Sharing the Cost of Global Warming

Due to meteorological factors, the distribution of the environmental damage due to climate change bears no relationship to that of global emissions. We argue in favor of offsetting this discrepancy, and propose a “global insurance scheme” to be financed according to countries’ responsibility for climate change. Because GHG decay very slowly, we argue that the actual burden of global warming should be shared on the basis of cumulated emissions, rather than sharing the expected costs of actual emissions as in a Pigovian taxation scheme. We characterize new versions of two well-known cost-sharing schemes by adapting the responsibility theory of Bossert and Fleurbaey (1996) to a context with externalities. Du fait de phénomènes météorologiques, la répartition des dommages environnementaux est indépendante de celle des émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES). Nous explorons la possibilité de corriger cette inadéquation via un « fonds assuranciel global », financé en fonction de la responsabilité de chaque pays concernant les changements climatiques. Étant donné la très longue durée de vie de plusieurs GES dans l'atmosphère, nous avançons que les dommages observés doivent être partagés en fonction des émissions cumulées, plutôt que de partager les coûts futurs espérés des émissions actuelles, comme le ferait une taxe pigouvienne. Nous employons la théorie de la responsabilité de Bossert et Fleurbaey (1996), adaptée à un contexte avec externalités, pour caractériser de nouvelles versions de deux mécanismes de partage connus.climate change, cost sharing, responsibility, compensation , changements climatiques; partage de coûts, responsabilité, compensation

Sharing the Cost of Global Warming

Due to meteorological factors, the distribution of the environmental damage due to climate change bears no relationship to that of global emissions. We argue in favor of offsetting this discrepancy, and propose a “global insurance scheme” to be financed according to countries’ responsibility for climate change. Because GHG decay very slowly, we argue that the actual burden of global warming should be shared on the basis of cumulated emissions, rather than sharing the expected costs of actual emissions as in a Pigovian taxation scheme. We characterize new versions of two well-known cost-sharing schemes by adapting the responsibility theory of Bossert and Fleurbaey (1996) to a context with externalities.Climate Change, Cost Sharing, Responsibility, Compensation

Coordination and Cooperation in Investment Timing with Externalities ?

We characterize sequential (preemption) and simultaneous (coordination) equilibria, as well as joint-value maximizing (cooperation) solutions, in a model of investment timing allowing for externalities in both flow pro...ts and investment costs. For two ex-ante symmetric ...rms, either preemption or attrition occur depending on the size of the investment externality. Coordination is less likely with more discounting, as in a repeated game, and more likely with higher growth and volatility. Optimal cooperation involves either monopoly or duopoly investment, the latter being either symmetric or asymmetric. Finally, these characterizations are validated by applications to standard speci...cations of capacity accumulation and of R&D investment. In the former setup, coordination is likelier if installed capacities and lumpy investments are both large. With R&D input choices, if investment synergies are large, coordination and cooperation result in the same outcomes.Investment Timing; Real Options; Simultaneous Equilibrium; Joint-Value Maximization; Cooperation; Investment Externalities

A Model of Partial Regulation in the Maritime Ferry Industry

In this paper, we study how maritime ferry industries should be regulated. This is a fundamental issue in so far as maritime transport between islands and mainland is a service of general interest. We argue that the policy design crucially depends on the goals the collectivity pursues (pure e¢ ciency, fairness) as well as on the relevant industry structure (monopoly, oligopoly). We show that the regulator needs to prevent ine¢ cient crowding out, whenever room exists for access of new providers to former monopolies. By properly allocating tra¢ c across shippers, the regulated firm's budget constraint can then be relaxed. We subsequently shed light on the implications of adopting the territorial continuity principle to boost social fairness. We establish that the incumbent's public service obligations dump the entrant's incentives to provide connections in the low season; conversely, soft competition encourages the entrant to operate in the high season, when it pockets a net rent. As to customers, our model predicts that the islanders, whose consumption is partly subsidized by the non-residents, patronize the incumbent and that liberalization directly benefits the non-residents who switch to the entrant.Maritime transport; Price and frequency; Partial regulation; Territorial

Use of the simulation code METIS to analyze a balance of power in ITER.

This research assignment is a power balance in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). First it describes summarily the different components of the reactor, the power input and output, and the tools used for the simulation: METIS. Then some calculations are made to calculate some data and compare them to the METIS result

Caractéristiques ethnolinguistiques et distribution spatiale de la population dans la région urbaine de Moncton, 1981-2006

This study consists of an examination of the effect of ethnic and linguistic characteristics on the residential organization of Moncton’s bilingual urban area between 1981 and 2006. Principal components analysis is used to generate ethnolinguistic factors that are further mapped out in order to illustrate the development and expansion of the Francophone space, as well as the relative stability of the Anglophone space over time. Our results suggest that such variables as reported ethnicity, language spoken at home, and knowledge of official languages play as important a part as mother tongue in the definition of both the Francophone and Anglophone spaces in Moncton’s urban area.RésuméCette étude propose un examen de l’effet des caractéristiques ethniques et linguistiques de la population sur l’organisation résidentielle de la région urbaine bilingue de Moncton entre 1981 et 2006. Des analyses en composantes principales sont utilisées afin de générer des facteurs ethnolinguistiques qui, une fois cartographiés, illustrent le développement et l’expansion de l’espace francophone de même que la relative stabilité de l’espace anglophone au cours de la période étudiée. Nos résultats suggèrent que des variables telles que l’origine ethnique, la langue parlée à la maison et la connaissance des langues officielles jouent un rôle tout aussi important que la langue maternelle dans la définition des espaces francophone et anglophone de la région urbaine de MonctonCette étude propose un examen de l’effet des caractéristiques ethniques et linguistiques de la population sur l’organisation résidentielle de la région urbaine bilingue de Moncton entre 1981 et 2006. Des analyses en composantes principales sont utilisées afin de générer des facteurs ethnolinguistiques qui, une fois cartographiés, illustrent le développement et l’expansion de l’espace francophone de même que la relative stabilité de l’espace anglophone au cours de la période étudiée. Nos résultats suggèrent que des variables telles que l’origine ethnique, la langue parlée à la maison et la connaissance des langues officielles jouent un rôle tout aussi important que la langue maternelle dans la définition des espaces francophone et anglophone de la région urbaine de Moncto

Diversity in Sports and Recreation: A Challenge or an Asset for the

Today, ethnocultural diversity is a fact of life in big cities, and indeed in smaller ones, where it sometimes serves as a means of promotion. How are cities responding to the issues raised by the growing numbers of people who have different needs and different tastes? This article offers some answers based on the findings of two surveys of practices followed in managing diversity, conducted in Greater Montréal. Municipalities are developing a variety of responses to diversity: some are adopting policies that advocate accommodation, others favour a universal approach. In the field of recreation, various issues arise: infrastructures (redesign of recreational spaces) and interethnic cohabitation (changes in preferences, group issues). Generally, Montréal’s municipalities are responding ad hoc, case by case, in a pragmatic spirit, as seen in the case of pool management. The management of diversity may thus seem to be improvised, but this approach has the advantage of allowing gradual adaptation to the differences among residents, with a view to fostering reciprocal learning

The judicious judicial dispositions juggle: characteristics of police interventions involving people with a mental illness

Objective: The number of police interventions with people presenting a mental health problem has been increasing over the past 30 years and police services are becoming more aware of the human resources and skills these interventions require. Our study addresses the characteristics explaining police time used and outcomes of interventions as police officers interact with people with mental illness. Method: Using a police service administrative database from a large Canadian city, and an identification algorithm method, police interventions with people with mental illness were identified on 3 randomly selected days in the year. A content analysis of intervention logs was carried out to identify characteristics of those interventions; the call initiator, the location, and the final outcome of the intervention. Results: Interventions with people with mental illness represent a small proportion (3%; n = 272) of all police interventions (n = 8485). General linear models show that the type of outcome is the most important factor in estimating the time required by police interventions. Arrests and hospitalizations are the least time-efficient outcomes, consuming 2.0 and 3.2 times, respectively, more time than informal dispositions. A multiple correspondence analysis shows that police interventions can be depicted in 2 dimensions, representing their main roles concerning people with mental illness, namely, to ensure the public safety and to protect the most vulnerable citizens. The more these services are required, the more police time will be required. Conclusion: Education and partnerships between police services and mental health services are essential to a proper management of outcomes

Fat acceptance 101: Midwestern American women’s perspective on cultural body acceptance

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this record.Weight stigma is pervasive in the US, with body size being pathologised and weight loss urged for those of higher weights. However, there is a growing movement for fat acceptance and body positivity. The present study explored perceptions and experiences of cultural body acceptance trends among Midwestern American women who are trying to, or have tried to, ‘accept’ their bodies. Participants (n = 18) are self-identified women who have ever been labelled ‘obese’ on the Body Mass Index and have ever tried to develop a more positive relationship with their bodies. Participants were interviewed three times over the course of approximately one year using a semi-structured interview guide that explored their perceptions of how society represented and treated those of a higher weight. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and interviews and field-notes analysed thematically. Emergent themes included greater (mixed) representation, lip service, and inclusive cultures. Ultimately, participants positioned shifting attitudes towards fat bodies within wider social trends toward greater inclusion and diversity in general, but remained frustrated by ceilings of acceptable size, disingenuous messaging, and cultural backsliding.Central Michigan UniversityEconomic and Social Research Council (ESRC), UK

Police encounters involving citizens with mental illness: use of resources and outcomes

Objective: Few studies have addressed use of resources in police interventions involving individuals with mental illness. The time police officers spend on interventions is a straightforward measure with significant administrative weight, given that it addresses human resource allocation. This study compared the characteristics of police interventions involving individuals with mental illness and a control sample of individuals without mental illness. Methods: A total of 6,128 police interventions in Montreal, Québec, were analyzed by using a retrospective analysis of police intervention logs from three days in 2006. Interventions involving citizens with (N=272) and without (N=5,856) mental illness were compared by reason for the intervention, the use of arrest, and the use of police resources. Results: Police interventions involving individuals with mental illness were less likely than those involving individuals without mental illness to be related to more severe offenses. However, interventions for minor offenses were more likely to lead to arrest when they involved citizens with mental illness. Interventions for reasons of equal severity were twice as likely to lead to arrest if the citizen involved had a mental illness. After controlling for the use of arrest and the severity of the situation, the analysis showed that police interventions involving individuals with mental illness used 87% more resources than interventions involving individuals without mental illness. Conclusions: Future studies using administrative police data sets could investigate the use of resources and division of costs involved in new programs or partnerships to better address the interface of criminal justice and mental health care