This work analyzes the ecological, physical, emotional and health impacts of the US nuclear testing done in the Marshall Islands in the mid-20th century.

Drought is a well-known and costly climate-related natural hazard. Unlike other climate-related natural hazards, droughts are usually long in duration and may cover a large region, the physical boundaries of areas affected by drought are sometimes arbitrary, and the impacts are sometimes difficult to identify. Climate records since 1895 show that drought has occurred periodically in Kentucky. The drought of 2007 was the most recent drought to affect Kentucky and is the primary focus of this research. The purpose of this research is to identify impacts of drought and potential vulnerabilities to various drought impact sectors in Kentucky so that policymakers can develop a drought plan that addresses these vulnerabilities and emphasizes mitigation efforts. An historical analysis of drought was provided for the following droughts that occurred in Kentucky: 1930-31, 1940-42, 1952-55, 1987-88, and 1999-2001. A more indepth analysis of the development and impacts of the drought of 2007 was conducted. Weekly drought reports from the drought of 2007 that were published by the Kentucky Division of Water were used for analysis.The reports discussed streamflows, PDSI values, precipitation deficits, lake levels reports from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other information that documented the progress of the drought. Impacts caused by the drought of 2007 were identified mostly through news reports. Agriculture and water supplies were determined to be most impacted by drought; therefore, two separate surveys (one regarding drought impacts on agriculture in 2007, the other regarding drought impacts on water supplies in 2007) were created to increase the understanding of how the drought of 2007 affected agriculture and water supplies in Kentucky. Other impacts from the drought of 2007 that were studied include impacts on recreation and tourism, the number of fires and wildland fires, plant and animal species, and small businesses. It was found that droughts that have affected Kentucky have originated in all directions and have spread northward, southward, eastward, and westward into Kentucky. The temporal scale of these droughts has also varied. Impacts caused by the drought of 2007 in Kentucky were very similar to impacts caused by historical droughts. However, the documentation of drought impacts that occur in Kentucky needs improvement. Agricultural impacts are documented better than any other impact, while impacts on water supplies, recreation and tourism, the occurrence of wildland fires, plant and animal species, and small businesses are not as well documented. It is recommended that conducting an extensive analysis of how various sectors are vulnerable to drought in Kentucky and educating the public on the importance of drought awareness should be addressed by policymakers involved in the development of Kentucky’s state drought plan.

This paper analyzes if neighborhood income inequality has an effect on informal regulation of environmental quality, using census tract-level data on industrial air pollution exposure from EPA´s Risk Screening Environmental Indicators and income and demographic variables from the American Community Survey and EPA´s Smart Location Database. Estimating a spatial lag model and controlling for formal regulation at the states level, we find evidence that overall neighborhood inequality - as measured by the ratio between the fourth and the second income quintile or the neighborhood Gini coefficient - increases local air pollution exposure, whereas a concentration of top incomes reduces local exposure. The positive coefficient of the general inequality measure is driven by urban neighborhoods, whereas the negative coefficient of top incomes is stronger in rural areas. We explain these findings by two contradicting effects of inequality: On the one hand, overall inequality reduces collective action and thus the organizing capacities for environmental improvements. On the other hand, a concentration of income at the top enhances the ability of rich residents to negotiate with regulators or polluting plants in their vicinity. (authors' abstract) / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series

Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is one of the most common tree species in the boreal and temperate forests of North America. It grows on many different sites and associates with a variety of tree species. In BC, aspen is frequent throughout all submontane and montane continental forested zones. Relationships between environmental factors and forest productivity have been the subjects of many studies. Most of these studies, using various topographic, soil, physical and chemical properties as independent variables, had limited success in accounting for the variation in SI over a large geographic area. The objectives of this study were (1) to quantify relationships between aspen SI and environmental factors at two spatial scales, and (2) to develop predictive SI models from easily measurable environmental factors.

Climate change is one of the largest problems facing this generation. Anthropogenically caused increases of greenhouse gas emissions is a significant culprit to this problem. Although the obvious problems such as cars, industry, and urbanism garnish a significant amount of the criticism, natural sources such as wetlands are also beginning to contribute to this issue. This is becoming increasingly significant as wetlands shift from being sinks of greenhouse gases to becoming sources as various anthropogenic impacts, including global warming itself, begin to affect the health of the wetlands. The aim of this project is to look at four common types of wetlands, being tropical mangroves, temperate coastal marshes, inland meadows, and subarctic peatlands, all located in different climactic areas of the world, and by doing a meta-analysis of available data of greenhouse gas production for each wetland type, observe how differences in their greenhouse gas production may contribute or be affected by climate change and global warming. Results of the meta-analysis revealed that the most significant production of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide occurs in coastal wetlands such as tropical mangroves and coastal marshes, while the greenhouse gas methane is seen to be produced most in subarctic peatlands. These contributions of wetlands to global greenhouse gas production are not as significant as other anthropogenic contributions. However, subarctic wetlands contribute to more than half of the global methane emissions, and the most important aspect of wetland greenhouse gas production is that they are producing more greenhouse gases than they would normally be sequestering, contributing more than the basic greenhouse gas production data can display. Global climate changes such as temperature increase and sea level rise could also make these levels of greenhouse gas production become worse, although measures to decrease the effects of this such as regulations on anthropogenic nitrogen input, macrophyte presence, and prevention of peat burning.

A expansão territorial urbana na cidade de Francisco Beltrão-PR, aconteceu de forma bastante expressiva entre as décadas de 1980 e início dos anos 2010, quando vários novos loteamentos foram sendo incorporados à malha urbana da cidade. Dentre os fatores que impulsionaram essa expansão urbana, estão a migração campo-cidade, a oferta de serviços no município, e a oferta de crédito imobiliário facilitada em parte deste período. Em um período de tempo similar, entre os anos 1970 e 2000, as discussões a respeito da sustentabilidade vão tomando forma, e a partir do lançamento do documento Agenda 21 no ano 1992, e da Lei Federal nº 10.257, o Estatuto da Cidade, no ano 2001, se inicia a discussão sobre a sustentabilidade para os espaços urbanos, devendo as diretrizes sustentáveis estar presentes na legislação e também nas ações de planejamento urbano e urbanismo junto às cidades brasileiras. Desta forma, levando-se em consideração a visível expansão territorial de Francisco Beltrão, e a aplicação da sustentabilidade urbana a partir das diretrizes citadas, neste trabalho se propõe a análise da sustentabilidade urbana em três loteamentos que caracterizam áreas de expansão urbana recente em Francisco Beltrão: Loteamento São Cristóvão, Loteamento Lago das Torres e Loteamento Marchiori. Para realizar a análise, são elencadas categorias de sustentabilidade urbana expressas no Estatuto da Cidade: terra urbana, moradia, saneamento ambiental, infraestrutura, transportes, serviços públicos e lazer, e escolhidos indicadores de sustentabilidade que permitem uma análise da sustentabilidade urbana, através das categorias citadas. Ao mesmo tempo, procurou-se analisar de que forma os moradores destes loteamentos compreendem a avaliam a sustentabilidade urbana local. O resultado do estudo aponta que a legislação urbana possui diretrizes de sustentabilidade incorporadas, porém muitas vezes não é possível que se apliquem as ações estratégicas que respondem à sustentabilidade urbana dentro da legislação. Quanto às categorias de sustentabilidade urbana analisadas, são vários os indicadores que podem ser utilizados para a análise de cada uma, e percebeu-se que nos loteamentos analisados, algumas questões relacionadas à sustentabilidade foram suprimidas, o que pode ser corrigido com algumas medidas, dentre as quais se pode exemplificar a fiscalização mais efetiva, acompanhamento da expansão urbana, simplificação da legislação, incentivos aos empreendedores e aplicação de instrumentos urbanos ainda não formalizados na cidade. Quanto à compreensão e avaliação da sustentabilidade por parte dos moradores locais, muitos sabem da importância da mesma, mas nem sempre tomam as atitudes mais corretas para agir em prol da sustentabilidade urbana do local onde moram. / The urban territorial expansion in the city of Francisco Beltrão-PR, occurred quite expressively between the 1980s and early 2010, when several new allotment were being incorporated into the city's urban mesh. Among the factors driving this urban expansion are the rural-urban migration, the provision of services in the municipality, and the supply of real estate credit facilitated in part of this period. In a similar period of time, between the years 1970 and 2000, discussions about sustainability took shape, and since the releasing of Agenda 21 in 1992, and Federal Law number 10.257, the City Statue, in the year 2001, the discussion on sustainability for urban spaces begins, and sustainable guidelines must be present in the legislation and also in the actions of urban planning and urbanism in the Brazilian cities. Thus, taking into account the visible territorial expansion of Francisco Beltrão and the application of urban sustainability based on the guidelines cited, this paper proposes the analysis of urban sustainability in three allotment that characterize areas of recent urban expansion in Francisco Beltrão : Allotment São Cristóvão, Allotment Lago das Torres and Allotment Marchiori. In order to carry out the analysis, the categories of urban sustainability expressed in the City Statute are presented: urban land, housing, environmental sanitation, infrastructure, transportation, public services and leisure, and chosen sustainability indicators that allow an analysis of urban sustainability through the categories cited. At the same time, an attempt was made to analyze how the residents of these allotments understand the local urban sustainability. The result of the study points out that urban legislation has incorporated sustainability guidelines, but it is often not possible to apply the strategic actions that respond to urban sustainability within the legislation. Regarding the categories of urban sustainability analyzed, several indicators can be used to analyze each one, and it was noticed that in the analyzed allotment, some issues related to sustainability were suppressed, which can be corrected with some measures, which can be exemplified by more effective supervision, monitoring of urban expansion, simplification of legislation, incentives to entrepreneurs and application of urban instruments not yet formalized in the city. As for the understanding and evaluation of sustainability by local people, many know the importance of sustainability, but do not always take the right actions to promote urban sustainability where they live.

On the way towards a more biobased economy, the sustainable use of global wood resources remains a challenge as several trade-offs arise, e.g., from an increased energetic use of wood, an increased use of innovative but probably less recyclable wood composites, or from the need to conserve other forest ecosystem services. The aim of this study is to identify existing environmental indicators and methods for an evaluation of the sustainability of wood products in consideration of all life cycle stages, site-dependent aspects and later use in corporate decision-making. We chose a systematic literature review to answer the research questions explicitly and comprehensively. Qualitative content analysis was used to code indicators and scientific methods according to the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework. The sample (N = 118) is characterized by a high number of life cycle assessment (LCA) case studies. In 51% of all studies, the study authors use a combination of different methods. A total of 78 indicators and 20 site-dependent aspects could be identified in the sample. The study findings represent a first step towards a holistic environmental assessment of wood products.

The Subject evidences the importance of the proposition of indicators of sustainable development for Agricultural Nestings, with the objective to support of the decisions of the governmental bodies and managers of a general form, in the implantation, accompaniment, support and evaluation to the implanted projects and to be implanted. Through the historical analysis of the brazilian agrarian question and the chosen theorical landmarks: the indicators of sustainable development; and family agriculture, was possible to know the theoretical structure witch involves the subject. Regarding the indicators of sustainable development it was proceeded a research concerning it s evolution, identifying the main studies about: the work of construction indicators of sustainable development led by the Commission for Sustainable Development CDS, of the United Nations; indicators of sustainable development Brazil 2004, of the IBGE; of the Balaton Group (Donella Meadows and others), in the Triângulo de Daly ; of the Bossel project; of the Monet model of Switzerland; and, the total socio-ecologial system, of the CEPAL. The boarding of the theorical landmark Familiar Agriculture included the analysis of some definitions and it s categories and identified the types, the sizes and the generated income for the familiar agriculturists in Brazil. The field research was carried through on two agricultural nestings (Farm Amoras and Farm Santa Amália e Santos Apóstolos) both managed by the Land and Agrarian Reformation Institute of Alagoas ITERAL. In the scope of the research we have observed characterization of the nestings, the profile of seated and the dynamics of the nestings, the social world of the seated, the production of the nestings and their impacts, the access to technology and to credit and the characteristics of the generated income. The proposition of the indicators of sustainable development to rural nestings followed the ordained landmark considered by the Commission of Sustainable Development CDS, of the United Nations and followed, in Brazil, by the IBGE, which organizes the indicators on four dimensions of sustainability: Environmental, Social, Economic and Institutional. The indicators proposed reach a total of sixty-two, including twenty-three environmental indicators, twenty-one social indicators, thirteen economical indicators and five institutional indicators. The indicators are also classified, by the model of the Cooperation and Economic Development Organization OCDE, as being Pressure Condition Reply PER. Finally, are identified thirteen indicators considered synthesis, in the total ambit of the indicators. / O tema evidencia a importância da proposição de indicadores de desenvolvimento sustentável para Assentamentos Rurais, com o objetivo de apoiar as decisões dos órgãos governamentais e gestores de uma forma geral, na implantação, acompanhamento, apoio e avaliação aos projetos implantados e a serem implantados. Através da análise histórica da questão agrária brasileira e dos marcos teóricos escolhidos: os indicadores de desenvolvimento sustentável; e, a agricultura familiar, foi possível conhecer o arcabouço teórico que envolve o tema. No tocante aos indicadores de desenvolvimento sustentável procedemos a uma pesquisa concernente a sua evolução, identificando-se os principais estudos a respeito: o trabalho de construção de indicadores de desenvolvimento sustentável liderado pela Comissão para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável CDS, das Nações Unidas; indicadores de desenvolvimento sustentável Brasil 2004, do IBGE; o do Grupo Balaton (Donella Meadows e outros), no Triangulo de Daly ; o do esquema Bossel; o do modelo Monet da Suíça; e, o sistema sócio ecológico total, da CEPAL. A abordagem do marco teórico Agricultura Familiar compreendeu a análise de definições e as suas categorias e identificou os tipos, os tamanhos e a renda gerada pelos agricultores familiares no Brasil. A pesquisa de campo foi realizada em dois assentamentos rurais (Fazenda Amoras e Fazenda Santa Amália e Santos Apóstolos), ambos gerenciados pelo Instituto de Terras e Reforma Agrária de Alagoas ITERAL. No âmbito da pesquisa observamos a caracterização dos assentamentos, o perfil dos assentados e a dinâmica dos assentamentos, o mundo social dos assentados, a produção dos assentamentos e os seus impactos, o acesso à tecnologia e ao crédito e as características da renda gerada. A proposição de indicadores de sustentabilidade para assentamentos rurais seguiu o marco ordenador proposto pela Comissão de Desenvolvimento Sustentável CDS, das Nações Unidas e seguido, no Brasil, pelo IBGE, que organiza os indicadores em quatro dimensões de sustentabilidade: Ambiental, Social, Econômica e Institucional. Os indicadores propostos atingem um total de sessenta e dois, compreendendo vinte e três indicadores ambientais, vinte e um indicadores sociais, treze indicadores econômicos e cinco indicadores institucionais. Os indicadores são também classificados, pelo modelo da Organização de Cooperação e de Desenvolvimento Econômico OCDE, como sendo Pressão-Estado-Resposta PER. Finalmente, são identificados treze indicadores considerados sínteses, no âmbito total dos indicadores.

This thesis develops quantitative indicators of environmental sustainability for Mexico City and its metropolitan zone of influence (MCMZ). These indicators of sustainability were developed by taking into account seven key variables for the urban environment: the water supply situation, air pollution, transportation and roads, energy, solid wastes, the housing supply and green areas. Based on these indicators and the history of the city's physical evolution since it was founded seven centuries ago, a desirable type of urban form is proposed, one in which there is a "decentralized concentration" which would allow Mexico City to approach sustainability in a time frame that concludes in or about the year 2030. Accordingly, the thesis proposes urban policy measures that, while addressing issues of sustainability, permit Mexico City to face the challenges of globalisation, which would entail transforming it into a "global city'' within a worldwide network of great cities. The urban policy and environmental measures that are recommended anticipate the largest economic, demographic and technological changes that will affect Mexico City, but are above all in harmony with the natural ecosystems of the elevated endorheic basin in which it lies. They do no call for a break with or the alteration of the city's natural landscape or its already constructed historical patrimony and, when possible, they presuppose a new sustainable hydraulic model, capable of restoring lakes and recharging the underground aquifer. Finally, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the recuperation of green areas in accordance with the basin's original natural vegetation. / Geography / D.Litt. et Phil. (Geography)

Made available in DSpace on 2011-05-04T12:42:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009 / O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar a distribuição temporal e espacial da dengue, no período de 1998 a 2006, utilizando a análise espacialaliada ao estudo de indicadores sócio-econômicos e ambientais como ferramenta para identificação de áreas prioritárias para o controle da dengue e contribuir para o aprimoramento dos métodos epidemiológicos para a identificação de características ambientais de risco de adoecer pela doença. O trabalho está apresentado em três artigos. No primeiro artigo, realizou-se análise da literatura sobre dengue procurando identificar fatores associados a ocorrência da doença levando-se em conta a unidade geográfica de agregação e o tipo de dados utilizados nos estudos. No segundo artigo, analisou-se a distribuição espaço-temporal da dengue em localidade da cidade de Niterói,Rio de Janeiro, buscando associação com a heterogeneidade de características do ambiente urbano. No terceiro artigo, discutiram-se os indicadores sócio-ambientais e risco para ocorrência da dengue, levando em consideração as particularidades da dinâmica da doença em nível local.Concluiu-se que a heterogeneidade espacial das condições de vida e da incidência foi um achado presente em estudos com dados secundários,situação esta, verificada no estudo realizado em estudo local, onde percebeu-se a variação na distribuição da morbidade por áreas e que esta variação esteve influenciada por contextos específicos de cada localidade. Os dados secundários utilizados para análise mostraram-se deveras amplos, não permitindo uma análise mais fidedigna da realidade. Percebeu-se a necessidade de estudos baseados níveis locais e de construção de indicadores próprios para estes níveis. A metodologia de análise espacial utilizada permitiu a determinação de áreas prioritárias que contemplam a dinâmica da epidemia / endemia para além dos limites estritos dos setores censitários. O uso da análise espacial mostrou-se um recurso importante para estratificação de áreas prioritárias e úteis para instrumentalização dos níveis central e regional do planejamento das ações de controle, monitoramento e avaliação. / This study aimed to analyze the space-time dengue distribution between 1998 and 2006, using the spatial analysis combined the study of socioeconomic and environmental indicators as a tool for identifying priority areas for the dengue control and contribute for the improvement of epidemiological methods to identify environmental characteristics of dengue risk. The work is presented in three papers. In the first one, there was a literature review on dengue, seeking to identify associated factors with occurrence of the disease taking into account the geographic unit of aggregation and the type of data used in the studies. In the second article analyzes the spatial-temporal distribution of dengue in the locality of the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, seeking association with a variety of characteristics of the urban environment. In the third one, we discuss the socio-environmental indicators and risk for dengue occurrence, taking into account the dynamics particularities of disease at the local level. We concluded that spatial heterogeneity in living conditions and the incidence was found in the studies with secondary data. This aspect was confirmed in an ecological study, where was associated the changes in the dengue distribution in areas and that this distribution was influenced by specific contexts of each locality. The secondary data used for analysis proved to be rather large, not allowing a more accurate analysis of reality. Realized the need for studies based on local level and construction of indicators suitable for these level. The methodology of spatial analysis used enabled the determination of priority areas that include the dynamics of epidemic / endemic beyond the strict limits of the census tracts. The use of spatial analysis showed to be an important resource for stratification of priority areas and useful tool for the government levels to planning actions of control, surveillance and evaluation.