Exacerbate Climate Change Research Articles

A regenerative architectural solution for decarbonizing the construction sector in Algeria: lightweight and low-carbon insulating mortar

The building sector is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby exacerbating climate change. To meet the growing need to minimize carbon footprints and improve construction energy efficiency, the development of eco-friendly building materials is crucial. This research concentrates on the development and assessment of lightweight insulating low-carbon mortar. This material is regarded as a prospective solution for regenerative architecture in Algeria due to its advantageous properties. This research aims to explore the characteristics of this material within the context of regenerative architecture, assessing its potential to enhance thermal insulation and energy efficiency of buildings and reduce CO2 emissions. This approach aligns with the principles of the "Materials" petal of the Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification, promoting architecture that goes beyond sustainability to become regenerative. To this end, we proceeded to make samples, conduct testing and laboratory studies on several specimens of this material, and perform digital simulations using RETA software. This mortar, is composed of low-CO₂ cement and lightweight aggregates, providing notable advantages in thermal insulation, energy efficiency, and GHG emissions reduction. In this way, it is observed that the thermal performance of buildings is improved, with a potential reduction in thermal energy consumption of up to 20% and a decrease in GHG emissions of up to 40% compared to conventional mortars. These, allows us to conclude that this ecological mortar contributes in initiatives that promote energy efficiency and sustainable development, promoting a transition towards more environmentally respectful regenerative architecture in Algeria and globally.

International Response to Urge United States’ Carbon Reduction Commitment on Willow Project

A large oil drilling project located in Alaska, United States, called Willow aims to explore significant oil reserves. Although the project is intended to increase fossil fuel production in the region, its impacts have raised concerns worldwide because of its potential to produce significant carbon emissions. These emissions could exacerbate climate change worldwide and threaten local Alaskan ecosystems, including flora and fauna that are vulnerable to noise and air pollution. These effects could also disrupt nearby communities that rely heavily on a clean and healthy environment. The Willow Project’s compliance with international environmental law—specifically the Paris Agreement—is evaluated through case study and normative juridical methods. One of the responsibilities of signatory countries to this agreement is to reduce carbon emissions that will limit global warming. The findings show that the Willow Project is in conflict with this commitment and shows that the United States is not on board with its efforts to combat climate change. In addition, the study examines how the Willow Project impacts human rights, particularly the right to a clean environment. Many issues relate to transparency and accountability because the public is not sufficiently involved in the decision-making process of the project. The results of this study confirm that stricter international regulations must be implemented and greater oversight is needed for high-risk energy projects. Therefore, the international community must push for decisive action to ensure environmental sustainability and human rights protection in the future.

Pioneering plant metabolomic library of Indonesian plants for research, conservation, capacity building and economic development

Indonesia, one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, is undergoing mass deforestation, exacerbating climate change and leading to accelerated loss of species. This project addressed the urgent need to conserve endangered Indonesian biodiversity, specifically the potentially life-saving bioactive compounds harboured within its plants. A group of Indonesian researchers from Universitas Nasional (UNAS) in Jakarta received training in RApid Metabolome Extraction and Storage (RAMES) technology, an ethical, low-impact, field-deployable and cost-effective methodology developed by Rutgers University. The team of Indonesian scientists used this technology to create the first metabolomic library of Indonesian plant species and an easily transportable collection containing 501 metabolome samples from 296 species. This pioneering and readily shareable resource aims to foster collaborative research into plant metabolomics and natural products, reaching across Indonesia and the broader Southeast Asia region. The project also facilitated four formal discussion forums, two of which were international conferences, promoting exchange among Indonesian, Southeast Asian and USA scientists, with notable participation from the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). These efforts culminated in the formation of a strategic partnership among UNAS, BRIN and Rutgers.

Assessment of global carbon dynamics due to mining-induced forest cover loss during 2000–2019 using satellite datasets

Mining activities significantly contribute to forest cover loss (FCL), subsequently altering global carbon dynamics and exacerbating climate change. The present study aims to estimate the contributions of mining-induced FCL to carbon sequestration loss (CSL) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from 2000 to 2019 using the proxy datasets. For FCL analysis, the global FCL data at 30 m spatial resolution, developed by Hansen et al. (2013), was employed in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform. Furthermore, for CSL and CO₂ emissions assessment, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-based Net Primary Productivity (NPP) data and Zhang and Liang (2020)-developed biomass datasets were used, respectively. The outcomes of the study exhibited approximately 16,785.90 km2 FCL globally due to mining activities, resulting in an estimated CSL of ∼36,363.17 Gg CO₂/year and CO₂ emissions of ∼490,525.30 Gg CO₂. Indonesia emerged as the largest contributor to mining-induced FCL, accounting for 3,622.78 km2 of deforestation, or 21.58% of the global total. Brazil and Canada followed, with significant deforestation and CO₂ emissions. The findings revealed that mining activities are a major driver of deforestation, particularly in resource-rich regions, leading to substantial environmental degradation. The relative FCL was notably high in smaller countries like Suriname and Guyana, where mining activities constituted a significant proportion of total deforestation. The present study underscores the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks, sustainable land management practices, and coordinated international efforts to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of mining. The findings of this study can inform policymakers and stakeholders, leading to more effective conservation strategies and benefiting society by promoting environmental sustainability and resilience against climate change.

Effect of Cashew Nutshell Extract, Saponins and Tannins Addition on Methane Emissions, Nutrient Digestibility and Feeding Behavior of Beef Steers Receiving a Backgrounding Diet.

The beef industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through enteric methane emissions, exacerbating climate change. Anacardic acid in cashew nutshell extract (CNSE), saponins and tannins (ST) are plant secondary metabolites that show promise in methane mitigation via antimicrobial effects, potentially exerting changes in ruminal fermentation patterns. This study examined the impact of CNSE, ST, and their combination on methane emissions, digestibility, intake, and performance of sixteen Angus crossbred steers (347 ± 30 kg) receiving a backgrounding diet (70:30 corn silage: cottonseed burrs). The study used a 4 × 4 Latin square design (4 steers, 4 treatments, 4 periods) with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, including the main effects of additive (CNSE or ST) fed individually or combined. Thus, steers received the following treatments: (1) no additive, (2) CNSE only, (3) ST only, or (4) both (CNSEST). Non-supplemented steers registered eight more feedbunk visits/d than ST-steers and spent an extra 10 min/d on the feedbunk. The addition of ST tended to increase dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber intake. Additives fed individually reduced CP digestibility. Intake of the carrier containing CNSE only was lesser and coincided with a greater methane yield in that treatment. Digestibility and methane mitigation were improved after CNSEST compared with individual inclusion, suggesting synergistic reactions enhanced methane mitigation effects in fibrous diets without affecting the digestibility of nutrients nor animal growth performance.

An appropriate artificial intelligence technique for plastic materials recycling using bipolar dual hesitant fuzzy set

Plastic recycling has become more important than ever as the globe struggles with growing environmental issues. This research explores the significant environmental impact of recycling plastic and its growing relevance. The pervasive material known as plastic presents a complex risk to both human health and ecosystems in contemporary life. It exacerbates problems including marine pollution, habitat damage, and wildlife entanglement because of its persistence in landfills and seas, which leads to serious ecological deterioration. In addition, producing plastic uses a lot of energy and produces a lot of greenhouse gas emissions, which exacerbate climate change. Through the use of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM), this study emphasizes how vital it is to support recycling activities in order to protect the environment and promote a sustainable future. The elimination and choice ex-pressing reality (ELECTRE) approach is used to rank the alternatives in this proposed research study that employs bipolar dual hesitant fuzzy sets (BDHFs). The most efficient and versatile outranking method for making decisions is the BDHF-ELECTRE approach. The weights of environment, economic, social, technical, and finally safety is computed using the entropy distance metric. The economic factor received the highest score of 0.2945 among the other factors since economic considerations are crucial in choosing the most efficient plastic recycling method, as they ensure sustainability, cost-effectiveness, resource allocation, and overall feasibility in managing plastic waste. The decision-makers determined that the mechanical recycling approach ought to be prioritized over all others for the efficient recycling of plastic waste. The robustness of the system is examined in the sensitive and comparative analyses. The proposed MCDM technique thus presents a viable solution, mitigating the adverse effects of plastic waste by conserving resources, reducing energy consumption, and curbing pollution.

The Integration of Land Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Practices in Sustainable Food Systems of Africa: A Systematic Review

Land degradation poses a significant global challenge, adversely affecting soil quality and diminishing the productivity of arable land, which, in turn, impacts food production and ecosystem services. This degradation manifests in various forms, including soil compaction, salinity, nutrient depletion, loss of biodiversity, and contamination, ultimately rendering soil unproductive and exacerbating climate change. Given the challenges arising from conventional farming practices and climate change, there is an urgent necessity to develop agricultural systems that not only enhance agronomic efficiency but also improve environmental performance. This study focuses on addressing food security in Africa by investigating the role of land restoration and biodiversity in sustainable food systems through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis for documents between 2010 to 2023, identifying 64 relevant documents. The analysis reveals insights into the most-cited documents and thematic evolution, underscoring the significant contributions from Ethiopia and advocating for collaborative efforts among African nations. Key themes identified include “climate change”, “food security”, “biodiversity conservation”, and “agroecosystems”, all highlighting the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. The study anticipates a continued prioritization of agroecosystems, smart agriculture, and biodiversity conservation to tackle food security challenges in the face of climate change. Collaboration, investment in research, and practical initiatives emerge as essential components for achieving sustainable food security and mitigating climate change impacts in Africa. This research provides valuable insights into the current landscape and future trends regarding the contributions of land restoration and biodiversity to food systems in Africa, emphasizing the critical need for concerted efforts to address these pressing issues.

Microplastics and Climate Change: Analyzing the Environmental Impact and Mitigation Strategies

Abstract Plastics have become integral to modern society due to their versatility and economic benefits, resulting in unprecedented global production levels. However, this convenience comes at a significant environmental cost, with plastic pollution posing severe threats to ecosystems and human health. Amidst growing concerns, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the plastic pollution crisis, particularly with the surge in single-use plastic consumption. Moreover, the insidious role of plastics in exacerbating climate change is increasingly recognized, with plastic-related greenhouse gas emissions presenting a significant challenge to global climate goals. This article analyzes the direct and indirect contributions of plastic to greenhouse gas emissions, encompassing various waste management methods and the production lifecycle of plastics. Through a comprehensive assessment, the urgent need for intervention strategies to mitigate the consequences of plastic pollution and its climate-related impacts is determined. Efforts to reduce plastic’s impact on climate include promoting bio-based alternatives, transitioning to low-carbon production methods, banning single-use plastics, and improving waste management practices. By adopting these strategies, we can address the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on our planet and climate, moving towards a more sustainable future.

ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL OF RAILWAYS TO REDUCE CO2 EMISSIONS: A COINTEGRATION STUDY OF ESTONIA'S TRANSPORT SECTOR

This The transportation sector is a major contributor to CO2 emissions, playing a significant role in exacerbating climate change. Railways, known for their greater energy efficiency compared to other modes of transport, present a viable solution for mitigating emissions, particularly in countries like Estonia. In 2014, transport-related CO2 emissions in Estonia were recorded at 12.7%, marking an overall upward trend since 1995, despite experiencing some fluctuations over the years. This study aims to explore the long-term equilibrium relationship between CO2 emissions from transport and railway passenger kilometers in Estonia through the application of cointegration analysis. Utilizing Engle-Granger and Phillips-Ouliaris cointegration tests, the analysis reveals a stable, long-term equilibrium relationship between the two variables. The findings suggest that an increase in railway passenger kilometers could potentially lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions from transport. These results underscore the importance of enhancing railway infrastructure and usage as a strategic measure to curb transportation-related emissions and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Carbon Sequestration and Storage of Urban Trees in a Polluted Semiarid City

Cities play a critical role in anthropogenic CO2 emissions, which exacerbate climate change and impact urban populations. Urban green infrastructure, such as urban trees, provides essential ecosystem services, including reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. However, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the impact of urban trees on climate change in semiarid, polluted cities like Tehran, the capital and largest metropolis of the Middle East. This study assesses the carbon sequestration and storage potential of Tehran’s urban infrastructure using the i-Tree Eco model. A randomized cluster sampling method was employed, collecting data on species composition, diameter at breast height (DBH), and total tree height. The results indicate that Tehran’s urban trees sequester approximately 60,102 tons of carbon per year, equivalent to 220,393 tons of CO2. The net carbon storage in urban trees is about 254,579 tons, equivalent to 933,455 tons of CO2. Parks and urban green spaces demonstrate the highest rate of carbon sequestration per hectare, followed by urban services land use. Prioritizing the planting of species with high sequestration rates like Cupressus arizonica (Arizona cypress) and Cupressus sempervirens L. var. horizontalis (Mediterranean cypress) could enhance carbon sequestration efforts in Tehran. These data provide valuable insights into the carbon sequestration potential and environmental impact of different land use types, and may aid in the development of effective environmental policies and land management strategies in semiarid urban areas and other cities in similar settings.

Landscape fragmentation and regularity lead to decreased carbon stocks in basins: Evidence from century-scale research

Landscapes evolution have significantly altered the Earth's energy balance and biogeochemical cycles, thereby exacerbating climate change. This, in turn, affects surface characteristics and the provision of ecosystem services, especially carbon storage. While recent centuries have witnessed unprecedented landscape changes, limited long-term studies have offered insights into the comparison between present-day features and historical conditions. This study utilized historical reconstruction data and remote sensing imagery to assess landscape evolution and its consequences for carbon stocks over 300 years. Employing multiple regression and random forest models were selected to quantify the influence of key landscape metrics on carbon stocks in the Dongting Lake basin, allowing for a thorough analysis across different sub-basins and land types. The results revealed that intensified human disturbances led to increased landscape fragmentation (+82%), regularity (+56%), and diversity (+37%) within the basin. Moreover, carbon stocks decreased from 4.13 Gt to 3.66 Gt, representing an 11.4% loss, with soil carbon stock experiencing the most considerable reduction (0.24 Gt, 51%). These changes in carbon stock metrics corresponded to shifts in landscape patterns, both undergoing significant transitions at the turn of the 21st century. Meanwhile, fragmentation and regularity played a vital role in explaining carbon stock changes, as their increase contributes to greater carbon losses. Likewise, an increase in landscape diversity correlated with decreased carbon stocks, challenging the prevailing notion that enhanced diversity promotes carbon stocks. The influence of landscape patterns on carbon stocks varies notably across distinct land types. An increase in the dominance of farmland and built-up land led to decreased carbon stocks, while the opposite holds true for forestland. Similarly, a decrease in regularity for farmland, forestland, and built-up land benefits carbon storage, while grassland demonstrates the opposite trend. These findings offer insights for countries and regions in the early stages of development or approaching development, suggesting improvements in land use practices and strategies to address climate change. This involves offsetting land-based carbon emissions through changes in landscape spatial configuration.

Retrieval of dominant methane (CH4) emission sources, the first high-resolution (1–2 m) dataset of storage tanks of China in 2000–2021

Abstract. Methane (CH4) is a significant greenhouse gas in exacerbating climate change. Approximately 25 % of CH4 is emitted from storage tanks. It is crucial to spatially explore the CH4 emission patterns from storage tanks for efficient strategy proposals to mitigate climate change. However, due to the lack of publicly accessible storage tank locations and distributions, it is difficult to ascertain the CH4 emission spatial pattern over a large-scale area. To address this problem, we generated a storage tank dataset (STD) by implementing a deep learning model with manual refinement based on 4403 high-spatial-resolution images (1–2 m) from the Gaofen-1, Gaofen-2, Gaofen-6, and Ziyuan-3 satellites over city regions in China with officially reported numerous storage tanks in 2021. STD is the first storage tank dataset for over 92 typical city regions in China. The dataset can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10514151 (Chen et al., 2024). It provides a detailed georeferenced inventory of 14 461 storage tanks wherein each storage tank is validated and assigned the construction year (2000–2021) by visual interpretation of the collected high-spatial-resolution images, historical high-spatial-resolution images of Google Earth, and field survey. The inventory comprises storage tanks with various distribution patterns in different city regions. Spatial consistency analysis with the CH4 emission product shows good agreement with storage tank distributions. The intensive construction of storage tanks significantly induces CH4 emissions from 2005 to 2020, underscoring the need for more robust measures to curb CH4 release and aid in climate change mitigation efforts. Our proposed dataset, STD, will foster the accurate estimation of CH4 released from storage tanks for CH4 control and reduction and ensure more efficient treatment strategies are proposed to better understand the impact of storage tanks on the environment, ecology, and human settlements.

Aquatic processing enhances the loss of aged carbon from drained and burned peatlands.

Water-logged peatlands store tremendous amounts of soil carbon (C) globally, accumulating C over millennia. As peatlands become disturbed by human activity, these long-term C stores are getting destabilized and ultimately released as greenhouse gases that may exacerbate climate change. Oxidation of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) mobilized from disturbed soils to streams and canals may be one avenue for the transfer of previously stored, millennia-aged C to the atmosphere. However, it remains unknown whether aged peat-derived DOC undergoes oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2) following disturbance. Here, we use a new approach to measure the radiocarbon content of CO2 produced from the oxidation of DOC in canals overlying peatland soils that have undergone widespread disturbance in Indonesia. This work shows for the first time that aged DOC mobilized from drained and burned peatland soils is susceptible to oxidation by both microbial respiration and photomineralization over aquatic travel times for DOC. The bulk radiocarbon age of CO2 produced during canal oxidation ranged from modern to ~1300 years before present. These ages for CO2 were most strongly influenced by canal water depth, which was proportional to the water table level where DOC is mobilized from disturbed soils to canals. Canal microbes preferentially respired older or younger organic C pools to CO2, and this may have been facilitated by the use of a small particulate organic C pool over the dissolved pool. Given that high densities of canals are generally associated with lower water tables and higher fire risk, our findings suggest that peatland areas with high canal density may be a hotspot for the loss of aged C on the landscape. Taken together, the results of this study show how and why aquatic processing of organic C on the landscape can enhance the transfer of long-term peat C stores to the atmosphere following disturbance.

A Multidimensional Exploration of the Interplay between Human Health and Environmental Factors

This research article explores the relationship between human health and the environment, emphasizing the dire need for a holistic view to understand and addressing health challenges. Drawing upon interdisciplinary perspectives from environmental science, public health, epidemiology, and social sciences, the study investigates different environmental factors for example air and water quality, biodiversity loss, environment change, and pollution, and their impact on human health outcomes. Moreover, the paper discusses the relevance of ecosystem services in supporting human health and well-being and examines the potential of nature-based solutions for mitigating health risks associated with environmental degradation. human activities and health-related behaviors exert substantial pressure on the environment. Industrialization, urbanization, and unsustainable resource consumption degrade ecosystems, compromise biodiversity, and exacerbate climate change, thereby threatening environmental health. Deforestation, for instance, not only diminishes biodiversity but also amplifies the risk of zoonotic diseases transmission, as human encroachment brings humans closer to wildlife habitats. Promoting sustainable practices, such as renewable energy adoption and waste reduction, can mitigate environmental degradation while fostering public health. Additionally, enhancing access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved areas, and implementing policies to regulate pollution and safeguard natural resources are paramount. By elucidating the interconnectedness between health and the environment, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges facing global health and provides insights for developing effective policies and interventions to promote sustainable development and improve population health outcomes.

The Role of Renewable Energies in Combating Poverty in Brazil: A Systematic Review

Poverty reduction is a complex global challenge where renewable energy emerges as a promising solution, particularly in resource-rich countries like Brazil. Renewable energy can enhance conditions in vulnerable communities without exacerbating climate change. This paper reviews the scientific literature on the role of renewable energy in alleviating energy poverty, focusing on Brazil and its global partnerships. Using the Web of Science database with the keywords poverty, renewable energy, and Brazil, this study analyzes 38 articles. The inclusion criteria were broad, focusing on the relationship between poverty in Brazil and renewable energy use. Keywords such as specific types of renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind) were excluded to avoid omitting important renewable sources. This review encompasses theoretical models, discourse analyses, case studies, and systematic reviews, addressing topics from rural electrification to socio-economic factors influencing sustainable energy adoption. Despite growing interest and international collaboration, research gaps remain, highlighting the need for increased academic engagement. The objective of this study is to address the existing gap in the literature concerning the impact of renewable energies on energy poverty in Brazil. Through a comprehensive review, this work maps current knowledge, identifies gaps, and highlights trends by integrating socio-economic analyses with technical assessments for a holistic perspective.

A novel framework for the assessment of hydro-meteorological risks taking into account nature-based solutions

The growing exposure to hydro-meteorological hazards translates into increasing risks for people, territories, and ecosystems. The frequency of occurrence and magnitude of these hazards are expected to further increase in the next decades urging tangible decisions to reduce anthropogenic climate change and adapt to the risks to be faced. In this context, risk assessment is an essential tool for becoming aware of dangers and taking countermeasures. This paper proposes a novel predictive, yet holistic, framework that allows to take into account multiple risks classified according to six research fields, i.e. healthcare, society, ecosystem, heritage, infrastructure, and agriculture. Each contribution to the overall risk is evaluated in terms of economic losses and carbon-dioxide emissions that in turn affect adaptation ability and contribute to exacerbating climate change. Both economic losses and emissions are estimated as a cost per day to support political decision-making processes. In this regard, the framework integrates the effects of adaptation and mitigation strategies to include societal capacities to cope with hazards and respond to their potential consequences. As a guideline, this study reports a preliminary investigation of a heatwave event over a portion of Bologna Province (Italy) concluding that the current use of air-conditioning systems is not sustainable leading to a huge amount of losses. The novel framework can be adopted in future studies for selecting more cost-effective strategies as expected for Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The framework can indeed stand as a tool for estimating the local impact of NbS in the current or future climate scenarios.

Do patents, renewable energies and energy taxes in the transport sector reduce transportation carbon emissions in the European Union?

ABSTRACT Transportation infrastructure plays a significant role in exacerbating climate change as it contributes to a substantial increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The sole economic sector in which European countries have not succeeded in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions is the transportation industry. Therefore, reducing transport-related emissions is a primary focus of emphasis in the European Union’s efforts to meet its climate targets. Accordingly, this study analyzes the impact of renewable energy use, patent development, and energy taxes in the transport sector on the three different modes of transport-related emissions (aviation, road, and rail) in the 10 highest-income countries of the European Union over the period 2008–2020. The study uses the novel half-panel jackknife estimator for this analysis. The results of the estimation show that patents contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions in aviation and rail transportation, while renewable energies are only effective in rail transportation. In the context of road transportation, energy taxes are effective in mitigating CO2 emissions. Based on these findings, it is recommended that European Union policymakers promote the use of electric vehicles and eco- friendly means of transportation in road transport through energy taxes, increase the use of renewable energy sources such as biodiesel in rail transport, and reduce CO2 emissions by supporting patents that promote green innovations in the aviation sector.

Comparison of biogenic volatile organic compounds emissions from representative urban tree species in South Korea and evaluation of standard emission rate models

Although trees generally help alleviate global warming, they generate biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) that may contribute to air pollution and exacerbate climate change. To estimate BVOCs emission rates, several models have been widely used to calculate the standard emission rate (ERs) that takes temperature and light intensity into account. In this study, the effects of temperature and light intensity on the isoprene and monoterpene emissions from various tree species were investigated. Four broad-leaved trees (Platanus occidentalis, Quercus mongolica, Zelkova serrata, and Acer palmatum) and three coniferous trees (Pinus densiflora, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, and Pinus koraiensis) were investigated in August 2022 for the comparison by the species. Emissions from Pinus densiflora were also measured in May for comparison with different climate conditions. Platanus occidentalis revealed the highest emission of isoprene, followed by Quercus mongolica, Zelkova serrata, and Acer palmatum. It was found that the isoprene emissions from Zelkova serrata and Quercus mongolica had a stronger correlation with light intensity than those from Platanus occidentalis. In contrast, the isoprene emissions from Platanus occidentalis exhibited the strongest correlation with temperature compared to other trees concerned. The monoterpene emission from Metasequoia glyptostroboides showed the highest correlation with light intensity (r2 = 0.662). Among the monoterpenes, α-pinene was the most affected by light intensity. Pinus densiflora was affected more by light intensity in May. The ERs estimation using the G93 model confirmed this pattern. Therefore, this study suggests that both light and temperature be taken into account in order to obtain more reliable ERs data of monoterpenes.

The complex system of climate change security and the ripple effect of water–food–socioeconomic nexus

The effects of climate change are recognized globally. This study hypothesizes that climate change impacts are a complex system that creates a ripple effect on water security, food security, and economic security. Ultimately, those domains simultaneously exacerbate climate change effects and produce national security concerns. The study’s framework uses a transdisciplinary team’s quantitative and qualitative approach to evaluate the challenges and possible solutions to climate change security on the Water–Food–Socioeconomic Nexus. Iraq has been taken as a case study highlighting the deficits in management and governance. The dynamic of the ripple effect shows the interventions for each sector’s water-food-socioeconomic and security that collectively impact upon each other over time. The radical shift in the political infrastructure after 2003 from a centralized to a decentralized one without proper preparation is one of the root causes of the governance and management anarchy. About 228 state and non-state actors are involved in decision-making, leaving it fragile and unsustainable. Only 1% of the national budget is allocated to both the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture, which leaves no capacity to mitigate the risk of climate change impact.

The Effects of Wetland Degradation on Ecological Species

Wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide numerous ecological services, including flood control, water filtration, carbon sequestration, and habitat for diverse flora and fauna. However, human activities such as urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development have led to widespread wetland degradation worldwide. Wetland ecosystems diminished by 21-35% between 1700 and 2020 as a result of human interference, with at least 1.3 million square miles of wetlands lost globally—an area about the size of Alaska, Texas, California, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona combined. This research used a documented methodology for extracting information from different books, conversations, conferences, and international organizations to understand the effects of wetland degradation on the decline of species and strategies for wetland conservation and restoration. This paper aims to elucidate the multifaceted effects of wetland degradation on ecological species. The results indicate that wetland degradation declines water quality, leading to alterations in water flow patterns, decreased groundwater recharge, and increased flooding downstream. This can result in the loss of biodiversity, as many species depend on specific water levels and habitats within wetlands. Moreover, the loss of wetlands diminishes their volume to store carbon, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating climate change. Furthermore, wetland degradation compromises water quality by reducing the natural filtration and purification functions of wetlands. Contaminants from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and urban pollution accumulate in degraded wetlands, posing risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the loss of wetlands exacerbates erosion and sedimentation, leading to habitat destruction and loss of coastal resilience against storms and sealevel rise. Addressing wetland degradation requires a multifaceted approach, including policy interventions, restoration efforts, and public awareness campaigns. Effective wetland conservation strategies involve the preservation of existing wetlands, restoration of degraded ones, and sustainable management practices to mitigate further degradation. Collaborative efforts between governments, NGOs, local communities, and stakeholders are essential to safeguarding these critical ecosystems and the invaluable services they provide to the environment and society.