[In process]
Background*
Part 1**
Part 2*** From a follow-up to the newslist discussion about anthropology and climate change–
Q. “So…what can we do to solve this problem? Can we think like engineers?”
Please, don’t. Not even anthropological engineers. For example, see this — (more…)
Categories: AI/AN · Alaska · Eskimo · Kuskokwim · NZ · New Mexico · Pueblo · anthropology · communities · environmental change · planning · public involvement · sanitation · sciencing · solid waste
Tagged: 13C4, Biocultural Science, Bumsted
[In process]
Background*
Part 1**
Part 2*** [separate post]
I think there is a need for anthropological perspective in any issue of human existence.
It is a sad irony that the discipline (science) which is most comprehensive and fundamental (science is a human activity and the basic science of human activity is anthropology) has often seemed through its profession association to be narrowly focussed and consequently irrelevant.
Last month, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) accompanied the chairwoman of the Disaster Recovery subcommittee, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) to another hearing, in Anchorage, about the few places in Alaska designated for US Army Corps of Engineers environmental management [sic].
The anthropologists are about to have their annual conference in Washington DC and will be exercised about the U.S. Army recruiting anthropologists (Human Terrain Systems). On the other hand, Barack Obama is hip to Margaret Mead “Obama demonstrated that he understood the reasons why America for decades (think of the Bay of Pigs invasion) has made gravely serious national security decisions based on laughably inaccurate intelligence.”
Meanwhile, none of our western Alaska or Mississippi deltas is taken seriously. “Rush Limbaugh adds Alaskan to polarizing efforts.”
The best the state of Alaska has done so far is issue an official pass to a non-existent mass disease shelter in the region’s pandemic preparedness exercise this year (flu shot clinic).
I think if Governor Palin actually had a scientific advisor to her environmental sub-cabinet especially from rural Alaska or if Landrieu and Stevens could earmark enough funding out of the millions for the Corps mission in Alaska to pay for scientific support for the Unorganized Borough [over half of Alaska's area, 970,500 km² (374,712 square miles), an area larger than France and Germany combined], this actually would be more effective than the endless photo-op and news stories about polar bears without ice.
How do we bring attention to the need for comprehensive analysis, assessment, and action on environmental change? No one would think of building a levee without an engineer, why are we doing relocation and reconstruction of communities — in Alaska and Louisiana / Mississippi — without a human scientist / human ecologist (anthropologist)?
[This analogy would work better if I didn't already know that someone in DC thought of managing emergencies with a horse show announcer.] At the very least we need to aggregate the existing knowledge that we know full well must be included, whether for a northern or a southern delta.
It may not be a direct plus for NOLA– my records precede Katrina and I read Voices of New Orleans. If all the people and power and money there can’t get trailers that the Feds are allowed to inspect — but I think the imaginative scale in Alaska would be easier to actually test many of these concepts and approaches.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (more…)
Categories: Alaska · Kuskokwim · LANL · anthropology · communities · environmental change · nuclear · organizational culture · planning · public involvement · sciencing
Tagged: 13C4, Biocultural Science
Categories: LANL · more than thought
Tagged: 13C4, Biocultural Science
This looks to be a very interesting opportunity in Alaska to find out more about civic groups in Hawai’i and their work on grassroots organization and governance, tradition, sustainability and development, education, and fun. The convention is for registered participants. However, there is a public open house on the evening of the 16th. I put a listing of the workshops and speakers at the bottom in order to give you an idea of the interests of the organization.
ASSOCIATION OF HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUBS
48th ANNUAL CONVENTION
October 14 – 19, 2007
Hilton Anchorage – Alaska Ballroom
“E Holomoana Käkou I Mua” – Nutes tai dathl ~ To Journey Forward Together
The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs is a confederation of fifty-two (52) Hawaiian Civic Clubs located throughout the State of Hawai`i and in the States of Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Utah, Virginia and Washington State.
We are the oldest community based grass roots Hawaiian organization in Hawai`i, having been formed in 1918 by the then non-voting Delegate to the United States Congress Prince Jonah Kühiö Kalaniana`ole. We are the only Hawaiian organization to have branch clubs outside the State of Hawai`i.
Our objectives are to take an active interest in the civic, economic, health and social welfare of our community; to support programs of benefit to the people of Hawaiian ancestry; to provide a forum for full discussion of all matters of public interest; to honor, fulfill, protect, preserve and cherish all sources, customs, rights and records of the Native Hawaiian ancient traditions, nä `oli a me nä mele, cemetery areas and the historic sites of Native Hawaiians.
Hoike Lima Hana Noeau featuring Native Hawaiian Arts & Crafts
Speakers and sessions scheduled
Mayor Mark Begich
Ms. Julie E. Kitka, President, Alaska Federation of Natives
Dr. Verlie Ann Malina-Wright, President, National Indian Education Association
Mr. Byron Mallott, Senior Fellow, Alaska Native Policy Center, First Alaskans
Ms. Dee Jay Mailer, Chief Executive Officer, Kamehameha Schools
Mr. Ben Henderson, Deputy to the Chairman, Hawaiian Homes Commission
Mr. Carl Nahua Rose, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School Boards
Mr. Puakea Nogelmeier, Education and Hawaiian Cultural Specialist
Mr. Clyde Namuo, Administrator, Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Ms. Katherine Gottlieb, President & CEO, Southcentral Foundation
Ms. Malia Nobrega, Educator, Media and Technology Specialist, Advocate for Indigenous Peoples Rights
Workshop: Genealogy
Workshop: A Native Warrior Speaks
Workshop: He Inoa No E Kalaniana‘ole Hula Workshop
Workshop: Government 101
Workshop: Alaska Native Healer
Workshop: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Workshop: Business Development for Civic Clubs
Workshop: Nohona Hawaii: Cultural Vibrancy in a Contemporary World
Workshop: 21st Century Challenges: Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability
Workshop: Nana I Hawai‘i Ko‘u Mau Maka
Workshop: Culture in the Boardroom: A Huaka‘i
Workshop: Kahili: Standards of Royalty
Workshop: Ho‘ike Lima Hana No‘eau Sponsored by the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Workshop: Na Mele Hawaii Ho‘oheno, Favorite Hawaiian Songs
Government Relations Committee Presenter: The Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act
Benefits & Trusts Committee Presenter: Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan
Workshop: Ka Mo‘olelo O Hi‘iakaikapoliopele
Workshop: Native Hawaiian Assets
Workshop: Native Hawaiian Assets
Workshop: Owning a Native Health Care System
Workshop: Nationhood: Ho‘opaepae: Building The Nation From the Ground Up
Workshop: Hawai‘i Maoli: Helping Hawaiians to Build Strong and Healthy Communities
Site Search Tags: Hawai’i, Alaska, sustainability, education, language, Polynesia, Pacific+Rim, civic+organizations, governance, arts+crafts, grassroots
Categories: communities · organizational culture · teachers
Tagged: 13C4, Biocultural Science
LII is such a great resource, available through RSS feed.
Librarians’ Internet Index: New This Week New and newly-discovered Web sites for librarians and everyone else, updated every Thursday morning. See more resources on our site
Site Search Tags: aboriginal, Canada, Australia, First+Nations, librarian, LII.org
Categories: communities · resources
I don’t use the term “stakeholders” because of my experience with the US Department of Energy. Too often when an institution or agency speaks about “stakeholders” they mean they hold the stake while the community gets stucked.
I am after community or public collaboration through public involvement (or community-involvement. [The latest term is CPBR Community-based Participatory Research or CBR].
I put this list together at the other site, | Getting Results from Your Experts |. It is a listing of references I recommend to communities and other professionals concerned with public involvement. This isn’t a comprehensive (nor especially up to date) listing of references but includes books and websites I have found to be especially useful for myself and others. Books are listed first, then websites. The Internet sites also have training available. The FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) course is very good.
Public involvement, as a public governance process, has evolved within the highway and risk (environmental health) contexts especially as a requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). However, much of the fundamental research developed within applied anthropology, usually within a health, appropriate technology, or nutrition context. “Expert systems” and now “accessibility” re: WWW sites, are other areas to look to for additional information.
I’ve put asterisks next to names in the risk communication field who will have other articles and books. The titles in BOLD are especially useful to communities.
Site Search Tags: community-based, community+involvement, applied+anthropology, environment, readings, NEPA, FHWA, expert, stakeholder, CPBR, risk, HazCom
Categories: ES&H · communities · planning · public involvement · published · resources
Celebrating the 550th Anniversary of the Moravian Church
deadline 2007 March 01
March 1, 1457 was the beginning of the Unity of the Brethren in Bohemia. The Moravian Church, or Unitas Fratrum (Unity of Brethren), as it has been officially known since 1457, arose as followers of Jan Hus gathered in the village of Kunvald, about 100 miles east of Prague, in eastern Bohemia, and organized the church. This was 60 years before Martin Luther began his reformation and 100 years before the establishment of the Anglican Church. More…
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Categories: communities
What is supposed to work in schools, similarly with alcohol control and Wall Street, seems to operate on belief rather than an examination of what is and then formulating testable ideas on what, if anything, needs doing. Belief is an important factor in “what works”. However, critical thinking and careful use of statistics, among other attributes of sciencing such as multiple working hypotheses, are important to keep us all honest. In the situation of pandemic fatal or crippling disease, wishful thinking or “denial” won’t keep us, at all.
Schools
Advocates of using pay to improve teacher performance grow excited over the addition of federal money to supplement local district pay incentives. But maybe they shouldn’t. Contrary to other provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), there is little research to demonstrate that paying a few teachers more will improve student performance. [...]
Alaska perspective
Understanding what is right and wrong with the current institutional environment would seem, therefore, to be the key to understanding why spending and performance are not positively correlated.
- Additional spending is no fix for school -
http://www.adn.com/money/story/8614922p-8507446c.html
Binge drinking, not alcoholism
* Many people assume that most people who drink to excess are probably alcoholics.
* A recent survey of 4,761 New Mexico adults found that while 16.5 percent drank alcohol in excess of national guidelines, only 1.8 percent met criteria for alcohol dependence.
* This suggests that a majority of persons at risk for alcohol-related problems are not alcohol dependent.Most people realize that too much alcohol can lead to multiple health problems, injuries and violence. Numerous statistics support the accuracy of this perception. Many people also assume that a substantial proportion of people who drink to excess are probably alcoholics. This may not be accurate. A recent study of the general population in New Mexico reveals that, in fact, most alcohol-related problems may be due to excessive drinking – especially binge drinking – among persons who are not alcoholics.
The irresistible power of magical thinking
New research demonstrates that habits of so-called magical thinking — the belief, for instance, that wishing harm on a loathed colleague or relative might make him sick — are far more common than people acknowledge.
even at Los Alamos National Laboratory (UC-LANS UC-LANL) and Congress
The representatives love to lash out at Los Alamos without ever addressing the really important problems facing the lab.
They call for more security, more bureaucracy, more procedures, more manuals and more oversight. This was a tradition started by former director Pete Nanos who shutdown the lab for six months to “fix it”. Somehow this culture of “more” is meant to lead an efficient, lean lab.
Site Search Tags: NCLB, performance, schools, statistics, magic, H5N1, alcohol+control, binge
Technorati Tags: NCLB, performance, schools, statistics, magic, H5N1, alcohol+control, binge
Categories: LANL · environmental change · organizational culture · sciencing · teachers
This really belongs with the post but I only just located it.
mpb
DATE: May 8, 1986
IN REPLY TO: CHM-1/86-349-MPB
Chemistry Division
NAME, ADDRESS
The enclosed document, NUCLEAR WINTER: THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF HUMAN SURVIVAL, may be of interest to you as a professional in [public communication] [or public policy] . These proceedings result from an invited session of the American Anthropological Association annual meetings held in Washington, DC, December 6, 1985. The scientific session was an interdisciplinary discussion among senior anthropologists, a physical scientist involved in global climate modelling, and myself of the contributions anthropology can make to the scientific discussion of the long-term consequences of nuclear war.
Current scientific discussions of the long-term environmental consequences of nuclear war only partially evaluate the impact on human existence and continuity. Anthropologists are generally not participants in the institutional communities or other sciences which provide the scientific and technical advice on issues of national defense. Anthropology can contribute its expertise concerning the cultural and biological adaptability of humans and the comprehensive nature and evolution of human existence.
An audience of approximately 100 anthropologists and others participated in the discussions. This session is the first and remains the only discussion of Nuclear Winter to focus explicitly on impacts to humans. Other discussions have focused on the non-human environment or on limited aspects of human society which can result in misleading or inaccurate conclusions about effects on human biological and cultural systems.
Discussion also ranged over whether such matters should be discussed at all, the roles of science and policy in contemporary US society, the nature of uncertainty, the need for anthropological models of nuclear winter comparable to the physical models, and the value of anthropological assessment and input to discussions of nuclear war.
We consider our discussions beginnings, not conclusions, to an anthropological assessment of Nuclear Winter. There are as yet no formal, integrative studies of the long-term consequences of Nuclear Winter for humans by public or private agencies.
If you wish further information on this topic, please contact the authors.
Sincerely,
M. Pamela Bumsted
Categories: LANL · anthropology · environmental change · published
Tagged: 13C4, Analytical Anthropology, Biocultural Science, Bumsted
These are pdf files of the Emergency publications series, produced by WEDC Publications, Water, Engineering and Development Centre, Loughborough University
Emergency Publications on CD, Bob Reed (ed.)
This pc compact disk comprises the electronic (pdf) files of the entire series of Emergency publications produced by WEDC to date.
This is an invaluable and handy resource for all aid and development workers. http://tinyurl.com/sn7su
Individual files can be downloaded from
Revised chapters are downloadable or can be purchased here–
Emergency Vector Control Using Chemicals (2nd ed.) 2004
Christophe Lacarin and Bob Reed
Emergency Water Sources (3rd ed.) 2004
Sarah House and Bob Reed
Out in the Cold (3rd ed.) 2004
Mark Buttle and Michael Smith
Running Water 1999 Rod Shaw (ed.)
This is a new collection of 32 short, highly illustrated introductions to appropriate water and sanitation technologies and processes and complements The Worth of Water. It covers a further range of subjects from water source selection and handpump maintenance to sanitary surveying, hygiene understanding and community management. (not available for download)
The Worth of Water 1991John Pickford
The Worth of Water published by Intermediate Technology Publications has 32 sections, each a reprint of a technical brief that has appeared in the international journal of appropriate technologies for water supply and sanitation Waterlines. They provide simple guidance for fieldworkers on a variety of topics. Most were written and prepared by WEDC staff (not available for download)
CONTROLLING AND PREVENTING DISEASE 2003
The role of water and environmental sanitation inventions
Erik Rottier and Margaret Ince
THE ROLE OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION INTERVENTIONS
Prelims
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Disease and disease transmission
Chapter 3: Disease in the population
Chapter 4: Water and environmental sanitation projects
Chapter 5: Domestic water supply
Chapter 6: Sanitation
Chapter 7: Drainage
Chapter 8: Solid waste management
Annexe 1: Listing of diseases related to water and environmental sanitation
Annexe 2: Summary tables of infections related to water and environmental sanitation (excluding vector-borne infections)
Annexe 3: Summary tables of vector-borne infections, vectors and their control
Annexe 4: Chlorination of drinking water
Annexe 5: Calculating the size of pits for latrines, and assessing their infiltration capacity
Annexe 6: Designing a simple stormwater drainage system
Annexe 7: Priorities and standards in emergency situations
References
Alphabetical index of diseases
Improving health is one of the main goals of water and environmental sanitation (WES) interventions. Despite this, many aid and development workers may have only a limited knowledge of the infections they try to prevent. Although the relevant information does exist, it is often scattered in specialised literature and rarely finds its way into the field.
This manual addresses this problem by presenting information on these infections in relation to the interventions that fieldworkers typically control – i.e: water supply, sanitation, drainage, solid waste management, and vector control. It has been produced primarily for non-medical aid and development workers, but anyone working in WES, or in the prevention of infections related to WES, will find this book useful.
EMERGENCY SANITATION 2002
Assessment and Programme Design
Peter Harvey, Sohrab Baghri and Bob Reed
ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAMME DESIGN
Prelims
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Is intervention necessary?
Chapter 3. Principles of assessment
Chapter 4. Background information
Chapter 5. Recommended minimum objectives
Chapter 6. Excreta disposal
Chapter 7. Solid waste management
Chapter 8. Waste management at medical centres
Chapter 9. Disposal of dead bodies
Chapter 10. Wastewater management
Chapter 11. Hygiene promotion
Chapter 12. Community participation
Chapter 13. Programme design
Chapter 14. Implementation
Chapter 15. Instructions for use
Chapter 16. Rapid assessment and priority setting
Chapter 17. Outline programme design
Chapter 18. Immediate action
Chapter 19. Detailed programme design
Chapter 20. Implementation
Case study: Kala Camp, Luapula, Zambia
Bibliography
Index
Aide Memoire Chart
(Adobe Acrobat (pdf) files)
Rapid Assessment Spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel file)
Emergency Sanitation is designed to assist those involved in planning and implementing emergency sanitation programmes. The main focus is a systematic and structured approach to assessment and programme design. It provides a balance between the hardware (technical) and software (socio-cultural, institutional) aspects of sanitation programmes, and links short-term emergency response to long-term sustainability. Emergency Sanitation is relevant to a wide range of emergency situations, including both natural and conflict-induced disasters, and open and closed settings. It is suitable for field technicians, engineers and hygiene promoters, as well as staff at agency headquarters. Sponsored by the Department for International Development (DFID)
EMERGENCY VECTOR CONTROL
A handbook for relief workers
Christophe Lacarin and Bob Reed
A HANDBOOK FOR RELIEF WORKERS
Prelims
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Main Vectors
Chapter 3: Principal Control Measures
Chapter 4: Overall Process for Implementing a Vector Control Programme
Chapter 5: Practical Implementation
Appendix 1: Suitability of Chemical Controls
Appendix 2: Recommended Control Method
Appendix 3: Estimate Vector Population
Appendix 4: Job Description and Responsibilities
Additional Information
References and Bibliography
Index
Complete copy of Emergency Vector Control
The control of vectors that transmit diseases in emergencies is critical to the prevention of epidemics. This handbook describes how such vectors can be identified and controlled using chemicals. Aimed at non-specialists such as logisticians, engineers and health workers, it provides advice on identifying the responsible vector, selecting the appropriate control chemical and the means of application, together with advice on planning an implementation programme.
EMERGENCY WATER SOURCES 1st edition
Assessment and Programme Design
Peter Harvey, Sohrab Baghri and Bob Reed
GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION AND TREATMENT
Prelims
Section 1. Introduction and instructions for use
Section 2. Survival supply
Section 3. Longer term supply
Section 4. Supporting information
Section 5. Equipment and addresses
These guidelines have been designed to help those involved in the assessment of emergency water sources to collect relevant information in a systematic way, to use this information to select a source or sources and to determine the appropriate level of treatment required to make the water suitable for drinking.
OUT IN THE COLD (first edition)
Emergency water supply and sanitation for cold regions
Mark Buttle and Michael Smith
EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION FOR COLD REGIONS
Mark Buttle and Michael Smith
Prelims
Chapter 1 : Introduction
Chapter 2 : Emergencies in cold regions
Chapter 3 : Water supply
Chapter 4: Sanitation
Chapter 5: Related technical issues
Chapter 6: Human issues
Chapter 7: Additional information
Index
Complete copy of Out in the Cold
Out in the Cold has been designed for all humanitatian workers, especially managers, engineers and logisticians working in ex-Soviet states, China, Eastern Europe or any other country in cool temperate or cold regions. It provides specific supplementary information that can be used together with information given in more general emergency manuals, details of which are given inside. Techniques are described simply, although engineering design recommendations are also included.
NB– second edition of Out in the Cold includes new material gathered from humanitarian workers returning from the Kosovo crisis and has been revised on the basis of comments made about the first edition.
Any part of this …, including the illustrations (except items taken from other publications where the authors do not hold copyright) may be copied, reproduced or adapted to meet local needs, without permission from the author/s or publisher, provided the parts reproduced are distributed free, or at cost and not for commercial ends, and the source is fully acknowledged.
Please send copies of any materials in which text or illustrations have been used to WEDC Publications at the address given below.
WEDC Publications
Water, Engineering and Development Centre
Loughborough University
Leicestershire LE11 3TU UK
Phone: + 44 (0) 1509 222885
Email: wedc@lboro.ac.uk
Fax: + 44 (0) 1509 211079
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/wedc/
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Categories: communities · planning · rural · sanitation · solid waste
I’ve put the set of photos up on Flickr. These can be used to illustrate problems and solutions to solid waste management and sanitation. I have not finished the annotations, but Flickr members may go ahead and comment. Unfortunately, I haven’t figured out a good way for non-Flickr members to add to the discussion there. I think what I can possibly do is to post here about sub-groups of photos and diagrams, with thumbnails, so readers may discuss here.
revised 2008-10-13 I set up a group for others to contribute to at Toilets and Trash in the Last Frontier (Alaska) – http://flickr.com/groups/786092@N20/ (I can’t afford to renew the Flickr Pro account yet, but I think the group should be accessible to other Flickr members to add to and for the non-Flickrs to view).
Neither trash nor toilets are insurmountable problems, despite what many believe. However, sanitation takes thought in order for the solutions to age-old problems to be sustainable for eons to come. In particular, whether for the arid and semi-arid regions of Alaska or New Mexico, the low-relief coastal areas of the south Pacific or of the south Bering, we must devise systems which are self-sufficient and appropriate to our communities and ecology. In addition, it is likely to involve some hard choices in how we live, especially as our population grows and our environment changes.
U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, An Alaskan Challenge: Native Village Sanitation, OTA-ENV–591 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, May 1994).
NTIS order #PB94-181013
GPO stock #052-003-01372-0
available in pdf format here
or here
Categories: AI/AN · Alaska · New Mexico · communities · environmental change · health · planning · rural · sanitation · solid waste
By Shankar Vedantam, Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, July 13, 2006
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/ 2006/07/12/AR2006071201883.html
I hope this article gets widely noticed (I also need to find the original). Two primary points–
Barres said he has realized from personal experience that many men are unconscious of the privileges that come with being male, which leaves them unable to countenance talk of glass ceilings and discrimination.
This is a very difficult concept to express to others (especially to men who honestly believe they don’t discriminate against women). I have tried to use the example of colleagues, or mentors and proteges, who discuss their project animatedly and enthusiastically, while on the way to the restroom….
Barres said the switch had given him access to conversations that would have excluded him previously.
If one wants to know what majority institutions and governments think of ethnic minorities (i.e., Native and non-Native or Hispano and non-Hispano) ask an Anglo / Gussack / Pakeha trained in participant / observation who’s been in “both worlds”.
Site Search Tags: sciencing, two+cultures, Pueblo, Eskimo, Aotearoa, New+Mexico, culture
Categories: LANL · organizational culture · sciencing
Stable carbon isotopes do not date but nevertheless lead full lives. mpb
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