Brynhildur Davidsdottir

The determinants of atmospheric SO2 concentrations: reconsidering the environmental Kuznets curve

This analysis explores the effects of income and the spatial intensity of economic activity on the atmospheric concentration of sulfur dioxide. The results indicate that there is a U-shaped relation between income and atmospheric concentration of SO2 and an inverted U-shaped relation between the spatial intensity of economic activity and SO2 concentrations. These results suggest that the spatial intensity of economic activity, rather than income, provides the impetus for policies and technologies that reduce SO2 emissions. Based on this result, the atmospheric concentration of SO2 in developing nations may decline faster than indicated by previous analyses. The potential for this decline depends on the rate at which income grows relative to population. The trade-off between the effects of income gains and the spatial intensity of economic activity on the atmospheric concentration of SO2 is consistent with the notion that some environmental problems can be ameliorated by slowing population growth and increasing income levels.

Integrated Agent-based and System Dynamics Modelling for Simulation of Sustainable Mobility

In this article, a conceptual framework for a comprehensive evaluation of the diffusion process of alternative fuel vehicles is introduced. The framework takes into account the most influencing stakeholders, including car manufacturers, car dealers, consumers, energy supply system, fuel stations and government. The underlying mathematical models of different stakeholders are then integrated in one model of the whole energy and transport system. The hybrid modelling framework links the two powerful dynamic simulation approaches of system dynamics (SD) and agent-based (AB) modelling. Integrated modelling structure gives the potential of building more accurate and computationally efficient models for simulating the transition to sustainable mobility. We specify the integration process and the most important linking variables between various energy and transport components. Then the application of the integrated model is explained through a test case and, finally, the applicability of the hybrid AB and SD approach and its potential contribution to the models of transition to sustainable mobility will be concluded.

Impacts of market-based climate change policies on the US pulp and paper industry

Abstract Much of the policy debates on climate issues have centered on the optimal level and timing of policy interventions that cost-effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We briefly review the range of policy issues in our paper and assess the impact that climate-change policies may have on energy use and carbon emissions in the US pulp and paper industry. We then present results from time series-based analyses of changes in technologies and fuel mix, and compare the results with engineering-based technology analyses of US pulp and paper production (for a copy of the model and software send e-mail to mruth@bu.edu.). Projections, based on information for eight paper and paperboard categories, are presented for the years 1995–2020. The findings indicate that, under a wide range of specifications and policy assumptions, carbon emissions from fossil fuel use per ton of product are likely to decline. When combined with investment incentives, an additional cost-effective reduction in carbon emissions per ton of product will be realized. However, expected increases in output from the industry are likely to be higher than the reductions in energy and carbon intensities. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.

The Dynamics of Regions and Networks in Industrial Ecosystems

Industrial ecology provides a rigorous and comprehensive description of human production and consumption processes in the larger context of environmental and socioeconomic change. This volume offers methodologies for such descriptions, with contributions covering both basic and advanced analytical concepts and tools to explore the dynamics of industrial ecosystems, concentrating specifically on regions and networks.

Pulp Nonfiction: Regionalized Dynamic Model of the U.S. Pulp and Paper Industry

Summary This article presents a modeling framework that enhances our ability to analyze the implications of policy for future sustainability of industrial systems. The framework quantifies the relationship between physical input and waste flows, capital vintage, and investment behavior in the U.S. pulp and paper industry. A regional vintage model is developed that simultaneously incorporates investment decisions, vintage structure of the capital stock, and physical material and energy flows, in addition to paper demand. Each capital vintage is specified by size, output structure, and age-specific retirement rates, as well as fiber use and energy intensities. Both embodied and disembodied technological change are incorporated, as well as greenhouse gas emissions from fuel use, and decomposition and incineration of waste. Estimated equations are used to simulate industrial futures until 2020, from a system of nonlinear differential equations. Our results demonstrate the economic and physical inter-dependence between material and energy flows and the central role energy prices have in decision-making. For instance, an increase in average energy prices, ceteris paribus, will on average discourage paper recycling, which has implications for greenhouse gas emissions as well as for changes in energy intensity. The analysis of the data reveals diminishing rates of energy self-generation, and the immense longevity of capital, which hampers rapid change in input and carbon intensity. This stresses the importance of investment-led strategies in facilitating faster capital turnover to enhance future sustainability of the system.

Cibicides spp. (Protozoa, Foraminifera) as epizoites on the Arctic antenna-brooding Arcturus baffini (Crustacea, Isopoda, Valvifera)

Cibicides spp. epizoites (Protozoa, Foraminifera) were studied on the arcturid Arcturus baffini (Crustacea, Isopoda, Valvifera), which carries its juveniles on the long second antenna. The pattern of forarminiferan epibiosis changed during ontogenetic development, and was different for adult females and males. The first two developmental (manca) stages carried foraminifers mainly on their bodies, while on the third manca stage the foraminifers became more frequent on the long second antenna. Settlement on the first two manca stages was mainly by fairly large, vagrant Cibicides refulgens probably arriving from the mother. The third manca stage individuals, however, gathered larvae mainly from the water column and these settled on the inner side of the long second antenna. Foraminifers were also most frequent on the long second antenna of the adults, which was probably most exposed to settling foraminifers. Adult females carried more foraminifers than males; brooding females had about 2.1 times more foraminifers on the second antenna than males of comparable size, but 3.7–4 times more foraminifers on their body and legs than the males. Foraminifers were somewhat larger on adult females than on adult males. This pattern may be related to somewhat longer time-spans available for settling on the females between moults. The different pattern of foraminiferan epibiosis between females and males may be due to migration of foraminifers from the females to juveniles carried on the second antenna.

SoilTrEC: a global initiative on critical zone research and integration

Soil is a complex natural resource that is considered non-renewable in policy frameworks, and it plays a key role in maintaining a variety of ecosystem services (ES) and life-sustaining material cycles within the Earths Critical Zone (CZ). However, currently, the ability of soil to deliver these services is being drastically reduced in many locations, and global loss of soil ecosystem services is estimated to increase each year as a result of many different threats, such as erosion and soil carbon loss. The European Union Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection alerts policy makers of the need to protect soil and proposes measures to mitigate soil degradation. In this context, the European Commission-funded research project on Soil Transformations in European Catchments (SoilTrEC) aims to quantify the processes that deliver soil ecosystem services in the Earths Critical Zone and to quantify the impacts of environmental change on key soil functions. This is achieved by integrating the research results into decision-support tools and applying methods of economic valuation to soil ecosystem services. In this paper, we provide an overview of the SoilTrEC project, its organization, partnerships and implementation.

Impacts of Market-Based Climate Change Policy on the U.S. Iron and Steel Industry

This article presents an assessment of the impacts that policy-induced increases in cost of energy or carbon may have on energy use and emission profiles of the U.S. iron and steel industry. Time series data and engineering information are combined within a dynamic computer model to endogenously specify changes in technologies, fuel mix, and production processes. Results indicate that energy taxes shift production to electric arc furnaces and reduce total energy use more than policies that raise costs of carbon. However, both energy taxes and costs of carbon will result in a similar decrease in carbon emissions when compared to the absence of those policies.This article presents an assessment of the impacts that policy-induced increases in cost of energy or carbon may have on energy use and emission profiles of the U.S. iron and steel industry. Time series data and engineering information are combined within a dynamic computer model to endogenously specify changes in technologies, fuel mix, and production processes. Results indicate that energy taxes shift production to electric arc furnaces and reduce total energy use more than policies that raise costs of carbon. However, both energy taxes and costs of carbon will result in a similar decrease in carbon emissions when compared to the absence of those policies.

Leadership role and employee acceptance of change

Purpose – The change management literature on strategy implementation identifies different dimensions of resistance to change. The contrary view – that of dimensions of acceptance of change when implementing strategy – has received less attention. The purpose of this paper is to explore the implementation of environmental sustainability strategies by Nordic insurers, the role of leadership in implementing these changes, and employee acceptance of change. Design/methodology/approach – For achieving this purpose, this paper reports on an explanatory case study of Nordic non-life insurers, where interviews with insurance executives and specialists were the primary source of data. Findings – The authors have developed simple strategy maps, focusing on insurers’ own operations, product offerings, loss prevention and claims settlements, investments and influence on stakeholders, to show how common elements of environmental strategies are implemented within the insurance industry. The importance of leadership in...

Opportunities for adaptation-mitigation synergies in geothermal energy utilization- Initial conceptual frameworks

In this article, the role of geothermal energy in mitigation and potential role in adaptation are discussed, and synergies between them developed. The article creates the Geothermal Adaptation-Mitigation (Geo-AdaM) conceptual frameworks that can be used in combining mitigation and adaptation in geothermal projects, e.g. by introducing adaptation additionality in Clean Development Mechanism or mitigation projects, using geothermal energy in climate vulnerable sectors, combining geothermal development with carbon forestry to improve recharge of geothermal systems in water stress areas, displacing fossil fuels in heating and cooling, and use of geothermal heat in raising tree seedlings in cold regions, and in greenhouses to create carbon sinks and green areas. The conceptual frameworks created in this research can cut across most regions, and types of utilization schemes with mitigation/adaptation co-benefits. The resulting co-benefits come with net positive environmental, economic and social impact. However, the co-benefits cannot be homogenous across all projects and regions. Tradeoffs may occur when using geothermal energy in adaptation projects, whose upstream activities are carbon intensive, or in adaptation and mitigation projects that have the potential of increasing vulnerability. The foreseen limitations of creating the synergies include; inadequate research on geothermal energy and adaptation, nature and scale of adaptation, involvement of different institutions and actors, access to finance and other resources especially in developing countries and lack of clear legal framework. Without proper legislation, fiscal incentives, to attract investment in adaptation aspects of geothermal energy, and to guard against tradeoffs, the interelationships between the two will remain a pipe dream.