Articles tagged with Sustainable Development
Researchers from Pusan University developed a super-stretchable, deformable, and durable material for 'super-flexible' alternating current electroluminescent devices. The material was successfully applied in devices that functioned with up to 1200% elongation, displaying stable luminescence over 1000 cycles.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed optimized yeast extracts for cell-free biosynthesis, enabling faster and more efficient chemical production. This breakthrough integrates cellular engineering with cell-free systems, paving the way for sustainable alternatives to current petrochemical processes.
Managing 30% of land for conservation could safeguard 70% of terrestrial plant and vertebrate animal species while conserving over 62% of the world's above-ground vulnerable carbon. The study also suggests this approach could safeguard 68% of all clean water resources.
A recent study suggests that personal carbon allowances (PCAs) may be a feasible solution to reduce emissions and promote sustainable lifestyles. The researchers propose a market-based approach to provide individuals with incentives and options to link their actions with global carbon reduction goals.
NTU scientists create soft and stretchable battery powered by human perspiration, suitable for wearable devices. The battery generates electricity in the presence of sweat, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional batteries.
Scientists from Incheon National University identified interzonal airflow across household entrance doors as a dominant factor in calculating heating loads. They found that strong stack effect and weather-driven airflow rates were larger than external infiltration rates, making conventional airtightness measures unreliable.
The article outlines five complementary actions to increase electrification rates and secure long-term access to affordable energy in Africa. Key findings include the need for an independent champion to transform the sector, international partnerships, and investment in clean energy.
Researchers project a further decline in excess male births in countries like China and India, but warn of a surplus of young men globally, posing social and economic challenges. A global loss of 22 million female births could occur by 2100 if all at-risk countries are included in projections.
Scientists propose integrated strategy combining climate action with policies for development, food access, equity, and environmental sustainability. The Sustainable Development Pathway aims to reconcile decent living with ecological boundaries.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity has released a detailed draft agreement for managing nature, proposing 21 action targets to reduce threats to biodiversity and preserve ecosystems. The framework aims to enhance ecosystem integrity, value nature's contributions to people, and share genetic resources fairly.
The article emphasizes the importance of integrating different disciplines and stakeholders in conservation efforts. Key findings include the need for increased funding and expert guidance for transdisciplinary research, as well as the benefits of such approaches, including improved data quality and innovation.
The Leopoldina and RNE outline options for societal, political, and business transformations to meet the climate change challenge. They emphasize the importance of a global carbon price, infrastructure expansion, and new climate-friendly technologies.
A new project will develop novel tools and capacities to understand and manage interlinkages between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting sustainable development pathways for African countries. The project will analyze multi-level governance structures and path dependencies to identify impediments and enablers to sustai...
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 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.
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...
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.
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...
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.
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.