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The emergence of renewable energy microgrids (REM)-supported logistics parks reflects the urgent social requirement for sustainability facing energy crisis and climate change. Focusing on the emergency REM capacity planning and dynamic inventory operations problem for a REM-supported cold warehouse, this paper constructs a novel two-stage stochastic optimization method to comprehensively minimise long-term investment and short-term emergency operation costs of the system, while improving the resilience of energy-constrained supply chain management of perishable products. In particular, we formulate the second stage emergency operation problem as a Markov decision process that considers the interaction between energy and operational decisions constrained by intermittent of renewable energy, the randomness of the occurrence time, and the balance between power supply and temperature changes of the cold warehouse. We propose a novel two-phase PSO-based MPC algorithm to solve the entire problem. We also examine the effectiveness of our algorithm via an empirical study based on the data in East China. Nine typical scenarios clustered from the real data suggest different optimal capacity planning and operational policies. The empirical results show that it can reduce an overall 9% of operating costs on average compared to other heuristic policies. Moreover, installing REM can improve the resilience of power systems by 23% (risk impact area reduction ratio) and improve the resilience of inventory systems by 49%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusion is very attractive as a potential energy source, but it is taking a long time to develop into a commercial reality. Given the challenges of climate change and the need for dispatchable power as a complement to renewable energy sources that vary on daily and seasonal timescales, there is great enthusiasm internationally to accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy. Forty-five private companies around the globe, with total financing of $7.1 billion, are engaged in the development of fusion energy. In the United States, the White House has put forward a "Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy," with bipartisan support from Congress. To develop commercial fusion energy, certain goals must be met. A wide variety of approaches are being pursued to meet these goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study highlights the value of grey literature in climate change research in the Philippines, emphasizing its essential role in understanding the issue within the country's unique socioeconomic and natural environment. A bibliometric analysis of publications in local journals reveals that various types and formats of grey literature are not merely supplementary but essential for communicating climate change, its effects, and adaptation strategies. Despite the prevalence of major publishers, a substantial amount of research in the country continues to be disseminated through local journals. However, these journals face significant challenges, including limited coverage in major databases and concerns about quality, which hinder their global recognition and impact. The findings recommend that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) enhance the capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) to improve the quality and credibility of local journals. This improvement would increase their visibility and reach, ensuring that the comprehensive body of Filipino research is preserved, recognized, and utilized in the global discourse on climate change. Consequently, this will foster a more inclusive and informed approach to understanding and addressing this global challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite observations of the Antarctic surface since the 1990s, coupled with geophysical surveys of the flow and form of its giant ice sheet, have revealed accelerating loss of ice to the oceans. This, coupled with a reduction in floating sea ice surrounding the continent and the occurrence of unprecedented heatwaves, point to a continent being changed irreversibly by fossil-fuel burning and the global heating that results. A changing Antarctic continent will have global consequences, including sea level rise of possibly more than 1 meter in this century (and much more afterward) and by a reduced ability to naturally reflect incoming solar energy—which would lead to further heating by absorption on land and at sea as the ice pack retreats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanity faces a wide range of freshwater challenges and threats, from the failure to provide safe water and sanitation to all, to ecological disruptions and degradation, increasing violence over water resources, accelerating climate change, and failing institutions and infrastructure. In recent years, crises around minerals, energy, food, and water have stimulated new debates over definitions and concepts of sustainability—including whether the world is reaching a point where natural resource limits will constrain growing populations and economic expansion. Understanding the concept of "peak water" and the strategies that might be available to avoid these constraints is key to moving toward a more efficient and sustainable water future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaciers are the ambassadors of climate change. Their worldwide decline has serious impacts on natural hazards, the water cycle, and sea level rise. The monitoring of glaciers documents the increasingly rapid melting, which has culminated in a suite of extreme years—for example, 2023 in North America and the European Alps. Numerical simulations of future glacier change, supported by a large basis of observational data, allow us to understand the enormous changes ahead and prepare us for a world without glaciers. Technical approaches to reduce glacier melting have been developed and are applicable locally—for example, in connection with tourist activities—but they clearly fail at the larger scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of great changes in the food industry, the aim of this research is to investigate if and how the implementation of 4.0 enabling technologies can enhance the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the food sector. A systematic literature review, using a combination of 12 keywords, was carried out on Scopus database with defined inclusion and exclusion criteria in order to answer four selected research questions. Overall, 50 relevant papers were retrieved and analysed by Mendeley and Excel with descriptive statistics. VOSviewer was used for co-occurrence and co-authorship analysis. Results illustrate that the interest in the topic has grown, in particular in Italy, and resume the benefits achievable by the implementation of 4.0 technologies in food industries. Social impacts are new job positions, ergonomic design of workplaces, changes in educational institutions, improved nutrition and better animal welfare. Positive aspects are related even to economic growth, improving food chain performances and decreasing companies' costs. Finally, it allows energy, water, CO2 emissions and food savings. Overall, the work provides a helpful overview to food manufacturers and producers, recommending the introduction of I4.0 technologies to positively influence the sustainable development of the sector and remain competitive in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and is vulnerable to climate change. Regenerative agriculture, which focuses on increasing soil carbon, has been recognized as a potential climate solution. A recent study found that seven regenerative practices, including planting cover crops and using non-chemical fertilizers, all increased carbon sequestration. However, the study also highlights that regenerative agriculture has other benefits beyond carbon sequestration, and the focus should not solely be on carbon credits. The popularity of regenerative agriculture is growing, but there is a risk of it being co-opted and losing its essence. [Extracted from the article]

The Breadfruit Institute, a program at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaiʻi, is dedicated to conserving, studying, and utilizing breadfruit for food and reforestation purposes. Breadfruit is a versatile fruit that grows on a long-lived tree and provides energy, protein, and essential nutrients. The institute has been working to reintroduce breadfruit through research, propagation, and education, and has distributed over 10,000 trees throughout Hawaii since 2007. Their goal is to promote local food production, improve nutrition, and reduce reliance on imported food. The article also discusses the concept of regenerative agriculture and the challenges faced by breadfruit, such as saltwater intrusion and climate change. Dr. Diane Ragone, the director of the Breadfruit Institute, shares her research and efforts to document and preserve breadfruit varieties. [Extracted from the article]

Urban agriculture has myriad benefits for those who participate in it, but it's not guaranteed to be more climate-friendly than conventional agriculture. That said, there are some very specific steps urban farmers can take to slash carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catherine Bertini, a leader in addressing global hunger, discusses the challenges of achieving zero hunger by 2030. Currently, 800 million people are food-insecure due to poverty, conflicts, climate issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 poses a challenge, as agriculture contributes a quarter of all emissions. Efforts are being made to develop climate-resilient African crops and reduce negative impacts from the agricultural industry. The text emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the effects of climate change on food security, investing in pre-mitigation efforts, and supporting local food systems. It also highlights the role of women in food and climate issues and the recent recognition of food's importance in climate discussions. The text concludes by discussing the food situation in Gaza and the need for an end to war to ensure food delivery to the region. [Extracted from the article]

In recent years, recognition has grown of the significant role that food systems play in driving climate change, constituting about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, while also playing a key role in sequestering carbon and adapting to climate changes. The COP28 climate conference signaled a pivotal shift, spotlighting food and agriculture in discourse. However, despite pledges and declarations, concrete plans and targets to address emissions from food chains remain elusive. Urgent action is imperative to transform food systems and avert surpassing critical warming thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant share of anthropogenic global warming comes from livestock production. There is debate about whether there can be any role for livestock in a climatically sustainable future; the debate is particularly heated for cows and sheep, largely due to the methane they burp out. However, short-lived gases like methane affect climate in a fundamentally different way than long-lived gases like carbon dioxide. Consequently, climate stabilization does not require zeroing-out cattle herds. But this doesn't mean we can eat our beef and have it (a tolerable climate) too—livestock still contribute to global warming. Preventing or limiting future growth in livestock-related emissions can represent a sensible part of the portfolio of responses to the climate crisis, particularly when carbon dioxide emissions are not on track to reach net zero sufficiently quickly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young Americans are coming of age immersed in daily news and controversy about rising perils like climate change, and emerging ones like artificial intelligence. Generation Z has produced and embraced movements for climate action like the school strikes led by Greta Thunberg that connect to other social justice movements. But the threat posed by nuclear weapons remains a disconnected abstraction to many young people, even as tensions between nuclear-armed states over conflicts like the invasions of Ukraine and Gaza renew fears of a nuclear confrontation that were more common decades ago. In this personal essay, a life-long opponent of nuclear weapons raised during the Cold War reflects on intergenerational lessons about activism, and teaching college students to embrace their curiosity, and their fear, on the way to saving the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In "Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Anxiety," Britt Wray explores the importance of language in understanding and sharing the emotions caused by the climate crisis. She emphasizes the need for validation and community in coping with these feelings and taking action. Wray also discusses the differences between existential dread from nuclear threats and climate threats, highlighting the importance of care and courage in facing these realities. The text emphasizes the need to reframe the concept of control, recognize interconnectedness, and listen to non-dominant cultures and indigenous communities. It suggests engaging in truth and reconciliation processes and creating spaces for compassionate conversations to shift towards climate solutions. The text provides resources for accessing support groups and therapy networks for those experiencing climate anxiety and encourages open-minded conversations for those less engaged. [Extracted from the article]

The global climate crisis, exacerbated by intensifying natural disasters such as floods, droughts, rising sea levels, and forest fires, is rapidly depleting our water resources. To mitigate this, sustainable management of arid regions is crucial, requiring the implementation of effective water storage techniques, enhancement of soil water resources, and optimization of water utilization. Drought stress poses a significant challenge to agriculture, but the colonization of plants by mycorrhizal fungi offers a promising solution, enhancing drought tolerance and potentially alleviating plant water stress. Complementing this, organic materials like biochar, renowned for their extensive surface area and soil-stabilizing properties, can significantly improve soil water retention capacity, providing a synergistic approach when combined with mycorrhizal fungi. Although mycorrhiza positively impacts plant resistance to water stress, the exact mechanisms by which it facilitates water uptake and transport to plant tissues are still under investigation. Additionally, the implementation of water-conserving irrigation methods, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, can further enhance water efficiency. The use of cover crops in agricultural production also reduces water losses by maintaining soil surface coverage and enhancing carbon and water storage in the soil. Moreover, understanding the mechanisms underlying water retention in biochar-amended soils is a crucial area of ongoing research. Finally, adopting and scaling up Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques, a relatively innovative approach, is vital for addressing water resource challenges in dryland regions and holds great promise for promoting resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically examines the impact of global shocks on monetary policy transmission in 24 emerging market economies (EMEs), using panel local projections over the period 2000 to 2022. The estimated results show that adverse global shocks, namely a tighter United States monetary policy stance, higher global financial market uncertainty, and global climate change, could dampen the transmission of monetary policy in EMEs. Specifically, the overall responses of industrial production and inflation to monetary policy shocks are more muted compared to the case where the impacts of global factors are isolated. We also study whether economy-specific characteristics across EMEs affect the monetary policy transmission impacts of global shocks. The results suggest that a higher level of financial development can partially offset the dampening effects of global shocks, while a higher degree of capital account openness and trade openness further amplify the impact of global shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As natural disasters and social conflicts become more widespread due to climate worsening and migration, responses will need to change from intervening with individuals to preparing groups, organizations, and communities for adversity. This paper identifies key social-environmental factors that can be addressed to promote resilience in groups and populations. Ideas for intervening with groups are put forth. Key strategies for group intervention include the selection of social environments and their modification by increasing their positive aspects, strengthening support for coping skills, encouraging the setting of explicit organizational goals related to mental wellbeing, improving group problem-solving and conflict management skills, and strengthening capacity to resist erosion of group functioning in the face of disaster and social conflict. Attention is drawn to the potential impact of working with particular organizational settings, including first-responder and other emergency aid workforces, community-based religious organizations (and similar secular organizations), and online social environments. The argument is made that group and organizational interventions should be implemented proactively, before exposure to trauma and adversity, to prepare groups and their members to respond to forthcoming adversities in ways that maintain and strengthen functioning and wellbeing. Development of an extended conceptual framework that focuses more systematically on the influence of groups and social environments on perception and performance in the face of disaster, social conflicts, and other forms of adversity is required, along with development of a range of group interventions that, delivered at scale, might achieve population-level effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of heat exposure on health outcomes among older adults in 10 Indian states, using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study of India (LASI-Wave I) and climate data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Propensity score matching and ordered probit models were employed to control for demographic factors and isolate the effects of heat exposure. Our results show a significant association between heat exposure and worsening self-reported health and mental health, including increased feeling of depression, fatigue, fear, and decreased life satisfaction. The analysis indicates that access to cooling devices mitigates adverse health effects in rural areas, while access to onsite water benefits urban residents. These findings underscore the critical role of housing and environment factors in moderating the health impacts of heat exposure and suggest targeted interventions to protect vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes several existential and ethical reflections on climate change. This overview of reflections is formulated within the framework of Kohut’s Psychology of the Self and in particular with regard to his consideration of the Tragic Man and his existential project that can never be fully achieved. Freudian concepts of transience and uncanny are also taken into consideration, as well as some assumptions of Heidegger’s philosophy. This paper also discusses some points raised by Susan Kassouf, in her recently published article on PSC. Finally, some assertion from contemporary phenomenological philosophy regarding the ethic of care are proposed. The paper states also how would be worth being open to wonder, as a fundamental existential experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in the impact of disasters on conflict risks is burgeoning. This is particularly the case for the Indo-Pacific region, which is highly vulnerable to disasters and experiences geopolitical competition as well as several armed conflicts. So far, the literature has predominantly focussed on the impact of disasters on higher conflict risks. We argue that considering the option that disasters can (temporarily) reduce conflict risks would benefit research, politics, and practice. To illustrate this argument, we focus on two possible mechanisms. First, disasters can catalyse short-term declines in armed conflict intensity by providing constraints to the conflict parties. This mechanism is supported by evidence from the civil wars in Kashmir (after the 2005 earthquake) and Bangladesh (after cyclone Sidr in 2007). Second, disasters provide opportunities for diplomacy between states, which can in turn reduce conflict risks, even though such diplomacy might suffer from a politicisation of disaster relief. Evidence from Australian disaster diplomacy after the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake (Indonesia) and the 2022 volcanic eruption in Tonga supports this mechanism. A more comprehensive, less conflict-focussed ontology would benefit further research on disasters and conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAimMethodsResultsConclusionClimate-fuelled disasters are increasing in frequency and duration, with impacts known to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as perinatal women and young families. Local healthcare workforce engagement into planning responses is required to ensure improved healthcare for these populations. One important component of perinatal care in Australia occurs through the maternal and child health nurses (MCHN). Attempted research engagement with the maternal child health nurse sector regarding the impact of disasters on the care of perinatal women during times of disaster has encountered structural barriers.To understand the structural barriers that impact the research engagement of rural MCHN particularly during times of disasters.A facilitated focus group with semi-structured questions was conducted with five participant-researchers. The focus group discussion underwent reflexive thematic analysis.Identified themes were Rationale for Research into Care of Families in the Perinatal Period, Perinatal Health and Service Provision and The Overlay of Disasters. An overarching fourth theme Implications for future Research identified elements that may improve the research engagement of primary healthcare staff, including MCHN.There is a need to overcome structural challenges to MCHN engagement in meaningful research around the impacts of multiple disasters. Appropriate research design, including utilising co-design, adequate resourcing, and planned and considered participant communication may help to improve participant engagement for this important research. With improved sector engagement, the ongoing care of perinatal women in the current environment of multiple and compounding climate-fuelled disasters will be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores how climate change affects agriculture in Ambarawa, Central Java, a region prone to irregular rainfall and flooding. We surveyed 270 farmers in the study area to gauge their willingness to participate in climate change mitigation efforts and the impact of social capital on their decisions. Farmers were presented with the option to contribute a predetermined amount of money towards climate change mitigation. The objective of this initiative was to identify farmers committed to addressing climate change. To establish benchmarks, we organised focus groups involving twenty prominent individuals. A contingent value survey was subsequently conducted in Ambarawa District to ascertain farmers’ readiness to financially support climate change mitigation efforts. We found that 71.9% of farmers are willing to support financially, and social connections, such as community involvement and trust, strongly influence their decisions. This highlights the importance of using social connections to strengthen climate change plans. Using logistic regression, our research shows how farmers’ social networks affect their ability to address climate change. Socioeconomic factors and farmers’ views on climate risks also shape their support. Strong social connections among farmers help them adapt to climate change, improve productivity, and find new solutions. Thus, local leaders should provide targeted help to farmers facing climate challenges, with a focus on building community bonds and trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of climate change that emerged as a result of the rapid acceleration of science and technology necessitates humanity to take responsibility for a utilitarian approach to existence. Central to this responsibility is the recognition and re-evaluation of the fundamental guidelines that have ultimately disrupted the balance of human-nature coexistence. The article explores the issue of subjectivity and its evolution through pre-modern, modern and postmodern paradigms. Each paradigm reflects a distinct form of subjectivity, shaping its socio-cultural and ethical framework. The modern paradigm, for instance, is dominated by the rational subject, who opposes themself to nature, perceiving it as an object to be exploited. However, the modern paradigm simultaneously gives rise to its antithesis: romantic subjectivity, which emphasizes organic dynamism and interconnectedness. This romantic perspective serves as fruitful ground for fostering a non-utilitarian attitude toward the world and cultivating an eco-centric subjectivity. Such a subjectivity recognizes non-human entities as equal, valuable, and deserving of respect. The article argues that the development of this eco-centric mindset should be developed through the appropriate mechanisms of ethical and legal regulations, supported by peace education programs that will eventually foster the cultivation of cultures of peace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of private foundations as policy entrepreneurs within transnational social movements, focusing on the case of the KR Foundation and its funding of campaigns to ban fossil fuel advertising. Drawing on document analysis and interviews with KR Foundation and funded organizations, we analyse how the foundation acts as a policy entrepreneur by framing solutions, building coalitions of aligned groups, and capitalising on windows of opportunity. In contrast to previous studies demonstrating channelling of movement activity by foundations, we find that KR Foundation enables diverse strategies among funded groups: the foundation creates an ecosystem of organizations working towards delegitimizing fossil fuel advertising through different but complementary approaches. This case contributes to understanding how foundations operate as transnational political actors, moving beyond national policy entrepreneurship to foster broader social change across sectors and governance levels. The findings suggest foundations play an important role in social movements by facilitating networks, shared learning, and scaling up of localized advocacy. This study opens up new avenues for research on foundations as movement actors and their impacts on repertoires of contention in an era of polycentric climate governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legacies of inequity and boundaried thinking remain in heritage theory and practice. To create alternative approaches, I propose an anti-oppressive methodology for theoretical and practical heritage approaches. This makes anti-racist, feminist, queer and Indigenous work foundational. My methodology connects to well-being frameworks, demonstrating how alternative heritage approaches can contribute to more equitable futures. I illustrate my methodology via the theme of nature, creating a framework of proposals for heritage work. Dualistic understandings of nature, which contribute to inequity and climate change, have been critiqued by heritage writers. However, conceptual boundaries between humans and nature remain. I integrate concepts from anti-oppressive theory, including a rejection of nature/human separation, into a framework for heritage contexts, aimed at both theory and management. Potential applications of the framework are explored via the case study of Barbuda, looking at questions of climate change, relocation, agency and indigeneity. I argue that heritage work needs to fully engage with politics and activism in order to serve communities, especially as people face the impacts of climate change on their lives and cultures, and provide my methodology and example framework as a potential new approach for challenging but potentially transformative contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on temperature and infectious diseases primarily focused on individual disease types, yielding inconsistent conclusions. This study collected monthly data on notifiable infectious disease cases and meteorological variables across 7 provinces in China from 2011 to 2019. A distributed lag nonlinear model was used to evaluate the association between ambient temperature and infectious diseases within each province, and random meta-analysis was applied to evaluate the pooled effect. Extreme hot temperature (the 97.5th percentile) was positively associated with the risk of respiratory infectious diseases with the relative risk (RR) of 1.45 (95%CI: 1.01–2.08). Conversely, extreme cold temperature (the 2.5th percentile) was negatively associated with intestinal infectious diseases and zoonotic diseases and vector-borne diseases, reporting RRs of 0.43 (95%CI: 0.30–0.60) and 0.46 (95%CI: 0.38–0.57), respectively. This study described the nonlinear association between ambient temperature and infectious diseases with different transmission routes, informing comprehensive prevention and control strategies for temperature-related infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines climate change perception and adaptation among high-mountain farmers in Western Karakorum Pakistan. Employing a mixed-method approach, this study found that farmers in the study area have observed significant variations in the climatic conditions. Results further indicate that to cope with the climatic variations, farmers are employing diverse adaptation strategies, i.e. crop diversification, production of horticultural products, and change of planting dates. Moreover, the results show that gender, education, and occupation have significant associations with the perception of climate change. Likewise, the multivariate results show that gender and education significantly influence the capacity for climate change adaptation. Men household heads are 2.71 times more likely to implement adaptation strategies than women household heads, and respondents with formal education are 2.93 times more likely to adopt such strategies than those who are illiterate. The study highlights the need for context-specific strategies to enhance the resilience of high-mountain farmers in the face of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has interfered with ecosystem stability, biodiversity and predator–prey interactions. Among amphibians, temperature variations may influence metabolism, sensory perception and behavior. We experimentally evaluated whether tadpoles of map treefrog, Boana geographica, reduce their activity and increase the use of refuge under different temperatures in response to chemical signals emitted by a predator, as an adaptive strategy to minimize the risk of predation. Tadpoles’ shelter use and feeding behavior was measured at temperatures from 28 to 36 °C using control (without predator cues) and treatment (predator cues) groups. Temperature influenced the shelter use of tadpoles when exposed to predator chemical cues. Significant differences were observed at lower temperatures and greater shelter use by tadpoles at higher temperatures. Food offering showed no significant difference in the control or treatment group. The increased use of shelter by tadpoles in response to chemical signals from predators and increased temperature highlights the adaptive capacity of organisms in the face of predation threats, highlighting the complexity of predator–prey interactions. This behavior highlights the role of environmental factors and sensory signals in shaping the survival strategies of aquatic ectotherms. Tadpoles minimize predation risk by increasing predator avoidance behavior in detecting chemical signals in the water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STEM education is viewed as being vital for economic prosperity and productivity; and can contribute productively to changing technological, economic, and social demands of the twenty-first Century. However, there is limited consensus on how STEM education is understood and taught, and inadequate discussion around its role in addressing global issues such as climate change, health, poverty, food security, and other STEM-related social concerns. In this paper, we identify the contexts adopted for STEM teaching and learning in 47 Australian schools, drawing data from semi-structured interviews with principals and teachers who participated in the Principals as STEM Leaders (PASL) project. These data were categorised according to four visions for STEM education that align with different levels of social justice and activist approaches to STEM teaching and learning. Findings indicate that STEM education in Australia is predominantly enacted through instrumental 'products and processes' approaches dominated by robotics and coding. Learning contexts had minimal 'real-life' applications and were devoid of social and ethical dimensions of STEM applications that would better equip students with the knowledge, skills, and agency to make informed, socially just decisions about their own and others' futures, and that of our shared environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investors are increasingly resorting to investor–state dispute settlement (ISDS) clauses in investment treaties between states, claiming compensation for the financial impact of state regulatory action to address pressing natural resources, energy and other environmental problems. This trend is controversial, triggering calls for reform of the ISDS system. But reform will not happen overnight. In the meantime, ISDS claims need to be managed. This article analyses how best to resolve investor–state disputes in natural resources, energy and other environmental cases. This article builds on an article published in a previous issue of this journal, 'Investor–state dispute settlement in natural resources, energy and environmental cases', which examined the nature, history and types of investor–state disputes in environmental cases; the controversies ISDS claims have attracted; and the calls for reform of the ISDS system. This issue examines the available dispute resolution processes and how they can be organised and conducted to best resolve these disputes. It does so by characterising the fuss of ISDS claims, building on the earlier article, and then analysing the possible forums and forms of resolving the fuss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial "Divergent futures – a geography of unequal concerns" explores the disparities in how the Global North and Global South envision the future, particularly regarding climate change and sustainability. While the Global North focuses on innovation and mitigation strategies, the Global South grapples with survival amidst climate vulnerability and socioeconomic challenges. The article emphasizes the need for geography and environmental education to address these inequalities, foster global citizenship, and empower students to navigate diverse futures with empathy and solidarity. Additionally, it highlights research on climate change learning, immersive virtual environments, and strategies for enhancing environmental initiatives to inspire action and sustainable solutions. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Planetary health is deteriorating rapidly and climate change is one of the core boundaries for planetary health. Climate change is associated with worsening human health and physiotherapists are involved in managing its downstream effects on patients. Meanwhile, health care is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions. Objectives: Identify and map the existing literature that explores the relationship between physiotherapy and planetary health. Methods: Four databases and grey literature were systematically searched. Material was eligible if it explored physiotherapy theory or practice related to a change in the environment. Two independent reviewers screened article title and abstracts, then assessed the full-text for eligibility for inclusion. Characteristics and nature of the literature were extracted and synthesised descriptively. Results: Thirty-four of 4510 outputs met the inclusion criteria. Twenty were journal publications and fourteen were available on websites. A common theme related to the concept of physiotherapy as an environmentally friendly healthcare practice (n = 8) which may be through promoting interventions that are environmentally friendly (n = 7) and encouraging sustainable practice as a profession (n = 6). Conclusion: There is a strong global call for the physiotherapy profession to advocate for environmentally sustainable practice at individual and organisational realms. More empirical research on the relationship between physiotherapy and planetary health is now needed to strengthen knowledge of accessible and effective interventions to address this health crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial marks the relaunch of the Policy Innovation section of this journal, responding to the urgent need for innovative public policy amid global challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and technological disruption. It reflects on the journal's pivotal contributions to the subject and underscores the importance of comparative analysis in driving policy innovation. The section invites submissions that push theoretical and methodological boundaries, expand research into underexplored geographies and domains, and tackle the implications of policy innovation for equity, fairness, and justice. By broadening the scope of policy innovation, the journal aims to inspire cutting-edge, rigorous, and actionable research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the relationship between the Holocaust and the increased threat of mass violence due to climate change. Extreme weather events, resource deprivation, and population movements are likely to cause societal stresses which make genocide more probable, but the link between this and memory of the Holocaust has proven contentious. Starting with Archbishop Justin Welby's apology for invoking the Holocaust during international climate negotiations in 2021, this article considers the history and causes of such controversy, arguing that there are selected ways in which it is reasonable and useful to bring Holocaust memory into dialogue with the climate crisis.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected areas are important for ecological conservation while simultaneously supporting culturally and economically valuable tourism. However, excessive visitor pressure strain operations and risk human-wildlife conflict, threatening the sustainability of nature-based tourism. Thus, park managers need to know what factors underpin attendance and how these might interact to shape future attendance. Using a decade of attendance records from 249 provincial parks in British Columbia (BC), Canada, as well as 12 years of human-wildlife interactions (HWI) records at five national parks in BC, we modelled the impacts of weather conditions and population growth on park attendance and HWIs. We paired these models with climate change and population growth scenarios to generate projections of how attendance and HWIs will change throughout the century. Climate change is projected to result in more precipitation and higher temperatures, and, over this same time span, BC's population is expected to grow substantially. Based on the observed relationship between attendance and weather, parks should anticipate a marked rise in visitors and HWIs, especially during their respective peak seasons. These projections provide park managers with the information required for proactive management, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of recreation and tourism in protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the multiple causes and temporalities of mobility between the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai's Madh Island in India. For several decades, the fisheries of Madh Island have been the destination of migrant workers from the rain-shadow region of Rayalaseema. Development practitioners, researchers, and the media have generally addressed migration from Rayalaseema in the context of droughts. Problematizing narratives focused on exceptional weather events, I suggest that for landless lower-caste people, who constitute the majority of migrants, everyday life is characterized by stable instability related to climate, government policy, land ownership patterns, and the vagaries of informal work. Disrupting conventional binaries between forced/voluntary movement and temporary/permanent migration, I develop the notion of intermittent mobility to characterize how migrants creatively combine urban and rural opportunities in their efforts to live with multicausal stable instability and build a better future for their children. Intermittent mobility as a rhythm of life reflects not only migrants' strategic intentionality but also their position within a field of unequal power relations; while generated by structural vulnerability, mobility can be an important source of intergenerational resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise in the global population has increased the demand for dietary food protein. Strategies to maximize agricultural and livestock outputs could strain land and freshwater supply and contribute to substantial negative environmental impacts. Consequently, there has been an emphasis on identifying alternative sources of edible proteins that are more sustainable, sustainable, ethical, and healthy. This review provides a critical report on future food protein sources including: plant, cultured meat, insect, and microbial, as alternative sources to traditional animal-based sources. The technical challenges associated with the production process of alternative protein sources are discussed. The most important quality parameters of alternative proteins, such as: protein composition and digestibility, allergenicity, functional and sensory attributes, and safety regulations have been documented. Lastly, future direction and conclusion have been made on future protein trends. However, further regulatory norms need to develop for safe consumption and distribution around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate Change and food security remain one of the topical issues discussed globally. In Ghana, the literature has reported on the effects of climate change on the food consumption patterns of many households due to low adaptive capacity and inefficient food production systems. In addition to climate change as a threat to food security, funeral rites also play a major role in household food insecurity. However, the link between climate change, funeral rites and food security as indices of social vulnerability has been less investigated. Using a qualitative-dominance approach to research with 8 key informant interviews, 4 focus group discussions (FGDs) and a questionnaire, the analysis revealed that climate change and funeral rites are critical determinants of food insecurity in the Kassena Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The results show that while climate change affects the food production systems, the poorly harvested farm produce and livestock are used for the funeral rites of the deceased's household family. While being sensitive to the cultural aspects of the uses of farm produce and livestock for funeral rites, and given the prevailing climatic conditions, the study recommends the need for traditional authorities and households to consider holding less expensive funeral rites which do not expend future food needs and resources. Again, localised climate change adaptation strategies need to be developed by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support the activities of agriculture in the municipality which is widely known to be susceptible to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry is a widely proposed solution for climate change adaptation and resilience in agriculture due to the multiplicity of socio-ecological benefits. However, agroforestry as a practice exists on a dynamic scale of ecological complexity, which may cause different management regimes to respond distinctively to climate change. Due to the limited literature on climate change impacts on agroforestry in the temperate region, this paper reviews disturbance regimes and the observed and predicted responses of forests and farms using the US Northeast as an example. We also reference scholarship from tropical regions, where agroforestry adoption/study is more advanced, to enhance understanding of the growing field of agroforestry in temperate systems. We view transitions to and from agroforestry from a complex systems lens by identifying the disturbance, complexity, resilience, and adaptive capacity of systems to drive and respond to rapid change via human management, focusing on invasive species, phenological changes and range shifts in plants, pests, and pathogens of agroforestry systems. Management considerations including structural diversity, species selection and the intentional/non-intentional incorporation of introduced species can promote community ecological resilience to build systems that have adaptive capacity to withstand changing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pacific coastal Peruvian landscapes are dominated by desert and dry-forest biomes, which have undergone shifts in extent and floral composition in response to Plio–Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. Within this context, the coastal Lomas develop as seasonal vegetation patches, renowned for their high endemism, rich floral diversity, and essential ecosystem services. Despite growing within the desert biome, the Lomas exhibit characteristic elements and vegetation structure typical of a dry-forest biome, evidencing an active species migration between xeric biomes. However, assessing the historical evolution of this arid flora and, by extension, the coastal desert landscape, presents challenges. The scarcity of continental sedimentary records and a lack of extended and well-described palynological references impede these efforts. In response to this, our study offers a thorough morphological review of the Lomas palynoflora, encompassing over 194 genera from 76 families, representing approximately 80% of the known Lomas flora. Our review includes at least one species per reviewed genus, featuring 37 palynomorphs from endemic species (18.5% of the studied flora). This palynological characterization is intended to serve as accessible reference material for investigating the historical and long-term evolution of the coastal dry flora. Furthermore, these findings facilitate the analysis of honeys and bee floral foraging patterns, as well as the study of animal–plant or human–plant interactions from middens and archaeological remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the sustainability imperative looms, mainstream educational research in the English-speaking world continues a long tradition of failing to see food as integral to education. Japan's tradition of Shokuiku (food education) stands in stark contrast, providing an external reference point to direct critical attention on Anglo-American school food philosophies, policy, and practice. This article analyses Shokuiku, tracing the genealogy of Japan's 2005 Basic Law on Shokuiku, a landmark education policy that shifted the 1954 School Lunch Act away from the scientific and nutritional discourses of the mid-20th century and back to Japan's school food cultural traditions. While still teaching nutrition, Japan's Shokuiku emerges as distinctive in its broader goals of interdependence, gratitude towards nature, emphasis on culture, and awareness of relations between production, consumption, and sustainability. From a pragmatic perspective, Shokuiku may offer new ways to combat rising obesity worldwide, lessen meat consumption, and reduce humanity's unsustainable ecological footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mapping the terrain surrounding concentrations of documented Manteño (ca. a.d. 650–1700) stone architecture within 1.2 km² of the cloud forests of Bola de Oro in southern Manabí, Ecuador using an Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based lidar Mobile Mapping System (MMS) revealed a modified landscape of agricultural systems. The resulting Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), subsequent ground-truthing, and excavation show a modified Manteño landscape of agricultural terraces, drainage channels, and water retention ponds tailored to the storage and distribution of water brought by seasonal rains and by marine layers precipitating at these higher elevations. Such a massive human investment in this challenging landscape was most likely a result of the Chongón-Colonche Mountains being the most resistant environments to the extreme climate changes brought by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) during the climatic shifts of the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA, ca. a.d. 950–1250) and the Little Ice Age (LIA, ca. a.d. 1400–1700). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the importance of reinforcing connections between Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands and waters through co-stewardship of archaeological sites amid climate change challenges. It emphasizes the roles of archaeologists and Indigenous peoples in this process and confronts archaeological practices that neglect Indigenous perspectives and participation in the discipline. We present a case study from Wabanaki homeland in Maine, USA, focusing on the Frazer Point site—a shell heap site within Acadia National Park impacted by sea level rise and accelerated erosion. We present efforts undertaken to partner with Indigenous Nations on the care and stewardship of the Frazer Point site using language, collaborative workshops, and site visits as scaffolding for building and rebuilding relationships between people and heritage places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kilwa Kisiwani is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the coast of Tanzania. Monuments such as the Great Mosque and Husuni Kubwa, along with shipwrecks, ceramics, and beads, testify to the growth of Swahili culture and commerce from the late 1st millennium a.d. until the 19th century a.d. This heritage is threatened by climate change involving rising sea levels, increased vegetation growth, and tropical cyclones causing erosion, flooding, altering marine ecosystems and resources, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater wells. Archaeological and paleoenvironmental evidence suggests previous climatic changes led to changing settlement patterns. Projects have been initiated, linked to a National Monument Record database, to digitize and record endangered intangible and tangible heritage, including training in drone surveys, underwater shipwreck recording, a mobile app, and excavation of water wells. These projects have a local community input that link with a museum, festivals, cultural tours, music videos, and local products to bring economic benefit and sustainable living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North American Heritage at Risk (NAHAR) working group developed a research pipeline to employ collaborative methods to address climate impacts at archaeological sites that includes modeling, monitoring, meeting, methodizing, and mitigating. The People of Guana project was the inaugural study using the NAHAR pipeline to focus on a suite of sites located on the Guana Peninsula in northeastern Florida. The project was funded through the National Estuarine Research Reserve System's Science Collaborative (NERRS SC). This paper focuses on collaborative methods employed during monitoring efforts to document eroding resources using the Florida Public Archaeology Network's (FPAN) citizen science program Heritage Monitoring Scouts (HMS Florida). It further focuses on advanced monitoring techniques—shoreline mapping with an Arrow Gold GNSS receiver, terrestrial laser scanning of landscapes, and photogrammetry of exposed artifacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparing planners to effectively engage with climate change poses vexing multi-level challenges for instructors across content, pedagogy, and relationships. There exists an urgent need, and demand, for training and education in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. This bi-national study assesses the current state of climate change planning pedagogy in Canada and the United States. Findings indicate wide variation in the breadth and depth of teaching climate change planning and major gaps to be addressed, including increasing the number of required and elective courses. Recommendations offered in the conclusion speak to program directors, instructors, and practitioners alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anthropocene is a geo-stratigraphic unit of the upper Earth's layers, impacted by human disturbances, but also humankind's historical record, and children's place to live on. It is an unfinished narrative. This study explores how garden and soil-related activities with kindergarten children, guided by well-informed teachers, may have the potential to overcome some gaps of understanding of complex, interrelated concepts related to the Anthropocene and regenerative gardening. Within a framework of environmental citizenship, this qualitative study uses interdisciplinary, interactive and participatory approaches to explore inquiry-based activities based on observations, conversations, photos and videos. As participants in related processes, children may gradually develop garden skills, ecological knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts. The study may empower children and their teachers to contribute actively and positively to the ongoing narrative of the Anthropocene; to a more sustainable formation of the Earth's upper layer; and to countering climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By 2030, climate change will threaten water accessibility, undermining global sustainability goals like SDG 6. This study examines water security in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on Iwo, Nigeria. Surveys of 937 households over 12 months assess water sources, availability and usage, alongside analysis of 31 years of climatic data (1992–2022). Results show predominantly female-headed households (95%), quick water retrieval (92.7%) and limited tariff payments (90.5%), indicating domestic water use in line with the area's agrarian nature. Climate data analysis reveals water loss during dry and previously rainy months, confirming the likelihood prevalence of climate change effects. Household water consumption surpasses supply, averaging 348.9 to 444.6 l/month per household, below WHO recommendations. Regression analysis identifies predictive models, suggesting the need for additional variables. Urgent action is needed to tap into abundant surface water resources for equitable water access, aligning with SDG 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is an urgent global challenge, necessitating prompt actions from all nations to decarbonize every industrial sector. Of particular concern is the cement and concrete industry, which remains one of the largest anthropogenic emitters and poses significant abatement difficulties. The production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), a fundamental material in concrete, currently accounts for approximately 8% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. With the escalating infrastructure needs driven by global population, OPC production is projected to increase by about 12–23% by 2050. Despite this burgeoning demand, the cement and concrete industry must achieve an annual CO2 emission reduction of 4% through 2030 to align with the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 scenario. Therefore, the development of innovative production technologies for carbon-neutral and low-carbon concretes is imperative to meet these ambitious climate objectives and move towards a sustainable society. This article examines the recent advancements in technologies and applications of carbon-neutral and low-carbon concretes in Japan, the United States and Europe, presenting them as viable solutions to decarbonize the cement and concrete industry. It endeavours to provide a succinct report on the latest technological developments essential for production, practical field applications, past achievements and the emerging challenges of carbon-neutral and low-carbon concretes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]