This review explores the recent development of research on rainbow herbicides as chemical weapons and the geographies of chemical warfare in what is now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. While the use and impacts of ...This review explores the recent development of research on rainbow herbicides as chemical weapons and the geographies of chemical warfare in what is now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. While the use and impacts of Agent Orange have previously been well documented, the production and extensive application of five other rainbow agents by the United States military has only recently been investigated in detail. What is exceptional about this research of chemical warfare landscapes is that the 23 refereed journal publications in this review were designed, implemented, and published in a unique collective research project by Ken Olson and a Merry Band of Military Retirees. Their groundbreaking research portfolio includes many geographical dimensions and the political ecology of chemical warfare. This includes the extensive exposure of civilians in Vietnam to these chemical agents, exposure of US military personnel in Southeast Asia and Panama, exposure of civilians near the private industrial sites that produced these rainbow agents in North America and the hazardous soil contamination that perseveres at these sites in Vietnam and the US. Given this impressive research depth and global scope, this review explores the unique way this research portfolio was developed by a Merry Band of Retirees through an interview with its leader, Ken Olson. It examines the goals and ethical orientation of these military veterans, the political ecology involved, the creative strategies they utilized to produce this innovative research, and how they changed the way Veterans exposed to chemical warfare agents are treated by the US government.展开更多
Throughout the contemporary Chinese history of geography,geographical engineering has consistently played a pivotal role as a fundamental scientific activity.It possesses its distinct ontological basis and value orien...Throughout the contemporary Chinese history of geography,geographical engineering has consistently played a pivotal role as a fundamental scientific activity.It possesses its distinct ontological basis and value orientation,rendering it inseparable from being merely a derivative of geographical science or technology.This paper defines geographical engineering and introduces its development history through the lens of Chinese geographical engineering praxises.Furthermore,it is highlighted the logical and functional consistency between the theory of human-earth system and the praxis of geographical engineering.Six modern cases of geographical engineering projects are presented in detail to demonstrate the points and characteristics of different types of modern geographical engineering.Geographical engineering serves as an engine for promoting integrated geography research,and in response to the challenge posed by fragmented geographies,this paper advocates for an urgent revitalization of geographical engineering.The feasibility of revitalizing geographical engineering is guaranteed because it aligns with China’s national strategies.展开更多
In India, floods remain a natural recurrent event of many major rivers of the sub-continent. Most frequently, it occurs during the ＂monsoon season＂ when precipitation remains very heavy and the natural watercourses ...In India, floods remain a natural recurrent event of many major rivers of the sub-continent. Most frequently, it occurs during the ＂monsoon season＂ when precipitation remains very heavy and the natural watercourses fail to accommodate excess water. The river Kosi, located in Bihar, India too bears a long history of annual floods and is often labeled as a ＂Sorrow of Bihar＂ due to its strange behavioural attributes and the extensive damage it causes as a result of severe flood inundation. The river Kosi is one of the megafans of the Gangetic plains. Geologic evidence demonstrates that the megafans are prone to devastating flood hazards. On August 18, 2008, the river Kosi burst through its banks to flow into a channel it had abandoned more than 200 years ago, drowning towns, numerous villages and rendering over a million homeless and many were reported to have died. The research is an attempt to reflect on the geographies of socio-economic impact of the Kosi flood, 2008. For this, the research uses a holistic approach. The findings suggest that the rescue and rehabilitation operation continue in the post flood region. However, operations were significantly delayed as the result of inept bureaucratic process and insufficient funding. The final sections draw together, the threads of analysis and suggest suitable measures, so that the floods of such magnitude can be managed better in near future.展开更多
文摘This review explores the recent development of research on rainbow herbicides as chemical weapons and the geographies of chemical warfare in what is now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. While the use and impacts of Agent Orange have previously been well documented, the production and extensive application of five other rainbow agents by the United States military has only recently been investigated in detail. What is exceptional about this research of chemical warfare landscapes is that the 23 refereed journal publications in this review were designed, implemented, and published in a unique collective research project by Ken Olson and a Merry Band of Military Retirees. Their groundbreaking research portfolio includes many geographical dimensions and the political ecology of chemical warfare. This includes the extensive exposure of civilians in Vietnam to these chemical agents, exposure of US military personnel in Southeast Asia and Panama, exposure of civilians near the private industrial sites that produced these rainbow agents in North America and the hazardous soil contamination that perseveres at these sites in Vietnam and the US. Given this impressive research depth and global scope, this review explores the unique way this research portfolio was developed by a Merry Band of Retirees through an interview with its leader, Ken Olson. It examines the goals and ethical orientation of these military veterans, the political ecology involved, the creative strategies they utilized to produce this innovative research, and how they changed the way Veterans exposed to chemical warfare agents are treated by the US government.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42293270)。
文摘Throughout the contemporary Chinese history of geography,geographical engineering has consistently played a pivotal role as a fundamental scientific activity.It possesses its distinct ontological basis and value orientation,rendering it inseparable from being merely a derivative of geographical science or technology.This paper defines geographical engineering and introduces its development history through the lens of Chinese geographical engineering praxises.Furthermore,it is highlighted the logical and functional consistency between the theory of human-earth system and the praxis of geographical engineering.Six modern cases of geographical engineering projects are presented in detail to demonstrate the points and characteristics of different types of modern geographical engineering.Geographical engineering serves as an engine for promoting integrated geography research,and in response to the challenge posed by fragmented geographies,this paper advocates for an urgent revitalization of geographical engineering.The feasibility of revitalizing geographical engineering is guaranteed because it aligns with China’s national strategies.
文摘In India, floods remain a natural recurrent event of many major rivers of the sub-continent. Most frequently, it occurs during the ＂monsoon season＂ when precipitation remains very heavy and the natural watercourses fail to accommodate excess water. The river Kosi, located in Bihar, India too bears a long history of annual floods and is often labeled as a ＂Sorrow of Bihar＂ due to its strange behavioural attributes and the extensive damage it causes as a result of severe flood inundation. The river Kosi is one of the megafans of the Gangetic plains. Geologic evidence demonstrates that the megafans are prone to devastating flood hazards. On August 18, 2008, the river Kosi burst through its banks to flow into a channel it had abandoned more than 200 years ago, drowning towns, numerous villages and rendering over a million homeless and many were reported to have died. The research is an attempt to reflect on the geographies of socio-economic impact of the Kosi flood, 2008. For this, the research uses a holistic approach. The findings suggest that the rescue and rehabilitation operation continue in the post flood region. However, operations were significantly delayed as the result of inept bureaucratic process and insufficient funding. The final sections draw together, the threads of analysis and suggest suitable measures, so that the floods of such magnitude can be managed better in near future.
