User:Adedayo
Contents
Homework 1
- What is the main purpose of environmental health assessment?
- The main aim of environmental health assessment is to provide science based information in the process of decision making.
- What is impact assessment?
- Impact assessment is the assessment of various public and private projects on the environment. It is a framework that serves for the consideration of environmental issues in decisions and activities of wide societal relevance. --# : This can be considered true. However, as the name implies, impact assessment considers and estimates all kinds of impacts (in comparison to e.g. risks). It then depends on the kind of problem that impact assessment is applied for, whether the impacts considered relate to e.g environment, health, economy or something else. --Mikko Pohjola 09:45, 28 January 2013 (EET)
- What is Pragmatic Knowledge Service?
- Pragmatic knowledge service represents the practical and conceptual means of implementing the convergence of the three novel means of knowledge services (knowledge, innovation and practice). --# : Yes. In short, an information system (or perhaps could also be called a knowledge system) that aims to promote pragmatism, i.e. uniting knowledge and action. In practice it requires that the (human) users of the information system are considered as essential parts of the system itself. Such systems are sometimes referred to as socio-technical hybrids. --Mikko Pohjola 09:34, 31 January 2013 (EET)
⇤# Only two questions are answered. Pick one more question and find answer to it. I recommend one of the following yet unanswered questions: 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19. --Mikko Pohjola 09:45, 28 January 2013 (EET)
- ⇤# : Three answers now provided. --Mikko Pohjola 09:34, 31 January 2013 (EET)
←# : Good answers! --Mikko Pohjola 09:34, 31 January 2013 (EET)
Homework 2
What is the role of the Nugget in Decision Analysis?
Homework 3: Draft of an assessment
Due date: 21 jan
- Task: With your pair, draft an assessment about the topic agreed on during the lecture. Write the draft assessment on either your or your partner's user page (and put a link to it on the other's user page). Copy the headings and explanations below to the page and use them as template. Choose your specific topic among these areas: a) Talvivaara mine or b) metal mining in general or c) climate change policies in cities.
Scope
- Defines the purpose of the assessment: why is it done?
To evaluate the climate change impact of incineration as the main waste management plan within the Lagos metropolis.
Question
- A research question that the assessment attempts to answer.
Is there a better waste management plan other than incineration in Lagos?
--# : This is an open-ended question with infinite amount of alternatives. Try to limit your assessment to a manageable amount of plausible options, and work on those. --Jouni 08:58, 31 January 2013 (EET) ←# : Is landfill a better environmental friendly method compared to incineration in the Lagos metropolis? --Adedayo 10:01, 31 January 2013 (EET)
Intended use and users
- List of users that are supposed to need the assessment. Also, how do we expect them to use the information?
The state government – the government will use the information in policy formulation. Waste management companies – incorporate results into structuring waste management options and methods. General public – get information on climate change and waste disposal effects on the phenomenon
Participants
- Who is needed to participate to make the assessment a well-balanced and well-informed work? Also, if specific reasons exists: who is not allowed to participate and why?
Environmentalists State Government Engineers Community
- --# : Do you expect these people actually to participate? What are you planning to do to get them involved? --Jouni 08:58, 31 January 2013 (EET)
←# : **Environmentalists - to give information comparison of the GHG emissions of both methods, also environmental health effects of these methods.
- Community - to get information on direct human effect of the method, this can include health and social effects --Adedayo 10:11, 31 January 2013 (EET)
Scenarios
- Decisions and decision options considered. Also, if scenarios (defined here as delibarate deviations from the truth) are used, they are described here. For example this is a scenario: "Let's assume that the whole population is exposed as much as the maximally exposed individual, because we want to see if even the worst-case scenario causes concern."
- BAU- Continue to use incineration as the main waste main management plan - Other waste management methods that could be adopted – Landfills, Waste separation (Composting of bio-wastes) --# : Be more specific about other methods --Jouni 08:58, 31 January 2013 (EET) ←# : Landfill is the only other option employed --Adedayo 10:13, 31 January 2013 (EET)
Analyses
- What statistical or other analyses are needed to be able to produce results that are useful for making conclusions about the question?
Compare costs, environmental, social and health effects of the incineration and landfill plans.
Answer
Results
- What are the results of the analysis?
Health Effects – Amount of Heavy metals, Respiratory tract infections, Pathogens, Socio-economic Effects – Cost Analysis, Job creation Environmental Effects – Amount and types of GHG emissions.
Conclusion
- What is the conclusion about the question based on the results obtained?
Based on the GHG emissions and overall environmental health effects on the population, landfill is the more environmental friendly waste management method for Lagos state
Rationale
Endpoints
Community – The community will be interested in the health impacts and lowest possible costs for waste disposal, while their focus might not necessarily be on climate change, environmental aesthetics will be of concern to them. Waste Management Companies – Scenario that guarantees highest profit. State Government – Most environmentally viable management option.
Variables
• Health effects of the different methods – Respiratory tract infections, Heavy metals. • Emissions – Methane, CO2 • Economics – Costs.
Homework 4: Climate policy decisions and actions
⇤# Add here which climate program/strategy you consider below. --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
- ⇤# : Added. --Mikko Pohjola 13:11, 5 February 2013 (EET)
Rotterdam Climate Proof Adaptation Strategy
What are the aims/goals of the strategy/program, i.e. what are the desired impacts and outcomes striven for?
- Landmark projects, optimization of energy, Independent and decentralized energy supply, energy savings in transport, In general, the aim is to start today using the available capital and manpower to reduce the current energy demand and increase the range of renewable energy in the future. It is about investing in a climate compatible future.
- To make the city of Rotterdam climate change resilient by 2025. The big picture involves confronting climate change issues as an opportunity rather than a threat; hence the cities building and structure will be geared towards one that compliments the climate of the future.
- These goals also include 50% reduction of harmful CO2 emissions by the year 2025.
←#: Well described aims. --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
Who are those that benefit if the aims/goals of the strategy/program are reached?
- The beneficiaries are the residence of the city who live and work, businesses and corporations established in the city.
--#: You could also elaborate a bit on which aims relate to what kinds of benefits and to whom. --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
- The populace of the city of Rotterdam will benefit from a general well being from cleaner air as a result of reduction in the CO2 emissions and also lower heat stress, there are also economic benefits due to the amount of investment the strategy will enable the city attract.
- Businesses and Corporations will benefit by setting up shop in one of the most climate friendly states in the world.
What are the actions that are needed/intended to take in order to progress towards the aims/goals?
- Sustainable protection against flooding in the city
- International collaborations which opens Rotterdam to 50% co-finance from other part of the world to meet the adaptation paradigm of the strategy
- Setting up of international knowledge development network called connecting delta cities
- Implementation of the adaptive strategies and a focus to meet changing circumstances --#: This is the main point where the actual difference is being made (other points mostly relate to creating a context for implementing the actions of the strategy), Could you open up this point a bit more? What are the action through which the "adaptive strategies" are implemented? --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET) --# : copied the points from a comment below. --Mikko Pohjola 13:11, 5 February 2013 (EET)
- Gaining knowledge and insight into the city's climate issues
- Attracting experiments and expertise
- Developing innovative solutions for the issues
- Embedding the innovative solutions into work processes
- Developing marketability of the climate solutions
- Improving knowledge on water and delta technologies through proactive research knowledge by collaborating with Rotterdam University (water management), Delft University for theoretical knowledge and Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Development of new educational programs incorporated into University curricula that are pro-climate resilience, which gives the younger generation especially the student a sense of belonging in participating in the project.
- Position the city as a world leader in the climate change innovation and marketing its expertise to the world especially to other coastal and delta cities. This involves expos, international conferences among others.
Who are those that actually realize these actions?
- The universities and research centers and climate change experts will implement the aspect of knowledge and insight into the city's climate issues, the corporations and companies will implement the innovation development part and also embedding the solutions into work processes. Developing marketability will be done both by the city and marketing experts.
⇤#: Looks to me like these were the ones involved in making the strategy. Who are the ones that "implement the adaptive strategies" (see above comment)? --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
- ←# : --Adedayo 16:26, 3 February 2013 (EET)
- ←# : OK. You could write it out in the actual answer above. --Mikko Pohjola 13:11, 5 February 2013 (EET)
What are the decisions that are needed to make in order to enable/promote the actions?
- This involves implementation of climate change strategy and proactive marketing of the strategies to other cities and countries especially Delta and coastal cities, strategies made are directed towards:
- Flood management
- Accessibility
- Adaptive building
- Urban water system
- The urban climate
--#: Apparently it is mostly about developing city infrastructure. Anything related to e.g. developing new practices in public services, e.g. health care, rescue services etc.? --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
- ←# : Extra points below --Adedayo 09:23, 4 February 2013 (EET)
- Updating University Curriculum
- Connecting with other delta cities for exchange of ideas
- incorporating clear milestones and a route planner for the different themes of the strategy
Who are the decision makers?
- The city council and government of Rotterdam
--#: Any role for the common citizen in this strategy? How about industries and other business? --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
What direct or indirect health impacts, positive or negative, these decisions and actions (may) have?
- The health impact includes reduction in the outbreak of respiratory infections and diseases.
- A general improved general health condition as a result of a cleaner and more conducive environment
- Safe and attractive environment which will promote recreational activities and relaxation
- It reduces water related hazards and death
- Reduction in heat stress in the urban city
--#: Well structured and identified. However, it would be nice to see (above), what are the actions within this strategy which bring about these impacts. --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
--#: No chance of any negative impacts related to implementing the strategy? --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
Where and how do these impacts take place, who are those that face these health impacts in practice?
- Reduction in heat stress will be as a result of the 50% reduction in CO2 emissions this will also have an effect on respiratory infections.
- Sustainable, safe and attractive environment will enhance living condition and promote good health of the whole citizens
--#: Are all health impacts distributed evenly to the whole population? Perhaps taking one or two specific actions as examples and looking into them in more detail would help to concretize this point. --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
Are the health impacts big or small in relation to other impacts (e.g. economical, social, climate, other environmental,)
- The health impact is quite minimal since the effects of the strategy are largely indirect on health compared to other economic, social, climatic and environmental impacts
⇤#: What if the strategy was not implemented? What would be the difference compared to if all aims of the strategy are fully reached. Isn't the whole idea of the strategy to secure health and well-being in face of the changing climate? --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
Do the intended policies result in win-win, win-lose, lose-win, or lose-lose situations with regard to health and other impacts?
- The policies are largely geared in the direction of a win-win situation.
⇤#: Maybe so, but provide some reasoning to support this statement. Is it surely always win-win? --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
Formulate a plausible and meaningful specific assessment question that takes account of (some of) the aspects considered in above questions
- What are the health impacts of energy related CO2.
- Will the Rotterdam climate strategy have an health impact on the population of the city?
--#: The first one is more like a climate research theme, but I will comment more on the second one. In principle, there is a simple answer to the question: yes. The problem just is, what kind of health impacts they would be, to whom, and caused by what? Therefore, the formulation is too vague to be a good assessment question. Perhaps you could try to focus your question by identifying some actions whose health impacts are to be addressed. Then the interesting thing would be too see if, from a health perspective, they are worth implementing. --Mikko Pohjola 00:24, 1 February 2013 (EET)
Homework 5
part A:
- Who are the relevant participants of the assessment?
- Rotterdam City Council
- Climate change experts
- Research Institutes and Universities in Rotterdam
- What roles the different participants (may) take in the assessment?
- Rotterdam City Council
- Implementing of different aspects of the policy
- Getting the community involved in the process and progress of the strategy
- Climate Change Experts
- Draw out modalities for the reduction of CO2 emissions in the city.
- Provide concrete projection of the city’s future climate trends.
- Universities and Research Institutes in Rotterdam
- Initiate and implement programmes related to the strategy into the school
- Being research centres for innovations and technology for delta cities.
- Rotterdam City Council
- What kind of relevant knowledge they (may) have regarding the assessment?
- Rotterdam City Council – Knowledge of the city (both the geography and its people)
- Climate Change Experts – Knowledge of GHG emissions within the city and other climate change triggers
- Universities and Research Institutes – Knowledge on innovation and technologies in climate adaptation for cities.
- What needs and aims do they represent in the assessment?
- Rotterdam City Council – Implementing different parts of the strategy
- Climate Change Experts – Reduction of GHG Emissions, Climate change mitigation
- University and Research Institutes – Providing the innovation and technology required for strategy.--# : These seem to be mainly aims - can you define any specific needs of the participants? --Marjo 10:12, 5 February 2013 (EET)
part B:
- How could the relevant participants be involved in the assessment in an effective way?
- The relevant participants should be given specific aims and goals within the assessment
- How can the quality of an assessment be assured if anyone can participate?
- People’s contributions have to be measured against set goals of the strategy i.e. how does Mr A’s contribution enhance or detract the overall goals of the Rotterdam climate strategy.
- How can you prevent malevolent contributions where the purpose is to vandalise the process?
- Incorporate a contribution-filtering process that will serve to exclude rash contributions that are not logical in the light of the strategy, this contributions can either be pro-strategy or against it. Logical reasoning should be the deciding factor in the filtering process not the contribution’s stand in light of the strategy.
- How can you make the outcome converge to a conclusion, because all issues are uncertain and controversial?
- Acknowledging and respecting all logical conclusions and proposing conclusions that best resemble the desired goals of the strategy.
- How can you ensure that the outcomes are useful for the users?
- Simplify outcomes and give an evaluation of decisions.
←# : General comments on 5A and B: Good, concise answers in both parts A and B and useful ideas in part B. --Marjo 10:12, 5 February 2013 (EET)
part C: Prepare following tables from the climate program of your selection. Instructions for table structures can be found at Training assessment.
- Decisions table'
| Decision maker | Decision | Option | Variable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam City Council | Making Rotterdam a leading city in climate change adaptation and mitigation. | Implementing the climate change strategy | Financial/Investment costs |
| Climate change experts | Reduce CO2 emissions | Adopting clean and green energy methods | Emissions |
| Universities and Research Institutes in Rotterdam. | Being on the fore-front of climate technology and research. | Climate change programmes in the universities and novel climate innovations from institutes. | Programs and innovation |
--# : Looks quite good. Jouni might give further comments. --Marjo 17:29, 5 February 2013 (EET)
- Endpoints table
| Stakeholder | Variable |
|---|---|
| Rotterdam city council | Financial costs |
| Universities and Research Institutes in Rotterdam | Climate change research and innovation |
| Climate Change Experts | CO2 Emissions |
⇤# : The Decisions table describes what actions can be taken and by whom. The column Variable describes the primary targets of these actions, i.e. things that are changed by actions. In contrast, the Endpoints table describes the things that are of primary interest to different stakeholders. It is unlikely that the Variable columns would contain same things in both tables. --Jouni 14:39, 6 February 2013 (EET)
