Exploitation Of Natural Resources Research Articles

Kumasi trees – project of the hearts. Decolonial strategies for advancing urban greenery in a Sub-Saharan city

ABSTRACT Rapid expansion in low- and middle-income countries often follows the destructive environmental paths set by wealthier colonial powers. The greatest obstacle is the prevailing mindset: a lack of environmental awareness and continued exploitation of natural and human resources. To achieve sustainable urban planning, it’s vital to avoid colonial practices, raise environmental awareness, and foster local appreciation of the environment as a cultural value. This paper explores decolonial approaches in architecture and urban planning to foster a balanced human-nature relationship and new tools for Sustainability Transition in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using the Kumasi Trees – Project of the Hearts as a case study, it shows efforts to re-greening Kumasi, Ghana, through local engagement and knowledge, rediscovering environmental values and cultural identities. The paper examines practices within Decolonial Thought (DT), questioning the universality of Eurocentric thinking, recognizing multiple value systems, and embracing alternative knowledge bases stemming from other cultures.

Exposure Assessment of Metals in Cave-Dwelling Bats: Worldwide Relevance of Local Knowledge.

Bat populations are decreasing worldwide, mainly due to anthropogenic influence, climate changes, urbanisation, agricultural intensification, and industrial exploitation of natural resources. Colonies have been displaced from caves and other natural roosts, leaving mines (including metal extraction mines) as key remaining roosts for cave-dwelling bats in many regions. Consequently, mines have become important for global conservation efforts. The persistence of metals in these environments might affect biota even after exploitation activities have ceased. This study investigates potential metal exposure in cave-dwelling bats roosting in abandoned mines. Non-invasive samples of fur, wing, and faeces from 140 individuals of four insectivorous cave-dwelling bat species (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus euryale, Rhinolophus hipposideros, and Miniopterus schreibersii) were collected in four abandoned mines in northern and central Portugal, frequently used as hibernation roosting sites. Soil, rock, and water samples were also collected in each mine to characterise the exposure source. Concentrations of 13 metals (As, Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn, Sn, and W) were measured by ICP-MS spectrophotometer. Metals were detected in the wings and fur of all bat species, confirming metal exposure. The highest concentrations were mainly found in the wing membranes. M. schreibersii presented the highest metal concentrations in fur. Differences in metal concentrations between species might be related to foraging behaviour and habitat use, linked to distinct anthropogenic activities. These results reinforce the importance of monitoring metal exposure in cave-dwelling bats roosting in abandoned mines, as this exposure may help to understand the decreases in bat populations and to support measures to prevent their decline.

KOLABORASI SDM, TEKNOLOGI, DAN KESADARAN LINGKUNGAN: STRATEGI PEMBANGUNAN EKONOMI DI ERA REVOLUSI INDUSTRI 5.0

The Fifth Industrial Revolution (Industry 5.0) presents both challenges and opportunities for global economic development, where advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming industries and societies. The main challenges include the lack of human capital preparedness to quickly adapt to technological advancements and the low level of environmental awareness in many industrial sectors. Economic growth that focuses excessively on natural resource exploitation exacerbates environmental degradation and climate change. Therefore, collaboration between human resources, technology, and environmental consciousness is essential to achieving sustainable and inclusive development. This study aims to identify gaps in human resource readiness, technological utilization, and environmental awareness and to propose economic development strategies for the industry 5.0 era that address these challenges. The research method employed is a literature review, analyzing various academic papers, reports, and secondary data from scientific journals, government reports, and industry-related articles. The findings show that technology serves as a primary driver of innovation, but human-technology collaboration is crucial for creating sustainable value. Additionally, the rising environmental awareness offers opportunities for industries to shift towards more eco-friendly business models, such as the circular economy and renewable energy. Collaboration between governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society is needed to realize inclusive and sustainable development in this era.

Harvesting Underdevelopment: Exploring the Water–Food Nexus in Brazilian Municipalities

Efforts to promote human development through agriculture highlight issues that require balanced approaches, considering socio-environmental factors, including equitable water allocation in regions with significant inequalities. This study aims to assess human development disparities across Brazilian regions, particularly in municipalities with high water consumption for irrigation in agriculture and livestock watering. Using public data from 2007 and 2016, a total of 300 municipalities were selected each year for analysis based on water use types. The study compared groups using the Firjan Index of Municipal Development (FIMD) as a measure of human development, employing the Kruskal–Wallis test with a 95% confidence level. We found statistically significant differences in FIMD distribution across all of the groups studied. We also verified that a set of municipalities in the Southeast did not experience significant advancements in development between 2007 and 2016, despite having high water allocations for livestock watering. Additionally, intense water use for irrigation was insufficient to elevate less advantaged regions, such as the Northeast, where half of the municipalities were classified with moderately low values in both years. The challenges in this water–food nexus study highlight the need for more integrated policies to ensure greater justice in human development and in the distribution of natural resource exploitation for agribusiness income.

Keadilan Ekonomi Islam sebagai Solusi Alternatif bagi Krisis Ekonomi Global

This study aims to analyze how Islamic economic principles can be applied effectively in the global economic system. This study uses a library research method with a comprehensive literature analysis with a descriptive and analytical approach. The results state that Islamic economics is a paradigm that offers alternatives and transformative solutions to build a more just, sustainable, and humane global economic system. By integrating the principles of justice, solidarity, and sustainability, Islamic economics can answer the failure of capitalism and socialism in overcoming social inequality, exploitation of natural resources, and financial instability. Through instruments such as zakat, waqf, the prohibition of usury, and partnership-based financing, Islamic economics creates a balance between individual and collective interests while maintaining ecological balance. Challenges in its implementation, such as resistance from the capitalist system, lack of global understanding, and the need for harmonization with modern market mechanisms, require collaborative approaches, technological innovation, and commitment across countries. If implemented consistently, Islamic economics can revolutionize the world's economic structure, create equitable prosperity, and strengthen human relationships with the environment, building the foundation for a more harmonious and sustainable world order.

Japanese space policy: An international legal perspective

Japan’s advancements in technology and its strategic focus on space policy have driven swift advancements in the field, attributed to Japan’s ability to balance scientific exploration, industrial growth, and national defense. This article examines Japan’s national legal framework governing space activities. The key pieces of legislation analyzed are the Law Concerning Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency of 2002, the Basic Space Law of 2008, the Act on Launching of Spacecraft, etc. and Control of Spacecraft of 2016, the Act on Ensuring Appropriate Handling of Satellite Remote Sensing Data of 2016, and the Act on the Promotion of Business Activities for the Exploration and Development of Space Resources of 2021. The analysis of these activities is conducted in accordance with the relevant international space legal framework. The article delves into the shift in Japan’s space policy from “non-military” to “non-aggressive” in 2008 and its impact on national legislation. An examination is provided of the fourth law in the world (following similar actions by the USA, Luxembourg, and the UAE) concerning the exploitation of natural resources of celestial bodies, enabling private entities to conduct exploration and extraction activities. This is especially noteworthy given the lack of direct international legal oversight on space resource utilization. This article also examines Japan’s international legal space policy, including the Japan-U.S. Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies 2023, in light of the particularly close Japan-U.S. cooperation in space exploration and use. Japan’s enactment of a law regarding the exploration and exploitation of natural resources of celestial bodies, along with Japan’s participation in projects such as Artemis, Lunar Gateway, and Hakuto-R, demonstrates its growing role in international space projects and its pursuit of the closest possible cooperation with the United States in ensuring national security through the use of outer space. The conclusion offers summarizing statements.

Diffusing Conservation to Post-Colonial Africa

ABSTRACT In 1961, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) and four other U.S. Interior Department agencies began to diffuse America’s protected-area policies and practices to recently independent African states through the “African Student Program” (ASP). Employing an historical methodology with archival materials, this article argues that the ASP was a path-dependent program that promoted the application of Western management, science, and engineering to natural resource exploitation. Its utilitarian conservation was more closely associated with the Interior Department’s four other land-management agencies than with the NPS. Consequently, while the ASP was a distant variant to the widely discussed “Yellowstone model,” it was comparable to that of Africa’s former colonizers. The NPS largely organized 1961’s ASP, but summer 1965 better represents the program with its extensive planning and the inclusion of many non-NPS philosophies, sites, and personnel. The ASP’s record offers little evidence that the emerging science of ecology shaped the curriculum or that much thoughtfulness was shown about the places and cultures of its participants’ homelands. By contrast, contemporaneous but more ecologically and place-informed programs by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) stepped away from colonial practices and policies concerning African protected areas. Where the ASP was conservative in its program, the IUCN offered a newer path.

Bioresource Rent Value of Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, Philippines, for Access and Benefit Sharing Scheme

The Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park (MMRNP) in the Philippines is a vital protected area that harbors a diverse range of flora and fauna with substantial economic significance. Despite the extensive research conducted within MMRNP, the monetary value of its rich biodiversity remains vastly underestimated. This research employs a combination of key informant interviews and focus group discussions with local and indigenous people (IP) communities living near MMRNP. Value chain analysis and resource rent calculation were utilized to determine the economic value of MMNRP’s bioresources and ensure their sustainability and equitable management. Through these participatory methods, nine bioresources of significant economic importance have been identified, prioritized, and found to be collected, utilized, and traded by communities. These include five floral species: Dendrocnide sp., Calamus sp., Cinnamomum mercadoi, Agathis philippinensis, and Gymnostoma sumatranum, and four faunal species: Limnonectes sp., Apis sp., Apis cerana, and Sus philippensis. The estimated annual value of these economically important bioresources within MMRNP is PhP 42,708,861.20. Given its potential contribution to the local economy, the establishment of enabling policies to protect bioresources is crucial to mitigate the adverse impacts of natural resource exploitation on both economic growth and the development of local communities residing near MMRNP. It is strongly recommended that joint close monitoring and supervision by relevant agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units (LGUs), and Protected Area Management Boards (PAMB) be implemented. This approach will promote transparency and consensus building, ensuring the sustainable management of these invaluable bioresources for access and benefit of present and future generations.

Can effective environmental policies reduce the burden of natural resources exploitation in emerging economies? Evidence from quantile regression

Can effective environmental policies reduce the burden of natural resources exploitation in emerging economies? Evidence from quantile regression

Scale effects of supplementary nature reserves on biodiversity conservation in China's southern hilly region.

The Southern Hilly Region (SHR) of China plays a critical role in maintaining national ecological security and supporting global biodiversity. However, intensified human activities, such as urbanization and excessive land exploitation, have led to significant ecological degradation, posing threats to both local and global biodiversity. The current nature reserve system in SHR no longer meets the demands for local biodiversity conservation. To address these challenges, this study proposes a strategic framework aimed at enhancing biodiversity conservation in the SHR by establishing Supplementary Nature Reserves (SNRs). Using the Systematic Conservation Planning method, we identified 80 additional SNRs based on existing reserves, focusing on watersheds as the unit of analysis. We evaluated their conservation effectiveness at regional, watershed, and sub-watershed scales. The results indicate that while SNRs significantly improved habitat quality and reduced human impacts at local and smaller scales, their effectiveness varied across spatial scales. The study underscores the importance of multi-scale conservation planning and the need to integrate local and regional strategies to optimize biodiversity protection. These findings provide a foundation for policymakers to develop more targeted and effective conservation measures, ensuring the long-term sustainability of biodiversity in the SHR.

Critical Analysis of Anti-Slapp Regulations in The Field of Criminal Law in Indonesia

This study examines the issue of SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) and the appropriate Anti-SLAPP legal protections for environmental activists in Indonesia. It highlights how SLAPP serves as a tool for corporations to intimidate and silence environmental activists who oppose practices detrimental to society and the environment, particularly those resulting from the exploitation of natural resources. This study critically analyzes the existing Anti-SLAPP regulations in Indonesia, particularly within the context of criminal law, as outlined in various regulations. The study identifies significant shortcomings in these regulations, such as the lack of clear definitions of environmental activism, bureaucratic obstacles in seeking protection, and insufficient coverage throughout the entire criminal process. The results indicate that while legal protection for environmental activists is in place, it remains partial and inadequate, necessitating a more integrated and robust regulatory framework to better protect the rights and activities of environmental activists. This study offers suggestions for harmonizing Anti-SLAPP regulations across relevant legal institutions to ensure consistent and reliable protection for environmental activists.

Analisis Environmental Kuznets Curve (Menyeimbangkan Industri Hijau dan Degradasi Lingkungan di Indonesia)

Indonesia has expanded and adapted to international market trends in tandem with the advancement of its industry. Various factors, such as industrialization, urbanization, and the exploitation of natural resources, are responsible for this growth. However, these activities have also led to environmental degradation in many parts of Indonesia. Deforestation is one of the most significant environmental issues that Indonesia is currently grappling with. The production structure of developing countries can exacerbate the relationship between environmental degradation and economic growth, which can be detrimental to the environment. The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between environmental degradation and green economic growth, with a particular emphasis on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), using the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) model. This model posits a reversible relationship between per capita income and environmental quality. The novelty of this study lies in the development of better indicators to measure EKC and Green GDP. These indicators cover a wide range of aspects, from air and water quality, and biodiversity levels, to energy consumption. The Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine the correlation between GDP and IKLH in Indonesia from 2010 to 2022. The analysis yielded positive and robust correlations between GDP and IKLH. Consequently, the higher the GDP, the greater the IKLL or the less environmental degradation. An advance in the economy during the industrial era in Indonesia is indicated by the increase in the country's GDP growth rate. The short-term and long-term impact of economic expansion on the environmental quality index of life suggests that there is a reduction in environmental degradation. The concept of Green GDP should be proposed as an alternative indicator that considers asset depreciation, non-market economy, and environmental damage caused by economic growth.

SPATIO-TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF LAND USE TYPES FROM 1993 TO 2023 IN THE SOUDANO-SAHELIAN ZONE OF CAMEROON

This work raises the problem of the evolution of deforestation in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. This land cover study was mainly based on diachronic analyzes of satellite images (Landsat). Diachronic analysis, used for a long time to understand the transformations of space, is an approach which carries out a comparative study, by superposition, or even juxtaposition of the different documents processed. Diachronic analysis in this study is developed over a three-decade period. Understanding vegetation dynamics in this study region requires careful analysis of how vegetation has evolved over the past three decades. It evolves according to management methods imposed by humans and climate variability. Satellite imaging (also called space imaging) refers to the taking of images from space, by sensors placed on satellites. The physiognomy of vegetation refers to the overall appearance of the vegetation, structure, and more particularly aerial system. This allows an overview on a very large scale, which depends on the species in an environment.In addition, topographic maps were acquired and digitized, as well as photographs. This study was undertaken with the aim of showing from satellite images the transformations undergone by plant formations in four Divisions of the Far North region of Cameroon and make a forecast of the vegetation of the study sites in thirty (30) years.From the analogical interpretation and mapping of land data, seven major land cover classes have been identified. These are: Steppe, Grassy Savannah/Fields, Shrubby Savannah, Wooded Savannah, Forest Gallery/Clear Forest, Surface Water and Buildings/Bare Soil and Sand Strip. The evolution of deforestation does not affect all vegetation, but there is an increase in other types of plant formations to the detriment of others. In addition, the vegetation of the study area is undergoing a regressive evolution due to the phenomenon of deforestation. Satellite images clearly show a number of negative changes in plant physiognomy. The 1993 image shows homogeneity of spots. Thirty (30) years later (2023), it indicates heterogeneous spots. Overall, the simulation of percentage changes in deforestation is very accentuated in the study area. The results of this study show that vegetation is in full decline in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. This regression is due to deforestation and the deforestation is a function of ethnicities, cultures and traditions.Deforestation, which is mainly caused by human activities, has the major consequences of flooding and loss of biodiversity. These results could serve as a reference for the search for strategies for the exploitation of natural resources and sustainable conservation of plant diversity in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon.

The Political Economy of Natural Resources: Exploitation and Sustainability

This article explores the political economy dynamics of natural resources in relation to their exploitation and sustainability. Natural resources, such as oil, gas, minerals, and forests, play a critical role in economic development. However, their management is often hindered by power imbalances, neoliberal policies, and pressures from globalization. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the study analyzes how policies, economic structures, and political dynamics shape the exploitation of natural resources and their effects on social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The article emphasizes the need for sustainable development as a solution, focusing on integrating environmental sustainability, social inclusiveness, and equitable economic growth. By addressing these interconnected factors, the article argues that it is possible to achieve a balance between economic growth and the preservation of natural resources. Furthermore, it offers strategic recommendations for overcoming the challenges of exploitation and inequality in resource management. These recommendations include creating policies that prioritize fairness, transparency, and long-term sustainability. The article stresses the importance of inclusive and future-oriented governance, which ensures that natural resource wealth benefits all sectors of society, while minimizing environmental degradation. Such governance approaches can lead to more equitable outcomes, fostering a sustainable relationship between human development and the natural environment.

Niger Delta Poetry and Traumatic Inscriptions: A Reading of Sophia Obi’s Tears in a Basket

Environmental degradation, beyond being a global phenomenon, is fast becoming a major cause of concern in Africa with severe impacts on humans and non-humans. This mindless exploitation of natural resources, particularly in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, does not only adversely affect aquatic and terrestrial habitats, making them endangered species, but also leaves scathing impacts on humans, which range from physical to psychological. Previous studies have largely focused on analysing the destructive consequences of environmental degradation on non-humans and the effects on the material well-being of humans in Sophia Obi’s Tears in a Basket. However, this study argues that the destruction of the environment in the Niger Delta region directly affects the psychological and mental health of the inhabitants in the affected communities, causing trauma. Therefore, this study is a critical reading of Sophia Obi’s Tears in a Basket as a narrative of trauma. The study adopts ecocriticism (the study of nature in literature), Stef Craps’ model of trauma theory, which redefines trauma to include unending, quotidian kinds of brutality that befall persons in lower factions, and engages Rob Nixon’s concept of “slow violence”, which focuses on the accretive, cumulative impact of environmental degradation on marginalised communities. The text is subjected to literary and critical textual analysis to examine its preoccupation with the subject of trauma, through the prisms of individual and collective suffering among the Niger Delta people. The study establishes that environmental degradation possesses the potential to generate trauma.

Environmental degradation and its symbolic representation in Nnedi Okorafor’s Lagoon

This paper investigates how Lagoon critiques environmental neglect, employing speculative fiction to engage with pressing ecological issues. Through an ecocritical lens, it emphasizes the novel’s call for reimagining humanity’s relationship with nature, advocating for sustainable futures rooted in both cultural and ecological resilience. Nnedi Okorafor’s Lagoon stands out as a landmark in African speculative fiction, blending elements of science fiction with sharp ecological and socio-political commentary. Set in Lagos, Nigeria, the novel vividly depicts environmental degradation, symbolized by the polluted waters of Bar Beach, as a microcosm of broader ecological crises. Through richly detailed descriptions of oil spills, marine life disruption, and urban pollution, Okorafor critiques human exploitation of natural resources and its devastating socio-economic and cultural consequences. The arrival of extraterrestrial beings introduces a speculative framework that critiques human inaction while envisioning pathways for ecological restoration. These aliens, capable of purifying polluted waters and reviving marine ecosystems, serve as a metaphor for humanity’s potential to reverse environmental harm through collective action and innovation. The novel also explores the symbolic role of water and marine life, portraying them as sites of both destruction and renewal. By examining the intersections of environmental degradation, governance, and resilience, Lagoon situates itself within the emerging field of African ecocriticism.

The intersection of ecology and inequity: postcolonial reflections in oil on water

This study situates Oil on Water within the frameworks of ecocriticism and postcolonial studies, analyzing how the novel portrays ecological harm as both a local and global crisis. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives, the research examines key motifs such as water as a symbol of destruction and renewal, and the role of narrative in fostering ecological awareness and advocating for systemic change. Habila’s novel transcends its fictional context, contributing to the growing discourse on climate justice and sustainability while underscoring the moral imperative to address environmental and social inequities. Helon Habila’s Oil on Water offers a compelling exploration of the socio-environmental crises plaguing the Niger Delta, a region marked by the paradox of resource abundance and ecological devastation. The novel critiques the systemic exploitation of natural resources by multinational corporations and corrupt state actors, highlighting the cascading effects of oil exploration on human lives, landscapes, and cultural heritage. Through vivid depictions of polluted rivers, displaced communities, and poisoned lands, Habila intertwines narratives of environmental degradation with themes of resilience and socio-political injustice. His work aligns with Rob Nixon’s concept of "slow violence," emphasizing the incremental and often invisible destruction caused by environmental exploitation, and with Cajetan Iheka’s focus on the environment as an active participant in African literature.

Natural hydrogen resource exploitation must confront the issue that certain gas compositions are undesirable in terms of environmental sustainability

Natural hydrogen resource exploitation must confront the issue that certain gas compositions are undesirable in terms of environmental sustainability

Geochemical and magnetic properties in fluvial and lacustrine systems as environmental quality proxies in the Atacama Desert

Rivers play a crucial role in landscape evolution and human development, especially in arid zones, where hydrological resources are scarce and in high demand. The Atacama Desert is one of the world’s oldest and driest non-polar deserts, and aquatic systems therein have been historically subjected to anthropogenic pressure mainly associated with natural resource exploitation, such as water consumption for industrial mining activities. The mining industry has experienced a systematic development since the early 20th century, making Chile one of the main worldwide copper producers. This study analyzed sediments from two Atacama Desert rivers, the Loa and Salado Rivers (Antofagasta Region, Northern Chile). Sedimentary short-cores were obtained from sampled locations at varying distances from the confluence of the rivers. The characterization of chemical components, grain size, mineralogy, and magnetic properties of the rivers’ sediments was assessed in surface and subsurface samples to determine their respective signatures in the Inka-Coya Lake near the rivers’ confluence. The magnetic mineralogy present in the sediments of both rivers is composed of detrital magnetite and maghemite interspersed with those of authigenic origin. However, the downstream Loa River concentrated more authigenic minerals than the Salado and increased the abundance of silt-sized particles. The grain size of the Loa’s channel bed suggests low stream competency and high formation of depositional habitats. The magnetic signal and mineralogical composition of sediments from the lake are dominated by detrital pyrite, magnetite, and authigenic greigite. In contrast, the river’s sediments were dominated by magnetite and maghemite of detrital origin intercalated with those of authigenic origin. The granulometry, mineralogy, and rock magnetic properties of Inka-Coya Lake sediments indicate recent detrital input alternating with authigenic mineral-rich layers, mainly reflecting shifts in hydrological regimes. The highest concentrations of copper were observed in the upper, more recent sediment layers. Future scenarios of risky climatic conditions associated with increasing global metal demands could modify the availability of potentially toxic elements and transport capability in fluvial sediments, increasing the threats to water resource conservation in the world’s most arid desert.

FAMILY CAPITALISM AND THE EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES: A CATALYST TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Capitalism is one of the significant reasons behind the exploitation of the natural resources. Family is the primary unit of Social Structure. The evolution of family structure undergoes various cultural challenges throughout history, from Gynocracy to Patriarchy. Accordingly, the family structure is now divided into the Bourgeoisie and Proletariat families. The bourgeoisie family satisfies the demands of the proletariat family. However, both Family divisions exploit natural resources not for need but for greed. It is explicit that every family is modified into a capitalist family mindset. Most of the time, capitalism exploits natural resources, and that exploitation is the cause of the depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation, thus resulting in climate change. Resource exploitation, particularly natural resource exploitation, significantly contributes to climate change. The development of infrastructure for human needs, technological advancement, and others has never satisfied human expectations, which are unnecessary but an unwanted exploitation of natural resources. Thus, this research paper discusses how the materialistic and capitalist mindset of the family exploits nature and acts as a catalyst for climate change. KEYWORDS: Family system, Materialistic attitudes, climate change, Resource exploitation, and Human greed