The reliability of experts' opinions in constructing a composite environmental index: The case of ESI 2005

The complexity of the environment demands a well-constructed composite environmental index (CEI) to provide a useful tool to draw attention to environmental conditions and trends for policy purposes. Among the common difficulties in constructing a proper CEI are uncertainties due to the selection of the most representative underlying variables or indicators. A degree of uncertainty accompanies experts' judgments, and to deal with vague, subjective or inconsistent information, logic other than classic is required. This study analyzes a procedure that uses different experts' opinions in constructing a CEI. with the use of paraconsistent annotated logic. For this, a sensitivity analysis of the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI 2005) was used as an example to assess the reliability of experts' opinions. The uncertainty due to the disagreement in experts' opinions clearly indicates that the forms we presently use to measure and monitor the actual environment are insufficient, that is, there is a lack of a "science of sustainability". (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Environmental training in organisations: From a literature review to a framework for future research

Although the research on the relationship between human factors and environmental sustainability is slowly progressing, environmental training has attracted the most attention from researchers and practitioners. However, there remains a lack of research that integrates and systematises the available knowledge on organisational environmental training. Environmental training is fundamental to any successful activity of environmental management, conservation and recycling of resources. Thus, the aim of this paper was to present the results of a systematic literature review on environmental training in organisations. The main studies in this area were classified and coded, and a research agenda with 9 recommendations that may advance the field was presented. As a result of the gaps in the current literature, a framework was proposed aiming guide and strengthens the state-of-the-art research on environmental training. Additionally, results show that more research is needed on environmental training, combining training and green human resource management and defining/measuring the objectives of the environmental training actions. Future studies should also consider mixed methodologies and comparative perspectives. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Greening the work force in Brazilian hotels: The role of environmental training

BACKGROUND: Organizations are increasingly required to reduce their environmental impact through the adoption of environmental management, which requires the support of human resource practices.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine whether human resource management practices, especially training, are supporting environmental management practices at four hotels located in Brazil.METHODS: This research is qualitative, based on the analysis of four hotels in Brazil.RESULTS: Based on the systematized empirical evidence collected from four hotels (Hotels A, B, C, and D), it can be concluded that: (1) human resource management is still not fully aligned with environmental objectives at the hotels studied; (2) only Hotel B has implemented environmental management practices and aligned with human resource management in a more developed manner, which may indicate that these two variables of analysis could have interrelations; (3) environmental training as a human resource management practice was verified in all hotels analyzed.CONCLUSIONS: The greening of human resources practices is not fully aligned with environmental objectives in the hotels studied. If these hotels really wish to "go green," environmental training will be necessary. Hotel stakeholders play a major role in implementing the greening of the hotel industry.

Comparing environmental impacts of native and introduced freshwater prawn farming in Brazil and the influence of better effluent management using LCA

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Soil microbial biomass in organic farming system

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Abordaje práctico sobre cómo mejorar el bienestar en los bovinos

Current challenges of humanity require a new paradigm for animal production, and invest time and attention to the development of new production techniques that take into account the principles of sustainability and animal welfare science. To do this, we must be committed to promoting animal welfare and health, ensure environmental sustainability, consumer satisfaction and profitability for producers. To change our relationship with animals there is no need for changes in market conditions or large investments, it is enough to know better the needs of the animals we raise, the management system adapted to its characteristics. Even in the most favorable management conditions, on farms that have technological resources and trained personnel, there is much to change, especially in the daily management of the animals. Some of the risks more evident in the traditional systems of beef production are: problems during parturition, morbidity and mortality of calves, lack of shade in the pastures, improper handling of animals, risk of injury, inadequate infrastructure, poor management practices during routine processing (marking, castration, vaccination, dehorning), poor welfare during loading, transport, unloading and slaughter. To remedy this, you can adopt good management practices, which have been shown to reduce risk and improve the welfare of cattle in different stages of the production chain. The objective of this review is to show some of the risks that reduce the welfare of cattle and examples of how the adoption of best management practices impact on improving the productivity of these production systems. Finally, some indicators for assessing welfare in production systems are shown.

Análise energética de sistemas de produção de etanol de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

This work aimed to analyze the energetic consumption of the etanol production system, using the cassava as carbohidrates source. The researches were carried out from the field in the mid region of Paranapanema river, São Paulo state, during the period January to December, 2007. The energy consumption referring to the phases of crop production and industrial processing were appraised. It was verified that the total energetic cost of the crop production corresponded to 9,528.33 MJ ha(-1), and the most onerous item was the inputs (35.72%). In the industrial step, the energetic consumption was equivalent to 2,208.28 MJ t(-1). The operations of hydrolysis/saccharification/treatment of the juice represented 56.72% of the total energetic expenditure. The cassava crop presented an energetic cost of 1.54 MJ L-1 in relation to the etanol produced in the main agronomic operations crop production, and 11.76 MJ L-1 in the industrial processing. The energy efficiency observed in the cultivation and industrialization of the cassava was of 1.76.

Estudo energético da produção de biocombustível a partir do milho

This research analyzed the energetic consumption of etanol from the corn crops (Zea mays 14 The field surveys were carried out in the Midle Paranapanema River Region, São Paulo state, Brazil, in the period from January to December 2007 The energy consumption on stage of production and industrial processing of grain were evaluated It was verified that the total energetic cost of the crop production corresponded to 15,633 7MJ ha(-1), and the most onerous item was the inputs (77 5%) In the industrial step, the energetic consumption was equivalent to 3.882.2MJ r(-1) The operations of hydrolysis, saccharification and treatment of the broth represented 50 2% of the total energetic expenditure It was also observed an energetic cost of 7 9MJ L(-1) in relation to the atonal produced in the main crop production operations, and II 8MJ L(-1) in the industrial processing The energy balance of crop production and industrialization was of 1 2MJ.

Avaliação energética da produção de etanol utilizando como matéria-prima a cana-de-açúcar

This research analyzed the energetic consumption of the etanol, using as raw-material sugar cane. The searches were carried out from the field in the Midle Paranapanema River Region, São Paulo state, in the period from January to December 2007. The referring energy consumption from the crop production phase and industrial processing were evaluated. It was verified that the total energetic cost of the crop production corresponded to 14370.9MJ ha(-1), and the most onerous item was the inputs (50.4%). In the industrial step, the energetic consumption was equivalent to 1,641.56MJ t(-1), The 'hydrolysis, saccharification and broth treatment operations' represented 71.72% of the total energetic expenditure. It was also observed an energetic cost of 2.0MJ L(-1) in relation to the etanol produced in the main crop production operations, and 19.4MJ L(-1) in the industrial processing. The energy efficiency observed in the crop production and industrialization were of 1.1.

Treinamento ambiental em organizações com certificação ISO 14001: estudo de múltiplos casos e identificação de coevolução com a gestão ambiental

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Estudio de la compactación de un Ferralsol manejado con un sistema de no laboreo en Selvíria (MS, Brasil)

No tillage management is widely used by the Brazilian farmers and technicians like a soil conservation system, which reduces the soil losses by water erosion, increasing the infiltrated and stored water in soil, warranting environmental sustainability. No-tillage system does not invert the soil; it causes the creation of a compacted layer. The samples were taken in the agricultural year 2005/2006 in an Oxisoil at Selviria (MS/Brazil). The tillage management in the last 15 years was no-tillage system with crop rotation (maize -Zea mays L./bean - Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The analyzed soil physical properties were bulk density (BS), gravimetric water content (U) and mechanical resistance to penetration (RP) at three depths: 0-0.10 m, 0.10-0.20 m and 0.20-0.30 m. The samples were taken in a mesh with 117 sampled points covering an area of 0.16 ha. It was investigated the existence of compacted soil layer, using the mechanical resistance to penetration to 0.60 m depth with soil water content at field capacity. The data shows low coefficient of variation, except the resistance penetration data. Bulk density and gravimetric water content has a normal distribution. Only resistance to penetration at 0.10-0.20 m depth layer has a normal distribution. The correlation between different properties was low. The bulk density increases with depth; the increase of the values of soil bulk density are consistent with data in other papers, indicating there are not compaction problems for the crop development at the study area. Most of the values of resistance to penetration are lower than 2 MPa, being this value restrictive for root development. The analysis of resistance to penetration profile 0 to 0.60 m shows a compacted layer between 0.20-0.30 m. This compacted layer was caused by the conventional tillage system used at this area before the use of no-tillage system. The soil bulk density has higher values at the upper area, that it shows higher values of soil compaction. Although the values of bulk density and resistance to penetration are high, the area does not show great problems of soil compaction.

Sustainable production of biologically active molecules of marine based origin

The marine environment offers both economic and scientific potential which are relatively untapped from a biotechnological point of view. These environments whilst harsh are ironically fragile and dependent on a harmonious life form balance. Exploitation of natural resources by exhaustive wild harvesting has obvious negative environmental consequences. From a European industry perspective marine organisms are a largely underutilised resource. This is not due to lack of interest but due to a lack of choice the industry faces for cost competitive, sustainable and environmentally conscientious product alternatives. Knowledge of the biotechnological potential of marine organisms together with the development of sustainable systems for their cultivation, processing and utilisation are essential. In 2010, the European Commission recognised this need and funded a collaborative RTD/SME project under the Framework 7-Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE) Theme 2 Programme 'Sustainable culture of marine microorganisms, algae and/or invertebrates for high value added products'. The scope of that project entitled 'Sustainable Production of Biologically Active Molecules of Marine Based Origin' (BAMMBO) is outlined. Although the Union is a global leader in many technologies, it faces increasing competition from traditional rivals and emerging economies alike and must therefore improve its innovation performance. For this reason innovation is placed at the heart of a European Horizon 2020 Strategy wherein the challenge is to connect economic performance to eco performance. This article provides a synopsis of the research activities of the BAMMBO project as they fit within the wider scope of sustainable environmentally conscientious marine resource exploitation for high-value biomolecules. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Substrato com composto de lixo e poda de árvore para produção de mudas de Pterogyne nitens

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Os Paradigmas da imprensa na cobertura das políticas ambientais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

O design na indústria moveleira brasileira e seus aspectos sustentáveis: estudo de caso no pólo moveleiro de Arapongas-Pr

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)