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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

A Cost Benefit Analysis Of Improving Energy Efficiency Of A Fitness Facilty, Inuri A. Illeperuma Aug 2014

A Cost Benefit Analysis Of Improving Energy Efficiency Of A Fitness Facilty, Inuri A. Illeperuma

Journal of Environmental and Resource Economics at Colby

Abstract: Nearly 40% of the total U.S. energy consumption in 2012 was consumed in residential and commercial buildings, as recorded by U.S. Energy Information Administration. With the urgent need to reduce overall energy consumption in the U.S., many efforts are made to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. However, energy managers identify budget constraints as one of the main obstacles in improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Hence this study focuses on a cost benefit analysis of improving the energy efficiency, with a special focus on fitness facilities in college environments. As a case study, the author focuses on improving …


Clean Cooking: The Value Of Clean Cookstoves In Ethiopia, Shannon H. Kooser Aug 2014

Clean Cooking: The Value Of Clean Cookstoves In Ethiopia, Shannon H. Kooser

Journal of Environmental and Resource Economics at Colby

This project investigates how demographic differences affect the way people value clean cookstoves in Ethiopia. Previous research indicates that traditional cooking methods are harmful to human health as well as the environment, as people need to cut down trees or collect other biomass sources for fuel. However, clean stoves can solve both these environmental and health problems, as well as provide a sustainable method for cooking and heating in developing countries. Using choice survey data, this study examines Ethiopian households’ valuations of different characteristics of stoves, including durability, fuel reduction, smoke reduction and the amount of time they may save …


Conservative Evolution, Sustainability, And Culture, Gábor Náray-Szabó Mar 2014

Conservative Evolution, Sustainability, And Culture, Gábor Náray-Szabó

CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture

In his article "Conservative Evolution, Sustainability, and Culture" Gábor Náray-Szabó argues that evolution is conservative in the sense that throughout the history of the universe old constructs like elementary particles, amino acids, and living cells remained conserved while the world evolved/evolves in complexity. A similar process can be observed in cultural evolution as components of society and culture continue to evolve. Considering the increasing pressure on natural resources by material consumption, a close alliance between past, present, and future generations is unavoidable and thus Náray-Szabó posits that concepts of conservative evolution and sustainability are related. However, in order to avoid …


The Great Sustainability Challenge, Isidor Wallimann Jan 2014

The Great Sustainability Challenge, Isidor Wallimann

Sociology - All Scholarship

"The balance between society and nature is askew. The age of industrialization and the subsequent era of consumerism are large culprits for pollution and the degradation of the environment. Human activity on Earth has undeniably affected the planet and has contributed colossal levels of carbon emissions that are pushing global temperatures to keep rising. Significant ecological risks to human survival may result from not taking more pressing action. Governments have a role to play in moving more rapidly and effectively towards more sustainable practices – “how to be more sustainable?” is a question that must be integrated in all decision-making …


Assessment Of Land Use Dynamics And The Status Of Biodiversity Exploitation And Preservation In Nigeria, Abiodun Elijah Obayelu Jan 2014

Assessment Of Land Use Dynamics And The Status Of Biodiversity Exploitation And Preservation In Nigeria, Abiodun Elijah Obayelu

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies

Land is the most important natural resource that affects every aspect of human life, while biodiversity constitutes the most important working component of a natural ecosystem. Land use and biodiversity are agricultural and ecological challenges presently facing Nigeria in her efforts at addressing the issue of agro-ecosystem transformation and sustainable land productivity. This study employed secondary sources of information to assess land reform act in Nigeria, the methodological framework to analyze the linkages between land use change and biodiversity, effects of land use on biodiversity, status of biodiversity and suggests ways to solving land use problems and biodiversity loss. Findings …