Enhancing environmental quality in the United States by linking biomass energy consumption and load capacity factor

This study analyzes the impact of biomass energy, financial development, and economic growth on environmental quality using the novel Fourier autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach on annual data for the period 1965–2018 in the United States (USA). The study analyzes the impact of related variables on the load capacity factor (LCF) as well as on indicators of environmental degradation such as carbon dioxide emissions and ecological footprint. The LCF is one of the most comprehensive environmental indicators to date, encompassing both biocapacity and ecological footprint. In this regard, this study contributes to the environmental economics literature by examining, for the first time, the impact of biomass energy on the LCF. The results of the cointegration test show that there is only a long-run relationship between the LCF and the independent variables. According to the Fourier ARDL results, biomass energy improves the environmental quality, while financial development has no effect on the LCF. Moreover, the increase in per capita income reduces the LCF. Furthermore, since the income elasticity is larger in the long run than in the short-run, the environmental Kuznets curve is validated. Therefore, the United States government should encourage the use of biomass and investment in this form of energy.     

京津冀主要大城市经济发展中城市化与大气环境质量的关系

京津冀城市群在快速城市化进程中,"高耗能、高污染、高排放"的粗放型经济发展模式带来了一系列大气污染问题,亟需协调经济发展与大气环境质量之间的关系.本文基于2004—2017年北京市、天津市、石家庄市的大气环境质量与城市化各指标数据,运用熵值法多维度研究了城市化进程中大气环境质量的演化规律.选取城市空气主要污染物SO2、...     

The asymmetric nexus of energy-growth and CO2 emissions: An empirical evidence based on hidden cointegration analysis

Noting the significance of asymmetries in macroeconomic literature, this study aimed to estimate the asymmetric linkages between energy growth and the environment for BRICST countries between 1990 & 2017. For this purpose, this study applied hidden cointegration, panel NARDL, and asymmetric causality tests between the variables. In the first step, the results supported the existence of hidden cointegration between the variables. In the next step, empirical results obtained from panel NARDL results explained that the chosen variables have asymmetric relationships and are highly responsive to macroeconomic shocks. Initially, the positive shocks of energy consumption positively respond to environmental degradation; similarly, the negative shocks also correspond positively to CO₂ emissions. In the economic expansion phase, the positive shocks of growth have insignificant, and adverse shocks negatively respond to CO₂ emissions in BRICST countries. The results of individual countries along BRICST differ at various levels in response to asymmetric shocks. Different asymmetric causalities between the chosen dimension of variables are explored. From the asymmetric associations between the variables, the study proposes to forecast the energy demand and explore alternative ways to energy resources to shift their fossil energy bases to renewable systems. Similarly, adopting ICT products could make energy efficiency in these countries more productive towards improving environmental quality.     

Does patents on environmental technologies matter for the ecological footprint in the USA? Evidence from the novel Fourier ARDL approach

The outcome of patents on environmental (POET) technologies on the EF in the USA has not been comprehensively explored. Therefore, to close this breach in the literature, the present study discovers how patents on ecological technologies affect ecological footprint (EF) in the USA while regulatory for GDP and EC using the Fourier-based approaches. The conclusions of the present study reveal that POET are an important predictor of EF in the USA and cause a reduction in ecological deprivation in the long run; as expected, economic growth negatively affects environmental sustainability. The outcomes suggest that it is possible to resolve conflicts between the economy and the environment by using technological innovation. The USA government must reconsider its policy focus, particularly on coal energy sourcing and industrial energy, while continuing with heavy investments in its ambitious renewable energy technology development plan. Moreover, the government should continue to promote investments in environmental technologies.     

The impact of energy consumption on environment and public health in China

Fossil energy consumption is one of the main reasons for the deterioration of environmental pollution and decline in public health. This paper tests for the long-run and short-run relationship among energy consumption, environment pollution and public health using the autoregressive-distributed lag approach in China for the period 1985–2014. The study used energy consumption variables (i.e., the proportion of coal consumption, that of oil and clean energy, abbreviated as PCC, POIL and PCE, respectively), environmental pollution ones (i.e., SO₂ emissions, abbreviated SO₂, soot and dust emissions,), two health proxies (i.e., the proportion of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases mortality, abbreviated as PCD and PRD, respectively). These variables were selected due to vital importance in China. The overall results indicate that there was co-integration relationship under the study with statistically significantly positive relationship between environmental pollution and energy consumption, public health and environmental pollution in the short and long run. Comparing the long-run and short-run coefficients of energy use variable with respect to SO₂ and soot indicates that the long-run coefficients are the same as the short-run. The long-run coefficients of soot and dust emissions with respect to PCD and PRD, respectively, are higher than the short-run coefficients. This implies that environment pollution level is found to worsen with respect to fossil energy use presently and over time, while public health level descending with reference to soot and dust emission over time in China. The Granger causality results suggested a unidirectional Granger causality between energy use and environment pollution, environment pollution and public health. The results emphasized the importance of energy transformation and sustainable development policies that help to adjust the structure of energy consumption and to improve public health level.     

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.     

Efficiency assessment of the energy consumption and economic indicators in Beijing under the influence of short-term climatic factors: based on data envelopment analysis methodology

In this paper, the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method is introduced to analyze the input–output efficiency of energy consumption and economic indicators in Beijing city under the influence of short-term climatic factors. Total energy consumption, fixed asset investment, average temperature, precipitation, sunshine hours, average wind velocity and the average pressure being employed as the input variables, gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita disposable income being employed as the output variables, effective technology and the validity of the scale of DEA of 31 decision-making units (DMUs) under the influence of the short-term climatic factors are analyzed, and the inefficient DMUs are improved. Empirical analysis shows that both energy consumption and economic growth are sensitive to short-term climate condition, and the reasonable employing of extreme climatic conditions is a question worthy of consideration. This study provides effective basis for the scientific and reasonable arrangement of Beijing city’s short-term climatic resources and energy–economic development.     

重庆涪陵页岩气勘查开发区环境地质调查进展

紧密结合国家非常规能源勘探开发的重大战略,聚焦重庆涪陵页岩气勘查开发区环境地质调查工作,总结了研究区岩溶发育特征与分布规律,评价了涪陵页岩气开发区区域水资源量和地下水质量。在此基础上,收集分析国内外资料,梳理了页岩气勘查开发所引发的6类环境(地质)问题及勘查、钻井、压裂、开采、闭井等5个阶段需关注的地质环境问题或风险等,其中涪陵页岩气勘查开发区主要诱发水土污染、地质灾害和大气污染等环境(地质)问题; 基本识别了2种地下水污染模式、3种污染类型及可能的地下水污染风险途径; 初步确定了涪陵页岩气勘查开发区污染指示性特征因子,并形成了页岩气勘查开发区地质环境影响评价指标体系,可指导页岩气勘查开发的环境地质调查。该研究为页岩气国家新型清洁能源的绿色开发和开发区生态文明建设提供支撑。     

重庆涪陵页岩气勘查开发区环境地质调查进展

紧密结合国家非常规能源勘探开发的重大战略,聚焦重庆涪陵页岩气勘查开发区环境地质调查工作,总结了研究区岩溶发育特征与分布规律,评价了涪陵页岩气开发区区域水资源量和地下水质量。在此基础上,收集分析国内外资料,梳理了页岩气勘查开发所引发的6类环境(地质)问题及勘查、钻井、压裂、开采、闭井等5个阶段需关注的地质环境问题或风险等,其中涪陵页岩气勘查开发区主要诱发水土污染、地质灾害和大气污染等环境(地质)问题; 基本识别了2种地下水污染模式、3种污染类型及可能的地下水污染风险途径; 初步确定了涪陵页岩气勘查开发区污染指示性特征因子,并形成了页岩气勘查开发区地质环境影响评价指标体系,可指导页岩气勘查开发的环境地质调查。该研究为页岩气国家新型清洁能源的绿色开发和开发区生态文明建设提供支撑。     

The link between trade openness and deforestation for environmental quality in Nigeria

This paper examines the effect of trade openness on deforestation for environmental quality in Nigeria. Autoregressive Distributed Lag bounds testing approach to cointegration was used to achieved the long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables. Economic growth, energy consumption and population were used as control variable. The long-run result shows that the coefficients of trade openness and economic growth are significant and inversely related to deforestation. This suggests that trade openness and growth reduce deforestation and improves environmental quality. Conversely, the long-run coefficient of population is significant and positively related to deforestation, meaning that population increases deforestation and environmental degradation. However, the long-run result for energy consumption did not produce statistical significance. Furthermore, all the short-run results were consistent with their long-run result.     

区域农业景观生态风险评价初步构想

区域农业景观生态风险评价研究是适应当前区域农业可持续发展的需要而产生的。我国区域农业景观类型多种多样,十分复杂。且有农业生态环境恶化、土壤污染加剧、水体污染日趋严重等环境问题,为了解决这些问题,保护环境,保护人类健康,提出了区域农业景观生态风险评价研究的框架和方法以及今后的发展前景。     

Ecological conflicts in Poland

Transformation of the political system, observed in Poland for 10 years in connection with economic restructuring and basic socio-economic reforms to harmonise with European Union structures, is also evident in terms of environmental management. Pollution has been reduced in many ways but the rise in living standards, linked with the rapid growth of cars and other forms of consumption, has had a negative effect and environmental conditions have deteriorated in the central areas of large cities. The growth of waste water and refuse is a considerable problem. More areas are now officially protected and the three levels of local government established at the beginning of January 1999 (voivodeship, district and community) all have certain defined environmental protection responsibilities which are cumulatively greater than before. Meanwhile there is a greater awareness in society of environmental issues, although it does not yet lead to a high level of participation in protection work. However, there are strongly-expressed opinions on the ecological acceptability of certain economic developments and conflicts are frequently arising within communities and local governments and also between investors on the one side and ecological organisations and environmental protection institutions on the other. Most controversial are new roads, power stations (like the Zarnowiec nuclear project) and reservoirs like the one on the Dunajec river at Czorsztyn. Local communities frequently resist plans for waste dumps, incinerating plants and other developments which are seen as injurious to health or the quality of life. The planned reprivatisation of the state-owned forests is also criticised by foresters and ecological movements. Conflicts are likely to grow as economic development accelerates but better information and greater public understanding of the need for sustainability should make for consensus. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

矿床的环境质量———一个新的地学研究领域

摘 要　 为了人类社会的可持续发展‚需要实行矿业开发和环境保护的协调发展。矿床的环 境质量就是适应这一需要而正在形成的边缘研究领域‚它的目的是为改善环境而进行的矿床 学研究。主要任务是：① 研究矿床的环境质量‚包括矿床类型、物质成分 （主要是有害组 分）、矿体产状、矿床构造及矿床的表生变化过程;② 按环境影响程度对矿床作分类‚建立 矿床的地质 环境模型;③ 进行矿床的地质 环境评价;④ 研究和找寻经济 环境综合效益好 的矿床新类型。面向21世纪‚矿床地质工作者应更新观念‚开拓新的研究领域‚将矿床学研 究单纯为找矿、采选冶服务转变为矿业开发与环境保护的协调发展服务。     

Long term scenarios and options for sustainable energy systems and for climate protection: A short overview

Within one decade a fundamental choice will have to be made: Should the energy system follow the historical trends of risky and unsustainable energy use patterns? Or should it take the course towards sustainable development and climate protection, giving top priority to energy efficiency and to a broad mix of renewable energies? Both roads are technically feasible. “Back-casting”-scenarios could help to answer the question, what technological options are available for climate protection and how societal goals can be achieved in a cost-effective way. Lessons learned from world energy scenarios and possible implementation options will be discussed. A case study of the German Parliament’s Enquete Commission on Sustainable Energy Systems will be taken as illustration. The analysis shows that sustainable energy systems can be financed and that economic growth can be decoupled from absolute levels of non-renewable energy consumption by stepping up energy productivity.     

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.     

Iran’s energy policy: Current dilemmas and perspective for a sustainable energy policy

Iran is facing large challenges in the area of energy policy. In order to illuminate these challenges and the problems and possibilities, which are present, firstly, the current energy consumption patterns have been analyzed in Iran as well as the energy policy of the Iranian government. Based on this analysis, the alternative concepts have been then formulated for Iran’s future energy. The increase in energy usage in Iran is distinctly out of proportion with the development of economic productivity. Negative structural characteristics of this system are: first, an above average energy intensity; second, an increase in energy consumption in the traffic sector; third, a high growth rate in usage of electric energy; and lastly, an above-average amount of stress to the environment. Traditionally, Iran’s energy policy has focused on satisfying the growing demand for energy by oil and, in the last fifteen years, by successively expanding natural gas. However, the further development of the natural gas supply only makes sense within the context of a holistic energy policy, which takes into account the principles of sustainable development. In the short term, such a policy would take advantage of both considerable energy saving techniques, as well as potential renewable energy sources. In the long term, such a policy would strive for the complete transfer to renewable energy sources and technology.     

Comprehensive evaluation and indicator system of land desertification in the Heihe River Basin

Two landscape evaluation approaches, an integrated model and an ecological analysis method, based on landscape elements and environmental quality, respectively, were used to describe land desertification in the Heihe River Basin of northwestern China, by evaluating the current state of the local ecosystems and environment. Based on national water-quality criteria and fuzzy cluster analysis methods, surface water quality was divided into 5 grades with corresponding evaluation scores (evaluation rating threshold of water pollution), while groundwater quality was divided into 5 grades based on salinity and solute chemistry. For grassland ecosystems, grass yield (biomass) and types were the main indicators used. The soil component was described according to factors including its nutrient content, thickness, texture and degree of desertification, for a total of 11 evaluation indicators. Total vegetation cover is one of the 5 indicators chosen to describe the plant ecosystem. Based on conditions currently prevailing in the study region, evaluation factors such as total output value of agricultural, industrial, forestry and animal husbandry activities, the ratio of irrigation area to farmland area, the mean output return per unit area farmland, the level of education and per capital income were selected among others to characterize the social and economic situation. In total, 32 typical environment evaluation factors were selected, classifying land desertification in the region into four zones.     

基于系统聚类分析的西部地区环境污染程度评价

随着社会经济的不断发展,环境污染问题在西部地区经济发展中越来越凸显出来,不同省区受到不同程度的影响.同时,不同地区的环境污染问题有一定的相似性.应用系统聚类分析方法,通过提炼选取11类指标,对西部地区12省区环境污染程度的距离相似情况进行了评价.结果表明:贵州、甘肃、广西、云南、重庆和陕西等省区的距离相似归为第一类聚类;内蒙古和四川归为第二类聚类;西藏、宁夏和青海等省区的距离相似属于第三类聚类;新疆归为第四类聚类.要处理好生态系统和社会经济发展之间的关系,需要对二者进行协调,并坚持走可持续发展的道路.     

“We Don’t Take the Pledge”: Environmentality and environmental skepticism at the epicenter of US wind energy development

This study analyzes pro-wind, “anti-environmental” discourses prevalent among key stakeholders in Nolan County, Texas, the epicenter of US wind power. We draw upon interviews conducted within a Q-method study to examine environmental views held by key actors in wind-farm development. We frame our analysis within the theoretical field that engages the formation of environmental subjects, defined as the process through which individuals and communities align their environmental practices with state ends. We argue that this is a process that can be incomplete or in tension with other subject positions, which together may lead to unexpected environmental views. We introduce “environmental skepticism,” defined as a rejection of ecological science steeped in deep anthropocentrism and possessive individualism, as a dominant counter-narrative informing certain environmental subjectivities. The remainder of the paper describes Texas wind stakeholders’ views or subject positions on energy and the environment and reveals how environmental skepticism is not overturned even as renewable energy supports the local economy. We analyze wind stakeholders’ environmental subjectivity in terms of emergent subject positions as “reflexive environmental skepticism,” a view that accepts the economic products, processes, and policy innovations advocated by ecological modernization without accepting the core claim that innovations are required to adapt to environmental change.     

城市浅层地热能开发地质环境问题研究

本文就浅层地热能开发利用过程中出现的生态环境和地质环境问题从客观因素和人为因素进行了详细的研究,借助土壤温度的测试和地层冷热平衡的监测,分析在地源热泵运行过程中造成的热污染、地下水位下降、地面沉降、地下水质恶化污染等问题。研究认为长期利用地源热泵开发利用系统,如设计不合理或地下水回灌率低,将破坏地层的冷热平衡。北方地区供暖期大于制冷期时,地层温度将逐年下降,N2O和CH4会集中释放,造成生物生长速度缓慢。地下水源热泵运行时,如地下水回灌困难,将导致地下水资源浪费、水位下降等生态环境问题以及路面塌陷、地面沉降等地质环境问题。供暖期、制冷期运行时间差别较大时,将导致地下水温度的变化,直接影响地下水中污染物的降解,间接影响地下水的水质。抽取、回灌地下水的过程会造成空气中的氧气随之溶解于水中,导致地下水质的变化。通过分析浅层地热能开发利用存在的突出问题和影响因素,可为其科学合理开发利用提供科学依据和技术支撑。