Pecologix Political Ecology Blotter » sustainability

Blu Homes: Prefabricated ‘Green’ Housing

A. Cherson — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:18 +0000

Our goal at Blu Homes is to save you time on being “green.” Through extensive research on materials and use of advance computer modeling and consultation with experts, we make sure that our products are healthy for you, your family and the natural world.We can ensure that your home achieves LEED certification, depending on the particular finishes, building systems, and site design that you choose. We can also work with Energy Star and local green rating systems.

Philosophy – Blu Homes

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Dam Yangtze?

A. Cherson — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:17:29 +0000

Last month, preparatory work began on the Xiaonanhai Dam, with more projects to follow. Within a few years, the Jinsha will slow to a sluggish pace and its temperature will drop as a series of large hydropower dams release cold bottom water from their reservoirs into the river. For species already threatened by the Three Gorges Dam downriver, ecologists say, the new dams will take away their last refuge. Last year, the central government solidified plans to increase China’s reliance on non-fossil fuel energy from the 2010 level of 8% to 15% of the energy mix by 2020. Nearly two-thirds of that target will come from hydropower—an increase on par with adding nearly one Three Gorges Dam a year. Ecologists say China’s hydropower push will threaten already-taxed ecosystems in the upper Yangtze.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.336.6079.288

Global changes in diets and the consequences for land requirements for food

A. Cherson — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:41:23 +0000

Provision of food is a prerequisite for the functioning of human society. Cropland where food and feed are grown is the central, limiting resource for food production. The amount of cropland needed depends on population numbers, average food consumption patterns, and output per unit of land. Around the globe, these factors show large differences. We use data from the Food and Agriculture Organization to consistently assess subcontinental dynamics of how much land was needed to supply the prevailing diets during a span of 46 y, from 1961 to 2007. We find that, in most regions, diets became richer while the land needed to feed one person decreased. A decomposition approach is used to quantify the contributions of the main drivers of cropland requirements for food: changes in population, agricultural technology, and diet. We compare the impact of these drivers for different subcontinents and find that potential land savings through yield increases were offset by a combination of population growth and dietary change. The dynamics of the three factors were the largest in developing regions and emerging economies. The results indicate an inverse relationship between the two main drivers behind increased land requirements for food: with socioeconomic development, population growth decreases and, at the same time, diets become richer. In many regions, dietary change may override population growth as major driver behind land requirements for food in the near future.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1117054109

Global Conservation Maps Offer a Bird’s Eye View of Degradation

A. Cherson — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 04:01:19 +0000

This set of interactive maps from The Nature Conservancy illustrates better than words some of the threats to environmental sustainability.

Global Conservation Maps

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Global Common Resources and the Just Distribution of Emission Shares: Some Alternative Views

A. Cherson — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:54:08 +0000

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9760.2012.00416.x

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Global Picture on Global FIsh Stocks: Capacity Needs to be Cut by 36-43%

A. Cherson — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:20:35 +0000

Many of the world’s fish stocks are depleted as a result of overexploitation, pollution and habitat loss. The 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) sets a target for fisheries to maintain or restore stocks to levels that can produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2015. We assessed the global stock status and found that 68% were at or above the MSY level in 2008 and that the 2015 target is unlikely to be met. We compiled data for eight indicators to evaluate the sustainability of fisheries and the gap to meet the WSSD target. These indicators show that the overall condition of global fisheries is declining, long-term benefits are being compromised, and pressures on fisheries are increasing despite fisheries policy and management actions being taken by coastal States. We develop a bio-economic model to estimate the costs and benefits of restoring overfished stocks. Our results show that the global fishing capacity needs to be cut by 36–43% from the 2008 level, resulting in the loss of employment of 12–15 million fishers and costing US$96–358 billion for buybacks. On the other hand, meeting the WSSD goal will increase annual fishery production by 16.5 million tonnes, annual rent by US$32 billion and improve biodiversity and functioning of marine ecosystems. However, progress towards rebuilding has been hindered by an unwillingness or inability to accept the short-term socio-economic consequences associated with rebuilding fisheries. Thus, there is a pressing need for integration of rebuilding plans into national political and economic decision-making.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2979.2012.00460.x