Abstract: This study investigates the role of climate change vulnerability in sustainable urbanisation using a panel of 31 Sub-Saharan African countries over the period 2000-2017. The study employs a dynamic model based on a sequential linear panel data estimator. The results show that the high levels of climate change vulnerability are associated with a decrease in sustainable urbanisation in Sub-Saharan Africa. More specifically, only the adaptative capacity component of climate change vulnerability has a significant negative influence on sustainable urbanization. The role of climate change vulnerability on sustainable urbanization seems to be robust to the sensitivity analysis and the GMM estimator. Otherwise, the results also show that GDP per capita and Foreign Direct Investment positively affect sustainable urbanisation, while industrialisation and migration rate have negative effects on it in Sub-Saharan Africa. PubDate: Tue, 01 Mar 2022 03:06:01 +000
Abstract: Urban greenspaces have an immense contribution to the social, environmental, and economic spectrums of sustainable development. These three spectrums are also the foundation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. Thus, this interdependence nature offers an opportunity to study the linkages between urban greenspaces and SDGs targets for acknowledging the importance of urban greenspaces for achieving SDGs 2030. To understand the linkages, the study follows a qualitative study approach. In the approach, a convenient systematic literature search technique has been employed to define urban greenspaces and identify empirical evidence on greenspaces’ contribution to different SDG targets. For ensuring the authenticity and validity of the findings, the study includes only peer-reviewed articles in the systematic technique. Results suggest an immediate association between urban greenspaces and SDG target 11.7, which emphasizes explicitly the provision (quality, quantity, and accessibility) of urban parks and playgrounds for the physical and mental wellbeing of urban citizens, typically the social spectrum of sustainable development. In addition to the apparent link, fourteen more underlying connections have been identified where urban greenspaces can contribute to fourteen different SDG targets. These underlying connections acknowledge the importance of urban greenspaces for achieving SDGs 2030. PubDate: Mon, 14 Feb 2022 08:00:01 +000
Abstract: Civilization requires power. For a while it can get by with the power supplies we currently use, fossil fuel, nuclear fuel; and hydroelectric, solar and wind. Only the last 3 are sustainable. The first two will run out as some point, very likely well before the end of this century, especially if the less developed parts of the world come up to OECD standards. This paper makes the case that solar and wind are not up to the job, and neither is pure fusion, at least in this century. However, using fusion to breed fissile material for current nuclear reactors could play an important role well before century’s end. The requirements on a fusion device used as a breeder are considerably relaxed from the requirements for pure fusion. It is likely that an ITER type device, could be used for fusion breeding on a large scale. Fusion breeding can support nuclear fuel for civilization, at 30- 40 terawatts (TW), at least as far into the future as the dawn of civilization was in the past. PubDate: Wed, 09 Feb 2022 02:28:25 +000
Abstract: As refugees lose their sense of spatial identity, they try to adapt by recreating their lost community through revival of rituals, religion, defense, lifestyle, prestige, and climate. Population displacement theory deals with settlements as form of socio-cultural action. The study the driving engines behind the shifted emerging patterns and their influence on the efficiency of the settlement at Al-Za'atari Syrian Refugee Camp, in North Jordan, Al-Mafraq. Face-to-face interviews with camp mobilizers explored the driving engines behind the shifted settlement patterns, and its influence on mobilizers' reachability. A cluster stratified random sample was used to collect quantitative data through a structured questionnaire. Outcomes indicated that refugees are gradually transforming the formal public spaces at the cluster level to private ones as an extension to the shelter domain. Such spatial shifts appear to be driven by a combination of physical, social, socio-spatial drivers, and past socio-spatial experience. These spatial shifts from the formal grid are influenced by refugees’ social values and territorial behavior, expressing zones of influence as means of defensive adaptation. Statistical analysis attested the influence of driving engines on settlement patterns and on the efficiency of the settlement. The driving engines behind the spatial shifts are safety concerns, cultural concerns, religious reasons, lifestyle, prestige, ethnicity and origin, improved infrastructure, improved access to services, and micro-climate. Such attributes influence the total efficiency of the settlement. Conclusively, planners should consider socio-cultural values that reflect defensibility, boundaries definition, and interdependence. PubDate: Tue, 08 Feb 2022 03:05:05 +000
Abstract: The impacts of climate change on the planet are increasingly felt with projections suggesting even greater impacts in the immediate term and, as such, the need for concerted efforts directed at curbing them. Although Nigeria battles with huge development needs, and its economy is confronted with a rapidly deteriorating fiscal space and rising levels of debt, the country has shown commitment to achieving the United Nations 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030. This situation creates a gap between the SDG agenda and the workability of the goal. This paper appraises efforts made by Nigeria’s Federal Government to achieve the Climate Action Goal by 2030. The country’s level of implementation of the set SDG 13 was, first, evaluated using the Environmental Performance Index (EPI). Subsequently, the role of the Anthony Nyong Climate Centre of Excellence (ANCCE) towards achieving the SDG 13 was explored. Results from the 2018 EPI scorecard ranks Nigeria 100th (54.76%) out of 180 countries on 24 performance indicators across ten categories covering environmental health and ecosystem vitality. Similarly, results from SDG index and dashboard, places Nigeria at 42nd (47.07%) out of 56 African countries. Even though these results show that ‘challenges remain’ in achieving climate action, Nigeria is on track toward achieving the SDG agreement. Furthermore, the establishment of ANCCE has so far achieved building of partnerships with organizations and other universities locally and internationally, capacity building among academics and the establishment of a waste management project in a tertiary institution in the country. A bottom-up approach aimed at achieving Climate action through activities of similar centers that can provide insight into a country’s best practices and contribute in many ways to achieving the SDG 13 in Nigeria are suggested. PubDate: Sun, 06 Feb 2022 02:58:48 +000
Abstract: Hydropower is sustainable and environmentally friendly source of energy worldwide. Driven by streamflow, it is vulnerable to climate change and land use change. The hydropower production from the two-existing run-of-river hydropower projects on the Sondu Miriu river are vulnerable to rainfall variability and requires proper understanding of the climate change trends and policies to support sustainable hydropower development and put in place strategies for building resilience for the local communities. The main objective of this paper was to examine the impacts of both the climate change and the hydropower development projects on the livelihoods of the community living within the Sondu Miriu River basin. Participatory methodologies involving administration of questionnaires at household level and focus group discussions with the local leaders and actors were applied to determine the impacts of climate change and the hydropower development on the community livelihoods within the basin. The socioeconomic status of the basin indicates that majority of the households (>59%) are poor and earn below 8 US dollars per day. The employment rate is extremely low with only 22% in formal employment. About 49% of the households still use wood fuel and charcoal as energy sources which is a threat to catchment conservation. Strengthening community resilience to climate change impacts is one of the benefits to be derived from the hydropower projects by supporting appropriate adaptation strategies within the existing policy framework. PubDate: Sun, 06 Feb 2022 02:47:10 +000
Abstract: Fiscal Deficit Financing (FDF) has been unsustainably high in Ghana and this has led to unstable and high inflation episodes since 1980. The FDF averaged 4.6% from 2005-2011 and 6.9% to 2012-2018, while inflation averaged 11.0% and 13.1% relative to medium-term to long-term inflation target of 8.0% in the same periods, respectively. Previous studies on deficit financing-inflation nexus in Ghana have primarily focused on linear and symmetric relationship, thereby ignoring the asymmetric policy effects of FDF on inflation dynamics. Disregarding the asymmetry of FDF could impact negatively on efforts of Bank of Ghana in forecasting and controlling inflation effectively. To address this problem, this study was therefore designed to investigate the asymmetric policy effects of FDF on inflation dynamics in Ghana over the period 1980-2018. The fiscal theory of the price level provided the theoretical framework. The Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) econometric methodology was deployed to examine the asymmetric effects of FDF on inflation dynamics. The paper found that FDF had asymmetric effects on inflation dynamics in Ghana as the positive outcome of FDF had a significant positive asymmetric effect of 29.0% on inflation while its negative outcome had a relatively less asymmetric effect of 22% on inflation dynamics, suggesting that consolidating fiscal policy was disinflationary. The paper finally recommends that fiscal authorities should adopt consolidating and prudent fiscal policies that could lead to fiscal solvency and sustainability, which could potentially moderate the effect of FDF on inflation dynamics. PubDate: Sun, 06 Feb 2022 01:59:49 +000
Abstract: This paper examines the sustainability of charcoal production that maximizes social welfare based on optimal control techniques visa-vis the activities of profit maximizing charcoal producing firms in South Sahara Africa. I set up a theoretical model involving the socially optimal charcoal production that will maximize the socially optimal discounted sum of net benefit of Charcoal production for both the private profit maximization firm and that which will yield sustainability. After solving for the optimal choices for both functions it reveals that there is indeed divergence between these two entities simply because environmental degradation and deforestation (externalities) associated with charcoal production are not internalized into the production function of the profit maximizing charcoal producing firms. These externalities would lead to unsustainability of the forest environment and subsequently deforestation. Fiscal policy measures and public ownerships are recommended to deal with externalities that are inherent in charcoal production so as to improve sustainability while ensuring charcoal continues to provide livelihood benefits for the numerous people that live in the charcoal producing belt. PubDate: Fri, 28 Jan 2022 03:19:38 +000
Abstract: Kenya and South Africa have enacted some laws that inculcate economic incentives schemes as key elements of their environmental regulatory terrain. While Kenya has advanced the use of Environmental Performance Deposits (EPDBs), South Africa has adopted the use of the Financial Provisioning Regulations, applied specifically for the upstream mining sector. This article reviews the use of financial assurance schemes in environmental management and their specific application to the upstream mining sectors in the two countries. The data used in the analysis is from literature review, key informant interviews, interview schedules, and focus group discussions. Results indicate that while the use of financial provisioning is a well-established practice in South Africa, in Kenya only one company has deposited funds to the environmental regulator as a security for good environmental practices. A comparative analysis of the regulatory framing for financial assurance instruments in Kenya and South Africa demonstrates some similarities in terms of requirement for public participation, requirement for periodic review of the bonds, use of the bonds for environmental rehabilitation; and some differences such as requirement for use of cash and/or financial instruments, how to treat the accrued interest from the deposited funds, and how the deposit bond amounts are set. Largely, both countries acknowledge the importance of economic incentives in their environmental management frameworks. The article recommends strengthened regional cooperation to enhance the application of financial assurance in the law for effective environmental management in Africa. PubDate: Fri, 21 Jan 2022 01:37:10 +000
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