Suchergebnisse

The quality of life and economies of coastal communities depend, to a great degree, on the ecological integrity of coastal ecosystems. Paradoxically, as more people are drawn to the coasts, these ecosystems and the services they provide are increasingly stressed by development and human use. Employing the coastal Gulf of Mexico as an example, we explore through three case studies how government policies contribute to preventing, mitigating, or exacerbating the degradation of coastal ecosystems. We consider the effectiveness of the current systems, what alternate or additional policy solutions might be needed to ensure the sustainability of the region and its quality of life, and what this example can tell us about the sustainability of coastal systems globally. In our examples, among other aspects, policies that are proactive and networked governance structures are observed to favor sustainable outcomes, in contrast to reactive policies and hierarchical models of governance.

Increasing the share of evermore energy efficient household electric appliances is one strategy to address environmental impacts arising from residential electricity demand. Hence, governments and energy actors are interested in the determining factors behind the consumer choice of conventional versus high efficiency labelled appliances. This study employs empirical survey data from the Danish Energy Agency to model influential factors behind Danish consumer choice of energy efficient appliances. To estimate consumer propensities, we use a logistic regression model over a set of socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioural variables. The study regresses over this unique combination of end-use behavioural variables by creating an energy efficiency index. Statistical results show that housing type, quantity of inhabitants, age, and end-use behaviour are strong predictors for choosing energy efficient appliances. Interestingly, income is a weaker predictor. Despite a relatively wealthy national income and well-educated population, information campaigns have been largely ineffective in driving high efficiency investments. In light of this study's results and exogenous factors such as urbanising demographics and shifting Danish housing stock towards apartments, the study suggests improved information campaigns by targeting key demographics.

At the height of the Middle Ages, a peculiar system of perpetual exile- or abjuration-flourished in western Europe. It was a judicial form of exile, not political or religious, and it was meted out to felons for crimes deserving of severe corporal punishment or death. This work explores the lives of these men and women who were condemned to abjure the English realm, and draws on their unique experiences to shed light on a medieval legal tradition until now very poorly understood