Global Environmental Sustainability Research Articles

Wurtzite CdS ratio tunability on α-Fe2O3/CdS synergistic heterostructure for enhanced UV-induced photocatalytic decomposition of rhodamine 6G dye pollutant

Hematite α-Fe2O3 exhibits a slow catalytic reaction rate and low performance in aqueous pollutant decomposition. In this work, α-Fe2O3/CdS binary heterostructure composites were created by introducing different ratios of wurtzite CdS into α-Fe2O3 within 0–100 wt% via precipitation and impregnation methods. The photocatalytic performance of α-Fe2O3/CdS was enhanced for the decomposition of aqueous rhodamine 6G (R6G) dye under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. SEM images reveal that higher CdS loading results in increased interfacial contact between rod-like CdS and spherical-shaped α-Fe2O3. XRD and FTIR results confirm the coexistence of rhombohedral α-Fe2O3 and hexagonal CdS phases, with peak strength proportional to the ratio of component loading, as the respective elements were verified through EDX analysis. The UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis exhibits an enhancement in optical absorption and band gap broadening as the CdS loading rises. α-Fe2O3/CdS with increased CdS loading exhibits faster and more efficient R6G degradation under UV exposure, as evidenced by greater rate constants and degradation efficiency, with optimal CdS loading of 90 wt% achieving a maximum efficiency of 79.14%. The present heterostructure could be employed in future wastewater remediation for effective removal of organic dye pollutants, further promoting clean water preservation for global environmental sustainability.

Data Plants: Growing Insights in Agriculture through Data Science

Data Science blends different scientific methods to extract valuable insights from large sets of data. Agriculture is crucial for India's economy because more than half of its population relies on it as their main source of income. Research and Extension systems are key in developing and spreading agricultural technologies to boost farmers' earnings. Recently, the use of data has become a game-changer in farming, transforming traditional practices and promoting sustainability efforts. This paper investigates how data-driven methods like machine learning, remote sensing, and predictive analytics are reshaping farming operations and decision-making processes. It also discusses the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of data-driven approaches in farming, such as data security issues and lack of infrastructure. Despite these challenges, there are many opportunities for further exploration and innovation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across disciplines and policy interventions to maximize the benefits of data-driven approaches for sustainable food production. In summary, this study highlights the significant role of data in farming and its importance in addressing global food security and environmental sustainability challenges.

Promoting sustainable smallholder farming via multistakeholder collaboration

Transforming smallholder farms is critical to global food security and environmental sustainability. The science and technology backyard (STB) platform has proved to be a viable approach in China. However, STB has traditionally focused on empowering smallholder farmers by transferring knowledge, and wide-scale adoption of more sustainable practices and technologies remains a challenge. Here, we report on a long-term project focused on technology scale-up for smallholder farmers by expanding and upgrading the original STB platform (STB 2.0). We created a formalized and standardized process by which to engage and collaborate with farmers, including integrating their feedback via equal dialogues in the process of designing and promoting technologies. Based on 288 site-year of field trials in three regions in the North China Plain over 5 y, we find that technologies cocreated through this process were more easily accepted by farmers and increased their crop yields and nitrogen factor productivity by 7.2% and 28.1% in wheat production and by 11.4% and 27.0% in maize production, respectively. In promoting these technologies more broadly, we created a "one-stop" multistakeholder program involving local government agencies, enterprises, universities, and farmers. The program was shown to be much more effective than the traditional extension methods applied at the STB, yielding substantial environmental and economic benefits. Our study contributes an important case study for technology scale-up for smallholder agriculture. The STB 2.0 platform being explored emphasizes equal dialogue with farmers, multistakeholder collaboration, and long-term investment. These lessons may provide value for the global smallholder research and practitioners.

Strategic implications of carbon pricing on global environmental sustainability and economic development: A conceptual framework

This study critically evaluates the strategic implications of carbon pricing mechanisms on global environmental sustainability and economic development. Employing a systematic literature review and content analysis, the research synthesizes recent findings from peer-reviewed articles, reports, and policy documents published between 2010 and 2024. The study's objectives include analyzing the effectiveness of carbon pricing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, assessing its economic impacts, exploring environmental benefits, and understanding the role of international cooperation in enhancing the efficacy of carbon pricing policies. The methodology hinges on a structured search strategy, applying rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure the relevance and quality of the literature reviewed. The analysis reveals that carbon pricing, encompassing both carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems, serves as a pivotal tool for mitigating climate change while fostering economic growth and structural transformation. Key findings highlight the potential of carbon pricing to drive innovation in green technologies, the importance of addressing social equity concerns, and the critical role of international policy coordination in mitigating cross-border carbon leakage and competitiveness issues. The study concludes that carbon pricing mechanisms, when effectively designed and equitably implemented, can align environmental sustainability with economic development goals. Recommendations for policymakers emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies that integrate carbon pricing with broader economic and environmental policies, underscore the importance of international cooperation, and advocate for continued research to refine carbon pricing models and strategies. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on carbon pricing, offering insights into its potential as a cornerstone of global climate governance and sustainable economic policy. Keywords: Carbon Pricing Mechanisms, Environmental Sustainability, Economic Development, International Cooperation.

Sustainable Cultivation of Millets

Millets, once considered as neglected crops, have gained significant attention due to their nutritional value, climate resilience, and suitability for sustainable agriculture. This review paper synthesizes current research on sustainable cultivation practices for millets, focusing on key aspects such as soil health, water management, pest and disease control, and socio-economic implications. It explores innovative approaches such as intercropping, organic farming techniques, and precision agriculture methods to enhance millet yields while minimizing environmental impact. Furthermore, the paper discusses the role of millets in enhancing food security, promoting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. By critically evaluating existing literature, this review aims to provide insights for policymakers, researchers, and farmers to promote the adoption of sustainable millet cultivation practices, thereby contributing to global food security and environmental sustainability.

Chinese architecture inspired smart roof tile integrating radiation cooling, water harvesting, and energy recycling

The development of new materials for resource and energy recycling has emerged as a primary focus in addressing global energy and environmental sustainability challenges. Inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, a smart roof tile (SRT) is scientifically designed, which incorporates hierarchical micro-nanostructured polyethylene/silica/barium sulfate composites (IH-PSB), semiconductor power generation modules, and LED chips. Leveraging the combined effects of surface and interface functionalities, the IH-PSB demonstrates exceptional sub-ambient cooling capabilities, resulting in its surface and bottom temperature being 5.4 °C and 12.1 °C lower than the ambient temperature, respectively. Additionally, the precisely controlled heterogeneous wettability, with a contact angle of approximately 151° and a roll-off angle of around 32°, allows the IH-PSB to efficiently condense moisture and transport droplets. Benefiting from the excellent radiation cooling performance and precisely controlled heterogeneous wettability, the IH-PSB exhibits remarkable passive sub-dewpoint cooling efficiency coupled with efficient water harvesting performance. During a one-month outdoor experiment, the IH-PSB operated stably and continuously without any electrical input, maintaining a mass flux ranging from ∼23.2–50.0 g m−2 h−1. Interestingly, the SRT system efficiently harnesses waste heat generated by the LEDs while simultaneously regulating their temperature effectively. The development and utilization of the SRT offer a sustainable, energy-efficient, and forward-thinking solution that addresses global water scarcity and energy crises.

Climate Literacy in the Age of Global Climate Change: A Critical Inquiry into Shaping Climate –Literate Society for a Sustainable Future

Climate Change is a multidimensional challenge in the twenty-first century. The challenges venting out of the consequences of climate change are mainly due to a lack of information and knowledge to combat it. It is important to build a climate-literate society to address and combat the consequences of ecological catastrophe. There is a need for cutting-edge knowledge on understanding the nuances of critical components of climate science, which is the need of the hour. Henceforth, climate literacy is an understanding of anthropogenic impact driven by human activities that have led to planetary crisis; cultivating ecological skills and thought processes, with a pragmatic vision of providing a tool to build a sustainable world in the era of climate change world. The role of educators and academic institutions in nurturing environmental stewardship becomes a vital for taking a step forward to a sustainable future in the cocoon of sustainable development goals. This paper will explore and address the vision of cultivating climate literacy as a framework for sustainable development and addressing climate resilience in the age of global climate change. The aim of the study is to identify the efficacy of Climate Change Education (CCE) initiatives and to trace few of the best practices and methods for developing a climate-literate society. As we introspect into the future outcome of the present study, it will envision climate literate society and decision-making processes at individual, institutional, and governmental levels for promoting sustainability and millennium development goals. Thus, it calls for action, emphasising the urgency of humanising climate literacy to empower current and future generations to contribute meaningfully to the global environmental sustainability and resilience effort.

A Comprehensive Review on Soilless Cultivation for Sustainable Agriculture

With the growing challenges of food security and environmental degradation, there is an increasing need for sustainable agricultural practices. Soilless cultivation techniques offer a promising solution by minimizing land and water use while maximizing crop yield and quality. This review examines the potential of soilless cultivation methods in promoting sustainable agriculture. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of soilless cultivation techniques in sustainable agriculture. It aims to analyze the various methods used, their advantages and limitations, and their contributions to environmental sustainability and food security. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to gather information on soilless cultivation techniques, including hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics. Relevant studies and reports were analyzed to assess the performance of these methods in terms of resource efficiency, crop productivity, and environmental impact. The review found that soilless cultivation techniques offer significant advantages over traditional soil-based farming, including higher crop yields, efficient water and nutrient use, and reduced environmental footprint. Hydroponic systems, in particular, have been widely adopted and have shown promising results in various crops. Additionally, soilless cultivation methods can be tailored to different environmental conditions, making them adaptable to a wide range of settings. In conclusion, soilless cultivation holds great potential for sustainable agriculture by addressing key challenges such as land and water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate change. While further research and technological advancements are needed to optimize these techniques and make them more accessible to farmers, the evidence suggests that soilless cultivation can play a significant role in achieving global food security and environmental sustainability goals.

From Physics to Environmental Policy: Exploring Boltzmann Distribution for Carbon Trading Permit Allocation

Combating climate change and reducing atmospheric CO2 emissions are imperative. While carbon trade, including taxes and trading systems, has been proposed, the allocation of initial permits is challenging. This study addresses this issue, exploring the application of the Boltzmann distribution for carbon emission permit allocation in carbon trading. The Boltzmann distribution method uniquely considers each country's environmental and economic contexts, assigning more responsibility to nations with larger populations and higher emissions, and providing incentives to lower-emission countries. This promotes fairness in global climate change efforts and influences national environmental policies. High-emission countries like China receive a high number of permits, encouraging stronger environmental policies, whereas countries with lower emissions, such as Italy, benefit from additional permits as compared to conventional distribution models, bolstering their existing environmental conservation. This paper applies the Boltzmann distribution to eight countries, considering population, economic size, and CO2 emissions. It effectively balances permits between egalitarianism (population-based) and sovereignty (emission-based) principles, suitable for international carbon trading. This flexible approach provides a practical framework for international emissions rights allocation along with potential applications in broader contexts. Implementation of the Boltzmann distribution in real-world policy faces challenges due to the dynamic nature of international politics and economics. This research offers insights into the process of integrating this method into existing environmental policy frameworks, demonstrating its potential as a tool for enhancing global environmental sustainability. Future research should explore its application in the complex international political and economic environment, furthering its role in global climate policy.

Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture—The Role of Organic Amendments

Soil degradation threatens global food security and environmental sustainability, necessitating effective soil management strategies. This review comprehensively examines the impact of organic soil amendments on soil quality and productivity across various soil types and climatic conditions. A review of significant research related to organic amendments was performed using encompassed data from online search engines for studies published up until 31 December 2023. Despite their heterogeneity and use of varying methodologies, the data were narratively synthesized, providing a comprehensive understanding of amendment-induced changes in the chemical and physical properties of soil and the effectiveness of restoration on soil degradation. Organic amendments, including compost, vermicompost, biochar, and pomace, are pivotal in enhancing soil quality by increasing soil organic matter content, fostering aggregate formation, and improving soil structure in the short term. They positively influence water retention capacity, pH levels, nutrient availability, and carbon sequestration. In several studies, amendment-induced changes were absent, indicating that the effects of amendments vary depending on soil texture, application rates, and cropping systems, which emphasizes the need for tailored, sustainable soil management practices. This study concludes that organic amendments are a promising option for structure improvement and organic matter accumulation. It further suggests that an approach that integrates various methods is essential in order to meet desirable soil quality and retain agricultural productivity and offers valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. Organic amendments can improve soil ecosystem services and contribute to climate change adaptation. In the future, more attention should be directed to tillage management and soil amendment interaction, as well as their effectiveness over specific periods of time.

A study on the impact of digital economy on green technology innovation of enterprises

<p>With global economic transformation and environmental sustainability increasingly taking center stage, the role of digital economy (DE) becomes particularly critical in corporate green technology innovation (GTI). Based on the data of Chinese A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2011 to 2020, this paper explores the interactive effects of DE and GTI, and the mechanism role of data resources (DR) in it, as well as conducts in-depth analyses for different regional and city characteristics. The main findings are as follows: first, DE significantly promotes the process of GTI. Second, from the perspective of regional differences, the promotion effect of DE on green technology innovation is particularly prominent in the eastern and central regions. And analyzed from the city level, its positive effect is most significant in the second-tier cities, but shows a negative effect in the fourth and fifth-tier cities. Further examined from the perspective of resource dependence, DE inhibits green technology innovation in resource-based cities, while showing a significant facilitating effect in non-resource-based cities. Third, DE can further promote green technology innovation by enhancing firms’ DR. Fourth, the study reveals the threshold effect of DR in this relationship: when <em>DR</em> < 2.5649, <em>DE</em> presents an inhibitory effect on green technological innovation, while its promotional effect begins to appear when 2.5649 ≤ <em>DR</em> < 4.2767, and the promotional effect of DE on GTI becomes more obvious when <em>DR</em> ≥ 4.2767.</p>

New Directions for Thermoelectrics: A Roadmap from High‐Throughput Materials Discovery to Advanced Device Manufacturing

Thermoelectric materials, which can convert waste heat into electricity or act as solid‐state Peltier coolers, are emerging as key technologies to address global energy shortages and environmental sustainability. However, discovering materials with high thermoelectric conversion efficiency is a complex and slow process. The emerging field of high‐throughput material discovery demonstrates its potential to accelerate the development of new thermoelectric materials combining high efficiency and low cost. The synergistic integration of high‐throughput material processing and characterization techniques with machine learning algorithms can form an efficient closed‐loop process to generate and analyze broad datasets to discover new thermoelectric materials with unprecedented performances. Meanwhile, the recent development of advanced manufacturing methods provides exciting opportunities to realize scalable, low‐cost, and energy‐efficient fabrication of thermoelectric devices. This review provides an overview of recent advances in discovering thermoelectric materials using high‐throughput methods, including processing, characterization, and screening. Advanced manufacturing methods of thermoelectric devices are also introduced to realize the broad impacts of thermoelectric materials in power generation and solid‐state cooling. In the end, this article also discusses the future research prospects and directions.

Global health and environmental sustainability

The evolving trend at which the wellbeing of the human population at the world level is being studied, researched and practiced seems to be of double edged sword. Since one way to score global health and environmental sustainability is through measuring the prevalence of various global diseases in the world and their threat to decrease life expectancy in the present day as well as availability of natural resources. There is there fore need to re-evaluate the current trends, as well as proffer lasting solutions. To make a land mark success on present needs without compromising on future generation needs, there should be evolutionary and swift transformation in health for all programs, imbibing green choice life / eco-friendly production and consumption, urban farming. Thus, global health and environmental sustainability should be summed up as the study and application of attaining welfare equity for all people in a sustainable environment.

All-Natural Plant-Derived Polyurethane as a Substitute of a Petroleum-Based Polymer Coating Material.

The development of efficient, biobased polyurethane controlled-release fertilizers from sustainable and eco-friendly biomaterials has received increased research attention, owing to concerns regarding global food security and environmental sustainability. Most previous studies focused on replacing petroleum-based polyols with biopolyols; however, the other main raw material, isocyanate, remained a petrochemical product. Herein, all-natural, plant-derived polyurethane-coated urea was successfully developed using castor oil and biobased isocyanate, and the performance of the coating shell before and after modification was compared. The results showed that the incorporation of a low dose of lauric acid copper into the coating material simultaneously enhanced the hydrophobicity and elasticity of the all-biobased polyurethane membrane, which prolonged the nitrogen release longevity from 3 to 112 days. In addition, the modified membrane showed excellent biodegradability in a soil environment. The novel all-biobased polyurethane coating material and modification technique provide insight for developing sustainable and eco-friendly controlled-release fertilizers.

The Revolutionary Impact of Regenerative Agriculture on Ecosystem Restoration and Land Vitality: A Review

The revolutionary impact of regenerative agriculture on ecosystem restoration and land vitality in India delineates the nuances of its principles, practices, and the symbiotic relationship with community engagement and policy frameworks. Regenerative agriculture, a holistic approach prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, water management, and carbon sequestration, emerges as a critical solution to the challenges of soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change faced by Indian agriculture. Through a synthesis of comparative studies and case analyses, this review highlights the tangible benefits of regenerative practices, such as enhanced soil structure, fertility, and microbial health, alongside improved water infiltration and conservation, underscoring the pivotal role of biodiversity in bolstering farm resilience and ecological balance. The narrative further delves into the socio-economic dimensions, examining the economic viability, knowledge dissemination, and the vital role of measurement and verification in scaling regenerative practices. Community and societal engagement, pivotal for fostering consumer demand for regeneratively produced products and collective restoration efforts, is identified as a cornerstone for the transition towards sustainable agriculture. Moreover, the review identifies the need for long-term impact studies to monitor ecosystem changes and assess global scalability. By integrating scientific research with policy analysis, the review advocates for innovations in regenerative techniques, aligned with precision agriculture, and underscores the necessity of supportive policy and economic incentives to catalyze the transition towards regenerative agriculture in India, thereby contributing to global food security and environmental sustainability.

Isolation of Rhizosphere and Phyllosphere Bacteria from Cereal Samples

This study presents the isolation of rhizosphere and phyllosphere bacteria from cereal samples, highlighting their importance in agricultural ecosystems. Employing surface sterilization techniques, selective media and molecular analysis, diverse bacterial communities were identified on the root and leaf surfaces of cereal crops, encompassing taxa from the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes phyla. A total of 40 rhizosphere and phyllosphere bacteria were isolated from different cereal crops This research contributes to our understanding of microbial dynamics within cereal crop ecosystems and informs strategies for optimizing agricultural practices to meet the challenges of global food security and environmental sustainability.

Food shortage driven crop residue burning and health risk

Ending global hunger is one of the greatest challenges humanity faces. The second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2), Zero Hunger, seeks to simultaneously address global environmental sustainability and food security challenges. However, ending hunger and food shortage would lead to the increase of agricultural activities and crop yields, which in turn might rise crop residue biomass burning, leading to adverse environmental and health consequences. This study estimated the health risk using modeled airborne benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a common indicator of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) released from crop residue biomass burning, and demonstrated the dependence of incremental lifetime lung cancer risk (ILCR) on the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU). Results showed that 10.4% of the global population are exposed to BaP concentration levels exceeding the EU target value (1 ng/m3) due to crop residue burning. The dependence of ILCR on PoU was attributed to increasing post-harvest crop residue biomass burning consequent to growing crop yield motivated by food shortage. Although global mean ILCR from crop residue burning BaP emission was positively correlated with the mean PoU at a correlation coefficient of r = 0.87 (p < 0.0001), positive and negative associations between PoU and ILCR were found among different less-developed countries. Eighty-nine less-developed countries were clustered into five groups, and the response of each group's ILCR to their respective PoU was assessed, which was interpreted by a human development index (HDI) that measured key dimensions of human development. Results also revealed that sustainable agriculture and implementation of air emission control measures play key roles in the association between hunger and ILCR.

The power of on-farm data for improved agronomy

Advances in technology and analytics to support data-driven agriculture has important implications for global food security and environmental sustainability. However, relatively few studies have investigated the potential to leverage the power of on-farm data for improved agronomy at scale using geospatial machine learning methods. Working in high-yielding rice systems of Uruguay, we developed a geospatial framework to identify yield-limiting factors across 55,000 ha annually of cropland over four seasons (2018–2021 harvest years), while also testing for tradeoffs in the environmental footprint related to nitrogen (N) fertilizer use. Our application of geographically-weighted random forest models showed that crop management decisions influenced rice yield more than variation in soil properties, highlighting the potential for improved agronomy to boost crop production by 1.4–1.8 Mg ha−1 across regions. Seeding date, variety, P rate, and K rate were the most important variables controlling yield, but with significant variation across fields. When these factors were optimized by farmers, the risk of environmental N losses or soil N mining did not increase, highlighting the potential for sustainable intensification by improving N use efficiency. These findings present a pathway for harnessing the benefits of increasingly available on-farm data to identify yield-limiting factors while minimizing negative environmental externalities at the field-level. To enable the development of such geospatial frameworks in other regions, new partnerships are required to engage stakeholders and promote data sharing and collaboration among farmers, researchers, and industry, helping guide regional extension programs and orient future investments in agricultural research.

Preface

The 4th International Conference on Environmental and Sustainability Development (4th ICESD) was held on November 21, 2023, hosted by the Doctoral Program in Environmental Science at Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia. The conference was conducted online through Zoom and broadcasted on YouTube to enhance accessibility for dissemination. The theme of this international conference was “Comprehensive Approaches to Address Global Environmental Issues: Integrating Science, Policy, and Best Practice.” The conference is part of the ICESD series, held annually since 2020.During the general assembly meeting, five invited speakers from Russia, Malaysia, and Indonesia delivered talks related to the conference theme. For the parallel sessions, a total of 92 submissions were received, and only 68 papers were accepted for presentation at the conference. The authors of these papers came from various countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Japan, and China. The presentations were divided into six rooms, covering four different topics: biodiversity and conservation, climate and environment, sustainable development approaches, and waste management and environmental engineering.Experts, academics, practitioners, stakeholders, and communities shared ideas and views that inspired real action in maintaining and creating sustainable harmony for our Earth amidst the challenges of global climate change, environmental degradation, decreased biodiversity, and global warming. Through discussions, research, and strong collaboration, this international seminar promoted an in-depth understanding of the complex relationship between global climate change, environmental sustainability, and efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).List of The 4th ICESD Committee is available in this Pdf.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Chickpea Agronomic Practices in the World During 45 Years of Scientific Research

ABSTRACTChickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivation practices underwent significant transformation in recent decades due to advancements in scientific knowledge and the need for sustainable, productive farming systems. In this study, a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications from 1977 to 2023 on chickpea agronomic practices was conducted, revealing critical insights. India, as the world's leading chickpea producer, plays a pivotal role, not only in production but also as a significant contributor to scholarly research and international collaborations. The choice of journals for publication is found to influence research impact.Analysis of research trends using co‐occurrence networks of keywords reveals evolving focuses, with a recent shift towards qualitative aspects, such as protein content and nutritional quality, as well as sustainable agricultural practices. The study also emphasizes the necessity for further research on chickpea quality characteristics, strategies to mitigate antinutritional factors, yield optimization, and the impact of climate change on chickpea cultivation. Ultimately, chickpea cultivation research holds great promise in contributing to global food security and environmental sustainability. This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of chickpea cultivation research and offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders as they navigate the future of sustainable agriculture and the quest for protein‐rich food production while minimizing the environmental footprint.