Tag: Environmental Policy

Aner Martínez-Soto, Constanza C. Avendaño Vera, Àlex Boso, Álvaro Hofflinger & Matthew Shupler

Abstract

The effect of COVID-19 lockdowns on ambient air pollution levels in urban south-central Chile, where outdoor air pollution primarily originates indoors from wood burning for heating, may differ from trends in cities where transportation and industrial emission sources dominate. This quasi experimental study compared hourly fine (PM_2.5) and coarse (PM₁₀) particulate matter measurements from six air monitors (three beta attenuation monitors; three low-cost sensors) in commercial and low/middle-income residential areas of Temuco, Chile between 2019 and 2020. The potential impact of varying annual meterological conditions on air quality was also assessed. During COVID-19 lockdown, average monthly ambient PM_2.5 concentrations in a commercial and middle-income residential neighborhood of Temuco were up to 50% higher (from 12 to 18 μg/m³) and 59% higher (from 22 to 35 μg/m³) than 2019 levels, respectively. Conversely, PM_2.5 levels decreased by up to 52% (from 43 to 21 μg/m³) in low-income areas. The fine fraction of PM₁₀ in April 2020 was 48% higher than in April 2017–2019 (from 50% to 74%) in a commercial area. These changes did not appear to result from meterological differences between years. During COVID-19 lockdown, higher outdoor PM_2.5 pollution from wood heating existed in more affluent areas of Temuco, while PM_2.5 concentrations declined among poorer households refraining from wood heating. To reduce air pollution and energy poverty in south-central Chile, affordability of clean heating fuels (e.g. electricity) should be a policy priority.

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Boris Álvarez, Àlex Boso, Ignacio Rodríguez, Álvaro Hofflinger & Arturo Vallejos-Romero

Background

Temuco and Padre Las Casas, Chile, have severe problems of air pollution due to the extensive use of firewood for heating. The local authorities have made various efforts to improve fuel quality and introduce greater regulation into the market. Certified firewood guarantees low levels of humidity (< 25%) and has better combustion, but its distribution is still limited and the variables that determine its purchase have scarcely been studied. The aim of this study is to identify the determinants of certified firewood consumption in urban southern Chile.

Methods

This study was conducted with a cross-sectional non-experimental design. Following a non-probability sampling by convenience, we applied 355 surveys to participants who use a firewood system. Nonparametric comparisons analyses were made to identify differences in the use of certified wood by socio demographic variables. In addition, an Ordinal Logistic Regression was used to analyze the relation between the use of certified firewood and various psycho-social variables.

Results

Half of the users of wood-burning stoves participating in the study declared that they “never” (38%) or “almost never” (12%) used certified firewood to heat their home. Situational and product-related variables, such as price, availability, convenience and time are fundamental to people’s purchase behavior, partially explaining the low public interest shown in this product. On the other hand, the results indicate the influence of socio-demographic variables such as income level and the presence of older adults at home, as well as psycho-social variables which include how much participants pay attention to air quality, the information level they have about it, the feelings of discomfort due to air pollution and concern for its effects on health.

Conclusions

First, increasing information levels and awareness among the population through communication campaigns is necessary to promote the sustainable urban energy transition in southern Chile. Second, information strategies may be complemented by boosting employment, driving investment, improving income, and strengthening the mechanisms of social protection, especially for the most vulnerable groups, to be effective. Finally, protecting and stimulating the formal trade in firewood could increase the points of sale of certified firewood, which would facilitate user access to cleaner fuels.

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Álvaro Hofflinger & Àlex Boso

The intermediate-sized cities of southern Chile experience days of high pollution levels every winter due to the use of wood-burning stoves. Several studies have analysed the factors that hinder energy transition and the social acceptance of measures to improve air quality, the consequences of which are disturbing. However, they have mainly focused on health issues without considering the social impacts of air pollution. This study aims to assess whether exposure to outdoor air pollution is associated with school absenteeism. We analysed the records of approx. 5,000 students in the fourth grade from 25 schools in five cities in southern Chile (2010–2017). Using a fixed-effects model and applying it to the school level, we were able to estimate the effect of air pollution on absenteeism from school after controlling for the effects of individual characteristics. Previous studies have found that independent of air pollution, students from low-income families have a higher absenteeism rate. Our findings suggest that as air pollution worsens, pupils from middle and high-income households are also more likely to miss school days. We argue that this is, presumably, because high-income families are able to develop protective behaviour such as bringing their children to the doctor or keeping them at home on highly polluted days.

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Lindsey Carte, Álvaro Hofflinger, y Molly H. Polk

Abstract

Chile has embraced the expansion of monoculture forest plantations of exotic Monterey pine and eucalyptus as part of its development strategy. While forestry is considered financially successful and meets sustainability objectives, the increase in forest plantations across southern Chile has received harsh critiques for exacerbating conflict over Indigenous land rights, producing negative environmental outcomes, and increasing poverty and inequality. There are also claims that forest plantation expansion has led to an abandonment of the countryside. Migration is viewed as a result of the socioeconomic challenges that forest plantations produce at the local level; however, the linkages have not been explored. We examine the linkages between forest plantations and migration through two questions: Is there a relationship between forest plantation cover change and out-migration from rural areas? If so, what are the factors that explain this process? We use a difference-in-differences method analyzing panel data from the Chilean census and from CONAF, the Chilean National Forest Corporation, complemented by interviews, mapping workshops, and focus groups to answer these questions. Results indicate a statistically significant relationship between expanding forest plantations and population decline in rural areas. Qualitative data show that this expansion led to displacement of residents, declines in employment opportunities, and agriculture difficulties.

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