Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Julio C. Vargas-Burgos, Marco Heredia-R, Yenny Torres, Laura Puhl, Biviana N. Heredia, Jhenny Cayambe, Julio Hernan-Gonzalez, Alexandra Torres, Marcelo Luna, Theofilos Toulkeridis, Bolier Torres
Summary: Climate change affects production and consumption systems related to food, livelihoods, production, water, and land use. The importance of local knowledge in decision-making is recognized. This study conducted in northern Ecuadorian Andes with 170 dairy-cattle-farming households aims to characterize rural livelihoods, evaluate access to climate information and perceptions of climate change, and determine the relationship between livelihoods and perceptions of climate change. The results show significant differences in livelihoods among different groups and a significant relationship between education, age, and climate change perceptions.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Chloe Taillandier, Ron Corvers, Lindsay C. Stringer
Summary: Climate change exacerbates the pressure on vulnerable and impoverished communities. Smallholder farmers in the Global South are particularly vulnerable and need to adapt to climate change while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasizes the importance of Climate Resilient Development Pathways (CRDPs) to support vulnerable communities. The paper assesses how CRDPs can be made more concrete and actionable, particularly in the context of agroforestry projects and smallholder farmers in the Global South.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Brendan P. Harrison, Si Gao, Melinda Gonzales, Touyee Thao, Elena Bischak, Teamrat Afewerki Ghezzehei, Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Gerardo Diaz, Rebecca A. Ryals
Summary: Livestock, especially in dairy systems, contribute significantly to anthropogenic methane emissions. A novel manure management strategy called biochar-composting has been found to reduce methane by 79% compared to traditional composting. Life-cycle analysis also shows that biochar-composting has a substantially lower global warming potential compared to composting and stockpiling.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Leslie Lipper, Romina Cavatassi, Ricci Symons, Alashiya Gordes, Oliver Page
Summary: Climate change poses a threat to agricultural and food systems, requiring transformative adaptation to address livelihood risks and vulnerabilities. Multilateral Development Banks play a crucial role in financing such adaptation, but there is a need to expand public sector climate finance and incentivize private sector investments.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mokbul Morshed Ahmad, Muhammad Yaseen, Shahab E. Saqib
Summary: This article explores the increasing impacts of recurrent droughts on dryland smallholders, causing extensive damage to agriculture and hindering sustainable livelihoods. The study found that repeated droughts exacerbate the challenges faced by smallholders in economic, social, natural, physical, and human capital aspects. The lack of modern techniques and knowledge, inadequate agro-information, insufficient credit and capital, agronomic damages, economic losses, and persistent drought episodes undermine adaptive capacity. Smallholders' inability to adapt to changing situations during drought events leads to significant suffering. Effective policy implementation, institutional arrangements, drought-resistant yields, poultry farming, livestock rearing, and small trading can enhance smallholders' adaptive capacity in northern Bangladesh.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Matilde Maria Passamonti, Elisa Somenzi, Mario Barbato, Giovanni Chillemi, Licia Colli, Stephane Joost, Marco Milanesi, Riccardo Negrini, Monia Santini, Elia Vajana, John Lewis Williams, Paolo Ajmone-Marsan
Summary: Livestock, domesticated in specific regions, have adapted to diverse environments worldwide. Climate change is affecting livestock welfare and productivity, with genomic studies exploring genes for adaptation. Advances in genomics, population genetics, and landscape genomics are providing insights into the interactions between genetics and the environment, leading to more efficient breeding strategies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin Friedman
Summary: Climate resilient development is a global policy strategy that integrates climate adaptation and mitigation into sustainable development decisions. The national government of Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean is pursuing climate resilient development through multilateral climate funds to protect economic growth from climate and weather-related disasters.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Moritz Reckling, Christine A. Watson, Anthony Whitbread, Katharina Helming
Summary: This virtual issue consists of papers exploring diversification for sustainable solutions in cropping, grassland, and food systems at various scales. Authors examine processes in landscape-scale case studies where the complex trade-offs between social and environmental objectives are most evident. Contributions from different continents highlight regional specificities related to diversification, blending both natural and social sciences and employing interdisciplinary approaches such as knowledge synthesis, empirical experiments, and case study assessments with interviews. Key findings emphasize the negative impact of agricultural intensification, emphasizing the need for diversification of cropping systems and landscapes to achieve sustainable transformation.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Gezahegn Alemayehu, Tsega Berhe, Eyob Gelan, Mulugeta Mokria, Jarso Jaldessa, Jarso Molu, Barbara Wieland, Theodore Knight-Jones, Rebecca E. Doyle
Summary: Improving animal welfare is a human responsibility and understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of animal owners is crucial. A survey in Ethiopia showed that mixed crop-livestock farmers had better animal welfare knowledge, attitude, and practice compared to pastoralists. Targeted training is needed to improve animal well-being across livestock holding communities in Ethiopia.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rennie X. Qin, Lotta Velin, Elizabeth F. Yates, Omnia El Omrani, Elizabeth McLeod, Jemesa Tudravu, Lubna Samad, Alistair Woodward, Craig D. McClain
Summary: This review examines the integration of climate change into national surgical planning in the Western Pacific region. The findings suggest strategies such as reducing the carbon footprint of operating theatres, promoting renewable energy use, implementing tele-medicine, and strengthening surgical systems to adapt to climate change.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fengxiu Zhang
Summary: This study goes beyond the disaster-adaptation nexus by investigating the institutional conditionality of climate adaptation. The findings suggest that cities predominantly take reactive and top-down approaches to climate adaptation, with coercive isomorphism being the main driver of their adaptation efforts. The study also reveals that the impacts of disasters on adaptation are differentially conditioned by three isomorphic forces: coercive and mimetic pressures diminish as the frequency of disasters surpasses a certain threshold, while normative pressure exhibits a positive and reinforcing effect as disaster exposure increases.
Review
Plant Sciences
Muhammad Habib-ur-Rahman, Ashfaq Ahmad, Ahsan Raza, Muhammad Usama Hasnain, Hesham F. Alharby, Yahya M. Alzahrani, Atif A. Bamagoos, Khalid Rehman Hakeem, Saeed Ahmad, Wajid Nasim, Shafaqat Ali, Fatma Mansour, Ayman EL Sabagh
Summary: Climate change has had a significant negative impact on agricultural production and food security in Asia, but there are opportunities to mitigate these effects through the optimization of agricultural practices, technology, and crop management strategies.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vahid M. Nik, A. T. D. Perera, Deliang Chen
Summary: Climate change and urban population growth are major concerns, with a need to move towards sustainable energy solutions. However, the concept of climate resilience for urban energy systems is still not clearly defined, with limitations in assessment and lack of focus on future climate variations and extreme events. Improving energy system models to consider these factors is crucial for identifying resilient energy transition pathways.
NATIONAL SCIENCE REVIEW
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vandit Vijay, Rimika Kapoor, Priyanka Singh, Moonmoon Hiloidhari, Pooja Ghosh
Summary: Utilizing biomass resources for clean energy transition is an important strategy for mitigating climate change. This study assesses the biomass resource and power generation potential in different agro-climatic zones of Rajasthan, India. The findings show significant potential for biomass power generation and highlight the greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared to coal-based power generation. The study also discusses the carriers and barriers in setting up decentralized bioenergy plants, providing valuable insights for renewable energy planners in India.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tilahun Amede, Aggie Asiimwe Konde, Jean Jacques Muhinda, George Bigirwa
Summary: Sub-Saharan Africa is facing major development challenges due to population growth and climate change. African agricultural systems are unique and characterized by low productivity, land degradation, and fragmented small farms. To address these challenges, context-specific, outcome-oriented farming solutions called 'sustainable farming' should be implemented.
Article
Environmental Studies
Jonatan Lassa, Marla Petal, Akhilesh Surjan
Summary: This research utilizes the comprehensive school safety framework to assess the impacts of floods on education infrastructure, providing a deeper understanding of post-disaster education needs and its relevance to studying the relationship between COVID-19 and education losses.
Article
Environmental Studies
Annisa Triyanti, Gusti Ayu Ketut Surtiari, Jonatan Lassa, Irina Rafliana, Nuraini Rahma Hanifa, Mohamad Isnaeni Muhidin, Riyanti Djalante
Summary: This paper aims to identify key factors for a contextualized Systemic Risk Governance (SRG) framework and explores how Indonesia can manage systemic risks and adjust local institutional mechanisms. Using a case study of the Palu triple-disasters in Central Sulawesi, the authors demonstrate the need for an SRG approach in Indonesia's response. They recommend incremental changes in governance arrangements, focusing on productive transition and local transformation.
DISASTER PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Kerstin K. Zander, Pascal Blaise, Karin Holm-Mueller
Summary: Disease resistant crop varieties are important for disease control and reducing pesticide use. Farmers prefer yield stability traits over yield itself, and their choices vary with the production system. They are willing to forgo yield to reduce pesticide costs, rather than relying on increased wheat prices.
OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Review
Environmental Studies
Alexander R. Marsden, Kerstin K. Zander, Jonatan A. Lassa
Summary: Our study systematically analysed the impact of COVID-19 on smallholder farming from 2019 to 2021 and discussed its potential benefits for enhancing smallholder farm resilience in future pandemics. Following PRISMA guidelines, 53 articles were reviewed, revealing social-economic impacts, barriers, opportunities, and policy options for smallholder farmers adapting to COVID-19. The review highlighted the importance of technology access, information dissemination, and multi-layered diversification in facilitating smallholder adaptation to COVID-19.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kerstin K. Zander, Hunter S. Baggen, Stephen T. Garnett
Summary: This article presents a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed articles published between 2001 and 2021 on the relationship between human mobility and drought or heat. The study identifies a total of 387 relevant articles, which were analyzed descriptively and using a Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model. The findings reveal that most articles focus on droughts, particularly in African and Southern Asian countries, while heat-related research is predominantly conducted in developed countries. Various research gaps are identified, including migration in urban droughts and the compound effects of drought and heat.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kerstin K. Zander, Michael Burton, Ram Pandit, Stephen T. Garnett
Summary: Public support is crucial for government conservation measures, but little is known about the criteria the public thinks government should consider when making conservation investment decisions. A study on the Australian public found that the risk of extinction, effectiveness of interventions, and potential harm to other species were the most important factors, while costs and societal acceptance were less significant.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ahmed Hassen, Kerstin K. Zander, Stella Manes, Misganaw Meragiaw
Summary: Many people rely on forest ecosystems for their livelihoods, but global deforestation and degradation are endangering the delivery of important services. This study investigates the traditional knowledge and attitudes of locals in North Wollo, Ethiopia regarding forest management, conservation, and ecosystem services. The main threats to forest ecosystems in the region include deforestation for fuel production, population growth, pollution, exotic species, and soil fertility loss. The study suggests the use of customary rules, social exclusion, and indigenous beliefs as conservation techniques, along with terracing, gully prevention, and hillside planting with native trees for ecological restoration.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Kerstin K. Zander, Rifka Sibarani, Matthew Abunyewah, Michael Odei Erdiaw-Kwasie, Simon A. Moss, Jonatan Lassa, Stephen T. Garnett
Summary: Natural hazards can become disasters if not managed well. This research assesses self-reported community resilience and investigates the factors that contribute to community resilience using Australia as a case study. The study found that community resilience was moderately high, but community leadership and preparedness scores were low. The results suggest the importance of prioritizing communities with low capacity for future natural hazards in their efforts to manage disaster risks.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonatan A. Lassa, Avianto Amri, Yusra Tebe, Briony Towers, Katharine Haynes
Summary: Child-centred disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation initiatives have been implemented worldwide, but their long-term impact and influence on policy and practice at different levels of governance are not well understood. This longitudinal research examines the process of integrating child-centred disaster risk reduction and school safety programs into mainstream efforts. Data was collected through participatory workshops, focus group discussions, and participant observations in 2008 and 2019. The findings reveal that local disaster regulations and mainstream institutions do not necessarily predict government adoption of child-centred DRR and sustained school safety policy implementation. NGOs and governments have used a combination of strategies, including local regulatory change, incentives, nudging, coercive measures, and discourse, to institutionalize DRR.
PROGRESS IN DISASTER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew A. Borg, Jianjun Xiang, Olga Anikeeva, Bertram Ostendorf, Blesson Varghese, Keith Dear, Dino Pisaniello, Alana Hansen, Kerstin Zander, Malcolm R. Sim, Peng Bi
Summary: This study estimated the heatwave-attributable occupational illnesses and injuries (OIIs) and their costs in Australia, and projected the future changes. The results showed that during heatwaves, there was an increased risk of OIIs and costs, especially during extreme heatwaves. Policies aimed at heat adaptation can reduce the incidence and costs of heat-attributable OIIs.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Kerstin K. Zander, Stephen T. Garnett, Robert Ogie, Mamoun Alazab, Duy Nguyen
Summary: Social media, specifically Twitter, plays a significant role in emergency communication and public opinion during disasters. Analysis of over 80,000 tweets during the Australian bushfires in 2019-2020 identified dominant topics such as fire updates, politics, donations, and support. Twitter was instrumental in providing emergency information and advice, highlighting both positive and negative sentiments. Machine learning analysis of Twitter trends can potentially enhance disaster responses by identifying effective communication, detecting harmful misinformation, and evaluating response measures.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Matthew Abunyewah, Michael Odei Erdiaw-Kwasie, Seth Asare Okyere, Gajendran Thayaparan, Mitchell Byrne, Jonatan Lassa, Kerstin K. Zander, Md. Nawrose Fatemi, Kim Maund
Summary: Social capital is a crucial resource in vulnerable cities of developing countries with weak disaster management capacities and limited responses. However, little is known about how different types of social capital contribute to flood preparedness and community resilience, especially in informal settlement settings. Based on a survey in Ghana, we found that personal and collective social capitals significantly predict flood preparedness and community resilience, with collective social capital having a stronger predictive ability. Additionally, flood preparedness acts as a mediator between personal and collective social capital and community resilience.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Thurein Tun, Jonatan A. Lassa
Summary: This paper explores the evolution of institutions and policies related to disaster and emergency planning in Myanmar since 1885. The research shows that Myanmar's disaster policy has shifted from a state-centric and top-down approach to a whole-of-government approach and finally to a poly-centric model where the whole society can be involved.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Kerstin K. Zander, Joost van Hoof, Sarah Carter, Stephen T. Garnett
Summary: The majority of respondents in Australia prefer a warm climate and use air-conditioning to reach a comfortable temperature at home. The preferred temperature setting for air-conditioning devices is 21.7 degrees Celsius. Factors such as age, heat tolerance, and location influence the frequency of air-conditioning use and temperature preferences.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Edmund B. Mabhuye
Summary: Climate change poses a critical challenge to human well-being, particularly in terms of vulnerability and livelihood impact on communities. This study reveals the high vulnerability of communities in the western highlands of Tanzania to climate change and non-climate stress factors, including seasonal changes in rainfall and temperature, as well as the decrease in crop production and income.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiahui Qiu, Sharon Seah, Melinda Martinus
Summary: With ASEAN's rapid population and economic growth, its medium-term climate ambition becomes crucial to global mitigation efforts. Although all ASEAN Member States have communicated their ambitions through NDCs, the region still falls short of a 1.5 or 2-degree scenario. Assessing and comparing the NDCs is complex due to varying types of targets and actions. Through an assessment framework, AMS' strategies for raising mitigation ambition are examined, with the need for stronger economy-wide targets identified. Different groups with varying stages of progress in climate ambition among AMS are clarified, along with specific recommendations for each group.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yi Cai, Wene Qi, Famin Yi
Summary: This study evaluates the treatment effects of ICT-based extension service (IES) use on fertilizer knowledge and use efficiency among litchi farm households in southern China. The results show that IES use significantly improves fertilizer effectiveness, procedural and declarative knowledge, and increases fertilizer use efficiency.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT
(2024)
