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ON 16 NOVEMBER 2000, the final report of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) was launched in London, in the presence of South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela. This represented a remarkable milestone in the history of dam policy and politics. During its two-year existence, WCD had conducted the most extensive review of research and evidence regarding the planning, impacts, and management of large dams. It had engaged with numerous stakeholders around the globe. It also made comprehensive recommendations about how to improve dam planning and management.

Responses to recent climatic changes in the sediment of subarctic Lake Saanajärvi in northwestern Finnish Lapland are studied by comparison of various biological and sedimentological proxies with the 200-year long climate record, specifically reconstructed for the site using a data-set of European-wide meteorological data. The multi-proxy evidence of simultaneously changing diatom, Cladocera, and chrysophyte assemblages along with the increased rates of organic matter accumulation and pigment concentrations suggest that the lake has undergone a distinct typological change starting from the turn of the 20th century. This change, indicating an increase in lake productivity, parallels a pronounced rise in the meteorologically reconstructed mean annual and summer temperatures in the region between ca. 1850 and 1930's. We postulate that, during the Little Ice Age, the lake was not, or was only weakly, thermally stratified during summer, whereas the subsequent increase in air and hence epilimnetic water temperatures resulted in the development of the present summer stratification. The increased thermal stability of the lake created more suitable conditions for the growth of phyto- and zooplankton and changed the overall primary production from benthos to plankton. Mineral magnetic and carbonaceous particle records suggest long-distance pollution, particularly since the 1920's, yet the observed changes in lake biota and productivity can hardly be explained by this very minor background pollution; the 20th century species configurations are typical of neutral waters and do not indicate any response to pollution.

Slides presented at the 102 Annual American Meteorological Society Meeting, as part of the session "Major Weather Events and Impacts of 2021" (paper 6.3 - It's Getting Hot in Here: Real-Time Climate Fingerprints Applied to the 2021 Extreme Heat Season) For more information, please reach out to Daniel Gilford at dgilford@climatecentral.org. Presentation Abstract: Extreme heat was observed and experienced across large portions of the United States in 2021, including during notable record-breaking events in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, and along the East coast. The contiguous US experienced its hottest June on record, and excess heat related deaths stretched into the thousands. While more frequent and intense periods of extreme heat are expected consequences of anthropogenic climate change, rapidly and continuously assessing the degree to which human emissions of greenhouse gases increase the likelihood of a specific event remains a challenging technical process. In this study we introduce the Realtime Climate attribution framework and illustrate its application through an analysis of observed 2021 extreme heat events. The framework implements one model-based and two observation-based approaches to produce three distinct attribution assessments, including best estimates and uncertainties. The framework is designed to be flexible across a range of variables and scales, computationally lightweight, and adaptable for impact studies. Using a suite of global climate models, observed global mean temperatures, and local observed daily temperatures, we quantify the extent to which human-driven climate change made 2021 maximum and minimum daily temperature extremes more likely across the United States. Results confirm the continued and growing influence of human-driven climate change in local weather extremes. For instance, we find that the record-breaking high temperatures in June near Phoenix, AZ, were at least 3.25 times more likely because of human activity. Through this framework, we are building the capacity to produce attribution estimates while an event is unfolding. Furthermore, the ability to estimate attribution levels continuously will enhance studies of extreme heat impacts on human health, along with other socioeconomic or influences.

Since a superconductor has no resistance below a certain temperature and can therefore save a large amount of energy dissipated, it is a 'green' material by saving energy loss and hence reducing carbon emissions. Recently the massive manufacture of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials has enabled superconductivity to become a preferred candidate to help generation and transportation of cleaner energy. One of the most promising applications of superconductors is Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) systems, which are becoming the enabling engine for improving the capacity, efficiency, and reliability of the electric system. SMES systems store energy in the magnetic field created by the flow of direct current in a superconducting coil. SMES systems have many advantages compared to other energy storage systems: high cyclic efficiency, fast response time, deep discharge and recharge ability, and a good balance between power density and energy density. Based on these advantages, SMES systems will play an indispensable role in improving power qualities, integrating renewable energy sources and energizing transportation systems. This thesis describes an intensive study of superconducting pancake coils wound using second-generation(2G) HTS materials and their application in SMES systems. The specific contribution of this thesis includes an innovative design of the SMES system, an easily calculated, but theoretically advanced numerical model to analyse the system, extensive experiments to validate the design and model, and a complete demonstration experiment of the prototype SMES system. This thesis begins with literature review which includes the introduction of the background theory of superconductivity and development of SMES systems. Following the literature review is the theoretical work. A prototype SMES system design, which provides the maximum stored energy for a particular length of conductors, has been investigated. Furthermore, a new numerical model, which can predict all necessary operation parameters, including the critical current and AC losses of the system, is presented. This model has been extended to analyse superconducting coils in different situations as well. To validate the theoretical design and model, several superconducting coils, which are essential parts of the prototype SMES system, together with an experimental measurement set-up have been built. The coils have been energized to test their energy storage capability. The operation parameters including the critical current and AC losses have been measured. The results are consistent with the theoretical predictions. Finally the control system is developed and studied. A power electronics control circuit of the prototype SMES system has been designed and simulated. This control circuit can energize or discharge the SMES system dynamically and robustly. During a voltage sag compensation experiment, this SMES prototype monitored the power system and successfully compensated the voltage sag when required. By investigating the process of building a complete system from the initial design to the final experiment, the concept of a prototype SMES system using newly available 2G HTS tapes was validated. This prototype SMES system is the first step towards the implementation of future indsutrial SMES systems with bigger capacities, and the knowledge obtained through this research provides a comprehensive overview of the design of complete SMES systems. The full text of this thesis is not available due to ongoing discussions regarding publication

The database presents the scenario results of an exploratory research, carried out at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): the Low Energy Demand (LED) study (Grubler et al. 2018). The LED scenario explored how far transformative changes that combine technological changes, end-use efficiency, and new business models for energy service provision can lead for lowering energy demand, and how these changes could drive deep decarbonisation in the long-term. The scenario development methodology included a bottom-up analysis of how currently existing, though often embryonic, social, institutional, and technological trends could become mainstream with resulting step-changes in efficiency and resulting lowered energy demand. The bottom-up demand estimations were then further explored for their supply side and emissions and climate implications with a top-down modeling framework drawing on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) framework (Riahi et al. 2017). The results show that global final energy demands can be drastically reduced in 2050, to around 245 EJ/yr, or 40% lower than today, whilst significantly expanding human welfare and reducing global development inequalities. According to the knowledge of the authors, LED is the lowest long-term global energy demand scenario ever published. The LED scenario meets the 1.5°C climate target in 2100 without overshoot and keeps the global mean temperature increase below 1.5°C with a probability of more than 60%, without requiring controversial negative emission technologies, such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), that figure prominently in the emission scenario literature (Rogelj et al. 2015, Anderson and Peters 2016, Creutzig et al. 2016, Smith et al. 2016). Furthermore, the beneficial impacts of the LED scenario on a range of other sustainable development goals are also shown, demonstrating that efficiency of energy services provision plays a critical role in reaching low-energy futures without compromising increased living standards in the Global South, while at the same time reducing adverse social and environmental impacts of climate mitigation strategies that focus predominantly on large-scale supply-side transformations. The research is published in a peer-reviewed article in Nature Energy (Grubler et al. 2018) with ample supplementary information. Water consumption and withdrawal data are published in Parkinson et al. (2018). The data is available for download from the LED Database. The content of the LED database and any derived analysis may only be used for non-commercial scientific publications, articles, educational purposes, figures and data tables provided that the source reference pursuant to section 'Required citation' is included and all relevant publications are correctly cited. Partial reproductions of the database content may be stored in online repositories, if this is necessary to comply with a journal's data archiving and access requirements. Such reproductions must be limited to the scope of the manuscript in question, and must include a hyperlink to the source database hosted at https://db1.ene.iiasa.ac.at/LEDDB and the download date from the source database. However, any wholesale duplication, translation, reworking, processing, arrangement, transformation, or reproduction through the internet or any other channels, of the https://db1.ene.iiasa.ac.at/LEDDEB for commercial or non-commercial purposes is not permitted without the explicit written approval of IIASA.

It is generally acknowledged that economic activity continues apace and at the expense of social and ecological integrity while the course of economic development remains far from any approximation of sustainability. Few would dispute the fact that since 1992 little has been accomplished in practical terms to meet Agenda 21 objectives. Many would agree that Agenda 21-inspired local visions and goals have not translated into actual local change in part because of the complex and the multi-faceted nature of the issues involved. Policy work on ecological modernization and sustainability needs to be explicit on the question of scale and the role of governments. The central challenge for policy makers, action takers, and researchers is to determine the appropriate territorial (physical, social, economic, and political) scale at and through which government power needs to be deployed to effect transition to sustainable modes of regulation. This question is particularly relevant given the current discourse on regionalization / globalization. Adopting a 'post-disciplinary' approach this thesis examines how institutional inter-relations shape the outcome of plans to meet policy objectives on sustainable development at the local (municipality) scale. In-depth analysis of interview and secondary data reveals that numerous factors 'regulate' what occurs at local and other scales in relation to sustainable development. This thesis concludes with exploring the policy and future research implications of the findings.

{"references": ["Ebrahim Hajidavalloo (2007), \"Application of evaporative cooling on the condenser of window-air-conditioner\", Appl. Therm. Eng., Volume 27, Issue 11-12, pp. 1937-1943, Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2006.12.014 .", "Chainarong Chaktranond and Peachrakha Doungsong (2010), \"An Experimental evaluation of energy saving in a split type air conditioner with evaporative cooling system\" Int. Transac. J.of Eng. Mgmt and Appl. Sci and Technol., Volume 1, Issue 1, pp. 9-18, Available at https://www.slideshare.net/drboon/01-01009018itjemast-chainarong .", "Vrachopoulos, M.G., Filios, A.E., Kotsiovelos, G.T. and Kravaritis, E.D (2005), \"Incorporated evaporative condenser\" Appl. Therm. Eng., Volume 27, Issue 5-6, pp. 823-828, Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2006.09.021.", "T. T. Chow, Zang Lin and X.Y. Yang (2002), \"Placement of condensing units of split-type air conditioners at low-rise residences\", Appl. Therm. Eng., Volume 22, Issue 13, pp. 1431-1444,Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-4311(02)00068-6", "Reshap Arora and Rajesh Sharma (2017), \"Experimental Investigation of Evaporative Condenser with Two Cooling Pads for Window Air-Conditioner\", An International Int. Journal J. of Eng. Sci., ISSN: 2320-0332, 2017; Volume 25, pp. 11-16, Available at http://ijoes.vidyapublications.com/paper/Vol25/02-Vol25.pdf", "M.M. Kulkarni, A.V. Khandagale, P.V. Singh, S.S. Choudhary, R.D. Sharma (2016), \"Experimental Investigations of Evaporative-Cooled Condenser Split Air Conditioner\", Int. J. of Eng. Sci. and Comput., ISSN: 2321 3361, Volume 6, Issue 5, pp. 5407-5411, DOI: 10.4010/2016.1324", "K. R. Aglawe, M. S. Matey and N. P. Gudadhe (2013), \"Experimental Analysis of Window Air Conditioner using Evaporative Cooling\", International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, ISSN: 2278-0181, Volume 2, Issue 2, pp. 1-6, Available at https://www.ijert.org/research/experimental-analysis-of-window-air-conditioner-using-evaporative-cooling-IJERTV2IS2319.pdf"]} A unit for evaporative cooling in condenser of domestic air conditioner and its performance testing on effectiveness and reduction in power consumption. Evaporative cooling in condenser of Split A.C is achieved by spraying water on the fins of condensing unit at regular interval of time. Evaporative cooling will increase the rate of heat transfer and thus further sub cooled refrigerant will be obtained at the exit of condenser. Due to this sub cooling, refrigeration effect increases which results in increase in COP and reduces power consumption.

Changes in microfossils (diatoms, chrysophytes, chironomids and cladocera remains), geochemistry and deposition of atmospheric pollutants have been investigated in the sediment records of the alpine lake Gossenkollesee ( Tyrol, Austria) spanning the last two centuries. The sediment records were compared with seasonal and annual air temperature trends calculated for the elevation (2417 m a. s. l.) and the geographical position (47degrees13'46"N, 11degrees00'51"E) of the lake, and with precipitation records available since 1866 from Innsbruck. Temperature trends followed a 20 30 year oscillation between cold and warm periods. Regarding long-term changes, temperature trends showed a U-shaped trend between 1780 and 1950, followed by a steep increase since 1975.

The Emiliania huxleyi stoichiometry database contains data for the growth rate, cellular elemental content (particulate inorganic carbon - PIC, organic carbon - C, nitrogen - N and phosphorous - P) and C:N:P stoichiometry (PIC:C, C:N, N:P, C:P) compiled through a meta-analysis of literature reporting the results of laboratory experiments (cultures) on the coccolithophore species Emiliania huxleyi, an important calcifying marine phytoplankton. The database also reports selected additional parameters including cell size and/or volume, and chlorophyll a as well as additional meta-data associated with the original data source including strain details and culture experimental conditions. A description of the parameters contained in the database can be found in the file "The Emiliania huxleyi stoichiometry database data description". Please cite this dataset as: Sheward et al. (2021) The Emiliania huxleyi stoichiometry database. doi:10.5281/zenodo.4601185 The author can be contacted at sheward@em.uni-frankfurt.de to confirm versioning and to request details of any accompanying publications that arise. The compilation of this database was supported by Mount Allison University, Canada and Dalhousie University, Canada and funding through the Canada Research Chairs program (ZVF) and the Simons Collaboration on Computational Biogeochemical Modeling of Marine Ecosystems (CBIOMES grants 549937 to ZVF and 549935 to AJI).