Environmental Disaster Prevention Research Articles

Laboratory investigations of sub-meter resolution telescope with segmented aperture dedicated to CubeSat platform

In current CubeSat observation satellites, the main design constraint is the available space. Standards dictating the unit dimensions of the payload severely restrict the maximum aperture and focal length of the optical instrument. In this paper, the authors present the results of work to produce a novel DeploScope optical system for a CubeSat-type observation satellite with a segmented aperture of the primary mirror deployed in space. The telescope is designed for Earth observation and is expected to find its application in the military, precision agriculture or environmental disaster prevention. The work includes a detailed analysis of the segment aperture effect on image repeatability for different numbers of main mirror segments. Based on it, the optimal configuration of the optical model of the telescope with an aperture of 188.5 mm and a focal length of 1100 mm was selected. Based on this analysis, a so-called laboratory version of the telescope was built, providing the possibility of free correction of each segment of the primary mirror while maintaining a solid stable base for other components of the module. Imaging tests were carried out on the laboratory version of the instrument and the system was optimized for a version suitable for implementation in the payload structure of the microsatellite.

Miscanthus giganteus: horizons of innovative research and implementation

Purpose. To substantiate promising areas of innovative research on the utilization of Miscanthus × gigantheus as a feedstock with a high cellulose content in various industries in order to preserve forests and prevent the development of environmental disasters. Methods. The analysis of theoretical and experimental studies, existing practices regarding promising varieties of Miscanthus × giganteus, genetic studies, chemical composition, physical properties and use. Results. The botanical and chemical characteristics of miscanthus plants, chemical composition, technology of cultivation and processing into solid biofuels, the ability to clean the soil from chemical contaminants (pesticides) and radionuclides are shown, and the expediency of using miscanthus biomass as a source for bioethanol and cellulose production is proved, which contributes to its extremely wide use in various sectors of the Ukrainian economy. Conclusions. Miscanthus × gigantheus is a simple plant that can solve complex problems: in the technological process of cultivation, it contributes to the improvement of ecological processes of agriculture; it has a high calorific value as solid fuels and biogas; as a lignocellulose, biomass with a high cellulose content is a good feedstock for many applications and contributes to forest conservation and the prevention of environmental disasters.

Modeling of the Fate and Behaviors of an Oil Spill in the Azemmour River Estuary in Morocco

Oil spills are one of the most hazardous pollutants in marine environments with potentially devastating impacts on ecosystems, human health, and socio-economic sectors. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to establish a prompt and efficient system for forecasting and monitoring such spills, in order to minimize their impacts. The present work focuses on the numerical simulation of the drift and spread of oil slicks in marine environments. The specific area of interest is the Azemmour estuary, located on Morocco’s Atlantic Coast. According to the environmental sensitivity index (ESI), given its geographical location at the intersection of the World’s Shipping Lines of oil transport, this area, as with many other sites in Morocco, has been classified as a high-risk area for oil spill accidents. By taking into account a range of factors, including the ocean currents, the weather conditions, and the oil properties, detailed numerical simulations were conducted, using the hydrodynamic TELEMAC-2D model, to predict the behavior and spread of an oil spill event in the aforementioned coastal region. The simulation results help to understand the spatial–temporal evolution of the spilled oil, the effect of wind on the spreading process, as well as the coastal areas that are most likely to be affected in the event of an oil spill accident. The simulations were performed with and without wind effects. The results showed that three days after the oil spill only 31% of the spilled oil remained on the sea surface. The wind was found to be the main factor responsible for oil drifting offshore. The results indicated that rapid action is needed to address the oil spill before it causes significant environmental damage and makes the oil cleanup process more challenging and expensive. The results of the present study are highly valuable for the management and prevention of environmental disasters in the Azemmour estuary area. The findings can be used to assess the efficacy of various response strategies, such as containment and cleanup measures, and to develop more effective emergency response plans.

Еnvironmental and Legal Regulation of Digitalization of Environmental Protection

The article is devoted to certain issues of environmental and legal aspects of the digital environment in the information system of environmental safety, issues of legal implementation of the digitalization program. This article has researched the importance and necessity of environmental digitalization. At the same time, the main idea of digital ecology is considered as the implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development and prevention of Environmental Disasters, control of public opinion on environmental issues, improvement of health and increase in life expectancy of the population, adaptation of the state system of digitalization management in the field of environmental culture, environmental education, environmental safety to the digital environment, use of the possibilities of modern "breakthrough" digital technologies. Environmental digitalization in management comprehensive studies of the system approach to the use of digital environmental resources were conducted, the basics of improving the regulatory legal regulation in the management in the field of environmental safety in the framework of the implementation of the digital program were considered.

GREEN TRANSITIONS AND THE PREVENTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS: MARKET-BASED VS. COMMAND-AND-CONTROL POLICIES

The paper compares the effects of market-based (M-B) and command-and-control (C&C) climate policies on the direction of technical change and the prevention of environmental disasters. Drawing on a model of endogenous growth and directed technical change, we show that M-B policies (carbon taxes and subsidies toward clean sectors) suffer from path dependence and exhibit bounded window of opportunities: delays in their implementation make them ineffective both in redirecting technical change, (i.e. triggering a transition toward clean energy) and in avoiding environmental catastrophes. On the contrary, we find that C&C interventions are favored by path dependence and guarantee policy effectiveness irrespectively of the timing of their introduction. As the hypothesis of path dependence in technological change has received vast empirical support and it is a key feature of many models of growth, we argue that C&C policies should be seen as a valuable and non-equivalent alternative to M-B interventions.

Preventing Environmental Disasters: Market-Based vs. Command-and-Control Policies

The paper compares the effects of market-based and command-and-control climate policies on the direction of technical change and the prevention of environmental disasters. Drawing on the model proposed in Acemoglu et al. (2012, American Economic Review), we show that market-based policies (carbon taxes and subsidies towards clean sectors) exhibit bounded window of opportunities: delays in their implementation make them completely ineffective both in redirecting technical change and in avoiding environmental catastrophes. On the contrary, we find that command-and-control interventions guarantee policy effectiveness irrespectively on the timing of their introduction. As command-and-control policies are always able to direct technical change toward green technologies and to prevent climate disasters, they constitute a valuable alternative to market-based interventions.

EXPO 2017 is as a Strategic Objective of Cultural Policy

Each exhibition is a phenomenon of cultural and political life. Any kind of exhibition agitates cultural traditions of certain nations and it's meaning is to show innovation and cultural policy of this nation. Since ancient times, people despite the different language barriers have tried to show their national achievements and lived in the spirit of world competition. During the period of technological revolution and scientific progress as a result of open and novation processes each year an international competition develops. Among other exhibitions international exhibition EXPO occupies an important place. However, the international exhibition is a special tool that is based to create a dialogue with the community. EXPO held in recent years, affecting all global problems of humanity, such as a communications boom, the elimination of the division between the rich and the poor, the growth of mega-cities, the prevention of environmental disasters and etc., they are also transformed to solve all these problems effectively. EXPO-2017, which will take place in Kazakhstan, undoubtedly, will be an international exhibition based on modern technological achievements.

Evaluation of the Horizontal Wave Forces on Piles

Reliability of offshore platforms is an important issue in the prevention of environmental disasters. In this paper, the variation of the horizontal force exerted on an offshore gravity platform is analyzed to achieve a deep comprehension of a storm scenario. Considering the wave motion as a potential motion, the quasi-determinism theory is applied to obtain the kinematic characteristics of a storm. The evolution of force against time is analyzed through the Morison's equation, diffraction theory, and a simplified method. Moreover, two case studies are examined, one in the Ortona region of the Italian coast and the other in the Gulf of Alaska, USA.

A stochastic control model of economic growth with environmental disaster prevention

This paper proposes a capital accumulation model with a random stopping time corresponding to the occurrence of an environmental catastrophe. Depending on the preventive capital stock accumulated at the time of the catastrophe, the damage cost associated with the catastrophe varies. The long-term behavior of the optimal accumulation path is analyzed using turnpike theory. The case where the catastrophe process is uncontrolled is distinguished from the case where there is an anthropogenic effect on the probability of an occurrence. Intergenerational equity issues are discussed. Numerical experiments with an adaptation of the integrated assessment model DICE94 are proposed to explore the model responses.