An Agent-based Collective Model to Simulate Peer Pressure Effect on Energy Consumption

This paper presents a novel model for simulating peer pressure effect on energy awareness and consumption of families. The model is built on two well-established theories of human behaviour to obtain realistic peer effect: the collective behaviour theory and the theory of cognitive dissonance. These theories are implemented in a collective agentbased model that produces fine-grained behaviour and consumption data based on social parameters. The model enables the application of different energy efficiency interventions which aim to obtain more aware occupants and achieve more energy saving. The presented experiments show that the implemented model reflects the human behaviour theories. They also provide examples of how the model can be used as an analytical tool to interpret the effect of energy interventions in the given social parameters and decide the optimal intervention needed in different cases

Landscape Dynamics in the Wildland-Urban Interface

Abstract The wildland-urban interface represents landscape change-changes brought about by urbanization, by shifts in forest management, and altered disturbance regimes, each having ecological, social, and economic ramifications. In this chapter, I will focus on some of the ecological ramifications associated with landscape change, primarily forest fragmentation and deforestation, resulting from urbanization. In particular, I will review forest fragmentation from a landscape and site perspective; examine the ecological aspects of edges, corridors, and roads; and discuss fragmentation in relation to human health issues as they pertain to the wildland-urban interface. Forest Fragmentation In 1967, Forest fragmentation and loss are landscape processes. A review of the fragmentation literature, however, reveals a set of terms-such as habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and habitat degradation-also being used to describe forest fragmentation. Following Forman (1995) conceptualized human modification of forested landscapes into five pro

Cycles of Demand and Distribution and Monetary Policy in the US Economy

The role of monetary policy on the cyclical behavior of the labor share and capacity utilization in the US economy is studied empirically. Previous estimation results remain robust; the inclusion of the rate of interest does not alter the underlying specification of the distributive demand regime. Next, the role of monetary policy on net borrowing flows for four institutional sectors are analyzed. Interest rate effects appear most important for households. Based on this finding, implications for countercyclical stabilization policy are spelled out. (author's abstract