Articles tagged with Sustainable Development
Despite a 19% increase in global spending on science and a 13.7% rise in scientists, significant disparities remain, with only two countries accounting for nearly 63% of the investment. The report highlights the need for more diverse and inclusive science policy, emphasizing the importance of women's participation in research.
A new study finds that marine conservation initiatives can have negative impacts on community livelihoods, including increased anxiety and social division. Researchers recommend that conservation efforts should follow social impact assessments and provide livelihood support for affected communities.
Researchers propose techniques to decode fungal electrical activity, enabling efficient information transmission and complex processing. Fungal networks can monitor large data flows, providing insights into ecosystem dynamics and promoting sustainable development.
Despite increased public use of parks and reserves, 26% of people reduced their visits during lockdowns, highlighting the need for inclusive urban planning policies. The study found that lockdown periods motivated new users to explore green spaces, which foster good mental health and serve as a nature-based coping mechanism.
A Concordia University study reveals that only a few Quebec public bodies have implemented substantial employee-driven innovation in line with the Sustainable Development Act. Institutional factors, such as bureaucratic processes and political agendas, often hinder meaningful staff action.
The current loss of tropical forest fauna impedes achieving SDGs, threatening food security, infectious disease outbreaks, and climate change mitigation. Defaunation also jeopardizes human well-being and cultural significance.
The COVID-19 crisis has emphasized the need to adapt to global environmental changes, with researchers highlighting the importance of shifting societal priorities from economic growth to human well-being and environmental health. A sustainable transition requires a cohesive and inclusive society where people adhere to collective action...
A study by RIFS researchers highlights the need for digital innovation to be guided by a systemic perspective acknowledging environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts. This includes professional technology assessments and inclusive decision-making processes to foster sustainable development.
Younger generations in Japan prefer sustainable lifestyles and are willing to work for companies that align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Despite concerns about job security, they prioritize SDG-minded companies over better pay.
A study co-developed with local stakeholders explores regional water scenarios to facilitate rational water resource planning in the extended Lake Victoria Basin. The analysis suggests that water use and withdrawal will increase significantly due to population and GDP growth, coupled with climate change.
Researchers from the UOC analyzed 18 blockchain-based multimedia content protection systems, identifying gaps in research and shortcoming in interoperability, scalability, and design. The study proposes a taxonomy to guide development of blockchain-based copyright protection systems.
Carlos Nobre, a Brazilian climate scientist, will receive the AAAS Award for Science Diplomacy for his work on Amazon biodiversity and Indigenous Peoples. The award recognizes his career-spanning contributions to science diplomacy, including leading the comprehensive scientific assessment of the Amazon Basin.
The study found that five of seven SDG 14 targets are achievable with spatial management tools, such as marine protected areas and fully protected areas. Single-sector tools are not effective for all targets, while multi-sectoral tools facilitate the achievement of a wide range of targets.
A new study proposes a cost-benefit analysis to guide the management of non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean, highlighting their potential benefits. The research suggests policy reforms for sustainable fisheries management, while also promoting commercial over-fishing and NIS-specific licences.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have developed a new protein nanobioreactor that can improve hydrogen production efficiency by up to 550%. The bioreactor uses bacterial protein cages and enzymes to produce clean energy. The study offers a promising solution for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels.
This study highlights the importance of evenness in assessing sustainable development goals, revealing a bottleneck in China since 2013 due to stagnant progress in some SDGs. Regional integration and cooperation are proposed as effective strategies for holistically achieving SDGs across regions.
Researchers at JAIST and U-Tokyo successfully developed a thermodegradable aromatic polymer with the highest heat resistance of all reported plastics, using cellulosic biomass as feedstock. The plastic exhibits superior thermostability over 740°C and is lightweight, making it suitable for circular economy applications.
The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development has an ambitious agenda to transform ocean health. The initiative provides a non-prescriptive framework for transformational action across geographies, sectors, disciplines, and generations.
Research on insects addresses sustainability science goals such as promoting peace and improving health by providing innovative solutions to pressing problems. Insects are identified as unsung heroes in tackling multifaceted sustainability challenges.
Researchers studied the interactions between humans and nature in panda reserves, discovering nine synergies among Sustainable Development Goals, including economic growth and poverty alleviation. However, they also found that habitat disturbance occurred when hiking trails were built for tourists.
A new study warns that unregulated AI can be detrimental to sustainable development, particularly in developing nations. AI's misuse by big tech can lead to biases, corruption, and job displacement, highlighting the need for proactive regulatory measures.
A unique study reveals that EU agricultural subsidies flow to intensively farmed regions causing environmental damage, while poorer regions are underfunded. The Common Agricultural Policy's €54 billion annual budget is concentrated in the hands of only 20% of farmers.
The University of Nottingham is launching two new projects using satellite Earth Observation technology to tackle global development problems. The first project aims to develop an anti-trafficking system to support efforts in Uganda, while the second project focuses on monitoring sargassum seaweed affecting Mexico's Caribbean Coast.
Researchers employed a gendered ecosystem services approach with Lozi communities to identify locally relevant strategies for sustainable agricultural development. The study found that agroecological intensification, such as multiple cropping and agroforestry, can restore and maintain ecosystem services in cultivated lands while reduci...
Researchers created polyurethane foams from algae oil that meet commercial specifications for midsole shoes and footbeds of flip-flops. The biodegradable materials degraded after 16 weeks in compost and soil, showing potential for full recyclability and addressing the plastic waste problem.
A study led by the University of Zurich found that 1.5 billion people will strongly depend on mountain water resources by mid-21st century, up from 7% in the 1960s. Sustainable development and climate action are crucial to ensure mountain areas continue to supply water as 'water towers'.
The report assesses the positive potential benefits of innovation for sustainable development while also highlighting negative impacts and challenges. It outlines strategies to harness innovation for efficiency and sufficiency in providing services to people, with a focus on human wellbeing.
Access to mobile phones is linked to improved health outcomes, including lower infant and maternal mortality rates. Mobile phones also enable women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, including the use of modern contraceptive methods.
Research highlights the importance of soil biodiversity in achieving sustainability goals, including nutrient cycling, food production, and pollution remediation. Soil health is crucial for regulating climate and supporting human well-being, with traditional agricultural practices already leveraging its benefits.
A recent study found that public parks fulfill essential human needs, including social connection, self-determination, and community engagement. The use of parks is linked to improved overall well-being, making them a crucial component of sustainable development.
A new article proposes a systems approach, Classification-Coordination-Collaboration (3C), to promote the overall realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The approach consists of classification, coordination, and collaboration, which interact with each other to achieve SDG goals.
The University of Stirling has received £1.2 million to study global sustainability, with a focus on resolving conflicts between the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The project will use hydropower as a model system to identify and mitigate issues caused by competing objectives.
Mahima Saxena, PhD, has been honored with the SIOP Humanitarian Award for her sustained efforts in improving lives through I-O science. Her research focuses on marginalized workers and has influenced public health policies and policy recommendations.
A new study reveals that dams in the upper Mekong River increase downstream nutrient bioavailability, contrary to the widespread assumption. The cascading effect of reservoirs increases hydraulic residence time and leads to a shift in phytoplankton species composition.
A new study assesses country and regional progress towards 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), revealing disparities between developed and developing regions. The study suggests that sustainability progress is dynamic and may involve tradeoffs, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to address these challenges.
The Wyss Academy for Nature tackles biodiversity losses, climate change, and land resource demands by bringing together experts from policy, business, and civil society. The initiative aims to develop forward-looking solutions on a global scale.
The study highlights three new capabilities for engineers: understanding socio-economic contexts, optimizing resources, and navigating complex environments. Engineers of the 21st century must adapt to global challenges by considering their social and environmental responsibility.
Governance improvements will take until around 2050 globally, leaving billions in weak governance conditions beyond mid-century. Good governance is crucial for long-term planning and adapting to climate change.
Researchers discovered a law of joint climb in sustainable development of urban agglomerations. The study found that cities unite to enhance each other's sustainability, with a limited number of cities needed for maintenance. By 2015, Beijing's comprehensive unite strength was still lower than the threshold of 6.14.
Researchers evaluated six options, including afforestation, wetland restoration, and soil carbon sequestration, finding they contribute positively to ecosystem services and SDGs. However, some options require risk management to avoid negative impacts on food production and clean water.
A new study published in Nature Sustainability highlights the potential of citizen science to contribute to SDG monitoring. Citizen science projects can help close data gaps, particularly for indicators with no standard international data source. This could lead to increased involvement in sustainable development and implementation.
Terry Chapin, a University of Alaska Fairbanks professor emeritus, has been awarded the 2019 Volvo Environment Prize for his groundbreaking work on Earth stewardship. His research focuses on the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human impact on the environment.
A new analysis found that the current annual US sales of new antibiotics to treat carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is $101 million, significantly short of the needed $1 billion. This shortfall threatens the financial viability of new antibiotic development and may lead to reduced treatment options for patients. Researchers...
The UN-appointed panel emphasizes the need for collective understanding of systems and their interactions to achieve global goals. While individual goals may counteract others, cross-disciplinary research can help address these challenges.
A new study reveals that prioritizing a subset of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would lead to greater overall progress. Focusing efforts on Life below Water, Life on Land, and Gender Equality goals reinforces virtuous circles and achieves better outcomes.
A team of researchers successfully synthesized organic UV filters from cashew nut shell liquid, reducing reliance on petroleum-based chemicals. The process showcases the potential of xylochemistry for sustainable chemical synthesis.
The article proposes six major transformations to achieve SDGs, focusing on education, gender, energy decarbonization, sustainable food, digital revolution, and others. These transformations require deep, deliberate changes in resource use, infrastructure, institutions, technologies, and social relations.
A new study from Michigan State University found that transnational environmental crime drives social conflicts globally, threatening development and undermining peace and security. Researchers highlight potential solutions, including cooperation, engagement of local communities, and legislative reform.
Researchers found that coastal, indigenous forests in South Africa store a moderate to large amount of carbon, making them important for conservation. The study also highlights the need to balance forest productivity with local community needs in order to achieve sustainable development.
A new study by Aalto University finds EU policies define entrepreneurship in three distinct ways: economic beneficiaries, pro-social contributors, and opportunistic operators. This ambiguity may hinder businesses and governments from tackling global sustainability issues.
A new study published at the European Congress on Obesity highlights the significant impact of obesity and excess weight on premature mortality from non-communicable diseases. According to the research, controlling or 'wiping out' obesity and overweight could reduce premature deaths by up to 31% in some countries.
A study by Oxford University and UN agencies finds that key services can contribute to multiple sustainable development goals, even among high-risk children and adolescents. Simple combinations of programs such as parenting support, cash transfers, and safe schools provide greater impacts.
John Scott, Ph.D., has been recognized by SIOP for his sustained humanitarian efforts, including developing a partnership between SIOP and the United Nations to promote I-O psychology for social responsibility. This award highlights Dr. Scott's contributions to reducing human suffering through organizational actions.
Scientists at AAAS Annual Meeting explore ways to address unintended consequences of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Researchers discuss strategies for reducing tradeoffs between human well-being, nature conservation, and resource management.
The study developed three water sector development scenarios to compare costs and impacts of achieving SDG6 goals and meeting climate targets. The analysis shows that combining clean water and climate policies can increase implementation costs, but these increases are relatively small compared to the cost for implementing each policy o...
Researchers from Aarhus University have developed a method to map economic living conditions using high-resolution satellite data, capturing household-level information with 62% accuracy. This approach makes space-based monitoring a promising technology for effective poverty tracking and achieving the UN's sustainable development goals.
Researchers at the University of Illinois successfully converted wet biowaste into a diesel-compatible fuel using hydrothermal liquification. The new process meets current standards for diesel fuel and produces similar pollutant emissions to regular diesel.
Researchers found that traditional leisure options are well-regarded by residents, but additional investment in tertiary recreation is beneficial for greater municipal investment. Fort McMurray's response to community facilities suggests a need for adaptable approaches to providing recreation and leisure.
A breakthrough study has identified a key protein that controls starch content in algae, allowing for increased production of biofuels and sustainable materials. The discovery could accelerate the development of environmentally friendly products and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
The new interactive scenario explorer provides a curated set of 414 climate scenarios developed by over a dozen research teams worldwide. The tool facilitates better understanding of synergies and trade-offs between climate change mitigation and sustainable development, and is freely accessible to the public.