In order to improve air quality, the European Union introduced the New Air Quality Directive in 2008 and set its Member States strict targets on air pollution concentrations for the most harmful and challenging substa...In order to improve air quality, the European Union introduced the New Air Quality Directive in 2008 and set its Member States strict targets on air pollution concentrations for the most harmful and challenging substances, such as fine particles. The law enforcement relies on a monitoring and reporting system to inform the European Commission and the public, for it is the citizens' right to be informed about harmful air quality. With sectoral measures, air quality could be improved in the past 20 years, but some emissions concentrations have stagnated in recent years and emissions temporarily exceed thresholds in nearly half of the Member States. The European Emission Inventory allows the commission to identify the substances, areas, and times of exceedances, and to implement sectoral measures leading to air quality improvements, all of which have to be made available publicly. This manuscript introduces the air quality legislation and reviews the quality of European air for recent years.展开更多
This paper examines the role and effectiveness of locacal institutions in the management of forest biodiversity in New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, ...This paper examines the role and effectiveness of locacal institutions in the management of forest biodiversity in New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, participatory rural appraisal and field observations. The study revealed that the most remarkable local institutions connected to forest biodiversity management include： Village Natural Resources Man- agement Committee （92%）, tree nursery group （79.4%）, beekeep- ing groups （61.1%）, fish fanning （43.3%）, livestock rearing group （33.9%）. Main activities carried out by local institutions which directly contribute to the sustainability Of forest reserve include： forest patrols, fire extinguish, preparation of fire breaks, plant- ing of trees along the forest boundaries, creation of awareness, arresting of forest defaulters, participation in income generation activities. For the purpose of realization that local communities are capable of managing forest biodiversity through their traditional institutions, the policy should provide tangible opportunity for local communities to meet their needs as they manage the forests.展开更多
The increasing proportions of older people in the populations of many societies and the patterns of increasing global mobility make social services with ageing ethnic minorities of ever greater importance to social wo...The increasing proportions of older people in the populations of many societies and the patterns of increasing global mobility make social services with ageing ethnic minorities of ever greater importance to social work practitioners. The paper reviews current knowledge and understanding of factors that contribute to social functioning within and outside the family among one migrant group： older ethnic Chinese in Western countries. The findings show that the capacity to maintain a functional social role varies across different groups of Chinese ethnic elders： some are marginalized and excluded from mainstream social engagement on a number of different levels. Some have difl!iculty in accessing public services; some are in a disadvantageous position with regard to wider social connections; and others are empowered in later life in terms of income, social engagement, autonomy and being in a collective, reciprocal relationship. The impact of these factors is complicated by the mixture of the older people＇s cultural heritage, degree of acculturation, socioeconomic status, educational achievements, patterns and history of immigration, refigious beliefs, and family dynamics. Similarly these factors must be understood by social service professionals for providing services to match the needs of ethnic Chinese older people.展开更多
基金the Comparative Policy and Practice Study of the EU-China Environmental Governance Programme’s core theme Public Access to Environmental Information with funding from the European Union(www.ecegp.com)
文摘In order to improve air quality, the European Union introduced the New Air Quality Directive in 2008 and set its Member States strict targets on air pollution concentrations for the most harmful and challenging substances, such as fine particles. The law enforcement relies on a monitoring and reporting system to inform the European Commission and the public, for it is the citizens' right to be informed about harmful air quality. With sectoral measures, air quality could be improved in the past 20 years, but some emissions concentrations have stagnated in recent years and emissions temporarily exceed thresholds in nearly half of the Member States. The European Emission Inventory allows the commission to identify the substances, areas, and times of exceedances, and to implement sectoral measures leading to air quality improvements, all of which have to be made available publicly. This manuscript introduces the air quality legislation and reviews the quality of European air for recent years.
基金TAFORI and Forestry and Beekeeping Division through Participatory Forest Management (PFM)grant for funding this study
文摘This paper examines the role and effectiveness of locacal institutions in the management of forest biodiversity in New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, participatory rural appraisal and field observations. The study revealed that the most remarkable local institutions connected to forest biodiversity management include： Village Natural Resources Man- agement Committee （92%）, tree nursery group （79.4%）, beekeep- ing groups （61.1%）, fish fanning （43.3%）, livestock rearing group （33.9%）. Main activities carried out by local institutions which directly contribute to the sustainability Of forest reserve include： forest patrols, fire extinguish, preparation of fire breaks, plant- ing of trees along the forest boundaries, creation of awareness, arresting of forest defaulters, participation in income generation activities. For the purpose of realization that local communities are capable of managing forest biodiversity through their traditional institutions, the policy should provide tangible opportunity for local communities to meet their needs as they manage the forests.
文摘The increasing proportions of older people in the populations of many societies and the patterns of increasing global mobility make social services with ageing ethnic minorities of ever greater importance to social work practitioners. The paper reviews current knowledge and understanding of factors that contribute to social functioning within and outside the family among one migrant group： older ethnic Chinese in Western countries. The findings show that the capacity to maintain a functional social role varies across different groups of Chinese ethnic elders： some are marginalized and excluded from mainstream social engagement on a number of different levels. Some have difl!iculty in accessing public services; some are in a disadvantageous position with regard to wider social connections; and others are empowered in later life in terms of income, social engagement, autonomy and being in a collective, reciprocal relationship. The impact of these factors is complicated by the mixture of the older people＇s cultural heritage, degree of acculturation, socioeconomic status, educational achievements, patterns and history of immigration, refigious beliefs, and family dynamics. Similarly these factors must be understood by social service professionals for providing services to match the needs of ethnic Chinese older people.
