A safe operating space for humanity

'Too much, too little' - heat wave impact during pregnancy and the need for adaptation measures

The balls are rolling for climate change, with increasing vulnerability to women and children related to climate extreme events. Recent evidence has shown that acute exposure to heat wave during pregnancy can be associated with adverse health outcomes in childhood, with the risk being significantly higher among socially disadvantaged population, despite their lack of contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions and the rising global ambient temperature. This unequal impact requires utmost attention to develop tools, establish interdisciplinary teams, and to implement evidence-based interventions for the betterment of women and children in climate-vulnerable populations.

Fertility preservation of vacuum-dried ram spermatozoa stored for four years at room temperature

Dry storage at room temperature (RT) could simplify spermatozoa banking. Here, we explored DNA stability and in vitro and in vivo development of embryos derived from vacuum-dried encapsulated (VDE) ram spermatozoa stored for four years or after accelerated aging. While some genomic damage was detected at time 0, DNA fragmentation increased from 3.32 ± 3 % (time 0) to 37.64 ± 4 % (4 years). A decrease in blastocyst rate was observed after four years of storage and 6.7 years of simulated storage (10.2 % and 9 % versus 13.16 % at time 0). Embryo quality, assessed based on Cdx2 and Inf-τ gene expression, declined over time. Only two of the 23 embryos transferred into synchronized ewes were implanted but were lost by day 40. In conclusion, dry spermatozoa generated blastocysts after four years of RT storage, but their post-implantation development was impaired. Optimization of the water extraction and storage conditions could better preserve the spermatozoa's DNA integrity, resulting in improved embryo quality, compatible with development to term.

From ocean to meadow: A circular bioeconomy by transforming seaweed, seagrass, grass, and straw waste into high-value products

Biomass waste, both aquatic (seagrass and seaweed) and terrestrial (grass and straw), represents a valuable resource with potential for high-value product creation. This paper reveals the potential across pharmaceuticals, food and feed, chemicals, performance materials, and energy. Notably, chemicals and performance materials offer the greatest value creation potential for both biomass types. Although aquatic and terrestrial biomasses can be used for similar final products, their journey from-waste-to-product differ, facing different facets of barriers such as low local technology readiness and high investment and operational costs. Conversely, the main enablers of this value recovery include increased sustainability and low feedstock costs. Here we also reflect that the value of biomass needs to be rethought, going beyond economic benefits.

Influence of long-term anthropogenic nitrogen input and its legacy on riverine output

The accelerated accumulation of anthropogenic nitrogen input and nitrogen legacies (NL) is a primary driver for persistently high nitrogen loads in rivers. Understanding the impact of nitrogen inputs and NL on river nitrogen export (RNE) is critical for improving water quality. This study employs the net anthropogenic nitrogen input (NANI) approach and export coefficient model (ECM), coupled with remote sensing data, to analyze nitrogen input dynamics, total nitrogen export (TNE), and NL from 1949 to 2021 in China's Dongjiang River watershed. Results indicate that NANI peaked in 2017 while TNE and NL continued to grow. Over the 73 years, NANI grew rapidly from 1949 to 1992, exhibited fluctuating growth from 1993 to 2021, and reached its maximum value (6743 kg·km-2·y-1) in 2017. Meanwhile, Total nitrogen output and NL maintained a continuous growth trend, with NL contributing approximately 46.5% to RNE from 1986 to 2021. Despite reduced NANI, recent nitrogen inputs remain a major factor influencing TNE. Spatial analysis reveals that nitrogen management should prioritize agricultural practices in upstream and urban pollution control in downstream.

The ecological impact of agricultural production on CO2 emissions in India: Pathways to sustainable agriculture

This study examines the relationship between CO2 emissions and agricultural production in India from 1990 to 2023, using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. Key agricultural indicators analyzed include the Food Production Index (FPI), Cereal Production (CP), Livestock Production Index (LPI), and the value added by Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF). The results show that on the long run, a 1 % increase in FPI leads to a 7.86 unit increase in CO2 emissions per capita, while a 1 % increase in livestock production results in a 3.28 unit decrease in CO2 emissions per capita. In the short run, a similar increase in food production and livestock production also influences CO2 emissions, with notable but varying impacts over time. These findings underline the environmental trade-offs between food security and CO2 emissions, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices. This research contributes to existing literature by utilizing a broad set of agricultural indicators and robust ARDL analysis to examine both short- and long-term effects, providing a more comprehensive understanding of agricultural sustainability. The study was prompted by India's rapid agricultural growth, driven by its growing population and economic expansion, which has raised significant environmental concerns. Unlike prior research that often takes a generalized or global approach, this study offers an India-specific analysis that captures the country's distinct socio-economic and ecological conditions. By focusing on nationally relevant agricultural indicators and sustainability challenges, the research provides context-sensitive insights that can support effective and targeted policy design. The findings highlight the importance of policies that align agricultural productivity with sustainability, supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals on climate action and food security.

Tackling the challenges of food waste diary studies - Testing strategies with Finnish data

This study reports food waste diary results in Finland from 2019 (296 households) and 2022 (372 households) using an online food waste diary Kotihukka. According to the results, Finnish households waste 15.5-16.9 kg (SD 16.7-17.5 kg) of edible food per person per year. The results are an underestimate, but diary method is still a suitable method for collecting detailed and household specific food waste data and monitoring the relative difference in waste volumes. Furthermore, to evaluate the results, it is important to concentrate on 1) sample requirements for repeated measures, 2) needed resources, and 3) methodological restrictions. First, food waste diary studies often lack evidence-based discussion on the adequacy of data to monitor the direction of food waste. This study demonstrated that the sample sizes and length of the observation period (14 days) would be sufficient to detect a population-level decrease of 20-25 % in the amount of food waste during the next decade. Secondly, as bigger sample sizes require more resources, the necessity of kitchen scales was systematically studied for the first time. This study found evidence that households can report food waste as reliably without the assistance of kitchen scales as with kitchen scales, and therefore it is possible to cut costs and improve scalability without causing measurement bias. Third, since often most motivated participants attend the diary studies, this study also provides strong evidence that a self-selection bias can be reduced with monetary compensation: the household dropout rate decreased from 29 % to 7 %.

Nutrient loading and stream order shape benthic and pelagic spring algal biomass in a large, temperate river basin (Elbe River)

Eutrophication persists in many freshwater systems despite extensive efforts to control nutrient emissions from point and diffuse sources. While intensely studied at local or regional scales, the joint response of benthic and pelagic algae to nutrient loading across entire river networks remains poorly understood. Here, we assessed spatial patterns of pelagic and benthic algal biomass in response to point source and diffuse phosphorus loading in the Elbe River Basin, a temperate, transboundary river network, based on extensive monitoring data and with the parsimonious hydro-ecological model CnANDY (Coupled Complex Algal-Nutrient Dynamics). We referenced our simulations to median river discharge data and phosphorus inputs from point (1,900 wastewater treatment plants) and diffuse sources, determined with the MoRE model and CORINE land cover analysis. We found distinct spatial eutrophication patterns across the river network and complex responses to local and cumulative anthropogenic nutrient emissions. Lower stream orders, particularly those in urban and agricultural areas, showed the highest dissolved phosphorus concentration and benthic algae density. Conversely, pelagic algae dominated higher stream orders, influenced by nutrient transport from lower-order streams to downstream reaches. The validated CnANDY model effectively identified eutrophication hotspots, enabling prioritized nutrient and eutrophication management. Although extensive monitoring data were available, systematic gaps in established monitoring schemes limited the model calibration and validation. Therefore, we advocate for a revision and propose model-aided eutrophication monitoring at the river basin scale with representative coverage of all stream orders from up to downstream and the algal biomass in the benthic and pelagic compartments.

Polar regions are critical in achieving global sustainable development goals

As important components of global commons, environmental changes in polar regions are crucial to the local and global sustainability. However, they have received little attention in the current framework of sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study examines the impacts of climate change in polar regions, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these areas with other parts of the global system. Here we show that polar regions are a limiting factor in achieving global SDGs, similar to the "shortest stave" in Liebig's barrel, primarily due to the teleconnection effects of climate tipping elements. Proactive actions should ensure polar regions aren't left behind in achieving global SDGs. We proposed a specific SDG target and five indicators for the interconnected effect of the cryosphere on climate actions and incorporate considerations for Indigenous peoples in polar regions. With the right actions and strengthened global partnerships, polar regions can be pivotal for advancing global sustainable development.

Interactions among nutrients govern the global grassland biomass-precipitation relationship

Ecosystems are experiencing changing global patterns of mean annual precipitation (MAP) and enrichment with multiple nutrients that potentially colimit plant biomass production. In grasslands, mean aboveground plant biomass is closely related to MAP, but how this relationship changes after enrichment with multiple nutrients remains unclear. We hypothesized the global biomass-MAP relationship becomes steeper with an increasing number of added nutrients, with increases in steepness corresponding to the form of interaction among added nutrients and with increased mediation by changes in plant community diversity. We measured aboveground plant biomass production and species diversity in 71 grasslands on six continents representing the global span of grassland MAP, diversity, management, and soils. We fertilized all sites with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium with micronutrients in all combinations to identify which nutrients limited biomass at each site. As hypothesized, fertilizing with one, two, or three nutrients progressively steepened the global biomass-MAP relationship. The magnitude of the increase in steepness corresponded to whether sites were not limited by nitrogen or phosphorus, were limited by either one, or were colimited by both in additive, or synergistic forms. Unexpectedly, we found only weak evidence for mediation of biomass-MAP relationships by plant community diversity because relationships of species richness, evenness, and beta diversity to MAP and to biomass were weak or opposing. Site-level properties including baseline biomass production, soils, and management explained little variation in biomass-MAP relationships. These findings reveal multiple nutrient colimitation as a defining feature of the global grassland biomass-MAP relationship.

Pesticide Pollution Reduces the Functional Diversity of Macroinvertebrates in Urban Aquatic Ecosystems

Urbanization accelerates innovation and economic growth but imposes significant ecological challenges, particularly to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functionality. Among urban stressors, pesticide-driven chemical pollution represents a critical, yet under-recognized, global threat. Quantifying the causes and consequences of pesticides on biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation is vital for ecological risk assessment and management, offering insights to promote sustainable societal development. This study evaluated anthropogenic stressors and macroinvertebrate communities at 42 sites across two major drainages in Beijing using chemical analysis and environmental DNA (eDNA), focusing on macroinvertebrate responses to pesticide exposure in the context of multiple anthropogenic stressors. Pesticides significantly impacted the α- and β-functional diversity of macroinvertebrates, accounting for 18.46 and 14.6% of the total observed variation, respectively, underscoring the role of functional groups in pesticide risk assessment. Land use and flow quantity directly influenced pesticide levels, which in turn affected macroinvertebrate functional diversity, while basic water quality had a less pronounced effect. These results provide empirical evidence of pesticide pollution's impact on macroinvertebrate functional diversity at the watershed scale under field conditions in a highly urbanized area. The findings highlight the importance of considering multiple stressors and sensitive taxa in pesticide risk assessment and management for urban aquatic ecosystems.

Photosynthesis of NH3 from NO3 - Using CH4 in Homogenous Rhenium Catalysis

We present Re catalysis of one-pot synthesis of NH3 from NO3 - using CH4 as a reductant under UV light irradiation at room temperature. NO3 - leads to environmental issues such as water contamination, eutrophication, and biodiversity loss. In a natural system and a sewage facility, NO3 - can be detoxified to N2 using hydrogen donors by a microbial process. However, it is better to convert NO3 - to NH3 rather than N2. To develop a desirable process of NO3 - to NH3 for a sustainable society, it is required that the reducing agent is derived from a renewable resource/energy. Thus, we turned our attention to CH4, which has a high affinity with renewable resource/energy since it can be produced from livestock waste. Therefore, our system reported here is to directly convert NO3 - to NH3 using CH4 with light energy.

Analysis of planetary boundaries and economic assessment for waste valorization in the context of a biorefinery: case study of the corn value chain in Sucre, Colombia

The environmental impact generated by the excessive use of energy and petrochemical products has become a current problem addressed by considering the valorization of waste from a value chain (VC) under the biorefinery concept. At a global level, international organizations have proposed different tools to control the environmental impact of VC. Life cycle analysis (LCA) is the most representative tool. However, the LCA results do not allow defining a VC impact in a territory. The planetary boundaries (PB) approach contextualizes the results of an LCA with the maximum limits allowed for a defined activity. This research aimed to propose and apply a methodology integrating the LCA and PB approach (PBA-LCA). For this, waste valorization under the biorefinery concept was considered. The conceptual process analysis, economic optimization of biorefineries, LCA, and PB approach tools were combined and applied to a representative case study (the corn VC in Sucre, Colombia). First, the corn VC was analyzed to define different valorization alternatives for corn stover (CS). The valorization alternatives were simulated and evaluated using Aspen Plus V9.0., Aspen Economic Analyzer V9.0., and SimaPro V8.3. The LCA impact categories were used to define the PB. The economic optimization of CS biorefineries resulted in the technical and economic limitations of the cellulose valorization fraction due to high capital and operating costs. Moreover, the production of xylitol from CS presented the best economic results with a payback period of 2 years and an NPV of US$26.04 million. The LCA results demonstrated the advantages of using CS in agricultural activities. In the biorefinery, the split of CS scenarios for biorefineries had a higher environmental impact. The inclusion of the valorization stage increases to 5 and 15 times the impact on climate change and freshwater use boundaries, respectively. Finally, the PB results demonstrated the advantage of CS current use. On the other hand, the PB analysis determined the appropriate CS split with a biorefinery/mulching ratio of 70%/30% to be implemented in Sucre, Colombia. In conclusion, the results demonstrated the need to contextualize the results of an LCA with the PB in a given region to analyze the processes' environmental viability.

Global warming potential of farming systems across England: possible mitigation and co-benefits for water quality and biodiversity

Agriculture is a key contributor to gaseous emissions causing climate change, the degradation of water quality, and biodiversity loss. The extant climate change crisis is driving a focus on mitigating agricultural gaseous emissions, but wider policy objectives, beyond net zero, mean that evidence on the potential co-benefits or trade-offs associated with on-farm intervention is warranted. For novelty, aggregated data on farm structure and spatial distribution for different farm types were integrated with high-resolution data on the natural environment to generate representative model farms. Accounting for existing mitigation effects, the Catchment Systems Model was then used to quantify global warming potential, emissions to water, and other outcomes for water management catchments across England under both business-as-usual and a maximum technically feasible mitigation potential scenario. Mapped spatial patterns were overlain with the distributions of areas experiencing poor water quality and biodiversity loss to examine potential co-benefits. The median business-as-usual GWP20 and GWP100, excluding embedded emissions, were estimated to be 4606 kg CO2 eq. ha-1 (inter-quartile range 4240 kg CO2 eq. ha-1) and 2334 kg CO2 eq. ha-1 (inter-quartile range 1462 kg CO2 eq. ha-1), respectively. The ratios of business-as-usual GHG emissions to monetized farm production ranged between 0.58 and 8.89 kg CO2 eq. £-1 for GWP20, compared with 0.53-3.99 kg CO2 eq. £-1 for GWP100. The maximum mitigation potentials ranged between 17 and 30% for GWP20 and 19-27% for GWP100 with both corresponding medians estimated to be ~24%. Here, we show for the first time that the co-benefits for water quality associated with reductions in phosphorus and sediment loss were both equivalent to around a 34% reduction, relative to business-as-usual, in specific management catchment reporting units where excess water pollutant loads were identified. Several mitigation measures included in the mitigation scenario were also identified as having the potential to deliver co-benefits for terrestrial biodiversity.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13593-025-01015-4.

Annual trends in mercury contamination are associated with changing trophic niches of giant petrels

Annual variation in prey availability can influence seabird diets and hence their exposure to pollutants, including mercury (Hg). Among seabirds, those species that scavenge carrion of marine mammals and other top predators may be especially vulnerable to accumulating high Hg concentrations. In this study, total Hg (THg) concentrations and carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope values were measured in chick feathers of northern giant petrels Macronectes halli and southern giant petrels M. giganteus at Bird Island, South Georgia (2013-2020). Both species are opportunistic predator-scavengers which feed mainly on penguins and Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus gazella carrion, and to lesser extents on marine prey and other seabirds. THg concentrations were not significantly different between northern giant petrels and southern giant petrels (means ± SDs, 2.49 ± 0.92 μg g-1 dw and 2.34 ± 0.85 μg g-1 dw, respectively), but concentrations in both species declined significantly over time, as did δ13C and δ15N values. Annual feather THg concentrations of giant petrels were positively correlated with the number of dead Antarctic fur seal pups and their mortality rate at Bird Island, but not with population sizes or breeding success of penguins. Accordingly, these results suggest a shift away from carrion (associated with the decreasing size and productivity of the Antarctic fur seal population) and towards the consumption of prey from lower trophic levels (e.g., Antarctic krill Euphausia superba), with a corresponding reduction in dietary Hg exposure. Future work should investigate the consequences of changing prey availability for diets and pollutant exposure to other marine predators within the South Georgia and Scotia Sea marine ecosystems, given the ongoing environmental changes in the region.

Urology on a changing planet: links between climate change and urological disease

Urological diseases and their varied forms of management warrant special attention in the setting of climate change. Regarding urological cancers, climate change will probably increase the incidence and severity of cancer diagnoses through exposures to certain environmental risk factors, while simultaneously disrupting cancer care delivery and downstream outcomes. Regarding benign urological diseases, a burgeoning body of work exists on climate-related heat waves, dehydration, urolithiasis, renal injury and infectious and vector-borne diseases. Adding to the potential effect on disease pathogenesis, many patients with urological diseases undergo high-tech, resource-intensive interventions, such as robotic surgery, and entail intensive longitudinal assessments over many years. These features incur a considerable carbon footprint, generate substantial waste, and can introduce vulnerabilities to climate-related weather events. Links exist between planetary health (the health of humans and the natural systems that support our health), climate change and urological disease and urological care providers face many challenges in the era of anthropogenic climate change. The next steps and priorities for research, management, and health care delivery include identification and prioritization of health care delivery strategies to minimize waste and carbon emissions, while supporting climate resilience. Examples include supporting telemedicine, limiting low-value care, and building resilience to minimize impacts of climate-related disasters to prepare for the challenges ahead.

Research on the cultivated land use system resilience under a safe and just space framework

The cultivated land use system (CLUS) represents one of the most sensitive socio-ecological systems, influenced by both human activities and natural environmental disturbances. Investigating its resilience is crucial for ensuring food security and ecological safety, as well as for promoting social fairness and justice. This study analyzed the cultivated land use system resilience (CLUSR) in Hebei Province within the safe and just space framework. Our objective was to explore the spatiotemporal variations of CLUSR from 1980 to 2020, identify its different evolutionary stages, and elucidate the characteristics of resilience regulation zones. Additionally, based on the observed resilience in 2020, we simulated changes in resilience capacity under three decision-making risk scenarios. The results indicated that: (1) From 1980 to 2020, the CLUSR in Hebei Province exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, undergoing three stages of "locked in the socio-ecological trap (1980-2000)", "reacting to the trap (2000-2010)", and "escaping the trap (2010-2020)". (2) Social justice resilience (SJR) generally displayed a pattern of being lower in the northwest and higher in the southeast, while ecological security resilience (ESR) remained relatively stable, with higher levels in the northwest and southeast and lower in other areas. High CLUSR areas are predominantly located in the southeast, whereas low areas are mainly found in the northern and western regions. (3) Resilience regulation zones can enhance resilience based on different regional characteristics, optimize resource allocation, and ensure efficient resource utilization. Core protection areas are primarily situated in the southeast of Hebei Province, with stable development areas located in the central and southern regions, while potential optimization areas are concentrated in the northeast. The northwest and southwest border regions primarily serve as elastic regulation areas, and remediation and restoration areas are mainly scattered in the central and southwestern parts. (4) Based on the cognitive preferences of decision-makers, three scenarios were depicted for CLUSR: the status quo type, development priority type, and cropland protection type. Among these, the cropland protection scenario exhibited an overall enhancement in CLUSR, yielding the most favorable results with a high resilient regional proportion of 68.82 %. This study comprehensively reflects the weaknesses in the utilization process, provides theoretical support for regional cultivated land use policies, and facilitates the sustainable utilization.

Measuring and improving the cradle-to-grave environmental performance of urological procedures

An urgent need for societal transformation exists to reduce the environmental impact of humanity, because environmental health affects human health. Health care causes ~5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and other substantial and ongoing environmental harms. Thus, health-care professionals and managers must lead ongoing efforts to improve the environmental performance of health systems. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a methodology that enables estimation of environmental impacts of products and processes. It models environmental effects from 'cradle' (raw material extraction) to 'grave' (end of useful life) and conventionally reports a range of different impact categories. LCA is a valuable tool when used appropriately. Maximizing its utility requires rational assumptions alongside careful consideration of system boundaries and data sources. Well-executed LCAs are detailed and transparently reported, enabling findings to be adapted or generalized to different settings. Attention should be given to modelling mitigation solutions in LCAs. This important step can guide health-care systems towards new and innovative solutions that embed progress towards international climate agreements. Many urological conditions are common, recurrent or chronic, requiring resource-intensive management with large associated environmental impacts. LCAs in urology have predominantly focussed on greenhouse gas emissions and have enabled identification of modifiable 'hotspots' including electricity use, travel, single-use items, irrigation, reprocessing and waste incineration. However, the methodological and reporting quality of published urology LCAs generally requires improvement and standardization. Health-care evaluation and commissioning frameworks that value LCA findings alongside clinical outcomes and cost could accelerate sustainable innovations. Rapid implementation strategies for known environmentally sustainable solutions are also needed.

Expanding the focus of the One Health concept: links between the Earth-system processes of the planetary boundaries framework and antibiotic resistance

The scientific community warns that our impact on planet Earth is so acute that we are crossing several of the planetary boundaries that demarcate the safe operating space for humankind. Besides, there is mounting evidence of serious effects on people's health derived from the ongoing environmental degradation. Regarding human health, the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria is one of the most critical public health issues worldwide. Relevantly, antibiotic resistance has been claimed to be the quintessential One Health issue. The One Health concept links human, animal, and environmental health, but it is frequently only focused on the risk of zoonotic pathogens to public health or, to a lesser extent, the impact of contaminants on human health, i.e., adverse effects on human health coming from the other two One Health "compartments". It is recurrently claimed that antibiotic resistance must be approached from a One Health perspective, but such statement often only refers to the connection between the use of antibiotics in veterinary practice and the antibiotic resistance crisis, or the impact of contaminants (antibiotics, heavy metals, disinfectants, etc.) on antibiotic resistance. Nonetheless, the nine Earth-system processes considered in the planetary boundaries framework can be directly or indirectly linked to antibiotic resistance. Here, some of the main links between those processes and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance are described. The ultimate goal is to expand the focus of the One Health concept by pointing out the links between critical Earth-system processes and the One Health quintessential issue, i.e., antibiotic resistance.

The core anammox redox reaction system of 12 anammox bacterial genera and their evolution and application implications

Anaerobic ammonium-oxidation (anammox) is a typical redox reaction driven by membrane electron transformation. However, the electron transfer mechanism of the core redox reaction and its evolutionary origins are still not thoroughly identified. In this study, a preliminary analysis was conducted for such interaction based on the 64 anammox bacterial genomes representing 12 genera available currently. The results suggested that enzymes involved in anammox reaction share the similar catalytic and electron transfer modes in different lineages, while the electron-carrying proteins shuttled between membrane and soluble enzymes are very different. A comparatively simple electronic shuttle protein system was encoded in the early-branching groundwater lineages Candidatus (Ca.) Avalokitesvara and Ca. Tripitaka, which was replaced by a sophisticated electron carrier scheme in the late-branching marine and terrestrial groups within family Ca. Brocadiaceae. Remarkably, the increasing availability of nitrite after Great Oxidation Event (GOE) potentially drove the adaptive evolution of the core redox systems by successively recruiting the nitrite reductase (NIR) for nitrite balance, a stable complex of two small cytochrome c proteins (NaxL and NaxS homologues) for electron transfer to HZS, as well as optimizing the structure of nitrite oxidoreductase gamma (NxrC) for electron conservation. In particular, a tubule-inducing nitrite oxidoreductase subunit (NxrT homologue) was further formed for electron transformation after the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event (NOE). Finally, based on two full-scale anammox-based wastewater treatment systems (WWTPs), we identified core gene transcriptional activities affecting the abundance of the family Ca. Brocadiaceae and their association with environmental factors. Overall, our study not only provides key information for understanding the dynamic patterns and evolutionary mechanisms of the anammox reactions and the associated electron transfers in conjunction with major geological events, but also provides new insights for future enrichment and effective applications.

Diets can be consistent with planetary limits and health targets at the individual level

Progress towards eliminating hunger and promoting sustainable diets is lagging, with food systems damaging ecosystems and over 700 million people undernourished. Here we develop a linear programming model that identifies food combinations that satisfy both environmental and nutritional constraints. Using US-specific data, the model considers the environmental and nutritional characteristics of more than 2,500 food items consumed in the USA, optimizing diets based on the healthy life gained from the Health Nutritional Index. Aligned with the Paris Agreement's 1.5 °C target, various diets are found to offer up to 700 min of healthy life gained per week, while reducing climate impacts by a factor of seven. Vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian diets that limit meat consumption to 255 g per week (pork and poultry) best met environmental and nutritional constraints. Grains, legumes and nuts were the primary protein sources. These diets provide a range of specific options for consumers and actionable targets for policy recommendations.

Baseflow CO₂ fluxes in small tropical rivers driven by hydrological dynamics

Dry season CO2 fluxes were estimated for 1418 small rivers and streams in the Upper São Francisco Basin (USFB), Brazil. This first basin-scale estimate revealed a substantial contribution of 1.52 Pg C yr-1 (95 % confidence interval: 1.40 to 1.64 Pg C yr-1). pCO2 values, calculated from pH and total alkalinity (TA) and subsequently corrected, ranged from 66 to 20,200 μatm (2191 ± 1791 μatm; coefficient of variation of 82 %). Approximately 95 % of rivers exhibited evasive fluxes with bed friction dissipation as the dominant control on turbulence in over 85 %. Analysis of gas transfer velocity (k600) parameterizations revealed significant inter-equation differences, high spatial variability, and strong slope influence. These findings highlight the potentially role of small tropical rivers and streams in global carbon cycling and provide the first CO2 emission estimate for the USFB.

Construction of CeCu x -BTC/CN S-type heterojunctions and photocatalytic CO2 reduction to CO and CH4

S-type heterojunction photocatalysts (CeCu x -BTC/CN) of cerium-copper bimetallic organic framework (CeCu x -BTC) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) were constructed by a simple solvothermal method using cerium nitrate, copper nitrate, and urea as the raw materials, and 1,3,5-benzene-tricarboxylic acid as the ligand for the photocatalytic CO2 reduction to CO and CH4. The results show that the built-in electric field constructed by Fermi energy level flattening transfers the electrons in an S-type manner, which not only preserves the strong reducing properties of the electrons in the material but also provides the maximum redox capacity and enables the composite samples to obtain higher visible-light trapping capacity and improve the separation efficiency of the carriers while refining the crystal particles. With the addition of only 1 mL of H2O as the proton supply source, CeCu0.05-BTC/CN exhibits the optimal photocatalytic performance. The CO and CH4 yields were 64.44 and 0.5575 μmol g-1, which were 7.56 and 2.42 times higher than those of g-C3N4, respectively, and the catalytic performances were basically stable after cycling tests.

Unequal impacts of global urban-rural settlement construction on cropland and production over the past three decades

The world has experienced a rapid expansion of human settlements in both urban and rural areas in recent decades, yet the unequal impacts of this construction on global food security remain unclear. In this study, we delineated the global-scale expansion of urban-rural settlements at a fine resolution from 1985 to 2020 and quantified their uneven impacts on food security, focusing on the relationships between settlement types, cropland categories, and disparities in crop production. Our results showed that despite dramatic urbanization, rural settlements still constituted the majority of human settlement areas in 2020. Globally, cropland loss due to the expansion of rural settlements was 1.2 times greater than that caused by urbanization, while the associated yield loss was 1.5 times higher. Notably, urban-rural settlement expansion in Asia accounted for 61% of cropland loss and 64% of yield loss. Moreover, future scenarios predicted that Asia's urban-rural settlement expansion will continue to have the most significant impacts on the loss of cropland and yield throughout the 2030s. These results provide systematic evidence of the unequal impacts of urban-rural settlement construction on global cropland and food security.

Mitigating global climate change and its environmental impact is a key social responsibility of scientists and should be part of research ethics policies and guidelines

Scientists have both epistemic and social responsibilities. Doing good science and reproducible research work would be a scientist's epistemic responsibility, but what might constitute social responsibility is perhaps broader and more subjective. Here, I posit that mitigation of global climate change (CC) and its environmental impact would be a key contemporary social responsibility of scientists. In their research, diligence in reducing the contribution of their work to greenhouse gas emissions and CC would be morally normative. Furthermore, contributing to tackling CC and its detrimental effects would be befitting of scientists' technical expertise, and is thus an appropriate reciprocative return for the training and resources afforded to them by society (and the environment). Scientists being responsible for tackling CC and its effects can be adequately described by the terms of dimensions of responsibility alluded to by de Melo-Martin and Intemann. As such, there would be no convincing reasons to reject these as important notions that should be incorporated into research ethics guidelines and policies.

Geological resource production constrained by regional water availability

Although the global economy requires geological resource mining, production has substantial environmental impacts, including the use of regional available water. In this study, we shed light on the global production capacity of 32 mined geological resources, considering regional water availability as a constraint. We found that current resource mining greatly exceeds regional water constraints for several, notably copper (37% of current production exceeds available water capacity) in 2010. Changing the location of production to regions of lower water stress would alleviate current exceedances of water constraints; however, considering economic factors shows that this is not always feasible. Future demand for geological resources is expected to require a considerable increase in water consumption. Considering the constraints of water resources in geological resource production is crucial for sustainability.

Addressing Regional Agro-ecological Boundaries: An Integrated Environmental Footprint Framework for Revealing Sustainability Gaps in Agroecosystems

Overexploiting ecosystems to meet growing food demands threatens global agricultural sustainability and food security. Addressing these challenges requires solutions tailored to regional agro-ecological boundaries (AEBs) and overall agro-ecological risks. Here, we propose a globally consistent and regionally adapted approach for quantifying regional AEBs. Based on this approach, we develop a region-specific integrated Footprint-AEB framework that combines six environmental footprints (EFs) with AEBs to capture the overall environmental impacts on China's regional agro-ecosystems. Results indicate that individual EFs cannot reliably reveal the complexity of agro-ecological stressors without comprehensive assessment relative to regionally determined boundaries. For example, Northwest China faces higher water boundary stress despite lower water footprints compared to Central China, and regions such as Qinghai and Ningxia exhibit higher integrated AEB stress driven by combined water, land, and biodiversity stresses. Additionally, imbalanced integrated AEB stress transfer via trade, mainly from industrialized eastern to vulnerable western regions, is identified as a key driver of AEB exceedance in Northwest China. This fosters a nuanced understanding of environmental responsibility and equity. The integrated Footprint-AEB framework provides new insights into agro-ecosystem dynamics and supports targeted interventions to avoid shifting environmental stressors. These challenges confront agro-ecosystems worldwide.

Is Public Health Environmentally Sustainable?

In this paper we discuss whether effective public health interventions and policies are environmentally sustainable. First, we suggest that the environmental impact from public health interventions and policies should be considered in the perspective of a human lifecycle. Second, we spell out in greater detail what we take it to mean for a public health intervention or policy to be environmentally sustainable. Third, environmental sustainability regards not only environmental impact, but also shares of our environmental "budgets", also referred to as environmentally safe operating spaces. Such budgets represent the limits of the sustainability of a group of individuals, e.g. a population. Each individual is assigned a share of the budget for each category of environmental impact, which represents how much the individual may impact the environmental category in question without doing so unsustainably. We discuss whether individuals ought to have a larger share of these budgets as a function of their ongoing life as this would make a better case for thinking that public health interventions and policies are environmentally sustainable. But we argue that this is incompatible with maximizing health within our environmental budgets and therefore mistaken. Instead, individuals ought to be ascribed a share of these budgets for life, a share that does not increase as individuals get older. We conclude that while some public health interventions and policies might be environmentally sustainable, we cannot merely assume that public health and sustainability are win-win; indeed, we have positive reason to think that some interventions and policies are not environmentally sustainable. Finally, we elaborate on how we ought to think about and react to this conclusion.

One-Step Esterification of Phosphoric, Phosphonic and Phosphinic Acids with Organosilicates: Phosphorus Chemical Recycling of Sewage Waste

Global concerns regarding the depletion and strategic importance of phosphorus resources have increased demand for the recovery and recycling. However, waste-derived phosphorus compounds, primarily as chemically inert phosphoric acid or its salts, present a challenge to their direct conversion into high-value chemicals. We aimed to develop an innovative technology that utilizes the large quantities of sewage waste, bypasses the use of white phosphorus, and enables esterification of phosphoric acid to produce widely applicable phosphate triesters. Tetraalkyl orthosilicates emerged as highly effective reagents for the direct triple esterification of 85 % phosphoric acid, as well as the esterification of organophosphinic and phosphonic acids. Furthermore, we achieved esterification of recovered phosphoric acid with tetraalkyl orthosilicate, thus pioneering a recycling pathway from sewage waste to valuable phosphorus chemicals. Experimental and theoretical investigations revealed a novel mechanism, wherein tetraalkyl orthosilicates facilitate multimolecular aggregation to achieve alkyl transfer from tetraalkylorthosilicate to phosphoric acid via multiple proton shuttling.

What is a sustainable diet in the Norwegian context?

INTRODUCTION

Sustainable diets promote health and wellbeing and have low environmental impact. They should be accessible, affordable, safe, equitable and culturally acceptable. Translating these general principles into Norwegian-specific dietary recommendations is essential, as foods beneficial for health tend to also be environmentally sustainable. Following the dietary recommendations is an important step towards sustainability.

AIM

To identify challenges and potential solutions for transitioning towards more sustainable diets in Norway.

METHODS

We used scientific articles, reports, policy documents, and statistics on Norwegian food production and consumption to discuss a sustainable diet in a Norwegian context.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

There is a large gap between dietary guidelines and actual consumption. More than 60% of the calories in the Norwegian diet are based on imported foods and feed. Changing people's diet is identified as central in transforming the food system to become more sustainable, as is prioritizing the use of local resources. Good animal health and welfare are also fundamental premises for a sustainable food system.

CONCLUSIONS

Transitioning to a more sustainable diet requires comprehensive efforts at multiple levels. There is considerable room for action to increase the use of Norwegian resources in a sustainable and responsible way. Potential strategies include reducing meat intake in favour of plant-based foods and fish, consuming more local products, decreasing food waste and supporting agricultural practices that promote environmental and social sustainability. A more sustainable diet may also lead to significantly increased self-sufficiency and food security in Norway.

Multiple Nutrient Additions Homogenize Multidimensional Plant Stoichiometry in a Meadow Steppe

Human activities are altering terrestrial ecosystem biogeochemistry globally by augmenting the availability of multiple biologically essential nutrients, thereby potentially altering plant internal concentrations (i.e., stoichiometry) across a diverse array of elements. These shifts in plant nutrient concentrations may subsequently impact crucial ecosystem processes, including litter decomposition, herbivory by insects and large animals, and ecosystem productivity. However, most work on the alteration of plant stoichiometry has focused on a few macronutrients (e.g., nitrogen or phosphorus), despite the potential importance of many other elements. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive field experiment in the Inner Mongolia Steppe, manipulating eight distinct nutrients to examine their effects on both soil and plant tissue concentrations. Our findings reveal that adding most nutrients increased their corresponding available contents in the soil. In most cases, the addition of nutrients also increased their corresponding concentrations in plant tissues at both species and community levels. Besides, multiple nutrient additions had greater effects on soil available nutrient contents than on plant internal nutrient concentrations. Notably, the concurrent addition of multiple nutrients led to a significant homogenization of plant stoichiometry among different species within the same community. This homogenization might influence interspecific interactions and coexistence within grassland ecosystems. Our findings advanced our comprehension of how anthropogenic nutrient enrichment may simplify plant nutrient profiles, thereby influencing grassland biodiversity and ecosystem functionality.

Threshold uncertainty, early warning signals and the prevention of dangerous climate change

The goal of the Paris Agreement is to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C. In this agreement-and its antecedents negotiated in Copenhagen and Cancun-the fear of crossing a dangerous climate threshold is supposed to serve as the catalyst for cooperation among countries. However, there are deep uncertainties about the location of the threshold for dangerous climate change, and recent evidence indicates this threshold uncertainty is a major impediment to collective action. Early warning signals of approaching climate thresholds are a potential remedy to this threshold uncertainty problem, and initial experimental evidence suggests such early detection systems may improve the prospects of cooperation. Here, we provide a direct experimental assessment of this early warning signal hypothesis. Using a catastrophe avoidance game, we show that large initial-and subsequently unreduced-threshold uncertainty undermines cooperation, consistent with earlier studies. An early warning signal that reduced uncertainty to within 10% (but not 30%) of the threshold value catalysed cooperation and reduced the probability of catastrophe occurring, albeit not reliably so. Our findings suggest early warning signals can trigger action to avoid a dangerous threshold, but additional mechanisms may be required to foster the cooperation needed to ensure the threshold is not breached.

Carbon intensity indicator (CII) compliance: Applications of ship speed optimization on each level using measurement data

Ship speed optimization is a primary and direct method for controlling carbon emissions. This study uses simulations based on shipboard measurements from a 28,000 DWT bulk carrier collected between 2015 and 2016. Model predictive control (MPC) with nonlinear receding horizon optimization is employed to optimize the original voyage speeds while ensuring trajectory tracking. Local weighted linear regression is used to establish the relationship between fuel consumption and speed based on the measured data. Additionally, speed constraints corresponding to each Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) emission level are identified and incorporated into the navigation controller. The results show that ship speed optimization effectively accounts for CII emissions while maintaining adherence to the original trajectory. However, under the carbon reduction constraint, the distance sailed by the ships will be reduced.

Capturing temporal variation in aquatic ecotoxicological risks: Chemical- versus effect-based assessment

The integration of effect-based and chemical profiling has been advocated to assess the potential ecotoxicological risks posed by chemical mixtures present in aquatic ecosystems. However, the concentrations of contaminants in surface waters can vary greatly over time and space, making it challenging to ensure risk assessment. Although the first results are promising, it has not yet been proven that these combined approaches are also capable of capturing temporal variation in aquatic ecotoxicological risks. The present study aimed to test this by combining passive time-integrative sampling with effect-based and chemical-analytical techniques in agricultural waterways. Silicone rubber sheets and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) were deployed in four agricultural water bodies over four consecutive six-week periods. Passive sampler extracts were analysed using a battery of 22 in vitro and in vivo bioassays in tandem with extensive chemical target analysis of 225 compounds. The extracts induced fluctuating bioassay responses over time for all locations during all sampling periods, highlighting the presence of temporal and spatial variation in toxic pressure. A range of compounds, primarily fungicides and herbicides, were detected in the passive sampler extracts during all sampling periods and at all locations at variable concentrations, highlighting the persistent but variable chemical pressure in surface waters in agricultural regions. However, the toxicity observed in the in vitro bioassays could solely be attributed to detected chemicals in 6 % of the cases with those chemicals explaining only 1-16.9 % of the observed effects, indicating that these were predominantly caused by undetected chemicals. Risk assessments based on bioassay responses revealed frequent exceedances of effect-based trigger values at all locations and during all sampling periods. It is concluded that effect-based assessments better capture temporal variations in potential ecotoxicological risks than traditional chemical analyses, but that advanced chemical analysis is needed to explain the bioanalytical response profiles.

The safe and sustainable by design framework applied to graphene-based materials

The shift toward a sustainable and toxic-free future requires integrating safety and sustainability aspects across the entire lifecycle of chemicals and materials. The Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, developed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), offers a systematic approach to support informed decision-making throughout the innovation process. The aim of this work was to investigate the opportunities and challenges of the SSbD framework through a detailed case study on graphene-based materials, implementing the SSbD Steps 1-4 with data from existing literature. The study assessed the framework's feasibility for materials and examined its potential for an absolute (non-comparative) application, including an evaluation across multiple or all potential uses of a chemical/material to be able to determine the overall safety and sustainability. The findings show that the framework offers a structured, adaptable approach to evaluating chemical and material safety and sustainability across their lifecycle, although challenges emerge for materials due to the small number of applicable models and tools. Further guidance on interpretating the results and SSbD scores of Steps 1-4 will facilitate an absolute assessment and distribute the effort required over an enhanced benefit. High Technology Readiness Level (TRL) materials, such as graphene-based materials, have sufficient data to support a comprehensive SSbD assessment considering multiple applications and to evaluate the material in an overall approach. This case study can support future users of the SSbD framework as well as provide valuable feedback for its ongoing review and adaptation.

Absolute sustainability assessment of the Danish building sector through prospective LCA

This study examines how a combination of prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA) and absolute environmental sustainability assessment (AESA) can support shaping environmental strategies in the building sector. The paper highlights the benefits of pLCA as a forward-looking approach that integrates technological and socio-economic scenario projections. Through a case study of the Danish building sector, it investigates the potential of technological advancements to meet absolute sustainability targets and explores mitigation strategies to bridge the gap between current impacts and absolute targets. The study covers 16 environmental impact categories. The study identifies which building materials have the strongest potential to mitigate climate impacts and reveals risks of burden shifts towards other impact categories. By modelling future construction in Denmark (2025-2050), the study finds a significant divergence from current consumption patterns and exceedance of the planetary boundaries suggesting that technological advancements cannot alone take construction in Denmark towards sustainable practices. The study therefore suggests a shift towards biobased materials and reduced construction activity as viable mitigation strategies. The study highlights a trade-off between climate change and land use when conventional building materials (concrete, steel etc.) are replaced by biobased materials. Moreover, the study shows that anticipated changes in the background system rely on solutions that will increase some environmental impacts e.g. land use and resource use of metals and minerals. Overall, the findings underline the importance of adjusting current LCA methods to ensure relevant assessments that can support decision making for achieving rapid climate mitigation as expressed by the IPCC and ensure that burdens are not shifted unintentionally.

Geoclimatic modeling and assessment of pesticide dynamics in Indian soil

Although pesticides can protect crops from pests and diseases, their extensive use poses significant environmental risks through soil quality degradation and groundwater contamination. Pesticide dynamics in soil are influenced by geoclimatic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate local variability in pesticide dynamics based on geoclimatic variation across India at the individual farm level and to identify emerging patterns of pesticide residue accumulation in the soil. Using a bioreactive transport simulator, biogeochemical models from 19,573 farms were evaluated to study the dynamics of 46 pesticides across India by incorporating farm-level data on soil and climatic conditions. Hotspots of pesticide leaching and residue accumulation were identified by analyzing several parameters, including soil texture, organic carbon content, pH, and rainfall. This study highlighted the variability in pesticide residue accumulation at the topsoil and leaching rates from topsoil to below root zone across three dimensions-time, location, and pesticide species. It also explored the statistical patterns of pesticide leaching. The average leaching ratio was estimated to be 5% of the applied pesticide mass, which aligns with previous studies reporting approximately 7%. In this study, we evaluated for the first time spatial variations of pesticide dynamics in soil by simulating geoclimatic data at the farm level, which is the smallest unit of agriculture. This opens up the possibility of data-driven pesticide management at both farm and regional levels. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers to optimize pesticide application rates across regions and for farmers to select pesticides with minimal environmental impact based on specific local conditions.

Carbon Dioxide Sensing Based on Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Absorption Spectroscopy Combined with the Informer and Multilayer Perceptron Models

Off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) allows the laser to be reflected multiple times inside the cavity, increasing the effective absorption path length and thus improving sensitivity. However, OA-ICOS systems are affected by various types of noise, and traditional filtering methods offer low processing efficiency and perform limited feature extraction. Deep learning models enable us to extract important features from large-scale, complex spectral data and analyze them efficiently and accurately. We propose a carbon dioxide (CO2) sensor operating in the near-infrared spectral region (1.602 μm) based on OA-ICOS and deep learning models. A radiofrequency (RF) noise source is employed to reduce the cavity-mode noise in OA-ICOS and thus improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A time-series-based neural network, known as the informer, is employed for filtering CO2 spectral time series. After filtering, spectral features are directly extracted from the filtered spectral data and CO2 concentrations are predicted using a multilayer perceptron (MLP) model. Our results showed that the SNR attained using informer filtering approximately double those obtained using traditional filtering methods (Savitzky-Golay filtering, Kalman filtering, and wavelet threshold). The linear correlation coefficient (R2) between measured concentrations and standard concentrations was increased from 79.74% (obtained by using the absorption-peak-fitting method) to 98.52% (obtained by using the proposed MLP model). Moreover, the detection limit of the CO2 sensor using the MLP model reached 1.38 ppm at 224.4 s, a 3.79-fold improvement compared to that obtained by using the absorption-peak-fitting method. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of integrating deep learning methods in the field of spectroscopy-based sensing and provide a promising approach for spectral data processing.

Understanding complex volcanic hydrosystems using a multi-tracer approach

Climate change affects groundwater availability and residence times, necessitating a thorough understanding of aquifer characteristics to define sustainable yields, particularly in regions where water is heavily exploited. This study focuses on the Volvic volcanic aquifer (Chaîne des Puys, France), where groundwater recharge has decreased due to climate change, raising concerns about water use sustainability. To address these challenges, this work proposes a multi-tracer approach, based on hydrogeological monitoring, including the estimation of groundwater ages, major elements chemistry and water stable isotopes to better characterise this resource decrease and more peculiarly its origin and its impact on the environment that has never been addressed. Relative fractions of ancient and modern water contributions (up to 20 %) to the aquifer have been thus estimated as well as the apparent ages of groundwaters (34 years). We highlight the complementarity of tracers used, allowing a better definition of recharge sources and transit times of groundwaters within the aquifer. These results led to the proposal of a hydrogeological conceptual model, highlighting a bi-modal recharge, distinguishing between a long-term recharge upon 30 years, supplemented by a recent component (≃ 1 year) related to annual precipitation. This study provides valuable information on groundwater circulation and the response of volcanic aquifers systems to climate change, while highlighting the importance of assessing residence times. By addressing the challenges posed by systems with contrasting permeability and recharge gradients, it improves understanding of volcanic hydrology and provides a basis for the development of (numerical) hydrological models to assess the impacts of global change.

Setting the Limit for Cumulative Effects: a Regional Safe Operating Space for Maintaining Ecological Resilience

Clear limits for cumulative effects are needed to safeguard the ecological structures, functions, and processes on which society depends in a rapidly changing world. However, ecological thresholds are difficult to discern and even more challenging to integrate meaningfully into cumulative effects assessments (CEA). It has been suggested that establishing a safe operating space for cumulative effects could move the dial forward in this respect. Yet, there remains little guidance on how to achieve this. Here, we propose a schema for measuring cumulative effects relative to a safe operating space grounded in ecological resilience. We then explore practical considerations for implementing this schema in CEA based on six attributes of a resilient ecosystem: diversity, connectivity, modularity, memory, openness, and feedbacks. We posit that a safe operating space may serve as a powerful tool to understand how our collective footprint may be undermining the ability of ecosystems to adapt and respond to future disturbances. By assessing cumulative effects against a safe operating space, society can better understand when systems are pushed to the edge of their safe zone and manage our interactions so as to avoid a catastrophic shift in the conditions needed for ecological and societal prosperity.

Sustainable Development Goals-Based Prospective Process Design Using Hybrid Modeling

Replacing fossil technologies with renewable carbon-based technologies is of vital importance for the development of sustainable chemical processes in the future. However, impacts beyond climate change should be carefully evaluated to ensure that this transition to defossilized chemicals is truly sustainable. Here, we develop a framework for sustainable process design that explicitly accounts for the performance attained in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is computed using standard life cycle assessment (LCA) metrics alongside the planetary boundaries (PBs) concept. We apply this approach to design a CO2 hydrogenation to methanol process, where economic and SDGs-based performance are the objectives optimized. We show that the environmentally optimal design reduces the impact on SDG 13 (climate action) substantially relative to the business-as-usual (BAU) fossil counterpart, yet this is done at the expense of worsening other categories. A prospective LCA reveals that such collateral damage will be drastically reduced in the future due to improvements in a range of economic sectors. Overall, this work highlights the need to embrace impacts beyond climate change in process design and the advantages of using hybrid surrogates to expedite the computation of Pareto designs.

EnvironMental Health: A Framework for an Emerging Field at the Intersection of the Environment and Mental Health Crises

Understanding how the environment shapes our mental and cognitive health is imperative to support efforts that promote healthy and sustainable living conditions. The etiology of mental health conditions remains often unclear, and social factors have received more scrutiny than natural or built environments. We present a conceptual framework illustrating the emerging intersection between the environment and neuropsychological health, intended to structure and guide research and funding, as well as public health and environmental initiatives. We conducted a scoping review of reviews of existing evidence on the impacts of the environment on mental and cognitive health. We found that an extensive body of work was focused on chemical hazards and the built environment and their associations with neurological and mental health, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dementia, and mood. We identified emerging areas of research intersecting environmental factors such as air, water, light, and green space with schizophrenia and behavioral health. Our analysis of the intersections between the environment and mental and cognitive health allows for the identification of knowledge clusters and gaps, contextualizing needs and opportunities for future research and funding strategies. These significant connections showcase the importance of understanding the relationships between the environment and mental and cognitive health. With this work, we assert that the protection of the environment and its integration into healthcare can bring cascading benefits and synergies to mental and cognitive health and well-being and address the social and economic burden of the mental health crises.

NiO-Incorporated Cu/Cu2O Nanowires for Highly Efficient Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia

Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia (NRA) is a promising sustainable way to synthesize ammonia (NH3) from nitrate (NO3 -) contaminants. Cu-based electrocatalysts are frequently utilized for NRA due to their strong NO3 - adsorption and de-oxygenation ability. However, this kind of catalyst usually possesses the weak water dissociation ability, resulting in insufficient proton supply in alkaline media to retard the following hydrogenation step of O-containing intermediates (*NOx, typically NO2 -) to target NH3. Herein, NiO-incorporated Cu/Cu2O nanowires grown on nickel foam (p-CuNi@NF, p refers to plasma treatment) were synthesized via hydrothermal growth and subsequent O2 plasma treatment for efficient NRA electrocatalysis. On this p-CuNi@NF catalyst, NiO is able to accelerate the hydrogenation step by promoting the water dissociation to provide protons, ultimately facilitating efficient NRA. p-CuNi@NF exhibits excellent NH3 selectivity and yield in a wide potential range and reaches a high Faradaic efficiency (FENH3) of 97.5 % and a yield (YNH3) of 470 μmol h-1 cm-2 at -0.6 V, both of which largely surpass the Cu/Cu2O catalyst.

Review: The need for holistic, sector-tailored sustainability assessments for milk- and plant-based beverages

Sustainable food systems encompass nutrition, the environment and socioeconomics, each aspect requiring unique assessment and consideration. This is especially important in the dairy industry, since livestock contributes 14.5% of global greenhouse emissions while also contributing 49% to global calcium supply and 12% to global protein supply. This necessitates strict measurement to ensure science-based decision-making while producing sustainably, ensuring adequate nutrient supply. This review aimed to identify and evaluate existing measures of sustainability with the goal to generate recommendations for future sustainability measurements. From a nutritional perspective, it identified existing measures such as nutritional life-cycle analysis, hybrid nutrient-rich food index, nutrient-rich food adjusted for adequate intake and nutrient deficiencies, as well as the priority micronutrient density score, as methods which consider broader nutrient profiles and utilise more recent research, and therefore serve as a basis for future models. Major limitations exist in the incorporation of bioavailability or the food matrix effect in such measures, as well as food-group-specific indices. The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology healthy diet score also provides promise in serving as an updated version of current dietary guidelines. Environmentally, the life cycle analysis approach forms a detailed basis for environmental footprint assessment, although the practical application thereof in modern agriculture may be cumbersome and may warrant the use of simpler metrics. However, the complexity of sustainability assessments due to differing production methods and system boundaries makes comparisons difficult, which justifies either standardised or contextualised indices. Lastly, socioeconomics which are often measured only via retail price with a focus on economics also deserves consideration of affordability at consumer and producer level by evaluating the effect of the production system on the local and global economy, producer affordability and the potential to improve livelihoods. In conclusion, a localised and holistic measure of sustainability is warranted which is both sector and context-specific and reported in sufficient detail to prevent the masking of poor results due to single metric expressions.

Human activities are intensifying the spatial variation of landslides in the Yellow River Basin

Human activities are a triggering factor for landslides in the Yellow River Basin (YRB, China). However, the extent to which the spatial distribution of landslides is affected by human activities is unclear. We constructed a human activity intensity index (HAII) based on nighttime light data and land cover data. Regression and dominance analyses were used to compare the effects of the HAII, precipitation, distance to river, distance to fault, topographic relief and slope on the landslides spatial density (LSD). The results showed that in the YRB, the HAII, as a dominance influencing factor, had a significant positive influence on the LSD. Moreover, regional differences in the human disturbance of nature intensify the spatial variation of LSD. To quantify the intensity of human disturbance to nature, a human-nature conflict index (HNCI) is constructed by quantifying the difference between the slope distributions of artificial and natural landscapes. The results show that in the middle section of the YRB, humans are developing more steep mountainous areas, leading to more dense landslides. This study provides a reference for landslide risk management and land use planning in the YRB.

Diffuse soil pollution from agriculture: Impacts and remediation

Agricultural activities are essential for sustaining the global population, yet they exert considerable pressure on the environment. A major challenge we face today is agricultural pollution, much of which is diffuse in nature, lacking a clear point of origin for chemical discharge. Modern agricultural practices, which often depend on substantial applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation water, are key contributors to this form of pollution. These activities lead to downstream contamination through mechanisms such as surface runoff, leaching, soil erosion, wind dispersal, and sedimentation. The environmental and human health consequences of diffuse pollution are profound and cannot be ignored. Accurate assessment of the risks posed by agricultural pollutants is crucial for ensuring the production of safe, high-quality food while safeguarding the environment. This requires systematic monitoring and evaluation of agricultural practices, including soil testing and nutrient management. Furthermore, the development and implementation of best management practices (BMPs) are critical in reducing the levels of agricultural pollution. Such measures are essential for mitigating the negative impacts on ecosystems and public health. Therefore, the adoption of preventive strategies aimed at minimizing pollution and its associated risks is highly recommended to ensure long-term environmental sustainability and human well-being.

Unelongated Stems are an Active Nitrogen-Fixing Site in Rice Stems Supported by Both Sugar and Methane Under Low Nitrogen Conditions

Enhancing nitrogen (N) fixation in rice plants can reduce N fertilizer application and contribute to sustainable rice production, particularly under low-N conditions. However, detailed microbial and metabolic characterization of N fixation in rice stems, unlike in the well-studied roots, has not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the active N-fixing sites, their diazotroph communities, and the usability of possible carbon sources in stems compared with roots. The N-fixing activity and copy number of the nitrogenase gene in the rice stem were high in the outer part of the unelongated stem (basal node), especially in the epidermis. N fixation, estimated using the acetylene reduction assay, was also higher in the leaf sheath and root than in the inner part of the unelongated stem and culm. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) close to sugar-utilizing heterotrophic diazotrophs belonging to Betaproteobacteria and type II methanotrophic diazotrophs belonging to Alphaproteobacteria were abundant in the outer part of the unelongated stems. Media containing crushed unelongated stems exhibited N-fixing activity when sucrose, glucose, and methane were added as the sole carbon sources. This suggested that N fixation in the unelongated stems was at least partly supported by sugars (sucrose and glucose) and methane as carbon sources. ASVs close to sugar-utilizing heterotrophs belonging to Actinobacteria were also highly abundant in the unelongated stem; however, their functions need to be further elucidated. The present finding that diazotrophs in rice stems can use sugars such as sucrose and glucose synthesized by rice plants provides new insights into enhancing N fixation in rice stems.

Tracing nitrate contamination sources and dynamics in an unconfined alluvial aquifer system (Velika Gorica well field, Croatia)

Nitrate ions (NO3-) are one of the most common contaminants in the groundwater of the Zagreb alluvial aquifer, which hosts strategic groundwater reserves of the Republic of Croatia and supplies drinking water to one million inhabitants of the capital city. To better understand the origin and the dynamics of NO3- in the unsaturated and saturated zones, the stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ15N) and oxygen (δ18O) in dissolved nitrate, combined with physico-chemical, hydrogeochemical and water stable isotope data, were used in the current work, together with statistical tools and mixing models. The study involved monthly sampling of groundwater, surface water, precipitation and soil water samples. Additionally, the isotopic composition of total nitrogen (δ15Nbulk) was determined in solid samples representing the local nitrate sources. The combination of a nitrous oxide isotopic analyzer and the titanium(III) reduction method provides reliable measurements of δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3, with optimal stability achieved under specific conditions. Nitrate in the study area predominantly originates from organic sources, with nitrification as the main biogeochemical process, while denitrification was identified at sampling sites under specific anaerobic conditions. Although statistical analysis can be a valuable tool, it should be applied with caution if NO3- originates from multiple sources. The isotopic composition of water showed that groundwater is predominantly recharged by the Sava River but its contribution varied spatially. The results also show the existence of a different recharge source in the southern part of the aquifer. Our findings highlighted the importance of employing a diverse range of analytical methods to obtain reliable and comprehensive understanding of nitrate contamination. By integrating multi-method approaches, stakeholders can better understand the complexities of groundwater contamination and implement more targeted measures to safeguard the water supplies for future generations.