Desenvolvimento regional e sustentabilidade: a indústria intensiva em recursos naturais na região administrativa de Ribeirão Preto

The natural resource intensive industries have moved from center to periphery in Brazil. This shift is related to the environmental impacts generated by this type of industry, as occur biggest benefits to these industries in small towns as tax exemptions and donations of land, and local institutional capacity is lower in pollution control. In the 1970s began, in the state of São Paulo, a process of industrial deconcentration of Metropolitan Region of São Paulo to the inside of state, which generated an intense industrialization of the region of Campinas, Ribeirão Preto, Sorocaba e São José dos Campos. This process of industrial deconcentration had support in state policies restricting new industries in the Metropolitan Region and the creation and financing of infrastructure and improvement of road. This research project aims to verify whether there has been a shift of natural resource intensive industries for the Administrative Region of Ribeirão Preto, as well as aspects of the sustainability of this process

Environmental training and environmental management maturity of Brazilian companies with ISO14001: empirical evidence

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

Potencial geoparque do polo turístico das Águas de São Lourenço - Mato Grosso

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Proposta de captação de água de chuva de para fins não potáveis em projetos residenciais

Water is an economic, strategic and social valuable resource of the utmost importance to society. This renewable natural resource is increasingly scarce with the growing of populations, industries and agriculture, in addition to the pollution surface and underground water and the waste have aggravated this situation. Investments in the sector of water resources so that this resource meets in quantity and quality the demand from its multiple uses, represent a significant portion of national and regional budgets. Therefore, the use of alternative sources of water capture can reduce the pressure on conventional public water supply systems. In this work was designed and executed a rain water collection system to a residence in the city of Barueri (SP), which can be applied to other residences. In this system, the rooftop of the residence was used as the waterproof and capture area. The gutter and the PVC conductors were used for driving the water to two connected reservoirs. The stored water was designed to address activities that are not potable, such as washing clothes and external areas and garden irrigation. The system showed economic viability, with 34-month return of investment time, wherein after that period, in addition to environmental and social benefits derived from the implementation of the project, the economy made with the payment of public supply rates should be considered. This rainwater capture system is inexpensive and uses materials available in the market. Therefore, its application to a greater number of households should be encouraged as a measure of sustainable water management

EC31-133 The Management of Nebraska Soils (Revised March 1936)

The agricultural lands of this country are its greatest natural resource. History points out that nations with vast areas of good farm land are most likely to prosper and survive over long periods of time. Local communities, too, prosper and flourish in proportion to the productiveness of the surrounding land. Schools, social life, and business develop best in areas where the land is productive and properly managed and conserved. Nebraska, in common with other states, has suffered by the depletion of soil fertility. The reduction in acres in legumes and grasses, and the deplation of the organic matter in the surface soils, has likewise had its effect on the run-off of precipitation, soil blowing, and damage from drouth. In order to know what elements of fertility may become deficient and how soil fertility may be restored and maintained, we should understand the composition, character, and management of soils. In the following pages, some fundamentals of soil feritlity are given, followed later by a discussion of practical soil-management practices.

Dr. Edward (Ted) Elliot Eulogy

Kathy and Susie, members of the faculty, and staff of the School of Natural Resource Sciences, ladies and gentlemen. There are some things in this world that, try as we may, just cannot be adequately accomplished. One of those things, for me at least, is to express adequately what I feel about the passing of Dr. Edward (Ted) Elliot. Ted came to this University of Nebraska a few months before I arrived, and it was my distinct honor to count him among my friends at this great University. Ted was a man of exceptional scientific standing and wisdom, and his loss leaves a void in all of our lives that will not be readily filled.

Variation of Environmental Regulation Stringency Among the Top Ten U.S. Hog Producing States

The U.S. hog industry, once primarily made up of small owner-operated crop-hog farms, has become dominated by large specialized operations characterized by low costs and improved technologies in livestock management. Such changes have triggered concerns over the dangers large Hog Feeding Operations (HFOs) are likely to pose to the environment. In 2007, the top ten states accounted for more than 85 percent of total U.S. hog production (Iowa (IA), North Carolina (NC), Minnesota (MN), Illinois (IL), Nebraska (NE), Indiana (IN), Missouri (MO), Oklahoma (OK), Ohio (OH), and Kansas (KS)). With such domination on production, these states are often the subject of environmental debate relating to hog production. When farmers are required to incorporate environmental measures in hog production, their costs of production increase. Metcalfe (2001) found that small HFOs have found it difficult to cope with such costs and many have exited the industry, while large operations have not been affected at the same level. Due to the variation of environmental regulations among states, other operations moved to states with lax regulations (e.g. NC prior to the late 1990s). Such regulations appear to have played a major role in shaping the structure of the hog industry.

The U.S. Import of Beef: Friend or Foe to Domestic Beef Production?

Controversy surrounding the United States import of beef has been an issue since at least 1958, which marked the beginning of major imports from Australia (Edward, 1964). From the onset, U.S. beef producers have been concerned that beef imports would depress the prices they receive for their product. Consumer groups, on the other hand, have welcomed increased imports, expecting that increased competition would lower meat prices. As a result of these conflicting views, the past 50 years has seen the creation of various measures of legislation which control the volume of imports.

Risk Management Challenges and Opportunities in 2010

In 2009, agriculture was impacted by significant volatility in commodity and input prices and major world economic events. The world economy continued to flounder, resulting in reduced demand for agricultural commodities, particularly livestock products. The H1N1 outbreak further exacerbated the situation as consumers around the world reduced their consumption of pork. In the last quarter of 2009, unemployment in the United States reached ten percent and continues to rise each month, albeit at a slower rate. In recent reports economic analysts contend the reported figures underestimate the actual unemployment, and that we will continue to face ten percent or more unemployment through 2010.

Two and a Half Cheers for the Midwestern Bourgeoisie: Role of the Virtues in Tempering Business Decisions

A recent book (The Bourgeois Virtues: Ethics for an Age of Commerce, D. N. McCloskey), raises the matter of the role of the virtues in business and economic choice, arguing that capitalism can indeed, be virtuous or at least better than the alternative(s). This argument is especially timely in light of the apparent excesses on Wall Street and in some banking/financial institutions. Excessive greed and often the lack of business ethics contributed in substantive ways to the financial crisis and near economic meltdown we have been experiencing. As McCloskey, (2006, pp. 1-2) argues (in setting the stage for the complex argument made in this 616-page book!): “The book … is directed toward you who are suspicious of the phrase ‘bourgeois virtues,’ pretty sure that it is a contradiction in terms. And the book is directed, with less optimism about changing their minds, toward you who think the phrase is worse: a lie. ‘Bourgeois virtues’ is neither. The claim here is that modern capitalism does not need to be offset to be good. Capitalism can on the contrary be virtuous. In a fallen world bourgeois life is not perfect. But it’s better than any available alternative. American capitalism needs to be inspirited, moralized, completed. Two and a half cheers for the Midwestern bourgeoisie (middle-class, small business owners…. yet)… Many a businessman is an ethical shell or worse. Even the virtues of the bourgeoisie, … do not lead straight to heaven.”

Science and the Climate Change Debacle

As I write this on the first business day of 2010, I find myself thinking about the importance of respecting alternative views --- not only alternative political views, but also alternative scientific views. Good science requires that we understand the limits of knowledge and continuously seek the truth through respectful questioning, replication and review. In the climate change debate, which recently culminated in a disappointing and largely ineffective conference in Copenhagen, these salient principles of science were grossly violated. Well respected climate scientists proceeded well beyond the limits of their knowledge and became policy advocates. They demeaned anyone who dared to disagree with their findings or to suggest that limiting CO2 emissions may not be the best policy choice at the present time. Disagreeing with the “experts” became disrespected professional behavior, even within the academic community. This approach has not served the interests of anyone very well.

Analyzing the ACRE Program

The new farm bill enacted by Congress in June 2008 includes a new revenue-based safety-net, the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program, that will be available to producers beginning with the 2009 crop year. This analysis of the mechanics of ACRE and the relevant yields and prices to include in ACRE can help producers assess whether ACRE will be a good choice for this crop year and beyond.

Optimism of Rural Nebraskans

Results from the 2008 Nebraska Rural Poll showed rural Nebraskans were more optimistic about their lives than they have been in previous years. More Nebraskans believed they were better off than they were five years ago, and more were optimistic about their futures. They had reason to be optimistic last year, the agricultural economy in 2007 was strong, especially for crop producers. The poll was taken between March and May, 2008, before the national economy began to falter in October. Thus the 2009 Nebraska Rural Poll will help clarify how rural Nebraskans are responding to the current economic times.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

President Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus package into law on February 17, 2009. What will this mean to individuals or to tax law for 2009? Withholding brackets will be adjusted so individuals should receive an extra $400 through their paychecks over the course of the year, this will encourage spending, since it will be a smaller amount returned each week. The Alternative Minimum Tax will be "patched." Some post-secondary education plans will be implemented and Hope Credits will be expanded. A first time home buyer credit that went into effect in 2007 has been changed, increasing the dollar limit and waiving the payback requirement unless the home is sold within 36 months of purchase.

Using Nebraska's Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program

Many farm or ranch families that are attempting to bring a son or daughter back into their business experience a strain on the cash flow. Recent changes to Nebraska's Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program provide an attractive incentive that can be very beneficial to those families. Regulation changes made in 2008 now allow parents to rent agricultural assets to their own children.