Form Of Environmental Degradation Research Articles

Impact of religious tourism on the economic development, energy consumption and environmental degradation: evidence from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Diseño/metodología/enfoqueSe desarrolla la relación empírica entre las variables mediante el muestreo de los datos de 35 años que van de 1986 a 2020. La regresión entre las variables se comprobó empleando modelos de mínimos cuadrados ordinarios totalmente modificados (FMOLS) y mínimos cuadrados ordinarios dinámicos (DOLS)ObjetivoArabia Saudí es el principal destino de turismo religioso porque cuenta con numerosos lugares espirituales. Con el paso de los años, las cifras de visitas de peregrinos están aumentando, lo que contribuye al crecimiento económico del Reino de Arabia Saudí (KSA). Sin embargo, las visitas de los peregrinos pueden crear fuertes costes de oportunidad en forma de degradación medioambiental. A partir de estos indicadores, este análisis busca descubrir el impacto del turismo religioso en la calidad del entorno natural de Arabia Saudí.ConclusionesEl análisis demuestra que el turismo religioso tiene un impacto directo en la degradación medioambiental de KSA. Las incesantes visitas de los peregrinos aceleran diversas operaciones y actividades económicas, como la adquisición y consumo de productos industriales, etc., que necesariamente dificultan la calidad medioambiental. Además, el análisis indica un impacto negativo en el desarrollo financiero, la inversión extranjera y el consumo de energías renovables, así como el impacto de la asimilación de combustibles fósiles y la expansión económica en la emisión de CO2. Los resultados estadísticos son robustos y verifican la hipótesis del efecto halo de la contaminación, al tiempo que rechazan el modelo de la curva de Kuznets ambiental (EKC) en esta región.Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigaciónEl análisis recomienda reestructurar las políticas sobre las visitas al hajj y la Umrah. El gobierno de KSA debería garantizar el consumo ecológico de los peregrinos. La limitación de las visitas de los peregrinos y la introducción de cuotas son políticas alternativas para impedir la contaminación en esta región.Originalidad/valorAl controlar los determinantes frecuentes, este estudio ofrece reflexiones innovadoras sobre las consecuencias del turismo religioso en la calidad del medio ambiente.

GRETA//A PLASTIC POEM: An Integrated Approach to the Vibrant Matter of Voice, Deep Listening, and Somatic Movement in Sonic Performance Art as Plastic Activism

Through an analysis of the sonic performance artwork GRETA//A PLASTIC POEM (2020), this paper analyzes why and when participatory art practices can intra-sect and converge with ecologies to imagine posthuman futures and challenge pre-existing structures of thought. From an activist position that considers art and the environment as a participatory collective model, this article argues for a reappraisal of human influence in complex human–non-human interactional systems. More specifically, this text, as a component of GRETA//A PLASTIC POEM, approaches oceanic and sea pollution (notably the dumping of plastics) as a form of environmental degradation that has generated a space inhabited by varied and vibrant forms of matter. In this way, the sea and the sonic space show strikingly similar potentials. In turn, Plastic Activism, which advocates for a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts, is adopted as an underlying ethos and aesthetic response, with single-use plastics being incorporated into the performance artwork itself. Relational to this enquiry is sensing how we use our bodies to explore the potential thousands of distinct material ecologies embodying a sonic performative practice, especially combining the materiality of artistic and political action in public space and focal practices. In this way, the sonic space becomes comparable to a sea of sound, where complex assemblages of matter exist and intra-act to challenge the discordant systems and dynamics in which we are currently entangled. Article received: April 25, 2021; Article accepted: June 21, 2021; Published online: September 15, 2021; Original scholarly paper

Non-Parametric Computational Measures for the Analysis of Resource Productivity

In this study, we assumed that 28 European countries (Decision Making Units (DMUs)) aimed to accomplish higher economic outputs, using fewer resources and producing fewer emissions in the form of environmental degradation. In this context, we studied the drivers of total factor productivity change (TFPCH) in DMUs, associated with either managerial capabilities (efficiency change (EC)) or innovations (technical change (TC)) in resource-saving production methods, before and after the integration of CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions as an additional variable (undesirable output) in the initial model of one output (gross domestic product (GDP)) and five inputs (labor, capital, energy, domestic material consumption and recycled municipal waste). The primary focus of this study is to identify best practices that policymakers can adopt as they attempt to reduce productivity loss. Our results highlight the weak areas of individual countries and seem to indicate the action that should be taken to improve their productivity by taking into consideration the main driving force behind productivity and technical efficiency change. Our findings reveal that an effective use of technological developments is determined as important strategic information for ensuring managerial performance.

The Assessment of China’s Scramble for Natural Resources Extraction in Africa

Recent narratives in various areas of Africa reveals the growing influence of China in many facets of the economy with a hold on the control of the continent’s natural resources based on invitation. Just as every nation has a right to trade with others, commerce remains the life blood of many African countries where natural resources commodity flow stands as the economic engine driving the generation of revenues. While African countries rely on the ensuing bilateral deals often tagged as resources for infrastructure swaps. The lust for foreign assisted programs in economic development in exchange for natural resources access among African countries over the years provided an opening for China’s presence in the spirit of global commerce in the continent. While China’s robust investments in physical development, renewable and non-renewable resources can no longer be dismissed as solely a pretense to aid African development in exchange for something given some of the upsides. The scale of these activities continues to have profound effects on the ecology of the countries in the continent in the form of degradation of natural areas, deforestation, and erosion of biodiversity. Yet very little exists in current studies to assess the ecological risks from the growing presence of China and the scramble for Africa’s natural resources. For that, this enquiry will fill that void by using mix-scale methods of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and descriptive statistics in assessing China’s presence and the quest for natural resources in the continent. Emphasis are on the issues, trends, factors, impacts and efforts. The results reveal vast exploitative activities directed at renewable and nonrenewable assets involving mineral ores, oil and gas, lumber, and fishery with notable impacts on the ecosystem. With the effects manifested in the form of environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and resource depletion and fiscal burdens on African nations. The problems come from a whole range of socio-economic, policy, and environmental factors located in the larger global system. As a remedy, the paper suggests the need for ethics and transparency, tight fiscal policy, ecological monitoring, enlightenment campaigns, public input in bilateral deals and the design of an interactive natural resource information system for Africa.

Role of International Institutions in Combatting Environmental Degradation

Ever since the advent of industrial revolution back in the 1700s, a new plague took birth in the form of environmental degradation which was a byproduct of the industrial revolution. Over the last few centuries environmental degradation has multiplied at an alarming rate and humans are almost at the point of no return. Humanity is at a pivotal point as the issue of environmental degradation affects every living being on this planet equally. There are four primary impact points when it comes to industrialisation — air, water, soil and habitat. Human activity is the root cause of environmental degradation. Every country is working towards achieving a solution which would facilitate environment protection. Sustainable development is said to be the guiding principle of countries to prevent further environmental degradation. The subject of environmental degradation is at the forefront of global debate. Various institutions across the globe have either been tasked or taken it upon themselves to tackle this ever-growing complication. With the advancement in modern technology and understanding of the environment, efforts in various spheres are being made globally to curb this vital issue. It has been noticeable in the past few decades, governments across the globe are placing more significance on uncompromising environmental laws and its stringent enforcement to ensure preservation of the environment and its sustainable development. This research paper aimed to apply Doctrinal legal research method and focus of this research paper is to delve into such measures and laws primarily dealing with environmental degradation- I.e., environmental laws across the globe and to determine whether the existing environmental laws are adequate to combat environmental degradation; and if not, what can be done to further strengthen such laws.

STRATEGY COASTAL COMMUNITY PANGLIMA RAJA VILLAGE IN SUSTAINABILITY OF LIFE

In general, fishermen or communities in coastal areas are in a state of poverty, underdeveloped in the social and cultural fields, and the quality of human resources is low. This situation occurs because of low education and the lack of functioning of existing business groups. In addition, the fishing profession cannot guarantee the sustainability of daily income as a result of the availability of marine products and unpredictable weather changes. Another aspect that is also of concern is the management and utilization of coastal resources that are not yet optimal. This picture is not much different from the life of the coastal communities in Panglima Raja Village, both physically in the form of environmental degradation and which have an impact on social and economic aspects in the form of family, neighborhood or community problems, as well as other related resources. The research objectives were to 1) find out and study the social and demographic aspects of the coastal community in Panglima Raja Village, 2) to study the livelihood assets of the coastal community of Panglima Raja Village, 3) to study the livelihood strategies of the coastal community of Panglima Raja Village. The research method used is a descriptive case study where data is collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and literature review. The results showed that the social demographics of the Panglima Raja community were heterogeneous with the majority of productive age, lower income and low education level, the community had social, physical, financial, natural and human capital even in limited conditions, while the strategy was is found is a strategy of survival and consolidation without any accumulation strategy.

Impacts of noise pollution on the agonistic interactions of the saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola Linnaeus, 1766)

Impacts of noise pollution are recognized as a source of stress for animals and as a form of environmental degradation. Behavioural changes associated with noise, such as reduction of reproductive success, reduction in feeding behaviour, increase in vigilance behaviours and inability to detect environment acoustic signals, are observed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how noise influences aggressive behaviour of the saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola). We conducted tests of territoriality-aggressiveness against conspecifics. Seven individuals were tested, with six tests per individual being conducted in two treatments (traffic pollution and ambient noise), totalling 84 tests. The noise treatment significantly altered the agonistic interactions of the saffron finches, with territorial males exhibiting less aggressive behaviours towards intruders.

LAND COVER CHANGE ANALYSIS TO SEDIMENTATION RATE OF RAWAPENING LAKE

Rawapening Lake has specific biogeophysical form, biodiversity potential and socioeconomic also ecological functions which are very important for people's lives and the surrounding environment. Even so, the facts showed that the activities of the population around Rawapening are growing so that problems arise in the form of environmental degradation that has continued to the present. This study aims to determine the development of land cover in the Rawapening River catchment starting from 2000, 2010 and 2019 on the sedimentation rate that occurred in Rawapening Lake. This study applies a Spatialecological approach by using multi-temporal remote sensing image data accompanied by field surveys and secondary data from related agencies. The tools used in this study are image processing software and Global Positioning System (GPS), while the data used utilizes RBI maps, Landsat 7 Satellite Images in 2010 and Landsat 8 in 2019. The results showed an increase in the area of developed land by 1,520.54 ha in the period 2000 - 2010 and experienced an increase again in 2019 amounting to 1,330.96 ha. The increase in the area of land developed was due to land conversion, which was largely derived from vegetation cover in the water catchment area (DTA) of Rawapening, where the impact caused by the change in land cover increased the rate of sedimentation that occurred in Rawapening Lake. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the transfer of land functions in the DTA of Rawapening so that it does not cause siltation in Rawapening Lake in the future.

Soil Loss Estimation for Conservation Planning in the Welmel Watershed of the Genale Dawa Basin, Ethiopia

As a form of environmental degradation, soil degradation directly or indirectly affects many lives through decreased agricultural yields, increased flooding and habitat loss. Soil loss has been increasing in most parts of the world and is most pronounced in tropical developing countries where there is poor or zero soil and water conservation (SWC) planning and management activities. Identifying areas prone to soil erosion has also been inadequate, having not been informed by dedicated scientific studies. This is true of the poorly understood watershed of Welmel in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, where most livelihoods heavily rely upon agriculture. To plan effective SWC management techniques, a solid knowledge of spatial variations across different climate, land use and soil erosion is essential. This study has aimed at identifying potential areas needing SWC practices through conducting a spatial modeling of soil erosion within the Welmel watershed’s Genale Dawa basin using a geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing (RS), multiple factors as land uses and climate. The Welmel catchment is located in southeastern Ethiopia and extends between 5°0′0″ N–7°45′00″ N and 39°0′0″ E–41°15′0″ E. The revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), which was previously adapted to Ethiopian conditions, was used to estimate potential soil loss. It used information on interpolated rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), vegetation cover (C) and topography (LS) from a digital elevation model (DEM) and that of conservation practices (P) from satellite images. The study demonstrates that the RUSLE using GIS and RS considering different climates and land management practices provides a great advantage in that it allows one to spatially analyze multilayer data in order to identify soil erosion-prone areas and thereby develop the most appropriate watershed management strategy. The mean soil loss was determined to be 31 tons ha−1 year−1 and it varied between 0 and 169 tons ha−1 year−1. About 79% of the watershed lies within the tolerable level of 11 tons ha−1 year−1. However, the remaining 21% has a high soil truncation trait, mainly due to its steeper slope and use as cultivated land. Our study identifies cultivated and deforested areas of the watershed as the potential SWC practice demanding areas. Thus, the application of RUSEL using GIS across different land management practices and climate zones is a potential tool for identifying SWC demanding sites. This remains helpful in efforts towards sustainable land management practices for the sustainable livelihood of the local human population.

Ranking of Barriers to Green Manufacturing Implementation in SMEs Using Best-Worst Method

Nature has provided us with limited resources on the earth, but the requirement is unlimited, one is fulfilled another will crop up. Modern manufacturing scenario and rough consumption of natural resources create huge challenges in front of human beings in the form of environmental degradation and wastage of material. The purpose of this study is to identify the barriers to green manufacturing (GM) from selected Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Delhi and NCR region and rank them as per their priority. An extensive literature review together with expert’s opinion was done to identify the GM barriers. A newly developed approach known as Best-Worst method (BWM) was adopted for the ranking of identified GM barriers. This study identifies 21 barriers to GM implementation which are arranged into 5 main barriers for well understanding. Further, the findings of this study show that, “Lack of new technology facilities and processes”, “Lack of experts related to new technology”, “Lack of expertise training programs”, “High initial capital cost to implement GM” and “Weak Legislation” are top-five barriers that lead to difficulties in GM implementation in SMEs while least important observed barrier is “Not enough and understandable information”. Therefore this study provides knowledge about the green manufacturing barriers and their ranking most severe to less severe that is most important to less important and this study also provides a systematic way to sort out the barriers in GM implementation according to their priority. In the end, the study provides conclusions and some implication of the study as well as the scope for future research.

An Empirical Study of Climate Change on Carbon Dioxide Emission in ASEAN 4: Vector Autoregression Exogenous (VARX) Approach

Climate change is a phenomenon of environmental damage due to the increased intensity of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere, which causes the surface temperature of the earth. The carbon dioxide emission is a form of environmental degradation caused by economic activities. This study analyzed the relationship of macroeconomic variables and the carbon dioxide emission in each of the four ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand). The used of macroeconomic variables (GDP, trade openness, energy consumption, and the exchange rate) is shown to explain the carbon dioxide emission. In this study, Vector Auto regression Exogenous (VARX) method is used to analyze the impact of economic activities on the movement of carbon dioxide emissions. The data used time series with a vulnerable time of the year 1981-2013. The estimation results from these studies show that the GDP variable has the greatest contribution to the dynamics of carbon dioxide emissions in each ASEAN 4 countries. This empirical finding suggests that economic activity has an influence on the growth of carbon dioxide emissions.

The Influence of Economic Growth, Population, and Industrial Sectors on Environmental Degradation in Indonesia

Growth of the econonomic is the main problem of many developing countries (developing country) such as Indonesia itself, grasp with economic development as his instrument. It is in the form of environmental degradation that occurs as a by product that is not likely to attain many market participants even the Government though. On this simple research will be described in simple and concrete, where we restrict this research on variable environmental degradation in the form of proxy data CO2 emissions in Indonesia, economic growth, population, and industrial sectors. Whenever it is found to be the result of linear regression method with the double the result that environmental degradation occurs which by population growth and economic growth, each effect is positive and significant. However, the industrial sector showed a negative influence and significantly to degradation of the environment itself.

Race to the Bottom: Sino-US Trade War and Consequent Plastic Waste Mismanagement in the Global South

Globalization today can convincingly be said to have reached its pinnacle. However, with the world turning into a global space of homogeneity the stakes of survival have risen up too. The various forms of environmental degradation culminating into climate change have been accelerated due to globalization. This review discusses one such form of global environmental degradation that poses a serious threat to the health of citizens in the Global South. The phenomenon being talked about here is that of global waste dumping, a practice that has caught up roughly over the past four decades. The context that helps in illustrating the same is the United States–China trade war, narrowed down to the recent ban imposed by China and India on the import of plastic waste. As a reaction to excessive plastic waste dumping from Global South to Global North, 180 nations agreed in Geneva to add mixed plastic scrap to the Basel Convention. However, as will be shown in this review, the burden has only shifted to even poorer nations who willingly buy plastic waste from countries of Global North. The phenomenon of dumping plastic waste can be explained through the distinction between the developed and developing countries understood in the dualist taxonomy of Global North and Global South.

How Environmental Decline Restructures Indigenous Gender Practices: What Happens to Karuk Masculinity When There Are No Fish?

On the Klamath River in northern California, Karuk tribal fishermen traditionally provide salmon for food and ceremonies, yet the region has sustained serious environmental degradation in recent years. What happens to Karuk masculinity when there are no fish? Using interviews and public testimony, the authors examine how declining salmon runs affect the gender identities and practices of Karuk fishermen. Gendered practices associated with fishing serve ecological functions, perpetuate culture in the face of structural genocide, and unite families and communities. The authors find that the absence of fish resulting from ecological damage affects both food availability and the quality of social connections, which in turn affects individual gender practices and symbolizes genocide to the community. Karuk men’s individual struggles to construct themselves as men are thus interwoven with struggles against racism and ongoing colonialism. The authors coin the term colonial ecological violence to describe these circumstances. They also describe how some men restructure masculine identities by transferring “traditional” cultural responsibilities to fish, community, and “collective continuance” to new settings as activists and fishery scientists. The authors call for a decolonized sociology that uses more theorizing of the particular and very real ways ecological relationships structure gender in traditional Native communities to understand the operation of gendered and racialized colonial violence in the form of environmental degradation, today.

You got to have fish: Families, environmental decline and cultural reproduction

Tending, harvesting, preparing and consuming traditional foods including salmon, acorns, mushrooms and deer are family activities in Karuk culture. Families are important sites for cultural reproduction, especially in the context of structural genocide. In this article we examine how colonial violence continues to impact indigenous families today in the form of environmental degradation. Runs of salmon, lamprey, steelhead and other species in the Klamath River have declined precipitously in the past two decades, and availability of forest foods is also limited by a combination of non-Native regulations and environmentally degrading management practices. How does environmental decline impact indigenous families? Decline of salmon and other important foods has resulted in families spending less time together. Environmental decline thus limits the transmission of cultural knowledge, identity development of youth and the strength of social ties within families, and also appears to be associated with younger age of death, leading to further reductions in cultural reproduction within families.

Regionalisme Isu Lingkungan Asia Tenggara (1997-2000)

Southeast Asia is an ever growing region. Since 1970, the region hasshown a strongperformance in economic growth and it’s still continued even today. However, the strong economic growth of Southeast Asia also lead to serious externalities in a form of environmental degradation. Deforestation and pollution which has been done in one country affected the nearby countries as well, decreasing the air quality in urban area, and creating many cases of economic losses and health issues. At one point, the Southeast Asian countries realized that environmental degradation is a transnational problem which needed a transnational solution. Regionalism, which is facilitated by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), became the solution they seek. This paper attempts to explain the process of Environmental regionalism that has happened in Southeast Asia from 1977-2000. The paper concludes that the process of environmental regionalism in Southeast Asia is still stucked in the third phase of regionalism. Lacks of mutual identity between ASEAN members prevents environmental regionalism process in Southeast Asia to advance to the fourth phase. However, the paper also shown some probabilities for it to happen in near future. Keyword: ASEAN, Environment, Regionalism, Regionness,

High-pH inclined stress corrosion cracking in Australian and Canadian gas pipeline X65 steels

High-pH stress corrosion cracking is a form of environmental degradation of gas pipeline steels. The crack path is intergranular by nature and typically perpendicular to the maximum applied (hoop) stress (i.e. perpendicular to the pipe outer surface). Some unusual instances of cracks have been observed in Canadian and Australian X65 pipes, where cracks grow away from the perpendicular for considerable distances. This paper presents a comparative study in terms of crack morphology, mechanical properties and crystallographic texture for these Australian and Canadian pipe steels. It is shown that the crack morphologies are quite similar, the main difference being the angle at which the cracks propagate into the material. This difference could be explained by the different through-wall texture and grain aspect ratio measured in the two materials. The interdependency of crack tip plasticity, crack tip electrochemistry and anisotropy in microstructural texture seems to heavily affect the resulting inclined crack path.

Assessing landscape changes of catchment area of Upper Lake Bhopal using patch analysis

Anthropogenic activities impart serious challenges on wetland management. The issues of Anthropogenic Activities manifest in the form of environmental degradation, point and non-point source pollution of lake water. Catchment area of upper lake Bhopal has been witnessing the same scenario; raising the question of its planning and management to control water pollution. It shows the necessity to analyse and study the pattern of land use & land cover(LULC). In order to assess the LULC pattern and spatio-temporal dynamics the changing pattern of patch number(NP), class area(CA), mean patch size(MPS), mean shape index (MSI), Shannon’s Diversity index(SHDI), Simpson’s Diversity Index(SDI) of all land use/land cover categories. In this researchpaper above mentioned parameters were measured and analyzed for landuse/landcover change from year 2003 to 2011. Area of agriculture and built up land expanded 16.18% and 4.77% while number of patches reduced by 332 and 187 for these two classes respectively. On the other hand class area of vegetation and barren land reduced 9.33% and 11.62%. Few patches of vegetation completely eliminated resulted in reduction of number of patches by 1250. Increased no. of patches of barren land by 150 shows fragmentation. Reduction in diversity indices indicates that area becomes less diversified during study period. During the period of 2003 to 2011 shape of patches of agriculture and built up land becomes more complex and that of barren land and vegetation converted to simpler shape. These indices provided meaningful insights pertaining to the spatiotemporal dynamics prevailing in the catchment area of Upper Lake Bhopal.

Managing Development of Fringe Areas in Dhaka City: "Land Readjustment" as a Technique for Sustainable Future Development Ensuring Environmental and Social Justice

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, is one of the fastest growing megacities in the world. With the rapid growth of population and high urbanization rate, Dhaka is bound to expand the borders to accommodate the growing need of space. But this expansion is already taking its toll in the form of environmental degradation and social injustice hampering the geographical sustainability in the process. This study proposes a controlled and well-planned development in the eastern fringe of Dhaka City (comprising of <em>Badda, Satarkul</em> and <em>Vatara</em>) to meet up the challenge of future accommodation requirements. The area being geographically vulnerable with lots of agricultural lands, water bodies and retention ponds, the prime concern is to ensure the geographic sustainability of the area and use all the natural features as a vital tool in the process of development. As a planning technique, Land Readjustment Scheme is applied in this regard. This report contains all the measures and proposals regarding the natural features of the study area as well as the whole process of the development scheme including a financial proposal to recover the cost of the development to make this plan financially viable. Finally, the outcome of the study shows that it can be well implemented as all the objectives are fulfilled to the fullest. <strong>Faculty Sponsor</strong>: Dr. Ishrat Islam, Professor, DURP, BUET; Dr. Mohammad Shakil Akther, Professor, DURP, BUET; Farzana Khatun, Lecturer, DURP, BUET.

Contributions of artificial lighting sources on light pollution in Hong Kong measured through a night sky brightness monitoring network

Light pollution is a form of environmental degradation in which excessive artificial outdoor lighting, such as street lamps, neon signs, and illuminated signboards, affects the natural environment and the ecosystem. Poorly designed outdoor lighting not only wastes energy, money, and valuable Earth resources, but also robs us of our beautiful night sky. Effects of light pollution on the night sky can be evaluated by the skyglow caused by these artificial lighting sources, through measurements of the night sky brightness (NSB). The Hong Kong Night Sky Brightness Monitoring Network (NSN) was established to monitor in detail the conditions of light pollution in Hong Kong. Monitoring stations were set up throughout the city covering a wide range of urban and rural settings to continuously measure the variations of the NSB. Over 4.6 million night sky measurements were collected from 18 distinct locations between May 2010 and March 2013. This huge dataset, over two thousand times larger than our previous survey [1], forms the backbone for studies of the temporal and geographical variations of this environmental parameter and its correlation with various natural and artificial factors. The concepts and methodology of the NSN were presented here, together with an analysis of the overall night sky conditions in Hong Kong. The average NSB in Hong Kong, excluding data affected by the Moon, was 16.8magarcsec−2, or 82 times brighter than the dark site standard established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) [2]. The urban night sky was on average 15 times brighter than that in a rural location, firmly establishing the effects of artificial lighting sources on the night sky.