Managing the acute problem of environmental deterioration due to the industrialization of modern China is necessary.Using three cases from a theoretical perspective of procedure-structure,this study explored how envir...Managing the acute problem of environmental deterioration due to the industrialization of modern China is necessary.Using three cases from a theoretical perspective of procedure-structure,this study explored how environmental deterioration is governed in three circumstances.Research findings revealed that the pattern to treat the worsening environment is associated closely with individual-specific circumstances,and thus three patterns of governance are developed:bureaucratic,contractual,and network-based cooperatives.The cases and the results are described the advantages and disadvantages of these models are discussed.Suggestions on how to more effectively manage these urgent problems are as follows:first,the governance must fit the circumstance,namely,its physical,biological,and social attributes;second,the regulations and conditions regarding the government-dominated pattern are came up from the perspective of mega-governance,mutual trust contracts,benefit sharing,and social capital;and third,the government should abandon the pattern based on the single subject and adopt a plural subject governance model to integrate all the relevant forces to facilitate the attainment of benign environmental governance.展开更多
Taking cadmium pollution in X River as an example, the interaction between National People＇s Congress and local government was de- scribed. How the local government transforms its role in environment protection with ...Taking cadmium pollution in X River as an example, the interaction between National People＇s Congress and local government was de- scribed. How the local government transforms its role in environment protection with the help of several deputies to National People＇s Congress was expounded from the angle of social construction, which also enlightened the way to build an environment protection road with Chinese characteristics.展开更多
Karst aquifers occur worldwide and exhibit groundwater flow responses that differ considerably from aquifers lacking fractures, bedding planes, and other karst conduits where significant and rapid groundwater flow can...Karst aquifers occur worldwide and exhibit groundwater flow responses that differ considerably from aquifers lacking fractures, bedding planes, and other karst conduits where significant and rapid groundwater flow can occur. The regional, karst Floridan aquifer system underlies the United States (US) Southeastern Coastal Plain Physiographic Region and exhibits hydrologic interconnections with overlying surficial aquifers and throughout other zones of the aquifer system, as is characteristic of other karst aquifer systems. Anthropogenic groundwater declines in this regional karst aquifer system have been documented in published literature for decades, but the impacts of those declines in this coastal plain region and the embedded ecosystems that provide essential and critical habitat for native, endemic, and federally endangered and threatened species have not been considered previously. Those anthropogenic groundwater declines reduce surfacewater levels and flows due to the capture of both groundwater and overland flow of surfacewater, resulting in induced recharge through semi-confining zones and interbasin flow through fractures and other karst conduits. This case study identifies examples from the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin study area and comparison areas of how those declines result in loss of historic base flow to surface waters and other capture of surface waters, ultimately increasing saltwater intrusion. Those results alter and degrade the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters, in violation of the US Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Historic groundwater declines from mining and other anthropogenic groundwater withdrawals from this regional karst aquifer system already threaten the survival and recovery of federally endangered and threatened species, as well as existing and proposed critical habitat for those species within this regional extent, in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. This case study and its companion publication (Part 2) appear to be the first to provide scientific support for this regional karst aquifer system as the unifying factor in habitat responses to irreversible groundwater impacts on aquatic and marine ecosystems. These adverse impacts strongly suggest that the extent of the regional Floridan aquifer system should be designated as the Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion for the purpose of managing natural resources. Mining activities continue to expand in our study area, which is the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. Despite that fact, no comprehensive Areawide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS), similar to the AEIS required for phosphate mining within the Central Florida Phosphate District (CFPD) approximately a decade ago has been conducted for any of the numerous mining projects that are occurring and are proposed within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. This case study also provides examples of why a comprehensive AEIS is essential to consider all of the adverse direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of those mining activities to the CWA, the ESA, and the irreversible losses to local economies, because federal agencies responsible for considering those adverse impacts rely on public comments to identify those adverse impacts. The mining activities authorized throughout the regional Floridan aquifer system under Category 44 Nationwide Permits (NWP) result in the same type of adverse impacts as the mining activities evaluated under Individual Permits in that region. Therefore, those Category 44 NWP mining activities also should be required to obtain Individual Permits and be evaluated under an AEIS in the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. This case study also describes how Florida’s assumption of the CWA Section 404 regulatory authority in 2020 severs four sub-basins within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin study area at the state line between Florida and Georgia.展开更多
This article will briefly outline the origins,structure and functions of United Nations Environment Program and the Commission on Sustainable Development in the context of the goals of ecologically sustainable develop...This article will briefly outline the origins,structure and functions of United Nations Environment Program and the Commission on Sustainable Development in the context of the goals of ecologically sustainable development(ESD).Economic development,social development and environmental protection form the three interconnected parts of ESD.The achievements of the key UN environmental institutions and programs in opening up the global system to civil society,the private sector and a diversity of actors and interests,promoting the role of poverty alleviation as part of ESD through the Millennium Development Goals,and facilitating important Multilateral Environmental Agreements should be recognized.However,with these notable exceptions,organizations such as United Nations Environment Program and the Commission on Sustainable Development have become weak in scientific and technical leadership,global policy,co-ordination(inside and outside the UN) and has few achievements in the international and national implementation of obligations and standards in Global Environmental Governance-including enforcement,compliance and effectiveness.This article will outline the key reasons for this inadequacy.Attention will also be focused on the way forward through of a new United Nations Environment Organization.This will require a clarification of purpose and function(within the UN system and as part of global governance structures) as well as consideration of whether it depends on system-wide UN reform.It is recommended that medium and long term strategies for reform are necessary.展开更多
基金The paper is supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China“Research on the Modernization of Collaborative Governance Capacity for Environmental Emergencies in China”[Grant number.15CZZ041].
文摘Managing the acute problem of environmental deterioration due to the industrialization of modern China is necessary.Using three cases from a theoretical perspective of procedure-structure,this study explored how environmental deterioration is governed in three circumstances.Research findings revealed that the pattern to treat the worsening environment is associated closely with individual-specific circumstances,and thus three patterns of governance are developed:bureaucratic,contractual,and network-based cooperatives.The cases and the results are described the advantages and disadvantages of these models are discussed.Suggestions on how to more effectively manage these urgent problems are as follows:first,the governance must fit the circumstance,namely,its physical,biological,and social attributes;second,the regulations and conditions regarding the government-dominated pattern are came up from the perspective of mega-governance,mutual trust contracts,benefit sharing,and social capital;and third,the government should abandon the pattern based on the single subject and adopt a plural subject governance model to integrate all the relevant forces to facilitate the attainment of benign environmental governance.
基金Supported by Particular Fund for Scientific Research in Universities
文摘Taking cadmium pollution in X River as an example, the interaction between National People＇s Congress and local government was de- scribed. How the local government transforms its role in environment protection with the help of several deputies to National People＇s Congress was expounded from the angle of social construction, which also enlightened the way to build an environment protection road with Chinese characteristics.
文摘Karst aquifers occur worldwide and exhibit groundwater flow responses that differ considerably from aquifers lacking fractures, bedding planes, and other karst conduits where significant and rapid groundwater flow can occur. The regional, karst Floridan aquifer system underlies the United States (US) Southeastern Coastal Plain Physiographic Region and exhibits hydrologic interconnections with overlying surficial aquifers and throughout other zones of the aquifer system, as is characteristic of other karst aquifer systems. Anthropogenic groundwater declines in this regional karst aquifer system have been documented in published literature for decades, but the impacts of those declines in this coastal plain region and the embedded ecosystems that provide essential and critical habitat for native, endemic, and federally endangered and threatened species have not been considered previously. Those anthropogenic groundwater declines reduce surfacewater levels and flows due to the capture of both groundwater and overland flow of surfacewater, resulting in induced recharge through semi-confining zones and interbasin flow through fractures and other karst conduits. This case study identifies examples from the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin study area and comparison areas of how those declines result in loss of historic base flow to surface waters and other capture of surface waters, ultimately increasing saltwater intrusion. Those results alter and degrade the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters, in violation of the US Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Historic groundwater declines from mining and other anthropogenic groundwater withdrawals from this regional karst aquifer system already threaten the survival and recovery of federally endangered and threatened species, as well as existing and proposed critical habitat for those species within this regional extent, in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. This case study and its companion publication (Part 2) appear to be the first to provide scientific support for this regional karst aquifer system as the unifying factor in habitat responses to irreversible groundwater impacts on aquatic and marine ecosystems. These adverse impacts strongly suggest that the extent of the regional Floridan aquifer system should be designated as the Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion for the purpose of managing natural resources. Mining activities continue to expand in our study area, which is the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. Despite that fact, no comprehensive Areawide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS), similar to the AEIS required for phosphate mining within the Central Florida Phosphate District (CFPD) approximately a decade ago has been conducted for any of the numerous mining projects that are occurring and are proposed within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. This case study also provides examples of why a comprehensive AEIS is essential to consider all of the adverse direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of those mining activities to the CWA, the ESA, and the irreversible losses to local economies, because federal agencies responsible for considering those adverse impacts rely on public comments to identify those adverse impacts. The mining activities authorized throughout the regional Floridan aquifer system under Category 44 Nationwide Permits (NWP) result in the same type of adverse impacts as the mining activities evaluated under Individual Permits in that region. Therefore, those Category 44 NWP mining activities also should be required to obtain Individual Permits and be evaluated under an AEIS in the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. This case study also describes how Florida’s assumption of the CWA Section 404 regulatory authority in 2020 severs four sub-basins within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin study area at the state line between Florida and Georgia.
文摘This article will briefly outline the origins,structure and functions of United Nations Environment Program and the Commission on Sustainable Development in the context of the goals of ecologically sustainable development(ESD).Economic development,social development and environmental protection form the three interconnected parts of ESD.The achievements of the key UN environmental institutions and programs in opening up the global system to civil society,the private sector and a diversity of actors and interests,promoting the role of poverty alleviation as part of ESD through the Millennium Development Goals,and facilitating important Multilateral Environmental Agreements should be recognized.However,with these notable exceptions,organizations such as United Nations Environment Program and the Commission on Sustainable Development have become weak in scientific and technical leadership,global policy,co-ordination(inside and outside the UN) and has few achievements in the international and national implementation of obligations and standards in Global Environmental Governance-including enforcement,compliance and effectiveness.This article will outline the key reasons for this inadequacy.Attention will also be focused on the way forward through of a new United Nations Environment Organization.This will require a clarification of purpose and function(within the UN system and as part of global governance structures) as well as consideration of whether it depends on system-wide UN reform.It is recommended that medium and long term strategies for reform are necessary.
