The Impact of Climate Change on China’s Grain Trade

[Objective] The paper was to study the impact of climate on China’s grain trade. [Method] The grain trade gravity model was constructed and the main influence factors of the grain trade flow were analyzed, such as GDP, population, grain yield, CO2 and air temperature. [Result] GDP had negative correlation with China’s grain trade volume; carbon dioxide emissions had significantly positive correlation with China’s grain trade volume. [Conclusion] China’s grain structure of varieties should be adjusted with changes of people’s grain consumption structure; the better institutional arrangements should be created during grain production and distribution to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Water, CO_2 and Energy Exchange at Vegetation-air Interface

[Objective] The aim was to analyze water and heat fluxes, CO2 fluxes and energy balance in wheat ecosystem in Luancheng County of Hebei Province. [Method] Based on data of water and heat flux, and CO2 fluxes, routine meteorological and biomass data in Luancheng in 2008, water and heat fluxes, CO2 fluxes and energy balance in wheat ecosystem were explored. [Result] The results showed that latent and sensible heat and CO2 fluxes were of obvious daily and seasonal changes; latent and sensible heat fluxes shaped an inverted U in daily change, and CO2 fluxes were of a U-shape; daily flux peak differed significantly. Furthermore, the change of latent heat, sensible heat and CO2 fluxes were closely related to environ- mental factors. Detailedly, the three were sensitive to light intensity and net radiation, and correlation coefficients were 0.92, 0.66, 0.65 and 0.90, 0.69, 0.74, respectively. Besides, the fluxes, sensitive to temperature, proved better in sunny day, especially for latent flux which is more sensitive to water in soils after precipitation. In addition, closure degree of energy balance in wheat fields was 0.91 and non-closure, caused by measurement error and neglection of heat storage, was observed, too. What＇s more. closure degree differed in months and time periods within a day. [Conclusion] The research concluded water and heat fluxes, CO2 fluxes, transport mechanisms and concerning factors, providing scientific reference for revealing mechanism of evapo- ration and heat dissipation of canopy, relationship between photosynthesis and water use efficiencyand energy distribution mechanism.

Analysis of factors affecting vent system for underground gas storage

The operating conditions of vent system for underground gas storage was introduced. The numerical simulation of the diffusion process of natural gas was conducted using process hazard analysis software tool （PHAST） with gas release velocity greater than 40 000 m^3/h. The effects of release velocity, atmospheric stability and wind speed on the diffusion area, flash fire, explosion and spray fire of natural gas were analyzed. The results show that the higher release velocity is, the bigger explosive area is; the stabler atmosphere is, the less natural gas diffuses; the lower wind speed is, the less natural gas diffuses, and the lower diffusion speed is, the bigger dangerous area is. Moreover, wind speed also has an effect on flash fire and heat radiation. In order to ensure safety of vent process of natural gas storage, the release velocity should be controlled and atmospheric conditions should be considered at the same time.

Analysis of interprovincial trade embodied carbon emissions in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and surrounding provinces: based on constructed MRIO Model

The interprovincial trade embodied carbon emissions plays an important role in the national emission reduction target among China's provinces. Furthermore, it will affect the smooth start-up of the national carbon trade market as well as the implementation of targets in 2030 for dealing with the climate change. Based on constructed MRIO model, this paper analyzes the embodied carbon emission trade flows among Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and surrounding regions such as Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia. The results indicate that six provinces have formed different patterns of carbon trade balance, where Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei provinces are in a deficit position, while the other three provinces are in a surplus position.Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei have transferred part of the carbon emissions to the other three provinces, which shows greater heterogeneity among various provinces and provincial different sectors. On basis of the conclusions, this paper puts forward some suggestions on provincial decomposition, responsibility distribution, and provincial collaborative reduction for national emission reduction targets.

Numerical simulation for explosion wave propagation of combustible mixture gas

A two-dimensional multi-material code was indigenously developed to investigate the effects of duct boundary conditions and ignition positions on the propagation law of explosion wave for hydrogen and methane-based combustible mixture gas. In the code,Young's technique was employed to track the interface between the explosion products and air,and combustible function model was adopted to simulate ignition process. The code was employed to study explosion flow field inside and outside the duct and to obtain peak pressures in different boundary conditions and ignition positions. Numerical results suggest that during the propagation in a duct,for point initiation,the curvature of spherical wave front gradually decreases and evolves into plane wave. Due to the multiple reflections on the duct wall,multi-peak values appear on pressure-time curve,and peak pressure strongly relies on the duct boundary conditions and ignition position. When explosive wave reaches the exit of the duct,explosion products expand outward and forms shock wave in air. Multiple rarefaction waves also occur and propagate upstream along the duct to decrease the pressure in the duct. The results are in agreement with one-dimensional isentropic gas flow theory of the explosion products,and indicate that the ignition model and multi-material interface treatment method are feasible.

Gas concentration monitoring system for small and medium-sized coal mines based on gas-sensing detection and single-chip control

This paper is aimed at the actual conditions of disaster caused by gas in small and medium-sized coal mines. A new gas concentration monitoring system for coal mines is developed on the basis of gas-sensing detection and single-chip control. The monitoring system uses the tin oxide as the main material of N-type semiconductor gas sensors, be- cause it has good sensitive characteristics for the flammable and explosive gas （ such as methane, carbon monoxide）. The QM-N5-semiconductor gas sensor is adopted to detect the output values of the resistance under the different gas con- centrations. The system, designedly, takes the AT89C51 digital chip as the core of the circuit processing hardware structure to analyze and judge the input values of the resistance, and then achieve the control and alarm for going beyond the limit of gas concentration. The gas concentration monitoring system has man）, advantages including simple in struc- ture, fast response time, stable performance and low cost. Thus, it can be widely used to monitor gas concentration and provide early wamings in small and medium-sized coal mines.

Assessment of achievements of the Lima Climate Change Conference and perspectives on the future

The Lima call for climate action adopted at the Lima Climate Conference on Climate Change specifies that the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities,shall apply to the new climate agreement to be adopted at the Paris Conference on Climate Change in 2015.Decisions on other heavily debated items,including the intended nationally determined contributions,were also made at the Lima Conference.The significant achievements in Lima and the positive momentum have laid a solid foundation for the adoption of a new climate agreement in the Paris Climate Conference.Four measures are proposed for China to meet great challenges in addressing climate change beyond 2020,including early formulation and issuance of a climate change law,establishment of a greenhouse gas emission trading scheme,promotion of advanced climate technology investments,and further international engagement for climate change.

Why Has the EU Been Leading the World against Climate Change？ --Explanations from the Perspective of International Trade

Since the United States refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, the European Union （EU） has prominently become the leader in global climate politics. However, since fighting climate change is an issue of providing global public goods and each country has incentive to free ride, why has the EU chosen to lead the fight against climate change？ This paper reviews three major explanations in existing literature, which includes special moral and risk preferences, political strategy and comparison of mitigation benefits and costs. Borrowed from Thucydides＇ honor, fear, and interest argument, this paper provides a comprehensive explanation for the incentives affecting a country＇s behavior. Furthermore, due to the characteristics of climate change, a country ＇S climate strategy should be understood through analyzing its position in worm economy. Therefore, the EU＇s enthusiasm in global climate politics can be explained by its dependence on foreign fossil fuels, pressure from other member countries during the EU＇s integration process and its competitive advantage on non-fossil fuel energy. For these reasons, this paper argues that trade position is a key factor in understanding Europe＇s climate strategy.

Comparison of the ＂Global Levy Scheme＂ with the ＂Emissions Trading Scheme＂ to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Shipping Emissions

Climate change is widely recognized as the major environmental problem facing the globe today. One of the most urgent environmental problems facing shipping industry is the reduction of GHG （greenhouse gas） emissions from its operations. Given the growing concern of the international community on ＂the deep reduction of global GHG emissions＂, it cannot be expected that the non-regulation of maritime GHG emissions can further continue. This paper investigates the main challenges and threats of the development of two MBMs （market-based measures） for the reduction of GHG emissions from international shipping, i.e., the ＂global levy scheme on maritime GHG emissions＂ and the ＂maritime emission trading scheme＂. A SWOT （strengths weaknesses opportunities threat） analysis is used, in this survey, to evaluate the environmental effectiveness as well as the easiness of implementation of the two policy options. Moreover, we make apparent their strengths and weaknesses concerning abatement of maritime GHG emissions. Given the fact that the discussion regarding the implementation of some MBMs with maritime GHG-emission reduction potential is still carried out with the exception of EEDI （energy efficiency design index） and SEEMP （ship energy efficiency management plan）, this paper＇s results present special significance, as they could be further analyzed and taken into account during the adoption of any future MBM for the reduction of maritime GHG emissions.

Is pork trade good for China's greenhouse gas emissions?

China produces the largest amount of pork in the world, which emits the largest amount of greenhouse gases （GHGs）. This paper calculates GHG emissions from China＇s hog production at the provincial level using newly published emission factors~ Empirical results show that GHG emissions from China＇s hog production mainly respond to the scale intensity~ Capital abundance and income contribute positively to GI-IG emissions from hog production. Pork trade increases GHG emissions from China＇s hog produc- tion with a significantly direct effect, reduces GHG emissions through indirect technique effects.

荀爽易学所构设的宇宙易场

汉末易学家荀爽,在经学的氛围中,基于《易传》所开示的易学视阈,本于《说卦传》所诠显的八卦方位图式及汉代卦气易学语境下的八卦卦气说,构设了宇宙八卦卦气易场。指出天下就处在该易场之中,天道得以具体展现的阴阳二气之消息与万物的生化,就发生在该易场内。揭示八卦卦气易场,指明发生于该易场的阴阳消息、万物生化的大化流行过程,目的在于人能据之明确生活世界之所然与所以然,进而确立三才之一的人的宇宙角色定位和面对天下的角色应然承当。

Effects of Organic Manure Applications on Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Paddy Fields

This study was carried out in paddy fields to explore how organic manure applications would affect greenhouse emissions in South China. The results showed that the seasonal emission of CH4 under the chemical fertilizer （CF） treatment was 271.47 kg/hm^2. In comparison, the seasonal emissions of CH4 under the treatment of pig manure （PM）, chicken manure （CM） and rice straw （RS） increased by 50.61,260.22 and 602.82 kg/hm^2, respectively. N2O emission under the CF treatment was 1.22 kg/hm^2, while the N20 seasonal emissions under tile PM, CM and RS treatment decreased by 23.6% （P〈0.05）, 31.7% （P〈0.05） and 30.9% （P〈0.05）, respectively. Meanwhile, the readily oxidized organic carbon （which was oxidized by 167 mmol/L potassium permanganate, ROC167） of manure, paddy soil Eh value and temperature could also affect the CH4 emissions. The average yield of the organic fertilizer treatments increased by 6.8% compared with that of the CF treatment. Among all the organic fertilizer treatments, the PM treatment offered the lowest global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity, in which the PM was of no significant difference from NF （no fertilizing） and CF. Therefore, the pig manure is capable of coordinating the relationship between environment and yield, and it also has a low ROC167 content, so the PM is considered worthy of recommendation.

Designing Trade Rules to Promote Climate Sustainability

Climate sustainability has become a key issue of our time. Measures protecting the environment, however, can have an impact on the competitiveness of domestic firms and on cross-border trade. Therefore, regulatory bodies should enlarge the scope of their policies and treat climate sustainability as global public good; based on such concept trade rules are to be designed in a way that allows a fair balancing between the diverse interests.

Association of Xenobiotic Detoxification Enzymes Gene Polymorphism in Predisposition of Bronchial Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Glutathione-S-transferase （GST） family enzymes are implicated in the pathopbysiology of bronchial asthma （BA） and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）. In some cases both illnesses exhibit similar pathomorphologic and clinical features, indicating common genetic basis of predisposing to development of disease. To assess genetic susceptibility we conducted association analysis of glutathione-S-transferases Mu （M）, Theta （T） and Pi （P） gene polymorphism with disease development in 85 adult asthma, 60 COPD subjects and 64 control subjects. Present investigation of GST gene polymorphisms indicates that GSTM1 and GSTT null alleles are associated with predisposition for COPD and they do not appear to play a substantial role in susceptibility to BA. However, homozygote ＋/＋ and heterozygote ＋/0 genotypes of GSTT1 revealed to be associated with increasing of IgE level in serum in BA patients. Our findings suggest that the 105 Val variant of GSTP1 contributed to the increasing risk of developing of both diseases, and more likely for COPD.

Addressing the trade-climate change-energy nexus: China's explorations in a global governance landscape

We have arrived at a critical juncture when it comes to understanding the numerous ways in which trade interacts with climate change and energy(trade-climate-energy nexus).Trade remains crucial for the sustainable development of the world's greatest trading nation:China.After clarifying the linkages within the trade,climate change and energy nexus,this article delves into China's specific needs and interests related to trade,climate change and energy.Then it explores the ways in which trade can contribute to China's needs,to sustainable energy development and to the goals of the global climate agreement that is under negotiation.One main findings are China is a key participant in negotiations on trade liberalization of environmental technologies and services.These negotiations are in China's interests in terms of innovative industries,technological upgrading,employment and public health.China could stand up for the interests of other emerging and developing countries and serve as an example in terms of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.Beyond trade barriers issues of domestic(energy)regulation such as fossil-fuel subsidies as well as investment,competition-policy,tradefacilitation and transit issues related to clean energy need to be addressed.Building trust between relevant actors across sectors and national borders will be of the essence in order to foster long-term cooperation on technological innovation.As a way forward,different approaches towards the governance of trade and climate change will be highlighted.Besides discussing the specific aspects of Chinese participation in global trade and climate change governance,this paper aims at offering broader insights into the nexus between trade,energy and climate governance in China.

Transaction Costs in Global Ecology Policy-Making

Global environmental meeting, legislating a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases for planet earth, is what mankind now hopes for, having realized the enormous dangers in the process of climate change. Global warming is no longer denied by the so-called cornucopians （e.g. Lomberg）, but global policy-making originating in reunions of 190 governments or more stumble on collective action difficulties, spelled out in game theory. Paris will not succeed where Copenhagen failed, namely to arrive at a binding and enforceable global environment policy that will be implemented before it is too late. Instead, there will be massive transaction costs from negotiating and re-negotiating, endless voting, the making of promises exante and reneging ex post, as well as the futile attempts at any enforcement action, given state sovereignty. Mankind will have to learn how to cope with the outcomes of global warming, as resilience is the only hope.

Application of Tradable Emission Permits in Europe

The purpose of this study is merely to review the current situation in the designing and implementation of the emission trading programs in Europe. Historical data show that although there is a series of shortcomings in their current functioning, employing such instruments for GHG reduction policy making is strongly expected to be efficient and effective. The European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS), Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) are just a few examples of the ambitious EU initiative that heavily relies on such instruments. We dwell on their operations and achievements by far and all the content in this article is expected to convince the Chinese government and regional public authorities to take positive actions and attitudes in promoting these instruments.

Monitoring and Analysis of SPM of an Industrial Town of Punjab （India）

Suspended particulate matter （SPM） levels in ambient air were monitored at Mandi Gobindgarh, an industrial town of Punjab, India located on the National Highway-1 during November 2001 to March 2002 covering spring and winter seasons to check the variation of SPM and its constituents in the town. The maximum levels of SPM varied between 594 μg/m^3 to 620 μg/m^3 at selected monitoring sites while the minimum levels varied between 209μg/m^3 to 220 μg/m^3. These values were observed always above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards （NAAQS） set by the State regulatory body. Major sources of SPM were identified as the industrial activity and traffic plying on the national highway. Collected SPM samples were further analyzed for the ignitable matter as loss on ignition （LOI） and organic tarry matter （OTM） content. Ignitable component of the SPM constituted about 45% and tarry matter in the ambient air was about 12%. Effects of meteorological parameters like temperature, wind direction and wind speed on SPM levels are discussed.

Construction of legal system of carbon emissions trading in China

Countries in the world have taken a variety of means to control carbon emissions based on the serious situation of global warming,the concept of low-carbon economy and the provisions about emissions in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol.With the measures of emissions reductions,the system of carbon emissions trading is taking shape.It is necessary for China as the big natural resources consumption country to establish its own carbon emissions trading system.By introducing the carbon emissions trading system of the European Union,America and Japan,and analyzing the market and policies been formed,the carbon emissions trading system in China can be established from the initial configuration of the emissions rights,the subject and object of carbon emissions trading,establishing the carbon emissions trading exchange and supervising and regulating the carbon emissions trading.