Environmental stewardship is one of the main indicators of corporate performance and reputation among investors today. However, historical operational practices and accidents have created significant environmental lia...Environmental stewardship is one of the main indicators of corporate performance and reputation among investors today. However, historical operational practices and accidents have created significant environmental liabilities in the industrial sector, and now require significant investments for appropriate management and resolution. A strategic approach is imperative to assure that company’s financial resources are effectively allocated, and shareholders’ interests are protected. In addition, these liabilities must be appropriately and continuously reported, which require the use of robust forecasting techniques such as Monte Carlo Simulation. The present study results demonstrate that under an optimized strategic approach, liability management costs may be reduced in approximately 50%. In addition, the financial forecast under the selected approach may support appropriate reporting of company’s liabilities.展开更多
Water risk early warning systems based on the water environmental carrying capacity(WECC)are powerful and effective tools to guarantee the sustainability of rivers.Existing work on the early warning of WECC has mainly...Water risk early warning systems based on the water environmental carrying capacity(WECC)are powerful and effective tools to guarantee the sustainability of rivers.Existing work on the early warning of WECC has mainly concerned the comprehensive evaluation of the status quo and lacked a quantitative prejudgement and warning of future overload.In addition,existing quantitative methods for short-term early warning have rarely focused on the integrated change trends of the early warning indicators.Given the periodicity of the socioeconomic system,however,the water environmental system also follows a trend of cyclical fluctuations.Thus,it is meaningful to monitor and use this periodicity for the early warning of the WECC.In this study,we first adopted and improved the prosperity index method to develop an integrated water risk early warning framework.We also constructed a forecast model to qualitatively and quantitatively prejudge and warn about the development trends of the water environmental system.We selected the North Canal Basin(an essential connection among the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region)in China as a case study and predicted the WECC in 25 water environmental management units of the basin in 2018–2023.We found that the analysis of the prosperity index was helpful in predicting the WECC,to some extent.The result demonstrated that the early warning system provided reliable prediction(root mean square error of 0.0651 and mean absolute error of 0.1418),and the calculation results of the comprehensive early warning index(CEWI)conformed to the actual situation and related research in the river basin.From 2008 to 2023,the WECC of most water environmental management units in the basin had improved but with some spatial differences:the CEWI was generally poor in areas with many human disturbances,while it was relatively good in the upstream regions with higher forest and grass covers as well as in the downstream areas with larger water volume.Finally,through a sensitivity analysis of the indicators,we proposed specific management measures for the sustainability of the water environmental system in the North Canal Basin.Overall,the integrated water risk early warning framework could provide an appropriate method for the water environmental administration department to predict the WECC of the basin in the future.This framework could also assist in implementing corresponding management measures in advance,especially for the performance evaluation and the arrangement of key short-term tasks in the River Chief System in China.展开更多
This study was designed to find out an optimised planting system of reducing non-point (source) pollution by analyzing the reasons and the factors of influence non-point pollution in farmland of Erhai Lake basin. Th...This study was designed to find out an optimised planting system of reducing non-point (source) pollution by analyzing the reasons and the factors of influence non-point pollution in farmland of Erhai Lake basin. The results showed that incomes, residual nitrogen in soil, and the loss of nitrogen in surface water in rice-garlic system were higher than those in rice-fava bean system. There were positive correlations between the nitrogen loss of farmland, nitrogen inputs, residual nitrogen in soil, and incomes of farmland. Economic benefits and environment benefits are both appropriate, if the area of rice-garlic system would be reduced to 53% and the area of rice-fava bean system increased to 36% of total cropping area in the investigated watershed. Adjustment of planting structure and introduction of reasonable rotation systems is considered an effective measure of controlling agricultural non-point pollution in watersheds of Erhai Lake.展开更多
This study tests the influence of environmental risks associated with floods, hurricanes, and hazardous material releases on human migration behavior. With close attention to a function of environmental risk factors, ...This study tests the influence of environmental risks associated with floods, hurricanes, and hazardous material releases on human migration behavior. With close attention to a function of environmental risk factors, socio-demographic attributes, hazard risk and locational attributes were measured and correlated to the standardized number of recent arrivals and long term residents at the census tract level. Two groups (i.e., recent arrivals and long-term residents) were created to compare their moving behavior. The results indicate that flood risk showed little relationship to either recent arrivals or long-term residents. These results are consistent with past research which suggests that people tend to ignore their vulnerability to natural hazards. However, both groups had negative relationships to the risk from hurricanes and hazardous material releases. This counter-intuitive result suggests that other factors, such as proximity to employment opportunities or property tax advantages, need to be examined. In particular, the recent arrivals were negatively related to chemical risk while long-term residents were positively related to chemical risks, indicating that people that just arrived and old residents are somewhat different in perceiving environmental risks. In addition, the results of this study suggest that people are objective about environmental risks in selecting their habitat. However, once the habitat is settled, people’s perception of the risks may be interfered or reduced by other factors.展开更多
Along with the environmental pollution causes complexity and diversity increases ceaselessly, “national environmental protection” Twelfth Five “planning” (hereinafter referred to as “planning”) will be the envir...Along with the environmental pollution causes complexity and diversity increases ceaselessly, “national environmental protection” Twelfth Five “planning” (hereinafter referred to as “planning”) will be the environmental risk prevention as the “12th Five-Year Plan” one of the important tasks, including advancing environmental risk management in the whole process, key areas the environmental risk prevention measures. The whole process environmental risk management covers a risk source recognition, receptor vulnerability assessment, environmental risk characterization, risk decision and risk assessment of accident loss. This article from the environmental risk source classification, environmental risk classification management, environmental emergency response and environmental risk and insurance environment four aspects put forward the “12th Five-Year Plan” whole process environmental risk management content, to further reduce our country environmental pollution accident risk and policy makers to provide some decision support.展开更多
The combustion of vinyl chloride(VC)after the train derailment accident in Ohio,USA in February,2023 has caused widespread concern around the world.This paper tried to analyze several issues concerning the accident,in...The combustion of vinyl chloride(VC)after the train derailment accident in Ohio,USA in February,2023 has caused widespread concern around the world.This paper tried to analyze several issues concerning the accident,including the appropriateness of the VC combustion in the emergency response in this accident,the meanings of so-called“controlled combustion”,the potential environmental risks caused by VC and combustion by-products,and follow-up work.In our view,this accident had surely caused environmental and health risks to some extent.Hence,a comprehensive environmental risk assessment is necessary,and then the site with risk should be comprehensively remediated,hazardous waste should be harmlessly treated as soon as possible.Finally,this accident suggests that further efforts should be taken to bridge the gap between chemical safety management and their environmental risk management.展开更多
Transport risk assessment for the environment has two important aspects--problem solving model and solution veracity. Problem solving model is larger understanding of tasks interconnection, which represents in itself ...Transport risk assessment for the environment has two important aspects--problem solving model and solution veracity. Problem solving model is larger understanding of tasks interconnection, which represents in itself partial solution of general risk assessment. Veracity of solution means how the results are consistent with the reality. By researching of both aspects, it rises many unanswered questions. It is concerned about verification and validation of risk assessment results. By risk assessment for the environment it is possible to meet wide variety of more or less good soluble problems. It exists simple problems based on risk assessment of common traffic accidents connected with service charge outflow. On the other site, it exists complex problems of risk assessment connected with dangerous goods transport by traffic or pipelines. By simple problems solving there are not many questions about risk assessment veracity. It is possible to determine traffic accidents frequencies and service charge outflows consequences on the basis of examined events in transportation with great veracity. By complex problems the situation is quite different. The frequencies of large accidents are very low but the consequences for the environment may be large. Both are encumbered by large level of uncertainty. That is why the question is rising. To what degree, it is in these cases correct to make decision based on risk assessment.展开更多
The rapid development of China's chemical industry has created increasing pressure to improve the environmental management of chemicals. To bridge the large gap between the use and safe management of chemicals, we pe...The rapid development of China's chemical industry has created increasing pressure to improve the environmental management of chemicals. To bridge the large gap between the use and safe management of chemicals, we performed a comprehensive review of the international methods used to prioritize chemicals for environmental management. By comparing domestic and foreign methods, we confirmed the presence of this gap and identified potential solutions. Based on our literature review, we developed an appropriate screening method that accounts for the unique characteristics of chemical use within China. The proposed method is based on an evaluation using nine indices of the potential hazard posed by a chemical: three environmental hazard indices (persistence, bioaccumulation, and eco-toxicity), four health hazard indices (acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive and developmental toxi- city), and two environmental exposure hazard indices (chemical amount and utilization pattern). The results of our screening agree with results of previous efforts from around the world, confirming the validity of the new system. The classification method will help decision- makers to prioritize and identify the chemicals with the highest environmental risk, thereby providing a basis for improving chemical management in China.展开更多
文摘Environmental stewardship is one of the main indicators of corporate performance and reputation among investors today. However, historical operational practices and accidents have created significant environmental liabilities in the industrial sector, and now require significant investments for appropriate management and resolution. A strategic approach is imperative to assure that company’s financial resources are effectively allocated, and shareholders’ interests are protected. In addition, these liabilities must be appropriately and continuously reported, which require the use of robust forecasting techniques such as Monte Carlo Simulation. The present study results demonstrate that under an optimized strategic approach, liability management costs may be reduced in approximately 50%. In addition, the financial forecast under the selected approach may support appropriate reporting of company’s liabilities.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFB3901104).
文摘Water risk early warning systems based on the water environmental carrying capacity(WECC)are powerful and effective tools to guarantee the sustainability of rivers.Existing work on the early warning of WECC has mainly concerned the comprehensive evaluation of the status quo and lacked a quantitative prejudgement and warning of future overload.In addition,existing quantitative methods for short-term early warning have rarely focused on the integrated change trends of the early warning indicators.Given the periodicity of the socioeconomic system,however,the water environmental system also follows a trend of cyclical fluctuations.Thus,it is meaningful to monitor and use this periodicity for the early warning of the WECC.In this study,we first adopted and improved the prosperity index method to develop an integrated water risk early warning framework.We also constructed a forecast model to qualitatively and quantitatively prejudge and warn about the development trends of the water environmental system.We selected the North Canal Basin(an essential connection among the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region)in China as a case study and predicted the WECC in 25 water environmental management units of the basin in 2018–2023.We found that the analysis of the prosperity index was helpful in predicting the WECC,to some extent.The result demonstrated that the early warning system provided reliable prediction(root mean square error of 0.0651 and mean absolute error of 0.1418),and the calculation results of the comprehensive early warning index(CEWI)conformed to the actual situation and related research in the river basin.From 2008 to 2023,the WECC of most water environmental management units in the basin had improved but with some spatial differences:the CEWI was generally poor in areas with many human disturbances,while it was relatively good in the upstream regions with higher forest and grass covers as well as in the downstream areas with larger water volume.Finally,through a sensitivity analysis of the indicators,we proposed specific management measures for the sustainability of the water environmental system in the North Canal Basin.Overall,the integrated water risk early warning framework could provide an appropriate method for the water environmental administration department to predict the WECC of the basin in the future.This framework could also assist in implementing corresponding management measures in advance,especially for the performance evaluation and the arrangement of key short-term tasks in the River Chief System in China.
基金funded by the National Water Special Program of China during 11th Five-Year Plan period(2008ZX07105-002)
文摘This study was designed to find out an optimised planting system of reducing non-point (source) pollution by analyzing the reasons and the factors of influence non-point pollution in farmland of Erhai Lake basin. The results showed that incomes, residual nitrogen in soil, and the loss of nitrogen in surface water in rice-garlic system were higher than those in rice-fava bean system. There were positive correlations between the nitrogen loss of farmland, nitrogen inputs, residual nitrogen in soil, and incomes of farmland. Economic benefits and environment benefits are both appropriate, if the area of rice-garlic system would be reduced to 53% and the area of rice-fava bean system increased to 36% of total cropping area in the investigated watershed. Adjustment of planting structure and introduction of reasonable rotation systems is considered an effective measure of controlling agricultural non-point pollution in watersheds of Erhai Lake.
文摘This study tests the influence of environmental risks associated with floods, hurricanes, and hazardous material releases on human migration behavior. With close attention to a function of environmental risk factors, socio-demographic attributes, hazard risk and locational attributes were measured and correlated to the standardized number of recent arrivals and long term residents at the census tract level. Two groups (i.e., recent arrivals and long-term residents) were created to compare their moving behavior. The results indicate that flood risk showed little relationship to either recent arrivals or long-term residents. These results are consistent with past research which suggests that people tend to ignore their vulnerability to natural hazards. However, both groups had negative relationships to the risk from hurricanes and hazardous material releases. This counter-intuitive result suggests that other factors, such as proximity to employment opportunities or property tax advantages, need to be examined. In particular, the recent arrivals were negatively related to chemical risk while long-term residents were positively related to chemical risks, indicating that people that just arrived and old residents are somewhat different in perceiving environmental risks. In addition, the results of this study suggest that people are objective about environmental risks in selecting their habitat. However, once the habitat is settled, people’s perception of the risks may be interfered or reduced by other factors.
文摘Along with the environmental pollution causes complexity and diversity increases ceaselessly, “national environmental protection” Twelfth Five “planning” (hereinafter referred to as “planning”) will be the environmental risk prevention as the “12th Five-Year Plan” one of the important tasks, including advancing environmental risk management in the whole process, key areas the environmental risk prevention measures. The whole process environmental risk management covers a risk source recognition, receptor vulnerability assessment, environmental risk characterization, risk decision and risk assessment of accident loss. This article from the environmental risk source classification, environmental risk classification management, environmental emergency response and environmental risk and insurance environment four aspects put forward the “12th Five-Year Plan” whole process environmental risk management content, to further reduce our country environmental pollution accident risk and policy makers to provide some decision support.
文摘The combustion of vinyl chloride(VC)after the train derailment accident in Ohio,USA in February,2023 has caused widespread concern around the world.This paper tried to analyze several issues concerning the accident,including the appropriateness of the VC combustion in the emergency response in this accident,the meanings of so-called“controlled combustion”,the potential environmental risks caused by VC and combustion by-products,and follow-up work.In our view,this accident had surely caused environmental and health risks to some extent.Hence,a comprehensive environmental risk assessment is necessary,and then the site with risk should be comprehensively remediated,hazardous waste should be harmlessly treated as soon as possible.Finally,this accident suggests that further efforts should be taken to bridge the gap between chemical safety management and their environmental risk management.
文摘Transport risk assessment for the environment has two important aspects--problem solving model and solution veracity. Problem solving model is larger understanding of tasks interconnection, which represents in itself partial solution of general risk assessment. Veracity of solution means how the results are consistent with the reality. By researching of both aspects, it rises many unanswered questions. It is concerned about verification and validation of risk assessment results. By risk assessment for the environment it is possible to meet wide variety of more or less good soluble problems. It exists simple problems based on risk assessment of common traffic accidents connected with service charge outflow. On the other site, it exists complex problems of risk assessment connected with dangerous goods transport by traffic or pipelines. By simple problems solving there are not many questions about risk assessment veracity. It is possible to determine traffic accidents frequencies and service charge outflows consequences on the basis of examined events in transportation with great veracity. By complex problems the situation is quite different. The frequencies of large accidents are very low but the consequences for the environment may be large. Both are encumbered by large level of uncertainty. That is why the question is rising. To what degree, it is in these cases correct to make decision based on risk assessment.
文摘The rapid development of China's chemical industry has created increasing pressure to improve the environmental management of chemicals. To bridge the large gap between the use and safe management of chemicals, we performed a comprehensive review of the international methods used to prioritize chemicals for environmental management. By comparing domestic and foreign methods, we confirmed the presence of this gap and identified potential solutions. Based on our literature review, we developed an appropriate screening method that accounts for the unique characteristics of chemical use within China. The proposed method is based on an evaluation using nine indices of the potential hazard posed by a chemical: three environmental hazard indices (persistence, bioaccumulation, and eco-toxicity), four health hazard indices (acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive and developmental toxi- city), and two environmental exposure hazard indices (chemical amount and utilization pattern). The results of our screening agree with results of previous efforts from around the world, confirming the validity of the new system. The classification method will help decision- makers to prioritize and identify the chemicals with the highest environmental risk, thereby providing a basis for improving chemical management in China.