1,721,000 research outputs found
The multiple injustice of fossil fuel territories in the Ecuadorian Amazon: Oil development, urban growth, and climate justice perspectives
Full text linkAlongside growing awareness of the historical and ethical dimensions of climate change impacts, little is known
about those territories both sources of fossil fuel extraction as well as not beneficiaries of its benefits, usually
located in developing countries. Our study frames climate justice in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR),
defined as “urban jungle”, due to urbanization processes linked to oil exploitation. By highlighting the multiple
injustices for local communities, the general aim is showing how these areas are at the same time peripheries of
fossil fuel extraction and national benefits, while also being entangled with the socio-environmental impacts
caused and increased by oil activities. The methodology is based on spatial analysis carried out in GIS envi-
ronment, combining different features (oil production, urban infrastructure, socio-environmental impacts), at
different spatial and temporal scales. Results show that, since the beginning of oil exploitation in 1972 and until
2020, about 6.4 billion barrels were produced in the EAR, in 34 oil blocks located in the central-north sector.
Moreover, between 1985 and 2020, oil exploited EAR has continued to be the most urbanized part, surrounding
and involving indigenous territories and ethnic population in voluntary isolation. Finally, the results highlight
the high density of recorded oil spills, pits and gas flaring sites in historically exploited oil block, and the
extensive distribution of seismic lines in all the EAR, far from human rights obligations of enjoying a safe, clean,
healthy and sustainable environment. In conclusion, our analyses highlight the multiple injustices of these ter-
ritories. Hence climate justice should embrace these territories in its perspectives, by involving them in the
climate justice discourse and promoting the rights for a non-toxic environment. By doing so, scholars, stake-
holders and policymakers might frame clear and just phasing out fossil fuel strategie
Effect of FRP mesh reinforcement on shear capacity and deformability of masonry walls
No full textThe research deals with the analysis of the structural behaviour of CFRP (rebars) reinforced masonry panel. The study shows also the comparison between the behavior of plain masonry and masonry reinforced with ordinary mesh steel under shear test. The tests were carried out using the diagonal test; two different types of wall were employed (but with the same mechanical characteristics of materials) with 200 mm and 330 mm of thickness, using the steel mesh reinforcement and carbon FRP rebars on both sides. The sample was made with mortar applied directly to the face, with the reinforcement inside. Finally the research makes a comparison with a similar test carried out by other authors using FRP strips and lamina
How can GIS support the evaluation and design of biodiverse agroecosystems and landscapes? Applying the Main Agroecological Structure to European agroecosystems
Full text linkAgrobiodiversity plays a critical role in fostering the stability, resilience, and sustainability of European farming systems. Nonetheless, there is currently a lack of comprehensive methods to describe its spatial distribution within farms, its connectivity with the surrounding landscape, and, most crucially, how the perceptions and actions of human communities affect it. The Main Agroecological Structure (MAS) has recently been proposed as an environmental index aiming to tackle such challenges by promoting a dialogue between landscape ecology and agroecology, encompassing criteria that focus on both landscape parameters and cultural variables. Geographic information systems (GIS) can play a key role in the measurement of the index by leveraging public geodata and engaging with the direct participation of communities to map the territories they inhabit and cultivate. Nevertheless, their use in this context has not yet been studied. We propose here a new GIS-based approach for estimating the Main Agroecological Structure: landscape criteria are assessed through the hybrid use of free and open-source GIS tools, field samplings, and participative mapping methods; cultural parameters are evaluated through semi-structured interviews. Contextually to the definition of such methodological foundations, the present study tests the relevance of the index to European agroecological contexts by applying the proposed workflow to three Italian farms characterized by different territorial and organizational forms. Along with a few modifications to the original proposal, we highlight the relevance of GIS in making agrobiodiversity visible at a landscape level within the context of the index. We also suggest some potential future applications related to local empowerment and agroecosystem mapping
(Free and Open) Satellite Imageries for Land Rights and Climate Justice in Amazon Agroforestry Systems
No full textGestire o nascondere i conflitti socio-ambientali? La Social Licence to Operate nelle attività petrolifere dell’Amazzonia ecuadoriana
Full text linkThe main objective of this research was to critically examine the concept of
Social Licence to Operate (SLO) in an oil concession of the Ecuadorian Amazon
inhabited by indigenous villages. In this paper we present the qualitative data of
the semi-structured interviews and the household survey with village residents.
The main findings revealed the important role of the involvement of communi-
ties in the decision-making processes (procedural fairness), people’s perceptions
of company’s socio-environmental impacts, the management of forms of protest
and social services in the communities. Particularly, the results suggested that
procedural fairness and the respect of communities’ right of self-determination
are the basic requisite for the application of the SLO concept in the study area
Idrocarburi e aree ad alta diversità culturale e biologica: un’analisi geografica in Amazzonia
Full text linkLe operazioni di esplorazione ed estrazione di idrocarburi in diversi contesti geografici sono ampiamente documentate tra le attività antropiche di maggiore
impatto sui sistemi socio-ecologici e sul cambiamento climatico, cosi come è riconosciuta la necessità di politiche più efficaci e l'uso di tecnologie più pulite.
Lo studio presentato in questo contributo mira a: 1) analizzare e mappare le interazioni tra le attività legate agli idrocarburi e le aree che presentano
un'elevata diversità e sensibilità culturale e biologica; 2) Discutere proposte di criteri geografici per individuare aree unburnable, ovvero dove lasciare gli
idrocarburi sottoterra.
La metodologia si basa sulla costruzione di un geodatabase open source dell'area di studio, che corrisponde all'Amazzonia dell'Ecuador e alla Region
amazzonica di Loreto in Perù, area riconosciuta per la sua elevata diversità ecologica e culturale. È stata condotta un’analisi in ambiente QGIS delle
sovrapposizioni tra gli aspetti socio-ecologici (aree protette, territori indigeni) e le attività di esplorazione e produzione di idrocarburi (riserve, blocchi, pozzi,
oleodotti), oltre alla revisione di documenti scientifici e non su questi aspetti. Alcuni risultati dell'analisi GIS mostrano che quasi l'intera area di studio fa
parte della provincia geologica del Putumayo-Oriente-Marañon, con una stima di 7290 milioni barili di petrolio equivalente sottoterra, dove le concessioni di
idrocarburi coprono il 33% della superficie e si trovano circa 1780 pozzi. Le aree protette ricadenti nelle concessioni risultano essere il 18% e importanti
sono anche le sovrapposizioni con i territori indigeni, evidenziando così l'urgenza di politiche più efficaci per garantire la sostenibilità ambientale e sociale e la definizione di criteri geografici per individuare aree unburnable
SHEAR BEHAVIOUR OF MASONRY REINFORCED WITH FRP BARS
No full textThe structural shear strength of masonry panels reinforced with CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced polymer) beams was studied and compared with those reinforced using traditional electrowelded steel mesh. Panels were subjected to diagonal compression tests up to collapse. The test results were compared with other experiments recently carried out on masonry panels reinforced with CFRP attached directly to the masonry (fabric and metal foils). Finally, the research highlights the re-calibration of the calculus algorithm already presented in the literature for evaluating the shear strength of masonry in the presence of FRP reinforcement. 7 refs
“Combustibili fossili, aree protette marine e costiere e “Crescita Blu” in Italia: una prima analisi spaziale” (Fossil fuels, marine and coastal protected areas and “Blue Growth in Italy: a first spatial analysis)
Full text linkIl bacino del Mediterraneo, uno dei più importanti hotspot di biodiversità a livello mondiale, è interessato da attività di ricerca ed estrazione di petrolio e di gas, con il potenziale rischio di effetti negativi sui suoi delicati ecosistemi. Nonostante le importanti implicazioni, in letteratura le relazioni spaziali fra operazioni petrolifere e aree protette del Mediterraneo non sono state ancora adeguatamente esaminate. In questo contesto, il presente lavoro fornisce la prima analisi GIS della sovrapposizione fra blocchi di ricerca ed estrazione di gas e petrolio e aree protette in ambiti marini e costieri italiani. Lo scopo principale della ricerca è quello di individuare potenziali situazioni di criticità per il raggiungimento degli obiettivi di sviluppo sostenibile e conservazione della biodiversità in contesti marini e costieri, promossi dalle politiche europee di “Crescita Blu”. I risultati
evidenziano che uno dei siti maggiormente interessati dalla ricerca ed estrazione di idrocarburi è il Parco del Delta del Po, il più vasto sistema di aree umide d’Italia
Community gardens for inclusive urban planning in Padua (Italy): implementing a participatory spatial multicriteria decision-making analysis to explore the social meanings of urban agriculture
Full text linkUrban agriculture is recognized as a worthy resource to support a growing population as well as to provide other positive effects on urban ecosystems and their citizens. In this context, community gardens are considered key topics in terms of food production and food security, in both developing and developed countries, as well as in terms of social inclusion and participation. The general aim of this study was to assess the main spatial criteria recognized and shared by stakeholders to identify suitable and inclusive areas for community gardens by testing and developing a participatory process. Because of its size, population, and urban fabric, Padua (northeast Italy) was selected as a representative and emblematic case study for mid-sized cities in Europe. The methodology was based on field surveys of key informants and spatial multicriteria decision-making analysis in the open-source geographic information system environment of QGIS. The results identified neighborhoods to be prioritized in the design of new community gardens according to three scenarios: the distance index, the social index, and the combination of the two (overall index). To conclude, this study highlighted the importance of adopting a decision-making methodology to support local policymakers and municipal agencies that are interested in implementing other community gardens in Padua. The case study and the methodology adopted could also serve as important guides for cities by providing step-by-step processes that can be directly applied
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