Pollution and life expectancy: How environmental policy can promote growth

This article investigates the influence of environmental policy (EP) on growth in an AK-type growth model, when finite lifetime is introduced and the link between pollution and life expectancy (through the detrimental impact of pollution on health) is taken into account.Using an overlapping generations model à la Blanchard [Blanchard, O. (1985). Debt, deficits and finite horizon. Journal of Political Economy, 93:223-247], we demonstrate that finite lifetime introduces a “generational turnover effect” which modifies the influence of the EP on growth. Thus, when lifetime is finite and independent from pollution, we show that the “generational turnover effect” limits the detrimental impact of the EP on growth, if agents smooth their consumption over time. When pollution negatively influences life expectancy through health, we demonstrate that the “generational turnover effect” is magnified and that the EP and growth have an inverted U-shaped relationship in the steady-state. In this case, we show that the environmental policy is more likely to promote growth (i.e. it stimulates growth for a wider range of environmental taxes) when the impact of pollution on health is important and/or public expenditures in health are low. Finally, using numerical simulations, we find that for the value of parameters that we have chosen, the EP will be more likely to promote growth when agents smooth consumption over time.     

公务员学习能力培养

学习是一个社会进步的标志,公务员作为国家社会的管理者,其学习能力的高低直接影响着这个国家的发展速度。本文论述了公务员学习的重要性,并希望能够全民学习,共同发展社会。     

新疆新农村建设村庄体系规划研究——以昌吉榆树沟镇和乌鲁木齐县水西沟镇典型调查为例

本文以昌吉榆树沟镇与乌鲁木齐县水西沟镇的实地典型调研数据为基础,从农村社区整体规划和人居环境整治等方面进行研究,分析了村庄体系现状和存在问题,明确了未来规划的重点,注重规划的可实施性和公众的共同参与性,将新农村建设逐项落到实处。     

Trade and Specialisation in Pollution Intensive Industries: North–South Evidence

Abstract

The pollution haven hypothesis (PHH) and the capital-labour hypothesis (KLH) state that the relative level of a country's environmental regulations and capital and labour endowments determines its comparative advantage respectively. Since these hypotheses lead to conflicting predictions as to whether the North or the South will specialise in pollution-intensive production, this paper examines whether changes in trade and specialisation patterns allow us to distinguish between pollution haven and factor endowment effects. We employ a methodology that enables us to present North-South trade patterns over time and to identify those periods when trade patterns were consistent with either the PHH and/or the KLH as a foundation for undertaking more detailed econometric studies.     

网络教学环境设计与控制策略研究

教学环境设计是网络教学的基础,控制策略是网络教学的手段,教学质量是网络教学成败的关键。从这三个方面综合研究网络教学是十分重要的课题。本文全面分析了三方面的相互关系,在总结网络教学经验的基础上,提出了具体的可操作措施。     

Beyond convenience: the future for independent food and grocery retailers in the UK

The UK's independent food and grocery retail sector's competitive advantage of 'convenience' has been eroded in recent years as major retailers increase opening hours and develop their own convenience trading formats. As a result, large numbers of independent retailers are closing. A UK-wide survey was undertaken to identify other sources of competitive advantages, and the changes needed to stop or reverse the decline in this sector. Exploratory semi-structured interviews led to the development of a questionnaire on six major issues affecting the sector. 'Snowball' sampling, using industry partners, provided 142 respondents. The provision of a 'social shopping experience' emerged as a key competitive advantage that could be developed. Improving vertical and horizontal trading alliances, and the wider use of information technology, provided other options.     

THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF VOLUNTARY ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF FIRMS: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Abstract.  New trends in studies on the governance of natural assets include substantial consideration of the role of voluntary initiatives. A traditional economic view states that there is a trade-off between being green and being competitive. According to that view, no voluntary environmental action is expected to occur. To undertake an in-depth analysis of the scope for voluntary action, this paper reviews empirical literature that analyzes the relationship between manufacturing firms' environmental initiatives or performance and economic results. This review moves beyond the general test of the 'pay to be green' hypothesis, preferring instead to systematize empirical results in more specific research questions. Empirical findings of the reviewed literature generally support that there is no penalty for being green. In addition, the typology of firms, the methods utilized for implementing environmental initiatives, the intensity of abatement efforts and stockholders' valuation of green firms have all been shown to have a sizeable influence on the actual economic results of environmental action or management. Consequently, the findings of this paper challenge the traditional strategic theory that predicts widespread free-riding; it holds major implications for environmental policy-making and environmental business decisions.     

国际贸易与环境——相关假说的评述

国际贸易对环境的影响问题在自由贸易论者与环境保护论者之间,引发了激烈的争论。自由贸易论者认为自由贸易将使环境质量得以改善,而环境保护论者则认为贸易自由化会导致环境质量的退化。在双方的争论过程中,形成了国际贸易对环境影响的几个假说。本文对这几个假说进行了简要评述,并指出了其合理性及存在的缺陷。     

基于企业环境理论的我国企业法律制度建设的思考

基于现代企业环境理论中环境内生性的观点，本文分析了企业法制环境与企业成长之间的关系，认为在完善企业法制环境的过程中。除政府发挥必要的立法功能外，企业作为企业法制环境完善的主体，要充分发挥对企业法制环境的积极影响，特别是民营企业，更耍积极争取良好的法制空间。     

2000年来四个直辖市经济增长与空气环境质量变化的实证分析

本文选取2000年－2006年的北京、上海、天津、重庆四个地区大气环境质量及经济增长率的统计资料，运用面板数据建立了相应的计量模型，实证结果表明，经济的快速增长，并不必然伴随着环境质量的持续下降，市场经济发展也可创造改善环境质量的内生动力，并且政府环保政策在环境质量的改善方面也起到了重要的作用。