Environmental Destruction Research Articles

‘The Enchanted Dollar Bill’: The Environmental History of Socialist Tourism in Hungary and Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia and Hungary were two of the most market-orientated states in communist Eastern Europe. Yet, as socialist states striving to reach a new modernity, rapid industrialisation was traditionally seen by their leaders as paramount in transforming them to match the leaders’ visions of a better and brighter future. By the 1960s, however, the introduction of tourism in beautiful – and fragile – environments began to pose challenges to rapid industrialisation in both Yugoslavia and Hungary. The development of tourism, which was predicated upon perceived ‘pristine’ natural settings, presented socialist leaders with two major dilemmas: on the one hand, mass tourism had the potential to destroy the very natural resource base on which it depended: the environment itself. On the other hand, industry was seen as a major hindrance to the pursuit of tourism, and the two were bound to clash as tensions between them mounted. How then did the leaderships of these two countries seek to strike a balance between industry and tourism to avoid conflict, develop tourism without destroying their respective environments, and what were some of the major consequences of these processes? By looking at Lake Balaton in Hungary and the Kvarner Bay region in the Socialist Republic of Croatia (Yugoslavia), this article argues that, while industry and tourism continued to conflict throughout the state socialist projects, the authorities initiated some impressive, albeit flawed, measures towards sustainable development in order to ensure the success of increasingly tourism-based economies. We examine the role of leisure tourism in both environmental preservation and destruction to further study how Hungarian and Yugoslav leaders commodified their environments in order to attract visitors and secure revenue by creating tourist land and seascapes.

Green Technology Innovation, Green Financing, and Economic Growth in G7 Countries: Implications for Environmental Sustainability

Abstract This study examines the relationships among green technology innovation, green financing, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in G7 countries using annual data from 1990 to 2022. It uses the cross-sectionally augmented autoregressive distributed lag model to estimate environmental sustainability through two indicators: ecological footprint and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The CO2 emissions model indicates that green financing negatively affects emissions, highlighting the need to reduce them and promote sustainable practices. Conversely, energy consumption and real GDP per capita (RGDP) positively impact CO2 emissions. Green technology innovation also reduces CO2 emissions, but its short-term effects may be limited owing to initial energy consumption and regulatory challenges. The ecological footprint model demonstrates that, in the long term, green technology innovation helps lower the ecological footprints of G7 countries by promoting infrastructure development and reducing resource consumption. However, short-term constraints and high initial costs hinder this progress. Green financing is essential for achieving long-term sustainability. Energy consumption positively influences the ecological footprint, while short-term RGDP growth increases it. However, long-term RGDP may decline owing to sustainability policies, technological advancements, and effective environmental legislation. These findings underscore the importance of balanced policies that prioritise green finance in the short-term to mitigate environmental impacts while fostering long-term investments in green technology innovation. Additionally, enhancing international cooperation and aligning investments with green objectives are crucial for achieving sustainable prosperity and minimising environmental harm.

Eco-dentistry: Sustainable practices for healthier life and a greener planet

Background: Eco-friendly dentistry, or “Green Dentistry,” is a concept aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of dental practices by reducing waste, conserving energy, and preventing pollution. The idea first emerged during the 5th European Dental Students’ Association Congress in Belgrade, Serbia, in March 2003. It was proposed as a new and evolving practice to address the environmental harm caused by conventional dental methods. Objective: This review aims to present a series of “green” recommendations for dental professionals, patients, and dental industries, providing practical, sustainable alternatives to promote eco-friendly practices within the field of dentistry. Methods: An electronic search was conducted using the PubMed database, focusing on peer-reviewed articles up to February 2024 using the keywords “green dentistry,” “eco-friendly dentistry,” and “dental waste,” resulting in 45297, 1186, and 9372 items, respectively. After a thorough review, relevant data from other electronic sources were also included for additional information. Results: The adoption of green dentistry practices encourages the integration of sustainable technologies and methods by dental professionals. It promotes the use of eco-friendly materials, digital tools to reduce paper waste, energy-efficient equipment, and recycling programs, all of which contribute to reducing the ecological footprint of dental practices. Conclusion: Green dentistry offers a viable approach to making dental care more sustainable by reducing waste, conserving resources, and preventing pollution. By embracing sustainable practices, dental professionals, patients, and industries can collectively help minimize the environmental impact of dental care, ultimately promoting a greener wellness lifestyle.

Utilizing Olive Fly Ecology Towards Sustainable Pest Management

The olive fly (Bactrocera oleae, OLF) is a major pest of global significance that occurs in places where olive cultivation thrives. This paper highlights the economic and environmental damage caused by OLF infestations, including reduced olive oil yield and quality, disrupted supply chains, and ecosystem imbalances due to heavy insecticide use. Understanding olive fly ecology is crucial for developing effective control strategies. The review explores the fly’s life cycle, its relationship with olive trees, and how environmental factors like temperature and humidity influence population dynamics. Additionally, studying the role of natural enemies and agricultural practices can pave the way for sustainable control methods that minimize environmental harm. Climate change, intensive cultivation, and the development of resistance to insecticides necessitate a shift towards sustainable practices. This includes exploring alternative control methods like biological control with natural enemies and attract-and-kill strategies. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of OLF ecology, including its response to temperature and its ability to find refuge in diverse landscapes, is critical for predicting outbreaks and implementing effective protection strategies. By employing a holistic approach that integrates ecological knowledge with sustainable control methods, we can ensure the continued viability of olive cultivation, protect the environment, and produce high-quality olive oil.

Shelf-Stable Sporosarcina pasteurii Formulation for Scalable Laboratory and Field-Based Production of Biocement.

Biocement is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cement that is produced via microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) and has great potential to mitigate the environmental harms of cement and concrete use. Current production requires on-site bacterial cultivation and the application of live culture to target materials, lacking the convenience of stable formulas that enable broad adoption and application by nonscientific professionals. Here, we report the development of a dry shelf-stable formulation of Sporosarcina pasteurii, the model organism for biocement production. At laboratory scale, when inoculated at an equivalent concentration of viable cells, we show that this formulation produces biocement equal in strength to that produced using live cell cultures. We further demonstrate that this formulation forms biocement in the field within 24 h, leading to ground improvement with increased bearing capacity. These results illustrate that preserved, shelf-stable bacteria can contribute to rapid biocement production and can be adopted for scaled geotechnical and construction purposes.

Settler colonialism and the environment in Al-Walaja, Palestine

ABSTRACT It is now widely acknowledged in the scholarship that Israel maintains a settler colonial regime, which has resulted in pervasive human rights abuses. However, the relation between ecology and settler colonialism in Palestine-Israel has only recently been subject to significant scholarly theorisation, despite the growing field of environmental colonialism and the present ecological crisis. This article adds to the limited field of eco-social and ecological settler colonial study of Palestine-Israel through the case study of Al-Walaja, a village in the illegally occupied West Bank, bordering the suburbs of East Jerusalem. Al-Walaja, a village known for its natural beauty and rich agricultural heritage, particularly its ancient terraced agriculture, has been transformed by Israeli settler colonial dispossession, which has claimed 89 per cent of the village’s land since 1947. This paper explores how settler colonialism and ecology intersect in Al-Walaja. First, by arguing that Al-Walaja is an example of the greenwashing and green grabbing practices that Israel uses to normalise the dispossession of Palestinians and obscure colonisation and environmental harms. Second, it examines how environmental harms, in particular restrictions on building in the village, cause the perpetuation of a settler colonial declensionist narrative and settler-native binary. Lastly, the decline of agriculture in Al-Walaja is contextualised in terms of the normalisation and erasure inherent to settler colonial projects.

Stormwater isn’t impervious to racism: rethinking stormwater capture in Los Angeles County

ABSTRACT Ubiquitous to the modern urban landscape, impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt contribute to environmental harms, including stormwater runoff and urban heat island effects. Replacing impervious surface with green stormwater infrastructure can help address these harms and offer other environmental and social benefits. Existing literature has found that neighbourhoods of colour on average have more impervious surface, less urban tree canopy and experience hotter temperatures. This study builds on the literature by examining the relationship between race and impervious surface in Los Angeles County and tying results to the local stormwater context. This study (1) analyses impervious surface levels by racial group quintiles at the census tract level and (2) utilises spatial autoregressive combined (SAC) regressions with control variables for income, owner-occupied rates, population density and land use types. Results show that census tracts with more people of colour have more impervious surface, and Black and Hispanic residents experience the most impervious surface on average. For white residents, the inverse is true – census tracts with higher white populations have less impervious surface. SAC regressions show that the magnitude of the relationship between race and impervious surface diminishes with more control variables, though statistical significance remains for whites and Hispanics in the model with all controls. Results indicate that neighbourhood environments are still shaped by systemic racism. However, by targeting green stormwater infrastructure to neighbourhoods of colour, there is the potential to help reverse the legacy of environmental racism while also meeting stormwater goals.

Comprehensive Mitigation Plan for Environmental Impacts

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic process designed to evaluate the potential environmental effects of proposed projects or developments before they are implemented. Its primary objective is to ensure sustainable development by identifying, predicting, and mitigating adverse environmental impacts while enhancing positive ones. EIA involves multiple stages, including screening, scoping, impact analysis, public consultation, mitigation planning, and decision-making. The process emphasizes public participation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and adherence to regulatory frameworks. Key areas of assessment include air and water quality, biodiversity, land use, socioeconomic impacts, and climate change implications. By integrating environmental considerations into project planning, EIA supports informed decision-making, reduces environmental harm, and fosters long-term ecological balance. It serves as a critical tool for governments, developers, and stakeholders to achieve environmental sustainability while addressing economic and social objectives.

The Global Food System and Its Environmental Impact: A Call for Sustainable Transformation

The modern global food system—spanning production, processing, distribution, and consumption—has emerged as a significant contributor to environmental degradation. It drives greenhouse gas emissions, land and water degradation, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. Sustainable nutrition, which integrates environmental considerations into dietary choices, has become a key concern, emphasizing plant-based proteins, seasonal food consumption, and minimal ecological impact. With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, ensuring food security while minimizing environmental harm is crucial. Agriculture accounts for about 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions, driven by methane from livestock and nitrous oxide from fertilizers. Land use changes for agriculture contribute to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation, exacerbating climate change. Water use in agriculture, the largest consumer of freshwater, further strains ecosystems, while pollution from agricultural runoff causes eutrophication. Effective strategies for sustainable transformation include agroecology, regenerative agriculture, dietary shifts, reducing food waste, and technological innovations. Practices like crop rotation and managed grazing improve soil health and sequester carbon. Transitioning to plant-based diets and reducing food waste could significantly lower emissions. Precision agriculture and alternative protein sources offer promising advancements. Holistic approaches involving policy reform, innovation, and behavioral change are needed to create a resilient, environmentally friendly food system that sustains both human and planetary health.

Not all in the same boat

This essay critically examines the rhetorical references and cultural/aesthetic representations framing the human predicament in the face of environmental catastrophe as an ecumenical craft. Through an analysis of the millenarian discourse encapsulated in the phrase “being in the same boat” in relation to doomsday scenarios, I critique the implicit narrative of a shared humanity that emerges in the distribution of environmental harms and risks. I argue that identity dissolution reinforces social stratifications while co-opting the rhetoric of cooperation. I provide the metaphor of the boat, rather than serving as a symbol of refuge, embodies entrenched social hierarchies, from the environmental normativity inherent in Malthusian lifeboat ethics to various depictions in climate fiction (cli-fi) and eco-fascist rhetoric. As apocalyptic thinking becomes increasingly prominent, I analyze discursive approaches surrounding existential risks, revealing how they reflect a Social Darwinist eco-survivalism that seeks to secure a place in a limited-seating vessel for the privileged.

A Comparative Environmental Impact Analysis of Screening Tests for Colorectal Cancer.

Healthcare is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is one of the most widely used healthcare services in the US, indicated for approximately 134 million adults. Recommended screening options include fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) every year, CT colonographies (CTCs) every 5 years, or colonoscopies every 10 years. We compared the environmental impacts of these tests and identified opportunities for impact reduction. We conducted a comparative life cycle assessment of three CRC screening strategies at the University of California, San Francisco. We performed on site audits to document the materials and energy used for each screening test. We used the ReCiPe 2016 method to estimate the environmental impacts of these procedures, measured by global warming potential (GWP) and damage to human health. We estimated the 10-year cumulative impacts of each screening strategy using a Markov reward model. We accounted for model uncertainty using hierarchical Monte Carlo simulations. FIT-based screening had the lowest environmental impacts, with a roughly 20% margin of superiority over colonoscopies, and this finding was robust in sensitivity analyses. Across tests, the biggest cause of environmental harm was car-based transportation of patients and staff. Prioritizing FITs over screening colonoscopies in the US could enhance population health by roughly 5.2 million disability adjusted life years per decade. Transitioning to electric vehicles could reduce the GWP of all screening tests by 15-20%. Given the similar efficacy and safety of these tests, payors should prioritize FITs for low-risk patients. Government initiatives to decarbonize transportation, incentivize telehealth, and mandate environmental product declarations will help reduce the environmental impacts of healthcare more generally. Our results call for a closer look at resource-intensive preventative health strategies, which could result in more harm than good if applied to a low-risk population. NIH, UCSF.

The Role of Organic Farming in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture in the European Union

Agriculture remains a key source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the European Union, posing substantial obstacles to achieving climate objectives and fostering sustainable development. On this background, organic farming stands out as a viable alternative, offering significant potential for reducing emissions. This study explores the impact of expanding organic farming on GHG emissions in the EU agricultural sector. The empirical research examines the connection between organic farming practices and GHG emission levels using structural equation modeling, complemented by Holt and ARIMA forecasting models, to project future trends based on expected growth in organic farmland. The findings highlight a robust negative influence (p < 0.001), demonstrating that organic farming practices are associated with tangible reductions in emissions. Forecasting analyses further reinforce this, predicting considerable declines in GHG emissions (by almost 14 percent below the level of 2008) as organic farming continues to expand for over 23% of agricultural land by 2035, according to the projections in this research. These insights underscore the critical role of organic farming in advancing the EU’s climate ambitions. The study concludes that broader adoption of organic practices offers a practical and impactful pathway for building a more sustainable agricultural system while mitigating environmental harm across member states.

Factors Affecting Growth and Success of Green and Sustainable Entrepreneurship: An Empirical Study of Indian Startups

Green entrepreneurship is about building businesses that balance environmental care with profit-making. In India, many start-ups are leading projects in areas like clean energy, waste management, and sustainable agriculture. These businesses are growing in response to rising environmental awareness and changing consumer preferences. Green entrepreneurs thus play an important role in reducing pollution, creating jobs, and promoting sustainable lifestyles. Their work encourages eco-friendly habits and reshapes supply chains to minimize environmental harm. As they drive both social and economic value, green start-ups contribute to building a more sustainable future for India. This study examines the factors that influence the growth and success of green entrepreneurship in India. The study will look at what is needed by these initiatives to thrive and succeed. This will help policymakers and other organizations to take the necessary steps. A sample of 223 people involved in Indian sturt-ups were surveyed to explore the factors that affects the growth and success of green and sustainable entrepreneurship and found that Consumer Demand, Competitive advantage, Collaboration and Networks and Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) are the factors that affects the growth and success of green and sustainable entrepreneurship

Motivators and Hindrances of Consuming Reusable Water Bottles: An Exploratory Case Study at Columbia University

This pilot study explores the factors that motivate and hinder tap water consumption and reusable water bottle usage among students at Columbia University. Despite Manhattan's tap water being among the highest quality globally, the prevalence of single-use plastic water bottles on campus remains significant. Choosing reusable water bottles over single-use plastics is a pro-environmental behavior that can reduce plastic production and waste. This research investigates the underlying reasons behind students' choices regarding tap water consumption and reusable bottle usage. The data were collected from 58 students selected through convenience sampling utilizing questionnaires and participant observation. The questionnaire responses were thematically coded, and descriptive statistics, including percentages and frequencies, were used to analyze the data. Findings indicate that, while a relatively high percentage of students consume tap water compared to other universities, hygiene concerns related to water quality are the main hindrances. In terms of bottle usage, the primary motivation for carrying a reusable water bottle was to increase water intake. The major barrier was the inconvenience and lack of portability of reusable bottles. Notably, students overestimated the positive environmental impact of using reusable water bottles, which could potentially lead to greater environmental harm due to misconceptions. This pilot study underscores the need for further in-depth research to identify and address the misconceptions and barriers affecting students' pro-environmental behaviors.

Farming the sun: the political economy of agrivoltaics in the European Union

AbstractWhat kind of agricultural practices do agrivoltaic systems incentivise? Under what circumstances can they deliver the promised benefits, and who is likely to bear the costs? Presented as a win–win solution for developing solar energy while enhancing farmland productivity, agrivoltaics offer several advantages—including decentralised electrification, improved crop yield, and thus increased farmers’ income. Compared to traditional utility-scale solar, however, agrivoltaics generally entail higher installation costs and material requirements, lower energy generation, and thus increased cost of electricity production. Drawing on William Kapp’s theory of social costs and ecological political economy, this article examines agrivoltaics developments within the latest EU-level policy initiatives on energy, agriculture, and climate change. Despite room for optimism regarding the comparative advantages of agrivoltaics, the findings reconcile these benefits with multiple trade-offs inherent in alleged ‘win–win’ solutions. Addressing the dual objectives of energy and agricultural transitions, the uncritical deployment of agrivoltaics risks perpetuating the prevailing ‘cheaper food paradigm’, characterised by capital and energy-intensive agricultural techniques, trade globalisation, wage compression, and the displacement and/or deferral of environmental harm. Additionally, rent-seeking behaviour among landowners leasing to energy developers could inflate agricultural land prices, thus exacerbating land ownership intensification and the financialisation of European farmland. This article concludes by advancing a few avenues to reinvest the rental income of agrivoltaics to facilitate the transition to agroecological farming practices.

Evaluation of Minerals Composition in Fish Bone Meal as Organic Fertilizer Development for Sustainable Environment

The improper disposal of agricultural waste leads to soil degradation and environmental harm, but this issue can be addressed by converting the waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, promoting soil health and sustainable farming practices. This study evaluates mineral content in fish bones waste which may support plant growth. FBM was prepared from fish bones collected from the local food processing industry in Terengganu, Malaysia, and nutrient composition was analyzed using the ICP-OES and CHNS equipment. Macronutrient and micronutrient content were compared among Sardinella fimbriata commonly known as Tamban fish, Decapterus tabl, commonly known as Selayang fish, and Chirocentrus dorab, commonly known as Parang fish. Among the species studied, Tamban fish had the highest phosphorus content of 105.59 g/kg, important for energy storage in plants, while Parang fish had the highest potassium content of 2.99 g/kg, important for root development. The Selayang fish expressed the highest values of calcium at 125.05 g/kg, which helps to mitigate soil salinity; other nutrient contents such as magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and boron were highly variable. These findings highlight the potential of FBM as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, supplying critical nutrients for plant growth as well as offering solutions to challenges related to waste management. To optimize its use, further research on blending FBM with other organic materials is recommended in order to balance nutrient availability for improved crop development, and thus support sustainable agriculture and circular economy.

BIPOC Community Perspectives on Environmental Justice in Georgia

For decades, the environmental and climate justice spaces have been predominantly spearheaded by white activists and institutions, even as Black, Brown, and immigrant communities experience the brunt of climate change’s impact. The resulting exclusion of Black, Indigenous, and other people of color’s (BIPOC) experiences, perspectives, and leadership from environmental policy and conservation work has created significant blind spots that further perpetuate inequality (Jones, 2020). In a moment of reckoning, the historically white-led environmental and climate justice movements have begun to acknowledge the exclusion of people of color and its detrimental effects on BIPOC peoples and the movement overall. In order to rectify this exclusion, communities of color must be centered in movement strategy going forward. Furthermore, before community advocacy organizations and community members can advocate for and enact policies and other political decisions on behalf of these communities, we must first ask them what environmental harm has looked like and what solutions they need as we look toward the future. Toward that end, Democracy Lab South and partners conducted the first and only multilingual statewide environmental justice survey of Georgia’s BIPOC and immigrant communities in 2022. This survey establishes a baseline understanding of these communities’ current perceptions, needs, practices, and potential localized solutions. It is our hope that the survey and resulting policy report will serve as a catalyst for building a robust statewide environmental movement that centers those most affected by climate and environmental issues.

Integrating Green Management and Economic Development: The Role of Esg Strategies in Regional Sustainability

Green management, incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, addresses the growing need for sustainable economic development amidst environmental degradation and social inequalities. This study examines the integration of green management strategies to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, focusing on regional implications. Through a qualitative approach, including interviews and case studies, the research explores how ESG principles impact business practices and community development. The findings reveal that while green management significantly reduces environmental harm, enhances economic competitiveness, and promotes community engagement, challenges such as financial constraints, low awareness, and weak regulatory frameworks persist. The study's novelty lies in its emphasis on localized ESG strategies tailored to regional socio-economic and environmental contexts, offering insights into how businesses and policymakers can adapt these principles effectively. Results highlight the importance of aligning corporate policies with regional sustainability goals to attract investment and foster equitable growth. Recommendations include providing financial incentives, enhancing capacity-building programs, and strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure the widespread adoption of ESG practices. These findings underline the potential of green management as a transformative tool for driving sustainable and inclusive regional development.

Ecocide, environmental harm and framework integration at the International Criminal Court

ABSTRACT As the International Criminal Court (ICC) increasingly focuses on environmental harm, and with ecocide formally proposed for adoption into the Rome Statute, the normative adjustments needed to accommodate this ecocentric shift require urgent analysis. Other branches of international law, such as environmental, human rights, and humanitarian law, will be critical in environmental harm proceedings. However, the conceptual basis to incorporate extrinsic law at the ICC under Article 21 of the Rome Statute has not been adequately explored, jurisprudence on it is inconsistent, and its practical implementation remains ad hoc. In seeking to reconcile the Rome Statute with its broader legal context, a well-known doctrine for the incorporation of disparate bodies of law is that of systemic integration, which has been espoused by Martii Koskenniemi and the International Law Commission. Yet, a deeper analysis reveals that this hermeneutically-bound approach is overly restrictive for the ICC’s environmentally-oriented activities. In its place, the article proposes a new approach called ‘framework integration’. The article pre-emptively addresses potential challenges to this novel theory, including the risks of the Court acting ultra vires and perpetuating inconsistent legal standards. This normative examination provides insights for the ICC and for other institutions charged with redressing atrocity crimes, which is particularly apposite for existing offences harming the environment as well as the proposed crime of ecocide.

Application of an adaptive observer for the detection and location of pipeline leak

Leakages in hydrocarbon transport pipelines are a recurring problem. Their real-time diagnosis is a priority task. Timely resolution of leaks helps avoid human casualties, environmental harm, and infrastructure damage. This work focuses on simulating the hydrodynamic behavior along a pipeline to enable timely leak detection and localization through a novel computational tool. The proposed mathematical model identifies discrepancies between the mass and momentum equations and an adaptive observer’s estimation, which considers the leaking fluid like a system perturbation. The flow volume balance method confirms the existence of a leakage. A fluid quantifier estimates the total leaked volume during the detection period. The estimation error between the measured and estimated variables for the adaptive observer approximates the leakage location. The developed software was validated by comparing the results with a real leak scenario in a 20-inch diameter, 15 km long liquefied petroleum gas pipeline. The results demonstrate the tool’s feasibility for real-time leak detection, localization, and quantification, showcasing its potential for addressing recurring pipeline leaks.