Climate Change Management Research Articles

Smart Tourism for Managing Climate Change Effects on Tourism Industry and Tourism Development in African Countries

The tourism sector is among the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy. Despite the significance of this sector in the global economy, the tourism industry is facing several climate change problems, such as wildfires, droughts, changes in water levels, and flooding, which disturb the sector’s development. Thus, a lack of advanced solutions to tackle these issues in the tourism industry decreases tourism revenue and biodiversity. This study examines the role of smart tourism in managing climate change effects in the tourism industry and its development in Africa, precisely to document climate change effects in the industry and explore people’s perspectives on smart tourism in managing climate change effects. A questionnaire of both closed and open questions was used to capture the views of 100 respondents (99 city residents and one expert from the urban economic development of Kigali City) on how intelligent tourism can assist in handling climate change problems linked with the tourism sector. Results show that digital technology in tourism can manage climate change effects and increase revenues, as mentioned by Kigali City’s expert in the urban economic development and 79% of the interviewed city residents. Additionally, the study has revealed that road cameras to monitor tourists’ security were distributed in the cities and towns of Rwanda. Also, there is a loss of species in the forests caused by wildland fires. Financial capacity to buy emerging technology-related equipment and qualified personnel to fix it were mentioned by 80% of the respondents as factors that delay smart tourism operations in African countries. Smart tourism must be taken into consideration to boost tourism and manage its climate change effects. This line-up includes early warning systems to alert heavy rain in touristic areas and sensors to detect fires occurring in touristic areas for future climate change related effects management.

Should central banks manage climate change risk via a CO2 emissions augmented Taylor rule? Evidence using a DSGE approach

The detrimental effects of climate change are becoming pressingly apparent over the decades with policy-makers clumsily grappling with various policies to mitigate on its impacts on their respective economies. However, inefficiencies permeate in the implementation of these policies as they are being implemented only at the end of the process of economic activities. To resolve such a problem, this paper develops an innovative and novel approach to internalize CO2 emissions by proposing a ramified Taylor rule which captures a climate change premium, the level of which is directly dependent on the extent of deviation of actual CO2 emissions from its targeted level. The key benefits of the proposed tool are that not only effectiveness level is being bolstered by applying the tool right at the start of the process of economic activities but also that funds collected out of such a climate change premium could empower governments worldwide to vigorously green their economies. The model is tested for a given economy using the DSGE approach with findings attesting to the effectiveness of the proposed tool in curtailing the level CO2 emissions, independent of the type of monetary shock under scrutiny. Most importantly, depending on the extent of aggressiveness in mitigating the pollutants level, the parameter weight coefficient can be fine-tuned accordingly.

Regional Water Stress Forecasting: Effects of Climate Change, Socioeconomic Development, and Irrigated Agriculture—A Texas Case Study

Climate change, socioeconomic development, and irrigation management are exacerbating water scarcity in many regions worldwide. However, current global-scale modeling approaches used to evaluate the impact of these factors on water resources are limited by coarse resolution and simplified representation of local socioeconomic and agricultural systems, which hinders their use for regional decision making. Here, we upgraded the irrigation water use simulation in the system dynamics and water environmental model (SyDWEM) and integrated it with the water supply stress index (WaSSI) ecosystem services model. This integrated model (SyDWEM-WaSSI) simulated local socioeconomic and agricultural systems to accurately assess future water stress associated with climate change, socioeconomic development, and agricultural management at subbasin levels. We calibrated the integrated model and applied it to assess future water stress levels in Texas from 2015 to 2050. The water stress index (WSI), defined as the ratio of water withdrawal to availability, was used to indicate different water stress levels. Our results showed that the integrated model captured changes in water demand across various sectors and the impact of climate change on water supply. Projected high water stress areas (WSI > 0.4) are expected to increase significantly by 2050, particularly in the Texas High Plains and Rolling Plains regions, where irrigation water use was projected to rise due to the impact of climate change. Metropolitan areas, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, were also expected to experience increased domestic water demand, further exacerbating water stress in these areas. Our study highlights the need to incorporate socioeconomic planning into water resources management. The integrated model is a valuable tool for decisionmakers and stakeholders to evaluate the impacts of climate change, socioeconomic development, and irrigation management on water resources at the local scale.

Climate Change, Ecological Modernization, and Disaster Management: The Coastal Embankment Project in Southwestern Bangladesh.

Climate change, one of the severest environmental threats to humankind, disproportionately affects low-income, developing countries in the Global South. Having no feasible mitigation alternatives, these countries resort to adaptation efforts to address climate perturbations. Climate change adaptation (or resilience) is primarily a localized course of action that depends on individuals, social networks, economies, ecologies, political structures, and the capabilities of all those to work collectively to absorb, learn from, and transform in the face of new realities. With a view to controlling the floods that shattered the life and economy of the then East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh, during the mid-twentieth century, the coastal embankment project (CEP) was instituted as an adaptation strategy to natural disasters in Southwestern Bangladesh. Based on a qualitative analysis of primary and secondary data, this paper seeks to critically evaluate the efficacy of the CEP in terms of the space for feasible action and ecological modernization. The findings of this research indicate that the CEP has become an unrealistic venture that hinders the growing economic activity of shrimp aquaculture in the area. This paper is expected to contribute to generating further theoretical and empirical discourse on the evaluation of similar development projects around the globe.

Soil Erosion in Northern Nigeria: Potential Impact and Possible Solution: A Review

Aim: This research aims to discuss the environmental soil erosion problem in northern Nigeria: their potential impact and possible solution for sustainable agriculture and livelihood management
 Methods: This research was carried out by reviewing the literature. The data were derived from; books, journals, internet and conference reports, and Google Scholar, and some university library catalog was used to search the literature. The search terms used are soil erosion, climate change, land degradation, Sahel, drylands, soil conservation, agroforestry, and sustainable land management.
 Results: This paper reviewed environmental problems such as soil erosion which are generally considered as the most serious consequences and their impact will remain the main issues for the 21st century. Soil loss will however be prevented or decreased by appropriate crop management such as cover cropping, multiple cropping, and high-density planting. Cover crops have certainly influenced the properties of physical soil which include infiltration rate, moisture content, bulk density, increase organic matter content, the levels of Nitrogen (N) by use of Nitrate (N2) fixing legumes, exchange of cation capacity and crop yields.
 Conclusion: The use of cover crops, multiple cropping, agroforestry, and conservation tillage are provided as some of the effective means of controlling soil erosion in the northern part of Nigeria. Therefore, the recommendation here is that the government extension services should incorporate farmers in the affected areas.

Estimating population viability of the northern Great Plains piping plover population considering updated population structure, climate change, and intensive management

One challenge in wildlife conservation is understanding how various threats and management actions may influence long-term population viability. This is particularly evident when there is considerable uncertainty regarding population structure and vital rates. Reassessment of current knowledge and population trends is necessary for listed species to improve management actions that benefit conservation. We present an updated population viability analysis for northern Great Plains piping plovers (Charadrius melodus circumcinctus) based on the latest scientific data on survival, fecundity, and connectivity. Further, we explore the consequences of potential management actions and the stochastic effects of global climate change on population viability through changes in survival and fecundity. Our results predict elevated risks of extinction after 50 years (0.088 – 0.373) compared to previous predictions (0.033) based on assumed conditions of low connectivity among four major breeding groups structured as a metapopulation. We explored eight scenarios based on empirically-derived, higher connectivity rates and found that the northern Great Plains population never had a mean predicted population growth rate greater than one (0.946 – 0.996). Two scenarios that simulated a reduction in adult survival showed higher extinction probabilities (0.267 – 0.373), whereas two other scenarios that simulated an increase in fecundity exhibited lower extinction probabilities (0.088 – 0.103). These results indicate that viability of the northern Great Plains population of piping plovers could be improved with management actions that increase fecundity as long as adult survival is not simultaneously reduced. Lastly, breeding groups appeared to function less independently when connectivity rates were higher, as the breeding population was divided evenly among breeding groups. This indicates that the presumed metapopulation structure of our study system may need to be re-evaluated, and that empirically-based estimates of connectivity are essential to assessing population viability of mobile species that exhibit a spatially structured distribution.

Climate Change and The Production of Knowledge

In this review essay, I consider two recent works on climate change in the Pacific, one monograph ( Engaging Environments in Tonga ) by an anthropologist and keeper of Oceanic collections in Oslo, and one edited volume ( Managing Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific Region ) by a sustainability and climate change management specialist from Hamburg. I situate these two very divergent studies in relation to broader debates and trends in studies and narratives about climate change in the Pacific, focusing in particular on "adaptation" as a priority for research and policy, and on tensions between portrayals of Pacific peoples as respectively creative and resilient, versus as vulnerable and in need of rescue by Western science. In doing so, the divergent epistemologies that are at the core of the relations between indigenous and exogenous knowledge are highlighted, at the same time questioning enduring power dynamics and whether indigeneity and climate change research can actually contribute to knowledge production.

Increasing the Legal Perspective of Protection and Management of the environment Through Persuasive Communication in the Tanjung Raja Village Community

Indonesia is a country with abundant and valuable biodiversity and natural resources. However, besides that there are many things that can threaten environmental sustainability such as the impact of climate change and improper environmental management. Law number 32 of 2009 concerning the protection and management of the environment is the solution in dealing with and dealing with this threat. Tanjung Raja Village is a village that has abundant natural resources. As an effort to guarantee its sustainability, it requires management with a legal understanding that supports it so that the goals can be achieved properly. Dissemination of environmental protection laws with a persuasive communication approach was carried out to increase people's perspectives on environmental law. This counseling showed significant results. This is based on the findings of indicator data on the success of counseling which reached stage 4. This success was also encouraged by the existence of persuasive communication techniques carried out by the presenters, namely through association, integration and organization techniques.

The Consequences of Legal Challenges for Oil and Gas Industry: Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation and Management

Background: Globally, there is mounting concern regarding climate change, which scientific consensus confirms through the undeniable rise in global temperatures. The blame for this unwavering trend can be attributed to anthropogenic activities, specifically non-renewable resource combustion like oil and gas usage. Consequently, there is an urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions and make the transition towards more eco-friendly energy sources. In recent years, the oil and gas sector has come under scrutiny and faced numerous legal challenges due to its role in perpetuating greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change litigation has emerged as an effective instrument for enforcing corporate accountability and promoting the adoption of sustainable energy alternatives. Methods: A thorough examination was carried out using a multi-faceted strategy that took into account legal, environmental, economic, and social aspects. The study encompassed an exhaustive assessment of both domestic and international laws and regulations relevant to climate change and the oil and gas sector. Moreover, various secondary sources concerning emission standards governing bodies, carbon pricing mechanisms, as well as other climate- related policies impacting the industry were also taken into consideration. Furthermore, pertinent case law records and dispute resolution systems were examined to evaluate the efficacy of existing legal frameworks. Results and conclusion: It has been noted that there has been a notable escalation in the number of legal disputes regarding climate change worldwide in recent times. These legal actions are intended to determine corporate accountability and encourage the implementation of ecologically sustainable sources of energy. The petroleum and natural gas industry is a significant contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases, which causes detrimental ecological effects both locally and globally. The key cause of climate change is the release of greenhouse gases, and it is crucial for this sector to limit these emissions if it is to effectively tackle the challenges posed by climate change.

Niche conservatism versus niche differentiation in sympatric chipmunks in the northern Sierra Nevada

Abstract Closely related species are predicted to have similar fundamental niches, and therefore to compete locally and possibly be constrained to occur allopatrically. Over time, niche differentiation should lead to divergent use of niche axes, such as food or habitat. Most studies of niche divergence or of niche conservatism have focused on multiple species at large spatial scales. We studied two species of closely related chipmunks at two spatial scales in the northern Sierra Nevada. The Long-eared Chipmunk (Tamias quadrimaculatus) and the Shadow Chipmunk (T. senex) are subcryptic species that exhibit extensive geographic overlap in the northern and central Sierra Nevada. Habitat use at the macrohabitat scale was similar, with both species reaching their highest mean abundance in Red Fir (Abies magnifica) forests, but exhibiting divergent secondary affinities. Additionally, macrohabitat associations of T. senex appear to differ from those reported 50 years ago within the same forest, suggesting flexibility in the face of structural habitat changes resulting from forest management actions, climate change, or other factors. At a finer spatial scale, habitat affinities of these chipmunks differed modestly, suggesting that local distribution emphasizes slightly different microhabitat characteristics. We conclude that these species exhibit niche conservatism overall, but whether microhabitat differences reflect competition or niche divergence requires further study. Because T. quadrimaculatus has the smallest geographic range of any Sierra Nevada sciurid, it may be at risk of local extirpation or substantial range restriction in the face of climate change, large-scale high-severity wildfires, and other stochastic threats; the present research sheds light on the ecology of these species, but has important relevance for regional resource managers as well.

Climate action, staff engagement, and change management: A paediatric hospital case study.

Planetary health and triple bottom line accounting are concepts healthcare organizations are starting to grapple with. While a few Canadian hospitals are early pioneers in efforts to deliver healthcare with less greenhouse gases, many hospitals struggle with adding a climate lens to their operations. This case study highlights a five year journey at CHEO to roll-out a hospital-wide climate strategy. CHEO has created new reporting structures, revised resource allocation, and launched net-zero targets. This hospital net-zero case study is an illustration of climate actions, given certain contexts, rather than a roadmap. Establishing this hospital-wide strategic pillar-during a global pandemic-has yielded (i) cost savings, (ii) an inspired workforce, and (iii) meaningful greenhouse gas reductions.

Frequency modulation laser spectroscopy method for methane isotopologue ratio and total concentration measurements at 1661 nm

Source identification and accurate measurements of methane gas concentration are key tools necessary for climate change management. Here we present a method for methane isotopologue ratio measurement using a laser-based frequency modulation (FM) spectroscopy technique in the near infrared at 1661 nm. We provide line shape analysis and discuss a fitting algorithm for accurate isotopologue ratio metrology and investigate and minimize the effects of residual amplitude modulation on the experimentally produced FM signal line shape. This FM technique is further evaluated for future development of a cavity-enhanced and noise-immune system capable of isotopologue ratio as well as ultrasensitive trace gas measurements, all accessible using a single distributed feedback laser.

Global analysis of Twitter communication in corporate social responsibility area: sustainability, climate change, and waste management.

Many people now consider social media to be an integral part of their daily routines, which has enabled companies to implement successful corporate social responsibility campaigns through these platforms. The direct interaction with stakeholders offered by social media helps companies to build understanding, trust, and their image. The aim of this study was to identify key topics and trends communicated in connection with corporate social responsibility on the Twitter social network from 2017 to 2022. Analysis of 520,638 tweets by 168,134 unique users identified a predominance of environment-related topics: Sustainability, Climate Change, and Waste management. However, Charity remains the largest single topic. Based on the trend analysis, the areas of ESG, Social Impact, and Charity were identified as growth areas in communication, while Green and Philanthropy, on the other hand, were identified as decreasing.

Mapping global conversations on twitter about environmental, social, and governance topics through natural language processing

Social networks represent an important communication vehicle for various stakeholders, including political organizations, civil society, public figures, digital influencers, and companies. Corporations use social networks to interact with their audience, seeking to externalize their achievements related to the issues of interest to their customers. The primary purpose of this study was to provide insight into the general behavior of companies based on their Twitter conversations related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues and activities. As an underlying idea, the study advocates that social media play a significant role in setting the agenda of Environmental, Social, and Governance factors in business conversations on Twitter. Therefore, it was based on a sample of tweets from 167 Brazilian, French, and American companies, from February 7, 2008, to September 29, 2021. Natural language processing (NLP) techniques were used to analyze conversations about ESG issues on Twitter and identify the network of topics and their trend. More than 6 million tweets were collected in 3 different languages. It was found that in recent years, the popularity of Twitter as a platform for discussions on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ESG issues, clean and cleaner production has increased significantly. Although incipient and embryonnaire, the analyzed companies are investing and sharing their practices related to clean production in their social networks. Discussions on twitter are focused on corporate environmental management (Planet, Environmental impacts, Environmental Management, Water, Energy, etc.), corporate climate change management (Emissions, Carbon, Climate change, Commitment to tackling climate change etc.) and clean and cleaner production (Re-cycling, Emission Reduction, Reducing impacts and waste, waste management, circular economy, green development etc.). Practically, all company twitter conversations about ESG revolve around these topics. This demonstrates the concern of companies with these issues. In this context, it is important for companies to invest more and more in clean energies, innovations, clean and cleaner technologies. The effective implementation of these practices is essential for the transition to a low-carbon economy.

An Overview of Permanent Grassland Grazing Management Practices and the Impacts on Principal Soil Quality Indicators

Grasslands are at risk of degradation due to unsustainable management practices and climate change. Here, we review the principal soil quality indicators (SQIs) to evaluate the sustainability of different grassland management practices globally. We discuss the importance of SQI assessment and the Soil Quality Minimum Dataset (MDS) specifically in the context of grasslands. We then review two potential solutions, the first of which is adopting grazing management, whereby sustainable grazing management plans (GMPs) offer great potential. The other solution is the development and adoption of novel grassland species, which may improve either drought resistance or infiltration rates, erosion and flooding. Sustainable grassland soil management can promote ecosystem service delivery and improve the resilience of the entire grassland ecosystem to anthropogenic change.

Climate Resilient Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture

The management of water resources in both irrigated and rain-fed agriculture is becoming an increasingly complex worldwide due to anticipated water scarcity, and compounded by the challenges of global warming and climate change. Climate-smart water technologies viz. Drip irrigation, Central pivot irrigation, Hydrogel and SWAT method need to be judiciously applied to overcome these challenges. Agriculture is a critical sector in India and other developing countries, providing substantial employment opportunities to rural populations and supporting efforts to achieve food and nutritional security. This paper addresses the challenge of increasing food production and improving rural livelihoods while safeguarding critical water resources for sustainable use, particularly in drought-prone regions, through adaptive measures for effective water management. An integrated approach is necessary for agricultural water management through the adoption of innovative technologies such as water harvesting, micro-irrigation, and resource conservation farming to increase water-use efficiency in agriculture and other critical services to humans and animals. The study aims to enhance understanding of the potential implications of climate change and adaptation options for agricultural water management, thereby enabling them to take up adaptation challenges and develop measures to reduce the farming sector's vulnerability to climate change.

Soil organic carbon sequestration potential for croplands in Finland over 2021–2040 under the interactive impacts of climate change and agricultural management

Soil organic carbon sequestration potential for croplands in Finland over 2021–2040 under the interactive impacts of climate change and agricultural management

Soil organic carbon sequestration potential for croplands in Finland over 2021–2040 under the interactive impacts of climate change and agricultural management

CONTEXTCropland soil organic carbon (SOC) stock can be increased by agricultural management, but is subject to various factors. The extent and rates of SOC sequestration potential, as well as the controlling factors, under different climate and management practices across a region or country are important for policy-makers and land managers, however have been rarely known. OBJECTIVEWe aim to investigate the extent and rates of SOC sequestration potential over 2021–2040 under different scenarios of climate change and Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) practices, and quantify the impacts of climate change and SSM practices on the SOC sequestration potential, for croplands across Finland at a spatial resolution of 1 km. METHODSRothC model is run iteratively to equilibrium to calculate the size of the SOC pools and the annual plant carbon inputs. Then, it is applied to investigate the SOC sequestration potential over 2021–2040 under different scenarios of climate change and SSM practices. Finally, facorial simulation experiments are conducted to quantify the impacts of climate change and SSM practices, alone and in combination, on SOC sequestration potential. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONUnder the combined impacts of climate change and SSM practices, the SOC sequestration potential during 2021–2040 relative to 2020 will be on average − 0.03, 0.007, 0.05, and 0.13 t C ha−1 yr−1, respectively, with carbon input being business as usual, 5%, 10%, and 20% increase. This is equivalent to an annual change rate of −0.04%, 0.009%, 0.07%, and 0.17%, respectively. Therefore, a 20% increase in C input to soil will not be enough to obtain a 4‰ increase per year over the 20-year period in Finland. Carbon input will promote SOC sequestration potential; however, climate change will reduce it on average by 0.28 t C ha−1 yr−1. Across the cropland in Finland, on average, the relative contributions of C input, temperature, and precipitation to SOC sequestration potential in 2021–2040 will be 56%, 24%, and 20%, respectively, however there is a spatially explicit pattern. The SOC sequestration potential will be relatively high and dominated by C input in west and southwest Finland. By contrast, it will be relatively low and dominated by climate in north and east Finland, and the central part of southern Finland. SIGNIFICANCEOur findings provide the information as to where, how much, and which SSM practices could be applied for enhancing SOC sequestration at a high spatial resolution, which is essential for stakeholders to increase cropland SOC sequestration efficiently.

Soil organic carbon sequestration potential for croplands in Finland over 2021–2040 under the interactive impacts of climate change and agricultural management

Soil organic carbon sequestration potential for croplands in Finland over 2021–2040 under the interactive impacts of climate change and agricultural management

Modeling dissolved and particulate organic carbon dynamics at basin and sub-basin scales

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) play a fundamental role in biogeochemical cycles of freshwater ecosystems. However, the lack of readily available distributed models for carbon export has limited the effective management of organic carbon fluxes from soils, through river networks and to receiving marine waters. We develop a spatially semi-distributed mass balance modeling approach to estimate organic carbon flux at a sub-basin and basin scales, using commonly available data, to allow stakeholders to explore the impacts of alternative river basin management scenarios and climate change on riverine DOC and POC dynamics. Data requirements, related to hydrological, land-use, soil and precipitation characteristics are easily retrievable from international and national databases, making it appropriate for data-scarce basins. The model is built as an open-source plugin for QGIS and can be easily integrated with other basin scale decision support models on nutrient and sediment export.We tested the model in Piave river basin, in northeast Italy. Results show that the model reproduces spatial and temporal changes in DOC and POC fluxes in relation to changes in precipitation, basin morphology and land use across different sub-basins. For example, the highest DOC export were associated with both urban and forest land use classes and during months of elevated precipitation. We used the model to evaluate alternative land use scenarios and the impact of climate on basin level carbon export to Mediterranean.