1
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Ellison D, Pokorný J, Wild M. Even cooler insights: On the power of forests to (water the Earth and) cool the planet. Glob Chang Biol 2024; 30:e17195. [PMID: 38389196 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Scientific innovation is overturning conventional paradigms of forest, water, and energy cycle interactions. This has implications for our understanding of the principal causal pathways by which tree, forest, and vegetation cover (TFVC) influence local and global warming/cooling. Many identify surface albedo and carbon sequestration as the principal causal pathways by which TFVC affects global warming/cooling. Moving toward the outer latitudes, in particular, where snow cover is more important, surface albedo effects are perceived to overpower carbon sequestration. By raising surface albedo, deforestation is thus predicted to lead to surface cooling, while increasing forest cover is assumed to result in warming. Observational data, however, generally support the opposite conclusion, suggesting surface albedo is poorly understood. Most accept that surface temperatures are influenced by the interplay of surface albedo, incoming shortwave (SW) radiation, and the partitioning of the remaining, post-albedo, SW radiation into latent and sensible heat. However, the extent to which the avoidance of sensible heat formation is first and foremost mediated by the presence (absence) of water and TFVC is not well understood. TFVC both mediates the availability of water on the land surface and drives the potential for latent heat production (evapotranspiration, ET). While latent heat is more directly linked to local than global cooling/warming, it is driven by photosynthesis and carbon sequestration and powers additional cloud formation and top-of-cloud reflectivity, both of which drive global cooling. TFVC loss reduces water storage, precipitation recycling, and downwind rainfall potential, thus driving the reduction of both ET (latent heat) and cloud formation. By reducing latent heat, cloud formation, and precipitation, deforestation thus powers warming (sensible heat formation), which further diminishes TFVC growth (carbon sequestration). Large-scale tree and forest restoration could, therefore, contribute significantly to both global and surface temperature cooling through the principal causal pathways of carbon sequestration and cloud formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ellison
- Natural Resource Policy Group (NARP), Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Land Systems and Sustainable Land Management Unit (LS-SLM), Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Martin Wild
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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2
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Rockström J, Kotzé L, Milutinović S, Biermann F, Brovkin V, Donges J, Ebbesson J, French D, Gupta J, Kim R, Lenton T, Lenzi D, Nakicenovic N, Neumann B, Schuppert F, Winkelmann R, Bosselmann K, Folke C, Lucht W, Schlosberg D, Richardson K, Steffen W. The planetary commons: A new paradigm for safeguarding Earth-regulating systems in the Anthropocene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2301531121. [PMID: 38252839 PMCID: PMC10835110 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301531121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The Anthropocene signifies the start of a no-analogue trajectory of the Earth system that is fundamentally different from the Holocene. This new trajectory is characterized by rising risks of triggering irreversible and unmanageable shifts in Earth system functioning. We urgently need a new global approach to safeguard critical Earth system regulating functions more effectively and comprehensively. The global commons framework is the closest example of an existing approach with the aim of governing biophysical systems on Earth upon which the world collectively depends. Derived during stable Holocene conditions, the global commons framework must now evolve in the light of new Anthropocene dynamics. This requires a fundamental shift from a focus only on governing shared resources beyond national jurisdiction, to one that secures critical functions of the Earth system irrespective of national boundaries. We propose a new framework-the planetary commons-which differs from the global commons framework by including not only globally shared geographic regions but also critical biophysical systems that regulate the resilience and state, and therefore livability, on Earth. The new planetary commons should articulate and create comprehensive stewardship obligations through Earth system governance aimed at restoring and strengthening planetary resilience and justice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Rockström
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Institute for Earth and Environment, University of Potsdam, Potsdam14476, Germany
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
| | - Louis Kotzé
- Faculty of Law, North-West University, Potchefstroom2531, South Africa
- Law School, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom
- Research Institute for Sustainability Helmholtz Center Potsdam, Potsdam14467, Germany
| | | | - Frank Biermann
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht3584 CB, The Netherlands
| | - Victor Brovkin
- Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Hamburg20146, Germany
| | - Jonathan Donges
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
| | - Jonas Ebbesson
- Department of Law, Stockholm University, Stockholm11419, Sweden
| | - Duncan French
- College of Health and Science, University of Lincoln, LincolnLN6 7TS, United Kingdom
| | - Joyeeta Gupta
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam1012 WP, The Netherlands
- International Institute for Infrastructural Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering (IHE) Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft2611 AX, The Netherlands
| | - Rakhyun Kim
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht3584 CB, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy Lenton
- Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter, ExeterEX4 4QE, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Lenzi
- Department of Philosophy, University of Twente, Enschede7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Nebojsa Nakicenovic
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, LaxenburgA-2361, Austria
- Vienna University of Technology, Vienna1040, Austria
| | - Barbara Neumann
- Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Research Institute for Sustainability Helmholtz Center Potsdam, Potsdam14467, Germany
| | | | - Ricarda Winkelmann
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology, Jena07745, Germany
| | - Klaus Bosselmann
- Faculty of Law, University of Auckland, Auckland1142, New Zealand
| | - Carl Folke
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, StockholmSE-10405, Sweden
| | - Wolfgang Lucht
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Department of Geography, Humboldt University, Berlin12489, Germany
| | - David Schlosberg
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Sydney Environment Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Camperdown NSW2050, Australia
| | - Katherine Richardson
- Globe Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen1172, Denmark
| | - Will Steffen
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT2601, Australia
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3
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Wood Hansen O, van den Bergh J. Environmental problem shifting from climate change mitigation: A mapping review. PNAS Nexus 2024; 3:pgad448. [PMID: 38205028 PMCID: PMC10776357 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Climate change mitigation will trigger major changes in human activity, energy systems, and material use, potentially shifting pressure from climate change to other environmental problems. We provide a comprehensive overview of such "environmental problem shifting" (EPS). While there is considerable research on this issue, studies are scattered across research fields and use a wide range of terms with blurred conceptual boundaries, such as trade-off, side effect, and spillover. We identify 506 relevant studies on EPS of which 311 are empirical, 47 are conceptual-theoretical, and 148 are synthetic studies or reviews of a particular mitigation option. A systematic mapping of the empirical studies reveals 128 distinct shifts from 22 categories of mitigation options to 10 environmental impacts. A comparison with the recent IPCC report indicates that EPS literature does not cover all mitigation options. Moreover, some studies systematically overestimate EPS by not accounting for the environmental benefits of reduced climate change. We propose to conceptually clarify the different ways of estimating EPS by distinguishing between gross, net, and relative shifting. Finally, the ubiquity of EPS calls for policy design which ensures climate change mitigation that minimizes unsustainability across multiple environmental dimensions. To achieve this, policymakers can regulate mitigation options-for example, in their choice of technology or location-and implement complementary environmental policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Wood Hansen
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, UAB Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jeroen van den Bergh
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, UAB Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain
- School of Business and Economics & Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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4
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Fernández-González J, Rumayor M, Domínguez-Ramos A, Irabien A, Ortiz I. The Relevance of Life Cycle Assessment Tools in the Development of Emerging Decarbonization Technologies. JACS Au 2023; 3:2631-2639. [PMID: 37885586 PMCID: PMC10598561 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The development of emerging decarbonization technologies requires advanced tools for decision-making that incorporate the environmental perspective from the early design. Today, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the preferred tool to promote sustainability in the technology development, identifying environmental challenges and opportunities and defining the final implementation pathways. So far, most environmental studies related to decarbonization emerging solutions are still limited to midpoint metrics, mainly the carbon footprint, with global sustainability implications being relatively unexplored. In this sense, the Planetary Boundaries (PBs) have been recently proposed to identify the distance to the ideal reference state. Hence, PB-LCA methodology can be currently applied to transform the resource use and emissions to changes in the values of PB control variables. This study shows a complete picture of the LCA's role in developing emerging technologies. For this purpose, a case study based on the electrochemical conversion of CO2 to formic acid is used to show the possibilities of LCA approaches highlighting the potential pitfalls when going beyond greenhouse gas emission reduction and obtaining the absolute sustainability level in terms of four PBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Fernández-González
- Department of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Universidad de
Cantabria, Avenida Los Castros s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Marta Rumayor
- Department of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Universidad de
Cantabria, Avenida Los Castros s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Antonio Domínguez-Ramos
- Department of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Universidad de
Cantabria, Avenida Los Castros s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Angel Irabien
- Department of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Universidad de
Cantabria, Avenida Los Castros s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Ortiz
- Department of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Universidad de
Cantabria, Avenida Los Castros s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain
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5
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Liu J. Leveraging the metacoupling framework for sustainability science and global sustainable development. Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwad090. [PMID: 37305165 PMCID: PMC10255777 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Sustainability science seeks to understand human-nature interactions behind sustainability challenges, but has largely been place-based. Traditional sustainability efforts often solved problems in one place at the cost of other places, compromising global sustainability. The metacoupling framework offers a conceptual foundation and a holistic approach to integrating human-nature interactions within a place, as well as between adjacent places and between distant places worldwide. Its applications show broad utilities for advancing sustainability science with profound implications for global sustainable development. They have revealed effects of metacoupling on the performance, synergies, and trade-offs of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across borders and across local to global scales; untangled complex interactions; identified new network attributes; unveiled spatio-temporal dynamics and effects of metacoupling; uncovered invisible feedbacks across metacoupled systems; expanded the nexus approach; detected and integrated hidden phenomena and overlooked issues; re-examined theories such as Tobler's First Law of Geography; and unfolded transformations among noncoupling, coupling, decoupling, and recoupling. Results from the applications are also helpful to achieve SDGs across space, amplify benefits of ecosystem restoration across boundaries and across scales, augment transboundary management, broaden spatial planning, boost supply chains, empower small agents in the large world, and shift from place-based to flow-based governance. Key topics for future research include cascading effects of an event in one place on other places both nearby and far away. Operationalizing the framework can benefit from further tracing flows across scales and space, uplifting the rigor of causal attribution, enlarging toolboxes, and elevating financial and human resources. Unleashing the full potential of the framework will generate more important scientific discoveries and more effective solutions for global justice and sustainable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Liu
- Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
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6
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Salah C, Cobo S, Pérez-Ramírez J, Guillén-Gosálbez G. Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Hydrogen from Waste Polymers. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 2023; 11:3238-3247. [PMID: 36874195 PMCID: PMC9976282 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c05729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The rising demand for single-use polymers calls for alternative waste treatment pathways to ensure a circular economy. Here, we explore hydrogen production from waste polymer gasification (wPG) to reduce the environmental impacts of plastic incineration and landfilling while generating a valuable product. We assess the carbon footprint of 13 H2 production routes and their environmental sustainability relative to the planetary boundaries (PBs) defined for seven Earth-system processes, covering H2 from waste polymers (wP; polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene), and a set of benchmark technologies including H2 from natural gas, biomass, and water splitting. Our results show that wPG coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS) could reduce the climate change impact of fossil-based and most electrolytic routes. Moreover, due to the high price of wP, wPG would be more expensive than its fossil- and biomass-based analogs but cheaper than the electrolytic routes. The absolute environmental sustainability assessment (AESA) revealed that all pathways would transgress at least one downscaled PB, yet a portfolio was identified where the current global H2 demand could be met without transgressing any of the studied PBs, which indicates that H2 from plastics could play a role until chemical recycling technologies reach a sufficient maturity level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Salah
- Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied
Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Selene Cobo
- Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied
Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Javier Pérez-Ramírez
- Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied
Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gonzalo Guillén-Gosálbez
- Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied
Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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7
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Brichet N, Brieghel S, Hastrup F. Feral Kinetics and Cattle Research Within Planetary Boundaries. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050802. [PMID: 36899658 PMCID: PMC10000022 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased attention drawn to the negative environmental impact of the cattle industry has fostered a host of market- and research-driven initiatives among relevant actors. While the identification of some of the most problematic environmental impacts of cattle is seemingly more or less unanimous, solutions are complex and might even point in opposite directions. Whereas one set of solutions seeks to further optimize sustainability pr. unit produced, e.g., by exploring and altering the relations between elements kinetically moving one another inside the cow's rumen, this opinion points to different paths. While acknowledging the importance of possible technological interventions to optimize what occurs inside the rumen, we suggest that broader visions of the potential negative outcomes of further optimization are also needed. Accordingly, we raise two concerns regarding a focus on solving emissions through feedstuff development. First, we are concerned about whether the development of feed additives overshadows discussions about downscaling and, second, whether a narrow focus on reducing enteric gasses brackets other relations between cattle and landscapes. Our hesitations are rooted in a Danish context, where the agricultural sector-mainly a large-scale technologically driven livestock production-contributes significantly to the total emission of CO2 equivalents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Brichet
- Department of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Correspondence:
| | - Signe Brieghel
- The Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frida Hastrup
- The Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
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8
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Niebel D, Herrmann A, Balzer S, Hecker C, Koch S, Luhmann E, Becker-Weimann SY, Tischler M, Löffler C, Saha S. Nachhaltigkeit in der dermatologischen Praxis und Klinik: Herausforderungen und Lösungsansätze. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023; 21:44-58. [PMID: 36721932 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14952_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Niebel
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg.,AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg
| | - Alina Herrmann
- Institut für Global Health, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin (DEGAM)
| | - Susanne Balzer
- Hausarztpraxis Dres. Metz & Balzer, Köln, Ressort Klimaschutz in der AG hausärztliche Internisten der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Innere Medizin (DGIM)
| | - Christina Hecker
- AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg
| | - Susanne Koch
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie mit Schwerpunkt operative Intensivmedizin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Forum für Nachhaltigkeit der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Anästhesiologie & Intensivmedizin (DGAI)
| | - Esther Luhmann
- Verein demokratischer Pharmazeutinnen und Pharmazeuten (VdPP), Hamburg
| | - Su Youn Becker-Weimann
- AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg.,Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main
| | - Max Tischler
- AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg.,Hautärzte am Markt, Dortmund, Junge Dermatologen (JuDerm) im Berufsverband der Deutschen Dermatologen (BVDD)
| | - Christin Löffler
- AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg.,Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Phlebologie, SLK-Kliniken Heilbronn
| | - Susanne Saha
- AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg
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9
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Niebel D, Herrmann A, Balzer S, Hecker C, Koch S, Luhmann E, Becker-Weimann SY, Tischler M, Löffler C, Saha S. Sustainability of dermatological offices and clinics: challenges and potential solutions. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023; 21:44-58. [PMID: 36721934 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing high consumption of resources results in exceeding the planetary boundaries. Modern healthcare systems contribute to this problem. To address this issue, this article provides an overview of various aspects of sustainable actions in medical offices and clinics that can also be applied to dermatology. Specific fields of action include energy consumption, structural measures, traffic and mobility, organization including digitalization as well as personnel and evaluation. Moreover, we discuss specific topics such as hygiene and cleansing, dermatosurgery and prescription practices. External treatments and cosmetics are discussed separately as dermatological peculiarities. Finally, we provide information on established initiatives for more sustainable health care in Germany. We aim to encourage critical reappraisal of currently established practices and to stimulate the implementation of sustainable measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Niebel
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alina Herrmann
- Institute for Global Health, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin (DEGAM)
| | - Susanne Balzer
- Hausarztpraxis Drs. Metz & Balzer, Cologne, Germany; Department of Climate Protection in AG Hausärztliche Internisten of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Innere Medizin (DGIM)
| | - Christina Hecker
- AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Koch
- Department of Anesthesiology with Focus on Surgical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Forum for Sustainability of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Anästhesiologie & Intensivmedizin (DGAI)
| | - Esther Luhmann
- Verein demokratischer Pharmazeutinnen und Pharmazeuten (VdPP), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Su Youn Becker-Weimann
- AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venereology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Max Tischler
- AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg, Germany.,Hautärzte am Markt, Dortmund, Germany; Junge Dermatologen (JuDerm) in Berufsverband der Deutschen Dermatologen (BVDD)
| | - Christin Löffler
- AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Phlebology, SLK-Kliniken Heilbronn, Germany
| | - Susanne Saha
- AG Nachhaltigkeit in der Dermatologie e.V. (AGN) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), Freiburg, Germany
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10
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Negri V, Charalambous MA, Medrano-García JD, Guillén-Gosálbez G. Navigating within the Safe Operating Space with Carbon Capture On-Board. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 2022; 10:17134-17142. [PMID: 36591544 PMCID: PMC9795543 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c04627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the global pandemic that recently affected human and cargo transportation, the emissions of the maritime sector are projected to keep growing steadily. The International Maritime Organization focused on boosting the fleets' efficiency to improve their environmental performance, while more sustainable fuels are currently under investigation. Here, we assess the economic, technical, and environmental feasibility of an interim solution for low-carbon shipping using state-of-the-art CO2 capture technology, namely, chemical absorption, on-board cargo ships. We compute the carbon footprint of this alternative and perform an absolute sustainability study based on seven planetary boundaries. Our results show that the capture on-board scenario can achieve 94% efficiency on the net CO2 emissions at 85 $/tCO2 while substantially reducing impacts on core planetary boundaries (relative to the business as usual) and outperforming a direct air capture scenario in global warming and all planetary boundaries, except for the nitrogen flow. Hence, capture on-board seems an appealing solution to decarbonize shipping in the short term while alternative carbon-free fuels and related infrastructure are developed and deployed.
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11
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Li Y, Roy A, Dong X. An Equality-Based Approach to Analysing the Global Food System's Fair Share, Overshoot, and Responsibility for Exceeding the Climate Change Planetary Boundary. Foods 2022; 11:foods11213459. [PMID: 36360072 PMCID: PMC9657113 DOI: 10.3390/foods11213459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The climate catastrophe is being caused by human effects on earth system processes that are surpassing several planetary boundaries. This crisis is driven significantly by the global food system. It has been increasing over recent years, yet food systems are essential in upholding food and nutrition security. This study proposed a novel method for enumerating national contributions to the cessation of the climate crisis by approximating nations’ aggregate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from food systems, within the equitable and sustainable planetary boundaries of climate change. This study included 221 nations, which were grouped as per their human development index (HDI) categories, income groups, and continental locations. During 1990−2018, the annual fair share, overshoot of emissions, and collective historical responsibility in the world of each country were assessed. There was a 22.52% increase in overshooting of GHG emissions from the global food system, starting in 1990. A group of 15 countries, including Brazil, China, Indonesia, and the U.S.A., were responsible for >67% of global overshoot. The primary liability is borne by countries with upper-, middle-, and high-income economies, and high to very-high HDI groups, as well as Asia and South America. Countries such as India, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and others have steadily increased their share of responsibility over the last 28 years. More than 76% of countries in the world, mostly from Africa, Europe, and Asia, proved to be absolute overshooters. After contextualising the study’s findings, the global food system’s decarbonization and its limits were discussed; some recommendations for prospective research were also offered. It appears that academics, governments, and policymakers should start concentrating more on reshaping and redesigning the global food system to be climate-friendly (i.e., a carbon-neutral food system), whilst being able to fairly allocate food and nutrition security to achieve long-term Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- School of Geographical Sciences and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Centre for Climate and Environmental Changes, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ajishnu Roy
- School of Geographical Sciences and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xuhui Dong
- School of Geographical Sciences and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Centre for Climate and Environmental Changes, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Correspondence:
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12
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Meijaard E, Abrams JF, Slavin JL, Sheil D. Dietary Fats, Human Nutrition and the Environment: Balance and Sustainability. Front Nutr 2022; 9:878644. [PMID: 35548568 PMCID: PMC9083822 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.878644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary fats are essential ingredients of a healthy diet. Their production, however, impacts the environment and its capacity to sustain us. Growing knowledge across multiple disciplines improves our understanding of links between food, health and sustainability, but increases apparent complexity. Whereas past dietary guidelines placed limits on total fat intake especially saturated fats, recent studies indicate more complex links with health. Guidelines differ between regions of general poverty and malnutrition and those where obesity is a growing problem. Optimization of production to benefit health and environmental outcomes is hindered by limited data and shared societal goals. We lack a detailed overview of where fats are being produced, and their environmental impacts. Furthermore, the yields of different crops, for producing oils or feeding animals, and the associated land needs for meeting oil demands, differ greatly. To illuminate these matters, we review current discourse about the nutritional aspects of edible fats, summarize the inferred environmental implications of their production and identify knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Meijaard
- Borneo Futures, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.,Department of Ecology, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czechia.,School of Anthropology and Conservation, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Jesse F Abrams
- Global Systems Institute, Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne L Slavin
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Douglas Sheil
- Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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13
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Graudal L, Dawson IK, Hale I, Powell W, Hendre P, Jamnadass R. 'Systems approach' plant breeding illustrated by trees. Trends Plant Sci 2022; 27:158-165. [PMID: 34688564 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The linkage in new and creative ways of existing plant breeding methods responsive to different global trends and values provides a 'systems approach' to address a broad set of global production challenges more effectively. Here, we illustrate such an approach through its application to trees, chosen because of their extensive diversity in features, uses, users, production contexts, and domestication pathways. We coin the resulting strategy 'tree diversity breeding' and consider it with reference to trends and values related to participation, environment, biotechnology, and markets as examples. Features of the approach for trees are applicable to plant breeding more widely, as we seek to address complex problems through strategic biodiversity use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Graudal
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Headquarters, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Ian K Dawson
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Headquarters, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya; Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Iago Hale
- Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Wayne Powell
- Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Prasad Hendre
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Headquarters, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ramni Jamnadass
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Headquarters, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
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14
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Schapheer C, Pellens R, Scherson R. Arthropod-Microbiota Integration: Its Importance for Ecosystem Conservation. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:702763. [PMID: 34408733 PMCID: PMC8365148 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.702763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent reports indicate that the health of our planet is getting worse and that genuine transformative changes are pressing. So far, efforts to ameliorate Earth's ecosystem crises have been insufficient, as these often depart from current knowledge of the underlying ecological processes. Nowadays, biodiversity loss and the alterations in biogeochemical cycles are reaching thresholds that put the survival of our species at risk. Biological interactions are fundamental for achieving biological conservation and restoration of ecological processes, especially those that contribute to nutrient cycles. Microorganism are recognized as key players in ecological interactions and nutrient cycling, both free-living and in symbiotic associations with multicellular organisms. This latter assemblage work as a functional ecological unit called "holobiont." Here, we review the emergent ecosystem properties derived from holobionts, with special emphasis on detritivorous terrestrial arthropods and their symbiotic microorganisms. We revisit their relevance in the cycling of recalcitrant organic compounds (e.g., lignin and cellulose). Finally, based on the interconnection between biodiversity and nutrient cycling, we propose that a multicellular organism and its associates constitute an Ecosystem Holobiont (EH). This EH is the functional unit characterized by carrying out key ecosystem processes. We emphasize that in order to meet the challenge to restore the health of our planet it is critical to reduce anthropic pressures that may threaten not only individual entities (known as "bionts") but also the stability of the associations that give rise to EH and their ecological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Schapheer
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Silvoagropecuarias y Veterinarias, Campus Sur Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Sistemática y Evolución, Departamento de Silvicultura y Conservación de la Naturaleza, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roseli Pellens
- UMR 7205, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Pratique de Hautes Etudes, Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité, Sorbonne Université, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Rosa Scherson
- Laboratorio de Sistemática y Evolución, Departamento de Silvicultura y Conservación de la Naturaleza, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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15
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Ridoutt B, Baird D, Hendrie GA. Diets within Environmental Limits: The Climate Impact of Current and Recommended Australian Diets. Nutrients 2021; 13:1122. [PMID: 33805454 DOI: 10.3390/nu13041122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Planetary boundaries are an important sustainability concept, defining absolute limits for resource use and emissions that need to be respected to avoid major and potentially irreversible earth system change. To remain within the safe operating space for humanity, there is a need for urgent adoption of climate-neutral diets, which make no additional contribution to warming. In the first study of its kind, a new climate metric, the Global Warming Potential Star (GWP*), was used to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with 9341 Australian adult diets obtained from the Australian Health Survey. Dietary climate footprints averaged 3.4 kg CO2-equivelent per person per day, with total energy intake explaining around one quarter of the variation. Energy-dense and nutrient-poor discretionary foods contributed around one third. With lower climate footprint food choices, a diet consistent with current Australian dietary guidelines had a 42% lower climate footprint. Currently, it is not possible to define a climate-neutral dietary strategy in Australia because there are very few climate-neutral foods in the Australian food system. To bring Australian diets into line with the climate stabilization goals of the Paris Agreement, the most important need is for innovation across the agricultural and food processing industries to expand the range of climate-neutral foods available.
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16
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Abstract
Despite the decades-long efforts of sustainability science and related policy and action programs, humanity has not gotten closer to global sustainability. With its focus on the natural sciences, sustainability science is not able to contribute sufficiently to the global transition to sustainability. This Perspective argues for transforming sustainability science into a transdisciplinary enterprise that can generate positive social and environmental change globally. In such transformation, the social sciences, humanities, and the arts can play an important role to address the complex problems of culture, institutions, and human behavior. To realize a truly integrated sustainability science, we need renewed research and public policies that reshape the research ecosystem of universities, funding agencies, science communications, policymaking, and decision making. Sustainability science must also engage with society and creatively employ all available sources of knowledge in favor of creating a sustainable Earth.
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17
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Negrutiu I, Frohlich MW, Hamant O. Flowering Plants in the Anthropocene: A Political Agenda. Trends Plant Sci 2020; 25:349-368. [PMID: 31964603 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2019.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Flowering plants are the foundation of human civilization, providing biomass for food, fuel, and materials to satisfy human needs, dependent on fertile soil, adequate water, and favorable weather. Conversely, failure of any of these inputs has caused catastrophes. Today, human appropriation of biomass is threatening planetary boundaries, inducing social and political unrest worldwide. Human societies are bound to rethink agriculture and forestry to restore and safeguard natural resources while improving the overall quality of life. Here, we explore why and how. Through an evolutionary and quantitative analysis of agriculture, and bridging plant and Earth sciences, we anticipate the advent of a research and policy framework, integrating plant science in all sectors: the economy, local and global governance, and geopolitics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioan Negrutiu
- Laboratoire de Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, Université de Lyon, UCB Lyon 1, ENS de Lyon, INRAE, CNRS, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France.
| | - Michael W Frohlich
- Laboratoire de Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, Université de Lyon, UCB Lyon 1, ENS de Lyon, INRAE, CNRS, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France; Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3DS, UK
| | - Olivier Hamant
- Laboratoire de Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, Université de Lyon, UCB Lyon 1, ENS de Lyon, INRAE, CNRS, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France.
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18
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Zipper SC, Jaramillo F, Wang‐Erlandsson L, Cornell SE, Gleeson T, Porkka M, Häyhä T, Crépin A, Fetzer I, Gerten D, Hoff H, Matthews N, Ricaurte‐Villota C, Kummu M, Wada Y, Gordon L. Integrating the Water Planetary Boundary With Water Management From Local to Global Scales. Earths Future 2020; 8:e2019EF001377. [PMID: 32715010 PMCID: PMC7375053 DOI: 10.1029/2019ef001377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The planetary boundaries framework defines the "safe operating space for humanity" represented by nine global processes that can destabilize the Earth System if perturbed. The water planetary boundary attempts to provide a global limit to anthropogenic water cycle modifications, but it has been challenging to translate and apply it to the regional and local scales at which water problems and management typically occur. We develop a cross-scale approach by which the water planetary boundary could guide sustainable water management and governance at subglobal contexts defined by physical features (e.g., watershed or aquifer), political borders (e.g., city, nation, or group of nations), or commercial entities (e.g., corporation, trade group, or financial institution). The application of the water planetary boundary at these subglobal contexts occurs via two approaches: (i) calculating fair shares, in which local water cycle modifications are compared to that context's allocation of the global safe operating space, taking into account biophysical, socioeconomic, and ethical considerations; and (ii) defining a local safe operating space, in which interactions between water stores and Earth System components are used to define local boundaries required for sustaining the local water system in stable conditions, which we demonstrate with a case study of the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta wetlands in Colombia. By harmonizing these two approaches, the water planetary boundary can ensure that water cycle modifications remain within both local and global boundaries and complement existing water management and governance approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel C. Zipper
- Kansas Geological SurveyUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
- Department of Civil EngineeringUniversity of VictoriaVictoriaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Fernando Jaramillo
- Department of Physical GeographyStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
- Baltic Sea CentreStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | | | | | - Tom Gleeson
- Department of Civil EngineeringUniversity of VictoriaVictoriaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Miina Porkka
- Stockholm Resilience CentreStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
- Bolin Centre for Climate ResearchStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Tiina Häyhä
- Stockholm Resilience CentreStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
- International Institute for Applied Systems AnalysisLaxenburgAustria
| | - Anne‐Sophie Crépin
- Stockholm Resilience CentreStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
- Beijer Institute of Ecological EconomicsRoyal Swedish Academy of SciencesStockholmSweden
| | - Ingo Fetzer
- Stockholm Resilience CentreStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Dieter Gerten
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Member of the Leibniz AssociationPotsdamGermany
- Department of GeographyHumboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Holger Hoff
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Member of the Leibniz AssociationPotsdamGermany
- Stockholm Environment InstituteStockholmSweden
| | | | | | - Matti Kummu
- Water and Development Research GroupAalto UniversityEspooFinland
| | - Yoshihide Wada
- International Institute for Applied Systems AnalysisLaxenburgAustria
| | - Line Gordon
- Stockholm Resilience CentreStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
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19
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Hogeboom R, de Bruin D, Schyns JF, Krol M, Hoekstra AY. Capping Human Water Footprints in the World's River Basins. Earths Future 2020; 8:e2019EF001363. [PMID: 32715009 PMCID: PMC7375134 DOI: 10.1029/2019ef001363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Increased water demand and overexploitation of limited freshwater resources lead to water scarcity, economic downturn, and conflicts over water in many places around the world. A sensible policy measure to bridle humanity's water footprint, then, is to set local and time-specific water footprint caps, to ensure that water appropriation for human uses remains within ecological boundaries. This study estimates-for all river basins in the world-monthly blue water flows that can be allocated to human uses, while explicitly earmarking water for nature. Addressing some implications of temporal variability, we quantify trade-offs between potentially violating environmental flow requirements versus underutilizing available flow-a trade-off that is particularly pronounced in basins with a high seasonal and interannual variability. We discuss several limitations and challenges that need to be overcome if setting water footprint caps is to become a practically applicable policy instrument, including the need (for policy makers) to reach agreement on which specific capping procedure to follow. We conclude by relating local and time-specific water footprint caps to the planetary boundary for freshwater use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick J. Hogeboom
- Twente Water CentreUniversity of TwenteEnschedeNetherlands
- Water Footprint NetworkEnschedeNetherlands
| | - Davey de Bruin
- Twente Water CentreUniversity of TwenteEnschedeNetherlands
| | - Joep F. Schyns
- Twente Water CentreUniversity of TwenteEnschedeNetherlands
- Water Footprint NetworkEnschedeNetherlands
| | | | - Arjen Y. Hoekstra
- Twente Water CentreUniversity of TwenteEnschedeNetherlands
- Institute of Water Policy, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public PolicyNational University of SingaporeSingapore
- Deceased November 18, 2019
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20
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Cumming GS, von Cramon-Taubadel S. Linking economic growth pathways and environmental sustainability by understanding development as alternate social-ecological regimes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:9533-9538. [PMID: 30185564 PMCID: PMC6156676 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1807026115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientists understand how global ecological degradation is occurring but not why it seems to be so difficult to reverse. We used national-level data and a mathematical model to provide an empirical test of the hypothesis that national economies display two distinct economic regimes that are maintained by self-reinforcing feedbacks between natural resources and society. Our results not only support previous findings that two distinct groups exist, but also show that countries move toward one of these two different equilibrium points because of their different patterns of natural resource use and responses to population growth. At the less economically developed equilibrium point maintained by "green-loop" feedbacks, human populations depend more directly on ecosystems for income. At the more economically developed equilibrium point maintained by "red-loop" feedbacks, nonecosystem services (e.g., technology, manufacturing, services) generate the majority of national gross domestic product (GDP), but increasing consumption of natural resources means that environmental impacts are higher and are often exported (via cross-scale feedbacks) to other countries. Feedbacks between income and population growth are pushing countries farther from sustainability. Our analysis shows that economic growth alone cannot lead to environmental sustainability and that current trajectories of resource use cannot be sustained without breaking feedback loops in national and international economies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme S Cumming
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
| | - Stephan von Cramon-Taubadel
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Goettingen, D-37073 Goettingen, Germany
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Abstract
Mexico is hosting the 13th Conference of the Parts (COP-13) on the Convention on Biological Diversity. Participants will have another opportunity to "integrate biodiversity for wellbeing." Considering that food production is a major driver for the loss of biological diversity, despite the fact that ample genetic reservoirs are crucial for the persistence of agriculture in a changing world, food can be a conduit for bringing biodiversity into people's minds and government agendas. If this generation is going to "live in harmony with nature," as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets indicate, such an integration needs to be developed between the agricultural and environmental sectors throughout the world, especially as an increasingly urban civilization severs its cultural connections to food origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick de la Barrera
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán 58190, Mexico
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22
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Mavrommati G, Bithas K, Borsuk ME, Howarth RB. Integration of ecological-biological thresholds in conservation decision making. Conserv Biol 2016; 30:1173-1181. [PMID: 27112955 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In the Anthropocene, coupled human and natural systems dominate and only a few natural systems remain relatively unaffected by human influence. On the one hand, conservation criteria based on areas of minimal human impact are not relevant to much of the biosphere. On the other hand, conservation criteria based on economic factors are problematic with respect to their ability to arrive at operational indicators of well-being that can be applied in practice over multiple generations. Coupled human and natural systems are subject to economic development which, under current management structures, tends to affect natural systems and cross planetary boundaries. Hence, designing and applying conservation criteria applicable in real-world systems where human and natural systems need to interact and sustainably coexist is essential. By recognizing the criticality of satisfying basic needs as well as the great uncertainty over the needs and preferences of future generations, we sought to incorporate conservation criteria based on minimal human impact into economic evaluation. These criteria require the conservation of environmental conditions such that the opportunity for intergenerational welfare optimization is maintained. Toward this end, we propose the integration of ecological-biological thresholds into decision making and use as an example the planetary-boundaries approach. Both conservation scientists and economists must be involved in defining operational ecological-biological thresholds that can be incorporated into economic thinking and reflect the objectives of conservation, sustainability, and intergenerational welfare optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Mavrommati
- Environmental Studies Program, Dartmouth College, Hinman Box 6182, 113 Steele Hall, Hanover, NH, 03755, U.S.A..
| | - Kostas Bithas
- Department of Economics and Regional Development, Panteion University, 136 Sygrou Avenue, Athens, 17671, Greece
| | - Mark E Borsuk
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, 8000 Cummings Hall, Hanover, NH, 03755, U.S.A
| | - Richard B Howarth
- Environmental Studies Program, Dartmouth College, Hinman Box 6182, 113 Steele Hall, Hanover, NH, 03755, U.S.A
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Obersteiner M, Walsh B, Frank S, Havlík P, Cantele M, Liu J, Palazzo A, Herrero M, Lu Y, Mosnier A, Valin H, Riahi K, Kraxner F, Fritz S, van Vuuren D. Assessing the land resource-food price nexus of the Sustainable Development Goals. Sci Adv 2016; 2:e1501499. [PMID: 27652336 PMCID: PMC5026423 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1501499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for a comprehensive new approach to development rooted in planetary boundaries, equity, and inclusivity. The wide scope of the SDGs will necessitate unprecedented integration of siloed policy portfolios to work at international, regional, and national levels toward multiple goals and mitigate the conflicts that arise from competing resource demands. In this analysis, we adopt a comprehensive modeling approach to understand how coherent policy combinations can manage trade-offs among environmental conservation initiatives and food prices. Our scenario results indicate that SDG strategies constructed around Sustainable Consumption and Production policies can minimize problem-shifting, which has long placed global development and conservation agendas at odds. We conclude that Sustainable Consumption and Production policies (goal 12) are most effective at minimizing trade-offs and argue for their centrality to the formulation of coherent SDG strategies. We also find that alternative socioeconomic futures-mainly, population and economic growth pathways-generate smaller impacts on the eventual achievement of land resource-related SDGs than do resource-use and management policies. We expect that this and future systems analyses will allow policy-makers to negotiate trade-offs and exploit synergies as they assemble sustainable development strategies equal in scope to the ambition of the SDGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Obersteiner
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Brian Walsh
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
- Corresponding author.
| | - Stefan Frank
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Petr Havlík
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Matthew Cantele
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Junguo Liu
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Amanda Palazzo
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Mario Herrero
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yonglong Lu
- International Resource Panel of the United Nations Environmental Program, 15 rue de Milan, 75441 Paris Cedex 09, France
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Aline Mosnier
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Hugo Valin
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Keywan Riahi
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Florian Kraxner
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Steffen Fritz
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Detlef van Vuuren
- PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Oranjebuitensingel 6, 2511 VE The Hague, Netherlands
- Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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24
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Abstract
There is growing scientific and public recognition that human actions, directly and indirectly, have profoundly changed the Earth system, in a still accelerating process, increasingly called the "Anthropocene". Planetary transformation, including of the atmosphere, climate, ecosystems and biodiversity, has enormous implications for human health, many of which are deeply disturbing, especially in low-income settings. A few health consequences of the Anthropocene have been partially recognized, including within environmental epidemiology, but their long-term consequences remain poorly understood and greatly under-rated. For example Syria could be a "sentinel" population, giving a glimpse to a much wider dystopian future. Health-Earth is a research network, co-founded in 2014, which seeks, with other groups, to catalyse a powerful curative response by the wider health community. This paper builds on a symposium presented by Health-Earth members at the 2015 conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology. It reviews and synthesizes parts of the large literature relevant to the interaction between the changing Earth system and human health. It concludes that this topic should be prominent within future environmental epidemiology and public health. Created by our species, these challenges may be soluble, but solutions require far more understanding and resources than are currently being made available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin D Butler
- Faculty of Health and Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Canberra 2617, Australia.
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia.
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Cole MJ, Bailey RM, New MG. Tracking sustainable development with a national barometer for South Africa using a downscaled "safe and just space" framework. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:E4399-408. [PMID: 25294930 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1400985111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nations in the 21st century face a complex mix of environmental and social challenges, as highlighted by the on-going Sustainable Development Goals process. The "planetary boundaries" concept [Rockström J, et al. (2009) Nature 461(7263):472-475], and its extension through the addition of social well-being indicators to create a framework for "safe and just" inclusive sustainable development [Raworth K (2012) Nature Climate Change 2(4):225-226], have received considerable attention in science and policy circles. As the chief aim of this framework is to influence public policy, and this happens largely at the national level, we assess whether it can be used at the national scale, using South Africa as a test case. We developed a decision-based methodology for downscaling the framework and created a national "barometer" for South Africa, combining 20 indicators and boundaries for environmental stress and social deprivation. We find that it is possible to maintain the original design and concept of the framework while making it meaningful in the national context, raising new questions and identifying priority areas for action. Our results show that South Africa has exceeded its environmental boundaries for biodiversity loss, marine harvesting, freshwater use, and climate change, and social deprivation is most severe in the areas of safety, income, and employment. Trends since 1994 show improvement in nearly all social indicators, but progression toward or over boundaries for most environmental indicators. The barometer shows that achieving inclusive sustainable development in South Africa requires national and global action on multiple fronts, and careful consideration of the interplay between different environmental domains and development strategies.
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Myers SS, Gaffikin L, Golden CD, Ostfeld RS, Redford KH, Ricketts TH, Turner WR, Osofsky SA. Human health impacts of ecosystem alteration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:18753-60. [PMID: 24218556 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1218656110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human activity is rapidly transforming most of Earth's natural systems. How this transformation is impacting human health, whose health is at greatest risk, and the magnitude of the associated disease burden are relatively new subjects within the field of environmental health. We discuss what is known about the human health implications of changes in the structure and function of natural systems and propose that these changes are affecting human health in a variety of important ways. We identify several gaps and limitations in the research that has been done to date and propose a more systematic and comprehensive approach to applied research in this field. Such efforts could lead to a more robust understanding of the human health impacts of accelerating environmental change and inform decision making in the land-use planning, environmental conservation, and public health policy realms.
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