An Unstable Discussion — the complexities of climate change impacts on human security
(May 7, 2009)
Like most discussions of the intersection of climate change science and its implications for society, the relationship between political security and climate change is complicated. This paper focuses on an evolving understanding of the way climatological factors alternately affect, contribute to and degrade the stability of specific societies.
Environment and Conflict – a murky picture
(April 27, 2009)
Examining the impact to the natural environment from the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, difficulties in assessing these impacts, and challenges for determining culpability for these impacts.
“Pay as you throw” and municipal solid waste reductions
(Dec. 4, 2008)
The typical Americaan produces 4.6 pounds of waste each day. Tremendous amounts of greenhouse gases emissions result from transportation of this waste to landfills, by processing waste, and from transporting and using goods before they are disposed of. Armed with this information, urban sustainability advocates interested in limiting cities’ contribution to climate change may be interested in encouraging so-called “Pay-as-you-throw” waste management policies.
Slugging toward sustainability
(Nov. 6, 2008)
Can cities adopt informally-developed traffic management strategies without limiting their ability to lower carbon emissions? Do they need to, or are community-based efforts and changes to social behaviors enough to sustain carbon reductions? This paper explores the topic of casual carpooling, also known as slugging or flexible carpooling, and whether or not the practice can perceptibly alter emissions levels in cities.
