Mitigation Services Research Articles

The impact of projected increases in urbanization on ecosystem services

Alteration in land use is likely to be a major driver of changes in the distribution of ecosystem services before 2050. In Europe, urbanization will probably be the main cause of land-use change. This increase in urbanization will result in spatial shifts in both supplies of ecosystem services and the beneficiaries of those services; the net outcome of such shifts remains to be determined. Here, we model changes in urban land cover in Britain based on large (16%) projected increases in the human population by 2031, and the consequences for three different services--flood mitigation, agricultural production and carbon storage. We show that under a scenario of densification of urban areas, the combined effect of increasing population and loss of permeable surfaces is likely to result in 1.7 million people living within 1 km of rivers with at least 10 per cent increases in projected peak flows, but that increasing suburban 'sprawl' will have little effect on flood mitigation services. Conversely, losses of stored carbon and agricultural production are over three times as high under the sprawl as under the 'densification' urban growth scenarios. Our results illustrate the challenges of meeting, but also of predicting, future demands and patterns of ecosystem services in the face of increasing urbanization.

“Green water” microalgae: the leading sector in world aquaculture

Freshwater fish culture is generally considered the largest sector in world aquaculture. Several of the leading species consume “green water” plankton. This plankton—mostly microalgae (phytoplankton) and also bacteria, protozoa and zooplankton—grows in man-made fertilized water impoundments. The quantity of “green water” microalgae consumed by fish and shrimp is estimated here at a quarter billion ton fresh weight a year, about three and a half times as much as the entire recognized aquaculture. This estimate is based on the quantities of the microalgae consumed and the efficiencies of their use for growth by the main species in aquaculture. The cost of producing “green water” microalgae by the aquaculturists—mostly in SE Asia—is low. The populations in “green water” are biologically managed by the cultured fish themselves. The fish with their different feeding habits help “manage” the composition of the plankton and the overall water quality as they grow. The aquaculturists further manage “green water” through simple means, including water exchange and fertilization. Cost is remunerated partially by the income from sales of the fish and partially by bio mitigation services that “green water” polyculture ponds provide the aquaculturists in treating farm and household waste. A comprehension of the scale and importance of the microalgae sector to world aquaculture should lead to more research to improve understanding of algal population dynamics, growth factors, and efficiency of food chains. The consequent improved control of the plankton’s interaction with fish and shrimp production in “green water” will undoubtedly contribute much to the expansion in production of seafood.

Radon control systems in existing and new construction: a review

In support of the implementation of the new Canadian radon guideline, a comprehensive review of radon mitigation techniques used in countries around the world was undertaken, with particular emphasis on North America and Europe that have climates and construction techniques similar to Canada. The results of this review are presented here as an aid to administrators of radon control programmes, companies offering radon testing and mitigation services and other concerned parties, both in Canada and elsewhere, who are facing issues of implementing a radon control strategy. A wide variety of radon mitigation strategies have been employed worldwide and all have achieved some success in reducing radon concentrations. Generally, active mitigation techniques involving physical alterations to a house (e.g. sub-slab depressurisation) are more effective in achieving a sustained and substantial radon reduction than passive techniques (e.g. improved ventilation or sealing of cracks). To a large extent, the choice of an optimal mitigation strategy will depend on the building type, soil conditions and climate. Radon levels should be measured at periodic intervals after remediation, perhaps once every 5 y, to ensure that concentrations continue to remain at acceptable levels.

MIGA & its Operation (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency)

Considering the need to strengthen international cooperation for economic development to foster the contributing to such development of foreign investment in general end private foreign investment in particular: Recognizing that the flow of foreign investment to developing countries would be facilitated and further encouraged by alleviating concerns related to non-commercial risks.Desiring to enhance the flow to developing countries of capital and technology for productive purposes under conditions consistent with their development needs, policies and objectives on the basis of fair and stable standards for the treatment of foreign investment: The Multilateral In vestment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) was established as the smallest and youngest member of the World Bank Group in 1988 to improve people‘s lives and reduce poverty. MIGA contributes to development by offering political risk insurance (guarantees) to investors and tenders, and by helping developing countries attract and retain private investment. MLGA’s creation was in direct response to the debt crisis of 1980 s, and the subsequent realization among political Leaders that sustainable economic growth in many developing and transitional countries required the stimulation of private enterprise and flow of foreign capital for this to happen, The creation of such an agency was discussed in many international fora, particularly the World Bank.Many investors and Lenders needed comfort their respective investments would be protected against certain types of political risks. MIGA’s establishment was an attempt to address shortcomings in the investment insurance (guarantee) industry, and provide a risk mitigation service that was not readily available elsewhere. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (“MIGA”) has played an essential role in the provision of political risk insurance during its existence. On October 11, 1985, after formal approval by the Executive Directors of the World Bank, the Board of Governors adopted a resolution opening the MIGA Convention for signature.As previously stated, MIGA began operations in 1988.Since its birth, MIGA matured as an effective institution in assisting the developmental goals of lesser-developed countries by facilitating capital investment by developed nations into emerging economies.

Children's Response to Exposure to Traumatic Events

Children, Youth and Environments 14(1), 2004 Children’s Response to Exposure to Traumatic Events1, 2 Richard D. Allen Counseling and Psychological Services University of California, Santa Cruz William Rosse Santa Cruz County Citation: Allen, Richard D. and William Rosse. “Children’s Response to Exposure to Traumatic Events.” Children, Youth and Environments 14(1), 2004: 233-241. Comment on This Field Report© 2004 Children, Youth and Environments Children’s Response to Exposure to Traumatic Events 235 Contents Introduction............................................................................................................................ 236 Methodology........................................................................................................................... 237 Participants............................................................................................................................. 237 Instruments............................................................................................................................ 237 Results...................................................................................................................................... 239 Discussion ............................................................................................................................... 239 References .............................................................................................................................. 241 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................ 242 Endnotes.................................................................................................................................. 242 Children’s Response to Exposure to Traumatic Events 236 Introduction The research on children’s response to exposure to traumatic events clearly documents that children who experience traumatic events are at risk for developing both short- and long-term negative emotional reactions (Swenson et al. 1996; Nader et al. 1990). Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of trauma and may need to have specific interventions to assist them in their recovery. Typically children look to their parents for assurance and assistance when faced with painful situations. If a child is looking to a parent or parents for assistance, how does the parent's own experience of and reaction to the trauma influence the child's reactions? This question is of paramount concern because parents are often the primary caregivers in supporting their children to adjust to traumatic events (Heft 1993). Gleser et al. (1981) have posited a relationship between parent or caregiver's distress and the level of distress in children. These primary caregivers may be modeling an appropriate response to the traumatic event, or may be unable to provide the assistance or assurance that the child needs. Since there is a likely relationship between a parents' and their children’s response to a traumatic situation, how parents attempt to cope with this situation may also impact how they are able to respond to the needs of their children. The research on coping and trauma has suggested that coping reactions may be related to either positive or negative outcomes (McFarlane 1988; Solomon et al. 1988). Some coping research has supported the idea that coping strategies that are active and address either the physical or psychological needs of the individual may result in a more advantageous outcome for the individual in terms of reduced stress reactions. Coping strategies which aim to avoid the traumatic situation and its effects may in turn be associated with a negative reaction for the individual, although both engagement and avoidance may have either a positive or negative effect on the individual, depending upon the severity of the stressor or a number of other variables (Mullen and Suls 1982). This study was designed to more definitively answer if there is a relationship between the level of parent and child stress following a wide scale traumatic event. It also sought to explore if parental coping reactions were associated with levels of stress experienced by children and their parents. Finally, the study sought to address the issue of parental coping styles as they relate to a willingness to seek trauma mitigation services for their children. Parental willingness to seek services for their children was assessed by follow-up survey. The questions that this study sought to answer were: 1. Following a wide-scale traumatic event, does a demonstrable relationship between parental stress levels and child stress levels exist? Specifically, are Children’s Response to Exposure to Traumatic Events 237 parents exhibiting more stress symptoms likely to have children who also exhibit more stress symptoms? 2. Is there a relationship between parental coping style and stress symptoms? Specifically, is withdrawal/avoidant coping related to more stress symptoms in parents? 3. Is there a relationship between parental coping style and child stress symptoms? Specifically, is "withdrawal" or avoidant coping in parents related to a greater number of child stress symptoms? 4. Is there a relationship between coping style and parents' receptiveness to a referral for their child(ren)? Methodology The study was conducted one week after Hurricane Marilyn (a category II/III storm) struck the Virgin Islands on September 15, 1995. The data were collected at a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) center and at...

How Response Contractors are Remaining Vigilant and Viable Despite the Downward Trend in Oil Spills

ABSTRACT The number of oil spills occurring in U.S. waters from vessels and facilities has decreased steadily over the past several years, and professional oil spill response contractors have found themselves in the position of bolstering and/or securing other lines of work to ensure they remain vigilant, viable, and ready to respond when and where needed. Coupled with a down economy, spill contractors – like other businesses – are making tough decisions on how to do more with less, while maintaining the same level of readiness expected of them from their clients – which includes the oil and maritime industries, along with local, state and federal government. While the regulatory mechanisms are in place to exercise contractor resources between spill events, they are not enforced or utilized enough. Of equal importance is ensuring that the response contractor is compensated for deploying its resources during these drill scenarios. This paper will discuss the measures private sector response contractors are taking to ensure they remain ready to respond, other business lines they are pursuing, and how the regulatory authorities can assist in maintaining the national protection and readiness provided by the private sector response community. It will also discuss how the private sector response community can assist with the national Homeland Defense initiatives, most notably mitigation services for terrorist actions that ultimately impact the environment

Population Movements and the Spread of HIV/AIDS in Mozambique

This article demonstrates how the spread of HIV AIDS in Mozambique may gave been affected by internal and external population movements which, in turn, contributed to the pronounced regional differences in adult HIV prevalence among the three regions of the country observed today. Further population movement may put certain individuals at higher risk ot HIV infection but, even if these movements were to stop, in the absence of effective interventions to prevent new infections, HIV prevalence would remain high and perhaps continue to rise. The current regional differences in HIV prevalence and duration of the epidemic present different challenges for the development and implementation of prevention and mitigation services.

Work-Related Injury: Managing The Impact

Work-related injury can have severe impacts on the individual injured. Personnel managers and rehabilitation counsellors need to know how to alleviate such impacts in order to enhance return-to-work programs. This paper reports on a Queensland study designed to assess the dimensions of impact and the ways in which it can be mitigated. If a model of impact can be developed, factors which influence intensification and mitigation can be identified and targetted. The study found that impact severity was influenced by a range of factors: job security, gender role, organizational policies, and the provision of instrumental and emotional forms of support. It was found that injury severity and injury impact are not always directly correlated: a worker may have a serious injury and suffer little or no impact; the converse may also be true. The degree to which injury impacts have been managed is crucial. Directing resources to specific impact mitigation services is recommended.

United States Environmental Protection Agency National Radon Proficiency Programmes

Abstract The US Environmental Protection Agency's voluntary National Radon Proficiency Programmes: Radon Measurement, and Reduction Proficiency are described, including their history and development, current status and future directions. The Radon Measurement Proficiency (RMP) and Radon Contractor Proficiency (RCP) programmes are fundamental to the Agency's programme to reduce the health risk associated with exposure to elevated radon levels in indoor air. Originally developed to provide technical assistance to States, the proficiency programmes now offer US consumers assurance of the quality of their radon measurements and reduction jobs. In other words, the proficiency programmes provide a means to consumers for deciding from which organisations or individuals to purchase radon services. This is especially important in the United States where most radon services are acquired through private enterprises rather than through the public sector. The Agency encourages the public to purchase radon measurement and reduction services only from organisations or individuals that have met the requirements of EPA's proficiency programmes. An increasing number of States require an EPA proficiency listing for their radon registration, licensing, and certification programmes. EPA estimates that about 85% of US companies offering radon services are participating in its proficiency programmes. Consequently, the Agency believes that the development and growth of quality radon services has kept pace with consumer demand. The United States markeplace for residential radon measurement and mitigation services has been dynamic since its inception in the mid-1980s. The fluidity of the market is likely to continue, with some significant changes appearing imminent. The US Congress is now considering legislation that would require participation in the Agency's radon proficiency programmes. In addition, this legislation contains provisions that would encourage consumer testing. Increased testing, coupled with a mandatory national proficiency programme, is likely to result in an increase in the quality of radon services available to the US public.