The human environmental balance

A future policy instrument for assessing the consequences of changes (already made) to the physical environment can be found in the instrument known as the human environmental balance. By taking all relevant aspects into account when using this instrument, present and future serious defects along with necessary areas of focus will become clear. In this way, the balance will fulfil an important evaluative and indicative function, serving as an integral conceptual framework to find out what investments to make and where they should be made. This report describes a survey, representing an initial step on the road to a balanced physical environment, charting further work along the way. It is also meant to stimulate a broad debate on how to audit this physical environment and what to study. The concept of the physical environment is defined as consisting of (stocks of) various objects in a certain (spatial) arrangement. These objects are evaluated from three perspectives: ecological, economic and social/psychological. The first two perspectives focus on long-term issues on sustainability. In the third perspective the central theme is the perception of the environment by humans themselves; here, we are concerned about short-term issues on the sub-national (local) level. The 1970-1995 draft balance also saw its first elaboration in this report.De leefomgevingsbalans is een door VROM voorgesteld toekomstig beleidsinstrument om gedane ingrepen in het fysieke milieu op hun integrale gevolgen voor de leefomgeving te beoordelen. De leefomgevingsbalans zou hiermee een belangrijke evaluerende en signalerende functie hebben: door beschouwing van alle relevante aspecten maakt de balans zichtbaar waar tekorten zijn of dreigen te ontstaan en waar extra inspanningen nodig zijn. Hiermee vormt de leefomgevingsbalans een integratief raamwerk dat richtinggevend kan zijn voor de aard en locatie van gewenste investeringen. Dit rapport is een verkenning van een mogelijk invulling van een dergelijke leefomgevingsbalans en dient uitsluitend als basis voor discussie. Het beschouwt de fysieke leefomgeving als een verzameling van (voorraden) van allerlei objecten in een bepaalde ruimtelijke configuratie. Deze objecten worden vanuit verschillende invalshoeken verschillend gewaardeerd. Hierbij is onderscheid gemaakt in een ecologisch, economisch en sociaal-psychologisch perspectief. De eerste twee perspectieven zijn vooral gericht op lange termijn-vraagstukken waarbij duurzaamheid voorop staat. Bij het laatste perspectief gaat om de individuele leefbaarheid van de burger, veelal handelend over korte termijn-vraagstukken op vooral lokaal niveau. Op deze wijze wordt het 'leefomgevingskapitaal' gepresenteerd als een drieluik van economische, ecologische en sociaal-psychologische waarden. In het rapport is ook een eerste uitwerking van dit concept voor de periode 1970-1995 gegeven

Managerial Views of Corporate Impacts and Dependencies on Ecosystem Services : A Case of International and Domestic Forestry Companies in China

A line of research is emerging investigating the private sector impacts and dependencies on critical biodiversity and ecosystem services, and related business risks and opportunities. While the ecosystem services narrative is being forwarded globally as a key paradigm for promoting business sustainability, there is scarce knowledge of how these issues are considered at managerial level. This study thus investigates managerial views of corporate sustainability after the ecosystem services concept. We analyse interviews conducted with 20 managers from domestic and international forestry companies operating with a plantation-based business model in China. Content analysis was employed to analyse the data, with a focus on four key areas: (1) interviewee familiarity with the ecosystem services concept; (2) their views of corporate dependencies and impacts on ecosystem services; (3) related business risks and opportunities; and (4) viability of existing instruments and practices that can be employed in detecting and addressing business impacts and dependencies on ecosystem services. Through an inductive approach to the empirical findings, we refined a framework that holds operational value for developing company response strategies to ecosystem services impact/dependence assessment, ensuring that all issues are addressed comprehensively, and that related risks and opportunities are properly acknowledged.Peer reviewe

Could lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy provide oncological providence for local resectional techniques for colon cancer? A review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Endoscopic resectional techniques for colon cancer are undermined by their inability to determine lymph node status. This limits their application to only those lesions at the most minimal risk of lymphatic dissemination whereas their technical capacity could allow intraluminal or even transluminal address of larger lesions. Sentinel node biopsy may theoretically address this breach although the variability of its reported results for this disease is worrisome.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were interrogated back to 1999 to identify all publications concerning lymphatic mapping for colon cancer with reference cross-checking for completeness. All reports were examined from the perspective of in vivo technique accuracy selectively in early stage disease (i.e. lesions potentially within the technical capacity of endoscopic resection).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fifty-two studies detailing the experiences of 3390 patients were identified. Considerable variation in patient characteristics as well as in surgical and histological quality assurances were however evident among the studies identified. In addition, considerable contamination of the studies by inclusion of rectal cancer without subgroup separation was frequent. Indeed such is the heterogeneity of the publications to date, formal meta-analysis to pool patient cohorts in order to definitively ascertain technique accuracy in those with T1 and/or T2 cancer is not possible. Although lymphatic mapping in early stage neoplasia alone has rarely been specifically studied, those studies that included examination of false negative rates identified high T3/4 patient proportions and larger tumor size as being important confounders. Under selected circumstances however the technique seems to perform sufficiently reliably to allow it prompt consideration of its use to tailor operative extent.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The specific question of whether sentinel node biopsy can augment the oncological propriety for endoscopic resective techniques (including Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery [NOTES]) cannot be definitively answered at present. Study heterogeneity may account for the variability evident in the results from different centers. Enhanced capacity (perhaps to the level necessary to consider selective avoidance of en bloc mesenteric resection) by its confinement to only early stage disease is plausible although not proven. Specific study of the technique in early stage tumors is clearly essential before proffering this approach.</p

EAACI position paper on occupational rhinitis

The present document is the result of a consensus reached by a panel of experts from European and non-European countries on Occupational Rhinitis (OR), a disease of emerging relevance which has received little attention in comparison to occupational asthma. The document covers the main items of OR including epidemiology, diagnosis, management, socio-economic impact, preventive strategies and medicolegal issues. An operational definition and classification of OR tailored on that of occupational asthma, as well as a diagnostic algorithm based on steps allowing for different levels of diagnostic evidence are proposed. The needs for future research are pointed out. Key messages are issued for each item

Socio-cultural dimensions of marine spatial planning

Bringing together the complex social and cultural dimensions of marine spatial planning (MSP), this chapter examines how these two terms are applied (or not) in the context of MSP. Global marine and coastal planning continues to recognise that human activities must be considered in order to account for the dynamic interconnectivity between society and the sea. Many research fields explore the importance of the sea to identity, sense of place, health or community cohesion. However, these draw on a range of different assumptions to mainstream marine science and struggle to be incorporated into traditional policy processes, environmental assessments and large-scale planning processes. In this chapter, we interrogate the concept of ‘socio-cultural’, examining how this is being defined and applied across the MSP landscape

Environmental Balance 96. Assessing the Dutch Environment

Bij dit document is tevens verschenen: Achtergronden bij Milieubalans 96Volgens de Wet Milieubeheer, waarin de Milieuplanbureaufunctie van het RIVM is geformaliseerd, wordt jaarlijks een Milieubalans opgesteld waarin de kwaliteit van het milieu wordt beschreven in relatie tot eerder gerealiseerd milieubeleid. In deze Milieubalans worden voor doelgroepen zoals landbouw, industrie, energievoorziening etc. de ontwikkelingen geanalyseerd in relatie tot veranderingen van emissieniveaus voor verschillende stoffen. De stand van zaken rond milieuthema's zoals klimaatverandering, verzuring, verspreiding etc. worden geanalyseerd en verder worden de effecten van de milieudruk op mens en ecosystemen aangegeven. Uit de resultaten blijkt dat voor de meeste stoffen ondanks de economische groei sprake is van een absolute daling in emissieniveau in de periode 1985-1995. Het beleid gericht op het treffen van technische maatregelen bij bedrijven was succesvol. Ondanks de gerealiseerde emissiereducties worden de kwaliteitsnormen voor een groot aantal stoffen overschreden. De energie-intensiteit van de economie nam in 1995 toe. De energiebesparingen zijn voor een deel teniet gedaan door de ontwikkeling van het productievolume en de verschuiving naar meer energie-intensieve vormen van productie en consumptie. Door de groei van het energiegebruik is de CO2-emissie in 1995 toegenomen. Ondanks de gerealiseerde emissiereducties worden de kwaliteitsnormen voor een groot aantal stoffen overschreden. Het huidige niveau van luchtverontreiniging in Nederland (stofdeeltjes en zomersmog ) gaat gepaard met aantoonbare gezondheidseffecten. In steden nemen hinder en gezondheidseffecten toe, door een cumulatie van stressfactoren zoals geluid en stank, lokale luchtverontreiniging en het gebrek aan ruimte.An Environmental Balance for the Netherlands is drawn up yearly in accordance with the Environmental Management Act to describe the quality of the environment related to the environmental policy realised. Developments related to target sectors like agriculture, industry, energy and transport sectors, and consumers are assessed with respect to the change in emission levels of various substances. The state of environment for themes like climate change, acidification, air, water, soil, and groundwater quality is assessed, and the effects of environmental pressures on humans and the environment are presented. The results show that for most of the substances, emission levels decreased in the period 1985-1995, in spite of economic growth in the same period. Policy aimed at technical measures was successful. Energy intensity of the economy increased in 1995. Energy savings were eliminated by developing the volume of production and the use of more energy-intensive constituents of production and consumption. As a consequence of energy use CO2 emission increased in 1995. In spite of emission reductions realised, quality standards are still being exceeded for several substances. The level of air pollution in the Netherlands is coupled to demonstrable health effects. In cities, health effects and hindrance are increasing as a consequence of cumulation of stress factors like noise, bad odours, local air pollution and lack of space.DGM/S

Inventarisatie van bij het RIVM beheerde milieumodellen

Abstract niet beschikbaarThis report is a compilation of environmental models currently available or being developed at the National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM). A small part of these models is developed at and can be obtained from other national and international institutes. The models are described in a very condensed standard format. Additional information may be obtained from the modelers, system managers or external developers and from documentation listed with the model.RIV

Background Documentation to Environmental Balance 96

Tevens verkrijgbaar op CD-Rom, prijs: 69,50 incl. BTWVolgens de Wet Milieubeheer, waarin de Milieuplanbureaufunctie van het RIVM is geformaliseerd, wordt jaarlijks een Milieubalans opgesteld waarin de kwaliteit van het milieu wordt beschreven in relatie tot eerder gerealiseerd milieubeleid. In deze Milieubalans worden voor doelgroepen zoals landbouw, industrie, energievoorziening etc. de ontwikkelingen geanalyseerd in relatie tot veranderingen van emissieniveaus voor verschillende stoffen. De stand van zaken rond milieuthema's zoals klimaatverandering, verzuring, verspreiding etc. worden geanalyseerd en verder worden de effecten van de milieudruk op mens en ecosystemen aangegeven. Uit de resultaten blijkt dat voor de meeste stoffen ondanks de economische groei sprake is van een absolute daling in emissieniveau in de periode 1985-1995. Het beleid gericht op het treffen van technische maatregelen bij bedrijven was succesvol. Ondanks de gerealiseerde emissiereducties worden de kwaliteitsnormen voor een groot aantal stoffen overschreden. De energie-intensiteit van de economie nam in 1995 toe. De energiebesparingen zijn voor een deel teniet gedaan door de ontwikkeling van het productievolume en de verschuiving naar meer energie-intensieve vormen van productie en consumptie. Door de groei van het energiegebruik is de CO2-emissie in 1995 toegenomen. Ondanks de gerealiseerde emissiereducties worden de kwaliteitsnormen voor een groot aantal stoffen overschreden. Het huidige niveau van luchtverontreiniging in Nederland (stofdeeltjes en zomersmog) gaat gepaard met aantoonbare gezondheidseffecten. In steden nemen hinder en gezondheidseffecten toe, door een cumulatie van stressfactoren zoals geluid en stank, lokale luchtverontreiniging en het gebrek aan ruimte. Dit wetenschappelijk achtergronddocument waarin de conclusies uit de Milieubalans 96 nader uitgewerkt worden, is vooral bedoeld voor deskundigen en wetenschappelijk geinteresseerde lezers.An Environmental Balance for the Netherlands is drawn up yearly in accordance with the Environmental Management Act to describe the quality of the environment related to the environmental policy realised. Developments related to target sectors like agriculture, industry, energy and transport sectors, and consumers are assessed with respect to the change in emission levels of various substances. The state of environment for themes like climate change, acidification, air, water, soil, and groundwater quality is assessed, and the effects of environmental pressures on humans and the environment are presented. The results show that for most of the substances, emission levels decreased in the period 1985-1995, in spite of economic growth in the same period. Policy aimed at technical measures was successful. Energy intensity of the economy increased in 1995. Energy savings were eliminated by developing the volume of production and the use of more energy-intensive constituents of production and consumption. As a consequence of energy use CO2 emission increased in 1995. In spite of emission reductions realised, quality standards are still being exceeded for several substances. The level of air pollution in the Netherlands is coupled to demonstrable health effects. In cities, health effects and hindrance are increasing as a consequence of cumulation of stress factors like noise, bad odours, local air pollution and lack of space. This scientific background documentation on the conclusions described in the Environmental Balance 96 is particularly geared to experts and readers with an interest in science.DGM/S