Environmental Concerns Research Articles

Does the future have a lobby? Environmental degradation and perceived environmental responsibility towards future generations

ABSTRACT The devastating consequences of environmental degradation are increasingly evident, necessitating both adaptation and mitigation strategies. This study investigates perceived individual responsibility, drawing upon Hans Jonas’ ‘The Imperative of Responsibility’ as a theoretical framework. Our aim is to explore the relationship between five independent variables (perceived climate change threat, trust in technological progress, religiosity, responsibility for contemporaries impacted by natural disasters, and environmental concern) and the dependent variable of perceived environmental responsibility towards future generations. Findings reveal that approximately 77% of respondents in Germany are willing to sacrifice current standards of living to protect the environment for future generations. Notably, perceiving climate change as a threat, assuming responsibility for present-day impacts and environmental stewardship emerge as significant predictors of environmental responsibility towards future generations. Being religious also correlates with heightened environmental responsibility compared to non-religious individuals. Trust in technological progress only weakly correlates with intergenerational environmental responsibility, surprisingly suggesting a positive relationship. These findings provide valuable insights into determinants of perceived individual responsibility. In order to arrive at a more complete analysis, however, future research needs to complement this study of perceived individual-level responsibility with considerations on collective actors and structural factors.

Petrol Pumps to Power Plugs: Is the Surge in Electric Two-Wheeler Adoption in Kathmandu Due to Unstable Petroleum Prices?

Since the dawn of the 21st century, the awareness towards environmental concern and sustainability slowly began to rise and the “Electric Wave” truly encompassed the world with electric automobiles. Nepal was no exception to this global electric wave. This research explores a key determinant behind this transition, the influence of fluctuating petroleum price. Using secondary data obtained from registrations of electric and petroleum two-wheelers at the Transport Management Office in Kathmandu, under the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Transport as well as historical petrol prices over the past 4 years from 2019 to 2023, this research seeks to offer valuable insights into the connection between petrol prices and the adoption of electric vehicles in Kathmandu, Nepal. Using SPSS software, a linear regression analysis was conducted and it revealed that while petroleum prices played a role, they were not the sole determinant affecting adoption. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable transportation choices and their drivers. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, consumers, and industry stakeholders, as it underscores the influence of fuel prices on consumer choices and the potential for electric two-wheelers to become a viable alternative in the context of Kathmandu’s urban transport.

Uranium and arsenic bioremediation potential of plastic associated multi-metal tolerant Bacillus sp. EIKU23

Plastic waste accumulation is a significant environmental concern as it promotes microbial growth and acts as a carrier for heavy metals. This study focuses on a Bacillus sp. strain isolated from the surface of a used plastic bottle, tolerant to various potential toxic elements (PTEs) such as chromium, nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, arsenite [As(III)], but sensitive to uranium (U) and arsenate [As(V)] toxicity. The strain demonstrates growth under different abiotic stress conditions, with the optimal pH range of 5.0-8.0 and a temperature of 30 °C. It shows remarkable removal capabilities, removing >23.3% of U, >38% of As(III)), and >22.6% of As(V) from an initial dose of 100mgL−1 in an aqueous solution. The biosorption capacity for U, As(III), and As(V) is 3.12, 3.1, and 1.8mgg−1 of biomass, respectively. Kinetic modelling suggests that the biosorption of U and As(V) follows a pseudo-second-order mechanism, while As(III) biosorption follows a pseudo-first-order mechanism. Moreover, the strain has the ability to precipitate >38.1% and ~67% of U using bacterially released phosphate from inorganic and organic sources, respectively. These findings highlight the strain's potential for bioremediation of PTE-contaminated environments, providing valuable insights for optimizing metal removal and immobilization processes in future research.

Environmental taxes when firms care about Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility

This paper studies the incentive by governments to implement emissions taxes when firms are environmentally friendly. We find that the decision of governments on whether to establish a tax or not depends on three factors: the degree of environmental concern of the firms, the R&D knowledge disclosed by them and whether governments cooperate in setting taxes. When countries do not cooperate and firms do not share their knowledge both countries set emissions taxes for low levels of the concern, while neither firm sets taxes if the concern is sufficiently high. If countries cooperate, they want to implement taxes for higher values of the concern. Under full information disclosure, when countries do not cooperate an asymmetric equilibrium arises: only one country implements a tax for intermediate values of the concern. However, when countries cooperate they levy taxes for all the values of concern. Thus, cooperation encourages governments to implement environmental policies.

One-step synthesis of magnetic catalysts containing Mn3O4-Fe3O4 from manganese slag for degradation of enrofloxacin by activation of peroxymonosulfate

Landfill disposal of manganese slag is a significant environmental concern on both local and global levels. Using manganese slag to synthesis catalysts to degrade organic pollutants in wastewater is a promising pathway for the solid waste treatment. Here, we propose a simple method to prepare magnetic catalysts containing Mn3O4-Fe3O4 (MMF) using manganese slag as raw materials. The MMF exhibits excellent degradation performance for enrofloxacin (ENR) with 97 % removal efficiency within 30 min and can be rapidly isolated from wastewater by magnet. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and quenching experiments demonstrated that 1O2 produced by the non-radical pathway is the principal active substance for ENR degradation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that Mn and Fe in MMF provide electrons for PMS activation and that the presence of Fe promotes the activation of the PMS and the cycling of Mn. This work paves the way for developing magnetic catalysts from manganese slag for the treatment of organic pollutants via advanced oxidation process.

Peer Spillovers of Environmental Penalties - Evidence from Green Mergers and Acquisitions

Using data on environmental penalties and green mergers and acquisitions in China from 2011 to 2022, we study the spillover effects of environmental penalties on peer firms. Our findings indicate that when firms within an industry are penalized for environmental violations, other firms in the same industry tend to increase their green merger and acquisition activities. This tendency is likely due to the heightened environmental concern resulting from the penalties. Furthermore, the spillover effect is more pronounced in firms with lower financial constraints and higher information transparency.

Organ-specific bioaccumulation of microplastics in market fish of Dhaka and size-dependent impacts of PVC microplastics on growth of Anabustestudineus

Microplastics (MPs), a growing environmental concern with potential ecotoxicological risks, are ubiquitous in aquatic environment. This study investigated the organ-specific distribution and variation of MPs in commercially caught fishes (7 species, 140 individuals) collected from Dhaka's two main fish distribution hubs (Uttara and Jatrabari). Additionally, the impact of different-sized MPs on fish growth (Anabas testudineus) was examined in a control experiment. Results revealed that kidneys of market fish bioaccumulated the highest concentration of MPs (average, 59.1 MPs/g), followed by liver (24.6 MPs/g) and intestine (18.6 MPs/g). On average, fish from Uttara had a higher MPs concentration (36 MPs/g) compared to Jatrabari (25 MPs/g). Among fish species, Glossogobius giuris showed the highest MPs bioaccumulation due to its feeding habits and morphology. Fiber-shaped MPs were most prevalent in all fishes (79–93%) except Glossogobius giuris (fragments, 51%). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis identified 19 different polymer types, with high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyamide (PA) being commonly found in all organs. The experimental study confirmed that large-sized PVC MPs (1.18 mm-300 μm) had a greater negative impact on fish growth (length) and caused more physical deformities (particularly intestinal injuries) compared to small-sized PVC MPs (150 μm–75 μm). Moreover, fish exposed to larger diameter MPs experienced highest physical weight and depth loss among exposed groups. Large-sized PVC MPs bioaccumulated highest in fish compared to small-sized PVC MPs. Similar to market fish, kidney in the experimental fish had the highest MPs bioaccumulation (6.5 MPs/g), followed by liver (5.2 MPs/g) and intestine (4.8 MPs/g), with a dominance of fibers despite the presence of high concentration of fragments in the food source. Statistical analysis also supported a clear correlation between increasing MPs size and adverse effects on fish growth and health. Urgent action is needed to curb microplastic pollution and protect ecosystems and human health.

Developing Green Marketing Strategies: A Comprehensive Analysis of Consumer Behaviour and Business Practices

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between green marketing communication techniques, consumer behaviour patterns, and business organisations’ practices by employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. A hypothesized quantitative survey with 500 consumers and a qualitative case study of leading organisations to assess modern tendencies and approaches were carried out. The quantitative analysis shows that 70% of the consumers take environmental concern while purchasing products, but only 45% are ready to pay the premium price for green products. Moreover, there is a low level of confidence in green claims where only 30% of the consumers are confident that firms have sincere intentions about the statements they make. An analysis of Nike, Starbucks, and Toyota, Apple, and Microsoft organizations shows that they incorporate different strategies in supply chain management, carbon footprint, corporations’ responsibility, and customer relations. Some of these firms focus on the promotion of the company’s transparency, product sourcing based on an ethical approach, encouragement of the use of renewables, as well as community involvement in fulfilling sustainable objectives. Thus, the study also stresses the importance of clarity within communication channels and information reliability for the development of consumers’ trust. It defines factors like the cost and every person’s doubt or disbelief in what is green that prevents an extensive use of green products. Altogether, this research contributes useful knowledge for companies wanting to implement suitable green marketing initiatives that would be appealing to eco-aware consumers. It is clear that implementing corporate practice according to the customer expectation and practicing transparency would not only increase the brand value but also the customer loyalty and which in longer runs would also help in supporting and implementing sustainable development goals across the world.

Nano Filtration Techniques in Waste Water Treatment

Nano filters, based on nanotechnology to improve filtration processes, offer sophisticated solutions for contaminant removal from liquids and gases. The filters in this group include polymeric membranes with a pore size of 1-100 nanometres, ceramic membranes that are tolerant to chemicals, and carbon nanotube and graphene-based filters with advancedpermeability and selectivity. Recently, differentiated nanomaterials have been developed to make composite membranes with improved performance and durability. However, NF have disadvantages such as membrane fouling and high production costs. In this respect, research is currently being done to come up with solutions to the challenges, optimize the integration of nanomaterials, and realize application possibilities in water treatment, air purification, and industrial processes. On the whole, NF stand as the radical improvement filtration technology has so far achieved, and further research is bound to make them more efficient and cheaper About 17–19 million people in the world lack access to clean water. It is estimated that about 3.4 million people die every year from water scarcity, sanitation, and hygiene-related problems out of which 99% of deaths occurin developing countries. In recent years, water contamination has become a global environmental concern. The paper providesinsights into advancements in wastewater treatment through nano-filters. The paper focuses on evaluating the effectiveness ofnanomembranes in removing containments such as inorganic salts, organic compounds, and heavy metals. Additionally, the paper gives information about performance based on a comparison of the tractional filters and RO in terms of flexibility, durability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, it explores the application of NF in industries such as textile, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture and evaluates the versatility and effectiveness in these sectors.

Literature review on sustainable development in bali province through the lens of financial aspects

This literature review discusses the relationship between regional financial performance, capital expenditure, and environmental expenditure and their role in sustainable development. Sustainable development is defined as development that is able to meet current needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Previous studies have shown that the allocation of regional spending, especially environmental spending, is still low despite having an important contribution to preserving ecosystems and reducing the impact of climate change. This review emphasizes that regional financial performance plays a significant role in determining capital expenditure and environmental allocation. Unbalanced spending policies can hinder the achievement of sustainable development. In addition, effective allocation of environmental spending is key to supporting various climate change mitigation programs and maintaining environmental quality in the future. The results of this study conclude that improving financial performance needs to be accompanied by appropriate budget policies, especially in capital expenditure and the environment. Efforts to ensure sustainable development require synergy between economic growth and environmental concern so that long-term development goals are achieved.

Recent advances in mechanistic insights into microplastics mitigation strategies via emerging advanced oxidation processes: Legislation, challenges, and future direction.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution has emerged as a global environmental concern due to its detrimental impacts on ecosystems. Conventional wastewater/water treatment methods are inadequate for MPs removal due to their diminutive size ranging from micrometers to nanometers. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have gained attention as a promising green strategy for the efficient and safe elimination of MPs from aqueous systems. In recent years, various AOPs, including direct photo-degradation, photocatalytic oxidation, electrochemical oxidation, sono-chemical oxidation, ozonation, as well as sulfate radicals-based AOPs (SR-AOPs), and the use of hybrid systems have all been extensively investigated for MP elimination. However, the molecular mechanisms of MP polymer chain scission by AOPs have not been thoroughly studied so far. In this review, we have attempted to provide a thorough overview of molecular mechanisms and highlighted recent advances in the degradation of commonly used MP by AOPs. The characteristics and limitations of each technique are thoroughly examined. Additionally, current policies and legislation on plastic pollution are discussed, emphasizing the need for regulatory frameworks to support effective MPs mitigation strategies. To advance the practical application of AOPs for MPs removal, future research direction should address the transition from controlled laboratory environments to complex field conditions, assess the sustainability of AOPs in terms of catalytic material design, selection of effective oxidants, power consumption, and operational costs. Given these challenges, recommendations for future research directions are proposed based on knowledge gaps in the reported literature. This review could offer a coherent summary of the molecular mechanisms involved in different MP elimination techniques, aiding in the advancement of more dependable AOPs technology with superior removal and degradation efficiency.

Optimization of Starch-Based Bioplastic from Sweet Potato using Box-Behnken Design with Plasticizer and Filler for Reduced Water Absorption

Plastic is a ubiquitous material used in a wide range of applications, but its disposal has become a significant environmental concern. Bioplastics, which offer several advantages over conventional plastics, including a smaller carbon footprint, greater biodegradability, and adaptability, are being explored as a potential alternative. Among the bioplastics, starch-based polymers have gained significant attention due to their natural abundance, biocompatibility, low cost, and renewability. In this study, a starch-based bioplastic was developed using glycerol and sorbitol as plasticizers and wood dust as a filler through the casting method. Starch was extracted from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). The optimal conditions for preparing the bioplastic with minimum water adsorption were determined using a three-level Box-Behnken design. The amount of starch, plasticizer, and filler were the key parameters for this study. The percentage of water absorption was determined by immersing the prepared bioplastic in distilled water for 24 hours and weighing it. The result of the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of extracted starch showed a similar observation peak pattern when compared to the FTIR spectrum of commercial starch. The linear response model produced a good coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.8237), indicating that the chosen parameters implicitly affect the percentage of water absorption. The prediction percentage of water absorption after optimization is 20.069 with a desirability value of 0.806. This study shows that the response surface approach helps in determining the optimum conditions for the minimum percentage of water adsorption from starch-based bioplastic.

Understanding the consumer purchase behaviour towards green electronic products: using insight from the theory of planned behaviour

PurposeThis research investigation aims to explore the factors that affect purchasing behaviour among consumers in India in the context of green electronic products with the aid of the extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) by incorporating two additional constructs, namely environmental concern and ethical obligation.Design/methodology/approachThe current research adopted a quantitative methodology, utilising a survey (questionnaire) to gather data from respondents residing in Delhi-NCR, India. A convenience sampling technique was used to select these respondents. Both online and offline modes were used to collect the data. Moreover, to evaluate the theoretical foundation of the investigation, the researchers employed PLS-SEM (partial least square structural equation modelling) on 346 useable samples.FindingsThe outcome reveals that attitude, subjective norm and perceived behaviour control (PBC) are significant predictors, supplementary constructs such as environmental concern are not significant predictors, whereas ethical obligation is a substantial predictor of purchase intention. Consumer purchase behaviour, in turn, is influenced by consumer purchase intention.Practical implicationsThe outcome of this research could help the country’s legislators formulate policies and programs related to current environmental problems faced by our planet. Marketers could understand the factors that drive consumers' purchasing behaviour towards green electronic products and design effective marketing strategies accordingly. Thus, by enhancing the company’s green image, marketers of green products may potentially increase future purchases, all of which contribute to solving worldwide environmental problems.Originality/valueThis research confirms the usefulness of TPB in understanding Indian consumers' purchasing intention and behaviour towards green electronic products. It further extends the TPB by showing that new components, environmental concerns and ethical obligations influence Indian consumers' purchasing intentions and behaviour. Moreover, prior studies mostly used both additional constructs for green products. Current research used specific types of green products, i.e. green electronic products, as very few studies are available on these products that apply TPB, which makes this study novel. In contrast to previous research that primarily examined purchase intention, this study takes a further step by investigating the connection between intentions and consumers' purchase behaviour. It establishes intention as a precursor to behaviour, specifically towards green electronic products. Additionally, this study introduces new constructs and explores the Indian context, significantly contributing to the existing literature.

Can ESG Disclosure Stimulate Corporations’ Sustainable Green Innovation Efforts? Evidence from China

The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Composite Rating denotes corporations’ capability for supporting sustainable development activities, social responsibility, and transparent and ethical governance. It aims to inform investors and stakeholders about the company’s sustainability and social responsibility risks. ESG has increasingly become an informal yet significant driving force in promoting sustainable green innovation within the diversified co-governance environmental management system. This paper examines the dynamic relationship between ESG performance and sustainable green innovation practices in Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2022. The results show a positive correlation between ESG performance and the level of corporate sustainable green innovation. They also validate the moderating roles of informal external pressure and internal development demands. While the moderating effect of public environmental concern (PEC) is not significant, corporate digital transformation (CDT) significantly and positively moderates the relationship between ESG performance and sustainable green innovation. These findings offer policymakers and corporations a means to formulate a framework to shape the conduct of corporations to meet the market’s green development needs and to establish instruments that promote green innovation.

A Newly Bio-Based Material for the Construction Industry Using Gypsum Binder and Rice Straw Waste (Oryza sativa)

Construction is one of the economic sectors with the greatest influence on climate change. In addition to working procedures, the primary carbon footprint is attributed to the choice of materials and the energy required for their manufacturing. The underlying idea of this study is to minimize the effects and offer new solutions to emerging problems in the quest for materials that can be deemed as natural, such as gypsum (calcium sulphate dihydrate) and rice straw (Oryza sativa). The acquisition of these materials involves a lower carbon footprint compared to the conventional materials. It is well known since ancient times that gypsum and cereal straw can be used in construction, with numerous examples still available. Cereal straw is one of the oldest construction materials, traditionally combined with earth and occasionally with certain binders, with it continuing to be employed in construction in many countries to this day. This work showcases the feasibility of producing stable prefabricated elements from straw waste with construction gypsum, addressing a significant environmental concern posed by the alternative of having to burn such materials. In this study, for the proposed bio-based material, specific tests, such as thermal conductivity, flexural and compressive strength, and fire resistance, were carried out to evaluate the principal physical and mechanical characteristics for different compositions of water, gypsum, and straw fiber samples. The results highlighted the good performance of the proposed materials in order to spread their use in the green building industry. The addition of straw fibers improved, in different ways, some important physical characteristics of these components so as to diminish environmental pollution and to obtain better material performance. The tests highlighted the different behaviors of the proposed material with respect to the different cuts of the straw and as well as the water/gypsum ratio; this is not very well understood and probably depends on the micro structure of the straw fibers. The blocks with raw straw showed a significant improvement in the breaking mechanism (1775.42 N) compared to the blocks with cut straw (712.26 N) when subjected to bending tests, and their performance in compression tests was also acceptable. Additionally, a very interesting reduction in thermal conductivity was achieved by incorporating rice straw (0.233 W/mK), and high fire exposure times were obtained, with gypsum preventing the spread of ignition in any type of fiber.

Dynamic impact of different human activities on the distribution of organic ultraviolet absorbers in coastal aquatic environments: A case study in beibu gulf, South China Sea.

The increasing environmental concern surrounding organic ultraviolet absorbers (OUVAs) has prompted heightened attention, particularly their presence in personal care products (organic ultraviolet filters, OUVFs) and industrial products (organic ultraviolet stabilizers, OUVSs). This study investigates the impact of human activities and environmental factors on the occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, and ecological risk of eight commonly utilized OUVFs and OUVSs in the coastal region of Beibu Gulf, South China Sea. The study area is characterized by multiple functional zones with distinct human activities. Results reveal elevated concentrations of OUVAs during summer compared to winter, attributed to increased residential usage, tourist activities, industrial releases, and intensified ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Interestingly, the proportion of OUVFs increases during summer, while OUVSs decrease. Correlation analysis between OUVAs and sampling sites reveals that tourism and domestic wastewater are the main contributors to OUVF contamination in summer, whereas mariculture and port trade significantly impact OUVS contamination in winter. The ecological risk assessment indicates predominantly low or medium risk levels for most OUVAs in both local seawater and freshwater ecosystems. Nevertheless, OUVFs, with a particular focus on 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), and OUVSs, specifically 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) benzotriazole (UV-P), exhibit a heightened risk compared to alternative substances. These findings provide crucial insights into the development of targeted mitigation strategies for OUVAs, taking into account the varying contamination levels of OUVFs and OUVSs resulting from diverse human activities, aiming to protect the health of aquatic ecosystems in diverse functional zones.

Investigation of strength, durability, and microstructure properties of concrete with waste marble powder as a partial replacement of cement

Purpose Cement plays a significant part in concrete, and with the increasing demand for concrete, cement output varies day by day, allowing production to carbon dioxide emissions. As well as marble processing creates stone slurry and solid discards. These are often dumped irresponsibly on open land, polluting the soil. This improper disposal of marble waste is a major environmental concern. This study aims to propose a sustainable solution for reusing this waste material as a concrete additive. Design/methodology/approach A total of 135 concrete cubes of size 150 × 150 × 150 mm, 54 concrete cylinders of size 150 mm dia. and 300 mm height and 54 concrete beams of size 150 × 150 × 700 mm were cast. The replacement was 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5% and 20% by weight of cement with marble dust to create M30 concrete with a water-cement ratio of 0.45. The test was performed to find the compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS) and split tensile strength. Also, durability tests like rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT), acid attack, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and water permeability test were performed. Findings After 7 and 28 days of curing, it was found that replacing 5% of cement with marble powder led to an initial strength improvement of up to 25% for both curing periods. However, further increases in marble dust resulted in an inconsistent decrease in strength for all the mixtures. Also, durability properties like acid attack test, water permeability test and RCPT, showed good performance at the optimum percentage of waste marble powder (WMP) as cement replacement. The microscopic analysis revealed a denser pore structure at lower WMP replacement levels, likely due to the powder filling in gaps. Originality/value This study reveals that by substituting 5% (optimum) of cement with WMP, there was CS improvement up to 8.4% and 17% for both 7 and 28 days of curing. WMP is typically finer than cement particles and fills the voids in the concrete more effectively, resulting best performance at optimum percentage against RCPT, UPV, acid attack and water permeability.

Climate change perception and mental health: the public health perspective

Abstract Climate change is increasingly recognized as a critical environmental stressor with significant psychological impacts. Despite consolidated evidence describing the impact of various aspects of climate change on numerous physical and mental health outcomes, a novel and burgeoning area of research is now assessing the association between climate change perception/awareness and health. In fact, the increasing awareness of climate change and its impacts on natural and human systems is not only a matter of environmental concern but also of significant psychological importance. Awareness of climate change involves understanding its causes, foreseeing its long-term global and local impacts, and recognizing the limited window available for effective mitigation and adaptation. This level of awareness, while necessary for proactive behavior, has been linked to various psychological responses, including chronic stress, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness and despair, collectively referred to as ‘eco-anxiety.’ The association between climate change awareness and mental health is complex and mediated by various individual and social factors. As the reality of climate change becomes more integrated into the public consciousness, it is imperative to address the accompanying psychological impacts. In this presentation, the main issues related to climate change perception/awareness and mental health will be discussed through the lens of public health.

Assessing Environmental Concerns, Knowledge and Health Consciousness in Young Adults’ Organic Food Choices

The trend towards buying organic food is declining among young adults, which raises concerns about factors influencing their purchasing behavior. This study investigates factors affecting young adults’ buying behavior of organic food products, including environmental concerns, knowledge, and health consciousness. Survey data was collected from 100 young adults in Selangor, Malaysia. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The results showed that knowledge about organic food was the strongest predictor of young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior. In addition, concern for the environment had a significant positive influence on young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior, while health consciousness showed no significant influence. These findings offer practical implications for manufacturers: to provide clear product details that can enhance consumers’ knowledge and highlight environmental advantages in marketing strategies to encourage consumption. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the value of environmental awareness and knowledge of organic food and shedding light on the minor influence of health awareness-a topic that has received less attention in other studies.

Assessment of transboundary macro-litter on the remote island of Andaman and Nicobar: Unveiling the governing factors and risk assessment

The increasing occurrence of mismanaged plastic litter along India's coastline and the ominous challenges it poses to biodiversity and ecosystem health is a growing environmental concern. To address this issue, we comprehensively investigated the abundance, composition, and probable sources of marine litter on North Cinque Island, a remote uninhabited island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, Bay of Bengal. This island is a designated wildlife sanctuary and serves as an important nesting site for Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles. A total of 6227 litter items were enumerated, with an average concentration of 0.12 items/m2, representing 20 diverse litter types, with plastic dominating the litter composition (86 %). The cleanliness and environmental hazards of the coast due to the litter were assessed using different indices such as the Clean Coast Index (CCI), Plastic Accumulation Index (PAI), Hazardous Item Index (HII), and Clean Environment Index (CEI). CCI indicates the moderately clean-to-clean status of the surveyed sites. PAI points to low to moderate accumulation of plastic litter. HII of all five coasts fell in category II, suggesting a moderate abundance of hazardous items that can inflict injuries to the foraging turtle and their hatchlings. The CEI articulates the moderately clean to very clean status of the sites. Litter brand audit suggests a considerable amount of stranded litter on the coasts was transboundary and originated from six Indian Ocean Rim Countries (IORC), namely Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and UAE. Joint solid waste management by the IORC is the need of the hour to avert litter accumulation on the pristine, remote islands.