30,882 research outputs found

    Looking for safe harbor in a crowded sea: Coastal space use conflict and marine renewable energy development

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    Technological advances in the marine renewable energy industry and increased clarity about the leasing and licensing process are fostering development proposals in both state and federal waters. The ocean is becoming more industrialized and competition among all marine space users is developing (Buck et al. 2004). More spatial competition can lead to conflict between ocean users themselves, and to tensions that spill over to include other stakeholders and the general public (McGrath 2004). Such conflict can wind up in litigation, which is costly and takes agency time and financial resources away from other priorities. As proposals for marine renewable energy developments are evaluated, too often decision-makers lack the tools and information to properly account for the cumulative effects and the tradeoffs associated with alternative human uses of the ocean. This paper highlights the nature of marine space conflicts associated with marine renewable energy literature highlights key issues for the growth of the marine renewable energy sector in the United States. (PDF contains 4 pages

    Comprehending environmental and economic sustainability: Comparative analysis of stability principles in the biosphere and free market economy

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    Using the formalism of Lyapunov potential function it is shown that the stability principles for biomass in the ecosystem and for employment in economics are mathematically similar. The ecosystem is found to have a stable and an unstable stationary state with high (forest) and low (grasslands) biomass, respectively. In economics, there is a stable stationary state with high employment, which corresponds to mass production of conventional goods sold at low cost price, and an unstable stationary state with lower employment, which corresponds to production of novel goods appearing in the course of technological progress. An additional stable stationary state is described for economics, the one corresponding to very low employment in production of life essentials such as energy and raw materials. In this state the civilization currently pays 10% of global GDP for energy produced by a negligible minority of the working population (currently ~0.2%) and sold at prices greatly exceeding the cost price by 40 times. It is shown that economic ownership over energy sources is equivalent to equating measurable variables of different dimensions (stores and fluxes), which leads to effective violation of the laws of energy and matter conservation.Comment: 51 pages, 6 figure

    Designing Improved Sediment Transport Visualizations

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    Monitoring, or more commonly, modeling of sediment transport in the coastal environment is a critical task with relevance to coastline stability, beach erosion, tracking environmental contaminants, and safety of navigation. Increased intensity and regularity of storms such as Superstorm Sandy heighten the importance of our understanding of sediment transport processes. A weakness of current modeling capabilities is the ability to easily visualize the result in an intuitive manner. Many of the available visualization software packages display only a single variable at once, usually as a two-dimensional, plan-view cross-section. With such limited display capabilities, sophisticated 3D models are undermined in both the interpretation of results and dissemination of information to the public. Here we explore a subset of existing modeling capabilities (specifically, modeling scour around man-made structures) and visualization solutions, examine their shortcomings and present a design for a 4D visualization for sediment transport studies that is based on perceptually-focused data visualization research and recent and ongoing developments in multivariate displays. Vector and scalar fields are co-displayed, yet kept independently identifiable utilizing human perception\u27s separation of color, texture, and motion. Bathymetry, sediment grain-size distribution, and forcing hydrodynamics are a subset of the variables investigated for simultaneous representation. Direct interaction with field data is tested to support rapid validation of sediment transport model results. Our goal is a tight integration of both simulated data and real world observations to support analysis and simulation of the impact of major sediment transport events such as hurricanes. We unite modeled results and field observations within a geodatabase designed as an application schema of the Arc Marine Data Model. Our real-world focus is on the Redbird Artificial Reef Site, roughly 18 nautical miles offshor- Delaware Bay, Delaware, where repeated surveys have identified active scour and bedform migration in 27 m water depth amongst the more than 900 deliberately sunken subway cars and vessels. Coincidently collected high-resolution multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and side-scan sonar data from surface and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) systems along with complementary sub-bottom, grab sample, bottom imagery, and wave and current (via ADCP) datasets provide the basis for analysis. This site is particularly attractive due to overlap with the Delaware Bay Operational Forecast System (DBOFS), a model that provides historical and forecast oceanographic data that can be tested in hindcast against significant changes observed at the site during Superstorm Sandy and in predicting future changes through small-scale modeling around the individual reef objects

    Opportunities and challenges for the sustainability of lakes and reservoirs in relation to the sustainable development goals (SDGs)

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    Emerging global threats, such as biological invasions, climate change, land use intensification, and water depletion, endanger the sustainable future of lakes and reservoirs. To deal with these threats, a multidimensional view on the protection and exploitation of lakes and reservoirs is needed. The holistic approach needs to contain not just the development of economy and society but also take into account the negative impacts of this growth on the environment, from that, the balance between the three dimensions can be sustained to reach a sustainable future. As such, this paper provides a comprehensive review on future opportunities and challenges for the sustainable development of lakes and reservoirs via a critical analysis on their contribution to individual and subsets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently, lakes and reservoirs are key freshwater resources. They play crucial roles in human societies for drinking water provision, food production (via fisheries, aquaculture, and the irrigation of agricultural lands), recreation, energy provision (via hydropower dams), wastewater treatment, and flood and drought control. Because of the (mostly) recent intensive exploitations, many lakes and reservoirs are severely deteriorated. In recent years, physical (habitat) degradation has become very important while eutrophication remains the main issue for many lakes and ponds worldwide. Besides constant threats from anthropogenic activities, such as urbanization, industry, aquaculture, and watercourse alterations, climate change and emerging contaminants, such as microplastics and antimicrobial resistance, can generate a global problem for the sustainability of lakes and reservoirs. In relation to the SDGs, the actions for achieving the sustainability of lakes and reservoirs have positive links with the SDGs related to environmental dimensions (Goals 6, 13, 14, and 15) as they are mutually reinforcing each other. On the other hand, these actions have direct potential conflicts with the SDGs related to social and economic dimensions (Goals 1, 2, 3 and 8). From these interlinkages, we propose 22 indicators that can be used by decision makers for monitoring and assessing the sustainable development of lakes and reservoirs

    The surveyor’s role in monitoring, mitigating, and adapting to climate change

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    Methane Hydrates – Australian perspective

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    Purpose. To analyze Australian methane hydrate resources, exploration, and production, its current state and future potential. Methods. Analysis of data published in different sources concerned with geological surveys and government reports related to Australian natural gas reserves, production and consumption of gas in Australia. Analysis of theoretical and experimental research into methane hydrates properties and prevention of gas hydrate deposits formation in pipes during production and transportation of natural gas. Findings. The study of gross figures associated with the present state of gas production in Australia testified that enough gas is extracted to meet the current needs. Increase in natural gas consumption in future creates good chances for developing gas production from unconventional deposits, specifically getting methane from gas hydrates deposits. While predicting main trends in the efficient exploration and use of methane hydrates resources it is necessary to consider their possible impact on the environment. Originality. On the basis of the conducted analysis, the current state of methane hydrates research in Australia is examined. For its gas industry, it is critical to estimate their reserves and assess methane extraction from gas hydrates deposits in the near future. Practical implications. The obtained results can be used to evaluate the investment attractiveness of future exploration of methane hydrates resources in Australia.Мета. Аналіз австралійських ресурсів гідрату метану, поточного стану розвідки гідратних покладів і потенціальних перспектив їх розробки у майбутньому. Методика. Аналітичне вивчення даних, опублікованих у різних джерелах даних геологічних пошуків та урядових звітів, пов’язаних із австралійськими запасами природного газу, видобутком і споживанням газу в Австралії. Аналіз теоретичних та експериментальних досліджень властивостей гідратів метану, попередження відкладення газогідратів у трубах при видобуванні й транспортуванні природного газу. Результати. Аналіз валових показників сучасного стану видобутку природного газу показав, що його добувається достатньо для забезпечення поточних потреб споживання в Австралії. Зростання споживання природного газу в майбутньому визначає перспективу використання газу з нетрадиційних покладів, зокрема метану із покладів газових гідратів. При прогнозуванні основних напрямків ефективного дослідження й використання ресурсів гідратів метану необхідно враховувати їх можливий вплив на навколишнє середовище. Наукова новизна. На підставі проведеного аналізу описано поточний стан дослідження гідратів метану в Австралії, показана важливість для газової промисловості уточнення у найближчому майбутньому їх запасів та видобутку метану із газогідратних покладів. Практична значимість. Представлені результати можуть бути використані для оцінки інвестиційної привабливості майбутньої розвідки ресурсів гідратів метану в Австралії.Цель. Анализ австралийских ресурсов гидрата метана, текущего состояния разведки гидратных залежей и потенциальных перспектив их разработки в будущем. Методика. Аналитическое изучение данных, опубликованных в различных источниках данных геологических изысканий и правительственных отчетов, связанных с австралийскими запасами природного газа, добычей и потреблением газа в Австралии. Анализ теоретических и экспериментальных исследований свойств гидратов метана, предупреждения отложений газогидратов в трубах при добыче и транспортировке природного газа. Результаты. Анализ валовых показателей современного состояния добычи природного газа показал, что его добывается достаточно для обеспечения текущих потребностей в Австралии. Рост потребления природного газа в будущем определяет перспективу использования газа из нетрадиционных залежей, в частности метана из залежей газовых гидратов. При прогнозировании основных направлений эффективного исследования и использования ресурсов гидратов метана необходимо учитывать их возможное влияние на окружающую среду. Научная новизна. На основании проведенного анализа описано текущее состояние исследования гидратов метана в Австралии, показана важность для газовой промышленности уточнения в ближайшем будущем их запасов и добычи метана из газогидратных залежей. Практическая значимость. Представленные результаты могут быть использованы для оценки инвестиционной привлекательности будущей разведки ресурсов гидратов метана в Австралии.We wish to thank Dr. Edward Rravets, Technical Consultant, Rainbow Pty. Ltd., China for his support and encouragement for the work presented here. We also thank Mr. Oleg Pogreb, Technident Pty. Ltd. for his willingness to share his knowledge, information and data on unconventional gas production in Australia

    Global Climate Change and Catholic Responsibility: Facts and Faith Response

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    Citation: Braun G, Hellwig MK, Byrnes WM (2007) Global Climate Change and Catholic Responsibility: Facts and Faith Response. Journal of Catholic Social Thought 4(2): 373-401. Abstract: The scientific evidence is now overwhelming that human activity is causing the Earth’s atmosphere to grow hotter, which is leading to global climate change. If current rates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue, it is predicted that there will be dramatic changes, including flooding, more intense heat waves and storms, and an increase in disease. Indigenous peoples and the poor will be most severely affected, as will Earth’s wild animals and plants, a quarter of which could become extinct in fifty years. We urgently need to switch to renewable (non-GHG emitting) energy sources, and try to live in a simpler, more sustainable way. In this article, a renewable energy expert, a biochemist, and a theologian have come together to describe the situation in which we find ourselves, and present ideas for a solution that incorporates Catholic social teaching

    Climate change impacts on migration and labour market

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    Floods, droughts and monsoons have always disturbed human settlements, but there are more settlements now and more people in the world. Therefore, if a natural disaster happens, more will suffer than ever before. Moreover, climate in the past several decades has been greatly degraded by anthropogenic activity. In some cases, the chain of causality of human influence on the climate is direct and unambiguous (e.g. the effects of irrigation on local humidity), though there are instances where it is less clear. Presently, the scientific consensus (IPCC, 2007) on climate change is that human activity is very likely the cause for the rapid increase of global average temperatures, more generally known as global warming

    Economic valuation of marine and coastal ecosystems: is it currently fit for purpose?

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    In this paper, we consider whether the current “state of the art” of environmental valuation is suitable for producing policy-relevant estimates of the benefits or costs of changes in marine and coastal ecosystems. We review recent changes in European legislation which has meant an increasing demand for economic valuation from the policy and regulatory community. The next section considers, at a more conceptual level, whether the economic “toolbox” and scientific evidence is up to the task of meeting the demand for more evidence-based policy. Finally, three case studies are used to explore the nature of the valuation task and review what is currently known. These case studies are of salt-marsh restoration, marine renewable energy investments, and deep sea conservation

    Risk Assessment and Sustainable Development: Towards a Concept of Sustainable Risk

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    Dr. Mehta examines two dominant approaches for managing health and environmental risks and suggests that they would better serve if integrated
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