Urbanization, CO2 Emission and Longevity: The West African Experience
Olalekan Dimeji Bamiteko,
Kazeem Bello Ajide
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, April 2021
Pages:
29-39
Received:
25 October 2020
Accepted:
16 November 2020
Published:
22 March 2021
Abstract: This study considered the dynamic relationship between urbanization and CO2 emission on longevity in West African countries. The importance of urbanization to developing countries cannot be overemphasized; but it comes with a cost (CO2 emission). Hence the need to observe the effect of CO2 emission on longevity becomes necessary. This study incorporated the theory of health production into Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and explored the Fully Modified (FM) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS) methods to conduct the social scientific enquiry. The outcomes of the panel co integration analysis are confirmed using the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimator to reaffirm the results of this study. The estimated coefficient for FMOLS presents urbanization (1.538) with CO2 emission (-11.38) and DOLS reaffirmed urbanization (1.126) with CO2 (-18.10) at 1% significant respectively. PMG indicated that the confirmatory test of a priori expectation is correct. The result showed that CO2 emission and urbanization had negative and positive significant effect on longevity respectively. Therefore, the study re-validates that at long run the threshold for CO2 emission must be established as developing countries especially West African countries yearn for development. The study concluded that in ECOWAS countries, urbanization spur longevity while CO2 emission retards it.
Abstract: This study considered the dynamic relationship between urbanization and CO2 emission on longevity in West African countries. The importance of urbanization to developing countries cannot be overemphasized; but it comes with a cost (CO2 emission). Hence the need to observe the effect of CO2 emission on longevity becomes necessary. This study incorpo...
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Remote Work and the Environment: Exploratory Analysis of Indoor Air Quality of Commercial Offices and the Home Office
Kamrie Sarnosky,
Mark Benden,
Leslie Cizmas,
Annette Regan,
Garett Sansom
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, April 2021
Pages:
40-44
Received:
3 March 2021
Accepted:
30 March 2021
Published:
12 April 2021
Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated an already existing trend of individuals increasingly working remotely. With the growing popularity of remote working, specifically in a home office, there is a critical need to better understand and characterize the potential environmental differences between these two spaces. Indoor air pollution can have adverse health effects and impair cognitive functioning. Methods: This small pilot cohort study (N=22) recruited home and office workers to better understand the indoor air quality between these spaces. Air contaminants collected and assessed included PM10 and PM2.5, carbon dioxide (CO2), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). Results: Findings showed a strong statistically significant increase in all measured variables within homes in comparison to traditional offices (p<0.001). Within in individuals’ homes three was a marked increase in variability of environmental conditions in comparison to traditionally offices. These results indicate that those who work from home are at increased risk due to longer exposures to higher levels of certain contaminants, the importance to better develop interventions to mitigate this reality is underscored by the fact that many workers will be moving to home-based offices in the coming years. Conclusion: Traditionally, working adults would split their time between a home and office microenvironment. However, the transition of the workforce from a commercial office building to a home-based office results in more time in the residential microenvironment. This study suggests that home workers may be asked to shoulder an undue burden of environmental conditions than traditional office workers.
Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated an already existing trend of individuals increasingly working remotely. With the growing popularity of remote working, specifically in a home office, there is a critical need to better understand and characterize the potential environmental differences between these two spaces. Indoor air pollution ...
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Assessing Land Use / Land Cover Changes Using GIS and Remotely Sensed Techniques (RST): A Case Study of the Etoa Clay Quarry Yaounde, Cameroon
Linda Lekuna Duna,
Nzeukou Nzeugang Aubin,
Fen Florence Fombutu,
Pierre François Djocgoue
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, April 2021
Pages:
45-53
Received:
16 March 2021
Accepted:
1 April 2021
Published:
29 April 2021
Abstract: This study highlights the use of Remote Sensing to detect environmental changes obtained on Land Use / land Cover Changes in the Etoa clay quarry, neighboring the town of Yaounde (Cameroon) during a period of 26 years (1989-2015). Remotely sensed data in the form of Landsat image and pattern classification were used to create maps. For accuracy Google Earth was used as a reference to yield data. The post classification change detection method was used to value the land cover change with the clay quarry. Land use of the urban growth was estimated by time series analysis of satellite Landsat images. Spectral indices calculated from the images were used to evaluate change in buildup area, vegetation and hydrology. Results show that vegetation, covers 200 hectares of land, build up area 240 hectares and hydrology 185 hectares. The change analysis between 1989-2015 showed a decreasing trend in vegetation from 69% to 32% (a decrease in 37% vegetation cover), hydrology from 14% to 30% (thus a 16% increase in water bodies) and build up area from 17% to 38% (a 21% increase). The excavation of clay materials increases every year leaving behind many dangerous clay pits filled with water which calls for concern.
Abstract: This study highlights the use of Remote Sensing to detect environmental changes obtained on Land Use / land Cover Changes in the Etoa clay quarry, neighboring the town of Yaounde (Cameroon) during a period of 26 years (1989-2015). Remotely sensed data in the form of Landsat image and pattern classification were used to create maps. For accuracy Goo...
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Assessment of the Physico-Chemical Parameters and Soil Pollution in Some Landfills at Ouagadougou
Bambara Telado Luc,
Doumounia Ali,
Ouédraogo Soumaila,
Kohio Niessan,
Francois Zougmoré
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, April 2021
Pages:
54-59
Received:
5 April 2021
Accepted:
20 April 2021
Published:
29 April 2021
Abstract: The study was conducted to evaluate the physic-chemical parameters and pollution aspect of landfill soils. The soils samples were collected in some selected landfill, at Ouagadougou. Determinations of heavy metal concentrations, physic-chemical parameters, calculation of geo-accumulation index and statistical analysis were undertaken. The atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in the soils samples. This study reveals that the studied landfill contribute to increase the concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Hg and Pb) in soils. The pH KCl of the studied landfill soils were less than 7, which reflects the acidic nature of the landfill soils. The Landfills soils were classified between ‘practically uncontaminated’, ‘Uncontaminated to Moderate’ and ‘Moderate’. The geoaccumulation of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, and As were less than one for the studied landfills. The classifications show that the landfill soil from KARPALA and DAGNOIN were the moderate polluted with Cu, Zn and Pb. The Cu, Zn and Pb were metal that contribute more in the pollution in the landfill soil at Ouagadougou. Statistical study reveals that increasing total organic matter tends to decrease the concentrations of manganese, zinc, copper and lead.
Abstract: The study was conducted to evaluate the physic-chemical parameters and pollution aspect of landfill soils. The soils samples were collected in some selected landfill, at Ouagadougou. Determinations of heavy metal concentrations, physic-chemical parameters, calculation of geo-accumulation index and statistical analysis were undertaken. The atomic ab...
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