granitoids when the crust attains critical thickness (ca. 20 km).Thin accretionary prisms (≤ 12 km) require a three-step process for kratonization. They and their associated arcs sink to bathyal depths. They are overwhelmed by prograding post-arc flysch deposits of continental origin. Deformation of the post-arc flysch and plutonism occur when critical crustal thickness (ca. 20 km) is attained. A transitional tectonic regime ensues, with molasse-like transitional basins preferentially sited over the extinct volcanic arcs and the thinner parts of buried accretionary prisms.The model satisfactorily explains the Late Proterozoic-Palaeozoic evolution of southeast Australia, where a 1000 km wide tract of continental crust was accreted to the Australian Kraton in 250–300 Ma, beginning as a S.W. Pacific-type oceanic terrain. It has been found useful for interpreting geosynclinal terrains in other continents.According to the model, the dynamic processes that contribute to kratonization are systematically causally connected. Kratonization is a unified, internally deterministic and self-sustaining phenomenon. The model has implications for the origin, ‘stratigraphy’ and composition of upper and lower continental crust; the origins and tectonic settings of ophiolites, granitoids, paired metamorphic belts and transitional basins; and for the nature and causes of orogenesis.