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In 1990, The Coopers & Lybrand Consulting Group at the request of the Mining Association of Canada carried out a survey of reclamation regulations in selected countries and jurisdictions outside Canada. This initial study was later supplemented by data from Canadian provincial jurisdictions. This paper presents a summary of the findings of these studies and comparisons between the various jurisdictions. There has been a progression in various Mining Acts from legislation covering the safety aspects of mining and health to much more complex environmental concerns ranging from disturbance of flora and fauna to the ultimate reclamation of the areas affected by mining. Identification of and compliance with reclamation regulations, the funding of reclamation activities, and the responsibility of operator beyond the abandonment of the property are issues which are becoming of increasing concern to mine developers and operators ; Non UBC ; Unreviewed ; Other

Since the 1950s, marine macroalgae have been used as biomonitors of pollution (including heavy metals, organic compounds, or radioactive elements, among others). These organisms have the ability to bioconcentrate bioavailable compounds from the environment, and through a chemical analysis of their tissues, are used as indicators of water quality. However, despite their relevance, there is no standardized protocols for their use as a tool in environmental monitoring programmess. The harmonization of protocols is very important because algae are often included in legislative measurements, and the lack of scientifically based protocols can lead to deficiencies in such regulations. Therefore, an exhaustive study of the use of marine macroalgae in biomonitoring, as well as the standardization of some important methodological aspects of the technique, such as the sampling design, the type of sample, etc., has been carried out in this Doctoral Thesis in order to contribute to the standardization of this technique.

"For the Wild explores the ways in which the commitments of radical environmental and animal-rights activists develop through powerful experiences with the larger-than-human world during childhood and young adulthood. The book addresses the question of how and why activists come to value nonhuman animals and the natural world as worthy of protection. Emotions and memories of wonder, love, compassion, anger, and grief shape activists' protest practices and help us understand their deep-rooted commitments to the planet and its creatures. Drawing on analyses of activist art, music, and writings, as well as interviews and participant-observation in activist communities, Sarah M. Pike delves into the sacred duties of these often misunderstood and marginalized groups with openness and sensitivity."--Provided by publisher.

Die Nachfrage nach natürlichen Ressourcen ist in den letzten Jahren weltweit kontinuierlich gestiegen. Umgekehrt ist das Angebot bei vielen dieser Ressourcen begrenzt und die Bestände sind weltweit sehr ungleich verteilt. Aufgrund ihrer herausragenden Bedeutung wird der Wettlauf um knappe Ressourcen zu einem zentralen Faktor nationaler Entwicklung und der internationalen Beziehungen. Wirtschaftliche Aspekte sind dabei oft aufs engste mit politischen Fragen verknüpft. Mit Blick auf die globale Gerechtigkeit analysieren die Autoren, wie eine Eskalation des Wettlaufs um Ressourcen vermieden und kooperative Lösungen für ein nachhaltiges Ressourcenmanagement gefunden werden können. Dazu ist aus ethischer Sicht etwa zu klären, wem die natürlichen Ressourcen gehören und wer welchen Anteil an den daraus erwachsenden Einnahmen erhalten soll.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of premature mortality and morbidity in the UK with an estimated cost to the NHS of £14.4 billion. The incidence of CVD is projected to rise due to an ageing population and a high incidence of hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. Both of these conditions are associated with obesity, a condition which is reaching epidemic proportions, and is a modifiable risk factor for CVD. The NHS Health Checks programme is a national programme introduced in 2009 as part of a government programme to reduce avoidable deaths and disability. The main aim of the NHS Health Check is to improve the health and wellbeing of adults aged 40-74 years. It aims to do this through the promotion of earlier awareness, assessment and management of major risk factors and conditions that contribute to premature death and disability. Additionally, it aspires to contributing towards reducing health inequalities in England. NHS Health Checks are mainly delivered in GP practices by nurses or healthcare assistants who usually invite patients by letter. However, the method used to invite patients for an NHS Health Check has been shown to influence their likelihood of attendance. A recent study that explored attendance and method of invite for a Health Check found that verbal and telephone invitations resulted in a greater likelihood of attendance compared to a written letter invitation. This has recently been demonstrated by a GP practice in a deprived area of South Bristol. The practice piloted a telephone invitation method for engaging eligible patients for an NHS Health Check. Community link workers telephoned eligible patients, and if the patient consented, they completed selected aspects of the NHS Health Check by telephone. This was followed by inviting the patient to attend their GP practice for the remaining aspects of the NHS Health Check to be completed. This mainly included the physiological measurements for example blood tests and blood pressure. They found that their rate of ratio of invitations made to attendance for the full Health Check increased from 36%, using a traditional letter invite, to 78% using the telephone invitation method. As a consequence of this success, Bristol City Council (Public Health) identified funding to enable this model to be rolled out to all GP practices within the lowest lower layer super output areas (LSOAs) throughout the City of Bristol. We used a quantitative, quasi-experimental approach, to examine the relationship between attendance, or not for an NHS Health Check and age, gender, Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) score and ethnicity. We compared and contrasted the types of patients who attended for an NHS Health Check as a result of the telephone outreach initiative, with those who attended for an NHS Health Check as a result of the more traditional letter invite. We also compared and contrasted attendance for an NHS Health Check during the intervention period, with a similar period, prior to the intervention. To try and contextualise our results we explored and described potential confounding influences that may have encouraged or discouraged uptake of an NHS Health Check over the intervention period. The main aims and objectives of this evaluation were: Aims: • To evaluate the effectiveness of the telephone outreach service versus the standard invitation approach on uptake of NHS Health Checks in GP practices located in the lowest lower super output areas (LSOAs) in the city of Bristol. Objectives •Using practices located in the lowest LSOAs in the City of Bristol, compare the rate of uptake of an NHS Health Check in the target population, in GP practices using the telephone outreach initiative, with the rate of uptake in comparison / control practices who were using the traditional letter invite. •Investigate the relationship in the target population of those who attended or declined an NHS heath check, with age, gender, IMD and ethnicity, in both patients who were invited using the telephone outreach initiative and the traditional letter invite. •To explore other possible influencing factors on the uptake of NHS Health Checks, by the target population, during the study period.

Humans have always used denial. When we are afraid, guilty, confused, or when something interferes with our self-image, we tend to deny it. Yet denial is a delusion. When it impacts on the health of oneself, or society, or the world it becomes a pathology. Climate change denial is such a case. Paradoxically, as the climate science has become more certain, denial about the issue has increased. The paradox lies in the denial. There is a denial industry funded by the fossil fuel companies that literally denies the science, and seeks to confuse the public. There is denial within governments, where.

The attainment of food and water security rank high on the agendas of governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although the objectives are similar, the underlying drivers, resource endowments and opportunities for achieving them are different. Differences between two regions in natural resource endowment and investment capital stock can, in theory, lead to mutually beneficial trade to achieve desired objectives. Concerns about the recent food crises coupled with the disparity in land and water endowment and investable capital between MENA and SSA have led in recent years to investment in agricultural land in the latter by a number of MENA countries with the aim of producing food. At the same time, many SSA countries seek these investments to infuse capital, technology and know-how into their agricultural sector to improve productivity, food security and rural livelihoods. However, these recent foreign direct agricultural investments have to date performed poorly or have been abandoned without achieving the initial objectives of setting them up. Based on research conducted in selected sub-Saharan countries, this paper analyses the reasons for the failure of these investments. It then reviews a few successful agricultural investments by private sector companies with a long history of operation in SSA. Juxtaposing lessons distilled from failed and successful case studies, the paper argues that large-scale agricultural investments that take advantage of this accumulated knowledge are needed and do have a critical role to play. Such investments, when they also incorporate ecosystems management practices and smallholder inclusive business models in their operations, can serve as appropriate instruments to reconcile the food and water security objectives of both the MENA region and SSA, while promoting sustainable intensification of agriculture and improved rural livelihoods in SSA.

The attainment of food and water security rank high on the agendas of governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although the objectives are similar, the underlying drivers, resource endowments and opportunities for achieving them are different. Differences between two regions in natural resource endowment and investment capital stock can, in theory, lead to mutually beneficial trade to achieve desired objectives. Concerns about the recent food crises coupled with the disparity in land and water endowment and investable capital between MENA and SSA have led in recent years to investment in agricultural land in the latter by a number of MENA countries with the aim of producing food. At the same time, many SSA countries seek these investments to infuse capital, technology and know-how into their agricultural sector to improve productivity, food security and rural livelihoods. However, these recent foreign direct agricultural investments have to date performed poorly or have been abandoned without achieving the initial objectives of setting them up. Based on research conducted in selected sub-Saharan countries, this paper analyses the reasons for the failure of these investments. It then reviews a few successful agricultural investments by private sector companies with a long history of operation in SSA. Juxtaposing lessons distilled from failed and successful case studies, the paper argues that large-scale agricultural investments that take advantage of this accumulated knowledge are needed and do have a critical role to play. Such investments, when they also incorporate ecosystems management practices and smallholder inclusive business models in their operations, can serve as appropriate instruments to reconcile the food and water security objectives of both the MENA region and SSA, while promoting sustainable intensification of agriculture and improved rural livelihoods in SSA.

The European Community Regulation on Chemicals (REACH) is supposed to be a modern and intelligent regulation. It entered into effect on June 1, 2007 and remains in its implementation phase. The modern and intelligent aspects primarily lie in the way in which self-responsible action on the part of the norm addressees should be linked with sovereign elements of the European Commission and the member states of the European Union. Especially given that many experiences have been collected since the beginning of the REACH implementation in 2007, it is worth focusing on some aspects in further detail now, especially with respect to the ambitious aims and expectations associated with this regulation. "The purpose of this Regulation is to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment, including the promotion of alternative methods for assessment of hazards of substances, as well as the free circulation of substances on the international market while enhancing competitiveness and innovation. […] This Regulation is based on the principle that it is for manufacturers, importers and downstream users to ensure that they manufacture, place on the market or use such substances that do not adversely affect human health or the environment. […]" (Article 1 REACH-Regulation). In order to contribute to better regulation – particularly within the European legislation – many means and procedures have been invented and established. The umbrella term under which all of these efforts can be merged is named Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). The work in hand applies some means of the RIA toolbox to study aspects of the REACH-Regulation in depth. Collectively, three papers focus on prerequisites for the regulation of risk communication in supply chains with respect to the REACH-Regulation. The considerations and results presented in this work have been acquired under the Responsive Regulation of Innovation Behavior for Sustainability research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)). According to the three papers, the structure of the work in hand has three parts, A, B and C. "The European Community Regulation on Chemicals REACH (EC) No 1907/2006: Considerations on the relation between positions and downstream risk communication within supply chains from the perspective of game theory" is the title of the first paper which constitute part A. As the title already suggests, in this paper game theory is used as an RIA tool to study the way in which positions in a supply chain influence the shape of downstream risk communication. Under the research hypothesis "The respective position within a supply chain influences the form of downstream risk communication", it is shown that stable downstream risk communication in the form of equilibria emerges and that the quality of the emerging downstream risk communication is sensitive to the different positions in the supply chain that are analyzed here. In order to change the viewing direction from downstream to upstream risk communication, part B contains a paper entitled "The European Community Regulation on Chemicals REACH (EC) No 1907/2006: Incentives for upstream risk communication within supply chains – considerations from the perspective of game theory". Again, game theory is used as an RIA tool to explore the hypothesis "There exists no incentive for upstream risk communication in compliance with REACH within the supply chain". The results from the equilibrium analysis demonstrate that the normative requirements set forth by REACH in this context could be met under certain conditions. Especially this paper derives its importance through the fact that elaborations on the functioning of upstream risk communication are difficult to find, in comparison to reflections on downstream risk communication. However, one key element of REACH is the implementation of risk communication that works in both directions, upstream and downstream. Alongside game theory, the means of experimental economics are also appropriate in the context of RIA. Besides risk communication up and down the supply chain, self-responsible action on the part of norm addressees is another key element of REACH. Accordingly, part C of the work in hand addresses issues of self-responsible behavior on part of the norm addressees. Under the title "Smart regulation of downstream communication in a supply chain – experimental evidence", prerequisites and factors are studied that self-responsible behavior – in compliance with the normative requirements set forth by REACH – may help to happen. This is achieved by exploring the two hypotheses "If they are not sanctioned for non-compliant behavior, the actors will choose the form of downstream communication that brings them the highest cooperation gain possible, even if this form is not conformable to law" and "If non-compliant behavior is not sanctioned, the way of dividing the cooperation gain made through a form of downstream communication between two norm addressees is independent of whether this form is conformable to law". The results show that self-responsible norm-compliant behavior does not emerge automatically and reveal factors that seem to be crucial in this context. This third paper is jointly work together with Kilian Bizer, who contributed to this paper by interpreting the results through offering an explanation titled 'compensation for possible cognitive dissonances'. All three papers presented in the parts A to C constitute the cumulative dissertation of Stephan Hensel, who is grateful to all persons who contributed to prepare this work in hand.

Зазначено, що сучасний стан територій України свідчить про наявність суттєвих проблем і негативних явищ. Визначено, що причинами цього є відсутність чітко встановлених суб'єктів розвитку, що позбавляє стратегічні документи з розвитку конкретного вектору їх реалізації. Запропоновано модель аналізу суб'єктів просторового розвитку, за якою визначені представники приватного сектора як основні учасники процесів просторового розвитку України. ; Problem setting. Spatial development of Ukraine today is characterized by the presence of serious problems and negative trends, including inequalities of socio-economic development of some regions and settlements, inconsistency of social, economic, urban and environmental aspects of their development.State and local governments solve these problems by developing and implementing spatial development strategies. However, very few of such strategies met the real challenges and needs of local communities, were implemented or integrated.Recent research and publications analysis. Such Ukrainian scientists as O. Berdanova, B. Bezzubko, V. Vakulenko, G. Vasylchenko, Z. Gerasymchuk, O. Kary, V. Mamonova, O. Karlova, I. Parasyuk, A. Tkachuk and some others should be noted among the researchers of strategic planning and territorial development. Some national scientists devoted their research to relevant aspects of project management in territorial development, such as O. Amosha, V. Babayev, O. Bezugly, Z. Varnaliy, S. Vovkanych, S. Ghazaryan, A. Galchynsky, V. Geets, Z. Gerasymchuk, B. Danylyshyn, M. Dolishniy, T. Zayats, O. Kavtysh, I. Katsai, G. Litosh, O. Medvedeva, V. Molokanova, O. Novikova, O. Pidkuyko, S. Pisarenko, V. Rach, O. Rossoshanska, V. Seminozhenko, S. Chernov and some others.A number of methodological documents for spatial development planning have also been developed as part of EuropeAid technical assistance programs and projects.Highlighting previously unsettled parts of the general problem. Previous research has paid almost no attention to the identification of specific entities that are currently involved in the spatial development of Ukraine. The lack of clearly defined development "recipients" deprives the developed strategic documents of any specific vector of their implementation. This greatly complicates the functioning of the spatial development system in our country and reduces its efficiency. Therefore, the aim of the study is to propose a method of spatial development entities analysis in order to identify the actors who now provide implementation of measures in the field of spatial development in Ukraine.Paper main body. According to the proposed method, the first stage of the spatial development entities analysis is the establishment of landowners as potential assets users for the implementation of development measures. The next analyzed group of participants includes the subjects of urban planning, namely – customers of buildings construction and reconstruction, which are contained in the Unified Register of documents certifying the commissioning of completed facilities. The third group of spatial development entities studied includes investors who provide financing for spatial development activities. Statistical data on capital investments by sources of financing were obtained from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine.Certain spatial development entities are clearly divided into the public or private sphere, as project management approaches and methods in these areas have traditionally differed significantly. According to the developed method, the analysis of current entities in Ukrainian spatial development was carried out.Conclusions of the research and prospects for further studies. Obtained results of the analysis allow us to establish the representatives of the private sector as the main players in the spatial development in Ukraine. They own almost three quarters of Ukraine's land. They are the most active participants in urban development, and they are the ones who provide more than 87% of capital investments with their own funds. That is, spatial development must be strategically attractive primarily for the private sector. Therefore, a topical area for further research may be the search of mechanisms for reconciling the strategic priorities established by the authorities in spatial development strategies with the strategic priorities of private structures as the main actors in spatial development.

Problem setting. Spatial development of Ukraine today is characterized by the presence of serious problems and negative trends, including inequalities of socio-economic development of some regions and settlements, inconsistency of social, economic, urban and environmental aspects of their development.State and local governments solve these problems by developing and implementing spatial development strategies. However, very few of such strategies met the real challenges and needs of local communities, were implemented or integrated.Recent research and publications analysis. Such Ukrainian scientists as O. Berdanova, B. Bezzubko, V. Vakulenko, G. Vasylchenko, Z. Gerasymchuk, O. Kary, V. Mamonova, O. Karlova, I. Parasyuk, A. Tkachuk and some others should be noted among the researchers of strategic planning and territorial development. Some national scientists devoted their research to relevant aspects of project management in territorial development, such as O. Amosha, V. Babayev, O. Bezugly, Z. Varnaliy, S. Vovkanych, S. Ghazaryan, A. Galchynsky, V. Geets, Z. Gerasymchuk, B. Danylyshyn, M. Dolishniy, T. Zayats, O. Kavtysh, I. Katsai, G. Litosh, O. Medvedeva, V. Molokanova, O. Novikova, O. Pidkuyko, S. Pisarenko, V. Rach, O. Rossoshanska, V. Seminozhenko, S. Chernov and some others.A number of methodological documents for spatial development planning have also been developed as part of EuropeAid technical assistance programs and projects.Highlighting previously unsettled parts of the general problem. Previous research has paid almost no attention to the identification of specific entities that are currently involved in the spatial development of Ukraine. The lack of clearly defined development "recipients" deprives the developed strategic documents of any specific vector of their implementation. This greatly complicates the functioning of the spatial development system in our country and reduces its efficiency. Therefore, the aim of the study is to propose a method of spatial development entities analysis in order to identify the actors who now provide implementation of measures in the field of spatial development in Ukraine.Paper main body. According to the proposed method, the first stage of the spatial development entities analysis is the establishment of landowners as potential assets users for the implementation of development measures. The next analyzed group of participants includes the subjects of urban planning, namely – customers of buildings construction and reconstruction, which are contained in the Unified Register of documents certifying the commissioning of completed facilities. The third group of spatial development entities studied includes investors who provide financing for spatial development activities. Statistical data on capital investments by sources of financing were obtained from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine.Certain spatial development entities are clearly divided into the public or private sphere, as project management approaches and methods in these areas have traditionally differed significantly. According to the developed method, the analysis of current entities in Ukrainian spatial development was carried out.Conclusions of the research and prospects for further studies. Obtained results of the analysis allow us to establish the representatives of the private sector as the main players in the spatial development in Ukraine. They own almost three quarters of Ukraine's land. They are the most active participants in urban development, and they are the ones who provide more than 87% of capital investments with their own funds. That is, spatial development must be strategically attractive primarily for the private sector. Therefore, a topical area for further research may be the search of mechanisms for reconciling the strategic priorities established by the authorities in spatial development strategies with the strategic priorities of private structures as the main actors in spatial development. ; Зазначено, що сучасний стан територій України свідчить про наявність суттєвих проблем і негативних явищ. Визначено, що причинами цього є відсутність чітко встановлених суб'єктів розвитку, що позбавляє стратегічні документи з розвитку конкретного вектору їх реалізації. Запропоновано модель аналізу суб'єктів просторового розвитку, за якою визначені представники приватного сектора як основні учасники процесів просторового розвитку України.

Sustainable entrepreneurship has attracted growing attention in both scholarly and practitioner circles. Focusing on generating social, environmental and business value, the notion has been raised more recently to address the contribution of entrepreneurial activities to sustainable economic and social development. Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation builds on a theoretical framework that addresses related topics via a combination of insights from sustainability, policy, managerial, strategic, innovation and institutional perspectives. Providing empirical casework as well as a conceptual and theoretical framework, the book takes a global, interdisciplinary approach to the emergent field of sustainable entrepreneurship. The book highlights elements of sustainable entrepreneurship which have a societal impact as well as regional relevance and related aspects of innovation are also presented. Definitional issues are further elaborated in order to encompass the main inter-connected fields of study, sustainable entrepreneurship and social innovation. This book is an important resource for academic researchers, and postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability.

AbstractDepletion of free-living populations is often associated with changes in fitness-related traits, e.g., body size. Ongoing decrease in body size has been reported in most vertebrates, but reptiles remain understudied. Moreover, sexual size dimorphism, commonly observed in reptiles, indicates that environmental pressures on body size may appear sex-specific. This can also result in shifts in sex ratio, an aspect even less studied. We investigated body size and sex ratio in population of grass snake (Natrix natrix) surveyed over 40 years ago in comparison with the current state. We found that both sexes express similar magnitude in body size decline. The current sex ratio does not deviate from 1:1, while in the past, females outnumbered males. The observed changes are likely an outcome of several non-mutually exclusive factors. In the studied area, an increase in road traffic and human presence and a drop in prey availability have been documented. Both factors may exert higher pressure on larger individuals, particularly females, due to their high costs of reproduction. It is recorded here that increase in ambient temperatures and summer duration may additionally enhance the mortality risk and resource requirements. Shifts in body size and sex ratio can catalyze further declines in abundance and reproductive potential of the population.

Intro -- Foreword -- Contents -- The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Economic Activity of Mexico in 2020 -- 1 Introduction -- 2 ARIMA Models with Intervention -- 3 Estimates and Results -- 4 Conclusions and Discussion -- References -- Survival Likelihood of Micro and Small Businesses Facing a Catastrophe -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Literature Review -- 3 BCP Design and Pitfalls -- 4 Methodology -- 5 Scenario Analysis -- 6 Conclusions -- References -- How Covid-19 Has Accelerated the Garment and Financial Investment Industries' Adoption of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Standards -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Textile and Apparel Industry Transform to Face Consumers Demanding an ESG Perspective -- 3 Key Elements for a Transition to an ESG Industry -- 4 The ESG Investment Revolution Will Transform Financial Markets -- 5 Have ESG Investing a Better Performance Than Other Assets? -- 6 Conclusions, Challenges and Opportunities of an ESG Global Transition -- References -- Contagion Adverse Degree, Income Inequality and Economic Growth -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Economic Fundamentals -- 3 Macroeconomic Equilibrium -- 4 Distributional Dynamics -- 5 Long-Run Shocks -- 6 Conclusions -- References -- Forecasting the Effects of the COVID-19 Crisis on Economic Growth and the Microfinance Sector in Latin America: An Approach with Fuzzy Neural Networks -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Theoretical-Methodological Review: Effects of the Economic Crisis on the Microfinance Sector -- 3 Sugeno-Type Autoregressive Neural Network with Pentagonal Membership Function -- 4 Forecast of the Macroeconomic Environment in Latin American Countries Derived from COVID-19 -- 5 Expected Impact on the Microfinance Industry Caused by the COVID-19 Economic Crisis -- 6 Conclusions -- References.