Articles tagged with Sustainability
Researchers found that both the Southwest and Southeast have insufficient water resources to support human needs, leading to a reliance on imported virtual water. The study highlights the need for new strategies in water storage and conservation across the US, particularly in regions with inland metropolitan areas.
Researchers confirm that US western states' unsustainable water practices are causing long-term environmental costs, with salt usage linked to $2.5 billion in crop revenue losses and high-quality produce prices rising.
A recent study has found that media coverage on HIV/AIDS in developed countries has decreased by over 70% since the 1990s. Meanwhile, attention to climate change has increased significantly, potentially diverting resources away from addressing socioeconomic issues like malaria and poverty.
Researchers at the University of Leeds and Manchester are conducting a £1.5 million project to inform sustainable urban transport planning by 2050. The STEP-CHANGE project will gather data on household travel behavior and analyze it with historical records to develop new tools for sustainability.
A Michigan State University study suggests that urban farms and community gardens in Detroit can supply local residents with a majority of their produce. The study found that a combination of these spaces could provide over 75% of the city's vegetables and 40% of its fruits.
A new analysis by ACS Environmental Science & Technology warns of a toxic toys crisis due to hazardous substances in children's products, including lead and cadmium. The report recommends banning or restricting the use of toxic substances and industry-wide measures to ensure product safety.
A new University of California, Davis study suggests that the global oil supply will run dry within 90 years, far before replacement technologies are ready. The forecast is based on market capitalizations and dividend payments from publicly owned oil and alternative energy companies.
The University of Houston is collaborating with the Mexican Institute of Greater Houston on a $2 million federal grant to provide broadband education and training to underrepresented communities. The project aims to improve digital literacy, increase internet adoption, and enhance economic growth among minority populations.
A team of Pitt and Carnegie Mellon researchers are leading a $2 million federally funded project to improve life-cycle assessments and predict environmental impacts. They aim to redesign the scientific method guiding sustainable construction and develop a digital simulator to predict a structure's ultimate footprint.
China's rapid growth has led to significant environmental challenges with worldwide implications, emphasizing the need for a systems approach to tackle these issues. The country's biodiversity is threatened by extinction, and climate change requires global cooperation to develop low-emission industries.
The MU Healthy Lifestyle Initiative is helping communities make healthy living easier by increasing access to affordable, locally produced foods and safe physical activities. The initiative has seen positive changes in four initial counties, including schools and local farms participating in Farm to Cafeteria and farmers markets.
A group of experts from UBC and Scripps Institution criticizes the MSC for failing to promote sustainable fishing practices, citing concerns over declining fish populations and high-impact methods like bottom trawling.
Sharon Walker, a US engineer, partnered with Ben-Gurion University in Israel to develop innovative approaches to water management. The collaboration aims to enhance global competency of graduate students and faculty through research and education.
Four Tufts graduate students have won $10,000 from the Dow Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge for their research into sustainable solutions to global challenges. The winners proposed innovative projects on topics such as clean water access, food security, and animal species decline.
A new manifesto calls for a radical change in the global innovation agenda to address poverty, environmental degradation, and inequality. The report recommends policies to increase transparency, accountability, and inclusive innovation, with diverse stakeholders involved.
Researchers studying two isolated Pacific atolls find diverse marine life populations in response to different fishing pressures. At Palmyra, a protected US wildlife refuge, high densities of sharks and large fish are found, while Tabuaeran, inhabited by 2,500 people, hosts lower fish populations due to artisanal fishing.
Michigan State University environmental scientist Jianguo Liu argues that China needs strong leadership and institutional innovations to achieve sustainability. He highlights the importance of integrating natural and social science research to understand complex interactions between humans and the environment.
The researchers' technology uses electricity to purify contaminated concrete, injecting nanoparticles that form a protective barrier around steel reinforcement. This enhances corrosion resistance and reduces the need for costly repairs or replacements, making it a significant step towards sustainable infrastructure.
Primitive recycling processes used in developing countries contaminate air, water, and soil with pollutants like dioxins and toxic cyanide. Alternative solutions, such as paying recyclers not to recycle or promoting repair and reuse, are proposed to address the growing e-waste problem.
A Michigan State University scientist warns that China and India's growing economies and populations will significantly impact the global environment unless they work together. The two countries are urged to exercise environmental stewardship to ensure future economic growth.
The Journal of Family Business Strategy aims to contribute new knowledge and understanding to the field of family business. The journal publishes research that addresses how family influences business and vice versa.
The Decision Theater offers a systems approach to decision-making, combining diverse perspectives to create flexible solutions. By focusing on decision-makers' needs first, experts can identify optimal short-term and long-term solutions.
Arnim Wiek, an assistant professor at Arizona State University, is working to develop solutions for the sustainability challenges facing society. His research focuses on scenario building and visualizations of future pathways, with a goal of empowering decision-makers to think in alternatives.
Tom Bowman has developed a series of graphics that translate key figures from the IPCC report for public audiences, making scientific information accessible. The new format aims to help institutions, corporations, educators, and consumers understand climate change risks and opportunities.
The article discusses the potential of sustainable Earthship design in reducing environmental impact. Researchers argue that these self-sufficient homes can provide long-term shelter and financial independence, but still rely on technological systems for resource production.
Researchers are developing methods for conservation and repair of architectural heritage using traditional lime plaster, improving the sustainability of historic buildings. The Nordic Building Limes Forum conference aims to promote the use of lime mortar and traditional craftsmanship in both historic and new builds.
A Kansas State University geographer is researching how rural communities define and implement sustainability to improve civic and business leader decisions. She found that some leaders have a clear understanding of the term, while others struggle with its meaning.
A UK study finds that young volunteers feel disconnected from environmental conservation work due to lack of training in both conservation and youth work. The report calls for more coordination between voluntary sectors and youth services to support skills-building and regeneration policies.
A recent study found that adding a wood stove to a home can significantly reduce heating costs, with savings ranging from 25% to 60%. The carbon emissions associated with wood stoves are also negligible, making them a more environmentally friendly option than traditional gas heating systems.
The Ecological Society of America presents the Eminent Ecologist Award to Steven Hubbell for his neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography, while Jerry Jenkins, Glenn Motzkin, and Kirsten Ward receive the Cooper Award for their work on plant succession. The Mercer Award is given to Richard Lankau and Sharon Strauss for their pape...
A new study published in PLoS Biology found that most fisheries management regimes are lagging behind international standards, highlighting the need for transparent policy-making processes. The research assessed global fisheries management practices and evaluated their effectiveness in ensuring sustainability.
The study assesses the effectiveness of world fisheries management regimes using evaluations from nearly 1,200 fisheries experts. It reveals that most regimes are not meeting international standards and that transparency in converting scientific advice into policy is key to sustainability. Wealthier countries face challenges from exces...
The Gerontological Society of America's Public Policy & Aging Report explores community-based approaches to senior housing, including home modification and aging-friendly communities. The report also examines the limitations of aging in place and critiques upscale age-restricted communities.
A Canada-wide sustainability framework is crucial for managing groundwater, as climate change and increasing demands threaten its quality and quantity. The Council of Canadian Academies recommends provincial, territorial, and federal cooperation to build scientific knowledge and improve governance.
Bowman Global Change advocates for standardized greenhouse gas measurements and clear scientific communication to empower policymakers and the public. The initiative aims to reduce confusion and inform sustainability choices based on accurate science.
Research suggests taking public transit can help individuals meet daily physical activity requirements by up to three times. Short walks during transit trips contribute to this increased activity level.
Global fisheries are in crisis due to overfishing, threatening food security in poorer countries and coastal communities. The recommendation to increase fish consumption for health benefits is not environmentally sustainable.
The Lancet Series on Health in The Occupied Palestinian Territory highlights the importance of health for achieving peace and justice in the region. Key findings include improving maternal and child health, addressing trauma and non-communicable diseases, and advocating for sustainable peace settlement through international cooperation.
The Iowa students' innovative device can sanitize water for a mere $5, making it an accessible solution for developing countries. The project has already received a US EPA first-place award and plans to expand its reach globally.
Renowned biologist Ursula Goodenough explores the connection between science, ethics, and a culture of sustainability. Her work proposes an 'ecomorality,' prioritizing stewardship of the environment, in response to humanity's impact on the planet.
Research finds higher ladybug richness and abundance in organic olive groves, indicating respect for environmental conditions. The study suggests that ladybugs can serve as a useful bioindicator for evaluating agroecosystem health and sustainability.
A study by K-State economist Tracy Turner and DePaul University professor Marc Smith found that programs assisting low-income households with home purchases may do more harm than good, leading to higher rates of foreclosure. The research highlights the need for post-purchase support to help vulnerable homeowners sustain their homes.
The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission's failure to agree on conservation measures puts Eastern Pacific tuna populations at risk. The Commission's own scientists have warned of declining fish stocks, and market forces exacerbate the problem as fish prices rise with decreasing stock levels.
A group of scientists is advocating for science-based policy in the emerging global biofuels industry to avoid costly mistakes and environmental regrets. Sustainable practices are crucial to mitigate problems associated with agriculture, including soil erosion and depletion, nitrogen fertilizer pollution, and biodiversity decline.
The new Center for Environmental Policy will evaluate key environmental issues, build public awareness, and recommend science-based policies. The center aims to engage disparate parties in the environmental debate and provide practical solutions for managing natural resources.
A new approach to teaching agriculture was developed to focus on social learning and sustainability. The method, which includes exercises that build awareness of individual and collective knowledge and knowing, helped students develop a broader capacity to approach sustainability challenges systemically and collectively.
The Institute for Computational Sustainability will pursue research agendas that advance computing and benefit society, focusing on ecology, conservation, and environmental management. It aims to create a new field of computational sustainability, combining constraint optimization, dynamical systems, and machine learning.
Small-scale fisheries, which employ over 12 million people worldwide, are being disproportionately harmed by eco-labelling initiatives and fuel subsidies. As a result, many small-scale fishers are unable to compete in the market and struggle to survive due to unfair advantages given to large-scale industrial fleets.
Researchers found that a portion of corn stover can be harvested for biofuel production without reducing soil organic carbon levels in high-yielding systems. This study suggests that corn stover could supply up to 25% of the biofuel crop needed by 2030.
The Marine Conservation Alliance will document its work on halibut and salmon excluder devices for trawl nets, as well as its marine debris cleanup efforts, at the American Fisheries Society Meeting in Ottawa. The MCA Foundation's cleanup work removed over 175 metric tons of plastic debris from Alaska shorelines last year.
A paper by F. Stuart Chapin III and colleagues presents policy strategies for sustainable management of Alaskan boreal forests in response to climate change, integrating ecological and social sciences. The award recognizes the research's contribution to sustainability science.
UBC researchers suggest redirecting fuel subsidies from fishing fleets to re-training fishers to address the economic and environmental impact of rising fuel costs. The study found that governments spend $6.4 billion annually on fuel subsidies, which could be better spent supporting sustainable fisheries.
The Ecological Society of America presented awards to eight ecologists, including Michael Rosenzweig for the Eminent Ecologist Award and Monica Turner for the MacArthur Award. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to ecological research and education.
Starbucks and Conservation International are partnering to address climate change and promote sustainable coffee farming. The companies will plant 10 trees in Mexico for every $10 donated through the Starbucks Card Rewards program, supporting conservation efforts in Chiapas.
A PhD study by Juan Pedro Reyes found that integrating safety into building design can significantly reduce accidents and costs. The research developed a mathematical model to calculate the sustainability of a building's safety, with promising results.
The banking crisis is attributed to unrealistic expectations of high returns on equity and poor risk management, according to economist Paul J.J. Welfens. The crisis will persist if regulatory systems are not improved and sustainable investment strategies are not promoted.
A $50,000 USDA grant will help Kansas State University's Rural Grocery Store Sustainability Initiative connect independent grocers and provide strategies for keeping small-town stores viable. The goal is to improve customer health by promoting healthier food options in rural areas.
The Resilience and Adaptation Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has received a $3.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to address questions of social-ecological resilience, adaptation and sustainability. The program focuses on integrating economic, cultural and ecological dimensions of sustainability.
The Institute for Sustainable Nanoelectronics will leverage Moore's Law to develop a design methodology applicable to emerging computing platforms. Probabilistic CMOS technology reduces energy consumption while increasing electronic noise, enabling more efficient chip designs.
The G8's $1.5 billion vaccine donation will mostly go to pharmaceutical firm profits rather than costs. Experts advocate for a more sustainable approach to maximize lives saved and benefit poor children.