Applying the slacks-based measure （SBM）-Tobit two-stage model, this paper analyzes energy efficiency in eastern China. First, the SBM model featured in taking non- desired output in calculation was employed to evalu...Applying the slacks-based measure （SBM）-Tobit two-stage model, this paper analyzes energy efficiency in eastern China. First, the SBM model featured in taking non- desired output in calculation was employed to evaluate the energy efficiency in eastern China from 1995 to 2010. The results show that Tianjin, Shanghai and Guangdong have the highest energy efficiency while Hebei has the lowest. Next, we used the panel Tobit model to perform a regression on factors affecting energy efficiency. Our results show that optimizing industrial structure, improving energy structure and enhancing the level of economic reform can contribute to improving energy efficiency. Government influence and technological progress, on the other hand, affect energy efficiency insignificantly. The influence of socio-economic development on the energy efficiency goes from negative to positive, which adheres to the Kuznets curve hypothesis. Our findings are that the socio-economic development in eastern China has not yet passed the ＂turning point of the Kuznets curve ＂.展开更多
With the rapid growth in length of expressway, there is a Closer relation between expressway and social and economic development. Through detailed statistics and data, the paper explains the relationship of expressway...With the rapid growth in length of expressway, there is a Closer relation between expressway and social and economic development. Through detailed statistics and data, the paper explains the relationship of expressway and social and economic development, and analyzes the influence on social and economic development.展开更多
It has come to notice that developments that take place in rural communities bring about a lot of challenges both positive and negative. However, people who try to manage these challenges use ＂text type＂ in books an...It has come to notice that developments that take place in rural communities bring about a lot of challenges both positive and negative. However, people who try to manage these challenges use ＂text type＂ in books and through other communication media （publications）, but the effect has scarcely been effective because, most of the people living in rural communities are illiterates. The purpose of this study was to use pictorial illustrations to create awareness on how socioeconomic development affects rural communities （Cape Three Points） and the extent to which its effect can be seen on human life within the local communities （fishermen, farmers, and fish mongers） in terms of their livelihood, attitudes, education and on the general environment. Interviews were mainly used to ascertain facts on how the situation was before the new developments started. Workshops were also organized for focus groups, through which the effect of pictorial illustrations on the people were ascertained. Again, how they should prepare for the foreseen changes that will emanate from any form of rural development was also discussed. At the end of the study, it came to light that many of our rural areas face significant challenges. These challenges as a matter of fact affect their cultural practices and the socio-economic development of the people in such rural communities and the country as a whole. It is believed that these challenges and many other related concerns that have emanated from this study would be critically recognized and managed if not solved by the powers that be. Results from this study will form a basis for further discussion of socio-economic effects of rural development on rural communities and any other related effects caused by any physical change on rural environment.展开更多
Excessive MSW （municipal solid waste） production is a growing management problem for cities in developing countries, such as South Africa. A major problem in the city of Tshwane is that all the MSW generated in the ...Excessive MSW （municipal solid waste） production is a growing management problem for cities in developing countries, such as South Africa. A major problem in the city of Tshwane is that all the MSW generated in the city is currently being landfilled with very little recycling initiatives. Selective waste collection and sorting waste fractions out of the waste stream have become a popular survival strategy for the economically excluded population in Tshwane. Reclaimers （waste pickers） work under severe and chronic occupational health and injury risk on landfill sites. The middlemen who purchase their recovered materials exploit and marginalize them. Environmental and social awareness is however a growing issue in South Africa. The study was conducted with the aim of investigating and proposing community recycling programs and technologies to be sustainably implemented in the city of Tshwane. Successful established community recycling programs in Brazil was investigated to verify its socioeconomic and environmental impacts in a sustainable waste management perspective. Community recycling initiatives have been increasingly used as a strategy to address both the MSW problem and urban poverty in Brazil. The study focused on the city of Tshwane, but it can be argued that the findings can be implemented in any other South African municipality and in other emerging countries in Africa.展开更多
It is a fact that demographic and socio-economic developments are exploitatively exerting severe pressure on forest resources in Nigeria. Not only has the economy of the people been severely affected but also the envi...It is a fact that demographic and socio-economic developments are exploitatively exerting severe pressure on forest resources in Nigeria. Not only has the economy of the people been severely affected but also the environment has witnessed accelerated soil erosion, especially in Eastern Nigeria. Accordingly, this study set out to explore the environmental and socio-economic impacts of deforestation using an empirical case. Two forested and two deforested sites in Ekwusigo L.G.A of Anambra State were closely studied with respect to deforestation indices. From the data generated, Student＇s t-test was used to attempt a statistical comparison of the forested and deforested sites. The findings indicate that forest cover depletion affected both the canopy openness and the number of non-timber forest products in the area, Finally, the paper stressed the need to maintain a sustainable plant cover while economically harnessing forest resources.展开更多
文摘Applying the slacks-based measure （SBM）-Tobit two-stage model, this paper analyzes energy efficiency in eastern China. First, the SBM model featured in taking non- desired output in calculation was employed to evaluate the energy efficiency in eastern China from 1995 to 2010. The results show that Tianjin, Shanghai and Guangdong have the highest energy efficiency while Hebei has the lowest. Next, we used the panel Tobit model to perform a regression on factors affecting energy efficiency. Our results show that optimizing industrial structure, improving energy structure and enhancing the level of economic reform can contribute to improving energy efficiency. Government influence and technological progress, on the other hand, affect energy efficiency insignificantly. The influence of socio-economic development on the energy efficiency goes from negative to positive, which adheres to the Kuznets curve hypothesis. Our findings are that the socio-economic development in eastern China has not yet passed the ＂turning point of the Kuznets curve ＂.
文摘With the rapid growth in length of expressway, there is a Closer relation between expressway and social and economic development. Through detailed statistics and data, the paper explains the relationship of expressway and social and economic development, and analyzes the influence on social and economic development.
文摘It has come to notice that developments that take place in rural communities bring about a lot of challenges both positive and negative. However, people who try to manage these challenges use ＂text type＂ in books and through other communication media （publications）, but the effect has scarcely been effective because, most of the people living in rural communities are illiterates. The purpose of this study was to use pictorial illustrations to create awareness on how socioeconomic development affects rural communities （Cape Three Points） and the extent to which its effect can be seen on human life within the local communities （fishermen, farmers, and fish mongers） in terms of their livelihood, attitudes, education and on the general environment. Interviews were mainly used to ascertain facts on how the situation was before the new developments started. Workshops were also organized for focus groups, through which the effect of pictorial illustrations on the people were ascertained. Again, how they should prepare for the foreseen changes that will emanate from any form of rural development was also discussed. At the end of the study, it came to light that many of our rural areas face significant challenges. These challenges as a matter of fact affect their cultural practices and the socio-economic development of the people in such rural communities and the country as a whole. It is believed that these challenges and many other related concerns that have emanated from this study would be critically recognized and managed if not solved by the powers that be. Results from this study will form a basis for further discussion of socio-economic effects of rural development on rural communities and any other related effects caused by any physical change on rural environment.
文摘Excessive MSW （municipal solid waste） production is a growing management problem for cities in developing countries, such as South Africa. A major problem in the city of Tshwane is that all the MSW generated in the city is currently being landfilled with very little recycling initiatives. Selective waste collection and sorting waste fractions out of the waste stream have become a popular survival strategy for the economically excluded population in Tshwane. Reclaimers （waste pickers） work under severe and chronic occupational health and injury risk on landfill sites. The middlemen who purchase their recovered materials exploit and marginalize them. Environmental and social awareness is however a growing issue in South Africa. The study was conducted with the aim of investigating and proposing community recycling programs and technologies to be sustainably implemented in the city of Tshwane. Successful established community recycling programs in Brazil was investigated to verify its socioeconomic and environmental impacts in a sustainable waste management perspective. Community recycling initiatives have been increasingly used as a strategy to address both the MSW problem and urban poverty in Brazil. The study focused on the city of Tshwane, but it can be argued that the findings can be implemented in any other South African municipality and in other emerging countries in Africa.
文摘It is a fact that demographic and socio-economic developments are exploitatively exerting severe pressure on forest resources in Nigeria. Not only has the economy of the people been severely affected but also the environment has witnessed accelerated soil erosion, especially in Eastern Nigeria. Accordingly, this study set out to explore the environmental and socio-economic impacts of deforestation using an empirical case. Two forested and two deforested sites in Ekwusigo L.G.A of Anambra State were closely studied with respect to deforestation indices. From the data generated, Student＇s t-test was used to attempt a statistical comparison of the forested and deforested sites. The findings indicate that forest cover depletion affected both the canopy openness and the number of non-timber forest products in the area, Finally, the paper stressed the need to maintain a sustainable plant cover while economically harnessing forest resources.
