China’s Eco-Dream and the Making of Invisibilities in Rural-Environmental Research

Author(s):  
Elizabeth Lord

This chapter starts from the premise that technologies of knowing the environment are molded by broader political and societal contexts. Just as “science” is never singular, but rather an ever-changing product of personal commitments, institutional struggles, and historical legacies, environmental research, data, and methods that are never dryly environmental. It focuses on the production of environmental knowledge as an explicitly political process, one that is in constant conversation with institutional, ideological, and economic forces. Examining environmental knowledge production is important because China's green dream reaches the population unevenly and builds on inequalities to realize itself. The chapter identifies key parameters that regulate rural-environmental research. These include pressures to prioritize economic growth over environmental protection, the commercialization of academia, governmental controls of what is considered acceptable or unacceptable research, as well as limitations on fieldwork access. The chapter also details how economic and political parameters bound environmental research in specific ways.

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 685-698
Author(s):  
J. J. Convery ◽  
J. F. Kreissl ◽  
A. D. Venosa ◽  
J. H. Bender ◽  
D. J. Lussier

Technology transfer is an important activity within the ll.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Specific technology transfer programs such as the activities of the Center for Environmental Research Information, the Innovative and Alternative Technology Program, as well as the Small Community Outreach Program are used to encourage the utilization of cost-effective municipal pollution control technology. Case studies of three technologies including a plant operations diagnostic/remediation methodology, alternative sewer technologies and ultraviolet disinfection are presented. These case studies are presented retrospectively in the context of a generalized concept of how technology flows from science to utilization which was developed in a study by Allen (1977). Additional insights from this study are presented on the information gathering characteristics of engineers and scientists which may be useful in designing technology transfer programs. The recognition of the need for a technology or a deficiency in current practice are important stimuli other than technology transfer for accelerating the utilization of new technology.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malin Song ◽  
Chenbin Zheng ◽  
Jiangquan Wang

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic is still raging, which calls for an exploration of how to prevent and control pandemics to promote sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of the digital economy in sustainable development, the relationship between the two, the impacts of the outbreak on economic and social development, and changes in China's digital economy.Design/methodology/approachThe study used the time-series data from 2002 to 2019 and an unconstrained VAR model to examine the relationship between the digital economy and sustainable development before the pandemic.FindingsChina's digital economy has promoted the country's sustainable economic and social development; it has advanced rapid economic growth, improved people's living standards, increased efficient utilization of resources, and strengthened environmental protection.Research limitations/implicationsAmid the pandemic, China's digital economy developed effectively; it showed strong resilience because of its unique advantages. The digital economy in China has helped the country to control the pandemic in a short period, reduced the risk of supply chain disruption, promoted China's economic growth, and ensured the orderly operation of society. Therefore, countries worldwide are encouraged to prioritize their digital economies.Originality/valueCompared with the extant literature, this study explores the sustainable supply chain in a broader sense in the context of a pandemic, and how the supply chain is influenced by the digital economy. It not only includes the stability, resilience, and viability of the supply chain in economic development but also involves aspects of people's life, resource utilization, and environmental protection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Ignjatijević ◽  
Anđelka Aničić ◽  
Jelena Vapa-Tankosić ◽  
Jelena Belokapić-Čavkunović

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Li ◽  
Tai-Yu Lin ◽  
Yung-ho Chiu ◽  
Huaming Chen ◽  
Hongyi Cen

Abstract Background: Rapid economic growth in China has resulted in a commensurate increase in energy consumption, which in turn has caused an increase in environmental pollution problems. Past research has mainly focused on energy and environmental efficiency analyses with little consideration of the influence of media influence on environmental protection. Further, most studies have used static models and have ignored the dynamic changes over time. Methods : To go some way to filling this research gap, this study developed a modified undesirable Dynamic DEA model that included air quality index (AQI) and CO2 indicators to explore the relationship between energy, the environment and media efficiency in 31 Chinese cities from 2013 to 2016. Results: It was found that: 1. Chongqing, Guangzhou, Nanjing and Shanghai had efficiencies of 1, but Lanzhou, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Xining and Yinchuan needed significant improvements; 2. while Chongqing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Nanning and Shanghai had relatively high media efficiency, the other cities had low efficiency and required improvements; 3. the CO 2 emissions efficiency in most cities was better than the air quality index efficiency; and 4. media reports in most cities were found to have a more positive impact on CO 2 emissions efficiency than AQI efficiency. Conclusions: As environmental awareness enhances the health of civilians and promotes economic growth, the news media needs to promote environmental protection, and should increase its environmental pollution coverage. The quality of media reports on environmental pollution and especially on air pollution need to be improved. Therefore, environmental pollution and awareness media coverage needs to be increased.


2013 ◽  
pp. 127-143
Author(s):  
Nik Brandal ◽  
Øivind Bratberg ◽  
Dag Einar Thorsen

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