Industrial Unsustainability

The development of unconventional gas exploration in the USA, in particular shale gas, caused a revolution in the American and the global gas markets. The regional-wide use of unconventional gas resources could stabilize the natural gas demand and the energy supply security of European and Asian countries. But traditionally, almost all gas contracts in Europe and Asia are linked to oil because of the demand for stable, long-term contracts. Furthermore, in many Asian countries, large state-owned enterprises dominate their national gas markets, leading to little competition and incentives to reduce gas prices. In Europe, the expansion of unconventional gas is facing grassroots opposition from environmental groups who are concerned about ground water safety, adequate waste water management, seismic events and greenhouse gas emissions. In this article, I will discuss the rapidly changing natural gas markets and the role and prospects of unconventional gas as well as its environmental impacts and unsustainability in industry level.

Impact of Intensive Greenhouse Production System on Soil Quality

Composite top- and subsoil samples were collected from the greenhouses in the Al-Balawneh area,Jordan,where intensive greenhouse production system(IGPS) has been practiced since 1998,to study the impact of IGPS on soil quality as measured by the chemical and biological properties to develop a sustainable production system.The study showed that IGPS led to higher electrical conductivity in top- and subsoils compared to an uncultivated soil(control).Quality and amount of irrigation water,lack of efficient drainage,and quantity and types of applied fertilizers were major factors resulting in salt buildup.IGPS resulted in lower total N(TN) and NO_3-N in the soil compared to the control.The lower TN was due to crop uptake,microbial immobilization,volatilization,and irregular application of composted animal manure or poultry manure.In contrast,higher residual Olsen-P content was detected in both soil layers of greenhouses than in the control.Residual P was classified as very high in the topsoil layers and sufficient to high in the subsoil layers.Residual available K in the soils of greenhouses was relatively lower than that in the control and it was,however,classified as high to very high.A large increase of Cl and a considerable decrease in the bacterial count were observed in both soil layers of IGPS compared to the control treatment.Economically sustainable soil management practices need to be adopted by farmers to achieve a sustainable and profitable production.This can be accomplished through education,targeted towards the farming community in the central Jordan Valley.

Constraints and Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihoods and Cash Income Generation from NTFPs in the Mountains of Northern Parts of Pakistan

Pakistan′s forest resource base is mostly found in the mountains of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) supporting the livelihood of the rural poor and providing different ecological services.The present study was,therefore,initiated with the aim to evaluate different constraints and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and cash income generation from NTFPs in the mountainous area of NWFP,Pakistan during 2008.Information was collected through questionnaire and interviews during field trips.A total of 117 NTFPs species have been recorded which are being used locally for various purposes such as fuel wood,fodder,medicinal plants,vegetables,mushroom,agricultural tools making,furniture,thatching,shade,fencing/poles,ornamental purpose and animal products.The majority of plants are multi-functional like Pinus wallichiana provides timber,firewood,torch wood,the leaves/small branches are used as thatch for roofing,split logs are used for fencing and the decomposed needles are collected as humus for agricultural fields.These products were widely used by the indigenous community supporting their livelihood.The study proposes protection and sustainable management of these valuable resources for rural livelihoods,which might be useful for developing regional strategies of sustainable management of forest resources.