Suchergebnisse

Abstract This article addresses regional inequalities about critical healthcare infrastructure for coping with the COVID-19, based on geospatial analysis and compartmental modeling (SEIR). The study sites were the São Paulo Macro Metropolis (MMP) and the Metropolitan Region of Vale do Paraíba/Litoral Norte (RMVPLN). The results indicated the absence of ICU beds in more than 2/3 of the municipalities, in addition to the concentration in regional hubs, for which the migration of COVID-19 cases from neighboring municipalities should be considered. The analysis with the SEIR model, performed for scenarios with and without social isolation, showed that the isolation adopted in the regions was able to postpone the collapse of the health infrastructure, reducing the reproduction rate of the disease. The simulations indicated a reproduction rate of 0.95 in order to avoid collapse in the health infrastructure for RMVPLN in the analyzed period. In addition, for future resilience, it is essential to address inequalities in terms of health infrastructure available for public and private access.

Este trabalho analisa a variação de fatores ambientais (chuva e vento) e sua influência sobre as edificações. Os resultados para o período de 2000 a 2010 mostram uma variação considerável entre índices máximos e mínimos destes fatores no Brasil, e pode subsidiar adaptações nas normas técnicas visando a aumentar a vida útil de edificações e reduzir o impacto sobre o ambiente construído.

Abstract One of the benefits of forest and reforestation is linked to the erosion control and reduction of the amount of sediments suspended in water. This study proposes a methodology for Payments for Ecosystem Services associated to these benefits in 24 water supply watersheds, under influence of the Paraíba do Sul River Basin Environmental Protected Area, in Brazil. In order to estimate the water resources protection through the reforestation, the current scenario was compared to a hypothetical scenario, in which degraded pasture are replaced by forest. The avoided soil erosion could reach around 40t.ha-1.yr-1. Reforestation can avoid expenditures in water treatment, sludge disposal and dredging around USD 7.8 million per year. Annual values for PES range from USD 6 to 3,014 per hectare of reforested area. The results highlight the importance of valuing the benefits of the ecosystem services rescued.

Abstract This article analyzes the economic impact of industrial complex NO2 and PM10 (particulate matter) emissions on the ecosystem service (ES) of pollutant dilution in the atmosphere. To this end, the Pecém Industrial and Port Complex (CIPP), Brazil, was adopted as a case study. The ES economic valuation is based on increased healthcare costs associated with a higher occurrence of rhinitis and atopic eczema in adolescent children, derived from CIPP activities. The potential symptomatic population was calculated taking advantage of its relationship with the concentration of NO2 and PM10 pollutants. The monetization of the impact is carried out using the replacement cost method, comparing two scenarios: status quo and low emissions. The activities developed at the CIPP are found to result in an increase of US$ 720 thousand per year in health costs for the region. These costs represent a 70% increase in costs related to the diseases under analysis

Abstract Electricity distribution is a fundamental activity for society. However, mitigating actions on risks and dependencies of this activity still need to be discovered concerning Ecosystem Services (ES). This fact can negatively influence its prosperity, especially in the long term. Within this context, this paper aims to identify actions that mitigate the risks and dependencies on ES associated with a company in the electricity sector in Brazil that performs electricity distribution services. The identification was based on the collection, analysis, and interpretation of stakeholders' perceptions of the activity through an adaptation of the Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) problem structuring method. As a result, a structured vision of actions that mitigate ES risks and dependencies of electric power distribution, enabling management focused on the longevity of both the ES and the economic activity.

Resumo A distribuição de energia elétrica é uma atividade fundamental para a sociedade. No entanto, pouco se conhece sobre ações que mitiguem os riscos e dependências dessa atividade em relação aos Serviços Ecossistêmicos (SE). Tal fato pode influenciar negativamente sua prosperidade, especialmente, no longo prazo. Dentro desse contexto, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo identificar ações que mitigam os riscos e dependências em relação aos SE associados a uma empresa do setor elétrico no Brasil que realiza o serviço de distribuição de energia elétrica. A identificação se baseou na coleta, análise e interpretação de percepções de stakeholders envolvidos na atividade, por meio de uma adaptação do método de estruturação de problemas Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA). Como resultado, obteve-se uma visão estruturada de ações que mitigam os riscos e dependências da distribuição de energia elétrica em relação aos SE, possibilitando uma gestão focada na longevidade tanto dos SEs quanto da atividade econômica.