9 research outputs found
An Investigation into the Libyan Government Policies Relevant to Financial Resource Allocation for Public Universities: An Exploratory Study
Get PDFHigher education plays an important role in economic growth, job creation and export performance. It also has implications for research and knowledge creation. However, there is a notable lack of studies conducted in MENA, and other Arab countries. In particular, there is a dearth of research in the context of Libya, which has been witnessed the massive transformation that in terms of its political, economic, and institutional environment; and, there is a need to explore and understand the current applied system of higher education funding.
Therefore, this study aims to investigate the Libyan government’s policies for the provision of funding to higher education. In addition, this study investigates and explores the obstacles and challenges experienced by the higher education sector in recent years. Furthermore, the study identifies the government policies, institutions and other factors influencing the decisions regarding the financial allocations to public universities.
This study adopts a qualitative approach to collect data using semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The data was analysed using the thematic analysis technique following the length guidelines of Braun and Clarke (2006).
The findings suggest that the operations of Libyan public universities are not only contingent upon government funding but also on the exploitation of universities’ resources. Besides, the findings reveal that there are certain factors behind the low levels of universities’ resources, such as legislation, government restrictions, lack of government encouragement and seriousness for universities to improve their income. The study also identifies various motivational factors behind government funding decisions. Furthermore, the findings confirm that, for universities and government agencies alike, economic (that is, resources available, government priorities, and instability of economic and political status in Libya), social (tribal as well as personal influence) and political factors (i.e., political clout, government and legislations restrictions) influence the distribution of resources
Higher education, funding, polices and politics: A critical review
No full textAbstract. This paper intends to critically examine the existing literature on the funding of the higher education and also trying to analyse this issue in Libyan context, which is a developing and oil dependent economy. The discussion will try to establish a full picture of the current model of funding allocation mechanisms in public university and the criteria used for distribution of funds, and motivations behind government funding. With recent globalization, the cross border movements of goods, services and people have increased in recent decades and it has brought new challenges to the higher education funding. The findings suggest that by looking at other factor such as motivation, which in Libyan case, to win over supports from different tribes and this seems to be for political purposes. The government in Libya seems to be seeking to achieve political purposes through the financing of higher education institutions
A Short and Simple Economic Critique of the Case for Drilling in ANWR
No full textSince the election of Barack Obama as president, the debate over offshore drilling for oil, in particular Alaska's ANWR coastal plain with its large reserves, had been quiet. Then, in March 2010, Obama surprised both supporters and detractors by proposing a plan to approve offshore drilling. The Obama proposal is still a cautious one, but this author argues that demands for more drilling could accelerate. He makes clear that drilling in ANWR would not have significantly lowered U. S. oil prices or imports nor will it in the future.
Assessing Drought Trends within the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
No full textThe author has granted permission for their work to be available to the general public.Drought is classified as an environmental disaster that can have severe implications for agriculture, the economy and wildlife that winter in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in coastal southern Texas. Although previous research has analyzed drought within the ANWR using the Palmer Hydrological Drought Index, this study examined additional indices that more fully accounted for plant health, temperature, and precipitation. Specifically, this study examined drought trends between 1986 – 2020 since drought is one factor that can affect wildlife in the ANWR. Multiple drought indices were utilized, including the Precipitation Condition Index (PCI), Temperature Condition Index (TCI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Scaled Drought Condition Index (SDCI), and Vegetation Health Index (VHI), to provide a comprehensive assessment of drought trends. Additionally, the relationships between drought and wetland salinity were explored to better understand if drought elevates salinity levels, which can further negatively impact wildlife. Although the Mann Kendall statistical trend analysis indicated that the results varied by season and drought index, the majority suggest that drought magnitude decreased over the study period in the ANWR. The salinity levels did not display a significant relationship with drought, which could potentially be due to temporal lags in the drought-salinity relationship. Overall, this study suggests that drought became less severe in the ANWR between 1986 – 2020.Earth and Planetary Science
Necessary Journeys - What is Wilderness and Why Should We Care?
No full textHarsten Heuer is a wildlife biologist, park warden, and author. For the past decade he has spent much of his time following endangered wildlife on foot and skis. In 1998 and 1999 he walked and skied from Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming to Canada\u27s Yukon Territory to publicize a proposal for a 1900 mile long system of wildlife corridors and reserves (the Y2Y Initiative, see: http://www.y2y.net/). In 2003, he and Leanne Allison spent their honeymoon following the Porcupine Caribou Herd from the Yukon to their endangered calving grounds in the disputed ANWR region of Alaska (http://www.beingcaribou.com/)
Higher education, funding, polices and politics: A critical review
Get PDFAbstract. This paper intends to critically examine the existing literature on the funding of the higher education and also trying to analyse this issue in Libyan context, which is a developing and oil dependent economy. The discussion will try to establish a full picture of the current model of funding allocation mechanisms in public university and the criteria used for distribution of funds, and motivations behind government funding. With recent globalization, the cross border movements of goods, services and people have increased in recent decades and it has brought new challenges to the higher education funding. The findings suggest that by looking at other factor such as motivation, which in Libyan case, to win over supports from different tribes and this seems to be for political purposes. The government in Libya seems to be seeking to achieve political purposes through the financing of higher education institutions.Keywords. Higher education, Sources of funding, Government policies, Economic development.JEL. I00, I20, I23
CASE STUDIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
No full textPreface -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction. Why cases? Which theories? -- Case 1. Gorilla rangers -- Case 2. The great ape declaration -- Case 3. Rats, rabbits, and the EPA -- Case 4. Tigers and tourists -- Case 5. Yellowstone wolves -- Case 6. Reykjavik raiders -- Case 7. High-seas fish wars -- Case 8. Matinicus island -- Case 9. Taking Lake Tahoe -- Case 10. The Delhi sands fly -- Case 11. Mr. Cone's woodpeckers -- Case 12. The God squad -- Case 13. The John Day dam -- Case 14. Not on Cape Cod -- Case 15. Oil and ANWR -- Case 16. The grand staircase -- Case 17. The Maine woods national park -- Case 18. Old growth on Mount Wachusett -- Case 19. Massachusetts question one -- Case 20. Leopold and traps -- Case 21. Monkey-wrenching -- Case 22. Saving mink, killing voles -- Case 23. Have you seen this fish? -- Case 24. Australian cats - - Case 25. Hawaiian feral pigs -- Case 26. Tasmanian tigers -- Case 27. Golden rice -- Case 28. Ancient apples, dangerous work -- Case 29. Mosquitoes, disease, and DDT -- Case 30. A breath of fresh air -- Case 31. The dark skies ordinance -- Case 32. The answer is blowing in the wind -- Case 33. The Tooele weapons incinerator - - Case 34. The toxic lagoon -- Case 35. Bhopal -- Case 36. CERES and corporate responsibility -- Case 37. DRUMET Poland: a different approach -- Case 38. Scientific integrity at EPA -- Case 39. Peace with all of creation -- Case 40. Plumbing matters -- Case 41. Is the lifeboat full? -- Case 42. Demography as destiny -- Case 43. Trading pollutants -- Internet research guide -- Index of cases - - Index of subjects -- About the author
Mapping coastal exposure to climate risks in Alaska’s North Slope: a collaborative, community-based assessment
No full textThe rapidly changing Arctic is driving demand for readily usable climate research to address the myriad of challenges and opportunities that are emerging in the region. While the demand is forcing scientist-stakeholder collaborations to enhance usability, scholarship on methods to effectively engage local community stakeholders in the effort is lacking. The need for effective collaboration with local communities has been voiced in the context of efforts to coordinate the pan-Arctic observing network to address stakeholder needs. This dissertation addresses this need by mapping coastal exposure to climate risks in collaboration with Alaska’s North Slope Borough and its residents. Using a collaborative web mapping research design, this dissertation investigates three questions: 1) Why is coastal exposure to climate risks a problem for North Slope communities, 2) What is the land use manager usability perspective of the web map, and 3) How does the web map link to the Arctic observing network? The study identifies coastal exposure risks using community mapping workshops organized in three North Slope municipalities in spring 2016. Collectively, through their subsistence land uses, the three communities observe coastal risks across the study area, which covers coastlines of the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A) and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The coastal exposure web map created for the study was used to assess land use manager usability perspectives in an interactive workshop. Following a live demonstration of the web map, workshop participants discussed its saliency, legitimacy, and credibility. The study then explores web map links to the Arctic observing network by comparing the web map process and product with the structure of the network, which was defined using select reports on its design and activities. Main findings include coastal exposure risks associated with Alaska Native industrial and subsistence land uses across the study area, well beyond the small stretches of local municipality coastlines that are the usual focus of related efforts. Land use manager usability perspectives suggest that the web map is salient for the borough’s land use decision-making process, credible enough to be used as a screening tool, and legitimacy would be enhanced by including local stakeholders who observe coastal risks where hydrocarbon development is currently concentrated between the NPR-A and ANWR. Concerning links to the Arctic observing network, the web map process links via the ecosystem services approach to observing network design, the web map product links to ongoing observing activities such as sea ice monitoring, and both process and product link to societal benefit areas that address community resilience. Study implications include the need to account for coastal exposure risks identified in this study in efforts to monitor coastal risks on the North Slope, potential use of the web map for land use decision support, and the need to focus on community needs in approaches to engage local communities in the Arctic observing network. Collectively, the findings of this study establish the groundwork for coproduction of knowledge to address coastal exposure risks on the North Slope using the Arctic observing network.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Michael Brian Brad
Social-Life Cycle Assessment: Oil Extraction in Section 1002 of the National Arctic Wildlife Refuge
No full textabstract: Drilling in Section 1002 has been an ongoing debate since the region was designated as a potential area for drilling projects, pending congressional approval in 1980. In 2017, the area was officially opened up for oil and gas development through its passage in the GOP Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This act requires 2 lease sales of 400,000 acres, with an allowed 2,000 acre physical footprint (not including pipelines, ice roads, or gravel mines). Using Social-Life Cycle Assessment methodology to assess the process of oil extraction in Section 1002, significant benefits and drawbacks of drilling in this region, with economic, cultural, and social impacts ranging from the local level to the state level to the national level were identified.
Stakeholders impacted by oil development in the Section 1002 region include the Kaktovik community who lives within the Program Area, the Gwich’in people who live south of ANWR, the corporations who will be leasing the land, as well as the employees who will be working on the projects. These stakeholders share similar values and interests, however, when it comes down to the attainment of these values, there are significant differences in opinion. This debate comes down specifically to the desire to ensure stability for one’s family and community, as this means 2 different things to the majority stakeholders on this issue: The Inupiaq and the Gwich’in. The Inupiaq ,who live in Kaktovik specifically ,are particularly keen on the idea of drilling in the Section 1002 region, because the revenues and opportunities that come with the oil and gas development provide access to better standards of living and a more westernized way of life. The Gwich’in, however, value their relationship to the land and the caribou that are at risk of significant change. These 2 groups are critical to the debate, but the state and federal governments have the final say, and a financial incentive to move forward with the lease sales.
Utilizing the S-LCA framework, life cycle impacts of drilling on society are found using indicators that are identified and assessed using both qualitative and quantitative means. Although some conclusions are uncertain due to the forward-looking nature of this S-LCA, the Increasing/Decreasing trends can be identified and confidently attributed to the specific indicators.
Significant Results:
Significant issues this study has highlighted include the resulting impacts, both positive and negative, on the communities affected by oil and gas development in Section 1002. Significant stakeholders include the Kaktovik community, the Gwich’in people, the oil and gas workers in the state of Alaska, and the oil and gas companies themselves. The local residents are the most affected by the impacts of development, with significant issues pertaining to potential for significant lifestyle change, the increased risk of impact on subsistence species, the risks associated with pollution, and the effect on the economy through revenues and job availability
