Green Criminology Before ‘Green Criminology’: Amnesia and Absences

Although the first published use of the term ‘green criminology’ seems to have been made by Lynch (Green criminology. Aldershot, Hampshire, 1990/2006), elements of the analysis and critique represented by the term were established well before this date. There is much criminological engagement with, and analysis of, environmental crime and harm that occurred prior to 1990 that deserves acknowledgement. In this article, we try to illuminate some of the antecedents of green criminology. Proceeding in this way allows us to learn from ‘absences’, i.e. knowledge that existed but has been forgotten. We conclude by referring to green criminology not as an exclusionary label or barrier but as a symbol that guides and inspires the direction of research

Meta-analysis of nature conservation values in Asia & Oceania: Data heterogeneity and benefit transfer issues

We conduct a meta-analysis (MA) of around 100 studies valuing nature conservation in Asia and Oceania. Dividing our dataset into two levels of heterogeneity in terms of good characteristics (endangered species vs. nature conservation more generally) and valuation methods, we show that the degree of regularity and conformity with theory and empirical expectations is higher for the more homogenous dataset of contingent valuation of endangered species. For example, we find that willingness to pay (WTP) for preservation of mammals tends to be higher than other species and that WTP for species preservation increases with income. Increasing the degree of heterogeneity in the valuation data, however, preserves much of the regularity, and the explanatory power of some of our models is in the range of other MA studies of goods typically assumed to be more homogenous (such as water quality). Subjecting our best MA models to a simple test forecasting values for out-of-sample observations, shows median (mean) forecasting errors of 24 (46) percent for endangered species and 46 (89) percent for nature conservation more generally, approaching levels that may be acceptable in benefit transfer for policy use. We recommend that the most prudent MA practice is to control for heterogeneity in regressions and sensitivity analysis, rather than to limit datasets by non-transparent criteria to a level of heterogeneity deemed acceptable to the individual analyst. However, the trade-off will always be present and the issue of acceptable level of heterogeneity in MA is far from settle

Ecologically sustainable development and the better cities program

As part of the appraisal of the Building Better Cities Program, the Commonwealth conducted a multipurpose and retrospective evaluation of the 26 project program, including its contribution to the achievement of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). The program included projects as diverse as urban consolidation, public transport, waste treatment, housing and inner urban redevelopment. This article reports the results of that evaluation. The article defines substantive and decision-making process criteria for ESD evaluation, based largely on the National Strategy for ESD, and applies them to each of the projects. Some of the projects contribute directly to ESD objectives for example to achieve energy use efficiency through encouraging public transport and increasing urban densities or to reduce environmental pollution by better waste management. No project was judged to be negative in an ESD sense although for many of the projects the links between expected project outcomes and ESD are much more tenuous, such as “improving the quality of life”, “improving urban amenity” or enhancing the “sense of community”. All projects made a commitment to improved integration between planning agencies involved in urban management and to involving the community which are important ESD objectives

Assessing the likelihood of mine site revegetation success: A Queensland case study

Mining companies operating in Queensland have a statutory obligation to rehabilitate mined land. The long-term sustainability and success of the rehabilitation is currently assessed through completion criteria, based on comparisons between rehabilitation and ecological 'reference' sites. A copper mine in northwest Queensland was studied in 2002-2003 to examine the difficulties with this comparative approach arising from the differences in ecological, mining and regulatory timeframes. Operation of the mine commenced in 1994 and is expected to cease in 2007. The study provides an overview of revegetation progression at the mine and examines the likelihood of the revegetation satisfying completion criteria. The seven-year old rehabilitated sites and two 'reference' sites were examined using Landscape Function Analysis, assessment of vegetation parameters and application of the 'vital attributes' model of succession. These studies were used to assess the current status of revegetation, the value of 'reference' comparisons and to predict likely successional trajectories. The study showed revegetation has not yet satisfied the completion criteria, which is unsurprising considering the relatively short time passed since the commencement of mining and revegetation work. The study examines the issue of successfully revegetating mined land in a semi-arid to arid zone of Queensland within the current legal framework

Socio-economic impacts of climate change: potential for decision- making in Redcliffe, Queensland

A preliminary assessment is made of problems associated with potential sea-level rises in the coastal community of Redcliffe (Queensland, Australia), including: The nature of the risk to specific areas; The land use and infrastructure at risk; Economic, social and managerial consequences of the various hazard dimensions. These dimensions are evaluated against the perceptions and envisaged responses of the community to a hazard of low imaginability in a technologically advanced society. The paper reports on the level of awareness in a stratified sample of the local population, and a Delphi type survey among a group of key community representatives and decision-makers. The main results discuss the perceptions of decision makers as to their responsibilities for adjustment to the hazard, the relationships between expected impacts and planning horizons, and different evaluations of impacts by sectional community interests. -from Author

How China is adopting market mechanisms to foster soil and water conservation

Soil erosion is a major environmental concern in China; it not only causes significant environmental damage, but also undermines the national economy. In the last half century, a series of soil conservation policies has been employed to combat soil erosion. During the period of the planned economy, government mobilization of a massive labour force to build soil conservation engineering works and plant trees in degraded land was a primary strategy to control soil erosion, while in the present era economic incentives like the Household Contracting Watershed (HCW) scheme have been introduced to encourage farmers to implement soil conservation. The market-oriented economic regime views this approach to be more effective. Nevertheless, an increase in government investment in soil conservation is playing a significant role in areas where soil erosion is most severe. Also in recent years, soil conservation laws and regulations have been introduced to deal with soil erosion generated by massive and rapid urbanization in China. Because of a history of state ownership of land, it is easier in China than in market economies to require farmers to control soil erosion, particularly as they are being given property rights at the same time

A flexible and practical framework for reporting on ecologically sustainable development for wild capture fisheries

The principles of sustainable development (or ecologically sustainable development as it is known in Australia) are now accepted as the foundation for natural resource management worldwide and there are increasing community expectations that they will be implemented explicitly. Previous attempts to assess sustainable development for fisheries have mostly failed because the methods have been too restrictive, often attempting to develop a single set of indicators. In 2000, all the fishery agencies and major stakeholder groups in Australia supported the development of a National ESD Framework. This initiative resulted in a practical system being generated through the results of a series of case studies and stakeholder workshops. The Australian National ESD Framework divides ESD into eight major components within the three main categories of ecological well-being, human well-being and ability to contribute: Four main steps are used to complete an ESD report for a fishery: (1) identify relevant issues, (2) prioritise these using risk assessment, (3) complete appropriately detailed reports on each issue and (4) compile the material into a report. The tools to assist this process are now available and have been used to generate reports for many Australian fisheries. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved