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Abstract Flexible devices serve as important intelligent interfaces in various applications involving health monitoring, biomedical therapies, and human–machine interfacing. To address the concern of electronic waste caused by the increasing usage of electronic devices based on synthetic polymers, bio‐origin materials that possess environmental benignity as well as sustainability offer new opportunities for constructing flexible electronic devices with higher safety and environmental adaptivity. Herein, the bio‐source and unique molecular structures of various types of natural bio‐origin materials are briefly introduced. Their properties and processing technologies are systematically summarized. Then, the recent progress of these materials for constructing emerging intelligent flexible electronic devices including energy harvesters, energy storage devices, and sensors are introduced. Furthermore, the applications of these flexible electronic devices including biomedical implants, artificial e‐skin, and environmental monitoring are summarized. Finally, future challenges and prospects for developing high‐performance bio‐origin material‐based flexible devices are discussed. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic summary of the latest advances in the natural bio‐origin material‐based flexible devices, which is expected to offer inspirations for exploitation of green flexible electronics, bridging the gap in future human–machine–environment interactions.

Humanity could face the COVID-19 epidemic to crystallize a sustainable future for the water, hygiene, and food sectors. The epidemic has affected the sustainability of water, food, and health institutions in Egypt. Water consumption levels have increased in the agricultural sector to ensure food security. Regular handwashing is one of the most important measures to prevent the epidemic, and this has an impact on water consumption. The purpose of the research is to reshape sustainable development trajectory due to COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt through three interdependent phases: the first is devoted to forecast how the pandemic could be spreading in Egypt, the second is assigned to foresee implications and consequences of the pandemic on water, food, and human activities, and the third is dedicated to exploring how Egypt could utilize non-conventional water resources as a precious resource to fight the pandemic and explore sustainable recovery strategies. The results could be summarized as the diffusion of COVID-19 pandemic may be considered a group of evolutionary processes. The vision of growth to a limit may be applied; the number of cases of COVID-19 grows rapidly, but the growth will be reduced due to negative feedback signals from the environment. The paper concludes that the COVID-19 epidemic could be addressed by enhancing the water sector to better cope with future shocks. Water, food, health, and work opportunities could be provided and managed sustainably. The need to provide water to wash the hands of all citizens has been emphasized to fight the coronavirus. Non-conventional water resources could be an engine to ambitious plans to drive economic growth through megaprojects. Egypt would enable transforming this crisis into an opportunity to accelerate the pace of action towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current humanity is experiencing extraordinary levels of material and ideal connectivity. Change being constant and stability exceptional and provisional; one has to expect a significant acceleration of change in the next hundred years. The core question is therefore: What kind of future is being shaped for the next generations, our grandchildren and greatgrand children? Without going too far back in time, it is fair to say that the current world was shaped by two different, successive and antinomic global processes: imperial expansion, colonization and domination on the one hand, and resistance, struggle for liberation, and the search for a more equitable world order on the other hand. Against all the odds, European imperialism, civil war, wars of aggression, and Western ostracism, China was an influential actor in the struggle for liberation of Africa from colonialism, got its rightful place in the international world order and is now the second economy of the planet. Globalization resulted in the emergence of a de facto multipolar world, with different models of societies and organizational cultures. These are dialectic processes constantly in operation, but there is however a third crucial area of interest, generally taken granted, that of people and culture. Peaceful relations and sustainable economic development backed by greater cultural and demographic connectivity are better options for the construction of a novel future for humanity. Universities and higher education institutions can play an important role in spearheading and implementing these new orientations for the construction of a future peaceful and sustainable human world in which war will be outlawed. This paper outlines what academics can do to promote such a vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Universal Excellence (JUE) / Revija za Univerzalno Odličnost (RUO) is the property of Fakulteta za Organizacijske Studije v Novem mestu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this article we offer a discussion around our academic-practitioner involvements with one another and with a targeted community, in relation to a particular project. In the title of the article, we have hyphenated the term academic-practitioner to render fuzzy the distinction between “academic” roles (associated with institutions of higher learning and with professional research) and the roles of “practitioners” operating and learning in the field in engagement with communities. In the article we detail our collaborations with one another and with a farming community in all undertaking (co)inquiries around options for social and ecological development. We explain how this fits the epistemological views as offered by Indigenous authors propounding an Indigenous research paradigm (with transformative intent) to generate visions of realities in-the-making, towards enhanced wellbeing in communities and towards a sustainable future. We provide a detailed example in the course of our deliberations.

This study examines the complex relationships necessary for a sustainable economic recovery, focusing on the interplay between contracts for renewable energy, natural resource use, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and rights frameworks. Motivated by the increasing scrutiny of environmental practices, this research aims to highlight the need for sustainable business models during the transition to a more environmentally sensitive economy. The study area encompasses diverse sectors where CSR goals can be aligned with renewable energy project frameworks through natural resource utilization. Methodologies include a novel composite CSR evaluation indicator designed to complement industry rankings and a thorough analysis of CSR within the mining industry. Results demonstrate how aligning CSR with renewable energy initiatives can reshape profit models for stakeholders and emphasize the changing green product market as a catalyst for economic resurgence. Recommendations in the area of policies focus on the reasoned utilization of natural resources and the application of innovations following the principles of CSR. This research provides critical guidance to relevant authorities and institutions charged with ethical responsibility, ensuring the proper utilization and implementation of renewable energy sources to create a more ecological future based on green technology and sustainable resource management., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Summary: The discharge of the toxic phenol‐polluted petro‐industrial effluents (PPPIE) has severe environmental negative impacts, thus it is mandatory to be treated before its discharge. The objective of this review was to discuss the sustainable application of microalgae in phenols degradation, with a special emphasis on the enzymes involved in this bioprocess and the factors affecting the success of PPPIE phycoremediation. Moreover, it confers the microalgae bioenergetic strategies to degrade different forms of phenols in PPPIE. It also points out the advantages of the latest application of bacteria, fungi and microalgae as microbial consortia in phenols biodegradation. Briefly, phycoremediation of PPPIE consumes carbon dioxide emitted from petro‐industries for; valorization of the polluted water to be reused and production of algal biomass which can act as a source of energy for such integrated bioprocess. Besides, the harvested algal biomass can feasibly produce; third‐generation biofuels, biorefineries, bioplastics, fish and animal feed, food supplements, natural dyes, antioxidants and many other valuable products. Consequently, this review precisely confirms that the phycoremediation of PPPIE is a win‐win process for a green environment and a sustainable future. Thus, to achieve the three pillars of sustainability; social, environmental and economic; it is recommendable to integrate PPPIE treatment with algal cultivation. This integrated process would overcome the problem of greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and climate change, solve the problem of water‐scarce, and protect the environment from the harmful negative impacts of PPPIE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food waste (FW) typically comprises waste from households, food industries, and food outlets. It is mainly composed of fruit and vegetable residues, grain residues, meat and poultry waste, dairy waste, and seafood waste. FW is responsible for one-tenth of greenhouse gas emissions from the entire food system. This serious issue needs to be resolved as per the 12th Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations (UN-SDG) for a sustainable food system. Along with the current mitigation strategies, innovative technical interventions are required to achieve a zero-waste food system. FW is a rich source of several biomolecules, including protein, carbohydrates, oil, vitamins, bioactive compounds, and minerals. To extract such valuable biomolecules, upcycling FW is a need for the hour. A suitable pre-treatment method and FW bioconversion strategy are the key approaches for a circular bioeconomy. The upcycling of FW not only establishes a sustainable food system, but also provides several valuable products, such as biofuels, organic acids, biomaterials, bioactive compounds, biochar, bioenzymes, and biofabrics. The value-added products possess wide applications in the health, food, chemical, cosmetic, textile, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a crucial approach for assessing the environmental impact of a system, product, or process. It constitutes all sides of a system, including social, economic, and environmental to minimize the waste at every step of processing. Therefore, it is crucial to develop and adopt innovative technologies to valorize FW for achieving and maintaining a self-sustainable future. • Food waste (FW) is a global issue derived from plants, animals, and seafood. • Households, food industries, and food outlets are the main source of FW. • Upcycling of FW into value-added products is described. • Biochemicals, biofuels, biomaterials, biochar, etc. are emphasized as value-added products. • Life cycle assessment is discussed for upcycling of FW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today’s society faces new challenges, especially related to sustainability, in which the role of science within society is becoming increasingly important. This study seeks to re-examine the focus of school science/STEM education in light of increasing societal challenges by introducing a trans-contextualisation component within science education so as to go beyond the classroom and seek to impact the societal setting. In so doing, this study, through a constructivism-humanism approach, develops a theoretical 4-phase model by adding a trans-contextualisation learning phase to a literature-supported 3-stage science education teaching model. This enhanced model is put forward to enable science education to play a stronger role in impacting societal development towards building an active informed citizenry, enabling society to reflect on potential ways to meet its needs in moving towards a sustainable future. The study seeks science educator views familiar with the 3-stage teaching approach on the enhanced 4-phase model in terms of its value, feasibility and potential constraints. Such views are shown to be positive and aligned with the generally supportive views of teachers identified in a prior study.

Copyright of Journal of Universal Excellence (JUE) / Revija za Univerzalno Odličnost (RUO) is the property of Fakulteta za Organizacijske Studije v Novem mestu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Given the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 agenda, several countries have introduced various initiatives and reforms towards attracting and recruiting competent teachers to empower the next generation so that they can face global challenges and transform and sustain the development of society through education that is inclusive, equitable, of quality, and life-long. This study is, therefore, concerned with the role of school governing bodies to recruit competent teachers for a sustainable future. The study is grounded within the interpretative paradigm using a case study approach for data collection from a small sample consisting of ten school governing Bodies (SGBs) in uMkhanyakude District. The findings from this study establish that SGB members perform supervisory duties, prepare interviews, and conduct marking and selection as well as recommending staff. However, members of the SGB were not aware of the qualities required of competent teachers for a sustainable future. Furthermore, the study indicated that external influences and a shortage of qualified teachers are the major challenges encountered by members of SGBs in the process of recruiting competent teachers. The study concludes that the role of SGBs is significant and should not be downplayed if sustainable education that can transform our world is to become a reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabbit (RM) has become a valuable source of nutrients since the 1970s, helping to transform the European food industry into the largest RM producer in the world. However, the RM industry is experiencing a critical period of ethical imbalance. This trend, described as feed conversion ratio, impacts the environmental and financial performance of RM farms, which could lead to an increase production of industrial waste. In addition, the loss of corporate ethical responsibility and sustainable development by RM-oriented companies has further exacerbated the situation. Our objective was to summarize current trends in the RM industry and markets, highlighting possible strengths and weaknesses. This review shows current approaches in sustainable techniques in RM production processes, ethical issue, environmental and processing responsibility of RM producers, as well as social responsibilities and ethical practices of slaughterhouses and RM producers, sustainable environmental practices of slaughterhouses, technological aspects and safety of RM and social drivers in RM market. The analysis of reviewed literature revealed the potential strategies for sustainable RM production., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

This paper reviews the initiatives taken by the library of Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (BPUSL) to achieve the SDGs to create a sustainable environment in the library as well as in the university. It also discusses various steps taken by the university as well as the other units connecting it to information as a strategic resource and attempts an articulation of the concept of sustainable information and quality education, building on a sustainable future at the university under the theme of "sustainable university". The article discusses further recent initiatives taken to upgrade the quality of the library services, automation project to automate the whole library collection, scanning important rare and old books to create digital archive, preparing attractive library building by planting flowers and facilitating natural resources for reading areas addressing the goals on quality and equitable education, gender equity, literacy skills, health, and the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, justice and strong institutions. The main objective of the article is to share reflective practices among LIS professionals in the field. Action research method was applied to write this article as it describes the reflective practices which promote sustainable future in the university and future endeavors as well. The paper concludes with suggestions on integrating concepts of sustainable information into higher education and role of information professionals towards the achievement of sustainable goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reveals the elements of education for sustainable development in the Finnish education undergoing a reform. The reform movement in the Finnish education, incompatible with the global educational reform model, has laid the foundations for an effective education system with pedagogical principles fitting into the challenges of sustainable development. Finnish education following its own strategy of educational reforms has led to the smallest differences between the results of PISA tests among students in the world.

Ammonia (NH3), an important raw material for chemical industry and agriculture, is also considered to be an intriguing energy storage and transportation media for chemical conversion schemes. The world's primary NH3 supply is based on the natural nitrogen fixation by diazotrophs through an enzymatic nitrogenase process and the industrial nitrogen fixation through a traditional Haber–Bosch process. The natural synthesis of NH3 can hardly meet the rapidly growing global demand. Meanwhile, the industrial NH3 production is still dominated by the high‐temperature and high‐pressure reaction between nitrogen and hydrogen (N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3), requiring intensive energy input and generating massive CO2. Therefore, seeking a breakthrough in the development of catalysts toward efficient ammonia synthesis has become the frontier of energy and chemical conversion schemes. This review summarizes and discusses the recent progress on developing new strategies to optimize the efficiency of NH3 production coupled with renewable energy sources, with a specific focus on electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic conversion of N2 to NH3. The most recent advances in the development of catalytic materials, the design of the reaction systems, and the computational insights for electrochemical and photoelectrochemical ammonia synthesis are covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the many wicked problems currently facing humanity this paper calls for futurists and psychologists to join forces in the envisionment and enactment of more sustainable futures. It is argued that large scale spirito-psychological transformation, with an emphasis on loving as embodied and embedded practice, is key to actually meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Inspired by the counterculture movement of the 1950s and 1960s, but also by critically reflecting upon its many failed social experiments, this paper envisions the emergence of a second wave of peaceful, constructive resistance. Inspired by the ideas of futurists, psychologists and mystics, by combining enactivist thinking (cultural ψ) with valuing human experience wholly (ॐ), and turning that into a shared experiential affair the foundation is laid for others to refine and build upon: a Psychology of Loving as the driving force for sustainable change. • Futurists of past foresaw the grand challenges that humanity is currently facing. Their warnings were ignored. • The youngsters of the flower-power generation envisioned a future of love, but lacked foundational ground to make it real. • This is a call for grassroots change achieved through loving in its broadest communal and spiritual sense. • Culturally patterned behavior and conditioned personality structures cannot be spiritually bypassed. • However, a Psychology of Loving can guide the transformative power of mystical experiences towards sustainable futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National and international collaboration and the incorporation of perspectives from outside academia are essential parts of a paradigm shift in science and are necessary for a sustainable future. The articles in this special series "Diversity of Knowledge for a Sustainable Future in Latin America" exemplify many of these aspects, showcasing the latest research and environmental policies for the protection of water, soil, and human health related to several pollutants, for example, microplastics, hydrocarbons, metals, and pesticides. Knowledge—built in an environment where communities are participants in this construction and not only subjects—helps promote understanding of the transdisciplinary nature of environmental issues provided by a diversity of traditional and nontraditional participants. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:613–614. © 2023 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]