scholarly journals The Ecological Impact of Transportation Infrastructure

2020 ◽  
Vol 130 (629) ◽  
pp. 1173-1199
Author(s):  
Sam Asher ◽  
Teevrat Garg ◽  
Paul Novosad
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Transportation Infrastructure ◽  
Environmental Cost ◽  
Forest Loss ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Rural Roads ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Transportation Corridors ◽  
Zero Effect

Abstract There is a long-standing debate over whether new roads unavoidably lead to environmental damage, especially forest loss, but causal identification has been elusive. Using multiple causal identification strategies, we study the construction of new rural roads to over 100,000 villages and the upgrading of 10,000 kilometers of national highways in India. The new rural roads had precisely zero effect on local deforestation. In contrast, the highway upgrades caused substantial forest loss, which appears to be driven by increased timber demand along the transportation corridors. In terms of forests, last mile connectivity had a negligible environmental cost, while expansion of major corridors had important environmental impacts.

Raw milk collection in Ireland: insights into the challenges facing the industry

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seán O'Callaghan ◽  
Declan O. Connor ◽  
David Goulding
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Transportation Costs ◽  
Transportation Infrastructure ◽  
Environmental Cost ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Transportation Emissions

PurposeThis paper provides insights into national practices used to schedule, collect and manage the transportation infrastructure of raw milk by Irish processors.Design/methodology/approachA survey was designed and distributed to 14 processors, collecting details regarding suppliers, seasonality, costs per litre, planning, processing sites and emissions related to milk collection.FindingsIrish raw milk transportation costs €95 million per annum, with an average weighted cost of 1.1 cents per litre. Primary route clustering of suppliers is based on farm location. Typically, collections employ forty-eight-hour rotas. Just three of the processors reported transportation emissions data. A disjointed approach to the adoption of scheduling and transportation technology was revealed.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the broad scope of the survey covering financial, operational and environmental aspects of milk collection, it was challenging to find a single representative such as a transport manager who could be tasked with responding to the entire survey. Future research may consider a more focused interview-based approach with the various stakeholders to provide a more in-depth analysis.Practical implicationsProcessors can gain an improved understanding of diversified milk collection methods. The research supports policymakers in considering environmental issues related to milk transportation. Costs could be reduced if transportation was better managed collectively with benefits accruing to the industry, suppliers and wider rural community. Stakeholders will need to address aspects of responsibility concerning environmental issues going forward.Social implicationsIn this paper the authors recognise the environmental cost of milk collection. By improving the transportation infrastructure, this will have a positive impact on society in general.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the unique challenges and extends present knowledge in relation to milk collection; thus, this paves the way for new approaches to raw milk transportation.

scholarly journals Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Steel and Concrete Construction Frames: A Case Study of Two Residential Buildings in Iran

Buildings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Amir Oladazimi ◽  
Saeed Mansour ◽  
Seyed Abbas Hosseinijou
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Global Warming Potential ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Steel Frame ◽  
Complete Analysis ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Concrete Frame

Given the fact that during the recent years the majority of buildings in Iran have been constructed either on steel or concrete frames, it is essential to investigate the environmental impacts of materials used in such constructions. For this purpose, two multi-story residential buildings in Tehran with a similar function have been considered in this study. One building was constructed with a steel frame and the other was constructed with a concrete frame. Using the life cycle assessment tool, a complete analysis of all the stages of a building’s life cycle from raw material acquisition to demolition and recycling of wastes was carried out. In this research, the environmental impacts included global warming potential in 100 years, acidification, eutrophication potential, human toxicity (cancer and non-cancer effects), resource depletion (water and mineral), climate change, fossil fuel consumption, air acidification and biotoxicity. It could be concluded from the results that the total pollution of the concrete frame in all eleven aforementioned impact factors was almost 219,000 tonnes higher than that of the steel frame. Moreover, based on the results, the concrete frame had poorer performance in all but one impact factor. With respect to global warming potential, the findings indicated there were two types of organic and non-organic gases that had an impact on global warming. Among non-organic emissions, CO2 had the biggest contribution to global warming potential, while among organic emissions, methane was the top contributor. These findings suggest the use of steel frames in the building industry in Iran to prevent further environmental damage; however, in the future, more research studies in this area are needed to completely investigate all aspects of decision on the choice of building frames, including economic and social aspects.

Mired in deception: escalating an environmental disaster in Colombia

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orlando E. Contreras-Pacheco ◽  
Cyrlene Claasen
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Crisis Response ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Organizational Crisis ◽  
Environmental Disaster ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to analyze concealment and deception in self-defeating organizational crisis response strategies and the possible consequences of their adoption on a company’s reputation. It represents an example of where every guideline to address stakeholders after a crisis was dismissed. Design/methodology/approach This paper investigates a major environmental incident that took place in Colombia in 2013 and studies how the responsible company responded to the incident through the examination of company reports, media statements and national and international newspaper articles. Findings The analysis shows that in addition to environmental damage, the company’s reputation was affected by the way the company responded during this crisis. Research limitations/implications The outcomes highlight the importance of the manner in which a crisis response is managed, as these types of mistakes often aggravate reputational damage. Practical implications This paper is an invitation for companies to be quick, consistent and transparent with their responses when facing their stakeholders in moments of crisis. Not doing so may aggravate not only social but also economic and environmental impacts. Originality/value Contrary to other contributions on the subject, this study implies that a misleading crisis response, including concealment and deception, can be an even greater challenge to a company’s reputation than the crisis itself.

scholarly journals Toward understanding the ecological impact of transportation corridors

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria J. Bennett ◽  
Winston P. Smith ◽  
Matthew G. Betts
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Transportation Corridors

scholarly journals RESEARCH ON CONFIRMATION AND MEASUREMENT OF CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS-BASED ON GREEN ECONOMY

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xie Chunyu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Cost Management ◽  
Environmental Cost ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Development Mode ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Low Carbon Economy

Green economy can effectively solve the issue of environmental damage happened during economic development. Meanwhile, many countries have taken the development of green economy as an economic development mode, in which the protection of ecological and environmental, and the development of economic and social could be simultaneously realized. Since the deteriorating environmental situation has seriously affected the healthy development of human society, the environmental cost management should be incorporated into the enterprise cost management research as soon as possible. This paper mainly studies the theory of natural resources and environmental system in the enterprise cost management theory, discusses the enterprise environmental cost management, confirmation and measurement under low carbon economy, provides new ideas for improving the enterprise environmental cost theory and realizing the sustainable development of economy.

scholarly journals Socio-Ecological Impact of Unauthorized Gold Mining in West Dumoga, Bolaang Mongondow

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Tania Fahlensia Mokoagow
Keyword(s):  
State Government ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
North Sulawesi ◽  
The Government ◽  
Socio Economic Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Economic And Social Impacts

Unlicensed Gold Mining (Penambangan Emas Tanpa Izin – PETI) is a mining business undertaken by an individual, or a group of people, or a legal entity incorporated in its operation without licenses and government agencies in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. PETI activities that do not follow the correct mining rules, have resulted in environmental damage, waste of mineral resources, and mine accidents. Besides that, PETI not only causes the potential revenue to decrease, but also the state/government must spend enormous funds to repair environmental damage.This research takes place in West Dumoga, Bolaang Mongondow District, North Sulawesi Province which has several points which become the location of unlicensed gold mining (PETI). The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of environmental damage caused by gold mining. Besides, this research will trace the socio-economic impact caused that harm the surrounding community. In accordance with the objectives to be achieved, this research using descriptive qualitative research method. The data was collected by conducting direct observation at the research site by interviewing and distributing questionnaires, and tracking the related documents. The results of this study are expected to provide a comprehensive argument of the phenomenon of PETI in West Dumoga, Bolaang Mongondow District, North Sulawesi Province along with the ecological, economic and social impacts. Furthermore, the results of this study is expected to be a contribution of thought to the Government of Bolaang Mongondow District in policy making and solving problems of PETI. This research is also expected to be a source of reference for related parties and society in general.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis on environmental and economic performance of agricultural cooperatives and smallholder farmers: The case of grape production in Hebei, China

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245981
Author(s):  
Lei Deng ◽  
Lei Chen ◽  
Jingjie Zhao ◽  
Ruimei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Environmental Harm ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Agricultural Cooperatives

Agricultural modernization and intensification have been regarded as a significant way to support agricultural development and improve farm income in China. Agricultural cooperatives have played an important role in promoting the modernization and intensification of Chinese agricultural sector. Given the increasing concerns about environmental harm, however, it still remains unclear whether and the extent to which agricultural cooperatives contributes to reducing environmental impacts of agricultural production. Hence, this study performed an environmental evaluation using life cycle assessment for three different organization forms of grape production in Changli County, Hebei Province, China: smallholder farmers, farmer-owned cooperatives and investor-owned firm-led cooperatives. Then the results of life cycle assessment were monetarized and cost benefit analysis was used to evaluate the economic performance of these three organization forms of grape production. The results demonstrate that investor-owned firm-led cooperatives present an overall improvement in environmental and economic performance with the lowest weighted environmental index (integrating all impact categories into a single score), the highest net profit and the highest total net benefit. The results also show a difference in potential improvement in environmental impacts and economic returns between cooperatives and smallholder farmers. Additionally, the production and application of organic and chemical fertilizer and pesticide have been identified as major contributors to total environmental damage.

Forced migration, environmental change and woodfuel issues in the Senegal River Valley

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD BLACK ◽  
MOHAMED F. SESSAY
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Direct Measurement ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Senegal River ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
Policy Measures

There is increasing international concern about the environmental impacts of refugees on host areas, with governments calling for compensation for environmental damage, particularly concerning the loss of woodland resources as a result of demand for wood for fuel. In addition to an obvious increase in the population of host areas, concern about refugees' woodfuel-use centres on the notion that they are 'exceptional resource degraders'. Since they view their stay as temporary, it is argued, they therefore do not have any incentive to use resources in a way that is sustainable in the long term. This study examined refugee migration to the middle valley of the Senegal River, and compared woodfuel use by refugee and local populations. Drawing on a household survey and direct measurement of woodfuel use, little or no evidence is found to support the expectation that refugees use more wood for fuel than local people, or that they are more destructive in their collection or use of wood. This is important since it suggests that policy measures developed to reduce what is perceived as excess demand by refugees, notably through the introduction of fuel-efficient stoves, are unlikely to be successful. Reforestation schemes have been relatively unsuccessful in addressing supply or demand for wood.

The Impacts of Fires and Fire Operations on Environment

2010 ◽  
Vol 113-116 ◽  
pp. 434-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dian Bo Yang
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Fire Protection ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Fire Accidents ◽  
In Fire

The paper tries to expound environmental damage by fires and fire operations and thus draw more attention on environmental protection in fire protection. The environmental impacts are illustrated with many examples and concrete data. The article comes to the conclusion that: Fires result in not only casualties and economic loss but also permanent and unforeseeable environmental damage; People should try to enhance fire safety and cut down fire accidents while fire brigades should keep environmental protection in mind while fighting fires and choose environmentally friendly methods.

scholarly journals Environmental Impacts of Planned Capitals and Lessons for Indonesia’s New Capital

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 438
Author(s):  
Hoong Chen Teo ◽  
Alex Mark Lechner ◽  
Saut Sagala ◽  
Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Sustainable City ◽  
Forest Reserves ◽  
East Kalimantan ◽  
Nation States ◽  
Nighttime Lights

Indonesia’s new planned capital in East Kalimantan is being touted as a “smart, green, beautiful and sustainable city” but has stoked fears of massive environmental damage to the island of Borneo, one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots and carbon sinks. Precedents of other planned capitals can contribute to an understanding of the potential long-term impacts of Indonesia’s new capital. We used historical nighttime lights to quantitatively assess the spatial growth footprint of 12 previous planned capitals, and conducted land-use analyses to identify the potential environmental impacts on Borneo’s natural environment. Our assessment suggests that it is likely that the direct footprint of the new capital could grow rapidly, expanding over 10 km from its core in less than two decades and over 30 km before mid-century. We identified sensitive ecosystems which may be affected by the new capital’s direct and indirect footprint, such as forest reserves, mangrove and peat. Deforestation emissions from the new capital’s direct (30 km) and indirect (200 km) footprint could be approximately 50 MtCO2e and 2326 MtCO2e respectively, equivalent to 2.7% and 126% of Indonesia’s 2014 greenhouse gas emissions. We discuss how planned capitals can spatially restructure the socio-political geographies of cities and nation-states by interacting with meanings, symbolisms and power relations, which may aggravate environmental impacts but also be seized upon as a catalyst for improving environmental performance in Borneo and Indonesia. Finally, we recommend the use of best practices in impact assessment and sustainability as a necessary first step towards protecting Borneo.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document