Climate Resilience Research Articles

Reconstruction of a Closed-Loop Ecological Cycle System Anchored by Large-Scale Load-balancing Biogas and its economic viability assessment.

Biogas can be used for complementary load-balancing with renewable intermittent power, thus maintaining overall energy output stability. However, biogas load balancing load balancing is typically used in small-scale distributed energy systems, constrained by factors such as technology and land requirements, making it challenging to scale up. Therefore, this study proposes a closed-loop ecological cycle system, where biogas provides load leveling support for large-scale intermittent power sources in desertified regions dominated by animal husbandry. The biogas slurry and residue produced are used for land restoration and subsequent cultivation of high-quality economic crops, with the resulting straw used for the next round of biogas production. This study conducts an economic assessment of the aforementioned system and analyzes a case study of a load-balancing biogas project in Northwest China. Accounting results indicating that the system's net present value is 0.108 million yuan/m3, internal rate of return is 0.60%, and payback period is 22 years. Additionally, sensitivity backward deduction analysis identified the reasonable value ranges for key system parameters. According to the results, we offer management recommendations to promote the proposed system, supporting innovative biomass energy utilization and enhancing renewable energy stability.Implications Statement: This research introduces a novel closed-loop ecological cycle system that integrates large-scale peak-shaving biogas with renewable energy sources, offering a sustainable solution for enhancing energy stability and environmental sustainability in desertified areas. The study's economic evaluation reveals the critical role of ecological restoration costs in the overall viability of such systems, indicating the necessity for policy support to make them economically attractive. Our findings suggest that targeted subsidies, based on the quantified ecological benefits, are essential for incentivizing the adoption of this model. By providing specific conditions under which the system is economically feasible, this work informs policymakers on how to design effective incentive structures, thereby promoting the wider application of biogas and contributing to the goals of sustainable development and climate resilience. The research underscores the importance of integrating economic and ecological considerations to achieve long-term sustainability, making it a valuable reference for future energy policies and practices.

Millet Cultivation in North-east Hill Region of India: A Review

The millets are climate resilient, most efficient in use of water, adopted to grown in marginal and sub marginal area, suitably grown in hilly and rainfed area, nutrient dense and having low carbon and water footprint. Considering their significance in present context of agriculture, it is important to know about their region-specific cultivation practices and intervention in it. The North East Hill (NEH) region is known for its diversity in terms of soil and climatic condition as well as crop and plant diversity. The marginal and sub-marginal area with different slope, topography and soil related constraints for production, the millets will be one of the important options for arable crop cultivation. The production practices followed by the farmers and recommended practices were highly diverse due to different agro-climatic condition. At the same time, in several locations production practices were even not developed due to cultivation on very less area with less economic impact at regional or state agriculture. Hence it is informative and knowledge impacting exercise to review the production practices followed and interventions made at institutional and stakeholders level for millets cultivation in NEH region. The present review summarizes the interventions in production practices such as seed and sowing requirement, nutrient, water and weed management as well as insect-pest and disease management in context of NEH region. Besides that, interventions from NEH region at post-harvest and value addition were also discussed in this review. The cost effective and high enumerative interventions in production processes such as substitution of low yielding upland rice cultivation partly or completely with millets, transplanting, fertilization, micronutrient foliar feeding, use of herbicide for weed management and promotion/ up gradation of millets cultivation in new areas (North-East Hill region) are important at production level. The interventions at policy level such as promotion for incorporation of millets in public distribution system, inclusion of millets in school age children diet and different schemes related with supply of nutritious food to children and adolescence are important for NEH region. Increase in diversity of product prepared from millets, initiation of organic seed production of millets, exploring export potential of traditional products prepared from millets to different domestic and international market are important interventions at policy level. At research level, the standardization of production practices for different states in NEH region was initiated and need to be further emphasized rather than using recommendation as it is from other part of India.

Hydropower and Climate Resilience of Nepal Himalaya: A bottom-up Hydrological Approach

Hydropower and Climate Resilience of Nepal Himalaya: A bottom-up Hydrological Approach

Climate-resilient transportation policies for India: Strategies and challenges

The transportation sector in India, which is a vital engine for economic growth, is progressively facing challenges related to climate change. Increased temperature, extreme weather conditions, and rising seas threaten physical infrastructure, service delivery, and the economy. This research examines efforts towards improving the climate resilience of India’s transport sector through policy interventions. Strategies encompass broadening the focus to cover the integration of sustainability, innovative technology deployment, and adaptive infrastructure planning. Multi-sectoral measures are proposed to guarantee longevity, equity and environmental protection. National transport infrastructure will be secured, people will be enabled to move sustainably, and India will take its position in the world economy as a climate-resilient country. Long-term resource management and promoting inclusive governance are critical to agri-transportation systems that can withstand the changing climate.

Water Infrastructure Impacts of Agricultural Industry in China Under Extreme Weather: A System Dynamics Model of a Multi-Level, Climate Resilience Perspective

China is the world’s largest agricultural country and is also deeply affected by extreme weather. Water infrastructure is a promising solution to improve the climate adaptability of the agricultural industry. This paper aimed to explore the above adaptive processes of the agricultural industry from a resilience perspective. By building a multi-level system dynamics (SDs) model, we assessed the development of the agricultural industry and water infrastructure, predicted the future resilience development trend, identified the key influencing factors, and simulated the effectiveness of different water infrastructure measures. The results show that (1) water infrastructure involving various climate adaptation measures significantly promotes the development of the agricultural industry. (2) Agricultural output, water infrastructure investment, and other fixed asset investments strongly improve resilience, and the impact of the crop planting area is limited. (3) The resilience level is higher under the eco-friendly water conservation scenario than in the water supply security scenario and flood disaster prevention scenarios. Such information will promote the sustainable development of the agricultural industry and future climate adaptation policy-making.

Using Existing Indicators to Bridge the Exposure Data Gap: A Novel Natural Hazard Assessment

Extreme natural hazard events are increasing across the globe, compelling increased climate research on resiliency. Research concerning issues as integrative as climate change and natural hazard resiliency often requires complex methodologies to account for cumulative influences. Indicators can be used to parse complex data to assess the intersection of inputs and outcomes (i.e., cumulative impacts). The Climate Resilience Screening Index (CRSI) is a good example of an indicator framework as it integrates indicators and their associated metrics into five domains (e.g., natural environment, society, and risk), enabling the index to accommodate a variety of inputs in its assessment of resilience. Indicator research, however, is generally limited by the availability of pertinent data. Natural hazard data concerning exposure, loss, and risk are routinely collected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create and update the National Risk Index (NRI), a composite index. The NRI can be disaggregated to obtain individual underlying metrics about natural hazard exposure. Quantifying natural hazard exposure requires extensive computation, with each hazard type requiring multiple modifying considerations, such as meteorological adjustments made by subject matter experts. Commonly available natural hazard exposure data, like that from FEMA, combines the spatial extent of historical natural hazard events and the determined value of the affected area. Exposure-related data were retrieved from the National Risk Index and used to create a new composite value to represent only the spatial extent of natural hazard events. Utilizing this new methodology to represent natural hazard exposure alleviates the burden of complex computation. It allows exposure data to be more expeditiously integrated into research and indices relating to natural hazards.

Redefining maladaptation to climate change: a conceptual examination of the unintended consequences of adaptation strategies on ecological-human systems

This study presents a redefinition of maladaptation to climate change, offering a comprehensive analysis through qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach, supported by focus group discussions. The main goal was to uncover the conceptual dimensions of the unintended and negative impacts of adaptation strategies on socio-ecological systems, particularly forests and natural resources. The findings indicate that some adaptation measures, though initially aimed at mitigating climate change effects, can paradoxically exacerbate long-term vulnerability, leading to environmental degradation and a diminished adaptive capacity of these systems. In response to these outcomes, the study offers strategic recommendations for managing maladaptation risks. These include adopting integrated adaptation management practices, fostering participatory policymaking, and leveraging local knowledge to enhance both social and ecological resilience. By highlighting the critical need to recognize maladaptation’s potential, this research equips policymakers and natural resource managers with insights into the unintended consequences of adaptation efforts, enabling them to craft more effective strategies for climate resilience.

Integrated management of lakes, reservoirs, and their basins is critical for a climate-resilient planet: an urgent wake-up call from collective amnesia

ABSTRACT Integrated management of lakes and reservoirs and their basins is vital for preserving their significant socioeconomic and ecological benefits, which are essential for climate resilience. Lakes and reservoirs store 88% of the Earth's fresh surface water, providing water, food, energy security, flood protection, drought mitigation, and ecosystem services. This article highlights the rapid depletion and deterioration of these Lentic (standing) waters and the consequent loss of valuable benefits, threatening the global water supply and exacerbating environmental and climate crises. It discusses the evolution of lake management practices and contrasts these with strategies for managing lotic (flowing) waters. It summarizes collaborative best practices for Lake Basin Governance developed through a multiagency partnership. It reviews recent global initiatives to sustainably manage lakes, integrate storage, address aging dams, and foster partnerships and cooperation. It highlights the widespread failures across international water and environmental policies and institutions. The article calls on the global water and environmental community to awaken from collective amnesia, act, and implement best practices for governing lakes, reservoirs, and basins. Our companion article examines the institutional inertia hindering integrated action and offers collaborative opportunities for integrating land and water management in lake and reservoir basins to enhance climate resilience.

Multi-index evaluation of drought conditions in Northeastern Algeria using remote sensing tool

Drought is a complex natural disaster with profound impacts on environmental, social, and economic systems globally. This research investigates drought conditions in the Koudiet Mdaouar Basin, located in northeastern Algeria, through a comprehensive analysis of satellite-derived indicators from 2019 to 2023. Employing advanced remote sensing and GIS-based methodological approaches, the study systematically evaluates vegetation health, thermal stress patterns, and water resource dynamics, with particular focus on the Koudiet Mdaouar reservoir region. The analysis reveals a significant progressive decline in ecological conditions, characterized by deteriorating vegetation cover, intensified thermal stress, and severe water scarcity. These findings not only highlight the region's environmental vulnerability but also demonstrate the intricate interplay between climatic changes and local ecosystem dynamics. The research emphasizes the necessity of developing adaptive water resource policies and underscores the potential of integrated satellite and ground-based observation techniques for more precise local drought assessments, offering critical insights for environmental management and climate resilience strategies.

Agricultural innovations for sustainability? Diverse pathways and plural perspectives on rice seeds in Odisha, India

AbstractWe focus on alternative innovation pathways for addressing agricultural sustainability challenges in Odisha, India. The first pathway that we term as industrial, is focused on breeding new seed varieties in modern laboratories and test fields, ostensibly for climate resilience. It is driven by public scientific institutions and private corporations. The second pathway that we call agroecological, is grounded in saving and sharing of diverse local varieties, largely by Indigenous (Adivasi) smallholders and their allies in civil society. Using the pathways’ descriptions as bases, we present perspectives of different professional groups who appraise how effectively each pathway addresses a range of sustainability issues. While all participants appraise the agroecological pathway to be clearly better performing for addressing agricultural biodiversity and cultural uses of rice, appraisals for issues of the economy, seed accessibility, stress tolerance, and nutrition diverged from each other. An overall picture in support of one pathway did not emerge. Embracing such ambiguities and uncertainties associated with appraisals, we argue for balancing political support between diverse pathways. Greater support for structurally marginalised agroecological pathways may be crucial to meet sustainability goals. This support can include the restitution of lands and other socio-ecological resources for marginalised pathways as well as guaranteeing autonomy of Adivasi (Indigenous) communities among whom the pathways thrive.

Analysis of the indoor wind environment in buildings on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau of China: A case study of the Dege Scripture Printing House

The Dege Scripture Printing House (DSPH), built in 1729, is located on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and serves as a significant center for Tibetan Buddhism culture. Compared to typical Tibetan architecture, DSPH features unique characteristics, such as its substantial size, diverse structures, and adaptability to the local climate. The surrounding topography of DSPH primarily comprises plateaus and hilly plains, and the region experiences a continental plateau monsoon climate. This climate is characterized by cold temperatures due to high altitude, low precipitation, long sunshine hours, dry air, long winters, short summers, and intense solar radiation. To thoroughly assess the ventilation status of DSPH, a 3D scan of the building, physical environment tests, and indoor wind environment simulations were carried out. The field test results show that the unique architectural design of DSPH helps mitigate the impact of the harsh climate on indoor activities. By analyzing and evaluating the wind environment of DSPH, locally adapted climate resilience practices are summarized, and the physical properties of buildings characteristic of the Tibetan plateau are clarified. These findings provide a reference for promoting the development of local climate-adapted buildings, preserving traditional architectural culture, and promoting the integration of modern architecture with traditional culture. Furthermore, this study represents an important step toward enhancing energy efficiency and green building practices in ethnic minority settlements, contributing to sustainable development in the region.

A Scale to Measure Impact of Front Line Demonstrations on Food Security and Climate Resilience

Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) were established to provide essential agricultural education and support to farmers at the grassroots level. These centers play a crucial role in disseminating advanced agricultural technologies and practices to improve the productivity and sustainability of farming. Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) play a crucial role in agricultural extension programs of KVKs, providing a platform to demonstrate and validate new technologies, practices, and innovations directly in farmers' fields. They are an integral part of agricultural extension services, facilitating the smooth and effective transfer of knowledge and technology from research institutions to the farming community. The present study was conducted to develop a scale to measure the impact of Front Line Demonstrations on food security and climate resilience. We collected 107 statements, out of these 42 statements were selected through relevancy test. Out of 42 statements, 28 statements were retained on the final scale. Reliability and validity of the scale indicates its consistency and precision of the results.

On the possibility of ‘Just Resilience’: A pragmatist approach to justice-based climate change governance

Scholars have afforded much attention to environmental justice issues amid the recent global surge in climate resilience efforts. And yet our analysis of these issues frequently falls back on reductionist modes of critique that presume to know resilience’s implications for justice before actual inquiry. Ontological claims abound about resilience being neoliberalism or neo-colonialism incarnate and as such always-already complicit in the production of myriad injustices. This paper takes up geography’s recent revival in interest with pragmatist and conjunctural methodologies to offer a more nuanced account of resilience and justice. In so doing, it introduces the notion of ‘just resilience’ to foreground and explore the influence of state-based conceptualizations of justice in structuring major interventions carried out to adapt to and mitigate climate change. I compartmentalize just resilience into three related heuristically informed concepts to analyze its emergence in our shared present, evaluate how it shapes government intervention and highlight some of its consequences. Topological composition addresses how particular understandings of justice have been constructed through dialogue between government actors and communities disproportionately affected by environmental harm. Through translational logistics, I elaborate on how these conceptualizations of justice orient the uneven movement of resilience projects across different communities. Finally, relational conceptualizations of scale considers the effects that prevail where multiple different resilience projects are undertaken in the same local site simultaneously. Contrasting with mainstream critiques, a pragmatist-conjunctural approach emphasizes the possibility that resilience can operate as a vessel for the pursuit of environmental justice. Nevertheless, it also raises substantial concerns about: the extent to which the meaning communities invest into justice translates into governmental practice, the asymmetries in political agency that just resilience affords different people and the tendency of resilience projects to produce effects that compromise the very forms of justice that putatively structure their enactment. The paper substantiates its argument through research into the Justice40 initiative that continues to structure some ongoing climate resilience programs in the United States.

Interannual Variation of Stomatal Traits Impacts the Environmental Responses of Apple Trees.

Stomata are fundamental to plant-water relations and represent promising targets to enhance crop water-use efficiency and climate resilience. Here, we investigated stomatal density (SD) variation in 269 apple accessions across 3 years (2019-2021), which demonstrated significant differences between accessions but consistency over time. We selected 2 subsets of 20 accessions, each with contrasting SD: high stomatal density (HSD; 370-500 mm-2) and low stomatal density (LSD; 192-316 mm-2). SD groups were compared in stomatal function, leaf physiology and crop productivity across two seasons (2021-2022). LSD had lower stomatal conductance (gs) and higher intrinsic water-use efficiency in both years (p < 0.05). Hotter and drier conditions in 2022 reduced gs similarly in both groups (-22% HSD, -21% LSD), but also created a difference in net carbon assimilation (Anet) that was not present in 2021 (HSD + 1.7 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1, p < 0.05). LSD constraints on Anet were reflected in carbon isotope discrimination (δ13C, p < 0.001) and annual decline in fruit yield (-35%, p < 0.001). Our results demonstrate the suitability of SD as a trait to improve WUE, but also identifies a trade-off between water savings and productivity, which requires consideration for breeding.

How Volcanologists Can Improve Urban Climate Resilience

City-level strategies to cope with climate change can benefit from the insights of volcano scientists, who have long customized hazard information and communications for local communities.

Institutional efforts and regional distribution of climate-smart agriculture initiatives in Ghana

Mapping climate-smart agriculture (CSA) initiatives enable countries to account for emissions and develop adaptation measures. While discourse on CSA implementation exists, developing countries lack empirical evidence to support intervention design. This study analyzes actor networks and assesses social benefits through a comprehensive review of 153 CSA projects across Ghana's 16 regions from 1971 to 2023. The Northern region hosted the highest concentration (17%) of CSA projects, followed by Upper West, Upper East, Bono, Eastern, and Ashanti regions, primarily focusing on drought adaptation. Crop production emerged as the dominant system (56%), with governmental entities leading 80.4% of initiatives. Regional variations show post-harvest loss reduction as the primary aim in southern regions, while forestry and aquaculture initiatives concentrate in Eastern and Western regions to address flood vulnerability in degraded landscapes. The study reveals spatial and temporal patterns in Ghana's CSA implementation, identifying gaps in coverage and stakeholder participation. These findings provide an evidence base for policymakers to optimize resource allocation, strengthen underserved regions' climate resilience, and align CSA initiatives with national sustainable development goals.

Expediting decarbonization in energy, waste, and water sector through digitalization in sustainable smart cities (SSC): Case-studies in Malaysia and China based on Industry 5.0 paradigm

This work explores the application of Industry 5.0 principles in smart cities development in Malaysia and China, focusing on digital transformation for sustainable urban development. The study presents case-studies from both the countries, highlighting the implementation strategies, challenges, and outcomes associated with integrating advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, climate resilience, and sustainability. This study aims to develop a data-driven methodology to address the absence of region-specific frameworks for sustainable smart cities (SSCs) and to evaluate their impacts. In Malaysia, the implementation of smart energy management systems that utilize IoT and AI has shown promise in reducing carbon footprints and maximizing resource efficiency. China's focus on smart water management using sensor networks and real-time data analytics provides insights into effective water conservation. Smart waste management systems have increased recycling rates by 20-30%. Progress is crucial for the region's pursuit of SSCs to reach a global investment of USD 2.5 trillion by 2025. This work concludes by discussing the implications of this work in both countries to achieve sustainable urbanization through Industry 5.0 technologies. This work offers recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, and technologists to navigate the complexities of smart city development, while providing a roadmap to leverage digital transformation to achieve decarbonization goals in energy, waste and water sector by 2060.

Understanding sediment and carbon accumulation in macrotidal minerogenic saltmarshes for climate resilience

Coastal saltmarshes play an essential role in providing services such as sediment and carbon storage, coastal protection and support for biodiversity. Despite their importance, understanding the factors controlling sediment and carbon accumulation in these minerogenic saltmarshes remains challenging due to their diversity and site-specific characteristics. Understanding the respective role of these drivers is essential for effective coastal management, particularly for mitigating the impacts of climate change. This study evaluates the control of forcing factors on the lateral and vertical morphological evolution and carbon burial rates of three minerogenic saltmarshes located on the French Atlantic coast (Pertuis Charentais region). By focusing on these sites, the study isolates specific factors such as wind and wave exposure, inundation frequency, and sediment availability, while minimizing confounding influences like climate and tidal range. Results reveal significant lateral expansion of saltmarsh boundaries towards the sea across all sites, with the highest rates of progradation observed in the protected areas influenced by geomorphological features such as sand spits and sheltered bay heads. Sediment and mass accumulation rates (SAR; MAR), derived from 210Pb and 137Cs profiles of sediment cores (n = 14), range from 0.48 to 2.22 cm yr−1, among the highest reported globally, with notable variability within and between sites. Inundation frequency and accommodation space explain SAR variability within sites, while sediment availability predominantly determines spatial differences in vertical accumulation rates between sites. Organic carbon burial rates range from 75 to 345 gC m−2 yr−1, and show a strong correlation with SAR (r = 0.9, p < 0.001, n = 13) but no dependence on carbon content or density (r = 0.2, p > 0.05, n = 13). This highlights the role of sediment input in the accumulation and sequestration of carbon by minerogenic saltmarshes. Furthermore, isotopic analysis indicates a marine source dominance in organic carbon sediment. This research provides insights into how different environmental conditions affect saltmarsh morphological evolution and carbon sequestration rates, informing targeted coastal management strategies focused on enhancing ecosystem resilience and climate resilience.

Forecasting Precipitation Using a Markov Chain Model in the Coastal Region in Bangladesh

This work explores the detailed study of Bangladeshi precipitation patterns, with a particular emphasis on modeling annual rainfall changes in six coastal cities using Markov chains. To create a robust Markov chain model with four distinct precipitation states and provide insight into the transition probabilities between these states, the study integrates historical rainfall data spanning nearly three decades (1994–2023). The stationary test statistic (χ²) was computed for a selected number of coastal stations, and transition probabilities between distinct rainfall states were predicted using this historical data. The findings reveal that the observed values of the test statistic, χ², are significant for all coastal stations, indicating a reliable model fit. These results underscore the importance of understanding the temporal evolution of precipitation patterns, which is crucial for effective water resource management, agricultural planning, and disaster preparedness in the region. The study highlights the dynamic nature of rainfall patterns and the necessity for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate variability. Furthermore, this research emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate studies and the critical need for enhanced data-gathering methods and international collaboration to bridge knowledge gaps regarding climate variability. By referencing a comprehensive range of scholarly works on climate change, extreme rainfall events, and variability in precipitation patterns, the study provides a thorough overview of the current research landscape in this field. In conclusion, this study not only contributes to the understanding of precipitation dynamics in Bangladeshi coastal cities but also offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders involved in climate adaptation and resilience planning. The integration of Markov chain models with extensive historical data sets serves as a powerful tool for predicting future rainfall trends and developing informed strategies to address the challenges posed by changing precipitation patterns.

What drives the success and failure of climate change adaptation projects? A qualitative comparative analysis

The ongoing climate crisis is significantly impacting the livelihoods of millions of farmers worldwide. Despite various efforts, many climate adaptation projects have struggled to yield the desired results. What determines the success or failure of these projects? Utilizing Qualitative Comparative Analysis, we delve into the intricate connections among climate patterns, resilience, and adaptation initiatives. Through a case study of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) program, we aim to discern critical factors contributing to success or failure. Our findings underscore the importance of integrating climate trends into adaptation strategies, which fosters a deeper comprehension of climate-related risks and bolsters the resilience of smallholder farmers. Notably, no single factor can solely account for success; rather, it is the combined presence or synergy of multiple factors that drive effective adaptation interventions. Key elements include adept project management, improved institutional coordination, scalability of interventions, bolstering beneficiaries’ coping mechanisms, and fostering innovation. It is the harmonious interplay of these components that paves the way for successful outcomes.