Public opinion and the environment: Ecology,the coastal zone,and public policy

Abstract

In a public opinion survey conducted in Santa Barbara county, California, respondents were interviewed regarding their feelings on coastal zone development, within a context of broader environmental and political issues.

A high degree of expressed concern for the environment was found, but the data also indicate a widespread reluctance to allocate a greater share of personal income to improve environmental quality.

Among the issues dealt with are citizen views on environmental problems, the effectiveness of government in the environmental field, offshore oil drilling, and coastal zone development.

The results show that on each of the issues analyzed, a person's education, age, and the extent of his political participation are the major factors which determine his concern for the environment. Additional variables appear to have some significance in determining attitudes toward local environmental projects and perceptions of government.

Offered are implications of the findings for the future of organized action on environmental problems.     

Socioeconomic Conditions and Perceptions of Environmental Risks in the Mekong Delta,Vietnam

This study investigates the effects of sociodemographic and economic status on the differences in environmental awareness, risk perception, and stewardship of the Mekong Delta residents based on a survey conducted in person with 1,006 households across the delta system. Spatial visualization and a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) were performed on the survey results to discover underlying factors of the participants' responses. The study results revealed that public environmental awareness in the Mekong Delta is still limited. The level of environmental awareness, risk perception, and understanding of stewardship of local people varies by location. Furthermore, how the Mekong Delta dwellers perceive environmental risks and behave toward environmental protection is unlikely to be influenced by their demographic profiles. However, they are significantly affected by the economic status including income levels and sources. Poor economic status was found to significantly hamper pro-environmental behavior of Mekong Delta people regardless of their knowledge of environmental degradation and the related consequences. These findings provide key information to assist policymakers in developing a successful and sustainable disaster risk reduction mitigation plan for the Mekong Delta region. The implications may also be applicable for other coastal zones, which are composed of similar sociodemographic, economic, and environmental conditions.     

Crucial factors influencing international logistics operations for African landlocked countries – A case study of Burkina Faso

ABSTRACT

This study aims to evaluate the crucial factors influencing international logistics operations for African landlocked countries. To this end, a case study and a questionnaire survey were conducted. A total of 147 usable responses from container shipping firms were obtained as a result of the questionnaire survey. The results of factor analysis revealed that transportation capability, external risks, information integration, logistics infrastructure, local agents’ logistics capability, and national law and policy were crucial factors influencing the logistics operations of African landlocked countries. Specifically, local agents’ logistics capability was perceived by respondents to be the most important factor. Moreover, the results of the study also indicated that the highest factor mean values of small shipping companies were related to transportation capability, external risks and the local agents’ logistics capability, whereas container shipping companies that arranged trucks for inland transportation paid more attention to the external risks, logistics infrastructure, the local agents’ logistics capability, and national law and policy.     

Information Management in Beach Planning

Abstract

This article concerns optimizing the use of environmental information for creative planning. It arose from a detailed study of the status and management of the coastal dunes of New South Wales, Australia, and discusses the way in which ideas for optimizing the management process were developed, and applied to three beach environments on the coast of New South Wales, Australia.

The problem of coastal beach/dune management may be thought of as being similar to a production function in which the inputs are the land resource, the skills and knowledge of managers, finance, and materiel. The outcomes are in the form of experiences, or opportunities for experiences, either passive or active, either consumption values or option values, desired by the coastal user population (which includes the resource managers themselves). The resource manager's task is to manipulate the “production function”; in order that the outputs will best mesh with the expectations of the user population and with the capability of the land resource to deliver on a sustained basis. An aim of the project was to develop a method for the specification of different possible outputs from the production function, in different beach/dune environments, and that could be used to assist in the preparation of advice on appropriate recreational development, allowing decisions to be based on both environmental data and information on the expectations, activities, and amenity preferences of beach users.     

Support for Oregon land‐use planning: A multi‐level analysis

Abstract

This article analyzes support for and opposition to state land‐use planning in Oregon, using voting records from the 1976 referendum to repeal Oregon's regulatory legislation and survey data. Support for controlled growth legislation is found to be a product of both individual‐level characteristics and characteristics of the larger community where one resides. The most influential contextual variables are the county's economy and the class composition of the city. The authors conclude that coastal zone managers must exercise caution when interpreting individual survey data which indicate support for various environmental concerns. Contextual differences must be taken into consideration because sources of support for coastal zone management may vary among individuals, depending on the nature of the communities in which they live.     

Implementing green supply chain practices: an empirical investigation in the shipbuilding industry

ABSTRACT

Environmental concerns have become important in the shipbuilding industry. Governmental expectations about environmental and social performance are much higher than in the past. Public authorities penalize companies that do not comply with the rules. Shipbuilding companies face these challenges by introducing new technologies into their business processes. They do not only start initiatives to green their own business processes but also those of their supply chain partners. This form of environmental management is called Green Supply Chain Management (GrSCM) and its importance is increasingly recognized. Although GrSCM is growing, companies are experiencing difficulties engaging suppliers in environmental activities.

This empirical study analyses drivers for supply chain participation of suppliers in the shipbuilding industry. We explain the participations of suppliers in GrSCM practice by investigating influencing factors including governmental involvement in greening the supply chain, customer requirements towards green issues, feeling of social responsibility, competitive advantage by going green, and GrSCM readiness. Hypotheses are tested with partial least squares, using survey data of 93 suppliers of two leading shipbuilding companies. We found GrSCM readiness, competitive advantage, and social responsibility to be significant drivers in supplier participation. No significant support was found for governmental involvement and customer requirements.     

On a clear day in Ogunquit,Maine

Abstract

Winning a court case against a federal agency may seem to be the sweetest success for an environmental group, but losing litigation is not total failure. In the case of Ogunquit Village Corporation et al., vs. R. M. Davis the plaintiff lost the legal skirmish against the Soil Conservation Service, but in doing so significantly aided the struggle within the agency to implement more environmentally sensitive planning and engineering procedures. This paper describes the court case in terms of the Soil Conservation Service's procedural and policy responses including the agency's modus operandi and the internal paths/pitfalls involved with the implementation of visual resource management. The author also speculates as to the visual resource understanding of the evidence presented by the plaintiff and a possible but unstated visual basis for the original complaint.     

Gender structures in car availability in car deficient households

This paper studies the intra-household allocation of cars in car deficient households from a gender perspective. An individual’s car access is measured in terms of duration of car use over a week. Car deficient households are defined as households with fewer cars than drivers. We develop a set of hypotheses that serve to explain gender differences in car availability, and empirically test some of these hypotheses by using multiple regression analysis. The data we use is the German Mobility Panel 1994–2008. Our findings provide evidence for the importance of social roles and economic power in intra-household negotiations about the limited resource of the household car. We cannot clearly decipher whether patriarchal structures and/or gender preferences are relevant as well, but our data suggest that both may play a role.     

South Carolina's diked tidal wetlands: The presisting dilemmas

Abstract

South Carolina has a significant stock of diked coastal wetlands, dating from the days of rice culture before the Civil War. A survey of those controlling these sites along the entire South Carolina coast reveals that many continue to be used for waterfowl hunting, with management practices becoming more intensive than they were when partial data were gathered a decade ago. It also suggests that most of the acreage involved is located in large fields, where management is more difficult and mosquito control problems are more likely. This survey also indicates that public access is limited, but that there is evidence of continuing conflict over ownership. This situation creates a persisting dilemma for coastal zone management, shaping conflicts between alternative strategies for the use of natural systems.     

Environmental assessment in the Prc: Third phase of the Qinhuangdao coal port

Abstract

The use of environmental impact assessment (EIA) is relatively recent in the People's Republic of China (PRC). China is committed to a reversal of the environmental degradation resulting from its industrialization and the central government has initiated a requirement for environmental planning and assessment for large development projects. Today large scale harbor developments are subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Protection Law (1979) and the Marine Environmental Law (1982). Because the third phase expansion of the coal port of Qinhuangdao would increase the ports’ capacity to handle coal by 30 to 50 million tons, an EIA was required.

Since 1981, the Environment and Policy Institute of the East‐West Center (EWC), Honolulu, has had a program of research focusing on the environmental impacts of coal transportation. On the basis of workshops in China that centered on the problems associated with planning coal transportation projects, the Ministry of Communications of the PRC invited the EWC to participate in the environmental assessment for the third phase coal port expansion at Qinhuangdao. A 10‐member team with specialities in environmental assessment and port environmental problems from five countries representing the EWC worked with a 25‐member team from four different agencies of the PRC Ministry of Communications.

This article describes the environmental regulations in the PRC that affect this harbor expansion, discusses the process by which the EWC assisted the PRC in the preparation of the environmental assessment and evaluates the assessment product against PRC regulations and U.S. standards. The most important contribution of the EWC was the provision of guidelines adapted from the EIA experience in several countries which will assist the PRC in the environmental evaluation of future pon expansion projects.     

The visual environment of the New York coastal zone: User preferences and perceptions

Abstract

This study examines the opinions and feelings of coastal users along the New York coastal zone to determine if there are attitudinal and perceptional differences with regard to visual quality. The sample of 981 consisted of individuals from the Long Island coastal area and the Great Lakes coastal area. Little regional, attitudinal, and perceptional differences exist. A trend, however, is apparent in that behavior patterns center around preferences for familiar things, a cynical attitude toward public officials, and an avoidance of issues that may tend to overstimulate an already overloaded life style. The indication is that planning considerations on the part of public officials must be cognizant of the personal stance of individuals rather than on their overt actions.     

Coastal Resources as an Engine of Economic Growth and Reduction of Poverty in West Africa: Policy Considerations

This article synthesizes lessons and outcomes from the second international Coastal Zone Asia-Pacific conference (CZAP) on “Improving the Quality of Life in Coastal Areas,” held in Brisbane in September 2004. The conference theme was chosen as a follow-up from the first CZAP that identified priority actions in response to the increasing recognition of social issues in coastal management, particularly those aiming to improve the state of the coastal areas in the Asia-Pacific region. The second CZAP explored the “quality of life” theme by placing emphasis on rectifying coastal poverty, sustaining livelihoods, and protecting cultural heritage. Mechanisms to address these issues were explored through international agreements, participatory research, capacity building, and education, as well as the continuing need for integrated planning, environmental management, and effective monitoring and evaluation. A post-conference survey showed that the second CZAP resulted in 122 initiatives (82 underway and another 40 planned) to progress the improvement of quality of life in coastal areas. These initiatives ranged from the establishment of a unit that is responsible for river basin and coastal zone management by the Thua Thien Hue provincial government in Vietnam, to a collaborative on-ground livelihoods project between NGOs, government, and financial institutions on coastal zone management facilitated by the Asian Development Bank. However, the authors argue that two key challenges for ICM in the Asia-Pacific region remain. These challenges relate to the effective monitoring and evaluation of ICM initiatives, as well as matching future ICM initiatives to emergent priority areas.     

Shipboard safety: exploring organizational and regulatory factors

ABSTRACT

How vessel crews perceive safety on board (shipboard safety) is a useful indication for the general safety level. In this study a theoretical model was explored, involving factors that could possibly influence shipboard safety. Based on a survey questionnaire (n = 244), safety climate, shipowner efficiency demands and regulatory activities were investigated as influencing factors. Structural equation modelling gave support to the theoretical model and the findings illustrate that simultaneous involvement of various levels of the maritime system (crews, shipowners, regulators) can be effective for safety improvements. The study indicates that shipboard safety is affected by actions and prioritization by external actors through safety climate. It suggests that the maritime industry will profit from monitoring safety climate as part of the ongoing risk considerations, as a supplement to reactive parameters such as accident statistics.     

Out of sight is not out of mind: Public opposition to ocean incineration

Abstract

During the early 1980s, ocean incineration emerged as one of the hottest issues in the field of hazardous waste management. Ocean incineration involves the thermal destruction of liquid hazardous wastes on specially designed ships and was promoted by the Environmental Protection Agency and powerful industry groups as part of the solution to liquid hazardous waste disposal. Attempts to adopt ocean incineration led to heated debate and apparent defeat of efforts to introduce this technology. The arguments advanced by proponents and opponents are examined. Success of environmental groups opposed to ocean incineration is explained with reference to technical, environmental, socio‐political, and legal factors. Ocean incineration, promoted as a solution to “not‐in‐my‐backyard”; opponents, instead ran afoul of region wide opposition by coastal residents for whom the sea is a common backyard.     

Editorial prologue

Abstract

The economic and environmental consequences of a proposed Louisiana superport have been studied by researchers during the last three years. These studies provided technical information and management alternatives. Management alternatives included state control to avoid multiple superport developments, details for an Environmental Protection Plan, comparisons of onshore and offshore sites, and planning for ancillary development. Policy decisions which resulted include many of the recommendations of the research. It is suggested that environmental research can influence policy decisions and limit the options available to a decision maker provided some legal structure is created, quality control is implemented, and technological and environmental problems are recognized. Various analytical tools, such as energy cost accounting, group critique, and simulation models, have wide application for use in coastal zone management.     

American Samoa: Establishing a coastal area management model for developing countries

Abstract

Debate over the appropriateness of U.S. approaches to coastal management procedures for developing countries has increased over the past few years. The coastal management program which was developed for American Samoa offers the opportunity to test the utility of the U.S. approach to CZM for developing nations.

American Samoa represents a blend of traditional and new cultures and thus may be a microcosm of developing countries. American Samoa's development of a CZM plan is examined with emphasis on similarities and differences with U.S. experience. A culture‐oriented framework is presented which can shape programs appropriate to developing countries. Finally, a process and a set of guidelines provide an outline for those attempting the difficult task of applying U.S. environmental planning and management to other countries.     

Environmental Protection in Coastal Recreation Sites in Antalya,Turkey

This study was designed to evaluate different approaches to the protection of the environments of coastal recreation sites in and around Antalya, Turkey. Data was collected by means of a survey of coastal recreation sites and six categories were evaluated: environmental protection, infrastructure facilities, water conservation, energy conservation, waste management, and protection of the natural environment. The results indicated that there was a clear motivation among site managers or authorities for environmental protection (p < .05), infrastructure facilities (p < .001), water conservation (p < .05), energy conservation (p < .05) and the protection of the natural environment (p < .001) but waste management was not accorded a priority. The quality of coastal recreation largely relies on the attractiveness and naturalness of the environment. Although good quality site management largely depends on the awareness and willingness of individual site managers, more proactive approaches toward better environmental protection of recreation sites along the Turkish Mediterranean coast might be effective in improving their sustainable use, particularly in the absence of proper site planning.     

Effect of risk preference on the valuation of time charter contracts with extension options

ABSTRACT

The literature on valuation of time charter contracts and real options in shipping generally relies on the complete markets hypothesis and the risk-neutrality of agents. However, these assumptions fail completely in some shipping market segments. This study proposes a numerical approach—based on discounting the certainty equivalent payoff at the risk-free rate—which incorporates the agent’s risk preferences through an exponential utility function. The method comprises an iterative Monte Carlo nested simulation with the real probability measure. This method is applied to a case of Suezmax tankers. The stochastic evolution of the time charter rates is modelled as a geometric mean-reverting process. The case study supports the applicability of the proposed method and evidences that the effect of risk preference may be significant, mainly for more risk-averse agents. Although the method involves intensive computation, it has the benefits of theoretical ease and flexibility, which could encourage utilisation by practitioners.     

Affordable housing in California's Coastal Zone: A tale of state authority vs. local autonomy

Abstract

This article examines the efforts of the California Coastal Commission to pursue simultaneously goals of environmental quality and affordable housing in the same state‐imposed regulatory program. The authors conclude that the Commission made substantial progress toward realizing both ends. However, the coastal body fell victim to its own successes, and housing was removed from its jurisdiction. As the Coastal Commission exercised its authority, opposition grew in strength and numbers. Key opponents included local government, which lost land‐use regulatory power to the Commission, the building industry, whose relationships with coastal localities were disrupted, and local property owners, whose land was restricted to uses other than the most profitable one.