Living with dams: managing the environmental impacts

Water Policy ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (S1) ◽  
pp. 121-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew McCartney

Dams, through disruption of physiochemical and biological processes, have water and associated environmental impacts that have far reaching social and economic consequences. The impact of each dam is unique. It depends not only on the dam structure and the attributes of local biota but also climatic and geomorphic conditions. Given the number of existing dams (over 45,000 large dams) and the large number that may be built in the near future, it is clear that humankind must live with the environmental and social consequences for many decades to come. This paper provides a review of the consequences for ecosystems and biodiversity resulting directly from the presence of dams on rivers, and of constraints and opportunities for environmental protection. It illustrates that a wide range of both technical and non-technical measures has been developed to ameliorate the negative impacts of dams. It argues that relatively few studies have been conducted to evaluate the success of these measures and that it is widely perceived that many interventions fail, either for technical reasons or as a consequence of a variety of socio-economic constraints. It discusses the constraints to successful implementation and mechanisms for promoting, funding and ensuring compliance. Finally, it contends that there is a need to improve environmental practices in the operation of both existing and new dams.

Author(s):  
Gary Sutlieff ◽  
Lucy Berthoud ◽  
Mark Stinchcombe

Abstract CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) threats are becoming more prevalent, as more entities gain access to modern weapons and industrial technologies and chemicals. This has produced a need for improvements to modelling, detection, and monitoring of these events. While there are currently no dedicated satellites for CBRN purposes, there are a wide range of possibilities for satellite data to contribute to this field, from atmospheric composition and chemical detection to cloud cover, land mapping, and surface property measurements. This study looks at currently available satellite data, including meteorological data such as wind and cloud profiles, surface properties like temperature and humidity, chemical detection, and sounding. Results of this survey revealed several gaps in the available data, particularly concerning biological and radiological detection. The results also suggest that publicly available satellite data largely does not meet the requirements of spatial resolution, coverage, and latency that CBRN detection requires, outside of providing terrain use and building height data for constructing models. Lastly, the study evaluates upcoming instruments, platforms, and satellite technologies to gauge the impact these developments will have in the near future. Improvements in spatial and temporal resolution as well as latency are already becoming possible, and new instruments will fill in the gaps in detection by imaging a wider range of chemicals and other agents and by collecting new data types. This study shows that with developments coming within the next decade, satellites should begin to provide valuable augmentations to CBRN event detection and monitoring. Article Highlights There is a wide range of existing satellite data in fields that are of interest to CBRN detection and monitoring. The data is mostly of insufficient quality (resolution or latency) for the demanding requirements of CBRN modelling for incident control. Future technologies and platforms will improve resolution and latency, making satellite data more viable in the CBRN management field


2002 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
pp. 475-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHARLES KELLY

The linkages between disaster and environmental damage are recognized as important to predicting, preventing and mitigating the impact of disasters. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures are well developed for non-ndisaster situations. However, they are conceptually and operationally inappropriate for use in disaster conditions, particularly in the first 120 days after the disaster has begun. The paper provides a conceptual overview of the requirements for an environmental impact assessment procedure appropriate for disaster conditions. These requirements are captured in guidelines for a Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (REA) for use in disasters. The REA guides the collection and assessment of a wide range of factors which can indicate: (1) the negative impacts of a disaster on the environment, (2) the impacts of environmental conditions on the magnitude of a disaster and, (3) the positive or negative impacts of relief efforts on environmental conditions. The REA also provides a foundation for recovery program EIAs, thus improving the overall post disaster recovery process. The REA is designed primarily for relief cadres, but is also expected to be usable as an assessment tool with disaster victims. The paper discusses the field testing of the REA under actual disaster conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abubakar R ◽  
Zubairu HD ◽  
Yohanna S

Infertility could be a life crisis with a wide range of socio-cultural and emotional problems. These social consequences are usually not voluntarily disclosed by the affected women and consequently do not receive adequate attention so the women continue to suffer in silence. The study aimed to determine the impact of family social support on psychological well-being of infertile women attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital (YDMH), Kaduna. The study was a cross sectional study conducted at the YDMH, T/Wada, Kaduna. Two hundred and fifty-four women who presented to the gynecology clinic during the study period and consented to participate in the study were recruited consecutively. Data on socio-demographics and family social support were determined using a self-structured questionnaire. Psychological wellbeing was assessed using a General Health Questioner. Data was analyzed using EPI-INFO statistical package. Majority of the participants were Northerners (70.1%), Muslims (91.7%), and Unemployed (52.8%) with an average monthly income of less than N 20,000 (73.6%). Most were within the age group of 25–30 years (40.2%) and from monogamous families (70.1%) with most families having 0–5 children (89.4%). 67.7% of the participants had adequate social support from their husbands as against 32.3% who had inadequate support (such as availability of financial, support encouragement, concern and sense of social belonging). Only 33.5% had adequate social support from their in-laws while majority of them (66.5%) had inadequate social support. A total of 203 (79.9%) of the participants had psychological distress (self-administered questioner) while 51 (20.1%) had no psychological distress. Husbands and in-laws support were significantly related to psychological wellbeing of the infertile women. Adequate social support provided by family members reduces stress, improves psychological wellbeing and quality of life of infertile women.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
JORGE ROJAS HERNÁNDEZ

Abstract For globalized local worlds undergoing transformation, territorial interventions are increasingly producing larger social and environmental impacts. Macro-interventions profoundly alter the functioning of ecosystems and human habitats or communities, becoming inclusive in extreme situations of exploitation or extraction, risking their very existence. Therefore it is necessary to develop a system or Social Baseline that clearly establishes the philosophical bases, restrictions and criteria that regulate and curb the negative impacts of such interventions. This implies defining methods for citizen participation. This article focuses on defining a basic framework with criteria and indicators that regulate the impact of macro-interventions - of different natures - on human territories and communities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
E. S. Apata ◽  
O. E. Fashina ◽  
G. A. Adeleke ◽  
B. G. Otaki ◽  
K. O. Adeyemi ◽  
...  

Coronavirus had been in existence for many years, but its effects has not been so evident as the whole world experienced recently. It represents an unprecedented emergency and grave societal threat. The better way to cure the emergence disease is by protecting public health. However, governments, policy makers and the international community must quickly need to act, recognize and attempt to mitigate the negative impacts (current and potential) of the pandemic and related response efforts on key sectors that contribute to food security, nutrition and livelihoods. The livestock sector is a key contributor to these areas, especially for the world's most vulnerable populations. In the light of recent challenges in food supply chain, there is now considerable concern about the food production, processing, distribution, and demand. COVID-19 resulted in the movement restrictions of workers, changes in demand of consumers, closure of food production facilities, restricted food trade policies and financial pressures in food supply chain. The effects of COVID-19 on the livestock sector are still largely unquantified and yet to be fully felt. Formal assessments have not yet been possible, but current observations reveal disruptions to livestock value chains. Lessons from past epidemics indicate these disruptions are likely to grow, along with their dire, socio- economic consequences. Moreover, considering the doubt on how these factors will play out in various areas affected especially meat processing and distribution in the years to come from the bulk of discussion in this review.     Le coronavirus existait depuis de nombreuses années, mais ses effets n'ont pas été aussi évidents que le monde entier l'a récemment expérimenté. Cela représente une urgence sans précédent et une grave menace pour la société. La meilleure façon de guérir la maladie émergente est de protéger la santé publique. Cependant, les gouvernements, les décideurs et la communauté internationale doivent rapidement agir, reconnaître et tenter d'atténuer les impacts négatifs (actuels et potentiels) de la pandémie et des efforts de riposte connexes sur les secteurs clés qui contribuent à la sécurité alimentaire, à la nutrition et aux moyens de subsistance. Le secteur de l'élevage est un contributeur clé dans ces domaines, en particulier pour les populations les plus vulnérables du monde. À la lumière des défis récents de la chaîne d'approvisionnement alimentaire, la production, la transformation, la distribution et la demande des aliments suscitent désormais des i nquiétudes considérables. Le COVID-19 a entraîné des restrictions de mouvement des travailleurs, des changements dans la demande des consommateurs, la fermeture des installations de production alimentaire, des politiques commerciales restreintes et des pressions financières dans la chaîne d'approvisionnement alimentaire. Les effets du COVID-19 sur le secteur du bétail sont encore largement non quantifiés et ne sont pas encore pleinement ressentis. Les évaluations formelles n'ont pas encore été possibles, mais les observations actuelles révèlent des perturbations dans les chaînes de valeur de l'élevage. Les leçons des épidémies passées indiquent que ces perturbations sont susceptibles de se développer, ainsi que leurs conséquences socio- économiques désastreuses. De plus, la prise en compte du doute sur la manière dont ces facteurs joueront dans divers domaines touchés, en particulier la transformation et la distribution de la viande dans les années à venir, constitue l'essentiel de la discussion dans cette revue.


Author(s):  
V. I. Grishin ◽  
D. V. Domashchenko ◽  
L. V. Konstantinova ◽  
A. P. Koshkin ◽  
E. V. Ustyuzhanina ◽  
...  

The article was written at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, when unprecedented restrictive measures were taken regarding the activities of a large proportion of economic actors to ensure a regime of self-isolation and social distance. The article attempts, on the basis of a synthesis of expert and analytical materials published during the pandemic in various information sources and the results of sociological studies assessing its real socio-economic consequences, to provide forecasts for the near and distant prospects, taking into account various parameters of an economic and social nature. The impact of the pandemic on macroeconomic indicators, the situation on the labor market, the dynamics of income of the population was considered. The social consequences of the pandemic are analysed separately, in particular in the field of health care, education, social support, social and labour relations, as well as the peculiarities of the relationship between power and society. The Russian economy is facing a recession corresponding to the long-term recession of the world economy. According to the authors, the scale and social consequences of this recession can be reduced for Russia. The formation of an anti-crisis fund to support economic sectors and citizens against the background of the coronavirus situation should lead at all levels of government to the adoption of constructive management decisions and the effective use of each ruble.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Webster ◽  
Sangeeta Khorana ◽  
Francesco Pastore

PurposeThe choice of Southern Europe is partly based on the observation that the sample includes a number of countries whose economies faced more severe difficulties than elsewhere in Europe. Economically they were less able to absorb the economic shock posed by COVID-19. It is also partly based on the characteristics of the pandemic. A number of countries in the sample were amongst the earliest in Europe to be hit by the pandemic and a several were harder hit in terms of both morbidity and mortality.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses evidence from World Bank enterprise surveys of a sample of firms from six countries in Southern Europe. It examines the early evidence of the effects of COVID-19 on labour markets. The economic consequences potentially cover a wide range of issues. The focus of this study is on firm level evidence of the effect on labour. The evidence and the analysis are provided at a time when the pandemic is still in progress. The authors use both traditional regression analysis and IPWRA to assess the joint effect of loans versus government support on, firstly, the change in sales revenues and, secondly, the number of weeks that the firm would expect to survive with no sales revenues.FindingsThe study suggests that, despite efforts to support firms and hoard labour, there is a prospect of a significant number of firm closures with a consequent loss of employment. Temporary firm closures also represent a substantial loss of labour weeks. These are partly related to a significant number of workers subject to furloughs. The empirical findings suggest that COVID-19 cases and deaths have directly affected firm sales but government containment measures, particularly closures, have more strongly affected firms. Losses of sales were unsurprisingly related to losses of employment. Remote working has contributed to sustaining employment but online business has not affected most sectors.Research limitations/implicationsThe future progress of COVID-19 and government containment measures is uncertain, and the full economic consequences will probably continue to emerge after the end of the pandemic. The full extent of the impact on labour will probably not be the first of these. There are obvious advantages in seeking to learn lessons from the early stages of the pandemic but there are also obvious constraints. The full economic consequences will take longer to emerge than the pandemic itself and the full consequences for employment will take longer to be evident than many other economic effects.Practical implicationsBoth temporary closures and furloughs impose costs that will be borne by firms, workers and government. The effects of COVID-19 on firms differ across sectors. Adverse effects tend to be higher in hospitality, non-essential retail and travel. That many firms lack the capacity to survive further temporary closures of a similar duration to those in the earlier stages emphasises that the support provided in the near future is of critical importance to control employment losses through permanent firm closures. A long-term perspective suggests neither permanent closure nor laying off workers may be the best response to a temporary crisis in demand. A stakeholder model of the firm would often suggest that it is not an optimal for the point of view of workers or the wider economy either. Both imply a preference for labour hoarding.Social implicationsThe most affected are sectors with a high proportion of female workers and, in consequence, most of the countries in the sample exhibit an early decline of the already lower than average share of women in employment.Originality/valueThe data used have been recently released and this is the first analysis using the data to look at the consequence on firms employment decisions during the Pandemic. The case of Southern Europe is much understudied, though one of the most dramatic as to the consequences of the pandemic. From a methodological point of view, the authors use not only traditional regression analysis, but also the matching approach to identify the effect of different policy options on labour demand by firms.


Author(s):  
Anik Hanifatul Azizah

[Id]Berkembangnya penggunaan mesin e-voting dan meningkatnya penerapan pemilu dalam jaringan (daring) mengindikasikan bahwa masyarakat percaya akan performansi teknologi informasi dalam meningkatkan proses pemilu. Kesuksesan implementasi teknologi informasi mutlak dibutuhkan, Sebagai dukungan kesuksesan tersebut diperlukan analisis yang mendalam. Sebelum mengimplementasikan teknologi e-voting, pemerintah perlu mengetahui tingkat kesediaan (willingness) masyarakat untuk menggunakan teknologi baru. Tingkatan tertentu bahwa ekspektasi seseorang dapat terpenuhi dengan baik adalah definisi dari kepercayaan (trust). Kepercayaan masyarakat teridentifikasi sebagai faktor utama untuk mempengaruhi niat/ kemauan masyarakat menggunakan sebuah teknologi. Penelitian ini menganalisis pengaruh dari faktor kepercayaan terhadap niat untuk menggunakan e-voting. Penelitian ini mengusulkan sebuah model yang menggambarkan niat masyarakat untuk menggunakan e-voting (Intention to use) dengan mengidentifikasi kepercayaan masyarakat terhadap teknologi (trust of technology). Trust dibagi menjadi beberapa faktor yang lebih spesifik. Kuisioner kertas disebarkan kepada 370 masyarakat negara Indonesia dan 346 di antaranya valid. Kuisioner disebarkan secara langsung oleh surveyor kepada masyarakat yang telah memiliki hak pilih dan disebar secara merata kepada golongan umur yang bervariasi, serta tingkat Pendidikan maupun profesi yang beragam. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa semakin tinggi Trust of Technology (TOT) dapat meningkatkan niat masyarakat untuk menggunakan e-voting (Intention to Use E-voting - ITU). Ditemukan juga beberapa faktor dapat mempengaruhi pengaruh positif terhadap kepercayaan masyarakat terhadap teknologi. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pemerintah diharapkan untuk memperhatikan fakto-faktor yang mempengaruhi kepercayaan masyarakat yang berujung niat dan kemauan masyarakat untuk menggunakan e-voting sebelum menerapkan e-voting tersebut.Kata Kunci: Kepercayaan, Keinginan, Keamanan, Validitas, Pemilu.[En]Increasing adoption of the electronic voting machine and rising pilot testing of internet voting suggests people believe that ICT can improve the electoral process. Since every new technology adoption needs to achieve successful implementation, deeper analysis on several sides was needed to support it. Before implementing a particular e-voting technology, the government needs to know the level of citizen willingness to adopt those new technologies. The expectancy that promise of an individual or group can be relied upon is defined as trust. The citizen trust can be identified by certain factors that lead to intention to use actual system. This study analyzes the impact of trustworthiness on citizen intention to use e-voting system in a developing country. The research proposes a model of e-voting adoption intention by investigating citizen trustworthiness from trust of technology (TOT). The trust was expanded to more specific unique factors. Offline questionnaires were spreaded to 370 respondents and 346 of them were valid. Questionnaires were distributed directly by surveyors to people who have the right to vote and distributed equally for a wide range of ages, as well as varying levels of education and professions. The results indicate that higher TOT increase citizen intention to use e-voting, and also several key determinants have positive influence on the citizen trust. This result suggested that government should first comply with several factors in citizen trustworthiness before conducting an e-voting system.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Maestripieri

Covid-19 has been a disrupting event in contemporary social life but is far from being a great equaliser. Preliminary studies have put in evidence how different social groups faced a differentiated risk of contagion and coped differently with the various consequences of the emergency. Evidence shows how minorities and migrants face disproportionally higher risks of contagion than the white upper and middle class, and how vulnerable communities are more exposed to deaths and the rapid spread of the virus. At the same time, societies are coping with social distancing measures and their disruptive social and economic consequences, which have a more significant impact on the most vulnerable segments of societies: women, children, low-income classes and ethnic minorities. This article argues that an intersectional framework allows an understanding of what is occurring in the current pandemic, both in terms of its social determinants and social consequences. To open the black box of inequality, intersectional scholars analyze the intersections of multiple structures of inequalities (such as gender, age, class, ethnicity), which have a multiplying effect when disadvantaged positions intersect in the same individual. Covid-19 is a clear example of an intersectional phenomenon: the impact of individual and community exposure to Covid-19 is the results of multiple and interrelating structures of inequality. Up to now, research in social sciences has underestimated the role of intersectionality in analyzing the social and economic consequences of this pandemic.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe Belshaw ◽  
Lucy Asher ◽  
Rachel Dean

Abstract Background There is a growing awareness that caring for a chronically ill pet may have a detrimental impact on their owner’s quality of life. Companion animal orthopaedic disease has received little research interest in this context. Canine osteoarthritis is known to negatively affect the welfare of many dogs in the United Kingdom, but its consequences for their owners has not previously been described. The aim of this study was to use a qualitative methodology to explore the impacts on a dog owner that occur following their dog’s diagnosis with osteoarthritis. Owners of osteoarthritic dogs based in the United Kingdom (UK) were recruited through veterinary practices to participate in semi-structured interview about life with their dog. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was used to construct key themes. This publication describes the theme that focused on the impact(s) that the dog’s condition had had on the life of their owner.Results Forty owners of 35 dogs of a range of breeds and ages were interviewed. A wide range of negative impacts on the physical, mental and financial health of owners were described. Owners detailed increasing worry over time about their pet’s condition, frequently combined with a growing need to physically assist their dog, as osteoarthritis severity increased. Their dog’s reduced mobility and need for medications progressively limited their own lifestyles and ability to have time away from their pet. Owners typically described a strong bond with their dog as a motivator to provide ongoing care.Conclusions The impacts on owners of caring for an osteoarthritic dog appear multi-faceted and may be sustained over multiple years. Veterinary surgeons may be unaware of the challenges faced these owners. The negative consequences for owners of arthritic dogs may be buffered by access to quality information about their pet’s condition, and improved support from both veterinary surgeons and other owners, enabling them to provide the best possible care.


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