Interdisciplinary Environmental Review (3 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• National Policy and the Limits to Popular Dissent: The Case of the F-35  
  by Charles Simpson 
  Abstract: The F-35 fighter/bomber is the world's most expensive military program. While operationally questionable, it excels in "political engineering": the allocation of contracts and lobbying to achieve congressional support. While Vermont's business and congressional delegation advocate basing the planes at Burlington's International Airport, opponents have protested this with demonstrations, law suits, a referendum, and resolutions by three city councils. They principally cite the noise impacts on the housing supply and on children's cognitive development. This study, based on participant observation, explores why the movement has not prevailed, arguing it is because protest has been framed in terms of local consequences rather than including a critique of related national policy: American Exceptionalism, a military-based economy, and reliance on nuclear weapons.
  Keywords: F-35s; military-industrial complex; local democracy; grassroots movements; American exceptionalism.
  
  
• Water quality and perception of use in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria  
  by Oyekanmi Babatimehin, Adebayo Eludoyin, Opeyemi Ekundayo, Namsifon Ekwere 
  Abstract: Water is required in both satisfactory supply and quality but studies have shown significant distrusts by potential users in many communities in developing countries. The study therefore examined water quality and perception of users in a university community in southwest Nigeria, with the view of investigating causes of distrusts in water quality despite efforts made at making water potable for use in the university. Data used were chemistry of water samples selected locations in the University and responses of students at halls of residence and a key informant at the water treatment section. Results showed that water supplied for domestic purpose in the halls of residence was characterized by 7.3 - 8.4 pH, and contained higher than safe limits for some heavy metals (cobalt and lead). Also, although the concentrations of water samples were within the acceptable limits at the point of distribution, the concentrations of the heavy metals were raised at the halls of residence. Varied concentrations of the investigated chemical ions across the halls indicated contamination through the distribution channels and/or the storage tanks in the halls. About 58.3% of the students perceived that the water supplied by the University Water system is not suitable for drinking. The study concluded that possible contamination by distribution channels and storage facilities may have undermined the efficiency of the water treatment facilities at the water treatment plant of the University, and this has influenced the distrust of the water quality by users.
  Keywords: Water quality; Perception on water quality and use; University community.
  
  
• Greening for Sustainability: Green UAE A Classic Example  
  by RAVINDRA SAXENA, B. Rajesh Kumar 
  Abstract: Sustainability or Sustainable Development is not a mantra or a magic band which can give you instant results. It is a long process, a never ending journey, it is a philosophy, orientation, mind-set, behavior, attitude, promise or commitment towards environment protection, resource utilization and global welfare. Although many people feel that global warming is a natural phenomenon full of unpredictable uncertainties and predictable dangers, but this should not be considered as an excuse for not thinking about possible dangers and not taking actions to face those uncertainities for future welfare. Most of the industrialized nations are into the environmental evolution since last three decades or more and have already taken lot of initiatives to reduce pollution and ensuring societys long term welfare to pass it on from one generation to other. For saving the planet earth and making it as a green place to live and breathe for the next generations to come, many developed countries have already made many policies and legislative structures to ensure the sustainable development. Most of the studies relating to sustainability, green philosophy, green environment, sustainable consumption; and Governments initiatives and policies for sustainable development are done in developed countries but such studies are still missing in the context of developing countries like United Arab Emirates. This paper attempts to fill this gap and focuses upon the Governments initiatives and future plans for sustainable development in this part of the globe, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  Keywords: Sustainability; Green Environment; Sustainable Development; Sustainable Consumption; Global Warming; Green Companies; United Arab Emirates; UAE.