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Among recent high-profile propositions to revise national accounts and to provide new indicators of sustainability and well-being, the Inclusive Wealth Framework and the related Inclusive Wealth Index(thereafter IWI), first released during the “Rio+20” Conference, undoubtedly stand out as the most promising endeavour. Built up at the confluence of welfare, development and sustainability economics, the indicator is supposed to bring information about the wealth of nations and their sustainability, in a comprehensive way. The inclusive wealth framework is nevertheless fraught with limitations, due to questionable theoretical assumptions and gaps in data availability. We propose a critical appraisal of the index and its underlying framework. Our conclusion is that these limitations undermine its capacity to reach the goals it was given, and to fulfill the requirements of a satisfactory sustainability indicator. Special emphasis is put on the misleading pretension of (neoclassical) economics to handle highly complex, uncertain and manifold issues, even on theoretical bases renovated by dropping some optimality assumptions. We briefly sketch alternative research avenues, that appear more conducive to the endorsement of strong sustainability, and less prone to economism. Alleged theoretical consistency and elegance should not beguile us when choosing indicators for sustainable and prosperous societies.

This study provides a comprehensive review of the literature on climate risk insurance modeling to identify lessons learned and knowledge gaps to be addressed by future research. These models are increasingly relevant due to the rising losses attributable to climate change. Insurance models estimate risk for different perils and simulate risk-related parameters for insurance schemes, such as premiums and deductibles. Most forward-looking models indicate that climate change and socioeconomic developments highly exacerbate future risk and increase insurance premiums. Various studies recommend charging risk-based premiums to incentivize adaptation efforts that limit this increase in climate risks. Other findings point toward introducing public-private insurance to cope with climate change and enhance risk spreading by introducing insurance purchase requirements or insurance products that cover multiple climate risks. Gaps that we identify in thisliterature review include an underrepresentation of insurance assessments for developing countries and for hazards other than flooding. Additionally, we note a lack of research into insurance for non-agricultural commercial sectors. Furthermore, less than half of the studies take a forward-looking approach by incorporating climate change scenarios, and an even smaller percentage consider socioeconomic development scenarios. This limitation shows that current methods require additional development for assessing the effects of future climate risk on insurance. We recommend that future research develops such forward-looking models, considers using a more refined spatial scale, broadens geographical and hazard coverage, and includes the commercial sector.

> Les pays riches doivent faire beaucoup plus, beaucoup plus vite. L'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies en septembre 2021 réunira les pays à un moment critique pour organiser une action collective pour faire face à la crise environnementale mondiale. Ils se réuniront à nouveau lors du sommet sur la biodiversité à Kunming, en Chine, et de la conférence sur le climat (Conférence des Parties (COP)26) à Glasgow, au Royaume-Uni. Avant ces réunions cruciales, nous - les rédacteurs en chef des revues de santé du monde entier - appelons à une action urgente pour maintenir les augmentations moyennes de la température mondiale en dessous de 1,5 ° C, arrêter la destruction de la nature et protéger la santé. La santé est déjà affectée par l'augmentation de la température mondiale et la destruction du monde naturel, un état de fait sur lequel les professionnels de la santé attirent l'attention depuis des décennies.1 La science est sans équivoque ; une augmentation mondiale de 1,5 ° C au-dessus de la moyenne préindustrielle et la perte continue de la biodiversité risquent de causer des dommages catastrophiques à la santé qu'il sera impossible d'inverser.2 3 Malgré la préoccupation nécessaire du monde concernant la COVID-19, nous ne pouvons pas attendre que la pandémie passe pour réduire rapidement les émissions. Reflétant la gravité du moment, cet éditorial apparaît dans des revues de santé à travers le monde. Nous sommes unis pour reconnaître que seuls des changements fondamentaux et équitables dans les sociétés inverseront notre trajectoire actuelle. Les risques pour la santé des augmentations supérieures à 1,5 °C sont maintenant bien établis.2 En effet, aucune augmentation de température n'est « sûre ». Au cours des 20 dernières années, la mortalité liée à la chaleur chez les personnes de plus de 65 ans a augmenté de plus de 50 %.4 Des températures plus élevées ont entraîné une augmentation de la déshydratation et de la perte de la fonction rénale, des tumeurs malignes dermatologiques, des infections tropicales, des problèmes de santé mentale, des complications de grossesse, des allergies et une morbidité et une mortalité cardiovasculaires et pulmonaires.5 6 Les préjudices affectent de manière disproportionnée les plus vulnérables, notamment les enfants, les populations plus âgées, les minorités ethniques, les communautés les plus pauvres et les personnes ayant des problèmes de santé sous-jacents.2 4 Le réchauffement climatique contribue également à la baisse de ... > Las naciones ricas deben hacer mucho más, mucho más rápido. La Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas en septiembre de 2021 reunirá a los países en un momento crítico para organizar la acción colectiva para abordar la crisis ambiental mundial. Se reunirán nuevamente en la cumbre de biodiversidad en Kunming, China, y en la conferencia climática (Conferencia de las Partes (COP)26) en Glasgow, Reino Unido. Antes de estas reuniones fundamentales, nosotros, los editores de revistas de salud de todo el mundo, pedimos medidas urgentes para mantener el aumento promedio de la temperatura global por debajo de 1,5 ° C, detener la destrucción de la naturaleza y proteger la salud. La salud ya se está viendo perjudicada por el aumento de la temperatura global y la destrucción del mundo natural, una situación a la que los profesionales de la salud han estado prestando atención durante décadas.1 La ciencia es inequívoca; un aumento global de 1,5 ° C por encima del promedio preindustrial y la continua pérdida de biodiversidad corren el riesgo de causar daños catastróficos a la salud que serán imposibles de revertir.2 3 A pesar de la preocupación necesaria del mundo por el COVID-19, no podemos esperar a que la pandemia pase para reducir rápidamente las emisiones. Como reflejo de la gravedad del momento, este editorial aparece en revistas de salud de todo el mundo. Estamos unidos en el reconocimiento de que solo los cambios fundamentales y equitativos en las sociedades revertirán nuestra trayectoria actual. Los riesgos para la salud de aumentos superiores a 1,5 °C están ahora bien establecidos.2 De hecho, ningún aumento de temperatura es "seguro". En los últimos 20 años, la mortalidad relacionada con el calor entre las personas mayores de 65 años ha aumentado en más del 50%.4 Las temperaturas más altas han provocado un aumento de la deshidratación y la pérdida de la función renal, neoplasias malignas dermatológicas, infecciones tropicales, resultados adversos para la salud mental, complicaciones del embarazo, alergias y morbilidad y mortalidad cardiovascular y pulmonar.5 6 Los daños afectan de manera desproporcionada a los más vulnerables, incluidos los niños, las poblaciones mayores, las minorías étnicas, las comunidades más pobres y las personas con problemas de salud subyacentes.2 4 El calentamiento global también está contribuyendo a la disminución de ... > Wealthy nations must do much more, much faster. The United Nations General Assembly in September 2021 will bring countries together at a critical time for marshalling collective action to tackle the global environmental crisis. They will meet again at the biodiversity summit in Kunming, China, and the climate conference (Conference of the Parties (COP)26) in Glasgow, UK. Ahead of these pivotal meetings, we—the editors of health journals worldwide—call for urgent action to keep average global temperature increases below 1.5°C, halt the destruction of nature and protect health. Health is already being harmed by global temperature increases and the destruction of the natural world, a state of affairs health professionals have been bringing attention to for decades.1 The science is unequivocal; a global increase of 1.5°C above the preindustrial average and the continued loss of biodiversity risk catastrophic harm to health that will be impossible to reverse.2 3 Despite the world's necessary preoccupation with COVID-19, we cannot wait for the pandemic to pass to rapidly reduce emissions. Reflecting the severity of the moment, this editorial appears in health journals across the world. We are united in recognising that only fundamental and equitable changes to societies will reverse our current trajectory. The risks to health of increases above 1.5°C are now well established.2 Indeed, no temperature rise is 'safe'. In the past 20 years, heat-related mortality among people aged over 65 has increased by more than 50%.4 Higher temperatures have brought increased dehydration and renal function loss, dermatological malignancies, tropical infections, adverse mental health outcomes, pregnancy complications, allergies, and cardiovascular and pulmonary morbidity and mortality.5 6 Harms disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, including children, older populations, ethnic minorities, poorer communities and those with underlying health problems.2 4 Global heating is also contributing to the decline in … > يجب على الدول الغنية أن تفعل أكثر من ذلك بكثير، وأسرع بكثير. ستجمع الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة في سبتمبر 2021 البلدان في وقت حرج لحشد العمل الجماعي لمعالجة الأزمة البيئية العالمية. وسيجتمعون مرة أخرى في قمة التنوع البيولوجي في كونمينغ، الصين، ومؤتمر المناخ (مؤتمر الأطراف 26) في غلاسكو، المملكة المتحدة. قبل هذه الاجتماعات المحورية، ندعو - نحن محرري المجلات الصحية في جميع أنحاء العالم - إلى اتخاذ إجراءات عاجلة للحفاظ على متوسط الزيادات في درجات الحرارة العالمية أقل من 1.5 درجة مئوية، ووقف تدمير الطبيعة وحماية الصحة. الصحة تتضرر بالفعل من ارتفاع درجات الحرارة العالمية وتدمير العالم الطبيعي، وهو وضع يلفت الانتباه إليه المهنيون الصحيون منذ عقود. 1 العلم لا لبس فيه ؛ زيادة عالمية قدرها 1.5 درجة مئوية فوق متوسط ما قبل الصناعة واستمرار فقدان التنوع البيولوجي خطر ضرر كارثي على الصحة سيكون من المستحيل عكسه. 2 3 على الرغم من الانشغال العالمي الضروري بـ COVID -19، لا يمكننا الانتظار حتى ينتقل الوباء لتقليل الانبعاثات بسرعة. مما يعكس شدة اللحظة، تظهر هذه الافتتاحية في المجلات الصحية في جميع أنحاء العالم. نحن متحدون في الاعتراف بأن التغييرات الأساسية والعادلة في المجتمعات هي وحدها التي ستعكس مسارنا الحالي. أصبحت المخاطر الصحية للزيادات التي تزيد عن 1.5 درجة مئوية ثابتة الآن. 2 في الواقع، لا يوجد ارتفاع في درجة الحرارة "آمن". في السنوات العشرين الماضية، زادت الوفيات المرتبطة بالحرارة بين الأشخاص الذين تزيد أعمارهم عن 65 عامًا بأكثر من 50 ٪.4 وقد أدت درجات الحرارة المرتفعة إلى زيادة الجفاف وفقدان وظائف الكلى، والأورام الخبيثة الجلدية، والالتهابات الاستوائية، والنتائج السلبية للصحة العقلية، ومضاعفات الحمل، والحساسية، واعتلال القلب والأوعية الدموية والرئوية والوفيات .5 6 تؤثر الأضرار بشكل غير متناسب على الفئات الأكثر ضعفًا، بما في ذلك الأطفال وكبار السن والأقليات العرقية والمجتمعات الفقيرة وأولئك الذين يعانون من مشاكل صحية كامنة .2 4 يساهم التدفئة العالمية أيضًا في انخفاض...

Mobility presents a variety of opportunities as it allows users to access locations and services, and to meet people beyond their immediate surroundings. While the concept of mobility primarily focuses on the ease of moving, accessibility delineates the actual potential to participate in out-of-home activities. As a result, accessibility is a complex concept with a multitude of foci. This complexity is presented in the first section, which explains the general concept of accessibility, how it is defined and how it is related to the notion of transport-related exclusion. This section also gives an overview of the body of literature on the measures to determine area-based as well as personal accessibility levels and points out the important contrast between the simple, easy-to-interpret methods, adopted by policy makers and the complex methods preferred by experts. The second section clarifies how the dichotomous relationship between the urban and rural environment is reflected in transport policy that emphasizes on (especially car-based) mobility rather than on accessibility. Furthermore, the environmental and economic points of view are highlighted and the common policy strategies focused on sustainability are illustrated. Subsequently, the shortcomings in the way in which the contemporary debates concerning mobility, sustainability and the social implications of transport planning are conducted, are criticized. Finally, the last part of this section is dedicated to an extensive discussion on the ability of transport policies to, on the one hand, generate spatially as well as temporally uneven accessibility effects that give preference to certain population groups above others, and on the other hand, their ability to strive for a more equitable distribution of transport services amongst the population. The third section proposes two methodologies for measuring transport-related social exclusion implemented in a literature-based case study in Flanders. These studies comprise the following topics: measuring transport gaps by relating the social to the transport disadvantage and measuring modal disparities by comparing accessibility by private and public transport. The former investigates in which areas the provision of the public transport system is not tailored to specific public transport needs. The latter examines the disparity in access by private and public transport in order to highlight the car dependency. Both case studies incorporate the temporal variability in provision through the private and public transport network, as the time-of-day strongly influences accessibility levels.

The reduction of SO2 by ammonia gas addition during staged combustion of bituminous coal has been studied in a 2 m high fluidized bed combustor of 30 cm static bed height and a freeboard height of 100 cm. The coal was introduced to the combustor at 42 cm above the distributor and the ammonia gas was injected at 52 cm above the distributor by an uncooled stainless steel injector. Experiments were carried out to investigate effects of ammonia gas injection on SO2 emissions of (i) air staged levels, (ii) excess air levels, (iii) primary air factor

Young's modulus of coal is a very important deformational property which dictates how the material will behave in presence of sub- and super-critical carbon dioxide during sequestration. But this is also a difficult property to measure due to the extensive instrumental requirements, and wide compositional and structural heterogeneity of the coal. Therefore, an indirect method to measure the saturated Young's modulus of coals has been developed in the present research using artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). Low and high rank specimens from three different basins of India and Australia have been used for the analysis. Saturation pressure and the compressive strength (UCS) of the coal specimens have been used as the input parameters to build the models. The performance of the models were evaluated against the multivariate regression model using four different types of statistical parameters such as root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error percentage (MAPE), and variables accounted for (VAF). Results show that ANFIS model is the best performing one with the least RMSE and MAPE, and highest VAF and R-2. This research demonstrates that it is possible to develop soft computing models that can successfully estimate some of the critical rock mechanics parameters essential for the technical evaluation of the sequestration projects on coal. This generalized model is also excellent in incorporating the possible effect of heterogeneity in specimens and performs well for samples that show similar data distribution. If applied, this can potentially reduce the requirement of extensive, complex and expensive instruments that are required for similar investigations.

In general, most heat losses in industrial dryers arise due to the discharge of humid air. By using heat pump drying (HPD) systems, heat from the exhaust humid air can be recovered, thus improving the energy efficiency substantially. In this study, the performance of thermally driven HP integration in an animal food and a blood dryer were examined. Computer simulation models of the original high temperature dryers and the proposed system with HP integration and auxiliary heating were developed. It is found that, when using a gas engine, the maximum energy cost saving is limited by the temperature of the coolant fluid. The maximum energy cost saving when using a gas turbine is a bit higher, however at a much higher operating temperature.

The emerging market of small wind turbines (SWT) is characterised by a large variety of turbine types as well as turbine performance. The abundance of more ‘exotic’ types of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) next to the more traditional horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) shows that this market is still developing. However, some technologies have proven to possess the same potential typically only found in larger wind turbines. To study the (lack of) performance of current small wind turbine but also to demonstrate their potential, Ghent University decided to launch the Small Wind Turbine Field Lab (SWT Field Lab). This fully scientifically equipped field lab, funded by the Hercules Foundation, offers the possibility to not only monitor the energy yield of the turbine, but also collect information on how to optimise the grid integration, measure mechanical stress and structural strength of turbine components, assess the generator design and tower construction, perform acoustic measurements and finding ways to reduce noise production, even simulate siting of wind turbines, e.g. in rural areas or on industrial parks. All of these parameters are correlated with meteorological data measured on-site. The field lab, based in the inner port of Ostend, provides provisions for placement of up to ten small wind turbines, with seven turbines already partaking in the field trials. The project members aim to use the project results to identify and remove performance limiting factors in the design of small wind turbine, and to demonstrate the feasibility of using small wind turbines for decentralised renewable energy production. With this and similar research projects, the emerging market of small wind turbines can grow beyond its current state of infancy, comparable to the market evolution of large wind turbines.

info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Variations in zooplankton biomass and population density in relation to the prevailing hydrographical conditions were studied in Zuari Estuary, Goa. The physico-chemical parameters showed limited variations. Zooplankton biomass was relatively more in samples collected during night while it was higher in day collections. Copepods formed the predominant group (30.7-69.6%) followed by decapods, brachyuran zoeae, cirripede larvae and chaetognaths. Lucifer hanseni formed an appreciable part of the total decapod population. Ten calanoid copepod species such as Metacalanus aurivilli, Pseudodiaptomus bowmani, Calanopia minor, Acartia bowmani, Monstrilla sp obtained in day collections and Pseudodiaptomus sewelli, P. jonesi, Calanopia elliptica, C. herdmani and Acartia pacifica in the night collections are the first record from the Zuari Estuary. Variations in the incidence of the common zooplankton groups and their species over the diel and tidal cycles are discussed