The Drought of Amazonia in 2023-2024

The Amazon basin has experienced an extreme drought that started in the austral summer of 2022-23 and extends into 2024. This drought started earlier than other previous droughts. Although some rain fell during the austral summer, totals remained below average. Higher temperatures during austral winter and spring 2023, which affected most of Central South America, then aggravated drought conditions. This coincided with an intense El Niño and abnormally warm tropical North Atlantic Ocean temperatures since mid-2023. Decreased rainfall across the Amazon basin, negative anomalies in evapotranspiration (derived from latent heat) and soil moisture indicators, as well as increased temperatures during the dry-to-wet transition season, September-October-November (SON) 2023, combined to delay the onset of the wet season in the hydrological year 2023-24 by nearly two months and caused it to be uncharacteristically weak. SON 2023 registered a precipitation deficit of the order of 50 to 100 mm/month, and temperatures +3˚C higher than usual in Amazonia, leading to reduced evapotranspiration and soil moisture indicators. These processes, in turn, determined an exceptionally late onset and a lengthening of the dry season, affecting the 2023-2024 hydrological year. These changes were aggravated by a heat wave from June to December 2023. Drought-heat compound events and their consequences are the most critical natural threats to society. River levels reached record lows, or dried up completely, affecting Amazonian ecosystems. Increased risk of wildfires is another concern exacerbated by these conditions.

Climate technology promotion in the Republic of Korea

The implementation of climate technologies and their commercialization ultimately depends on the success of their research and development(R&D) projects. In the Republic of Korea(ROK), twenty-seven climate technologies were selected to boost the greening of existing industries and to develop new green industries to promote a sustainable climate technology development strategy. Rechargeable battery technology, carbon capture and storage(CCS) technology, smart grids, and sewage treatment are all research areas expected to have tangible outcomes in the forthcoming years. As such, they were included in a comprehensive R&D plan for climate technology advancement, which places an emphasis on climate technology development and commercialization strategy. In this study, the R&D plan of the ROK is reviewed by examining its six core climate technology programs: solar cells, fuel cells, bioenergy, rechargeable battery technology, information technology(IT) applications for the power sector, and CCS technology in detail. The climate policy in the ROK aims to find new economic growth engines and to develop new business opportunities while actively participating in international efforts to combat climate change.

Evaluating the Effects of the Concentration of Large Scale Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Facilities Using Geographical Information System

In Japan, each municipality generally has its own municipal solid waste incineration facilities because of the principle of self-management in the respective territories. Typically, a small municipality often owns a small facility. However, a large facility which can run continuously at high temperature with stability would be preferable if the dioxin generation mechanism is to be considered. Accordingly, municipalities in contiguous areas should cooperate mutually by using a large facility. To evaluate the effect of the concentration of large facilities, the authors created a GIS （Geographic Information System） based database of combustible waste generation at town level in Shizuoka Prefecture. Focusing on large facilities in Shizuoka City and superannuated facilities in Shida area, the authors evaluated the effect of the concentration of large facilities in Shizuoka city on utilization rate of facilities, energy balance and CO2 emissions. Our results showed the amount of light oil consumption and CO2 emissions increased because the mileage distance of garbage collection trucks becomes longer. However, the utilization rates of facilities and the amount of energy recovery from waste are improved. From these standpoints, the authors conclude that the concentration of large facilities is better compared to a single municipality based facility.

Research on the development and innovation of retail trade in China

China's retail industry is developing well,and strong market demand also provides a great guarantee for its development.In the new era,effective innovation is needed in the development of the retail industry,which has been a basic choice.In recent years,the retail industry has been innovating in development,and has achieved some good results.However,the development and innovation of the retail industry will be affected and restricted by various factors.Under such influence,many problems are likely to appear in the development and innovation of the retail industry,which increases the degree of responsibility of both.This article will specifically analyze the problems in retail development and innovation,and put forward more effective development and innovation countermeasures.

Research on the Future Trend of New Retail and E-commerce

In the rapid development of information technology,the term new retail was derived based on online shopping,and as the creator of largest online shopping platform in China,Ma Yun,made a related concept discussion on new retail,which caused a great response in the whole society.Therefore,this paper will study the future development trend of the new retail model,as well as the controversy existing in the new retail itself and many successful cases.Through analysis and discussion,the paper will discuss the future development of new retail and e-commerce trends.

Greening the Supply Chain: Drivers and Outcomes in the Korean Manufacturing Industry

This research investigates the determinants of green supply chain management(GSCM)adoption and its impact on organizational performance,while considering the potential moderating factors influencing GSCM adoption.Despite the growing prevalence of GSCM practices among Korean firms,the factors driving their adoption have not received sufficient attention.To bridge this gap,the study uses structural equation modeling,integrating stakeholder theory and resource-based theory to explore how green entrepreneurial orientation(GEO),institutional pressure,and relational capital affect GSCM adoption.Additionally,the study explores the effects of GSCM implementation on competi­tiveness and economic performance.Drawing data from a sample of 213 Korean manufacturing firms,the PLS-SEM analysis highlights the significant influence of GEO,institutional pressure,and relational capital on GSCM adoption.Additionally,the study emphasizes the positive impact of GSCM implementation on firm competitiveness.These find­ings provide valuable insights for enhancing sustainability in supply chain management and are applicable to similar context countries such as Taiwan,China,Japan,and the Netherlands.

Study on collocations in English writing by Chinese students

This study attempted to identify the characteristics of collocations and determine the existence of a relationship between collocations and coherence in writing by Chinese students. This study produced the following results： （1） Common mistaken collocations are seen in the writings by Chinese non-English and English majors; specifically, both English majors and non-English majors made more lexical collocational mistakes than grammatical collocational mistakes in terms of the total number of mistakes and in the type of mistaken collocations; （2） No evident relationship between the correct usage of collocations and coherence is found in the writings of non-English majors as compared to that of English majors. Thus, we can conclude that with the development of skills with the English language, the relationship between the correct use of collocations and coherence becomes increasingly stronger.

Role of hydrogen in China's energy transition towards carbon neutrality target:IPAC analysis

China announced its intention to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 in 2020,and there is an urgent need to understand the viability of emission pathways to reach this goal.This study presents the IPAC modelling team's scenario analysis on China's hydrogen utilisation as a key option for carbon neutrality pathways.In contrast to other studies,this study examines the demand for hydrogen as a feedstock and process material in the industrial sector and as a source of energy in the transportation sector in relation to China's energy system transition.The process of manufacturing hydrogen from carbon-free power generation was also analysed.The finding indicates that the demand for hydrogen could reach 52.4 Mt by 2050 and that the hydrogen will come from renewable power generation and nuclear energy,increasing the demand for electricity by 1884.8 TW h.There are several regions in China with abundant renewable energy and low power generation costs,which will make the hydrogen-based industry competitive in these regions after 2035.

Notions of resilience and qualitative evaluation of tsunami resiliency using the theory of springs

This study revisits the concept of resilience by critically reviewing the contents of previous literature. Furthermore, it explains a new methodology for measuring resilience based on the theory of springs and qualitatively appraises the resiliency of Minamisanriku town as a case study. Minamisanriku is a tiny coastal town located in the northeastern part of the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The town was affected by an earthquake on March 11, 2011, with a magnitude of 9.0, followed by a tsunami. According to the authors’ previously proposed conceptual framework, resilience should be considered by dividing it into three components: onsite capacity, instantaneous survivability, and the recovery potentiality of an area. Each component of the framework depends on two or three factors that can be measured using different indicators and sub-indicators. Onsite capacity is the ability of a given place to withstand a tsunami before it arrives, and it has been considered indispensable for the prevention of a tsunami. Instantaneous survivability is the power to be alive at the point of a disaster climax. Returning speed to its normal daily routines once a catastrophe is over is called recovery potentiality. It is understood that strengthening onsite capacity by moving residences to higher ground, building seawalls and paved roads, relocation of fishing industry infrastructure, and land elevation in Minamisanriku town makes it a benchmark for resilient cities.

China's Share of US Imports and Exchange Rate Pass-through to US Import Prices

The present paper investigates the effect of China＇s share of US imports on the aggregatelevel exchange rate pass-through to US import prices over the period from January 1999 to December 2008. The paper also focuses on the post-reform period, after 2005, allowing greater ftexibility of the RMB to explore the change in the role of the Chinese import share in determining the trend in the US exchange rate pass-through. Evidence reveals that China＇s share of US imports has a negative effect on the exchange rate pass-through. However, this negative effect has been moderated to a negligible level since China＇s exchange rate reform. An important implication is that the exchange rate flexibility of the RMB has been raised to a significant level may no longer cause distortion in the US competitive environment and prevent the USA from adjusting current accounts.

Effects of introducing energy recovery processes to the municipal solid waste management system in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Currently, most developing countries have not set up municipal solid waste management systems with a view of recovering energy from waste or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this article, we have studied the possible effects of introducing three energy recovery processes either as a single or combination approach, refuse derived fuel production,incineration and waste power generation, and methane gas recovery from landfill and power generation in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as a case study. We concluded that incineration process is the most suitable as first introduction of energy recovery. To operate it efficiently,3Rs strategies need to be promoted. And then, RDF production which is made of waste papers and plastics in high level of sorting may be considered as the second step of energy recovery.However, safety control and marketability of RDF will be required at that moment.

Technology portfolio assessment for near-zero emission iron and steel industry in China

China aims to peak CO_(2)emissions before 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060;hence,industrial sectors in China are keen to figure out appropriate pathways to support the national target of carbon neutrality.The objective of this study is to explore near-zero emission pathways for the steel industry of China through a detailed technology assessment.The innovative technology development has been simulated using the AIM-China/steel model,developed by including material-based technologies and optimal cost analysis.Six scenarios have been given in terms of different levels of production output,emission reduction and carbon tax.Near-zero emission and carbon tax scenarios have shown that China's steel industry can achieve near-zero emission using electric furnaces and hydrogen-based direct reduction iron technologies with policy support.Based on these technologies,minimised production costs have been calculated,revealing that the steel produced by these technologies is cost-effective.Moreover,the feedstock cost can play a key role in these technology portfolios,especially the cost of scrap,iron ore and hydrogen.In addition,the feedstock supply can have strong regional effects and can subsequently impact the allocation of steelmaking in the future.Therefore,China can achieve near-zero emissions in the steel industry,and electric furnace and hydrogen-based direct reduction iron technologies are crucial to achieving them.

Productivity Shocks and Monetary Policy in a Two-Country Model

In this paper, we examine the effects of foreign productivity shocks on monetary policy in a symmetric open economy. Our two-country model incorporates the New Keynesian features of price stickiness and monopolistic competition based on the cost channel of Ravenna and Walsh （2006）. In particular, in response to asymmetric productivity shocks, firms in one country achieve a more efficient level of production than those in another economy. Because the terms of trade are directly affected by changes in both economies＇ output levels, international trade creates a transmission channel for inflation dynamics in which a deflationary spiral in foreign producer prices reduces domestic output. When there is a decline in economic activity, the monetary authority should react to this adverse situation by lowering the key interest rate. The impulse response function from the model shows that a productivity shock can cause a real depreciation of the exchange rate when economies are closely integrated through international trade.