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Evaluation Of Land-use Practices In The Upper Pastaza River Basin Related To Flow Regime And Sediment Load Characteristics
No full textThis Master’s Degree project (MDP) provides an evaluation of the current situation and land use practices in the upper Pastaza river basin, and relates these practices to the erosion and sediment production in the area, which constitutes a problem that influences the Agoyan hydro power plant performance.
In this work, suggestions for land use best practices and basin management are provided as an aim to contribute to the erosion minimization and productivity (agricultural and electric) enhancement in the upper Pastaza river basin, seeking also the improvement in the quality of life of local inhabitants.
The analysis of the agricultural practices in the upper Pastaza river Bain showed that they influence on soil erosion and sediment production. Monocultivation, deforestation, paramo clearing – together with population growth and urbanization – are main factors promoting soil erosion, sediment production and land infertility in the basin.
A research of best agricultural practices to minimize erosion and enhance land productivity was done for this work. Some recommended best practices mentioned in this project are crop rotation, contour cultivation, crops residues, terraces, grass water ways use, among other techniques presented that have given good results for combating erosion problems
Applying A Resilience Lens To Shale Gas Development In Northeastern British Columbia
No full textShale gas development in northeastern British Columbia involves the interaction of complex social and ecological systems. This research applies the concept of specified resilience (sensu Walker and Salt 2012) to water resources within the Liard River basin affected by shale gas development. The resilience assessment begins with a summary of the major concepts integral to resilience thinking and then proceeds to describe the Social-Ecological System (SES) in terms of its ecology, governance, Aboriginal interests, industrial technology and practices. The system discussed in the research project highlights system states, controls and feedback relationships useful in evaluating resilience in response to shale gas development. Attributes contributing to resilience were selected to describe the current state of the SES allowing the author to make observations on possible management interventions. Resilience of the water resources in the study area was found to be greatly affected by the existing governance framework prompting the author to advocate
a more pragmatic management approach
Perspectives On Hydraulic Fracturing In Canadian Shale Gas Plays (a Business Case For Effective Corporate Sustainability Strategy)
No full textIn recent times, the challenging issues of climate change and global warming have increased the environmental consciousness of governments, firms, industry, non-governmental groups and the general public on a global scale (Banerjee S.B., 2001). Governments and industry are exploring innovative ways to address the increasing pressure while responding to the rapid increase in the demand for energy and economic growth. “Governmental monitoring and control of environmental impacts of business activity is a process that is designed to minimize the negative consequences of environmental damage” (Banerjee S.B., 2001). Corporate strategy can be used as a brilliant tool in bridging the widening gap between environmental pressures and the vision of an organization. This blending of vision with an environmental lens is a highly complex task. “Understanding managerial perceptions of environmental issues provides an effective framework for strategic bridging” (Westley & Vredenburg, 1991). This will also aid in promoting collaboration between businesses and environmental or governmental agencies. This research highlights the highly controversial energy issue of hydraulic fracturing in Canadian shale gas plays as a case study for effective corporate sustainability strategy. Corporate Strategy can be referred to as the brain child behind corporate success. It works more like the manual that accompanies an equipment or appliance, or the technique required to achieve a goal. It is not about doing everything; it is about prioritizing effective responses to societal concerns in daily operations. It is about doing the most important and most effective things at the right time. It is more than the glossy pages of sustainability reports and great websites
Adjustments To Alberta’s Sger To Ensure The Polluter Pays
No full textSince 2007, Alberta’s oil and gas driven economy has been prescribed the Specified Gas Emitters Regulation (SGER) policy, using market-based economic instruments to drive down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity. This research project reviews the policy assumptions that underpin the development of the SGER and tests the policy’s commitment to holding large emitters of industries more accountable by proposing the definition of large emitter be changed from individual facilities to all facilities included under a corporate portfolio within Alberta. By comparing emissions data of facilities within Alberta, I found that large multinational corporations avoided responsibility for a portion of their corporate emissions that could have been covered under the compliance options of the SGER. Quantifying these outlier emissions and converting the hypothetical funds into real world applications of wind turbines, it is evident that the government lost opportunities for further economic investment in renewable projects
The Prospect Of Using Renewables For Electricity And Energy Conservation In The City Of Bahia De Caráquez, Ecuador
No full textStudy Of The Alternative Of Using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (lpg) In Automobiles, Lima-peru
No full textEvaluating Mineral Carbonation – An Alternative To Co2 Emissions Reductions
No full textSince the Industrial Revolution global green-house gas emissions, atmospheric CO2 concentrations in particular, have increased significantly due to anthropogenic burning of fossil fuels. It is the opinion of many government and international bodies that these increased emissions will accelerate the climate change phenomenon and its adverse effects. As such large reductions to current and future CO2 emissions are required while the performance and economics of renewable energies and technologies mature. Carbon capture and storage has been identified and already implemented as an option to reduce emissions on a large scale. Similarly, mineral carbonation, a naturally occurring process is also another potential candidate to reduce CO2 emissions on an even larger scale than carbon capture and storage. This Masters Design Project examines the technological background, regulatory framework, environmental risks, and economics of both, with a focus on mineral carbonation. The project then evaluates the risks and rewards of using mineral carbonation and provides some conclusions and recommendations for deployment alongside carbon capture and storage
Landfill Gass Utilization Assessment For The Fort St. John Landfill Site
No full textThe PRRD has recognized waste as a potential social, environmental, and economic resource, and a LFG utilization project provides a sustainable return on investment for the local community. The LFG Utilization Assessment provides discussion of revenue generation opportunities, environmental, and social benefits from utilization of LFG and the sale of carbon credits. While numerous options are considered, the three preferred options were evaluated based on economics, environmental impacts, and social impacts. Project economics were evaluated via a Life Cycle Cost Analysis. Environmental impacts were evaluated based on greenhouse gas emission offset potential. Social impacts were evaluated based on the expected benefit to and/or impact on local residents. The most attractive LFG utilization option for the Site for all criteria presented above is compression and piping of LFG to a natural gas extraction well. This has the greatest potential to provide a favorable economic return, and maximize environmental benefits of the LFG utilization options noted. ii
Low Cost Biodigester As A Sustainable Energy Solution For Developing Countries: Jiudai Yakou Village, China, A Case Study
No full textBiogas is one of the most versatile energy sources. It can provide a sustainable development and access to clean energy. Currently, over 3 billion people worldwide use solid fuels, such as wood to supply their energy needs. These inefficient sources of energy are one of the factors that keep a large population in the developing world trapped in the vicious circle of poverty. Since biogas is generated by anaerobic degradation of human and animal waste, it can be a promising and affordable energy solution to abate poverty. This study draws from a broad base of international case studies to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a low cost biodigester at the Jiudao Yakou village in China as well as from specific information gathered from Eco Village of Hope Society (EVHS) who carries out charitable activities and supports leprosy colonies in Yunnan province. An environmental and socio-economic analysis were developed to compare three of the most popular low cost biodigesters. According to my assessments, the installation of a low cost biodigester at the Jiudao Yakou village has the potential to provide the villagers not only with a renewable source of energy that has multiple environmental and socio economic benefits but it will also provide them with an efficient sanitary system that is relatively affordable and easy to operate and maintain. Some of the environmental benefits include a significant deforestation reduction of about 138 trees, an annual greenhouse gas emission reduction of 71.5 CO2eq, more than five percent savings in fertilizer and fuel with a potential 50 percent increase in crop yields by using slurry from the biodigester. Social benefits include reduction in time for firewood collection of 4 hours per day, clean fuel for cooking and lighting because the biogas produced is estimated to meet more than 60 percent of the village’s energy needs
