Energy environment economy Model

Human activities in coastal areas frequently cause loss of benthic macrophytes (e.g. seagrasses) and concomitant increases in microalgal production through eutrophication. Whether such changes translate into shifts in the composition of sediment detritus is largely unknown, yet such changes could impact the role these ecosystems play in sequestrating CO2. We reconstructed the sedimentary records of cores taken from two sites within Botany Bay, Sydney – the site of European settlement of Australia – to look for human-induced changes in dominant sources of detritus in this estuary. Cores covered a period from the present day back to the middle Holocene (~6,000 y) according to 210Pb profiles and radiocarbon (14C) dating. Depositional histories at both sites couldn’t be characterized by a linear sedimentation rate; sedimentation rates in the last 30-50 years were considerably higher than during the rest of the Holocene. C:N ratios declined and began to exhibit a microalgal source signature from around the time of European settlement, which could be explained by increased nutrient flows into the Bay caused by anthropogenic activity. Analysis of stable isotopic ratios of 12C/13C showed that the relative contribution of seagrass and C3 terrestrial plants (mangroves, saltmarsh) to detritus declined around the time of rapid industrial expansion (~1950’s), coinciding with an increase in the contribution of microalgal sources. We conclude that the relative contribution of microalgae to detritus has increased within Botany Bay, and that this shift is the sign of increased industrialization and concomitant eutrophication. Given the lower carbon burial efficiencies of microalgae (~0.1%) relative to seagrasses and C3 terrestrial plants (up to 10%), such changes represent a substantial weakening of the carbon sink potential of Botany Bay – this occurrence is likely to be common to human-impacted estuaries, and has consequences for the role these systems play in helping to mitigate climate change.

Resettlement program is a measure taken to reduce the problems of food insecurity and household income diversification. However, improper implementations of the program have negative impact on socio-economic and environmental related issues particularly natural resource degradation which causes LU/LC change in the study area. In the context Ethiopian, resettlement has been carried out both voluntary and involuntary nature. Voluntary resettlement program occurred with the individual interest without any external influences, whereas involuntary is related with massively implemented through government policy. This study was carried out to analyze impact of resettlement program on livelihood of indigenous community in Esira district, Dawuro zone. The livelihood strategies of indigenous community before and after resettlement program where assessed using questionnaire, key informant interviews and filed observations. The finding of this study shows that, after resettlement program the in...

Global warming has potentially catastrophic impacts in Amazonia, while at the same time maintenance of the Amazon forest offers one of the most valuable and cost-effective options for mitigating climate change. We know that the El Niño phenomenon, caused by temperature oscillations of surface water in the Pacific, has serious impacts in Amazonia, causing droughts and forest fires (as in 1997-1998). Temperature oscillations in the Atlantic also provoke severe droughts (as in 2005). We also know that Amazonian trees die both from fires and from water stress under hot, dry conditions. In addition, water recycled through the forest provides rainfall that maintains climatic conditions appropriate for tropical forest, especially in the dry season. What we need to know quickly, through intensified research, includes progress in representing El Niño and the Atlantic oscillations in climatic models, representation of biotic feedbacks in models used for decision-making about global warming, and narrowing the range of estimating climate sensitivity to reduce uncertainty about the probability of very severe impacts. Items that need to be negotiated include the definition of "dangerous" climate change, with the corresponding maximum levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Mitigation of global warming must include maintaining the Amazon forest, which has benefits for combating global warming from two separate roles: cutting the flow the emissions of carbon each year from the rapid pace of deforestation, and avoiding emission of the stock of carbon in the remaining forest that can be released by various ways, including climate change itself. Barriers to rewarding forest maintenance include the need for financial rewards for both of these roles. Other needs are for continued reduction of uncertainty regarding emissions and deforestation processes, as well as agreement on the basis of carbon accounting. As one of the countries most subject to impacts of climate change, Brazil must assume the leadership in fighting global warming.

Les politiques énergétiques européennes ont pendant longtemps souffert de la réticence des États-membres de donner à l’Union Européennes les moyens de ses ambitions dans ce domaine. Une politique communautaire de l’énergie s’est néanmoins progressivement développée, d’abord par le biais des politiques concernant le marché unique et la concurrence, ensuite de plus en plus par les biais des politiques environnementales. La fin des années 2000, avec l’adoption du paquet énergie-climat en 2008 et l’entrée en vigueur du traité de Lisbonne en 2009 constitue un tournant majeur dans les politiques énergétiques de l’Union Européenne. Pour comprendre ce tournant, une mise en perspective des politiques énergétiques et des politiques climatiques communautaires s’impose.

As much as the production of crude oil and natural gas generate enormous costs on the environment, it also directly impacts on the economy of the producing state. The later, among other reasons, is the motive for investing huge capital in the industry. This paper addresses the motives for the production of crude oil and natural gas; identifying the components of these products that are toxic to the environment and public health. Apart from highlighting the economic benefits accruing to the producing countries and her citizens, the study universally looked through the processes and products involved in crude oil and natural gas production and pointed out the impacts of these processes and products on the environment and the health of the public. It is believed that a complete understanding of the interplay between these processes and products with the environment will aid producing companies as well as governments of producing nations make better decisions on the strategies to minimi...