RAND Research Topic: Environmental and Natural Resource Management 2012-05-24T20:33:43Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/environmental-and-natural-resource-management.html DoD Renewable Fuels Investment Premature http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/23/NJ.html May 23, 2012 May 23, 2012 Technological development challenges suggest that it is highly unlikely that advanced approaches for producing hydrotreated renewable oils suitable for military applications will constitute an important fraction of the commercial fuel market until well beyond the next decade, writes Keith Crane. Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) Options for the Future http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/DB639.html Feb 23, 2012 Feb 23, 2012 This briefing offers a menu of potential future activities for the nonaviation lands at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to enhance the quality of life in Santa Monica through community-linked programs. Sustainable Development in the National Health Service (NHS): The views and values of NHS leaders http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1210.html Jan 31, 2012 Jan 31, 2012 A first systematic picture of United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) leaders' views of priorities and approaches regarding sustainable development (SD). Survey and interview responses are drawn on to show the importance of SD and ways forward. Threats Without Threateners? Exploring Intersections of Threats to the Global Commons and National Security http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP360.html Jan 10, 2012 Jan 10, 2012 Climate change, water scarcity, and pandemics are examined for their national security implications and impacts on the global commons. This paper describes four clusters of policy approaches for these complex, interconnected issues and uses suggestive examples to build the case for policy evolution away from fixing problems and toward innovative alternatives, such as anti-fragile systems, that actually benefit from change and uncertainty. California's Water Challenges http://www.rand.org/multimedia/audio/2011/10/25/californias-water-challenges.html Oct 25, 2011 Oct 25, 2011 David Groves discusses an innovative approach to dealing with the many challenges that may contribute to sustainable and affordable solutions of long term water supplies in California. Recommended Research Priorities for the Qatar Foundation's Environment and Energy Research Institute http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1106.html Sep 22, 2011 Sep 22, 2011 The Qatar Foundation is establishing a national research institute to conduct and collaborate on applied research in energy, environment, and water issues, the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute. This book recommends research priorities for the new institution and reports on a survey of relevant research institutions in the region. Incorporating Uncertainty Analysis Into Life Cycle Estimates of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Biomass Production http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100113.html Jun 30, 2011 Jun 30, 2011 This paper provides a framework for incorporating uncertainty analysis specifically into estimates of the life cycle GHG emissions from the production of biomass. Governing Geoengineering Research: A Political and Technical Vulnerability Analysis of Potential Near-Term Options http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR846.html Apr 19, 2011 Apr 19, 2011 Geoengineering is risky, but could transform the portfolio of options for limiting future climate change. Some geoengineering approaches could prove fast acting and inexpensive and could be deployed by one or a few nations without global cooperation. Does Marginal Price Matter? A Regression Discontinuity Approach to Estimating Water Demand http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100170.html Feb 28, 2011 Feb 28, 2011 Using a regression discontinuity design, we find that consumers do respond to changes in marginal price. Doubling marginal price leads to a 12% decrease in water use (500 cubic feet per bill) among high-use households. No Direct Military Benefit from Use of Alternative Fuels by Armed Forces http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG969.html Jan 24, 2011 Jan 24, 2011 If the U.S. military increases its use of alternative fuels, there will be no direct benefit to the nation's armed forces. It makes more sense for the military to direct its efforts toward using energy more efficiently. No Direct Military Benefit from Use of Alternative Fuels by Armed Forces http://www.rand.org/news/press/2011/01/25.html Jan 24, 2011 Jan 24, 2011 If the U.S. military increases its use of alternative fuels, there will be no direct benefit to the nation's armed forces. Managing Climate Risks in Developing Countries with Robust Decision Making http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100254.html Jan 1, 2011 Jan 1, 2011 The authors present the concept of robust decision making (RDM), which draws on already-existing knowledge of practitioners to choose actions that are viable in both the short- and long-term. Attention to Societal Priorities Can Help Guide Nuclear Waste Management Policy http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG970.html Nov 15, 2010 Nov 15, 2010 To break the impasse over how to deal with spent nuclear fuel from commercial nuclear power plants policymakers should focus on how various waste management strategies address societal priorities related to nuclear energy. Policy Implications of Alternative Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Strategies http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/CT352.html Nov 8, 2010 Nov 8, 2010 Testimony presented before the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future on November 15, 2010. Identifying and Evaluating Robust Adaptive Policy Responses to Climate Change for Water Management Agencies in the American West http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201000193.html Jun 30, 2010 Jun 30, 2010 This paper describes work helping the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) explicitly develop adaptive policies to respond to climate change and integrating these policies into the organizations' long-range planning processes. Grab Vital Habitat Now: How Riverside County Can Step Up Conservation While Land Prices Are Down http://www.rand.org/commentary/2008/12/01/PE.html Dec 1, 2008 Dec 1, 2008 The economic slowdown threatens to put a crimp in ambitious efforts to balance preservation, transportation improvements and development in western Riverside County. It doesn't have to. Actually, it presents an opportunity, writes Lloyd Dixon. Western Riverside County Habitat Conservation Plan Progressing, but Needs Fine-Tuning http://www.rand.org/news/press/2008/11/03/riverside.html Nov 3, 2008 Nov 3, 2008 Western Riverside County's Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan -- a sweeping effort to protect endangered and threatened species while accelerating the approval of transportation improvements -- has made significant progress, but needs modifying to reach its goals in Southern California's changing economy. Alternative Fossil Fuels Have Economic Potential but Uncertain Environmental Consequences http://www.rand.org/news/press/2008/10/08.html Oct 8, 2008 Oct 8, 2008 Alternative sources of fossil fuels such as oil sands and coal-to-liquids have significant economic promise, but the environmental consequences must also be considered. Army Can Boost Mission Success by Better Managing Environmental Considerations http://www.rand.org/news/press/2008/09/23.html Sep 23, 2008 Sep 23, 2008 By better managing environmental issues during deployments, U.S. Army units can gain tactical and strategic advantages that will help in combat and post-conflict operations, and boost overall mission success. Identifying &amp; Reducing Climate-Change Vulnerabilities in Water-Management Plans http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR505.html Jan 31, 2008 Jan 31, 2008 <p>Climate change will affect water supplies in California, but few water-management agencies have formally included it in their plans. Robust decisionmaking methods can help identify vulnerabilities related to climate change and evaluate the most effective options for managing those risks. </p>