1,184 research outputs found
An introduction to ethical consideration in international environmental law
The purpose of this chapter is to give the reader an overview of where some of the ethical debates in international environmental law are currently found. This chapter builds upon my earlier work in this area, which is contained in āInternational Environmental Law, Policy and Ethicsā
Science, values and people: The three factors that will define that next generation of international conservation agreements
This brief paper is concerned with three emerging issues that will, individually and collectively, deļ¬ne the way in which international conservation law moves forward in the coming decades. This paper is not focused upon the large-scale policy gaps in this area, such as those relating to conservation on the high seas, compliance deļ¬cits or emerging environmental threats such as nutrient pollution. Rather, it seeks to draw out three issues which run through all conservation agreements. The three issues are those related to the use of science to frame regimes; the use of philosophy to examine the values of what is trying to be achieved; and the use of politics to ensure that local communities are linked to conservation efforts. Consideration of each of these three areas is relatively recent, with none of them being at the forefront of conservation considerations of international importance in the past. In the future, this is likely to change
From the Galalpagos to Tongariro: Recognizing and saving the most important places in the world
Protected areas are one of the less glamorous areas of international environmental law. They are commonly overshadowed by what are perceived as much more dramatic topics, which capture the public attention to a much greater degree.1 This is a highly ironic situation for three reasons. First, because protected areas are the foremost methods by which species and ecosystems are effectively preserved. Second, because protected areas are tangible, and are not merely theoretical constructs. Third, the obligation to create protected areas is one of the most long-standing goals in numerous environmental treaties. For a long time this goal was not tied to any specific outcomes, and the numbers of protected areas grew slowly. However, in the new century, due to an increased recognition of the above considerations, the international community has not only reiterated the goal to create more protected areas, they also set targets of what they want to achieve. The international interest is this area can be seen with a number of examples, such as marine protected areas and transboundary protected areas. Collectively, such support has lead to the creation, in total, of over 102,000 protected areas spread over the Earth
Human dimensions of global environmental change: A review of frameworks and research gaps.
This review of current knowledge in, and development of, priorities for research into the human dimensions of global environmental change has been conducted to assist the Foundation for Research Science and Technology to formulate their research needs agenda. An overview of the emergence of the human dimension of the global environmental change research field is used as a prelude to a review of the international literature on frameworks for conducting human dimensions research. The terminology used in the human dimension field is diverse. An attempt is therefore made to consolidate the myriad of definitions for key concepts, in order to form a basis for human dimensions research in New Zealand and build a platform for the remainder of this report. Three disciplinary areas of academic inquiry were explored in the context of human dimensions of global environmental change research: economics, law and biological sciences. These disciplinary perspectives are reviewed through the international literature and in a New Zealand context. A conceptual framework for research into the human dimensions of global environmental change is provided based on the knowledge-base developed from the both international and New Zealand research. Core concepts, such as found in multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research are reviewed in historical context to form the basis for a specific research framework for New Zealand. Some general needs for research are derived from the New Zealand framework. The remainder of this report details the methods used for drawing out expert opinion on the priorities for research on the human dimensions of global environmental change in the context of information, knowledge and method. Thirty-eight interviews and two hui were conducted and 254 research needs defined by questions were obtained. A modified Delphi technique was applied to the questions and prioritised lists of responses are provided. The final list
Provides European/Pakeha and MÄori perspectives. Divergence and convergence between the European/Pakeha and MÄori responses is provided, as well as justification for the prioritisation stance that is taken. This research had four outputs: A conceptual framework for considering the human dimensions of global environmental changes and research contributions; A description of the gaps in knowledge that impede effective response to global change and provisional research needs: one for New Zealand generally, and one on MÄori in particular; A network of end-users and research providers that are cognisant of, and contributors to, the human dimensions research assessment; A set of priority research needs pertaining to the human dimensions of global environmental change, in a form suitable for use by FRST
Animals ethics and international law
The purpose of this chapter is to give the reader an overview of where some of the ethical debates around animals and international law are found. In part, the chapter builds upon my earlier work in this area. At the time of writing this text, I approached the issue of ethics and international environmental law, as most doctoral students do, in a very theoretical manner. Accordingly, when I came to the topic of āanimal rightsā I spent considerable time examining the work of the great thinkers in this area, such as Peter Singer and Tom Regan
Instability in SU(2) gauge field theory
Classical solutions to SU(2) gauge theory with a static charge source or with wave-like behavior are examined. In both cases gauge rotations cause instability. A quantum mechanical model with a local gauge symmetry is constructed. The quantum numbers of the model are constrained by the local symmetry. The S-matrix elements of SU(2) gauge theory are analysed in terms of angular orientation in gauge space. Most S-matrix elements are found to vanish in a way that indicates that most states are unstable. This result is due to the ambiguity in the time evolution of the states inherent in the local symmetry and it indicates that the gauge must be fixed in the path integral for a well defined dynamical evolution. When the gauge is fixed the result reduces to the conservation of quantised isospin
Sustainable rural tourism: The ecological attitudes of visitors and farm-based tourism in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland
This thesis reports the findings of empirical research investigating the ecological attitudes of visitors and farm-based tourism in the rural region of Dumfries & Galloway, south-west Scotland. As the concept of sustainable rural tourism gathers momentum as an appropriate philosophy for addressing rural restructuring and agricultural decline, stakeholders in Dumfries & Galloway aim to position the region as an ecotourism or environmentally friendly destination. A review of literature reveals that ecotourism is a concept or activity seldom discussed in a Scottish or UK context, and this thesis queries the appropriateness and potential of ecotourism as a model for development in Dumfries & Galloway. This research questions whether visitors to Dumfries & Galloway can be differentiated by ecological attitude using the New Ecological Paradigm scale, concluding that all visitors hold pro ecological attitudes to a greater or lesser degree. Although all visitors were found to be similar in terms of demographics, those visiting the region for nature-focused activities hold significantly higher pro-ecological attitudes. Since attitudes are theorized as a precursor to behaviour, a major conclusion is that visitors who are most likely to react to the region's sought after status as an ecotourism destination are unlikely to consciously jeopardize the region's 'natural' assets. Farm-based tourism is a relatively under-researched form of rural tourism in Scotland. This thesis critiques farm-based accommodation as a sustainable form of rural tourism revealing that just 4.4% of main agricultural holdings in Dumfries & Galloway have adopted this signifier of the post-productivist transition. As a structural diversification for farmers its economic contribution is typically small but fundamental for farm survival and continuance of agricultural identity. Farm accommodation delivers important consumer experiences that few other forms of rural accommodation can achieve however the product is under-developed in both its networking potential and brand identity. The research reveals that the adoption of tourism on farms can reduce provider isolation and empower spouses, and is compatible with the concept of ecotourism through its environmental attributes, social and economic benefits. It is concluded that before Dumfries & Galloway can claim to be an ecotourism and environmentally friendly destination, a number of issues such as high private transport use and lack of environmentally accredited supply services need to be addressed
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