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The article focuses on policy papers related to education published in Great Britain in November 2021. Topics discussed include UK-Singapore COP26 Universities Network policy reports which highlight climate change in the Southeast Asian region; Turing Scheme has replaced the Erasmus+ programme in providing funding for participants in universities, colleges, and schools to go on overseas study and Children's Social Care Market Study: Interim report of Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The Ministry of Natural Resources Canada has identified four key priorities for 2024, including creating sustainable jobs and industries, reducing energy bills through home retrofits, preparing for natural disasters, and increasing the availability of electric vehicle chargers. Tree Canada is a non-profit organization focused on planting trees across the country to combat climate change and protect biodiversity. The Forest Stewardship Council works to protect forests by tracking certified fiber and empowering consumers to choose responsibly sourced wood and paper products. Forests Ontario emphasizes the importance of using high-quality, source-identified tree seeds to grow healthy and resilient forests. The text also discusses the benefits of plant-based diets for personal health, the environment, and animal welfare, as well as the potential of plant-based foods to reduce the climate impact of agriculture. It highlights the importance of genetic preservation in conservation efforts and promotes the idea of donating and shopping at thrift stores to reduce clothing waste and support local communities. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Carbon dioxide emissions affect the environment, presenting major implications for sustainable development and consequently model climate change policies. The main aim of the paper is to highlight the factors leading to CO2 emissions in Latin America. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis was performed using data for 1990–2020 and panel regression and STATA software. Findings: The results highlighted that the variables have significantly influence CO2 emissions in case of the countries in the sample. Originality/value: The novelty of the paper consists in using all financial inflows of together (foreign direct investment, official development assistance and remittences), Latin America heavily in-flowed with remittances from the USA. Since Latin America is enriched with forest areas, the authors also covered this variable in the estimations. Urbanization and transportation are induced by remittance inflows, thus wellbeing was incorporated in the model. The conclusion of the study demonstrates the need for complex measures involving public-private partnerships, public awareness of the need for energy transition and the involvement of foreign-owned companies that must not only pursue their own interests but also generate positive economic, environmental, and social externalities in host countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on policy papers addressing climate change, school funding levels and recruitment and retention of teachers. Topics discussed include need of reducing poverty through the improvement of education for girls and addressing climate change, overview of school funding and mechanism in England, and Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy of the government.

This paper deals with smart grid concept and its reliability in presence of renewable energies. Around the globe an adjustment of electric energy is required to limit CO2 gas emission, preserve the greenhouse, limit pollution, fight climate change and increase energy security. Subsequently renewable energy expansion is the real test for designers and experts of smart grid system. This initiative has made significant progress toward the modernization and growth of the electric utility infrastructure and aims to integrate it into today's advanced communication era, both in function and in architecture. The study is focused on the difference between a conventional grid and a smart grid concept and the integration of renewable energy in a smart grid system where grid control is a must for energy management. Assuring a good grid reliability, taking the right control measures in order to preserve continuous electricity supply for the customers are challenges highlighted in the present paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the perceived need to accelerate scientific research and technology, particularly in response to the climate emergency and the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. However, the author raises concerns about the negative consequences of rushing scientific research, such as the erosion of public trust and the potential for flawed or questionable results. The article highlights instances of high-profile scholars retracting or correcting their papers due to issues with data or methods. The author argues that the pressure to produce results quickly may be compromising the quality and integrity of scientific research. The article suggests that good science takes time and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing quality over quantity in research. [Extracted from the article]

During this time, he studied the intimate details of hundreds of grizzly bears, often from their birth to their death decades later, and wrote scores of key scientific papers on little known grizzly behaviour and ecology. This book will occupy a place on the top shelf of wildlife-ecology books. With the giving season upon us, we recommend several terrific books about wildlife and people who spend their lives immersed in the natural world The best nature writing transports its readers into the deep woods, to the bottom of an ocean, onto the wing of a peregrine or into the mind of a grizzly. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a variety of anecdotes on environmental issues. The U.S. uses more than a million paper bags every hour. Twenty five percent of all mammals are threatened with extinction. Advocates of allowing oil drilling in the U.S. outer-continental shelf say it would cut our dependence on imported oil.

The paper aimed to evaluate the impacts of water pricing and quota policies under changing climatic conditions on the major production factors using economic-biophysical modeling. The data were collected by 382 questionnaires focusing on wheat, barley, cotton, alfalfa, and sugar beet crops in the 2017-2018 cropping year in North Khorasan Province, Iran. Climate change scenarios were defined as wet, moderate, and dry scenarios resulting from precipitation changes. The results showed that climate change scenarios reduce the total irrigated area of crops and total water used. Due to the effect of precipitation on crop yield, dry and moderate climate changes reduce the total gross income, while wet climate changes increase it. The scenarios of quota and pricing policies were then applied under climate change scenarios. The amount of water conserved by applying the quota policy was equal to the quota rate, while the impact of the pricing policy varied depending on the type of climate change. The highest amount of water conserved belonged to the conditions of dry climate change in Atrak and Central Desert catchments, which was about 6.8-8.6 and 3.83-14.48%, respectively. As the climate moves toward drought conditions in this province, the implementation of such policies can partially protect water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented study shows the effects of climate uncertainty, characterized using three different climate projections, on growth and yield in four regions of the north German lowlands (tab. 1). We examine whether climate uncertainty affects forest management or whether different silvicultural concepts might eviscerate the climatic effects in forest development. Three silvicultural concepts are applied: the reference scenario defined by the principles of close-to-nature silviculture, the biodiversity strategy indending to increase the area of natural vegetation, and the climate protection path trying to maximize CO2 sequestration (tab. 3). The simulation system WaldPlaner with site- and climate- sensitive growth functions projects forest development in the four regions from 2011 to 2070 applying the three silvicultural concepts as well as three climate projections (fig. 1). Climatic and silvicultural effects are directly comparable as the projection excludes any tree or forest losses due to risk factors, i.e. no interaction of mortality and forest development is simulated. The starting conditions in the four regions, i.e. site and climate characteristics (tab. 2, fig. 2), age class distribution (fig. 3) and species proportions (tab. 5) heavily influence the projected forest development. The scenario study shows the clear effects of climatic uncertainty on standing and harvested volume (fig. 4, tab. 6), on periodic annual increment (fig. 5) and on the prescribed yield index (fig. 6, tab. 8). Climatic uncertainty increases with time. Nevertheless, we show that silvicultural measures are capable to control forest development to a much stronger degree. A subsequent risk analysis is indispensable to recommend management options or to derive adaptation strategies. Here, we show the effect of climate uncertainty and silvicultural practices on risk factors using drought vulnerability as an example (tab. 5, fig. 6). Obviously the climate effect is much stronger on drought vulnerability than the silvicultural effect. This result is contrary to the effects on growth and yield. Keeping in mind the strong influence of climatic uncertainty on climate-sensitive risk factors forest management needs to plan responsibly and forest conversion must not be in stereotypes. A flexible formulation of adaptation strategies continuously acknowledging progress in climate change research is necessary. The results of the presented scenario study help to evaluate the climate effects, the degree of uncertainty and silvicultural alternatives on forest development in order to recommend management options and to derive adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The November/December 2023 issue of Resurgence & Ecologist is praised for its inspiration in the face of the climate and ecological crisis. The return of poetry to the journal is seen as a valuable means of expressing matters of the heart and soul. Concerns are raised about the potential negative impact of the Elephant Poo Paper company if it becomes a popular "green money spinner," as it may contribute to the increased use of paper. The ethical practices of Unilever, a multinational company, are called into question, with accusations of environmental, human rights, and animal rights violations. Satish Kumar's articles on ethics in business and the need for a new human story are commended for their insights into sustainability and the need for a shift in values. The importance of actively cultivating a new narrative of human purpose connected by common good values is emphasized. [Extracted from the article]

In the face of the intensifying global climate crisis, the US has failed to implement comprehensive policies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. During the 2000s, the shale oil and gas extraction (i.e., "fracking") revolution highlighted the American energy economy. Is the fracking boom partially to blame for US lagging on climate policy? Political economy theory suggests that economic resources are primary drivers of policy outcomes. In this paper, I originally evaluate that claim in the context of the American states, the governments most powerful to mitigate emissions while the federal government faces gridlock. I first introduce an original measure of one state-level climate policy: adoption of the low-emission vehicle (LEV) policy from 1991 to 2015. I then frame the US fracking boom of the mid-to-late 2000s as a natural experiment, employing a difference-in-difference design to compare the effects of fracking on two climate policies across the American states - LEV and renewable electricity policy. Results yield evidence of a causal impact of the fracking boom on state LEV adoption and more suggestive evidence of an impact on renewable electricity mandates. I conclude by arguing that efforts to evaluate the influence of business on policy should account for "structural power" mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable water supply is one of the key issues for water resources management. The future demand for clean water is putting pressure on the Malaysian government to find alternative supplies and best management practices in managing water resources, such as the use of reclaimed water. This paper evaluates the perceptions and acceptance of the use of treated water for non-drinking purposes in Malaysia from the responses of 1,004 participants. The results show that age and level of education play an important role in the level of community acceptance. Females tend to be more selective than males in their acceptance to use reclaimed water. To guarantee that the public receives accurate information about reclaimed water, social media can be used for disseminating information, especially to younger generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communicating the consequences of climate change and of the necessary mitigation and adaptation actions requires adherence to the knowledge and good practices proposed by the scientific community, the ability to involve students against indifference, humanity and balance to overcome "eco-anxiety". The paper highlights the difficulties of the school in tackling a topic that is not only technical but has significant ethical and political implications. Some inter-disciplinary educational activities are also proposed, which are aimed at encouraging the collaboration of teachers of scientific and humanistic subjects for a more effective treatment of the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In late 2011 the South African government published a White Paper outlining climate change response policies for the coming decades. Among the main topics of the text were the socio-economic and climatic vulnerabilities of the country, including the situation of the poor. With the aim of analysing the argumentation regarding climate change and social justice we develop a combined linguistic and discursive approach, starting with occurrences of keywords pertaining to rights, equity and poverty. The White Paper’s conceptualisation of climate change is explored as a narrative, at the level of the text as a whole. This combined analysis shows that the legal rights of the poor are hardly given any place in the argumentation, whereas less constricting political intentions are far more present. Furthermore, the text attributes a passive role to the poor, dependent on the benevolence of a government that attributes the role of hero to itself. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although marine ecosystem is a highly complex phenomenon with many non-linearly interacting species, dissolved oxygen and plankton among these have perhaps the most fundamental relationship not only for the protection of marine environment but also for continuation of life on Earth. This paper deals with a generic diffusive model of dissolved oxygen, phytoplankton and zooplankton species, for which constant time delays are incorporated in growth response of phytoplankton and in the gestation time of zooplankton. We mainly focus on the stability analysis of the coexisting states and the existence of Hopf bifurcation through the characteristic equation, where time delay and oxygen production rate are considered as control parameters for all cases. Studying the effect of both time delays on a stable system, we show destabilisation of the system and irregularity in the spatio-temporal dynamical regimes, leading to chaotic oscillations. Although both delay terms have a destabilising effect, our findings indicate that time delay in zooplankton gestation may induce sharp strongly irregular pattern, whereas time delay in phytoplankton growth gives rise to more regular but higher frequency oscillations for oxygen–plankton interactions. The findings of this paper may provide new insights into main environmental issues including global warming and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article delves into the functions of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, showcasing its interdisciplinary research initiatives, policy advocacy, and educational endeavors. It also outlines the breadth of resources offered on its website, spanning from policy papers to informative explainers, and underscores the user-friendly interface designed to cater to a wide audience, including students, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.

Climate change is exacerbating the extremes in hydro-meteorological events. Together with other global drivers under change--population growth, rapid urbanisation, increased asset values--this may result in increased frequencies and even higher impacts of water-related disasters. Further comprehensive actions are needed to reduce the vulnerability and to increase the resilience of exposed populations and assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common challenge in science is the human capability to evaluate the real impact of an observation and a data set. This is a complex task due to having only partial information and/or to the complexity of the problem, requiring different fields to be combined. In order to overcome these important limitations, we need to be able to review all the available data and interpretations. This would allow us to evaluate the global distribution of a specific process or phenomenon of interest. The increasing number of scientific publications prevents scientists from being able to keep up with all the available literature especially when scientific papers cross disciplines. These challenges prevent us from evaluating the global impact of a certain process and are particularly relevant today given the impact of our scientific assessment on one of the most pressing issues of our time, which is climate change and its impact on society. We present here an application of artificial intelligence to geosciences: We conduct a systematic analysis of geoscience literature through a hybrid machine-human approach. Such applications are more common in other fields such as biomedicine and are in their infancy in the geosciences because of various difficulties the machines encounter in parsing geologic literature. We describe here some of these limitations and how we overcame them. We then use the following case study as an example to test our approach: We ask whether climate is influenced by volcanism in the geologic past. Our case study results show, as expected, that most analyzed literature in this experiment conclude that volcanism influences climate change in deep time, but there is no complete consensus on this question. Similarly, any question of potential global significance, such as the impact of human activities on climate change, can be posed as an interrogating technique for our vast and fast-growing literature in the field of geosciences. Such an approach has the potential to be applied to a variety of complex problems, hence addressing some of the major limitations with cross-disciplinary research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to present the physics of climate and climate change in an accessible manner to the layman in the context of shifting spheres. Design/methodology/approach: This paper presents the physics of climate and climate change in an accessible manner to the layman in the context of shifting spheres. This is a viewpoint and more of a literature review than new findings. Findings: Earth's climate is changing due to man's influence. Social implications: Climate change will be a major factor in the future of our society. Originality/value: The text is original. The information is not. There is recent information in this article. The author even updated things during the review process. The science is always improving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaciers respond sensitively to climate variability and change, with associated impacts on meltwater production, sea-level rise and geomorphological hazards. There is a strong societal interest in understanding the current response of all types of glacier systems to climate change and how they will continue to evolve in the context of the whole glacierized landscape. In particular, understanding the current and future behaviour of debris-covered glaciers is a 'hot topic' in glaciological research because of concerns for water resources and glacier-related hazards. The state of these glaciers is closely related to various hazardous geomorphological processes which are relatively poorly understood. Understanding the implications of debris-covered glacier evolution requires a systems approach. This includes the interplay of various factors such as local geomorphology, ice ablation patterns, debris characteristics and glacier lake growth and development. Such a broader, contextualized understanding is prerequisite to identifying and monitoring the geohazards and hydrologic implications associated with changes in the debris-covered glacier system under future climate scenarios. This paper presents a comprehensive review of current knowledge of the debris-covered glacier landsystem. Specifically, we review state-of-the-art field-based and the remote sensing-based methods for monitoring debris-covered glacier characteristics and lakes and their evolution under future climate change. We advocate a holistic process-based framework for assessing hazards associated with moraine-dammed glacio-terminal lakes that are a projected end-member state for many debris-covered glaciers under a warming climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against increasing number of unprecedented heavy rains and typhoons reflecting climate change, the Japanese Government decided saving life as the top priority considering a ‘worst-case’ scenario. Accordingly, the Flood Risk Management Act was amended in 2015 to use the anticipated maximum scale precipitation (AMSP) for flood inundation calculation. In order to estimate the AMSP, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) chose historical maximum areal precipitation in the form of duration–area–depth (DAD) curves rather than climate change projections’ dataset d4PDF. In this paper, policy development and detailed estimation procedures for the AMSP were reviewed and discussed. It was concluded that the current climate change projections are still not accurate enough to be used as the basis for real local operations, while long accumulated ground observations and ground-based radars are available in good quality all over Japan. But at the same time, historical maximum should always be updated as past records are renewed. Also, regional partitioning should not be done at too coarse of scale for proper regionalization of DAD. Such strategy would serve as a useful reference for other nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, there is a global deficit in infrastructure and the World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the major sources of financing to reduce this gap worldwide. The WBG has policies and protocols for approving investments taking into consideration financial and economic indicators while ensuring social and environmental safeguards. In recent years, these safeguards have been updated to include the effects of climate change and robustness and resilience to support climate-informed project investment decision-making. A series of tools for screening projects for climate vulnerabilities and identification of risk management options have been developed to help project teams comply with these requirements. One of these tools is the hierarchical four-phased Decision Tree Framework (DTF) that, beyond screening, helps to analyze plans and project vulnerabilities, climate-related or otherwise, using a decision scaling approach, and explore risk management options, if necessary. The four phases of the DTF are (i) project screening, (ii) initial analysis, (iii) stress test, and (iv) climate risk management. This paper reviews applications of the DTF from the climate change screening phase to non-climate uncertainty screening and decision-making for project investments and prioritization. A peek into work in progress for incorporating resilience in the decision-making process, both for projects and through projects, is also provided, as well as next steps, looking forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asia-Pacific region is extremely vulnerable to climate variability and change. This reflects high exposure to hydroclimatic hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, and heatwaves. Rapidly growing cities and low-lying coastal zones/estuaries also face threats from sea level rise and storm surges. However, climate model projections remain very uncertain about most of these risks, so water infrastructure and operations need to consider a range of plausible futures. Against this background, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been developing frameworks, tools, and capacities in climate risk and adaptation assessment and management. Project teams are often operating in data-scarce situations and under significant time constraints, so the emphasis has been on creating pragmatic guidance and training resources. This paper charts the transition of climate risk management (CRM) within the ADB from a predominantly scenario-led to decision-led approach to adaptation. Examples are given of light-touch procedures for screening climate risks, strengthening the transparency and rigour of scenario analysis, raising awareness of a broad range of adaptation options, streamlining identification of CRM options, and embedding allowances for climate change in detailed engineering designs. Such practical innovations would benefit communities of practice beyond the Asia-Pacific region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

04 "Kind Words Can Never Die" Irish Museum of Modern Art DUBLIN Color becomes the new language to address climate change through this museum's courtyard murals created by artist Navine G. Dossos. Structured in 'five parts - Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, Tomorrows and Us - the exhibition projects possible scenarios in the next 50 years as a result of climate change and human activities. 01 "Art Spot" Various Locations COLUMBUS, OHIO Red paper cutouts, a hand- embroidered couture gown, walls of flowers or magnolia leaves, lamps made of translucent paper - these are some of the varied, vivid, visual interpretations of climate change issues on display in storefront windows throughout downtown Columbus. [Extracted from the article]

Many countries in the world, including South Africa, are water-stressed with increasing pressure on their water resources due to population growth, climate change, and inadequate funding. Post-independence in 1994, many policies and programmes were introduced by the government with the aim of promoting water management. While these policies and strategies achieved much in terms of water provision to communities and households, they failed to establish a water-conscious country with sufficient knowledge and expertise in water management. In addition, these policies and programmes are outdated, compartmentalised, complex, and lack robust water governance with resilient stakeholder partnerships that advance the more explicit second phase of the National Development Plan (NDP) to achieve water security under the threat of climate change. Using data collection tools inspired by the traditional method of participatory research, this paper analyses the structural and systematic factors hindering the implementation of comprehensive policies to achievewater security in South Africa. There is, therefore, an urgent need for SouthAfrica to establish an independent water regulator to ensure coordination between different government departments, including the National Treasury, to strengthen weak governance capacity and to make it independent to attract private equity into the sector and to recover fiscal deficits in the water sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for decisive action on climate change is becoming increasingly urgent. The International Panel on Climate Change has warned that, on the current trajectory, global warming is likely to reach 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels in the next ten to thirty years. This paper investigates the potential for a strategic climate change class action in South Africa by tracking two procedural devices: the class action and the public interest action. The example of Urgenda, a landmark judgement from the Netherlands, is used to show that while class actions may serve a limited purpose in a climate change litigation (particularly where there is a claim for damages) the public interest action will continue to be the more appropriate mechanism for strategic climate change litigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the author's journey toward environmental consciousness and highlights the importance of environmental responsibility in various roles, including as New York State's Inspector General. Topics include the efforts undertaken by the Inspector General's office to transition from a paper-based practice to electronic work, aligning with the Governor's 2022 Executive Order to make government more sustainable and lead by example on climate change.

A paper published by researchers from Chinese universities suggests that global warming is causing changes in the length and onset of the four seasons. Summers are becoming longer and hotter, while winters are becoming shorter and warmer. This trend is expected to continue and may be amplified in the future. The shift in seasonal patterns could have negative impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and the occurrence of extreme weather events. It is important for humanity to take responsibility and mitigate the effects of climate change to ensure a more stable future. [Extracted from the article]

Mass extinction is a phenomenon in the history of life on Earth when a considerable number of species go extinct over a relatively short period of time. The magnitude of extinction varies between the events, the most well known are the "Big Five" when more than half of all species went extinct. There were many extinctions with a smaller magnitude too. It is widely believed that the common trigger leading to a mass extinction is a climate change such as a global warming or global cooling. There are, however, many open questions with regard to the effect and potential importance of specific factors and processes. In this paper, we develop a novel mathematical model that takes into account two factors largely overlooked in the mass extinctions literature, namely, (i) the active feedback of some taxa – in particular, vegetation – to the climate through changing the albedo of the Earth's surface and (ii) species' adaptive evolutionary response to a climate change. We show that whether a species goes extinct or not depends on a subtle interplay between the scale of the climate change and the rate of species' evolutionary response. We also show that species' response to a fast climate change can exhibit long transient dynamics (false extinction) when the species population density remain at a low value for a long time before recovering to its safe steady state value. Finally, we show that the distribution of extinction frequencies predicted by our model is generally consistent with the fossil record. • Mass extinction is the extinction of a considerable number of species over a relatively short period of time. • We develop a novel mathematical model that takes into account the active feedback of vegetation to the climate. • The model accounts for species' adaptive evolutionary responses to a climate change. • Species extinction depends on the interplay between the rate of climate change and the rate of its evolutionary response. • The distribution of extinction frequencies predicted by our model is generally consistent with the fossil record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass extinction is a phenomenon in the history of life on Earth when a considerable number of species go extinct over a relatively short period of time. The magnitude of extinction varies between the events, the most well known are the "Big Five" when more than half of all species went extinct. There were many extinctions with a smaller magnitude too. It is widely believed that the common trigger leading to a mass extinction is a climate change such as a global warming or global cooling. There are, however, many open questions with regard to the effect and potential importance of specific factors and processes. In this paper, we develop a novel mathematical model that takes into account two factors largely overlooked in the mass extinctions literature, namely, (i) the active feedback of some taxa – in particular, vegetation – to the climate through changing the albedo of the Earth's surface and (ii) species' adaptive evolutionary response to a climate change. We show that whether a species goes extinct or not depends on a subtle interplay between the scale of the climate change and the rate of species' evolutionary response. We also show that species' response to a fast climate change can exhibit long transient dynamics (false extinction) when the species population density remain at a low value for a long time before recovering to its safe steady state value. Finally, we show that the distribution of extinction frequencies predicted by our model is generally consistent with the fossil record. • Mass extinction is the extinction of a considerable number of species over a relatively short period of time. • We develop a novel mathematical model that takes into account the active feedback of vegetation to the climate. • The model accounts for species' adaptive evolutionary responses to a climate change. • Species extinction depends on the interplay between the rate of climate change and the rate of its evolutionary response. • The distribution of extinction frequencies predicted by our model is generally consistent with the fossil record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel method for analyzing the economic and collaborative interactions among nations in the context of climate change. Specifically, a two-stage game-theoretic model is proposed, where players' initial resources (heterogeneous endowments) are determined by a public goods game (first-stage) and a collective risk dilemma is subsequently played (second-stage). We establish the Nash equilibria for the proposed game model and provide numerical analysis results accordingly. We then explore the dynamics of the game in an evolutionary process, dividing the population into groups of fixed size. Our findings indicate that the scenario with high collective risk and low required donation is most conducive to cooperation, while smaller groups and populations are more likely to exhibit cooperative behavior. Moreover, both numerical analysis and simulation results demonstrate that a higher first-stage profit rate enhances cooperation. Overall, our study sheds light on the factors that facilitate cooperation among multiple heterogeneously endowed participants facing collective risk. We hope that our proposed model and results can contribute to the development of solutions for addressing the challenges posed by global issues such as climate change. • New game-theoretical method models interactions among nations facing global risks. • A two-stage game model considers endogenously generated heterogeneous endowments. • Nash equilibria and evolutionary dynamics of the game are studied. • Factors favoring cooperation are given with theoretical/numerical/simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change adaptation in water management is a water governance issue. While neither climate change nor water respects national borders, adaptation in water management should be treated as a transboundary water governance issue. However, transboundary water management is, in essence, more complex than national water management because the water management regimes usually differ more between countries than within countries. This paper provides 63 lessons learned from almost a decade of cooperation on transboundary climate adaptation in water management under the UNECE Water Convention and puts these into the context of the OECD principles on water governance. It highlights that good water governance entails a variety of activities that are intertwined and cannot be considered stand-alone elements. The paper also shows that this wide variety of actions is needed to develop a climate change adaptation strategy in water management. Each of the lessons learned can be considered concrete actions connected to one or more of the OECD principles, where a range of actions may be needed to fulfil one principle. The paper concludes that developing climate change adaptation measures needs to improve in parallel the water governance system at transboundary scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the environmental changes and challenges caused by climate change and how humans can adapt. Also cited are the sweeping climate change laws announced by U.S. President Joe Biden in April 2021, the 1967 paper by Lynn White Jr. blaming Christian models of dominion for the environmental crisis, and the claims by T. F. Torrance, John Chryssavgis and John Zizioulas on humans' relationship with nature.

The recent publication of a World Scientistsʼ Warning to Humanity highlighted the fact that climate change, absent strenuous mitigation or adaptation efforts, will have profound negative effects for humanity and other species, affecting numerous aspects of life. In this paper, we call attention to one of these aspects, the effects of climate change on medicinal plants. These plants provide many benefits for human health, particularly in communities where Western medicine is unavailable. As for other species, their populations may be threatened by changing temperature and precipitation regimes, disruption of commensal relationships, and increases in pests and pathogens, combined with anthropogenic habitat fragmentation that impedes migration. Additionally, medicinal species are often harvested unsustainably, and this combination of pressures may push many populations to extinction. A second issue is that some species may respond to increased environmental stresses not only with declines in biomass production but with changes in chemical content, potentially affecting quality or even safety of medicinal products. We therefore recommend actions including conservation and local cultivation of valued plants, sustainability training for harvesters and certification of commercial material, preservation of traditional knowledge, and programs to monitor raw material quality in addition to, of course, efforts to mitigate climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses views of readers on parish sustainability. Topics discussed include changes which one should make for practicing sustainability such as using less energy, recycling, and ride-shares, using paper plates, and combating climate change by encouraging parishes for creating ministries that will focus on green habits.

Water crisis and, particularly, drop in rainfall in Iran are not only an environmental matter but also a security issue. This paper tries to draw attention to the substantial social consequences of climate change in Iran and particularly addresses whether precipitation scarcity from 2007 to 2014 has a conflict-making effect in the province of Iran using the system GMM model. We show that rainfall shortage and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), as an index of drought, could stimulate the propensity for individuals to engage in disruptive activities in provinces of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to assess the water crisis in Nepal by conducting a series of case studies in rural watersheds in the mid-hills. This was achieved through the applied qualitative method, especially combinations of desk study/structured searches, consultation, and field observation. The ground survey revealed that most of the rural communities in the mid-hills have an unreliable water supply. According to the local stakeholders, 20-25% of water resources have dried up as compared to 20 years ago. Drying up of water resources disproportionately affects women and girls in rural areas as women are responsible for household chores, including fetching drinking water. The findings also revealed that low-income households bear a disproportionate coping burden as compared to elite groups, as they often engage in coping strategies such as collecting water from distant water sources, which is labor- and time-intensive, and also yields smaller quantities of water. Assuming that unreliable water supplies will continue to exist in rural areas of the mid-hills for the foreseeable future, there is a critical need to consider which, if any, coping strategies will be most effective in ensuring that poor households will have access to safe and sufficient water supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an overview of efforts to curb climate change in Australia. Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; Withdrawal of the United States from the initiative; Stabilization of carbon dioxide.

The article offers information on the policy statement released by International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) concerning climate change.

The concept of ecosystem services (ESS) has evolved as a link between society and the environment and is recognized by both natural and social scientists. While this concept is increasingly being developed and applied to various ecological systems, it has not been defined specifically for different kinds of water. As water circulation is crucial for large-scale services, such as climatic and hydrological regulation at global and regional scales, water provides specific ecological and anthropogenic services needed for a myriad of chemical, biological, and social needs. Various scholars mostly deal with one specific kind of water, while efforts at water governance need to understand that water passes through different phases and geographical locations providing different services at multiple scales within social-ecological systems. Hence, this paper addresses the question: what are the ESS of different kinds of freshwater and how are these services linked to human well-being? This paper investigates the literature on the subject to create a taxonomy of the kinds of water and their relations to ESS and human well-being. The paper concludes by identifying the implications for governing different kinds of water in order to enhance the potential for optimizing the ESS provided by water in its different phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 19 September 1960, the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) was signed between India and Pakistan, presumably resolving the conflict of Indus water sharing. Nevertheless, over the years the conflict has re-appeared, dragging both the riparian states into confrontation. This paper explores the reasons that lead to conflict despite the Indus water sharing having already been resolved by the IWT. Analysis of the documentation shows that increasing construction of hydropower projects by India instigates conflict between the riparian states. The paper also analyzes two variables that will actualize the possibility of further conflict if correct steps are not taken. The paper concludes in ascertaining the credibility of the IWT to precisely address the challenges vis-à-vis issues that have resurfaced in Indus water sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on a paper speculating on runaway climate change if the Earth warms by just two degrees Celsius and on broad reactions to the paper. He states that the Earth will likely warm by three or four degrees Celsius unless drastic environmental policy changes are enacted worldwide which would have significant impacts on lifestyles. He suggests that humanity can still prepare and adapt for the future impacts of climate change.

Abstract Environmental changes are traditionally considered intrinsic in evolutionary dynamic optimization. However, by ignoring that changes can instead be induced, we are ignoring that environmental changes can be eventually beneficial. To investigate the impact of artificial changes on the optimization speed up, we propose a framework for inducing artificial changes in any pseudo-Boolean or continuous optimization in this paper. Seven types of changes can be induced. Knowing when and how the changes occur allows us to design new strategies for evolutionary algorithms. Through computational experiments and illustrative examples, the impact of introducing changes in the optimization process is investigated. Experimental results indicate that changing the environments according to the proposed framework can lead to higher speed up, but not for all problems and change types. The best performance was obtained by change types that introduce plateaus and/or modify the gradient of regions of the fitness landscape around the current best solution. By doing this, the evolutionary dynamics is modified, eventually allowing the population to escape faster from local optima and reach new zones of the fitness landscape. Given a pseudo-Boolean or continuous optimization static problem, the proposed framework can be used to dynamically change the problem to speed up the optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on making better returns by investing in climate change, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Topics discussed include views of David Eiswert, who manages the T. Rowe Price Global Stock fund, on the need to invest on the right side of change; switching to paper from plastic straws by Starbucks and incorporating recycled material in its shoes by Nike to prevent climate change; and investing in artificial intelligence with semiconductor firm NVIDIA.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the water resources vulnerability (WRV) rationally in Haihe River Basin (HRB) using set pair analysis (SPA) theory. Design/methodology/approach – An improved intelligent set pair analysis (IISPA) model is established, in which intelligent SPA theory is introduced and the weights are determined by use of the maximum entropy principle and the improved analytic hierarchy process method. The index systems and criteria of WRV assessment in terms of water cycle, socio-economy, and ecological environment are established based on the analysis of sensibility and adaptability. Findings – The authors apply IISPA to the WRV assessment of seven administrative divisions in HRB. Results show IISPA can fully take advantage of certain and uncertain information compared with fuzzy assessment and topsis assessment models. For present situation, Shanxi, Shandong, Tianjing, Inner Mongolia, Hebei are higher, Henan and Beijing are the middle vulnerability. But Henan will become worse under climate change scenario II and IV. Research limitations/implications – The analysis results may be affected by the limited climate change data. Practical implications – It is helpful for further research to the complexity analysis of water resources system. Social implications – This paper will have an important impact on water resources sustainable utilization. Originality/value – This is the first time to utilize IISPA method to analyze the WRV of seven administrative divisions in HRB. This paper provides an important theoretical support for water resources management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing concern in Iraq about the inefficiency of reactive drought management practices. Corresponding actions are largely characterized as emergency-based responses that treat the symptoms of drought rather than consider the vulnerability components associated with impacts. The Diyala watershed shared between Iraq and Iran has been used as an example transboundary river basin marked by ineffectiveness of drought management. The standardized precipitation index and the reconnaissance drought index were used to determine the historical meteorological drought episodes and analysis indicated climate change-induced alterations in the area. Spatiotemporal drought maps were drawn, which can be used for the identification of drought prone areas and assist with proactive planning. This paper discusses the underlying causes of the impairments of drought management policies, and the challenges and difficulties accompanying the governance of drought in Iraq. Given the influence of climate change and the upstream anthropogenic pressures, the time has come to adopt a gradual nation-wide transition step to drought risk planning incorporating a management approach at the transboundary scale. Moreover, the institutional and technical water vulnerability components associated with drought management should be considered in an integrated manner. The paper presents a generic technical template to support decision-makers in drought risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the participation of students from different universities in regional conferences hosted by the Institute of Industrial and System Engineers, where they shared their ideas about various topics such as industrial engineering techniques, academic program selection, and climate solutions. It mentions that the conferences provided opportunities for students to compete in technical paper competitions, participate in workshops, and network with industry professionals.

The article presents an overview of the report, An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security, that made headlines internationally after the release of its findings. It remains unclear what effect the report may have with regard to the US climate policy. On the other hand, the report's seven preparedness recommendations appear prudent, particularly with respect to national security. The report's executive summary concludes that because of the potentially dire consequences, the risk of abrupt climate change, although uncertain and quite possibly small, should be elevated beyond a scientific debate to a U.S. national security concern.