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The use of biomass crops as an energy source is frequently mentioned as an option to reduce CO 2 emissions. To evaluate the possibilities reliable yield estimates of biomass crops are required. In this paper a simple method is developed to estimate regional yields of various biomass crops, based on the linear relation between intercepted light and biomass production. The quality of the estimates was studied by using the method to estimate yields of several agricultural crops in two regions in The Netherlands. In general a deviation of less than 10 % was found between actual and estimated average yield.
Public opposition to the siting of renewable energy (RE) facilities and public reluctance to invest in RE remain key obstacles to the expansion of the renewables sector in the UK and a number of other European countries. Although there is a growing body of qualitative research on factors that inform public attitudes towards RE, the majority of studies have tended to be quantitative and to view [`]the public' and [`]public opinion' as homogeneous wholes. This study uses a cultural theory framework and focus groups conducted in the South West UK to develop deeper understandings of how individuals' worldviews can inform opinions and behaviour in relation to RE. These findings are used to explore ways in which government...
Woody biomass is one potential renewable energy source that is technically feasible where environmental and economic factors are promising. It becomes a realistic option when it is also socially acceptable. Public acceptance and support of wood to energy proposals require community education and outreach. The Wood to Energy Outreach Program provides science-based information, tools, and resources for fostering informed community discussions about using wood for energy in the southern United States. The development of this program involved three research activities. (1) A small survey of the general public suggests that a lack of information and misconceptions will challenge biomass outreach programs. (2) Focus group...
Past climate changes have led to considerable changes in the species composition of ecosystems. The recent increase in average global temperature is rather strong compared to previous warming periods and, if climate models are correct, future warming will be even stronger. Especially in Europe where the landscape has been greatly fragmented by human activities, the ongoing and projected changes in climate will pose an additional stress on the natural biodiversity. This paper will discuss a method for the selection of bio-indicators to assess the possible landscape-ecological effects of climate change, and presents some preliminary results of the selection of indicator species for the Netherlands.
Climate change results in an alteration of spatial and temporal patterns of climate hazards. The trend in weather related disaster seems upward. Various socio-economic sectors are affected by these changes, e.g. the disaster reduction institutions and the insurance industry. We report about an ongoing project addressing the vulnerabilities of sectors affected and policy options in various sectors, notably "Storms over NW-Europe", "the insurance sector" (both as a sector impacted by change and as a mechanism to cope with risk) and "cyclones in the South Pacific".
Woody biomass is one potential renewable energy source that is technically feasible where environmental and economic factors are promising. It becomes a realistic option when it is also socially acceptable. Public acceptance and support of wood to energy proposals require community education and outreach. The Wood to Energy Outreach Program provides science-based information, tools, and resources for fostering informed community discussions about using wood for energy in the southern United States. The development of this program involved three research activities. (1) A small survey of the general public suggests that a lack of information and misconceptions will challenge biomass outreach programs. (2) Focus group...
To assess the economic consequences of environmental taxation a general equilibrium model is applied. The model contains 60 firm sectors and 44 household groups, which makes it especially suitable to analyse the sectoral and distributional effects of environmental taxes. These sectoral effects are rather large and diverse in comparison to the macro-economic consequences. After a short overview of the relevant literature, the original model and the model adaptations are described. These model adaptations include an iterative procedure to avoid substantial linearisation errors when large impulses are simulated. Possible model simulations are identified and the working programme is presented.
We completed nine focus groups on perceptions of powerline right-of-way (ROW) management issues. In these groups we interviewed eastern Tennessee residents to determine the nature and range of knowledge and views regarding vegetation management, ROWs as wildlife habitat, and ROW aesthetics. We also conducted an extensive literature review to adduce other pertinent data. Participants in focus groups exhibited a wide range of attitudes and beliefs about the interview topics. Some associated wildlife habitat with areas devoid of humans ("wilderness" or "sanctuary"), whereas others thought of habitat as close as "my backyard." A majority referred to habitat in relatively objective terms such as "food, water, and cover"...
We completed nine focus groups on perceptions of powerline right-of-way (ROW) management issues. In these groups we interviewed eastern Tennessee residents to determine the nature and range of knowledge and views regarding vegetation management, ROWs as wildlife habitat, and ROW aesthetics. We also conducted an extensive literature review to adduce other pertinent data. Participants in focus groups exhibited a wide range of attitudes and beliefs about the interview topics. Some associated wildlife habitat with areas devoid of humans ("wilderness" or "sanctuary"), whereas others thought of habitat as close as "my backyard." A majority referred to habitat in relatively objective terms such as "food, water, and cover"...
We completed nine focus groups on perceptions of powerline right-of-way (ROW) management issues. In these groups we interviewed eastern Tennessee residents to determine the nature and range of knowledge and views regarding vegetation management, ROWs as wildlife habitat, and ROW aesthetics. We also conducted an extensive literature review to adduce other pertinent data. Participants in focus groups exhibited a wide range of attitudes and beliefs about the interview topics. Some associated wildlife habitat with areas devoid of humans ("wilderness" or "sanctuary"), whereas others thought of habitat as close as "my backyard." A majority referred to habitat in relatively objective terms such as "food, water, and cover"...
In the belief that the world's energy problems cannot be lastingly solved in a piecemeal manner, one nation or one industry at a time, a computer model is being constructed to cover the whole international energy industry. This paper presents some of the concepts upon which the model is based, some of the evidence behind these concepts and some preliminary results from the model in the field of product prices.