The UN Conference on the Human Environment 1972 in Stockholm marked the beginning of a global awareness of the interdependence between people, other living species and our planet, as well as the establishment of the UN Environment Programme. Since then, the global movement has rippled across the planet, and the UN General Assembly designated 22 April as International Earth Day through a resolution adopted in 2009.
Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet - and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction. But we will only succeed if everyone plays a part. For this International Earth Day, let's remind ourselves - more than ever - that we need a shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet. Let’s promote harmony with nature and the Earth. Join the global movement to restore our world!
This study proposes an iterative planning algorithm for renewable energy systems that tests solutions against varying weather conditions to ensure reliability during extreme periods, showing that achieving robustness slightly increases costs but avoids significant supply shortfalls seen in non-robust systems.
This research analyzes media coverage of government approaches to climate-health policy across 4 countries (USA, UK, Pakistan, and India) from 2015-2024, examining how newspapers portray governmental responses to climate change's health implications.
The authors proposed an integrated system combining intensive pig farming, rice cultivation, and biochar production leading to zero emissions goal. They also minimized the waste recovery cost, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reused nutrients from pig farming waste.
Energy?efficient building materials that dynamically manage heat from the sun and outer space are opening new pathways to cut energy use and lower emissions. Recent advances in photothermal?modulating windows, roofs, and walls show how smart materials can help create cooler, greener, and more sustainable buildings.
This study examines teacher joy in outdoor learning contexts, addressing a gap in research on positive emotional experiences that support educator well-being. Findings show that joy arises through student growth, connections with nature, flexible teaching, and collaboration, highlighting its role in sustaining teachers and enhancing professional well-being.
This perspective explores the idea of the Earth Grid, which proposes an intercontinental electric grid facilitated by three technological advancements: enhanced information and communication technology (ICT) applications in the electric grid, development of inter-country grids for power-sharing, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for efficient operation and maintenance.
Pressurized metered-dose inhalers contribute substantially to the health care sector's carbon footprint due to hydrofluorocarbon propellants, whereas dry powder inhalers (DPI) have a lower environmental impact. This study compares asthma treatment strategies by assessing both clinical effectiveness and carbon emissions, demonstrating that as-needed budesonide/formoterol DPI is more environmentally sustainable and clinically comparable with other treatments.
This study outlines a two-stage sequential optimization framework in which the first stage optimizes the social welfare of the agricultural and bioenergy sectors, and the second stage incorporates the land-use change from bioenergy development to examine the regional solar energy capacity.
This study examined how air pollution exposure affects asthma treatment effectiveness in Black children by reanalyzing data from the AsthmaNet BARD clinical trial. The researchers found that children with lower nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure had significantly better lung function improvements when treated with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting ?-agonists compared to children with higher NO2 exposure. The findings suggest that residential air pollution exposure, particularly NO2, may reduce the effectiveness of standard asthma treatments in Black children, highlighting the need to consider environmental factors in asthma management strategies.
This study investigated how host genetics and early-life environmental exposures influence the infant gut microbiota during the first year of life and its association with childhood asthma and allergic diseases by age 5 years. The researchers found that specific gut microbial changes and network clusters were associated with increased or decreased risk of asthma, wheeze, atopic dermatitis, and food/inhalant sensitization, with some associations being sex-specific
This review examines how artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and the Internet of Things (IOT) improve thermal efficiency, enable real-time system monitoring, and support predictive maintenance across solar, wind, geothermal, and bioenergy applications.
The researchers found that patients with poorly controlled severe asthma generated significantly higher CO2 emissions (5.2% to 23.0% more) due to increased hospitalizations and overuse of rescue inhalers, particularly short-acting bronchodilators. However, when patients were referred to specialist asthma care, their carbon emissions decreased by 12.1% to 23.9%, demonstrating that better asthma management not only improves patient health but also reduces environmental impact
This study finds that optimal placement of long-duration energy storage in renewable-heavy power systems depends on multiple interacting factorssuch as generation, demand, storage, and transmissionand cannot be determined by any single metric, with siting decisions having system-wide effects.
This review explores how opportunities for play in public spaces are essential for childrens health and development, with growing research highlighting the links between outdoor play, learning, and the design of playful urban environments.
This article examines 42,291 renewable energy investment deals across OECD countries from 2004 to 2022, revealing highly international capital flows. Results show that $US 45.4B annually (45%) is invested across borders, with varying degrees between countries. Further, renewable energy investments increasingly mirror general foreign direct investment (89% correlation), indicating financial mainstreaming, which can contribute to rapid deployment.
This review examines bioaerosols (airborne particles from biological sources like plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and viruses) and their relationship to asthma, highlighting that different bioaerosols affect asthma through various pathways and individual susceptibility varies significantly. The article emphasizes that while exposure to certain bioaerosols like allergens, mold, and pathogenic viruses can trigger asthma symptoms and exacerbations, some early-life exposures to diverse microbial communities may actually provide protective effects against asthma development .
The authors highlight that while urban gardens and green roofs provide crucial benefits like air filtration and cooling, many commonly planted species like birch trees and grasses produce high amounts of allergenic pollen that affects up to 40% of Europeans
This study uses a phenomenological approach to examine how outdoor education shapes prospective teachers learning and teaching processes. Findings indicate that it enhances experiential learning, social and emotional skills, and motivation to use outdoor methods, supporting its integration into teacher education programmes.
This study examines whether conducting lessons in natural outdoor environments, rather than traditional classrooms, influences students conceptual learning. Results show that younger students benefited cognitively from outdoor lessons, while older students performed better indoors, although both groups perceived natural settings as more restorative, indicating that the physical environment can shape learning outcomes.
This qualitative study examines the role of outdoor science activities in improving students engagement with science subjects, finding that both teachers and students view them positively for enhancing motivation, collaboration, and long term learning. However, barriers such as limited teacher training, time constraints, and negative stakeholder perceptions highlight the need for targeted support and greater awareness to effectively integrate these approaches into science education.
Atmospheric water harvesting is emerging as a promising Earth?friendly technology to ease water scarcity, and new porous materials like MOFs and COFs could dramatically cut its energy use by efficiently capturing humidity even in arid climates. This review highlights how smarter material design can accelerate energy?saving AWH solutions for sustainable, decentralized water access.
Climate change is significantly altering the air we breathe by increasing both harmful pollutants and allergens that affect human health. Rising temperatures and elevated CO2 levels are creating longer, more intense pollen seasons while also increasing ground-level ozone, particulate matter, and other respiratory irritants. These changes disproportionately impact vulnerable populations worldwide, leading to increased respiratory infections, asthma exacerbations, and allergic diseases, making climate change not just an environmental issue but a direct threat to public health .
Carbon-based nanomaterials derived from plant extracts have emerged as promising candidates for various environmental applications due to their unique properties and eco-friendly synthesis routes. These nanomaterials including carbon dots, graphene, nanodiamonds, and carbon nanotubes, possess unique physicochemical properties such as biocompatibility, low toxicity, and facile functionalization, making them suitable for environmental applications such as water purifications, chemical sensing, etc. Additionally, these green carbon nanomaterials are used in wastewater treatment to break down complex pollutants and act as catalysts in environmental reactions, accelerating pollutant degradation and reducing environmental impact.
Modern agricultural systems are heavily energy-dependent at all stages of operation. It is assessed that global food production is responsible for 30% of the total energy usage. Though there are various energy sources available, at present, global food production mainly depends on fossil fuels for the needed energy fulfillment. Being fossil fuel, a limited nonrenewable energy source and considering its negative impacts on the environment thrive the necessity for reliable renewable energy sources. Wind power, solar power, micro-hydro-power, and biomass energy are some of the well-established renewable energy sources that could substitute fossil fuel usage in agriculture. However, these renewable energy sources also have constraints that reduce their full adaptability. For instance, higher demand for biomass energy could cause complications in land use patterns in agriculture and also lead to deforestation. Therefore, increasing the energy use efficiency (EUE) of the whole agricultural production process sustainably is essential. Legume crop cultivation and integration of legumes for the other cropping systems through crop rotations, cover crop cultivations, or intercropping can be recommended for the reduction of input energy usage without compensating the yield. In this regard, key abilities of legumes as biological nitrogen fixation, improvement of soil organic matter and soil moisture contents, reduction of soil moisture evaporation, improvement of agro-biodiversity are contributing to higher energy use efficiencies of legume incorporated farming systems. For instance, ≈ 4890 MJ ha-1 of energy for N application could be conserved with the integration of soybean for corn cultivation. Furthermore, soybean used 50% lesser energy for machinery than in wheat cultivation, and save approximately 1720 MJ ha-1 of energy in land preparation through incorporating the legumes with cereals, which indicates its potential in energy saving. Therefore, popularizing the intercropping systems of legume–cereal, legume-root crop, the introduction of legume crops for the marginal lands where it needs more energy to cultivate other nonlegume crops, practicing rotational crop cultivation included with a legume crop will be more effective in terms of energy-saving. Energy-saving efficiency of legume can be further improved with effective use of microbial inoculum, efficient management of soil moisture content, applying conservation agricultural practices for economical legume cultivation, selection of suitable legume variety for the particular agro-ecological region, and application of precision agriculture for needed crop management. However, revisiting available agricultural policies and formulating practical implementation mechanisms are needed locally, regionally, and globally to publicize legume-based farming for higher EUE in the future.
Improving farming techniques and agricultural methods with advanced technology is becoming more crucial on our fast-evolving and ecologically challenged planet, where challenges such as energy deficiency, drought, global warming, etc., have adverse effects on common agricultural practices. This paper discusses how the hybridization of energy generation from renewable resources and the field of artificial intelligence can aid in optimizing and improving the current best practices followed by farmers. We propose the concept of harnessing natural and artificial wind energy, the turbulence produced by the displacement of air due to the motion of objects such as trains. This energy harnessed can then be used in powering Internet of Things devices that enable AI-based smart farmland monitoring systems. The aim is to solve the challenges facing common agricultural practices in suburban and rural areas where vertical axis wind turbines can be set up, ultimately easing the lives of agriculturalists.
Agriculture is key to global food security and is a pivotal component of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. However, the increasing utilization of fossil fuels to power farm machinery is a source of concern due to the established negative consequences of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on climate variability, with dire consequences for plants, animals, human settlement, and social and economic activities. Therefore, a revolutionary campaign is needed for innovative, intelligent, and clean technological advancement in the agricultural sector, such that carbon emissions can be mitigated with increased penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs). The solar photovoltaic (PV) system offers tremendous advantages in reducing carbon emissions among land-based RESs. The usage of RES to power agricultural equipment has significantly reduced carbon emissions in the agricultural sector. Farmers are now adopting biogas - produced from wastes of organic materials like plants and animals, for cooking and powering farmhouses and equipment. Solar-powered water pump irrigation systems can reduce carbon emissions by 97%–98% compared to conventional fossil fuel-powered systems. A solar powered tractor was found to produce a carbon footprint of 5.75 kg CO2 eq kg−1 vehicle annually, showing a potential 90% reduction in emissions. Also, a RES-based water pump system, RES-based maize sheller, and RES-based incubator revealed a potential reduction in GHG emissions up to 98%, 89.61%, and 97%, respectively. This chapter, therefore, discusses the pursuit of net zero emission from the viewpoint of land-based renewable energy deployment and carbon-neutral agriculture drivers and tools. The chapter also addresses the issues associated with fossil-based energy sources in agriculture, modern and current trends in agriculture energy supply, carbon neural agriculture drivers, and future agricultural energy supply perspectives, including research and development considerations.
The development and promotion of climate-smart livestock systems (CSLSs) are crucial for ensuring sustainable food security. Climate change poses significant challenges to livestock production systems, which are crucial for food security and support various sociocultural, economic, and environmental aspects of human life. To overcome these challenges and ensure sustainable food security, the development of CSLSs is essential. CSLSs aim to maintain livestock productivity, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and promote locally adapted animal genetic resources. Opportunities exist along the livestock production chain to minimize GHG emissions associated with enteric fermentation, manure management, and feed management. Strategies for CSLS include improving fodder quality, utilizing adapted animal breeds, providing nutritional supplements, and diversifying livestock herds. Diet manipulation, such as using feed resources with high nutritional content and digestibility, can potentially reduce CH4 emissions while increasing livestock productivity. Mixed crop–livestock systems and agroforestry (silvopastoral systems) are key components of CSLS, offering diverse adaptation benefits and multiple roles in livestock systems. The effective utilization of local animal genetic resources and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems with scientific knowledge can enhance adaptation measures and resilience in livestock systems. Addressing animal health issues is also crucial for ensuring CSLS and sustained food security. The development and implementation of CSLS are essential for mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change on livestock production systems and meeting the growing global demand for animal products. Indigenous knowledge is crucial for CSLSs, as it has been a long-standing aspect of livestock production. Women are natural change-agents in livestock production, and equal opportunities for men and women across generations should be promoted through climate-smart livestock technologies. Community-based breeding initiatives, particularly for women, can empower local small-scale farmers and enhance sustainability in livestock production systems. Therefore ignoring indigenous knowledge is counterproductive for the success of CSLSs. The adoption of CSLSs can ensure sustainable food security and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable agriculture sector. The chapter explores the development and promotion of CSLSs for sustainable food security.
This chapter explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in biohydrogen production, a promising renewable energy technology. Biohydrogen is regarded as a potential renewable bioenergy resource. There are many processes through which it can be produced, for example, thermochemical and biological processes like pyrolysis, electrolysis, dark fermentation, and photo-fermentation. It is more economically viable when it is produced from waste materials such as waste biomass via microbial fermentation or light-driven chemical reactions. In the last decade, AI or intelligent systems have revolutionized scientific research. Prospectively, classical AI, machine learning (ML), and deep learning algorithms can be applied to optimize biohydrogen production processes. These techniques including reinforcement learning, artificial neural networks, and genetic algorithms can help optimize crucial influential parameters affecting biohydrogen production efficiency and yield. Random forest and support vector machine are two specific ML algorithms that can improve process monitoring, yield prediction, and address challenges for biohydrogen production by managing complex data, accurately predicting outcomes with improved scalability for industrial production processes. The chapter also highlights AI applications in biohydrogen production employing various AI tools like jellyfish optimizer and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system that optimize operational conditions in microbial electrolysis cells, enhancing hydrogen yield from wastewater. However, there are many challenges to implement AI-based systems in practice at large that include data limitations, real-world variability, scalability, and supportive technology to AI. Moreover, intelligent systems’ limited adaptability, to date proven credibility and human oversight importance were also discussed with associated ethical concerns. It also needs continuous monitoring and improvement for economically viable and sustainable production processes. Emerging technological trends in biohydrogen production focus on autonomous AI-based production systems, predictive modeling, appropriate management of supply chain, and sustainability valuation. Future AI developments aim to make biohydrogen production more cost-effective, efficient, and scalable.
Humanity is in the midst of a switch of energy sources to power the world, moving to renewables while phasing out fossil fuels. Yet, this process requires many decades and a set of temporary mitigation measures for processes that are required to continue. In this chapter, we explore decarbonization strategies like carbon capture and storage/utilization (CCS/CCU), their role in the current energy picture, and the roadmaps toward net-zero emissions operations in the medium term. Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of methods like pre- and postcombustion, as well as oxy-fuel combustion and membrane separation, provides us with a framework for action and a list of best practices to implement these techniques across different contexts. Applications vary in their levels of maturity, and some of them have suffered setbacks, yet we are only at the beginning stages of a promising path to achieving net-zero emissions across many different sectors. In this sense, the success of CCS/CCU projects is also dependent on the participation of other actors such as citizens, policymakers, governments, and international organizations. Because of this, the right regulatory frameworks need to be provided, and a joint effort that spans different disciplines is required for decarbonization efforts to come to fruition. A global transformation is, in the end, a challenge that can only be tackled by the best minds coming together and developing synergistic associations.
The globalized world already faces numerous climate challenges. Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), such as CO2, from human activities are the main highlight in the attempt to find culprits for global warming. Their emissions are already reaching alarming levels, and if they are not reduced or controlled as quickly as possible, the planet will be in danger. In light of this premise, microalgae play an important role in controlling and mitigating these gases. This chapter discusses the biological capture of GHGs by microalgae to control these emissions and achieve a more sustainable planet. Future perspectives and conclusions of this biological process are also briefly presented.
A key component of smart city frameworks, efficient waste management is necessary for sustainable urban development. Innovative approaches that combine waste management, the use of renewable energy, and increased energy efficiency are needed to address pressing concerns including resource optimization and environmental sustainability. A thorough approach makes it possible to synthesize interdisciplinary knowledge to address the intricate problems that smart cities face. Fair resource allocation, cutting-edge energy conversion technologies, the adoption of the circular economy, the integration of renewable energy systems, and larger societal issues must all be given top priority in research. Waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies offer a practical way to manage waste in cities and produce energy simultaneously. Utilizing renewable energy is also essential for lowering emissions of pollutants and promoting environmental progress. An overview of smart city concepts is given in this chapter, with particular attention paid to the significance of waste management, the potential of WTE systems, applications of renewable energy, digital advances for waste handling, governance structures, and the main obstacles related to urban waste management.
Waste-to-Energy (WTE) is a potential sustainable renewable energy source for Libya's Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management. The current waste management approach involves collecting and dumping waste in landfills. According to a research study, Libya is exploring the use of Waste Treatment Empowerment as a source of renewable energy to meet its electricity demand and offer an alternative to landfill-based waste management. The purpose of this study is to evaluate Benghazi City's WTE facility's ability to satisfy the city's power needs and offer an alternative to landfill-based waste management. Mass-burn incineration was used to create a situation for WTE use, revealing that Benghazi could produce about 20 MW of electricity through a WTE facility by 2030 using the incineration scenario.
Renewable energy sources (RES) are becoming increasingly important due to concerns over climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels. Integrating RES with electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is a key step toward achieving sustainable transportation. This chapter explores various aspects of RES and their integration with EVs, emphasizing technological advancements, integration challenges, and future possibilities.. The technological landscape of RES is evolving rapidly, marked by innovations in battery storage, smart grid systems, and charging infrastructure. Envisioned scenarios for integrating RES with EV infrastructure hold considerable promise. In one scenario, widespread adoption of EVs and RES could lead to a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions. Another scenario involves the establishment of microgrids, facilitating the distribution of RES-generated energy to nearby communities. Additionally, vehicle-to-grid technology, which allows EVs to supply energy back to the grid during peak demand periods, has the potential to revolutionize energy distribution.
When considering urban energy transition, including renewable energy sources (RES) development in an urban space, we must be aware of the complexity of this issue. As usual, attention is first paid to infrastructural conditions, but the energy transition is a multifaceted process. In addition to technological and financial factors, spatial, social, cultural, and historical variables are pivotal because lasting change requires a participatory perspective and contextualization of actions. The study aims to explore the epistemological role of RES installations in urban spaces, focusing on their capacity to domesticate and normalize renewable energy practices in cities. We explored the theoretical side of the issue and provided some background on implementing RES in selected urban spaces in Poland. We pay special attention to their composition in the urban landscape and their potential role in the domestication of renewables in cities. RES installations have a chance to become iconic objects in urban spaces and, therefore, directly influence its inhabitants' social and sustainable practices.
This chapter explores strategies to reduce air pollution through sustainable energy practices, urban design, and mobility solutions, aimed at creating environmentally friendly and economically sustainable cities. At the household level, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy for electricity, cooking, and heating is essential, along with effective waste management and energy-efficient building designs. At the urban level, the “five-minute city” design is emphasized, promoting access to essential services within a short walk or bike ride, reducing reliance on private vehicles, and encouraging active transport. This chapter also underscores the role of urban green spaces in lowering pollution, enhancing public health, and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Finally, improvements in urban mobility—efficient public transport, infrastructure for walking and cycling, and fleet electrification—further support these goals. By adopting an integrated approach, cities can significantly improve air quality, foster economic sustainability, and enhance overall livability.
Renewable energy changeover is essential for achieving a low-carbon and sustainable future. This chapter explores the vast potential of sources of renewable energy, such as geothermal, biomass, wind, hydropower, and solar, in addressing global energy needs while mitigating the environmental impacts of fossil fuels. It highlights the key innovations driving efficiency and cost reductions in clean energy technologies, such as advanced solar cells, offshore wind turbines, energy storage solutions, and smart grid systems. The chapter also examines the barriers to widespread adoption, including financial, regulatory, and infrastructural challenges, and discusses policy frameworks and investment strategies necessary to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy on a global scale. By unlocking the potential of clean energy, we can foster economic growth, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a sustainable energy future for generations to come.
The world's energy demand is relatively ever rising nevertheless the depletion of conventional energy resources is also accelerated at an alarming rate. Fossil fuel, the main conventional energy reserve, has been exhaustively used, which has resulted in the oil wells drying up, increased carbon levels, and disruptions in the ecological balance. With this alarming scenario and the energy consumption said to increase further in the future, the challenge is to address the increase in massive energy demand through clean fuel sources. Although the study on the use of solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal energy has seen promising results, these energy resources are influenced on geographical parameters and climatic conditions to a larger extent. Thus, the existing technologies being expensive and the lack of proper goal toward development of clean fuel, dictates a need for a breakthrough in the implementation of clean technology, to provide a sustainable solution that could help mitigate the alarming climate change issues and boost the socioeconomic growth. The chapter provides a comprehensive study of biomass as a crucial renewable resource in the context of sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on its role in energy production across various sectors. An in-depth analysis on the diverse nature of biomass sources, pretreatment methods, and their impact on downstream applications are highlighted. An extensive study on biofuel production from biomass, their roles in agriculture, industry, and energy production, techniques, and limitations of various conversion processes is also presented. The chapter also covers a detailed discussion on the potential for biomass-derived hydrogen production, current methodologies and the challenges faced in this emerging field. The innovative use of biomass-derived biomaterials for energy storage applications is also explored, showcasing the potential use of biomass in next-generation approaches to sustainable energy solutions. The chapter concludes with an examination of challenges and limitations of biomass energy with insights into the potential and future prospects of biomass in the context of global energy transitions and its vital role in shaping a sustainable energy landscape.
Since 2016, there have been significant developments in agrivoltaic farming and the role of solar energy harvesting. The use of agrivoltaic farming applications differs between various countries due to challenges such as technical and economic ones. A short description of various solar panels has been presented. It discussed plant parameters for agrivoltaic system use, an especially possible role of light saturation point. Technical parameters for optimization of agrivoltaics—how various heights, spacing, impact of density the shading under the panels.
Recent advances in nanotechnology have generated concerns regarding nanoparticles' prevalence, dispersion, destiny, and environmental migration. Nanoparticles originate from diverse sources, such as their extensive utilization in various engineering practices, biomedical uses, consumer products, and food and drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles and nanoscale materials are increasingly found in multiple environmental media, often released as waste or by-products from engineered processes.
The authors utilized Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to assess the soil erosion vulnerabilityin Gebre Korke watershed of the Blue Nile basin in Central Ethiopia while taking various factors such as rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, etc, into consideration. They also validated the model using numerical data and engagement with local community and experts through group discussions.
The authors analyzed the effects of PM2.5 particles on human cell cytotoxicity by collecting water-soluble extracts from 62 PM2.5 particles. Although, the samples were collected during the high and low pollution period, clear relation between the cytotoxicity in six types of human cells and severe air pollution was observed.