Land Use Intensity Module: Land Use in Rural New Zealand Version 1

This document outlines the development of the dynamic functions and simple algorithms that make up the Land Use in Rural New Zealand (LURNZ) land-use intensity module. The module includes stocking rate functions for dairy, sheep, and beef livestock; fertiliser intensity functions for dairy and sheep/beef; and algorithms for the evolution of the age classes of the plantation forestry estate, and of reverting scrubland. This module is designed so that: (1) output from models of rural production and rural land use can be compared using the land-use intensity functions as conversion factors; (2) output from the land use module of LURNZ can be converted into the implied levels of rural activities that can be directly related to certain environmental impacts. This module is part of the LURNZv1 simulation model and can be used in conjunction with the LURNZ land use and greenhouse gas modules.Land use intensity, rural production, forestry, pastoral farming, fertiliser

Greenhouse Gas Emission Factor Module: Land Use in Rural New Zealand—Climate Version 1

Several different New Zealand economic models produce measures of rural economic activity that have greenhouse gas implications. For climate change analysis, models need to translate economic activity into greenhouse gas emissions. This document estimates functions and creates projections for land-use related greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic activity that are simple; are based on readily available data and strong science; are consistent with the national inventory in 2002; evolve so that implied net emissions approximately match past inventory totals (1990–2002); and can be linked easily to a variety of models so they can be used in simulations. We estimate dynamic greenhouse gas emission functions for five land uses: dairy, sheep, beef, plantation forestry, and indigenous forests; and for three greenhouse gases: methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide. We use an approach based on the consensus reached at the November 2004 ―Land Use, Climate Change and Kyoto: Human dimensions research‖ project research workshop. These functions will allow different researchers who are studying activity levels in the rural sector to draw on a consistent set of emission functions when considering the greenhouse gas implications of their model results. All these data are available at www.motu.org.nz/dataset.htm so other researchers can easily apply these functions.Climate change, greenhouse gases, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, scrub, forest, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, International Relations/Trade, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Greenhouse Gas Emission Factor Module: Land Use in Rural New Zealand - Climate Version 1

Several different New Zealand economic models produce measures of rural economic activity that have greenhouse gas implications. For climate change analysis, models need to translate economic activity into greenhouse gas emissions. This document estimates functions and creates projections for land-use related greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic activity that are simple; are based on readily available data and strong science; are consistent with the national inventory in 2002; evolve so that implied net emissions approximately match past inventory totals (1990-2002); and can be linked easily to a variety of models so they can be used in simulations. We estimate dynamic greenhouse gas emission functions for five land uses: dairy, sheep, beef, plantation forestry, and indigenous forests; and for three greenhouse gases: methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide. We use an approach based on the consensus reached at the November 2004 "Land Use, Climate Change and Kyoto: Human dimensions research" project research workshop. These functions will allow different researchers who are studying activity levels in the rural sector to draw on a consistent set of emission functions when considering the greenhouse gas implications of their model results. All these data are available at www.motu.org.nz/dataset.htm so other researchers can easily apply these functions.Climate change, greenhouse gases, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, scrub, forest

Learning from the novel: feminism, philosophy, literature

Analytic philosophy since Plato has been notoriously hostile to literature, and yet in recent years, increasing numbers of philosophers within the tradition have sought to take seriously the question of how it is that literature can be philosophical. Analytic philosophy has also been noted for its hostility to women and resistance to feminism.In this thesis I seek to make connections between firstly the prejudice against, and then the potential for, the contribution of the perspectives of literature and feminism in philosophy, attempting to answer simultaneously the two questions;How can literature be philosophical? How can feminists write philosophy?In the sense that I attempt to take these questions seriously, and answer them precisely, this thesis fits into the analytic philosophical tradition. However, my response to these questions, and thus the majority of this thesis, takes the form of a non-traditional demonstration of the philosophical potential of literature presented through three feminist literary genres; autographical fiction, Utopian fiction, and detective fiction.Using generic divisions seems to be an appropriate strategy for reclaiming literature as philosophical, since it suggests an identification with the Aristotelian defence of literary arts against Plato's assault. However, I will argue that these literary genres have traditionally been defined in terms which prohibit a philosophical reading. I will expose and then recover this anti-philosophical bias, particularly when it coincides with feminist genre revisions. This recovery will take the form of a philosophical reconceptualizing of each genre, and a specific comparative analysis of two texts adopted as representative of each genre as I conceive it. In this way I hope to show that it is not only possible, but highly advantageous, to learn from the novel

Financial Sustainability for Women's Movements Worldwide

The report probes into fundamental questions related to resource mobilization and movement-building. How are women's organizations and movements growing worldwide? Why do we need strong women's movements and organizations? Where is the money for women's rights? How should we mobilize new resources to build stronger feminist movements in order to advance women's rights worldwide

Migration and the Environment in the Galapagos: An analysis of economic and policy incentives driving migration, potential impacts from migration control, and potential policies to reduce migration pressure

From 1974 through 1997 the Galapagos experienced very rapid population growth, around six per cent per year. Sustained at this level, the population would continue to double every 12 years. Increased population brings an increased risk of invasive introduced species, which endangers the fragile ecosystems. On 18 March 1998, a Special Law was passed to protect the Galapagos. This law severely limits migration to the islands. We discuss the environmental problems that motivated the law, describe the law, and discuss anecdotal evidence on its operation and potential to date. We then theoretically assess the implications of limiting migration and empirically assess the history and drivers of migration to Galapagos. In particular we discuss distorted incentives arising from subsidies and inadequate regulations that exacerbate migration pressure. Finally, we draw on our analysis to offer some short and longer term policy solutions and ideas on how existing capacity could be enhanced to implement them.Galapagos, migration, environment, tourism, fish

Sheep and Beef Production Costs Across New Zealand: Introducing the Spatial Dimension

Motu is currently developing a dataset of production costs relating to different rural land uses, which we can use to help explain historical land-use trends at a Territorial Authority level. The Meat and Wool Economic Service farm survey provides a rich database containing physical and financial data for New Zealand sheep and beef farms including detailed information on average farm expenditure, from at least 1980. But while this dataset provides extensive information for 8 farm classes and 5 regions, the actual location of the farms within each class is not known. So, we have developed an algorithm that generates a map of potential farm classes utilising supplementary information on farm location from QVNZ and a land productivity map developed by Baisden (2006) at Landcare Research. This map can be used to map any information contained with the farm survey reports.Spatial allocation, production costs, sheep and beef farming, Production Economics,

The Land Use in Rural New Zealand Model Version 1 (LURNZv1: Model Description)

This paper documents the first version of the Land Use in Rural New Zealand Model (LURNZv1). It describes the overall modelling approach, the database underlying the model, and the construction of each module within the model. The model is econometrically estimated from national time series data and spatially extrapolated using economic and geophysical variables. It is primarily a simulation model but is also set up to produce predictions based on future price scenarios. The model output includes projections of four types of rural land use under different scenarios and 25 ha grid maps of where land use, and changes in land use, are likely to occur.simulation model, land use, dairy, sheep, beef, forestry, reverting indigenous forest

Taxes vs Permits: Options for Price-Based Climate Change Regulation

This paper provides an overview of key issues involved in the choice among market-based instruments for climate change policy. Specifically, it examines the potential net benefits from shifting to a permit system for emission reduction, and the preconditions necessary for this change. It also draws out the implications of New Zealand’s specific circumstances and current climate policies for future policy development.climate change; emissions trading; permits; taxation; New Zealand

Migration and the Environment in the Galapagos:An analysis of economic and policy incentives driving migration, potential impacts from migration control, and potential policies to reduce migration pressure

From 1974 through 1997 the Galapagos experienced very rapid population growth, around six per cent per year. Sustained at this level, the population would continue to double every 12 years. Increased population brings an increased risk of invasive introduced species, which endangers the fragile ecosystems. On 18 March 1998, a Special Law was passed to protect the Galapagos. This law severely limits migration to the islands. We discuss the environmental problems that motivated the law, describe the law, and discuss anecdotal evidence on its operation and potential to date. We then theoretically assess the implications of limiting migration and empirically assess the history and drivers of migration to Galapagos. In particular we discuss distorted incentives arising from subsidies and inadequate regulations that exacerbate migration pressure. Finally, we draw on our analysis to offer some short and longer term policy solutions and ideas on how existing capacity could be enhanced to implement them.Galapagos, migration, environment, tourism, fish.