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Hydrothermal carbonization of biowaste with energy recovery was evaluated as a biowaste treatment technology using attributional life cycle assessment carried out in line with ISO 14044. Results show that important differences were observed for individual impact categories. Hydrothermal carbonization outperformed all other incumbent technologies in three impact categories and performed on par with anaerobic digestion and composting in the climate change category, where impact scores across three different wet biowaste streams ranged from -0.014 to -0.032 kg CO2 equivalents per kg of wet biowaste treated. However, it performed the worst in those environmental impacts which address resource depletion, including mineral, fossil and renewable resource depletion. This stresses the need to include all impact categories when evaluating environmental performance of biowaste treatment technologies. Differences in the ranking between different midpoint categories corroborate earlier studies suggesting that the general waste hierarchy might not necessarily apply to hydrothermal carbonization of biowaste.

The future of the bioeconomy requires strong youth action and leadership as outlined in the Bioeconomy Youth Vision. A common vision is fundamental to define a path that guides various actors towards the goals set. With this comment we want to promote and support this vision by sharing our observation from a young researchers’ perspectives. We see the intersection of education, communication and research as the right place to take necessary actions for driving the transformation towards a more sustainable (bio)economy. We advocate for top-down support and bottom-up initiatives. Top-down, in the form of a policy frameworks that create enabling factors for the transition, supports communication and dissemination of bioeconomy topics and promotes youth participation. Bottom-up, such as joint university-led programs to educate young change makers.

The bioeconomy provides an alternative to non-renewable or fossil-based products. Biomanufacturing is emerging as a sustainable platform for the production of a wide range of value-added products, including chemicals and biodegradable materials. At present, the biotechnology industry is dominated by batch and fed-batch processes and there is increasing interest in continuous biomanufacturing (CBM) as an alternative to reduce capital and operating costs. However, CBM faces adoption challenges due to perceived operational complexities. This review critically evaluates the state-of-the-art in CBM, examining its benefits, limitations, and successful industrial applications across key sectors. Transitioning from batch to continuous processes can enhance productivity and reduce environmental impacts, making CBM a cornerstone technology for a sustainable bioeconomy.

The bioeconomy is a complex system involving a plethora of bio-products and several groups of stakeholders—such as government institutions, industry, environmental organizations, and civil society—across the bioeconomy supply chain. Successful bioeconomy activities hinge on the collective efforts and coordinated development across all involved. This study seeks to understand different stakeholder groups’ perceptions, expectations, needs, issues, goals, and constraints as related to the development of the U.S. bioeconomy, with biochar as a bioproduct of focus. Focus groups were held with a representative sample of stakeholders involved in the bioeconomy. Results show encouraging trends in increased interests and awareness, and carbon market development; while regulatory structure, production capacity and commercialization, and developing industry standards present key areas of challenges. Going forward, large-scale real-world research, commercial viability, and education are perceived to be imperative.

Microalgae have been highlighted as a contributor to CO2 sequestration due to their efficient photosynthetic system. However, calculations on their actual potential for CO2 sequestration are often lacking. Here, we calculated the potential of microalgae for the capture of CO2 by integrating it with a large emitter (gas-based energy plant) and a low emitter (dairy farms), and also discussed if such integrated systems can be considered as carbon sequesters given that the final use of the biomass often quickly releases the captured CO2. Moreover, the CO2 footprint of microalgal systems is highlighted as a critical point of attention for future developments. Such considerations are of utmost importance to avoid false promises that ultimately harm this sector, as large investments are made following untruthful claims that, when proven wrong, result in a loss of interest. Finally, key definitions are proposed to improve clarity and help in such discussions.

The total cost of buffer preparation was analyzed for an existing single-use mAbs downstream processing facility. The cost effectiveness of outsourcing the liquid buffer as a ready-to-use and/or concentrate was examined by comparing a traditional made-in-house buffer from solid ingredients. The analysis show the combination of made-in-house buffer and concentrate buffer provides the greatest cost advantages. Ready-to-use buffers are more effective for improved facility footprint and provide cost benefits when in-house labor and consumables exceeds the cost of outsourcing. From the calculation of the cost of labor and number of pallets, although the difference in labor costs was small between the various buffer preparation methods, the use of concentrated buffers reduced both the total number of pallets and overall costs. When a new in-line dilution system is installed, a high facility utilization rate of at least ten preparations per year is required to leverage the cost savings from single-use consumables.

Predictive models are increasingly crucial in navigating heterogeneous markets. This study develops a predictive model approach to forecast consumer cluster membership in the green fast-moving consumer goods sector, focusing on bio-based products like adhesives and plasters. Through two online surveys in Germany, we identified key factors acting as drivers and barriers, demonstrating their effectiveness in distinguishing similar consumer segments across both product categories. Utilizing multinomial logistic regression, we crafted a prediction model that accurately forecasts cluster membership, providing novel insights into consumer behavior towards non-food bio-based products. This facilitates the development of targeted business and marketing strategies, optimizing resource allocation in market research activities. Our findings offer significant contributions to understanding the dynamics influencing consumer choices in the bio-based product market.

Microorganisms are used in a variety of sectors, including food and feed production, agricultural or environmental applications, and can be optimized for efficacy, safety and sustainability using modern biotechnology techniques. In the EU, genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) are typically used as production organisms for food and feed products, including enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, flavourings, and oligosaccharides under the Contained Use Directive. Applications involving live GMMs would fall under the Deliberate Release Directive. However, its relevant regulations and guidelines are so far not supporting the access to market of GMMs. In this literature review, we examine what is already known or can be inferred about the safety of microorganisms deliberately released into the environment across sectors. We conclude that there is sufficient evidence supporting the establishment of a European framework for the risk assessment of GMMs deliberately released into the environment, which would enable timely market access for live GMM products.

Using bio-based building products for renovation and refurbishment contributes to a bioeconomy. As private consumers mainly buy building products at local hardware stores, it is essential to consider the local supply situation. This qualitative study analyzes the local range of bio-based building products for renovation and refurbishment and related consumer perceptions and assessments in two case cities in Germany. The study results reveal that consumers face high search costs, the range of products is primarily narrow, and their placement and presentation are unfavorable. Manufacturers can use the study results and invest in classical marketing strategies, and initiate pull strategies with consumers for bio-based building products. This could motivate retailers to increase the range and improve the placement and presentation of such products. Finally, policymakers can apply the insights from this study to educational campaigns and the promotion of quality labels in this field.

The cross-sectoral nature of the bioeconomy presents challenges for a coherent approach to its role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. To identify particular barriers and drivers of bioeconomy policy coherence, interviews were conducted with a range of stakeholder organisations active in the bioeconomy in Ireland. Analysis revealed a number of key issues constraining cross-sectoral coherence, including: a lack of integration across government, persistence of siloing and bioeconomy policy leadership gaps; a lag between regulation and bioeconomy innovation; policymaker staffing and data resource issues; and a need for improved bioeconomy awarenessraising, education and communications. Three cross-cutting policy intervention points were recommended to address these constraints: increasing policymaker bioeconomy staffing resources, developing an overarching long-term bioeconomy strategy and clarifying bioeconomy governance structures. As several of the issues in the Irish context are also presenting challenges elsewhere, the analysis and recommendations may have a wider relevance for supporting bioeconomy policy coherence.

Between the 1970s and early 2000s, Madagascar witnessed significant mangrove extent and condition declines due to deforestation and degradation. Data on mangrove extent prior to the early 1990s is scarce, contributing to uncertainties in long-term trend analyses. Recent estimates (since 2010) have reported widely varying mangrove extents from 2000 km² to 3400 km², indicating large uncertainties in current trends. Leveraging five decades of Landsat satellite data, this study offers a methodologically consistent approach to classify Madagascar's mangrove extent, providing a comprehensive dataset from 1972, 1989, 1999, 2009, to 2019. Our findings reveal an overall decrease of 8 % from 2935 km² in 1972–2699 km² in 2019, with loss rates decelerating from 0.4 % per year in the initial period to 0.2 % per year post-1999. This decline primarily reflects anthropogenic pressures, notably in the northern regions. Conversely, the last decade has witnessed a 5 % increase in mangrove coverage, primarily in the central and southern regions, thanks to concerted conservation and reforestation efforts, highlighting a positive shift in mangrove management and protection strategies. This study's long-term perspective is crucial for understanding the dynamics of mangrove coverage and guiding effective intervention strategies in Madagascar.

Bioethanol production from biomass is a promising avenue for sustainable energy, yet the high cost of pretreatment processes poses significant economic challenges. This paper explores the critical role of pretreatment in enhancing bioethanol yield and reducing production costs. Various pretreatment methods, including physical, chemical, physicochemical, and biological techniques, are reviewed and further analyzed for their effectiveness in breaking down lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. Emphasis is placed on recent technological advancements and innovations that improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The paper reviews the latest research on combined pretreatment approaches that have shown potential in overcoming recalcitrance and increasing sugar yield. Also, the role of nanotechnology in biomass pretreatment has been discussed. The economic implications of different pretreatment strategies are discussed, highlighting cost-benefit analyses and the potential for scalability. By addressing the complexities and advancements in pretreatment technologies, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of optimizing pretreatment processes in significantly enhancing hydrolysis efficiency. The findings underscore the importance of continued research and development to achieve better economic viability and environmental sustainability in bioethanol production.

The current agricultural practices make the sector the single largest contributor to overall GHG emissions thus contributing to the global climate crisis. Irish farmers are required to reduce total agricultural emissions by 25% by 2030 to mitigate the emissions. This study investigates the mitigation of on-farm GHG emissions for tillage and horticulture sector with regards to farmers’ experiences, practices, and challenges under the climate risks. It also analyses farmers’ willingness to engage in emission mitigation practices such as adoption of smart farming technologies (SFT) of low-cost sensors for environmental monitoring. In addition, identifying key farmer attitudes and variables influencing adoption of the SFT. Questionnaires were administered to farmers (n = 53) across Ireland, augmented with agricultural experts’ interviews. The data obtained was subjected to exploratory data analysis to analyse patterns. This was followed by latent attitude analysis with Latent Class Analysis (LCA) model to reveal underlying attitudes influencing adoption of the SFT. Finally, a backward stepwise regression analysis was undertaken to determine significant (p < 0.05) factors in the farmer’ experiences, practices and challenges that influence their latent attitudes. The farmers have multiple experiences and challenges with their farming practices including high acknowledgement of climate impact on production (76%) and limited awareness of GHG emission sources (10%). They also practice among others use of fertilizer (67%) and pesticides (67%). Nevertheless, they showed willingness to monitor local environmental conditions (67%) including on-farm carbon footprint (CF) measurements (62%). The farmers exhibited three types of attitudes, production orientation (21%), smart farming orientation (30%), and organic farming orientation (49%).

The present global industrial practice of regulating targeted pollutants in process emissions through treatment and releasing the non-targeted pollutants untreated into the atmosphere is not good for protection of the environment and public health. The aforesaid led this work to invent the “Novel Emissions Prevention Process for Regulating Process Emissions” to be applied alongside the treatment for better protection of the environment and public health. It hinges on the concept of maximum allowable pollution load and the novel concept of cooperative compliance to environmental regulations. It reduces the pollution load of process emissions at source. The research methods applied include, mathematical modeling, questionnaire survey, use of published experimental data and design. Results showed that pollution load is a measure of environmental damage caused by process emissions. Results revealed that pollution load should be regulated alongside treatment of process emissions. Results showed that a country can achieve up to greater than 99 % reduction in its original pollution load of process emissions upon adoption of the novel emissions prevention process. Results showed that, the novel emissions prevention process enables treated process emissions of higher quality than presently released by industry into the environment. Results revealed that industry can apply the novel emissions prevention process to determine the production rate of finished goods corresponding to the prevention pollution load of process emissions for better protection of the environment and public health. The novel emissions prevention process has global applicability. It can be applied in every country.

The present study aims to investigate the catalytic effect of acid mine drainage (AMD) treated sludge based catalyst on the co-pyrolysis of spent coffee grounds and HDPE. The sludge was generated during the treatment of AMD using eggshell and hydrogen peroxide. Theromogravimetric analysis of pyrolysis of spent coffee grounds (SC), HDPE (High density polyethylene), blend of spent coffee grounds and HDPE (SC+HDPE) in the ratio of 1:1, and blended feedstock with sludge derived catalyst (SC+HDPE_AMDC) (1:1 wt. ratio) was conducted at various heating rates of 10 °C/min, 20 °C/min, 30 °C/min and 40 °C/min respectively. Iso-conversional models such as Ozawa Flynn Wall (OFW), Kissinger Akahira Sunose (KAS), Friedman, and Starink were utilized for the determination of activation energy (Ea) of the process. The results showed that using AMD treated sludge based catalyst to the pyrolysis process, enhances its overall efficacy by lowering the activation energy (Ea) (OFW- Ea: 209.11 to 177.14 KJ/mol, KAS-Ea: 208.30 to 173.06 KJ/mol, Friedman- Ea:210.54 to 176.28 KJ/mol, and Starink- Ea:208.60 to 173.44 KJ/mol). Criado's z-master plot (CZMP) method was utilized to analyze the mechanism of the reaction. The pre-exponential factor and thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated. It is concluded that the incorporation of sludge based catalyst (AMDC) lowered enthalpy and randomness of system. Catalytic co-pyrolysis requires less energy, making it more environmental friendly choice for the sustainable processing of biomass and plastics. The present investigation will aid in the design, optimization and scalability.

The manuscript investigates the design, operating, and economic parameters of components in a biomass pyrolysis system. It covers two key components, the pyrolysis reactor and condenser, with plans to discuss other components in future publications. The study relies on experimental data from a fixed-bed reactor, bio-oil retention experiments using various vials, and computational modeling of the pyrolysis process using a lumped model. The experimental data were thoroughly analysed, considering different types of pyrolysis reactors and heating methods. Dimensionless numbers were employed to predict the impact of changing feed characteristics during pyrolysis. The second part of the study focuses on the operation of conventional condensers and how Bio-oil deposition on their surfaces affects efficiency and cost. Experimental estimation of Bio-oil film thickness on stainless steel and glass surfaces is presented, along with its effects. Finally, a hybrid condenser, combining stainless steel with a glass lining, is proposed to enhance efficiency and reduce costs based on operational requirements.

In this study, Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) and modified ZIF-8 (ZIF-8@PEI)with polyethyleneimine (PEI) were used as dispersed particles inside the polysulfone (PSF) matrix to separate CO2 and CH4. The distributions of dispersed particles in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were analysed with the help of Fourier transfer infrared radiation, Thermal gravimetric analysis, Scanning electronic microscope and X-ray diffraction. The mixed matrix membranes investigated the permeability and selectivity of pure gas (CO2) and mixed gas (CO2/CH4). It was highest at 5 wt% ZIF-8@PEI blended into the PSF matrix. In case of pure gas studies, we investigated the CO2 permeability (18.10 Barrer) and CO2/CH4 selectivity (23.91) as compared to ZIF-8/PSF MMM (10.36 Barrer, 5.81); and in case of mixed gas studies, the CO2 permeability (17.11 Barrer) and CO2/CH4selectivity (21.28) as compared to ZIF-8/PSF MMM (7.86 Barrer, 4.21).Using DFT studies, the interaction energies of the ZIF-8@PEI material with CO2 and CH4 gas molecules werefound to be -74.39 kJ/mol and -23.25 kJ/mol, respectively. It was more toward the ZIF-8@PEI-CO2geometry complex.From the observation, the experimentalgas permeation results and DFT studiesinvestigated that ZIF-8@PEI filler can be a good candidate for applying CO2 capture.

In this study, a series of platinum (Pt)-doped strontium iron oxide (SrFe2O4) catalysts with varying particle sizes were synthesized through the four different catalysis synthesis methods such as solution combustion synthesis (SCS), co-precipitation (Co-PPT), oxalic acid assisted sol-gel (OXA) and, hydrothermal (HT). The objective was to investigate the impact of particle size on the catalytic activity and long-term stability of these four catalysts. The XRD and Raman results confirmed the formation of the SrFe2O4 perovskite structure. HRTEM, SEM, and other characterizations revealed a clear correlation between the synthesis conditions and the resulting particle sizes. The highest%CH4 conversion was around 95 % for the catalyst prepared through Solution combustion synthesis and the catalyst was found to be thermally stable up to. 100 h at 800 °C with a negligible variation of conversion while maintaining the H2/CO ratio at 2.0. To gain insight into catalytic activity, stability, and selectivity of catalysts we have performed Temperature-programmed surface reaction (TPSR) at a controlled temperature ramping program. This study also includes the study of coke deposition on the spent catalysts through different characterization techniques. Furthermore, we have performed a kinetic study to find the initial rate of the reaction and the activation energy of the Pt-doped SrFe2O4 catalyst and it has been found that activation energy was 35 KJ/mol for the catalyst Pt/SrFe2O4 synthesis through the solution combustion method.

Ammonium salt vanadium precipitation process has excellent performance in industrial production, but its shortcomings such as high cost and environmental impact are not conducive to sustainable development. In this paper, ethylenediamine was selected as the precipitant, and vanadate was precipitated from acidic simulated vanadium-rich solutions by the ammonium salt precipitation process. The high purity V2O5 product was obtained after calcination. Under optimal conditions, the precipitation rate of vanadium reached 94.8 %, and the purity of vanadium was as high as 99.1 %. The vanadium precipitation product was hexamethyl ammonium, and the vanadium product was V2O5. It can be derived by the differential method that the reaction order was n = 2.4, the reaction rate equation was CV-1.4=kt+a, and the apparent activation energy was 27.8097 kJ/mol, which can be classified as the diffusion-controlled reaction. This innovative process enables a savings of 5050 yuan per ton of V2O5. On this basis, a complete V2O5 production process with zero waste discharge was designed.

In today's age, finding harmony between construction endeavors and safeguarding the environment is of utmost importance. Consequently, there is a substantial requirement to explore the feasibility of utilizing waste materials as a replacement for traditional construction substances. Unfortunately, there is a lack of information regarding the possibilities of incorporating recycled glass, rice husk, and sugarcane bagasse ash into concrete production. This study investigated the viability of integrating recycled glass fibres and agricultural waste ash into concrete to bolster its strength and sustainability. When evaluating mechanical and durability properties across five mixtures, the concrete formulations ranged in fibre content percentages from 1% to 3% and in ash content percentages from 10% to 20%. Specifically, Mixtures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 contained 1% fibre and 10% ash, 2% fibre and 15% ash, 2.5% fibre and 20% ash, 3% fibre and 12% ash, and 1.5% fibre and 18% ash respectively. Mixture 2 and Mixture 5, boasting heightened fibre and ash content, showcased outstanding compressive strength at 38.5 MPa and 37.2 MPa, respectively, indicating a positive correlation between these materials and concrete strength. Conversely, Mixture 3, burdened with excessive fibre and ash content, witnessed diminished strength, underscoring the necessity for meticulous optimization. In terms of tensile and flexural strength, Mixture 2 and Mixture 5 displayed commendable performance, while Mixture 3 suffered setbacks from excessive content. Durability assessments unveiled Mixture 1 and Mixture 4's superior freeze-thaw resistance, with minimal mass loss (1.5% and 1.8%, respectively) and no visible damage, rendering them favorable choices for sustainable construction. Contrastingly, Mixture 3 exhibited poorer freeze-thaw resistance and higher environmental impact, highlighting the need for careful consideration in material selection. Overall, this study underscores the importance of optimizing concrete formulations through the integration of recycled materials, paving the way for stronger, more durable, and environmentally friendly construction practices.

A practical technique for removing fluoride from aqueous solutions by adsorption was created using the natural adsorbent known as Terminalia Chebula with a primary emphasis on adsorption isotherms and kinetic studies. The experimental results showed the best conditions for removing fluorine ions as follows: the dosage of the natural adsorbent: 50 mg/L, contact reaction time: 40 min, shaking speed = 120 rpm, temperature = 32 °C. The amount of removal of fluorine ions was found to be >98 % fluoride within a shorter time and reached adsorption equilibrium within 40 min with a maximum defluoridation capacity of 20.92 mg/g. At lower solution pH (3 to 5), there is higher fluoride adsorption on the adsorbent surface and as the pH becomes alkaline (pH > 7) the adsorption capacity decreased. The two co-ions namely NO3− and Cl− removed the fluoride 79 % whereas, the phosphate ions did not have any marked effect on the defluoridation. The pseudo-second-order kinetic order such Langmuir, Empirical Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms can well predict the adsorption equilibrium rate to be at 0.044 mg/L with contact time (t) of 30 min. In addition to that the adsorption is characterized by SEM, X-ray diffraction and FTIR techniques. This study has ultimately found that the Terminalia Chebula is a workable, natural material for fluoride elimination.

In recent years, waste-to-energy systems are receiving more attention due to their dual benefit of reduction of pollution caused by waste materials and reducing the overconsumption of fossil fuels. Since plastic waste is readily available and has a high heating value, it is a viable source of energy.; plastic garbage makes an excellent source of energy. Today, a feedstock made up of several types of plastic is used to quickly pyrolyze and produce plastic pyrolysis oil (PPO) or waste plastic oil (WPO). The oil could be utilized in internal combustion engines to produce heat and power. In the current work, waste polythene covers were transformed into value added products by utilizing fly ash catalyst and oil obtained is examined for suitability to run in the diesel engine. In the primary phase simulation study is performed on a four-stroke single cylinder DI Compression ignition engine using Diesel-RK engine simulator, results indicated that, waste plastic oil was found to emit higher oxides of nitrogen compared to diesel therefore in the secondary phase the same engine simulated by implementing exhaust gas recirculation at 3.5 %,7 %,10.5 % and 14 % rates. In the end engine parameters get optimized using 3D parametric optimization technique.Simulation Results indicate that, performance parameters such as brake power, brake thermal efficiency and brake specific fuel consumption were found to be decreased slightly under EGR conditions. Furthermore, combustion parameters such as cylinder peak pressure and peak temperature decrease up on implementing the exhaust gas recirculation, similarly the emission characteristics such as CO2, PM and smoke found to be increase with increase in EGR ratio while oxides of nitrogen emissions significantly decreased under EGR conditions. In order to reduce the emissions further, a 3D parametric optimization technique was adopted and optimal results obtained when engine runs at compression ratio of 16.5, injection timing of 19.38 and EGR percentage of 4.8 %.

Global climate change may have a significant effect on several environmental components in many different nations worldwide. Variations in the pattern of precipitation have an immediate impact on the management of water resources. To improve water resource management techniques, it is critical to investigate differences in the temporal and geographical rainfall patterns. The current study looks at rainfall patterns in the Kuzhithuraiyar sub-basin of the Kodayar basin, Kanyakumari District. Utilizing the mean monthly data from four distinct rain gauge locations, we have comprehensively compiled and analysed rainfall statistics over an extensive timespan of 30 years (1991–2020). For precision in temporal categorization, this data was meticulously divided into four seasonal classifications: pre-monsoon, post-monsoon, southwest monsoon (SW), and northeast monsoon (NE). Using ArcGIS 10.8, the rainfall pattern was analysed, and spatial distribution maps for the four seasons listed above were created using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) approach. The region receives an average of 1456.78 mm of precipitation each year, with the post-monsoon, pre-monsoon, SW monsoon, and NE monsoon providing 32.87 mm, 335.28 mm, 538.67 mm, and 549.97 mm, respectively. The results reveal that the model correlates mean rainfall and rainfall variability over areas of Tamil Nadu's Kuzhithuraiyar sub-basin with some accuracy in terms of the number of rainfall extremes and their spatial distribution maps.

The disposal of Waste Foundry Sand (WFS) poses a significant challenge for the foundry industry today, primarily due to its composition of metal oxides (Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, CaO, and Na2O) and sand. These metal oxides, categorized as loosely and strongly bound clays, are considered impurities in core production. This study proposes a chemical reclamation technique for WFS using fresh acid solutions or acidic industrial effluent. Experiments were conducted to remove the loosely and strongly bound clays from the WFS, optimizing parameters such as acid concentration, sand to acid loading, temperature, stirring speed, and reaction time to achieve optimal performance. The quality of the reclaimed sand was evaluated using various foundry standard tests, including determination of clay contents, compressive strength, Grain Fineness Number (GFN), Loss on Ignition (LOI), Acid Demand Value (ADV), and scanning electron microscopy. The reclaimed sand exhibited a loosely bound clay content of 1.5 %, oolitic content of 5.5 %, a grain fineness number of 55, a loss on ignition of 1.92 %, and an acid demand value of 1.5 ml/100 g of sand. Field trials demonstrated that the reclaimed sand can be effectively used for core production at an economical rate.

This work presents an infectious medical waste-to-energy (IMWtE) thermal and environmental analysis using combined heat and power (CHP) technology. Steam sterilization can be operated with an infectious medical waste (IMW) of 375 kg/h⋅unit, a maximum per day of 12,000 kg/day for double sterilization units, and a running time of 16 h/day. The CHP system uses a dried IMW of 797 kg/h, generating a power output of 128.98 kWe, providing a drying heat of 382.91 kW, and achieving an overall system efficiency of 8.45 %. Results are obtained for a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the IMWtE by CHP system technology. The endpoint effectiveness comprises considerations of human health: 2.83E+01 DALY, ecosystem quality is represented value of: 9.32E+00 Species⋅y, and natural resource value of: 1.08E+06 USD, all of these are fundamentally linked to the utilization of steel, copper, paint, and gypsum. The LCA impacts are primarily due to the operation phase (93 %), with the smaller contribution of the decommissioning phase (4 %), and the construction phase (3 %), respectively.

The advancement of gas sensor technology over the past decades has led to remarkable progress and achievements in pollution control and environmental protection. Compared with other sensing materials, electrospun nanofibers have attracted significant attention, which is mainly due to their unique characteristics, including but not limited to high surface area, easy structure design, facile facility setup, multifunctional properties, etc., making them outstanding candidates for potential applications in this field. This review provides an overview of the applications of electrospun nanofibers in gas sensors, concentrating on carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, oxygen, and volatile organic compounds. It begins with a brief introduction to sensing materials and the advantages of electrospun nanofibers along with their ongoing research. The principles and progress of electrospinning are then discussed. Afterward, the corresponding properties of electrospun nanofibers in diverse gas sensors are thoroughly reviewed. Finally, a future vision regarding challenges and perspectives in this area is proposed. This review provides an extensive and comprehensive reference to utilize advanced electrospun nanofibers to generate novel sensors, facilitating their performance in high-demand areas.

A highly active zinc glutarate-double metal cyanide (DMC) composite catalyst (ZnGA/Zn-CrDMC) was designed for the carbon dioxide (CO2) and propylene oxide (PO) copolymerization reaction. The composite catalyst was synthesized in a rheological phase reaction and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized composite catalysed the solvent free reactions of PO and CO2 to afford biodegradable polypropylene carbonate (PPC) copolymer. 1H NMR,13C NMR, FT-IR and ESI-TOF mass spectrometry measurements were employed to confirm the characteristics of the PPC produced. Under optimal reaction conditions (50 bar CO2, 70 °C, 24 h), the ZnGA-Zn3[Cr(CN)6]2 composite displayed higher catalytic activities in the copolymerization reactions than the individual catalysts. The ZnGA:Zn3[Cr(CN)6]2 ratio of 15:1 gave PPC yield of 47.9 g polymer/g cat compared to ZnGA that produced 42.6 g polymer/ g cat in 24 h. In addition, the PPC produced from the composite catalyst displayed higher carbonate linkage content (Fc = 85.4 %) compared to the value of Fc = 33.9 %. obtained using the Zn3[Cr(CN)6]2 catalyst. Similaly, the composite catalsyt produced PPC with molecular weight of 4200 g/mol and narrow polydispersity index of 2.2. The resultant PPC copolymer displayed good thermal stability, exhibiting a high degradation temperatures (TGA-10%) of 229 °C and complete decomposition at 350 °C.

The present research article demonstrates the dispersion of manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles in polythiophene (PTh) to enhance the optical and gas sensing properties of PTh/MnO2 nanocomposites. The structural aspects of the as-synthesized nanocomposites were demonstrated by the techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Furthermore, the optical characterization of the resulting composite was investigated using UV–Vis spectroscopy. UV–Vis analyses of obtained nanocomposite revealed a forbidden band of ∼ 3.7 eV. The prepared nanocomposites were exposed to CO2 gas to investigate the composites suitability for gas sensing application, which prove to be promising materials. The prominent exploit of the present work is that 0.8 Wt. % MnO2 loaded PTh composite material exhibits significant sensing response at low operating temperature including good stability and fast response and recovery time. The core objective of this work is the discussion of the enhancement in stability, response and recovery time as a consequence of the interaction between the CO2 gas and the as-synthesized nanocomposites.

Environmental education works to achieve the aims of environmental protection through improving a person's environmental awareness, knowledge, attitudes, skills, active engagement, and drive to better the environment. Through a systematic review of various published and unpublished papers, governmental documents, reports, policies, curriculums, and sample surveys of different governmental sectors, this systematic review aimed to ascertain the mainstreaming of both formal and informal environmental education in the curriculum, governmental structure, its effectiveness, and identify the gap that will need to be filled in Ethiopia. So, the objective of this review is to give a good synopsis of environmental education development, point out any gaps that will need to be filled, and provide insights into its future development. The legal environmental right established in the 1995 Ethiopian constitution served as the driving force behind official environmental education and environmental response. As a result, environmental science has been assigned as a separate or autonomous subject in grades 1–4, as well as in many higher education programs and specializations. On the other hand, in secondary cycle primary school (grades five up to eight) as well as secondary school; environmental education uses a cross-curricula approach in a few natural and social subjects, which is marginalized, and covers only a few topics (titles) of the subjects. Environmental clubs and experts in environmental matters are also available at all levels within the non-formal environmental education system, which spans the federal, regional, district, and other cross-sectional sectors. However, there is a gap due to a lack of professional human resources, monitoring, evaluation, commitment, and expanding best practices, as well as the absence of integration among sectors. As a result, the governmental structure, educational policy, and curriculum demand updates with adequate environmental education experts. Environmental content should be incorporated at the governmental structure and all educational levels with proper implementation, either as standalone subjects or as diffused or integrated on equal footing at every subject level. Additionally, more research on environmental education is required.

The emergence of COVID-19 had an unprecedented impact on society, leading to the widespread usage and disposal of surgical face masks (FMs). This work contributes to repurposing FMs into carbon materials through simplified solvothermal-assisted pyrolysis processes for supercapacitor applications. XRD and FESEM were employed to investigate the materials' microstructural and micrographic characteristics. The FM 700 has a specific capacitance value of 182.61 Fg−1, more significant than the other produced sample in the 1 M KOH electrolyte. The symmetric solid-state supercapacitor with a maximum capacitance of 92.67 Fg−1 is constructed under perfect circumstances. After 10,000 cycles, FM 700-SSSD maintained 89 % of its value. Turning FMs into carbon materials for energy storage applications is made more accessible by this method and also prevents the environment from pollution.

This study tested the utility of virtual reality technologies in building public awareness of an environmental issue—the growing pollution of plastic waste in oceans. We conducted an experiment to test whether viewing of VR video would produce two anticipated immersive experiences (e.g., perceived realism and spatial presence) in severely polluted oceans, and to further examine their effects on participants’ pro-environmental attitudes with regards to reducing plastic waste. Results showed that VR viewing led to higher perceived realism and spatial presence in comparisons with 2D video and audio-only conditions; perceived realism contributed significantly to pro-environmental attitude, whereas spatial presence did not. The higher the perceived realism, the stronger the pro-environmental attitude. Implications of the findings for using VR technologies for effective environmental communication are discussed.

Users engaging in digital environmental initiatives is a complex phenomenon, and this study used mixed methods research to understand it. The primary aim of this study was to qualitatively analyse Alipay Ant Forest users’ behaviour by developing a thematic analysis of digital environmental protection initiatives via the Alipay Ant Forest platform. The additional analysis used a quantitative technique approach to supplement the qualitative findings. The study conducted phone interviews via WeChat involving 30 Alipay users to inquire about their environmental beliefs through the scope of the theory of planned behaviour to explain their motivations for environmental protection. Attitudinal belief contributed the most, followed by subjective norms and perceived self-control. Behaviour after use shows that most users recommend FinTech to others. Additional analysis using quantitative techniques showed that age positively influenced the government’s proactive engagement. Younger female FinTech users are likely to engage in environmental protection proactively. This study focused on the Ant Forest mobile service application in the Chinese context, and future research can examine similar mobile service applications used in other countries with different societal cultures that promote environmental protection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study using mixed methods research to examine Ant FinTech mobile service application’s impact on its users towards environmental protection.

With increasing demand for green growth globally, the escalating economic growth of China is also needed to be accompanied with environmental protection. From an environmental upgrading perspective, current study developed a nexus amid Green Total Factor Energy Productivity (GTFEP), Economic Opening-up (EOU), Environmental Regulations (ER), Rent of Natural Resources (RNR) and Green Innovation (GI) of China. Using annual data from 1990 to 2020 and applying a bound testing approach for Auto-regressive Distributed Lag model (ARDL) along with an error correction model, current study investigated short and long run dynamics amid variables of concern. The results confirmed cointegration between GTFEP and all other variables, and Granger causality analysis revealed uni-directional causality, running from independent variables towards GTFEP. Concluding the results, both long and short-run findings suggested effectiveness of EOU, ER, RNR and GI on GTFEP of China, and the results are statistically significant. Thus, the policies should be aimed to improve opening-up, environmental regulations and green innovation.

The increasing occurrence of wildfires, amplified by the changing climate conditions and drought, poses threats to human lives, the environment and the geographically dispersed infrastructures. Such impact necessitates the prompt identification of wildfires so that appropriate countermeasures are taken. The availability of electronic equipment, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, allows for images from dynamically changing, geographical areas, which must be directly processed for wildfire identification and contextualization. In this work, we identify the requirements and the constraints in terms of computational resources of this workflow, and investigate lightweight CNNs to be used. SqueezeNet, ShuffleNet, MobileNetv2 as well as ResNet50 are used for fire identification. To simulate the realistic conditions, we have investigated multiple datasets, selecting Forest-Fire and Fire-Flame datasets and images from 3rd party sources and performed cross-dataset identification evaluation. To rationalize the required computational resources and the operation cost, lightweight networks have been selected and compared with ResNet-50, which is more complex. The contextualization, i.e. the detection of elements related to energy infrastructures, has been based on image semantic segmentation, performed through ResNet-18. The identification results, expressed as classification accuracy has reached 96%, with satisfactory results in the cross dataset scenarios, while we have identified five classes from the CamVid dataset which can be used for the contextualization needs.

Regulating the concentrations of pollutants in industrial wastewater through wastewater treatment as practiced worldwide without regulating their pollution loads and wastewater discharge rate alongside, is not enough for protection of the environment and public health. This work investigated why some companies in the Niger Delta do not treat their wastewater; with the aim of providing a solution. The aforesaid prompted this work to invent the “Novel Pollution Prevention Process for Regulating Industrial Wastewater” introducing additional controls namely pollution load and wastewater discharge rate controls for better protection of the environment and public health. Questionnaire survey, wastewater analysis, discharge rate measurement, mathematical modeling and design were the methods adopted. Results revealed that pollution load and wastewater discharge rate should be regulated alongside concentrations of pollutants. Results showed that cost is the major factor responsible for the inability of some companies to treat their wastewater in the Niger Delta. Results revealed that pollution load is a qualitative measure of environmental damage caused by a pollutant and that the larger the pollution load, the larger the environmental damage and vice versa. Results showed that industry can apply the novel pollution prevention process to determine the environmentally-friendly wastewater discharge rate, environmentally-friendly pollution load of pollutants and the corresponding production rate of finished goods. Results revealed that when the concentration of a pollutant in industrial wastewater is not compliant and discharge rate is excessive, pollution load control can protect the environment and public health while regulatory agencies take appropriate measures to make the company comply with the allowable concentration limits of the pollutant. The “novel pollution prevention process for regulating industrial wastewater” has global applicability. It can be applied in every country.

The act of volunteering for environmental causes is a multifaceted phenomenon that offers dual benefits: it not only fosters individual health and well-being but also instills and reinforces pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors, essential for the conservation and protection of our planet. The trend of civic participation in such volunteer activities has seen a notable upsurge in Taiwan, signaling a positive shift towards environmental consciousness.To capture the essence of this shift and to ensure the sustainability of these voluntary acts, it is imperative to unravel the motivations that drive individuals to consistently dedicate their time and effort to environmental management. This study casts a comprehensive net over the motivations and barriers influencing environmental volunteers in Taipei City. Employing a robust mixed-methods approach, it synthesizes data from 1081 surveyed participants and insights from 10 in-depth interviews. The research meticulously examines how environmental volunteerism correlates the attitudes towards environmental protection and the cultivation of environmental citizenship.The insights gleaned are poised to serve as a strategic compass for policymakers and environmental custodians, equipping them to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of organizations dedicated to the cause of environmental sustainability. The implications of this research extend beyond immediate organizational benefits, as it lays the groundwork for a more engaged and environmentally responsible society.

The private sector, including food manufacturers, retailers, and quick-service restaurants, has an important role to play in reducing the environmental impact of food systems. Monitoring and benchmarking of company actions can identify areas of good practice and contribute to increasing the accountability of the food industry in this area. This study aimed to assess major food companies in Australia on their policies and practices related to environmental sustainability. We conducted the assessment by pilot testing a monitoring framework developed by the global INFORMAS network. The framework was designed to assess the comprehensiveness, specificity and transparency of company policies and practices in 10 domains: ‘overarching environmental sustainability strategy’; ‘packaging’; ‘greenhouse gas emissions'; ‘energy’; ‘water’; ‘biodiversity’; ‘food loss and waste’; ‘environmental compliance’; ‘animal-sourced products'; and ‘relationships with other organisations'. We selected 19 of the most prominent food companies operating in Australia for assessment. Each company was allocated a score (out of 100) using the assessment framework. Company scores ranged from 2 to 58 (median: 31/100). Companies generally had strong commitments in place across several domains, but reporting of their performance associated with those commitments was limited. Companies scored highest in the ‘greenhouse gas emissions' domain (median: 58/100), and lowest in the ‘animal-sourced products' (median: 10/100) and ‘water’ domains (median: 23/100). Overall, the study identified considerable variability in company reporting practices related to environmental sustainability. The findings indicate that food companies in Australia are falling well short of good practice in implementing a comprehensive approach to addressing environmental sustainability.

In the search for promising pathways for equitable and transformative climate adaptation in low-income rural areas, the present study focuses on resilience to more variable and less predictable availability of precipitation and water resources. Equitable water governance is conceptualized as formal and informal polycentric decision-making that narrows infrastructure inequities and ensures equitable water resources allocation. Focusing on recognitional and procedural equity, vulnerable women's and men's community-based water tenure is starting point. Partnering with government in Zambia and with the Water Integrity Network in Kenya, field research in three communities in rural Zambia and in rural communities and a small town sharing several schemes in Kenya is conducted. These studies recognized horizontal polycentricity of community-based water tenure by identifying common features: communities' age-old drought resilience coping strategies to meet daily domestic water needs and daily or seasonal small-scale productive water needs, by tapping water from surface- and groundwater sources through multi-purpose infrastructure, both self-financed and publicly supported, and by ‘sharing’ water ‘in’ within the community and ‘sharing out’ with neighbouring communities and powerful third parties. Procedural equity implies inclusive, locally-led planning, design and implementation in polycentric vertical governance with governments and other support agencies from local to national level and vice versa. The four interventions studied were the installation of a a solar-powered borehole for multiple uses and local government's institutional framework for potential replication in Zambia, and post-construction support of small water systems and a planned megadam in Kenya. Further research on similar transformative approaches elsewhere is recommended.

This research assesses the urban heat island (UHI) vulnerability of Thailand's Bangkok metropolis using a sustainability-focused assessment framework which encompasses three vulnerability components: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. In the assessment, the UHI vulnerability indicators are used to determine the extent and magnitude of UHI vulnerability. In addition, the UHI vulnerability indicators are aligned with the three pillars of sustainability: social equity, economic viability, and environmental protection. The results show that, under the exposure component, the indicators related to land surface temperature and impervious surface area have high to very high UHI exposure indicator scores. Under the sensitivity component, the indicators related to built environment, green spaces, and water bodies exhibit high to very high UHI sensitivity indicator scores. Under the adaptive capacity component, the indicators associated with government policy and action, multi-agency collaboration, and access to climate control appliances require corrective action. The metropolis- and administrative district-level UHI vulnerability indexes identify the extent and magnitude of UHI vulnerability of different urban areas, with high exposure and high sensitivity indexes and low adaptive capacity indexes contributing to high UHI vulnerability. Essentially, the findings enable urban planners and policymakers to formulate effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of UHI and enhance the city's resilience.

Due to the contribution of cities to fight climate change, approaches and methodologies for GHG emissions inventories have multiplied; research is growing and numerous initiatives support local authorities in developing their local emissions inventories. The complexity of cities and the lack of data make necessary simplifications and assumptions in inventorying GHG emissions. Despite significant progresses in the compilation of inventories, there are still limitations and uncertainties on aggregation approaches. Therefore, it becomes crucial disclosing the methodologies underlying any emissions accounting frameworks, together with any simplifications and assumptions, with the aim to produce reliable support on local measures and data- driven decision-making in the form of a trustworthy emissions inventory. This study aims at identifying divergences and potential gaps in two approaches for GHG emission inventories at local level complementing the results of previous studies. It is intended as exemplificative of potential issues and limitations occurring in emissions accounting and aggregation. The two approaches are EDGAR (Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research), in place for the GHSL (Global Human Settlement Layer Urban Centre Database) (GHS-UCDB R2019A) and the BEI (Baseline Emission Inventory) approach developed within the Covenant of Mayors initiative. The main limitations uncovered here feature disagreements on spatial and time coverage, on the emissions sources and allocation and the types of emissions considered. Results show that despite the diverse approaches, data is comparable. Therefore, to identify and correct inconsistencies and to ensure the quality of emission inventories available to decision makers, analysis and consistent comparisons between results originating from different and independent methodologies are essential.

Food security has been challenging in many countries due to climate change, population growth, water scarcity, and bio-energy development. This work quantifies the impact of water-energy-food (WEF) nexus coupling coordination on food security in China through a multidimensional approach to promote food security and resource sustainability. We first quantify the coupling coordination degree of the WEF nexus using the entropy weight TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method. And then Ordinary Least Squares Multiple Linear Regression model is employed to explore the impact of the WEF nexus coupling coordination degree on food security. The findings show that an improvement of 1% in the coupling coordination degree of the WEF increases the total grain yield, per capita grain yield, grain yield per unit by 2.69%, 1.12% and 2.77%, respectively. It is also found that improvement of WEF coupling coordination is conducive to enhancing food self-sufficiency rate and stabilizing food price. And the increment in grain yield is achieved by increasing the effective irrigated area and agricultural machinery inputs. Furthermore, the heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effect of the WEF nexus on the total grain yield and per capita yield is more significant in the central region, and the improvement of grain yield per unit is more effective in the west. Meanwhile, the interaction term analysis demonstrates that cropping structure, agricultural subsidies, and water-saving technologies all strengthen the positive contribution of the WEF nexus to food security.

The environmental concern of a country's population is an important prerequisite for addressing environmental problems, foremost reducing CO2 emissions and limiting global warming. In this paper, we analyze the development of environmental concern by using the newest wave of the environmental module of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) for 29 countries. First, we discuss the measurement of environmental concern and construct a ranking of countries according to the 2020 survey results. Second, we analyze the determinants of environmental concern by employing multilevel models that take individual effects as well as context effects into account. The results show that environmental concern has increased in almost all nations since the last measurement in 2010. The country ranking is headed by European nations such as Switzerland, France and Germany. The USA takes a middle position and China ranks number 20. We observe more variance within countries at the individual level as compared to the differences between countries. At the individual level, environmental concern is closely related to education, post-materialistic values, political attitudes, and individuals' trust in the news media and in science. At the country level, the average environmental concern increases with the wealth of nations.

Reconciling variable between-community and neighboring country goals is the focus of the United Nations partnership goals (Sustainable Development Goal 17) because of the challenges of managing shared common-pool resources, such as fisheries. Our objective was to better understand and suggest management that accounts for this variability among fishing villages along the Kenya-Tanzania national boundary. We asked stakeholders to scale their dependency on fish, objective knowledge of fisheries, governance effectiveness, management preferences, and future fisheries provisioning scenarios among villages economically aligned with international trade or national park conservation. We found high dependency on fish (90% daily consumption), modest objective knowledge about fisheries and their status (62% correct answers) but a broad agreement on the need for community engagement (>90% agreement). The perceived weakest governance principles were fisheries monitoring and the resolution of conflicts with neighbors. Considerable variability in opinions about how to provide more fish reflected the international boundary trade and conservation contexts. Rural households further from the border favored community management and local or national fisheries closure management whereas stakeholder preferences with more urban and public were associated with greater support for offshore fishing and port and aquaculture infrastructure developments. Previously measured losses of fisheries catch production in most villages was hidden from stakeholders by a lack of catch monitoring and production potential estimates. Lost fisheries production and sustainability could be recovered by increased knowledge of resource production capacity, monitoring, and governance engagement that increases compliance. Village level economics and transnational contexts require multilevel governance and good coordination to manage the diverse capacities, preferences, and management needs.

The rapid worldwide increase in resource extraction is evident in Madagascar—a global biodiversity hotspot. This study examines the localized effects of operational and planned large-scale extractive investments on social-ecological systems in Madagascar and links them to the Sustainable Development Goals. The focus is on sites owned or explored by foreign investors, specifically Ambatovy Moramanga, Ambatovy Tamatave, QIT Madagascar Minerals/Rio Tinto, Ranobe, and Tantalum Rare Earth Malagasy. Employing a counterfactual approach, we gathered survey responses from 459 small-scale farming, agro-pastoral, and artisanal-fisheries-based households. The survey provided information on general household characteristics, land use, land management, livelihoods, well-being, and any perceived changes to these variables, as well as any perceived mining impacts related to the changes. Overall, respondents reported predominantly negative effects on land (and sea) use, livelihoods, well-being, and security. Mining pollution, primarily from operational sites, had reduced access to water and fisheries resources, and natural forest areas had diminished. Reduced productivity due to pollution of soils, water, and air had a negative impact on various land uses and affected people's health, particularly in the surroundings of QIT Madagascar Minerals/Rio Tinto. Although some projects, such as Ambatovy, had eventually improved healthcare and infrastructure, most negative mining impacts had occurred during both the exploratory and the operational phases of the projects. Overall, this study offers a comprehensive view of how large-scale extractive investments affect land (and sea) use and human well-being. In addition, we highlight policy implications that must be considered if large-scale extractive investments are to support progress on the 2030 Agenda.

The growing amount of waste originating from food packaging has increased both practical and scholarly interest in the technological development, design and marketing of sustainable food packaging. This article, in turn, scrutinizes the sustainability of packaging from the consumer perspective, arguing that the sustainability of a package is entangled not only in the content of the packaging but also in the functions it fulfills, and that the conditions for acceptable sustainable food packaging from the consumers' perspective differ from the packaging industry's views. We examine the meanings of the packaging functions for consumers based on the data collected through an online consumer panel in Finland. The findings show that while the containment function of packaging plays the most important role for the consumer in general, the informative function is particularly relevant from the viewpoint of sustainability. Moreover, we identified two novel functions consumers highly appreciate –usability and disposability – that are largely irrelevant from the industry perspective. The findings provide important insights in the transformation to more sustainable food packaging and in the development of novel packaging solutions.

This study examines how climate change organizations employ discourse strategies to highlight the vulnerability of women to climate change. It also explores how these strategies disrupt the conventional climate change narrative by integrating gender issues and emphasizing women's social and cultural experiences. The study utilizes the framework of ecolinguistics to examine narratives woven into the textual discourse. The research, based on 40 tweets from organizations such as the UN Environment Program and UN Women, offers insights into how these organizations utilize ecolinguistic techniques in communicating climate issues. The findings of the study revealed that gender intersections with other social identities determine vulnerabilities to environmental changes, as the research highlights the disproportionate impacts on women, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. This study contributes to the existing literature in terms of exploring the depiction of this issue in the Twitter discourse of international organizations.

Social media platforms have a key role in spreading narratives about climate change, and therefore it is crucial to understand the discussion about climate change in social media. The discussion on anthropogenic climate change in general, and social media specifically, has multiple different narratives. Understanding the discourses can assist efforts of mitigation, adaptation, and policy measures development. In this work, we collected 333,635 tweets in English about anthropogenic climate change. We used Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning methods to embed the semantic meaning of the tweets into vectors, cluster the tweets, and analyze the results. We clustered the tweets into four clusters that correspond to four narratives in the discussion. Analyzing the behavioral dynamics of each cluster revealed that the clusters focus on the discussion of whether climate change is caused by humans or not, scientific arguments, policy, and conspiracy. The research results can serve as input for media policy and awareness-raising measures on climate change mitigation and adaptation policies, and facilitating future communications related to climate change.

This study investigates the adoption of water-saving irrigation technologies, specifically drip and sprinklers, within India's semi-arid states. Utilizing a probit model and data sourced from the India Human Development Survey-II, the research scrutinizes a sample size of 2891 households while engaging in focus group discussions. The findings highlight several key factors significantly impacting technology adoption, including education, caste, employment status, household income, orchard ownership, landholding size, irrigation source, access to irrigation, the Kisan Credit Card scheme, and utilization of electric and diesel pumps. Moreover, the study uncovers state-specific variations driven by factors such as water resources, crop patterns, and government policies, ultimately shaping the adoption landscape of specific irrigation technologies. Focus group discussions conducted in Andhra Pradesh reveal prominent challenges faced, including limited subsidies, high costs associated with adoption, and crop-specific irrigation requirements. In light of these findings, the study emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive approach to achieve water conservation and enhance livelihoods. This approach advocates for the integration of joint farming practices, water-sharing methods, supportive financial policies encompassing subsidies and accessible credit facilities, and the implementation of sustainable government social schemes. Such integrated efforts are deemed imperative for fostering resilient societies amidst evolving agricultural and environmental landscapes.

Sikkim is a Himalayan state in the northeastern part of India. Its capital Gangtok, is one of the most scenic places is visited by several tourists for a close view of nature. Springs are one of the major sources of water supply for the city, especially for the city's outskirts, and are used for irrigation for the villages around the city. With the rapid population growth, expanding urbanisation, and effects of rapidly changing climatic conditions, Sikkim is struggling to fill the increasing water demand-supply gap jeopardizing the long term security of water resources for its residents. While challenging terrain significantly affects water access, the pre-existing notion that water availability is simply a physical shortage has been debated. This fails to consider issues of water equity, where unequal distribution and social dynamics can limit access for certain groups. This paper employs an intersectional ecofeminism approach to deconstruct the pre-existing notion of how water availability is considered a physical shortage rather than being able to envision other factors that hinder the involvement of women in conserving or managing water resources. Furthermore, the paper also establishes links between such local management practices and responsible tourism growth in the region.