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Local Authorities’ Views and Attitudes on Sustainable Energy Policy: The Case of Mayors of Rhodes, Island, Greece (2010-2014)
Anastasia Dimitriou,
Dimitris Pimenidis
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
20-30
Received:
5 February 2015
Accepted:
24 February 2015
Published:
4 March 2015
Abstract: To create effective climate change mitigation energy policies that contribute to greenhouse gases reduction are required. To this direction, local authorities play a crucial role as they are responsible for the planning and implementation of energy policies in their territories. This study aims to investigate the local authorities’ knowledge and attitudes on energy production, energy management, energy consumption and renewable energy sources (RES), as well as their energy practices and their intentions. The study was carried out in the island of Rhodes, Greece where 12 elective representatives of local authorities (municipalities and prefecture) were asked to fill in a questionnaire on the above issues. Almost all of the participants recognized energy saving as an important dimension of energy policy. They indicated their intentions for energy saving applications in the future, but the measures they use to apply in their area of responsibility are extremely limited. Despite respondents’ positive attitudes towards the use of RES, they seem to hesitate to develop an energy model based mainly on RES, as they believe they cannot cover the energy needs of the island. They also, believe that they play a secondary role in the planning and development of energy policy at a local level, as they estimate that energy policy is mainly a matter of the central government. Findings show that there is a demand for a more specialized and focused energy policy. They further show the need for specialized environmental education programs addressed to local authorities aiming at increasing motivation as well as supporting their efforts for the implementation of sustainable energy policies.
Abstract: To create effective climate change mitigation energy policies that contribute to greenhouse gases reduction are required. To this direction, local authorities play a crucial role as they are responsible for the planning and implementation of energy policies in their territories. This study aims to investigate the local authorities’ knowledge and at...
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Dynamics of Land Cover and Impact on Stream flow in the Modder River Basin of South Africa: Case Study of a Quaternary Catchment
Onalenna Gwate,
Yali E. Woyessa,
David Wiberg
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
31-38
Received:
28 February 2015
Accepted:
9 March 2015
Published:
15 March 2015
Abstract: Understanding how dynamics in individual land use types influence changes in streamflow is vital. Most hydrological studies are based on paired catchment and modelling approaches. These are data intensive and require a long period of monitoring. To determine the hydrological effects of tropical vegetation conversion over large areas, it is manageable to study the same basin over different time periods. The study analysed changes in historical stream flow patterns with reference to dynamics in land cover in C52A quaternary catchment of South Africa. Landsat images for years 1993, 2004 and 2013 were used for the development of land cover maps. Subsequently, step-change (median point change, Mann-Whitney and Kruskall Willis) and trend detection tests (Spearman’s rho and Kindall’s tau) were applied to average annual discharge and rainfall data for the catchment between 1984 and 2013.Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) test was also used to compare the means. Results revealed that huge land cover changes coincided with significant (p<0.05) changes in streamflow although rainfall remained homogenous over the same period. This suggests that land cover change is intricately coupled to increases in streamflow. In addition, increased runoff is usually accompanied by increased rates of erosion and siltation. To ensure sustainable management of the catchment, therefore, soil and water conservation measures are critical within the broader context of integrated water resources management.
Abstract: Understanding how dynamics in individual land use types influence changes in streamflow is vital. Most hydrological studies are based on paired catchment and modelling approaches. These are data intensive and require a long period of monitoring. To determine the hydrological effects of tropical vegetation conversion over large areas, it is manageab...
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Indicators for Sustainable Development Strategies and Components of Tourism Regions in Egypt A Study of Alexandria and the Northwest Coast
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
39-52
Received:
20 February 2015
Accepted:
7 March 2015
Published:
30 March 2015
Abstract: Sustainable urban development for tourism has been a priority for Arab and European institutions since the mid 1990’s. In recent years, the tourism industry has grown in importance because of its positive effect on overall (economic, social, cultural, political and psychological) development1. Many economists, sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists, geography and administration experts are showing increased interest in the various services-related activities undertaken in different fields of tourism, and in tourism’s relation to sustainable development; issues that have also become the subject of social and economic demand. The social demand is a reflection of the human desire to move and travel, while the economic aspect concerns the employment opportunities available for young people of both sexes in the various fields of tourism, which can gradually contribute to the resolution of the unemployment problem. Moreover, tourism plays a significant part in accelerating the extension of urbanization by planning cities and tourist resorts, constructing and developing roads and utility networks, investing available economic resources and by optimizing the use of environmental or local resources to manufacture popular products. Since it helps to increase foreign currency inflows from abroad, tourism is also an important source of national income for tourist-attracting countries.
Abstract: Sustainable urban development for tourism has been a priority for Arab and European institutions since the mid 1990’s. In recent years, the tourism industry has grown in importance because of its positive effect on overall (economic, social, cultural, political and psychological) development1. Many economists, sociologists, anthropologists, psychol...
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Socio–Economical Impact Assessment of Drought on the Rural Agriculture; a Case Study of Rural District in Southern Iran
Sirous Ghanbari,
Habib Bayad,
Somayeh Rezayi
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
53-56
Received:
22 March 2015
Accepted:
26 March 2015
Published:
31 March 2015
Abstract: This study has aimed to assess the social and economic impacts of drought on agriculture of a rural district in southern Iran entitled Jiroft County. To prepare data, about 217 questionnaire forms were collected in the field works during 2011-2012 then statistically analyzed. According to drought time series of the study area, the year 2008 is known as a strongest drought, which has effected on job sharing, income rate and cultivated areas. The impacts of drought on agricultural workforces and migration are approximately negligible, while the changes on job condition after drought are temporarily high (P<0.01). The correlation analysis exhibited a positive meaningful relation between drought effect and economic income. Income of household from agricultural activities has been remarkable declined hence the rate of investment on agricultural section has been reduced. The changes in household income, cultivated areas and agricultural employment have leaded the various migrations in recent years. About 30% of the population has migrated out of the study area after the 2008 drought event. Due to the migration of ~1100 populations with mean monthly income of ~30 USD, the volume of ~400,000 USD have been lost annually after the 2008 drought event in the study area.
Abstract: This study has aimed to assess the social and economic impacts of drought on agriculture of a rural district in southern Iran entitled Jiroft County. To prepare data, about 217 questionnaire forms were collected in the field works during 2011-2012 then statistically analyzed. According to drought time series of the study area, the year 2008 is know...
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