Miscellany
http://www.ilankelman.org/miscellany.html

Other documents and material
(Not part of other sites on www.ilankelman.org)

• Dissertations (Masters and PhD).
• Other Disaster Material.
• Other Sustainability Material.

Reflection (Toronto).
(Copyright Ilan Kelman 2005.)

Ilan Kelman's University Degree Dissertations

• PhD: Physical Flood Vulnerability of Residential Properties in Coastal, Eastern England (2002).

• Masters: Role of Technology in Managing Vulnerability to Natural Disasters, With Case Studies of Volcanic Disasters on Non-Industrialized Islands (1998).

• Undergraduate Final Year: Modifying and Testing a Length Modulated Radiometer Used for Measuring Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide and Methane (1996), full text (6 MB in PDF).

  Abstract

  In order to understand the impact and mitigation of anthropogenic influences on the atmosphere's properties, continual and global observations are an immense asset. The tropospheric concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH₄) are particularly important for environmental modelling, since they play key roles in atmospheric chemistry. Correlation radiometry is often used for such observations, and a new form, called length modulation radiometry, has been developed at the University of Toronto.

  A ground-based length modulated radiometer (LMR) for observing CO and CH₄ was built and tested with the ultimate goal of measuring CO at the 4.7 micrometer and 2.4 micrometer bands to a precision of +/-10% and CH₄ at the 2.3 micrometer band to a precision of +/-1%. The work presented in this report involved modifying and testing this LMR. Initially, the instrument was tested to ensure that results from previous work were repeatable. Optimal setup parameters to attain the minimum imbalance were the same as those obtained before, and the LMR's response to various nitrogen and CO pressures matched the theoretical predictions.

  Several modifications were made to the LMR to improve its performance. A fibre optic cable to direct the radiation source into the LMR was added, a rotating vane chopper was used, and the optical setup was improved to minimize the imbalance. As well, the digital signal processing software and hardware were upgraded to allow more efficient, and more powerful, data processing and analysis. Following these changes, the optimal parameters for operating the LMR were re-established. The changes were also implemented to permit the addition of a second detection channel to the LMR. This second channel will allow the reduction of noise in the data stream from solar radiation. The work presented in this report seems to demonstrate that the LMR is likely to be an effective ground-based instrument for measuring CO and CH₄.

  Publication

  Tolton, B.T., I. Kelman, and J.R. Drummond. 1996. "Measurements of Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide with a Length Modulated Radiometer". Presentation at the 30th CMOS (Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society) Congress, 26-31 May 1996, Toronto, Canada, abstract (8 kb in PDF).

  

  The optical table set-up of the new length modulated radiometer (above) and its signal output (below).
  (Copyright Ilan Kelman 1996.)

  

Bradford Disaster Research Unit (as a webpage).
A disaster research centre in the 1970's which was based at the University of Bradford, U.K.

Build on Floodplains (Properly)
(58 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
When flood disasters occur, a traditional reaction is to suggest not building on floodplains. This document discusses why building on floodplains can be appropriate. See also other discussion on this topic.

Disaster Definitions
(145 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
Definitions of the term "disaster" are compiled.

Disaster Ecology, Risk Ecology, the Risk Resource, and the Disaster Resource
(41 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
Disaster's potential positive consequences are explored through four conceptual models: Disaster Ecology which brings an ecological framework to the understanding of disaster risk reduction, Risk Ecology which occurs by direct analogy with Disaster Ecology, and the Risk Resource and the Disaster Resource which explore how risk and disasters could be useful.

Disaster Lexicon
(150 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
Disaster-related phrases which are particularly insightful along with a short definition and the original source.

Like a Splinter in Your Mind: Myth, Reality and (Un)Natural Disasters
(130 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
Speculation on why there seem to be more disasters, even though we are becoming more knowledgeable, by discussing some aspects of disaster myths.

Macrobiological Hazards
(303 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
Examples are compiled where society's vulnerability has led to large animals and plants (macrobiology) becoming macrobiological hazards.

Mitigation Saves
(65 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
Quantitative economic and financial studies of disaster mitigation projects are described, indicating the savings obtained.

Natural Disasters Do Not Exist (Natural Hazards Do Not Exist Either)
(71 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
The argument is made that the terms "natural disasters" and "natural hazards" are misnomers.

Overcoming Disaster Through P³: Principles, Policies, Practices
(103 kb in PDF.)
This document discusses an approach, backed up by examples, which proposes principles, policies, and practices for helping to reduce disaster risk within the context of sustainability.

Reliance on Structural Approaches Increases Disaster Risk
(43 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
The importance of not relying on structural approaches for disaster risk reduction is explained and justified.

Relocalisation (as a webpage).
A community-based approach to disaster risk reduction.

Reverse Insurance
(20 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
An "insurance" model is discussed where people are paid to enact disaster mitigation rather than paying to have security in case of a disaster.

Risk RED (as a webpage).
Risk Reduction Education for Disasters.

Safety Day
(38 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
An annual safety day in schools and offices is described to improve attitudes towards safety and risk.

Shelter Centre (as a webpage).
A humanitarian NGO supporting the transitional settlement and shelter of populations.

Unusual Floods and Drownings
(102 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
Flood and drowning instances involving fluids other than water are compiled.

Scalloway Gala, Shetland.
(Copyright Ilan Kelman 1996.)

Coldest March (as a webpage).
A critique of the Antarctic exploration book The Coldest March.

Sustainable Living Centres
(32 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
Efforts to build sustainable living centres are listed. No endorsement of any of the communities is implied by this document.

Tapping Into Tap Water: The Responsibility of Smallness
(18 kb in Rich Text Format which should open in most versions of Word and WordPerfect.)
Water supply systems with increased decentralisation and smaller scales are suggested as reducing vulnerability, promoting sustainability, and saving money.

Miscellaneous spider (Barbados).
(Copyright Ilan Kelman 1998.)

Contact Ilan.

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