Environmental Crisis Research Articles

Rekindling Eco-Ubuntu in Sicelo Mbatha’s Black Lion: Alive in the Wilderness

Sicelo Mbatha’s memoir, Black Lion: Alive in the Wilderness (2021), is in keeping with the recent ecological turn in South African literature that offers a postcolonial ecocritical explanation for current environmental and socioeconomic crises. It advocates for spiritual awareness and a connection to nature to foster environmental justice through multispecies entanglements. For Mbatha, a relationship to land based solely on economic returns leads to social, spiritual, and ecological poverty. He, in contrast, calls for an intuitive and mystical relationship with the fauna and flora of the Zululand biome. Drawing on a philosophy of eco-ubuntu, he urges us to weave ourselves into the tapestry of wilderness; to return to equitable community with nature. Mbatha’s naturewisdom is received through his imbrication in Zulu culture, passed down to him through oral tradition from his father and grandfather; a process suggestive of a return to the past that is future-orientated. The memories captured in this book foreground his deep yearning for a kinship with the wilderness. In the iMfolozi region, the story of the nature reserve/s is a story of disruption, dispossession, and dishonesty. As counterbalance, Mbatha’s memoir is an invitation to step into the wilderness to rekindle a lost sense of belonging. Mbatha’s mandate is to broaden the community of eco-ubuntu. He fosters an ethics of care, not only for the environment, but also for the self that is interconnected with wilderness.

Tailoring Non-Covalent Interaction Via Single Atom to Boost Interfacial Charge Transfer Toward Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for hydrogen generation holds immense potential for addressing environmental and energy crises. Tailoring non-covalent interaction via a single atom is anticipated to realize prominent hole extracting facilitating PEC performance, but it has never been reported. In this study, single atom Co-N4 is coordinated with 5-fluoroanthranilic acid (FAA) molecules, then used as a non-covalent hole-extracting layer on a BiVO4 substrate. Experiments including X-ray absorption fine spectra, Kelvin probe force microscopy, transient absorption, and theoretical calculation demonstrate the FAA coordination alters the local configuration of the central Co atom, adjusting the interfacial non-covalent interaction, thereby reducing the barrier of charge transfer between BiVO4 and the hole-extracting layer. Consequently, photogenerated carriers are more effectively separated, and the PEC water oxidation performance is significantly enhanced with the photocurrent density of 5.47mA cm-2 at 1.23V versus RHE, much higher than those of previously reported BiVO4 photoanodes composited with porphyrin-based compounds. Experiments and theoretical simulation confirm that the boosted PEC performance originates from exceptional interfacial charge transfer rather than surface catalysis dynamic. This study provides an efficient strategy for tailoring non-covalent interaction by regulating single-atom coordination and promoting hole extract to boost PEC water oxidation activity.

Calling out the Troops to Manage Environmental and Health Crises in Australia: Public Understandings of Domestic Armed Forces Operations

Domestic deployment of armed forces as part of state-led responses to environmental and health hazards is a common occurrence across liberal democracies. Yet we know little about how these domestic operations influence public attitudes. Using six focus groups, we examine Australians’ views on the performance and appropriate roles of the Australian Defense Force (ADF) in the context of two domestic operations: Bushfire Assist (2019–2020) and COVID-19 Assist (2020–2022). We find high trust in the ADF and the capabilities of its personnel in assisting the civil community in crisis response—but a trust often based in “blind faith.” Likewise, we find broad support for domestic deployments, but with a clear caveat: military personnel should not undertake any roles of coercion or enforcement. The findings suggest democratic governments must carefully balance the benefits of leveraging military resources against potentially weakening the public support sustaining military legitimacy and “social license” to operate.

Sustainability Discourses in the Leadership and Management Literature: A Critical Review

ABSTRACTThis review advances a critical discussion of prevalent sustainability discourses in the leadership and management literature. Since the 1990s, ecocentric approaches to management have been discussed in opposition to anthropocentric (human centered) management theory. However, limited attention has been given, so far, to clarifying how sustainability discourses have influenced the literature of leadership and management. The influence of rights‐based United Nations Sustainable Development dating back to the Brundtland report in 1987 is widely recognized, as are business and technology‐based discourses in sustainability (ecological modernism). Such discourses are united in a belief in green growth. However, a literature review shows that critical sustainability discourses about limits to growth, planetary boundaries and the need for degrowth, as well as ecocentric discourses, are only marginally present in the literature on leadership and management. In view of the need for leadership to address the “polycrisis” of entangled environmental and social crises, we problematize the lack of critical sustainability discourses in the leadership and management literature.

Enhanced butanol production through intracellular NADH regeneration in CdSe-C. Acetobutylicumg semi-photosynthetic biohybrid system

Current environmental challenges and energy crises highlight the urgent need for a transition in energy mix. In this study, an innovative semi-photosynthetic biohybrid system that combined light-activated cadmium selenide quantum dots (CdSe QDs) with engineered Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, Clostridium acetobutylicumg (C. acetobutylicumg), was developed to enhance renewable butanol production. The results demonstrated that CdSe QDs could be biosynthesized intracellularly within C. acetobutylicumg through the introduction of glutathione pathway, without causing significant damage to bacteria. Furthermore, this system showed remarkable tolerance to butanol and weak acids. Under illumination, the biological synthesized CdSe QDs enabled C. acetobutylicumg to achieve a 45.5 % increase in NADH/NAD+ ratio compared to C. acetobutylicumg without CdSe QDs. When utilizing undetoxified rice straw hydrolysate in photo-fermentation, this system achieved a butanol titer of 14.82 g/L and a yield of 0.29 g/g. Overall, this work aims to effectively harness solar energy and biomass resources for sustainable clean biofuel production.

Clustering Analysis of Food Security, Waste and Loss: Malaysia Agricultural Insights

As the world population grows rapidly nowadays, the demand for food has come to rise. The escalating demand for food has caused substantial wastage and loss, which not only hampers food security efforts but also aggravates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, intensifying the environmental crisis. Among numerous countries, Malaysia, with its diverse agricultural profile, emerges as a good fit for our case study. This study chooses the clustering technique to examine food sector data in Malaysia and investigate the link between the clustering results on food data and the data on GHG emissions. This case study aims to find crops depending on their production efficiency, underline those that match major waste, and estimate their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Three clustering techniques, Gaussian Mixture Modelling (GMM), Birch, and Density Peak clustering, are applied in the Production and Supply Utilisation Accounts (SUA) datasets, help to identify and cluster crops based on their similar traits to acquire uncovered patterns between the food sector and environmental issues. Using cutting-edge clustering algorithms and visualization tools, this study investigated in-depth the complex interactions among food production, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions in Malaysia. By addressing food production efficiency and waste reduction, the outcome will be a cascade of benefits that not only improve food security but also help to lessen negative environmental effects. This study illuminates the multifaceted dynamics of food production, waste, and environmental impact, offering valuable insights and pathways toward a more sustainable future for Malaysia and potentially other nations.

A transfer learning-DCNN based oil spill detection using compact polarimetric SAR data

Oil spills in the marine environment can cause both economic and environmental crises, which underlines the urgent need for effective detection and prevention strategies to mitigate the consequences. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is one of the commonly used sensors for oil spill detection, and the compact polarimetric (CP) SAR system, with its wide swath width and sufficient polarimetric information, is well suited for this task. This study aims to employ four deep convolutional neural network (DCNN)-based semantic binary segmentation models (i.e., U-Net, LinkNet, FPN, and PSPNet) to detect oil spills using simulated compact polarimetry in hybrid-pol mode. In the deployed methodology, we used transfer learning to improve the adaptability of the models to different sensors. We efficiently adapted the built oil spill detection models on UAVSAR to data of RADARSAT-2 while retaining the essential features and knowledge from pre-trained models by fine-tuning them. The results showed the potential of these models in oil spill detection. The PSPNet model, as the most accurate, achieved an overall accuracy (OA) of 96.00% and a kappa coefficient of 91.30% on the UAVSAR image. After fine-tuning, it yielded an OA of 98.68% and a kappa coefficient of 92.71% on the RADARSAT-2 image.

Cutting-edge developments in plastic biodegradation and upcycling via engineering approaches

The increasing use of plastics has resulted in the production of high quantities of plastic waste that pose a serious risk to the environment. The upcycling of plastics into value-added products offers a potential solution for resolving the plastics environmental crisis. Recently, various microorganisms and their enzymes have been identified for their ability to degrade plastics effectively. Furthermore, many investigations have revealed the application of plastic monomers as carbon sources for bio-upcycling to generate valuable materials such as biosurfactants, bioplastics, and biochemicals. With the advancement in the fields of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, the construction of high-performance microbes and enzymes for plastic removal and bio-upcycling can be achieved. Plastic valorization can be optimized by improving uptake and conversion efficiency, engineering transporters and enzymes, metabolic pathway reconstruction, and also using a chemo-biological hybrid approach. This review focuses on engineering approaches for enhancing plastic removal and the methods of depolymerization and upcycling processes of various microplastics. Additionally, the major challenges and future perspectives for facilitating the development of a sustainable circular plastic economy are highlighted.

Nitrogen substitution of bilayer penta-carbides: high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency and excellent electrocatalytic activity for water splitting.

The shortage of fossil energy and environmental crises are two important issues in the 21st century, and the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, e.g. H2, is crucial. Herein, based on penta-germagraphene p-Ge2C4, bilayer penta-carbides of p-Ge4C8 and nitrogen substituted materials p-Ge4NnC8-n are proposed. The results indicate that gradually replacing the carbon atoms on the surface of p-Ge4C8 with nitrogen atoms can change the surface activities and electronic structures, and this is beneficial for both photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. The vertical intrinsic electric field in the two-dimensional materials can enhance photocatalytic water splitting of p-Ge2C4/Ge2N2C2 and break the conventional limitation of 1.23 eV for the band gap of photocatalysts. Therefore, solar energy conversion efficiency can reach 31%. The smaller effective mass and deformation potential of p-Ge2C4/Ge2N2C2 along the x and y directions lead to a huge electron mobility (425.64 × 103 cm2 V-1 s-1) at room temperature. Moreover, the overpotential for the hydrogen evolution reaction of p-Ge2C4/Ge2N2C2 is 0.074 V, which is beneficial for electrocatalysis. The external strain and electric field can also enrich the electronic properties. Surface modification achieved by introducing the nitrogen atoms can improve the catalytic performance of penta-carbides.

Mineralizing Biofilm towards Sustainable Conversion of Plastic Wastes to Hydrogen.

The integration of inorganic materials with biological machinery to convert plastics into fuels offers a promising strategy to alleviate environmental pollution and energy crisis. Herein, we develop a type of hybrid living material via biomineralization of CdS onto Shewanella oneidensis-based biofilm, which is capable of sustainable hydrogen production from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) wastes under daylight. We reveal that the formed biofilm microstructure provides an independent anaerobic microenvironment that simultaneously supports cellular viability, maintains hydrogenase activity, and preserves the functional stability of CdS, giving rise to the efficient plastic-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency as high as 3751 μmol H2 g-1 PLA. Besides, by genetically engineering transmembrane pili conduit and incorporating conductive nanomaterials to strengthen the electron transfer across cellular interface and biofilm matrices, we show that the conversion efficiency is further enhanced to 5862 μmol H2 g-1 PLA. Significantly, we exhibit that a long-term sustainable plastic-to-hydrogen conversion of 63 d could be achieved by periodically replenishing PLA wastes. Overall, by the synergistic integration of biotic-abiotic characteristics the developed biofilm-based biomineralized hybrid living material is anticipated to provide a new platform toward the efficient conversion of plastic wastes into valuable fuels, and bridge the gap between environmental contamination and green energy production.

A convenient double defect engineering avenue for NH2-MIL-125 to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and NO removal via accelerating the electron mobility

Defect engineering for MOFs is a promising approach to accelerate the charge transfer to further enhance the photocatalytic performance. Up to now, the current defect engineering strategy for MOFs mainly focuses on a single adjustment mode with the apparent ceiling effect, whether the further break out of the ceiling effect could be achieved through the combination of two or more adjustment modes is still in its infancy. In this work, the original NH2-MIL-125 was firstly adjusted by a single adjustment mode in ethanol solvothermal method to obtain partially linker defective NM-125-X (where X signifies the distinct temperatures used in the solvothermal treatment, with optimal results observed at X = 120). Subsequently, the NM-125-120 was further re-regulated by adjusting the ligand defects through another adjustment mode in water heating agitation, resulting in the ultimate defective NM-125-120-65. The NM-125-120-65 obtained through double defect engineering avenue showed superior photocatalytic performance with the hydrogen production rate of 11585.23 μmol·g−1, which was 1.23 and 14.05 times as those of partially defective NM-125-120 (9427.65 μmol·g−1) and original NH2-MIL-125 (824.85 μmol·g−1), respectively. In addition, the NO removal rate of NM-125-120-65 was 64.8 % also higher than that of NM-125-120 (37.8 %) and NH2-MIL-125 (23.6 %). Through a series of comparative experiments, especially TGA and XPS, it was noted that the ligand defective NH2-MIL-125 can be formed by ethanol solvothermal method, and it was also confirmed that through further re-regulating the ligand defects in water heating agitation, the linker defects could also be further expanded. The PL emission spectra, IT diagrams, and EIS measurements displayed that the NM-125-120-65 had outstanding conductivity and excellent electron mobility compared to NM-125-120 and NH2-MIL-125. This work provided a novel approach for the subsequent defect engineering by another adjustment mode based on the existing defective MOFs via double linker defect engineering adjustment modes, so as to further obtain better photocatalytic performance for solving the environmental and energy crisis.

THEORY OF "ATMOSPHERIC AESTHETICS" IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE VILLAGES

Purpose of this study is to identify ways to apply the theory of atmospheric aesthetics in the design of traditional rural landscapes to enhance the visual and experiential appeal of rural areas. Today, the theory of "atmospheric aesthetics" is recognized as a foundation for revitalizing rural environments within the ecological design framework and is widely discussed in academic circles in China and around the World. Methodology. The research utilized literature analysis, inductive reasoning, case studies, and factor analysis of environmental design. Results. Based on the analysis of the practical application of the theory of "atmospheric aesthetics" in rural design, techniques to improve the aesthetic perception of traditional villages are demonstrated. The main advantages of using this theory in the design of traditional villages have been identified, such as: enhanced aesthetic experience; promotion of cultural heritage; improved quality of life; resolution of environmental crises. The practical application of the theory of "atmospheric aesthetics" helps create a unique artistic atmosphere and emotional resonance, making rural landscapes more attractive and strengthening the sense of identity and belonging among residents. Emphasis on preserving traditional cultural elements, such as ancient architecture and streets, contributes to the continuity of cultural heritage and the sustainable development of rural areas. Scientific novelty. Theoretical and practical approaches to rural environment design based on the theory of "atmospheric aesthetics" have been further developed. Extensive evaluations of the effectiveness of using this theory in rural design were conducted during field studies and surveys in various locations. This innovative theory enriched methods of studying environmental aesthetics, offering scientific support for rural revitalization strategies and innovative designs. Practical significance. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in their potential application by designers in the design of traditional Chinese village environments, where an aesthetically comfortable and attractive environment for both local residents and tourists is created based on the identification of emotional and sensory qualities of the surroundings.

Can We Tackle the Environmental Crisis With Education?

The world is becoming less livable due to climate change and the loss of nature. What can be done to stop this environmental crisis? What would empower young people to help protect the environment? Schools and clubs sometimes offer environmental education programs—lessons or activities to help young people understand the environment and its vulnerabilities, and what can be done to protect it. Do these environmental education programs work? To answer this question, we conducted a big summary of 169 studies, which included more than 176,000 young people from around the world. The results provide good news: environmental education generally helps young people to know about, care about, and do things to protect the environment. Our research also raises new questions. For example, now that you know environmental education can be effective, do you think it should be provided more often? Should environmental education be a required subject in school?

Hydrogen evolution performance of single atom catalyst supported on holey graphdiyne

Abstract Electrocatalytic hydrogen production is an effective method to solve environmental issues and energy crisis. However, cheap and high performance electrocatalysts are still very scarce. In this work, the hydrogen evolution reaction performance of holey graphdiyne supported transition metals single-atom catalysts (TM-SAC-HGY) were investigated by first-principles study. It is found that TM atoms are stably anchored on monolayer HGY by forming TM-C bonds. Meanwhile, TM atoms transfer electrons to both HGY and H atom. More importantly, the H adsorption free energy (ΔGH) of Cu-SAC-HGY is 0.028 eV, which is very close to 0 eV. Therefore, Cu-SAC-HGY has excellent HER activity. By analyzing the results of partial density of states, it can be concluded that the orbital hybridization strength of TM and H plays a decisive role in affecting HER activity. This work could contribute to the development of more efficient HER electrocatalysts.

Efficient crystallization: Paving the way to 100% electrification in crystallization

This paper addresses the urgent need to decarbonize the beet sugar industry, driven by environmental and climate crises. Focusing on the crystallization stage of sugar production, De Smet Engineers & Contractors introduces the CRISTA-TOP® concept as an innovative configuration incorporating a flash/cooling crystallizer and enhancing the batch crystallization by reducing the massecuite level above the calandria while using high DS content standard liquor. Compared to standard crystallization processes, the CRISTA-TOP® design reduces the total evaporation work by 43% and decreases waste heat by 53%. Additionally, the heating steam temperature for the evaporating crystallizers is reduced from 108 °C to 97 °C, further optimizing energy consumption. This concept not only lowers the environmental footprint but also maintains high sugar quality. By electrifying the crystallization stage, CRISTA-TOP® enables the use of renewable electricity, which is particularly beneficial during syrup campaigns. The development is based on a robust conceptual methodology to optimize and electrify a reference beet sugar factory, using advanced simulation models that can define multiple decarbonization pathways. De Smet Engineers & Contractors supports the industry’s energy transition and promotes sustainable practices globally.

Between the Lines of the Jungle: Environmental Reflections in Jim Corbett's Writings

This research article explores the eco-consciousness in Jim Corbett's writings, emphasizing his deep connection to nature and his commitment to wildlife conservation highlighting his dual role as a hunter and conservationist, revealing his empathy for animals and understanding of their ecological significance. While Corbett's tales are often thrilling accounts of hunting man-eaters, they also contain profound reflections on environmental balance and respect for all species. Written at a time when the modern conservation movement was in its infancy, Corbett’s works showcase a forward-thinking approach to ecological preservation, advocating for a shift from anthropocentrism to a more inclusive view of nature’s intrinsic value. This literary analysis underscores how Corbett’s blend of adventure storytelling with environmental insight remains relevant, especially in today’s demanding context of environmental crisis. Through an ecocritical lens, this article argues that Corbett’s writing serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable and ethical stewardship of nature.

Water, Energy, Food, and Environment Nexus for Achieving Sustainable Transition, Addressing Gaps, and Implementing Solutions for Global and Iranian Cases

ABSTRACTThe challenge of providing water, energy, food, and managing the environment (WEFEN) is widely recognized as a significant barrier to global advancement in light of the increasing population. The interconnections among water, energy, food, and the environment constitute a comprehensive framework for achieving sustainability. Based on projections, it is anticipated that the global community will encounter crises pertaining to water, energy, food, and the environment in the foreseeable future. The objective of this paper is to analyze global research endeavors pertaining to the interconnections among water, energy, food, and the environment. Additionally, it aims to address the challenges and imperatives of investigating this nexus within the context of the world. This framework aims to achieve a harmonious equilibrium by considering the diverse objectives, interests, and requirements of both human societies and the natural environment. The correlation established by WEFEN has the potential to provide valuable insights for informing future global sustainable development policies in relation to environmental and water crises. This review study critically analyzes the existing body of research pertaining to the interplay between water, energy, food, and the environment in Iran and globally. Additionally, it highlights the challenges encountered in studying this intricate relationship and underscores the imperative for further investigation in this domain. This study reveals that the main barriers to achieving global integration of water, energy, food, and the environment are sector‐specific policies and a dearth of integrated management approaches. The findings of this study encompass recommendations for enhancing the interplay between water, energy, food, and the environment. Additionally, establishing a dedicated policy‐making institution and reaching a consensus on a comprehensive plan are crucial steps. Furthermore, it is imperative to develop and enhance the infrastructure of the clearing market to address pertinent matters effectively.

Preparation of heteroatom-doped hyper-crosslinked polymers via waste utilization of sulfur-containing petroleum coke: A promising adsorbent for CO2 capture

To overcome the worldwide environmental crisis related to the continuous emission of CO2, the use of porous organic polymers, which are excellent absorbents and conversion materials, to reduce CO2 emission is of great significance. Among them, hyper-crosslinked polymers (HCPs) are porous materials with a high pore density that are synthesized using a simple one-pot method that is economical and can realized at a low temperature, hence they have good application prospects as adsorbents for CO2. In this study, a batch of petroleum coke-based HCPs with different sulfur contents was prepared via the one-pot Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction using inexpensive and abundant petroleum coke as raw material. Thereafter, the use of the prepared materials for CO2 adsorption revealed that the HCPs with a high sulfur content had a larger specific surface area (825 m2/g) and showed a higher CO2 adsorption capacity (2.1603 mmol/g at 1 bar 298 K) than its counterpart with a lower sulfur content. Thus, the presence of sulfur significantly enhanced the CO2 adsorption performance of the material. Further, the simulation of the heat of adsorption of HCPs with and without sulfur using Material Studio also confirmed the higher CO2 capture efficacy of HCPs with a higher sulfur content.

Political Environment, Banking Liquidity, and Banking Crises: A Mediation Analysis From Panel Data

Political Environment, Banking Liquidity, and Banking Crises: A Mediation Analysis From Panel Data

Tandem Upgrading of Bio-Furans to Benzene, Toluene, and p-xylene by Pt1Sn1 Intermetallic Coupling Ordered Mesoporous SnO2 Catalyst.

Benzene, toluene, and p-xylene (BTpX) are among the most important commodity chemicals, but their productions still heavily rely on fossil resources and thus pose serious environmental burdens and energy crisis. Herein, the tandem upgrading of bio-furans is reported to high-yield BTpX by rationally constructing a versatile Pt1Sn1 intermetallic coupling ordered-mesoporous SnO2 (OM-SnO2) catalyst. It is shown that with increasing reduction temperature from 200 to 350°C, Pt nanoparticles (NPs) are first formed on OM-SnO2, then converted to Pt3Sn1 intermetallic nanoparticles (iNPs), and finally to Pt1Sn1 iNPs with a gradually-thickened SnO2 overlayer. Impressively, the Pt1Sn1 iNPs and defect-rich OM-SnO2 in the optimized Pt@OM-SnO2 can serve as the highly-active species for the hydrogenolysis of 5-hydroxymethylfuran to 2,5-dimethylfuran and the aromatization of 2,5-dimethylfuran with acrylic acid to p-xylene, affording the highest yields of 99.1% and 96.1%, respectively. More importantly, it can perfectly realize the tandem upgrading of furan, furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfuran to benzene, toluene and p-xylene with high yields of 94.6%, 94.2% and 95.2%, respectively, representing a new tandem catalytic system to realize the high-yield BTpX productions from their corresponding bio-furans. This catalyst also shows good recyclability and excellent scalability, which together with its superior activity/selectivity suggest a high potential for sustainable BTpX productions.