scholarly journals A Community-Based Vulnerability Assessment of Terrestrial Flooding in the South Oropouche River Basin After Tropical Storm Bret

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Don Charles
Keyword(s):  
Trinidad And Tobago ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Vulnerability Assessment ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Extreme Weather ◽  
Tropical Storm ◽  
The South ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

The year 2017 had a very active season for hurricanes and extreme weather conditions. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria did damage to several Caribbean islands. Even Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), a country which rarely experiences extreme weather conditions, was affected by Tropical Storm Bret. Tropical Storm Bret caused flooding in T&T, especially in the low lying South Oropouche River Basin.There is a dearth of research conducted in T&T about the impact of extreme weather conditions and flooding on communities and families. Thus, this study sought to conduct a community base vulnerability assessment (CBVA) of the impact of the Tropical Storm Bret induced flooding upon the residents of the South Oropouche River Basin.Primary data was collected via semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to conduct the CBVA. Furthermore, this study introduced a Modal Community Based Vulnerability Assessment Index (MCBVAI) to help determine which factors the residents South Oropouche River Basin are most vulnerable to.This study found that the most vulnerable residents were vulnerable largely to their building of structures at locations unsuitable for housing. Moreover, the most vulnerable residents also built structures that were not resilient to flooding and was elevated less than 4 feet (ft) off the ground. The appropriate policy response for the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) would be to i) establish building codes, ii) develop a comprehensive spatial planning strategy which prohibits people from building structures in unsuitable areas, and iii) implement disaster risk reduction programmes which focus on improving pre-event disaster preparedness, improving the national and local response, and promoting educational awareness.

The impact of extreme weather on mass-participation sporting events

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-109
Author(s):  
Julia Kathryn Giddy
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Extreme Weather ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Sporting Events ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sport Events ◽  
Mass Participation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of extreme weather on tourism events through the perceptions of participants, using the case of the 2017 Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT). Design/methodology/approach This study utilized a survey method to collect data. Questionnaires were distributed online to would-be participants in the cancelled 2017 CTCT. The questionnaire included both fixed-response and open-ended questions. Findings The results show that participants experienced mixed emotions to event cancellation. Most felt that the weather conditions warranted cancellation, but some concerns emerged as to how the cancellation was managed. In addition, many felt that the organization of the race needs to be rethought due to numerous negative weather experiences in recent years. Research limitations/implications The findings in this study are exploratory. They focus on a single event in one city. However, they provide important initial insight into how sporting event participants react to the negative impacts of extreme weather. Practical implications These results have important management implications in addressing the impact of weather on the events sector. They are significant in understanding best practice with regard to managing participants in the case of weather impacts on an event. They also demonstrate interesting results with regard to participant loyalty among active sport events tourists. Originality/value The originality of this study is in its extension of the broad discussion of the impact of extreme weather and climate change on tourism to the events sector. The implications of changing weather and climatic patterns on events, particularly mass-participation sporting events, are clear and need to be considered in order to effectively manage future impacts on this important economic sector. This is done by providing insight into how participants respond to these types of circumstances.

scholarly journals The influence of Calvinism on the South African Council of Churches

2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.G.J. Meiring
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
The South ◽  
South African Council ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Future ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Prophetic Witness

The impact of Calvinist theology and of reformed leadership on the South African Council of Churches (SACC) is vast. After a brief history of the SACC, the author notes the contribution that a number of reformed and presbyterian clergy and theologians have made – as presidents, general secretaries or as theo- logians who helped develop the SACC’s message. At least five principles that Calvin held dear, are reflected in the SACC’s agenda during the past decades: the quest for unity, the con- cern for mission, covenanting for justice, providing a prophetic witness in the community, and when the need arose, the willingness to confront the government of the day. The article concludes with a brief look at the future of the SACC and of the continued input that reformed theologians may be able to make.

Professor John Dugard: A South African Perspective

2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 955-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAX DU PLESSIS
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
South African ◽  
The South ◽  
International Court Of Justice ◽  
Human Rights Abuses ◽  
International Court ◽  
The Government ◽  
South African Constitution ◽  
The Impact

This article considers the work of John Dugard in the field of human rights and international law and the impact thereof on the South African legal landscape. After tracing the importance of Dugard's early work in South Africa in the fields of legal philosophy, human rights, and international law, the article turns to consider the later achievements in Dugard's prestigious career. The author highlights the numerous cases in which Dugard appeared as counsel before the South African courts, and considers the impact that Dugard had on the drafting of the South African Constitution in relation to international law and its use in interpreting the South African Bill of Rights. The final section of the article considers the shameful failure of the South African government to support Dugard in his bid to be appointed as a judge of the International Court of Justice. The author concludes that notwithstanding the fact that the government has not accorded him the recognition he deserves, Dugard's pioneering human rights work continues unabated in his various positions, including in his role as the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights abuses in occupied Palestine.

scholarly journals Evaluating Nature-Based Solution for Flood Reduction in Spercheios River Basin under Current and Future Climate Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3885
Author(s):  
Christos Spyrou ◽  
Michael Loupis ◽  
Νikos Charizopoulos ◽  
Ilektra Apostolidou ◽  
Angeliki Mentzafou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
The Impact

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are being deployed around the world in order to address hydrometeorological hazards, including flooding, droughts, landslides and many others. The term refers to techniques inspired, supported and copied from nature, avoiding large constructions and other harmful interventions. In this work the development and evaluation of an NBS applied to the Spercheios river basin in Central Greece is presented. The river is susceptible to heavy rainfall and bank overflow, therefore the intervention selected is a natural water retention measure that aims to moderate the impact of flooding and drought in the area. After the deployment of the NBS, we examine the benefits under current and future climate conditions, using various climate change scenarios. Even though the NBS deployed is small compared to the rest of the river, its presence leads to a decrease in the maximum depth of flooding, maximum velocity and smaller flooded areas. Regarding the subsurface/groundwater storage under current and future climate change and weather conditions, the NBS construction seems to favor long-term groundwater recharge.

scholarly journals The impact of decisions to outsource the internal audit function in South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmarie Papageorgiou ◽  
Nirupa Padia ◽  
Yaeesh Yasseen
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Shareholder Wealth ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
The South ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
Government Sector ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Organisations are constantly striving to maximise shareholder wealth by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of operations. Since the early 1980s, there has been an emerging trend to outsource functions considered to be non-core. These trends have now moved into the internal audit sphere, a function that was previously maintained in-house. Using survey data collected from organisations in the South African private and public sectors, the degree of internal audit outsourcing, the rationale behind organisations’ outsourcing decisions, the types of internal audit services provider, the perceived status of in-house internal auditing and perceptions of independence of outsourced internal audit functions were determined. It was noteworthy that no significant differences were observed between sectors with regard to interaction with external auditors and threats to independence. The biggest difference appears to be that private companies chose a “Big 4” accounting firm more often than the government sector did. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge and bridges the gap between theory and practice by highlighting the impact that the decision to outsource has had on the South African internal audit function.

scholarly journals Investment appraisal and risk assessment of protected vegetable cultivation under Leyte conditions

2017 ◽  
pp. 174-193
Author(s):  
Therese Ratilla ◽  
Moises Neil Seriño
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Extreme Weather ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Strong Wind ◽  
Investment Appraisal ◽  
Protected Cultivation ◽  
The Government

Protected cropping technology has been introduced to address the inability of farmers to achieve a successful year-round vegetable production. However, small scale farmers are reluctant to adopt this technology due to huge investment costs and the risk associated with extreme weather conditions. Hence, this study was conducted in some parts of Leyte, to evaluate the profitability and assess the risk of protected and open-field cultivation during the occurrence of extreme weather conditions such as tropical cyclones and strong wind phenomena. Results show that protected cultivation generates higher yields compared to open field cultivation. In Baybay site, investment on steel-type high-strength-tunnel covered with polyethylene plastic is the most viable option as it attained the highest net present values (NPVs), benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) and internal rate of return (IRRs). It also has the earliest payback period across different climatic scenarios. At the Cabintan site, the low-tunnel-structure is the most viable when a high-end market is established. This implies that market outlet is one of the critical factors affecting profitability and pricing. Given the potential of protected cultivation in minimizing crop failures, it is recommended that the government and private sector shall extend financial and technical assistance to farmers. Investors shall be covered with crop and structure insurances as risk of crop failures and loss of capital is high during inclement weather conditions.

scholarly journals The Impact of Using Code Alternation in Teaching Life Science to English First Additional Language learners in South African Schools

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Mzamani Johannes Maluleke ◽  
Ernest Kwesi Klu ◽  
Vincent N. Demana
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
The South ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Code Mixing ◽  
Teaching Life ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

The study aimed at investigating the extent to which English is used as a medium of teaching and learning Life Sciences in a South African rural high school. As the government has given recognition to the country’s multilingual, multi-ethnic and multicultural composition, School Governing Bodies are mandated to choose any of the eleven official languages as a medium of instruction (RSA, Act 108 of 1996), but the power of deciding which language to use as a medium of instruction has been taken by teachers to shield their own shortcomings. To be able to explore and understand the prevailing situation, the researchers employed a qualitative design which translated into researchers observing classes, evaluating learners’ written texts and interviewing the teachers as methods of collecting data. The findings are that: first, learners’ and teachers’ proficiency levels in English are very low, as such, the English language is not a pivot of learning and teaching in the South African education system. This emanates from the fact that although in theory the majority of the South African schools have adopted English as a medium of instruction, in practice, this is far from the truth as teachers employ code alternation in the form of code switching, code mixing and sentence translation as viable means of scaffolding the learning of content subjects.

scholarly journals Impact assessment wastewater discharge on water quality DTD canal Becej-Bogojevo

2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Pesic ◽  
Milena Becelic-Tomin ◽  
Bozo Dalmacija ◽  
Dejan Krcmar
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Impact Analysis ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
River Basin Management ◽  
Good Potential ◽  
The Impact

Pressure and impact analysis requires information on the main drivers and changes in conditions. In order to analyze such pressures and impacts, each river basin requires: an analysis of its characteristics, a review of the impact of human activity on the status of the surface water and an economic analysis of water use. Pressure and impact analysis plays a central role in the planning of river basin management. The quality of the stream at any point depends on several major factors: lithology of the basin, weather conditions, climate, and human impacts. Most of the polluters are located in the big cities next to canal DTD Becej-Bogojevo canal (Odzaci,Vrbas, Srbobran, Becej). Per year, 2900000 m3 of wastewater was discharged into the Becej-Bogojevo section of the DTD canal: 1,4 tCOD, 0,8 0tBOD, 260 kg of nitrogen, 19 kg of phosphorus and 282 kg of suspended solids. Of the total volume of wastewater, 20% comes from industry and 80% from municipal wastewater. Most of the wastewaters from the studied polluters is discharged untreated or insufficiently treated (only primary treatment). This poor quality wastewater threatens the receipients into which its is discharged. Comparison of the wastewater quality results to the Decree on emission limits and deadlines for their achievement, shows that many polluters exceed the limits for all parameters (COD, BOD, nitrogen, phosphorus, suspended solids). On the basis of the physico-chemical analysis of the water from the DTD Becej-Bogojevo canal it can be concluded that the water quality is unsatisfactory. According to the national legislation, the water quality exceeds the values for good potential streams for most parameters at all sampling locatio dissolved oxygen, organic matter and nutrients). Thus, we can conclude that the water in the studied section of the DTD Becej-Bogojevo canal does not meet the criteria for "good ecological potential". The most vulnerable locations are downstream of the Vrbas and downstream of the Becej, while the best quality canal water is at the furthest upstream location (CS Bogojevo). Risk assessment based on monitoring results indicates that the water of the studied section of the DTD Becej-Bogojevo canal is probably at risk of failing to meet the objectives of the Water Framework Directive, as 33% of the analyzed parameters to calculate specific risk ratios were greater than 1, and thus fall into the category of pollutants medium risk. In order to achieve the quality (to achieve good status and good potential), there must be a response from industrial producers, which consists primarily of comprehensively understanding the problems and implementing measures to minimize the impact of these problems.

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