Socio-environmental Aspects Research Articles

Assessment of environmental attitudes and behavior of secondary school students in Sri Lanka

Implementing effective environmental education strategies in schools is essential for nurturing young individuals with a sense of responsibility for sustainability. Knowledge regarding environmental attitudes and behaviour of school-aged children in Sri Lanka is limited. This study aimed to assess the level of environmental awareness, attitudes towards recovery and recycling, environmental behaviour, and overall awareness, alongside evaluating the impact of demographic parameters on these variables of secondary school students in Sri Lanka. A questionnaire-based survey with a quantitative approach (using a 35-item scale) was used in assessing 972 Sri Lankan secondary school students. The study revealed that students exhibit a moderate level of EA, attitude, and behavior, with greater familiarity when taught in school. Gender, school environment society membership, and student grade/type of school significantly affected the investigated socio-environmental aspects. Family income and residence type had no notable impact. The findings of this study offer important insights for creating focused interventions and educational strategies aimed at fostering a more sustainable, environmentally responsible younger generation within the distinct socio-cultural landscape of Sri Lanka.

Advances in Brazil's National Forest Inventory

Brazil's National Forest Inventory (IFN), coordinated by the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB), provides essential data on the country's forest resources. The availability of IFN data, collected over more than a decade, through the National Forest Information System (SNIF), promotes transparency and facilitates access to comprehensive information about Brazilian forests. This detailed survey covers biophysical, botanical and socio-environmental aspects, as well as interviews about the use of forest resources.

Development, validity, and reliability assessment of the Canadian Food Literacy Measure.

Food literacy is a growing area of interest given its potential to support healthy and sustainable diets. Most existing food literacy measures focus on nutrition and food skills but fail to address food systems and socio-environmental aspects of food literacy. Further, measures developed and tested in the Canadian context are lacking. The objective of this project was to develop and test the validity and reliability of a brief self-administered measure, in French and English, designed to assess multiple dimensions of food literacy among adults living in Canada. The 23-item Canadian Food Literacy Measure was developed through an iterative process that included assessment of face and content validity through expert review (n=20) and cognitive interviews (n=20) and construct validity and reliability, i.e., internal consistency through an online survey (n=154). The results indicate that the measure is well understood by both English- and French-speaking adults. The measure's construct validity is demonstrated by the observed differences in total scores in hypothesized directions by gender (p=0.003), age (p=0.007), education level (p=0.002), health literacy (p<0.001) and smoking status (p=0.001), and the significant positive correlation (r=0.29; p=0.002) between total scores and fruit and vegetable intake. The measure also has high internal consistency with a Cronbach's coefficient alpha of 0.80. This measure can be used in surveillance studies to provide insight into the food literacy of adults living in Canada and in epidemiologic research that aims to explore how food literacy is associated with a variety of health outcomes.

Ethnoknowledge in the health of rural communities in Marajó, Para- Amazon

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the socioeconomic and health aspects of residents who use alternative methods to treat recurrent diseases in rural communities in the municipality of Salvaterra, Marajó Island, Pará. Methods: This is an exploratory, cross-sectional study of a qualitative and quantitative nature. A semi-structured form was used, consisting of questions about social identification and the socio-environmental aspects of the residents of three rural communities in the municipality of Salvaterra: Julho, Ceará and São Veríssimo. Results: There was a prevalence of females, mostly Catholics, an average age of between 20 and 40 for half of those interviewed and a monthly family income of up to R$500.00. The houses were built of masonry (46.32%), followed by wood (35.29%), with no basic sanitation or water supply. In terms of occupation, plant extraction (36.03%) and fishing (18.38%) were the most cited. As for the most recurrent illnesses, intestinal infection accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting were most prevalent (57.35%), followed by flu-like syndromes and itching (20.59%), (17.65%), respectively. As for the means of treating illnesses, the use of herbal medicines prevailed. Conclusion: Identifying these socio-environmental and economic aspects, as well as the phytotherapeutic resources used by the rural population, proved to be relevant in the diagnosis of health in the region.

“O RIO É A MINHA VIDA”: REPRESENTAÇÕES DE RIBEIRINHOS DA VILA VISTA ALEGRE SOBRE O RIO BRANCO NO SUL DE RORAIMA, BRASIL

Purpose: To understand the representations of residents about Rio Branco, emphasizing social aspects (experience, beliefs and economic importance) in the context of Vila Vista Alegre, municipality of Caracaraí, in Roraima. Theoretical framework: the Amazon riverside people built their way of life around water, making the local natural resource essential to their existence. Water, in addition to being essential to human existence, can also be the main alternative for economic activity, leisure and transport of this population. Method/design/approach: Interviews were carried out using a semi-structured questionnaire using the “Snowball” technique, with the resident who had lived in the area as the initial interviewee, with the data being worked through content analysis. Results and conclusion: The environmental modifications mentioned by the residents have caused changes in fishing spots, as well as in all the old dynamics of this social group, which point to the absence of projects that help in the conservation of it is necessary to include residents in decisions regarding the conservation actions of this water resource, together with environmental agencies, due to their active participation in the emergence of the community. Research implications: The approach involves socio-environmental aspects of a riverside community that coexists with threats from anthropic activities to the Branco River, an essential water source for the maintenance of the material and cultural systems of this social group - fishermen from Vila Vista Alegre. Originality/value: The discussion about the use of water resources by residents, highlighting the meaning of this ecosystem, their beliefs and the environmental damage they perceive, will enable the correct direction of the responsible bodies and public policies for environmental education.

Assessing the Effects of Plastic Bans on Businesses in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

The study investigates the repercussions of the ban on Plastic Bags Business in Cabanatuan City, aiming to define respondent profiles, highlight encountered issues, evaluate business aspects, and propose strategies to address the ban's impact. It seeks to understand the ban's effect on sales/profits and weighs the advantages and disadvantages of plastic bag use. Utilizing a questionnaire, the researcher surveyed ten respondents across two public markets in Cabanatuan City. The focus encompassed problems faced, delving into marketing, financial, and socio-environmental aspects. Findings suggest that despite the ban, plastic bag owners perceive their business as profitable. They attribute this profitability to the perceived greater utility of plastic bags compared to alternative eco-friendly options. The study's significance lies in shedding light on the ban's impact on business operations and financial viability. It emphasizes the perceived profitability of plastic bag sales despite the ban, challenging assumptions about the ban's detrimental effects on business. In essence, the study examines how the ban affects the Plastic Bags Business in Cabanatuan City, underlining the resilience of plastic bag sales despite the prohibition. The insights gained could inform policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders about the complexities and nuances surrounding such bans and their actual impact on businesses and the environment.

Management accounting system as mediator on sustainability performance

This paper aims to investigate the factors of competitive success and examine the relationship between Strategic Management Accounting, management accounting information systems and sustainability performance. This research was conducted with a quantitative approach. The survey involved 125 managers of 4- and 5-star hotels in Bali, Indonesia, a research sample of 154 managers was determined to be given a research questionnaire. Analysis of research data was carried out through Structural Equation Modeling. The results showed that strategic management accounting and Information Management Accounting System had a positive effect on sustainability performance. MAS information also mediates the relationship between strategic management accounting and sustainability performance which can involve a variety of factors. This study only focuses on competitive strategy and MAS information variables, so further research is needed on the sustainability performance of the hospitality industry. The positive relationship between strategic management accounting and social and environmental performance supports the argument that hotels use socio-environmental aspects for their strategic management accounting. Hotel managers also need government regulations and information related to social and environmental issues such as the Indonesian occupational health and safety management system and the Indonesia Green Hotel Award.

Preserving History in a Modern Setting "An Adaptive Redesign of Lawang Sewu for Sustainable Development and Architectural Heritage Conservation

This study focuses on the adaptive redesign of Lawang Sewu, a prominent landmark in Semarang, Indonesia. The building, constructed in the early 20th century, has witnessed historical events and changes throughout its existence. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in preserving and revitalizing Lawang Sewu as a cultural heritage site. However, the adaptive redesign is not without challenges, including structural instability, environmental degradation, functional obsolescence, aesthetic discordance, and social resistance. This research essay aims to explore the adaptive redesign of Lawang Sewu from various perspectives and propose strategies for achieving energy efficiency and sustainability objectives. The essay is organized into chapters that provide an overview, literature review, case study analysis, discussion of historical and socio-environmental aspects, examination of visual impact, and a conclusion. The study also discusses the concept of authenticity in heritage conservation and presents a design proposal for Lawang Sewu's acoustic enhancement. The results of the case study analysis highlight the complexity of the adaptive redesign project and its cultural context and project site in Semarang.

Socioenvironmental determinants as indicators of plague risk in the central highlands of Madagascar: Experience of Ambositra and Tsiroanomandidy districts.

Human plague cases are reported annually in the central highland regions of Madagascar, where the disease is endemic. The socioenvironmental characteristics and lifestyles of the populations of the central highland localities could be linked to this endemicity. The aim of this study was to determine socioenvironmental determinants that may be associated with plague risk and explain this variation in epidemiological contexts. The current study was based on the distribution of plague cases between 2006 and 2015 that occurred in localities of districts positioned in the central highlands. Household surveys were performed from June to August 2017 using a questionnaire and direct observations on the socioenvironmental aspects of households in selected localities. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to highlight the socioenvironmental parameters associated with plague risk in both districts. A total of 503 households were surveyed, of which 54.9% (276/503) were in Ambositra and 45.1% (227/503) were in Tsiroanomandidy. Multivariate analyses showed that thatched roofs [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.63; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.78-3.88] and ground floor houses [AOR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.3-3.45-] were significantly associated with the vulnerability of a household to plague risk (p value<0.05). Plague risk in two districts of the Malagasy central highlands is associated with human socioenvironmental characteristics. Socioenvironmental characteristics are parameters expressing spatial heterogeneity through the difference in epidemiological expression of the plague in Ambositra and Tsiroanomandidy. These characteristics could be used as indicators of vulnerability to plague risk in plague-endemic areas.

Biotechnological investigation of Pediastrum boryanum and Desmodesmus subspicatus microalgae species for a potential application in bioenergy

The production of photosynthetic microalgae is a promising ecological advantage for obtaining carbon credits. This paper addresses cultivation and preparation, growth analysis, physicochemical characterization (X-ray diffraction-XRD, Fourier transform infrared-FTIR, scanning electron microscopy-SEM, and energy dispersive spectroscopy-EDS), and thermal behavior (thermogravimetry-TG, derivative thermogravimetry-DTG, and differential scanning calorimetry-DSC) of two microalgae, namely Pediastrum boryanum-PB (CH007) and Desmodesmus subspicatus-DS (AEE431E) for a potential application as an energy resource. Regarding the former, the literature reports no specific study on the species, which shows high lipid productivity and fast growth. A synthetic culture medium (Walter culture-WC) was subjected to variations in pH, luminosity, and maximum growth reached in 12 and 13 days for PB and DS, respectively. TG/DTG curves identified the main thermal degradation stages, i.e., dehydration (DS (24.68–158.68 °C) and PB (20.06–116.18 °C)), devolatilization (DS (166.34–543.00 °C) and PB (128.22–493.93 °C)), and gasification or carbonization (DS (>550 °C) and PB (>500 °C)), and DSC curves revealed two endothermic events, an exothermic one for DS, and only one endothermic event and an exothermic one for PB. XRD patterns showed a cellulose crystallinity index (CI) for DS (22.54 %) and PB (28.82 %), confirming the predominance of amorphous regions. SEM images detected external epidermis for DS and some interconnected pores for PB. The FTIR spectra identified functional groups (lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates) and CO, CO, OH, CH, and C-O-C linkages, and EDS and ICP-OES identified the main organic, inorganic, and metallic elements. The microalgae species displayed characteristics similar to those of the other biomasses in the bioenergy industry, enabling their use in thermoconversion processes for biofuel production and considering some socioenvironmental aspects.

BIOCOMBUSTÍVEL SÓLIDO: Utilização de resíduos agrícolas para obter energia térmica

The search for energy sources that can replace fossil fuels is extremely important, both in the econo-mic and socio-environmental aspects. The objective of this work was to make briquettes with coffee grounds, rice husk, orange peel and to characterize the moisture content, ash content and lower and higher calorific value comparing with the values for firewood and compression test, to characterize the resistance briquette mechanics, study and present the technical and economic feasibility analysis. In this way, the materials presented adequate mechanical resistance to compression to be manipulated and stored, characterized for domestic use. The composition that obtained the best result of energy content was Sample 2 (10g of rice husk, 75g of potato peel and 50g of orange peel) which presented the value of superior and inferior calorific value of 17.22 MJ/Kg and 15.85 MJ/kg, respectively. The smoke released during burning was in the range of 2-3 on the Ringelmann scale. In addition, the values found for all solid biofuels were higher than those known for firewood.

Evaluation of the social and environmental quality of brazilian public squares

Objective: the article reflects on socio-environmental aspects that qualify the squares in the Greater Center Region, Vila Velha-ES, from the application of the tool “QualificaURB” and presents considerations on the squares with the best and worst evaluation. Methodology: the research is defined in three stages: contextualization; mapping; application of the tool and analyses. The squares were classified as “regular” in most of the evaluation criteria. Results: among the 19 squares evaluated, none obtained the best classification "excellent" and of these, one obtained the worst performance, considered "insufficient". Originality: The analyzes showed weaknesses and strengths that interfere with the quality of these spaces, and help guide proposals for urban interventions.

Conditions to access of Drinking Water, Waterborne Diseases and Link with Socio-Environmental Aspects in Peri-Urban Areas Of Douala Littoral Cameroon, Sub-Saharan Africa

Conditions to access of Drinking Water, Waterborne Diseases and Link with Socio-Environmental Aspects in Peri-Urban Areas Of Douala Littoral Cameroon, Sub-Saharan Africa

Local Knowledge of Sediment Exploitation in the Usumacinta River Basin: A Theoretical–Methodological Framework Proposal

According to the United Nations Environmental Program, sand is the second most exploited resource on the planet after water, and local knowledge about the effects of sand mining has been little addressed in international studies. In the case of rivers, the sand and gravel used in the construction industry are part of the fluvial sediments, and the effects are different at each exploitation site. In this article, we propose a theoretical–methodological framework of the sandy field of forces for the study of the socioenvironmental aspects related to the extraction of sand and gravel at the site known as La Isla, located in the Usumacinta River Basin in Mexico. This site has specific environmental and social characteristics. Based on the results of our participation in a research project and, subsequently, on the theoretical, conceptual, and methodological thinking for the social analysis of this site, our model demonstrates how the environmental and anthropic systems converge upon the use of sediments. We conclude that social interactions articulate the conditions of the specific context. The sandy field of forces is the reference context in which the local practices of the actors regarding the use of sand and gravel make sense.

Redesign in the textile industry: Proposal of a methodology for the insertion of circular thinking in product development processes

Despite the growing attention toward negative environmental impacts generated by the textile industry, companies face challenges in achieving sustainable and circular economy (CE) transition. The literature has so far lacked a systematic effort to analyze how textile companies can insert CE elements in their new product development process (NPD), especially regarding the proposition of methodologies that can better assist the companies in this regard. This study aims to identify good green innovation and CE practices in NPD adopted by textile companies and propose a methodology from Design Thinking (DT) to insert circular thinking in NPD. To that end, we conducted the research in two steps: (i) narrative bibliographic review and (ii) field research. The bibliographic review was conducted in the “Web of Science”, “Scopus”, and “Scielo” databases. The field research was executed with four textile companies. Our results show that companies tend to consider socio-environmental aspects at different stages of the development of new products. However, there is opportunities for improvement, especially through the use of ideas from DT. The proposed methodology is composed of two main cycles: the design cycle (DT stages) and the consumption cycle (subsequent stages). It encompasses the five main stages of the DT and the three macro phases of NPD of the textile industry. The ideas coming from the DT, especially creativity, focus on the user and stakeholder integration, assist in the development of innovative and circular solutions. The methodology presents how companies can work on reuse, recycling, and manufacturing issues, so that CE occurs. In the end, we evaluated, together with experts, the applicability of the proposed use of ideas of DT in practical cases. The research advances the discussions on NPD in the textile sector, especially on its potential to contribute to the transition to CE. It explores how DT assists in inserting circular thinking into the NPD and presents alternatives for companies to develop circular products and insert green innovations in their NPD.

A Decomposition Analysis to Understand the Wealth-Based Inequalities in Child Vaccination in Rural Southern Assam: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The socio-environmental aspects of southern Assam reflect a general pattern of backwardness. Moreover, child healthcare resources in the region are inadequately used, leading to low vaccination coverage. Given this background, this paper attempted to comprehend wealth-based inequality in full vaccination in rural areas of southern Assam. Based on a multistage cluster sampling approach, 360 children of 12-23 months were selected from the study area. To identify the predictors of a child, a non-linear model was estimated by using the generalized linear model (GLM) approach followed by Erreygers decomposition technique to quantify the wealth inequality in the obtained predictors in explaining the disparity in full vaccination. The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination recorded the highest vaccination coverage, at nearly 90% and the lowest was observed for the measles vaccine, around 61 percent. Slightly more than half of the eligible children (54 percent) were vaccinated against all the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)-recommended vaccines. The decomposition analysis revealed that the occupation of the child's father, maternal age, birth order of the child, and health-seeking behavior such as antenatal care (ANC) were the prime factors related to inequality in full vaccination in the region. Vaccination coverage in the region has improved over time, however, full vaccination is concentrated towards the economically advantaged section of the society in rural southern Assam. Targeted, context-specific, and expanded government initiatives could aid in addressing the overall wealth-related full vaccination inequalities in the valley.

Rescue and multiplication of native fruits at the Núleo Luta Camponesa for Agroecology

This research aims to identify the main multiplication strategies of native tree species in the Atlantic Forest biome, or simply native fruits, and to propose a way to stimulate their promotion. The audience was made up of six groups of farmers from the Núcleo Luta Camponesa of the Ecovida Agroecology Network, located in the south-central region of the State of Paraná-BR. The methodological procedures used the principles of action research and consisted of four complementary phases. The first sought to problematize the importance of native fruits and choose priority species, while the second focused, in a participatory manner, on characterizing the socio-environmental aspects of priority native fruits. Outstanding results are the identification of agroforestry systems as the best strategy for multiplication in the researched context, as well as the elaboration of a guide that can support the rescue and multiplication of such species in other territories. This guide is based on the following sequence: i) rescue looks for native fruits; ii) from what exists in agroecosystems; iii) exchange seeds and seedlings with farmers from other contexts; iv) plant in landscapes that farmers manage.

The Determinants of Outbound Tourism: A Revisit of Socioeconomic and Environmental Conditions

This article investigates the drivers of outbound tourism. The originality of our approach is that it integrates socioenvironmental aspects in the demand for international tourism. This study provides an empirical analysis for panel data of 82 economies from 2002 to 2016. Several estimates for panel data are applied. The results are robust and consistent. Beyond the classical economic drivers of tourism, socioeconomic factors, including urbanization, unemployment, vulnerable employment, and particularly aging population, are shown to play an important role in international tourism departures and international tourism expenditure. One of the notable findings is that environmental factors, including CO2 emissions (positive) and forest area (negative), have a significant effect on international tourism. The results also show a stronger influence of economic, social, and environmental determinants of outbound tourism in higher income economies in the period after 2008.

Dynamic capabilities and business model innovation in sustainable family farming

PurposeThe study aims to understand how dynamic capabilities (DCs) contribute to business model innovation (BMI) in sustainable family farming. The agrifood sector has been seeking solutions for the development of agroecological markets. Thus, the authors have analyzed the challenges imposed to innovation and sustainability strategic management and the value proposition to sustain the business over the years.Design/methodology/approachConsidering the complexity of organizations and through an exploratory multiple case study of initiatives identified in the Organic Fair of Curitiba’s Passeio Público, it was possible to analyze the evolution of the business models (BMs) and the fair itself. Furthermore, it was possible to identify the DCs within the influence of agroecosystem elements on the innovation development.FindingsAnalyzing each case individually, the authors understood the different dimensions of the evolution of BMs considering the organizational complexity. The authors conclude that the balance between organizational practices and changes in the environment, engagement and learning plays a significant role in the developing competitive advantage. The same applies to the patterns that precede the development of DCs and BMs.Originality/valueThe article investigates innovation in agroecological BMs from a dynamic capability perspective. The agroecological BM is a subject that is still little discussed in the literature. In addition, the authors chose a context that includes socioenvironmental aspects and a few specificities of family farming in Brazil.

LULC zoning in the “Madeira river” settlement, legal Amazon, Brazil, before and after implementation of the rural environmental registry (CAR) (2008-2018)

The Madeira River Settlement at Rondônia state is one of the various Federal projects in the Legal Amazon created by the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (INCRA). Over the years, fire practices such as slash-and-burn agriculture in the Legal Amazon have been converting the remained forest into pastures and croplands. According to the Brazilian New Forest Code, the rural environmental registry (CAR) became mandatory for monitoring the land occupations, aiming at maintaining forests and legal reserves preserved. The study goal was to analyze socioenvironmental aspects of the land-use and land-cover (LULC) dynamic at Madeira River settlement and its surroundings before and after the registry implementation, between July 2008 and July 2018. Thematic classes and altimetry were overlaid using algebraic operators to create a zoning model with 21 zoning classes. The highest reduction in forested areas was observed in zone six, between SRTM heights of 90 and 100 m, with a forest loss of 1684 ha and forest gain of 638 ha. Transition map results showed the most forest conversion into secondary vegetation of 57.29 km2 in ten years (2008–2018). The occupation increased at zones 11 and 12, showing the movement of settlers into the rainforest, with higher altimetry. The remained settlement lots located at low altimetry in the permanent protection area (PPA) are subject to the risk of flooding. The results also showed that the correlation between lot size and deforestation was not significant, suggesting that a set of social and environmental driver variables may be responsible for both losses and gains in the vegetated area in each lot. Family farming needs assistance for sustainable food production and to avoid soil degradation and abandonment, with an integrated effort of institutions, government and society. The manuscript serves as a regional case study that provides a relevant issue related to public policies concerning Legal Amazonian settlements occupation and deforestation, which may support the monitoring and controlling actions in the region.