Articles tagged with Sustainable Development
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.
A proposed four-pillar strategy aims to drastically change consumption patterns, ensuring agricultural production and supply chains play a greater role in sustainable development. The transformation hinges on renewing food system governance, prioritizing human development, food security, and rational resource management.
A group of international researchers calls for a comprehensive transformation of food systems to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement on climate. The proposed four-pillar strategy prioritizes nutritious food access, sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation, and rural renaissance.
Almost half of India's districts are not on track to meet the target for newborns and under-five mortality rates by 2030. Despite progress in reducing deaths among children under five and newborns, India still faces significant challenges, including socioeconomic and geographic disparities.
A study suggests that redirecting fossil fuel subsidies to carbon prices could generate substantial funds for public goods like healthcare and education. This could cover a significant portion of the required public funding needs for sustainable development in several countries.
A new study finds that people covered by universal health coverage will likely fall far below the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 3 target by 2030. Global health spending is expected to double over the next 20 years, with high-income countries projected to spend nearly 45 times more on healthcare than low-income countries.
A study by Michigan State University and The Nature Conservancy found that informal boundary spanners are four times more likely to diffuse information, making them key influencers in organizational change. By analyzing the organization's social network structure, leaders can identify these hubs and disseminate new ideas efficiently.
A new process enables 3D biofabrication of hollow and complex objects with excellent fidelity, facilitating the development of sustainable materials and biomedical applications. The method uses superhydrophobic interfaces to engineer bacterial access to oxygen in three dimensions.
A new model balances ocean uses across sectors and industries to create a holistic approach to environmental sustainability. The system identifies tens of thousands of optimal spatial plans, increasing sector values by millions of dollars while reducing harmful impacts.
Researchers explore alternative reuse of wind turbine blades in architectural structures to reduce non-biodegradable waste. The project aims to provide valuable information on wind energy and best practices for industry and communities.
Experts at the Global Innovation Summit propose 10 guiding principles for sustainable economies, emphasizing research, education, and responsible resource development. The summit highlights innovative technologies like AI, sensors, and additive manufacturing to drive efficient production and mitigate environmental challenges.
A new four-part framework is proposed to value water for sustainable development, guiding better policy and practice. The framework highlights the need to measure, value, trade off, and manage water effectively to achieve safely-managed drinking water and sanitation.
The World Science Forum 2017 in Jordan issued a Science for Peace Declaration, emphasizing the role of science in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The declaration calls for a global response to build a future with greater equality, security, and opportunity for all.
Jens Nielsen's groundbreaking work in systems biology and engineering has earned him a gold medal from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on developing efficient cell factories for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals, with implications for a more sustainable lifestyle.
A new study from Purdue University and the University of New Hampshire finds that pursuing sustainable irrigation can negatively impact environmental and development goals globally. The research highlights the importance of considering irrigation's interaction with other sustainable development goals.
Jens Nielsen, Scientific Director at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, received the ENI Energy Frontiers Award for his groundbreaking research on producing fuels and chemical products from renewable sources. The award recognizes his work on engineering microorganisms to open new solutions for biofuel production.
A UTA study reveals that creating public-private partnerships is crucial for making telemedicine affordable and sustainable in rural India. The research highlights the importance of local ownership and financial sustainability in implementing telemedicine projects.
Researchers discovered that carbon nanotubes with a width of 0.8 nanometers can filter water with better efficiency than biological proteins, known as aquaporins. The narrow nanotube porins (nCNTPs) maintain permeability even at high salt concentrations and can be tailored for specific ion selectivity.
A healthy ocean can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, alleviating poverty, providing livelihoods, and improving global health. The report highlights the critical need for ocean sustainability to address climate change, social inequity, and other challenges.
A new study from the Santa Fe Institute proposes a quantitative index to measure sustainable development in cities, revealing systematic correlations between urbanization and poverty reduction. The research also highlights persistent inequalities in access to housing and services across neighborhoods.
A new study reveals a niche market opportunity for locally cultivated lotus rhizomes in the US, with participants preferring stir-fry over other preparations. The research suggests potential demand for fresh lotus rhizomes among health-conscious individuals.
The University of Nevada, Reno's Global Water Center is launching a new 5-year initiative to preserve the Mekong River's biodiversity and ecosystem. The project aims to study the river's climate, hydrology, and biodiversity, build partnerships for sustainable development, and educate communities about the importance of a healthy Mekong.
To address the world's increasingly complex problems, a broad, trans-disciplinary scientific approach is needed. UNESCO recommends fostering collaborative research and education worldwide to develop sustainable solutions for interconnected issues like energy, water, food security, and urban planning.
Achieving the SDGs would lead to a global population of between 8.2 and 8.7 billion by 2100, peaking by 2060, according to a new study. The study highlights the impact of increasing female education and universal access to reproductive health services on reducing fertility rates and population growth.
A University of Kent study suggests that rural areas can provide for both people and wildlife if agriculture is administered sustainably. The study recommends a policy mix combining regulatory and non-regulatory approaches, including strategic land use planning and incentives for sustainable agricultural practices.