Incorporating Ethics into Climate Intervention Research, Experimentation, and Potential Deployment

Can digital financial inclusion promote the coupling coordination between pollution reduction and low-carbon development? Evidence from China

Does the development of renewable energy promote carbon reduction? Evidence from Chinese provinces

Addressing climate change has become a top priority for universities worldwide. This paper examines Raden Intan State Islamic University’s initiatives to confront climate change through its Eco-Campus program. In Indonesia, a country highly vulnerable to climate change, UIN Raden Intan Lampung recognizes its responsibility in promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impacts. Using a qualitative approach, this case study explores the university's comprehensive strategies, which include institutional policies and grassroots efforts. The campus focuses on reducing carbon emissions, adopting renewable energy, and enhancing climate resilience. Key initiatives include maintaining large green spaces that lower temperatures and absorb carbon dioxide, using energy-saving devices like LED lights, and installing solar panels to minimize the carbon footprint. In waste management, the university turns organic waste into compost and repurposes food waste to feed larvae, which are then processed into animal feed. Water conservation efforts are supported by artificial ponds, ensuring a reliable water supply and maintaining greenery during dry seasons. The university also promotes sustainable transportation by encouraging bicycle use and limiting vehicle parking to reduce emissions. Overall, UIN Raden Intan Lampung exemplifies how a university can integrate sustainability into campus life, serving as a model for climate change mitigation efforts.

This article examines ethical questioning as an inquiry process germane to making ethical choices in applied theatre research. Focusing on reflexivity through reflection before, in and on action, I consider ethical questioning as a framework to amplify resistance, promote participation and strengthen decolonization in the research process. I situate ethical questioning within critical pedagogy for applied theatre practice and construct an ethical questioning framework that rests on both individualism and collective processes. I conclude by briefly examining some processes in my doctoral research and reflecting on the implications of ethical questioning on applied theatre and the call to turn from a morality debate about ethics to a political act rooted in the awareness of oneself in relation to the other.

The urgent need to address climate change has propelled nations worldwide to adopt and implement diverse strategies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. This paper presents a comprehensive review and analysis of global policies designed to curb carbon emissions, evaluating their effectiveness in mitigating the impacts of climate change. By synthesizing information from various regions and assessing the multifaceted approaches employed, this review offers insights into the current state of carbon emission reduction strategies on the global stage. The analysis encompasses a thorough examination of policy frameworks, regulatory measures, and market-based mechanisms adopted by nations to achieve carbon emission reduction targets. It explores the nuanced interplay between governmental interventions, industry initiatives, and international collaborations, recognizing the interconnectedness of efforts in a shared global environment. Additionally, the paper delves into the effectiveness of these strategies by considering key indicators such as emission reductions, technological advancements, and societal impact. By evaluating the success stories and identifying challenges faced by different countries, the review seeks to distill lessons that can inform future policy development and implementation. The global transition towards renewable energy sources, sustainable practices, and innovative technologies is a central theme in the analysis. As nations strive to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility, the review highlights notable initiatives and best practices that showcase the feasibility of achieving substantial carbon emission reductions without compromising developmental goals. In conclusion, this global policy review and analysis provide a comprehensive understanding of the strategies employed to reduce carbon emissions worldwide. By critically examining the effectiveness of these approaches, the findings contribute valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on sustainable environmental practices, informing policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers alike in their collective pursuit of a low-carbon future.

CO2 emissions are a significant risk and threat not only to the economy, environment, and agriculture but also to public health. In this study, we examine empirical evidence of the impact of economic growth, renewable energy use, and agricultural sector improvement on reducing CO2 emissions and environmental degradation in Indonesia based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. This study uses annual time series data from 1988 to 2020 by applying Dynamic Least Squares (DOLS) and Fully-Modified Least Squares (FMOLS) econometric estimation techniques. Based on empirical evidence, the EKC phenomenon in Indonesia cannot be validated and justified because it correlates with increasing economic growth rates as well as increasing CO2 emissions. In addition, technological innovation and renewable energy applied to Indonesia’s more modern agricultural sector have a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions and improving environmental quality. Furthermore, the consumption of renewable energy in Indonesia is limited to the manufacturing and service sectors, which means it does not contribute to carbon emissions.

A body of work has emerged in political philosophy which can be termed ‘the ethics of migration’. Within that literature, there has been an increased focus on issues of displacement and protection which reflects practical concerns in the wider world. However, that focus has been predominantly upon refugees and asylum seekers and the ethical questions and challenges raised by their needs for protection. In this paper I argue that this leaves out many other issues, such as disaster-related and development-related displacements. However, addressing this absence cannot be an act of ‘gap-filling’. Rather, political philosophers who wish to address this wider understanding of displacement in their work need to draw upon and learn from other fields, disciplines and perspectives in ways that may radically disrupt and reform how the ethics of protection should be approached. In this paper I take some preliminary steps in exploring what an ethical framework for displacement might look like, by providing some of the elements of a groundwork for this project.

Loneliness is a widespread public health concern linked to increased risks of health problems. As populations age, the demand for effective interventions to mitigate loneliness continues to grow. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effectiveness of technology-based interventions in reducing loneliness. A systematic literature search was conducted in Web of Science, PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, and the Cochrane Library in August 2024. We included randomized controlled trials that examined the effectiveness of technology-based interventions compared with any control group in reducing loneliness across all age groups. Nonrandomized studies, qualitative research, and studies lacking sufficient statistical data for effect size calculation were excluded. After screening 1089 records, 7 studies involving 580 participants met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted by 3 independent reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by a fourth reviewer. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. A random-effects model was used to synthesize effect estimates, with standardized mean differences as the primary effect size metric. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q statistic and I² index, and a prediction interval was calculated to estimate the expected range of true effects. We found a small and statistically nonsignificant overall effect of technology-based interventions on loneliness (pooled standardized mean difference=-0.21, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.17; 95% prediction interval -1.14 to 0.63). Substantial between-study variability was present (I²=57%; τ²=0.08; τ=0.28), and the prediction interval indicated that true effects in future studies may range from substantial reductions to moderate increases in loneliness. Differences between intervention types could not be examined due to the limited number of eligible studies. The Egger test showed significant funnel plot asymmetry (t5=-5.47; P=.003). However, since the trim-and-fill method identified no missing studies, the asymmetry is unlikely to be fully explained by publication bias. Unlike previous reviews, which focused primarily on older populations or included nonrandomized studies, this meta-analysis provides a rigorous synthesis of only randomized controlled trials across the lifespan. Our findings do not provide evidence for a reliable reduction in loneliness following technology-based interventions. Moderate heterogeneity indicates that effects differ across studies, and the limited number of eligible trials prevented the analysis of potential moderators. By incorporating robust prediction intervals and a broader age demographic, this study offers a more comprehensive view of the variability of intervention outcomes compared with existing literature. The wide prediction interval suggests that intervention effects may vary across settings. In practice, technology-based approaches should be viewed as supportive tools that require careful tailoring rather than universal solutions to loneliness.

Adopted by the 196 Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) last December, and signed by 175 countries on 22 April 2016, the Paris Agreement provides guidelines for global efforts in addressing climate change, and establishes a five-year review cycle for detailedwork programs of cutting emissions, differentiation between countries as to their responsibilities for action, and financing for poor countries to deal with rising temperatures. ‘Governments have ushered in a new era of global cooperation on climate change—one of the most complex issues ever to confront humanity. What was once unthinkable is now unstoppable. For the first time, every country in the world has pledged to curb their emissions, strengthen resilience, and act internationally and domestically to tackle climate change’, acclaimed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. In a nutshell, Paris Agreement sets a target of holding the increase in the global average temperature towell below 2◦Cprior to 2100 and pursuing the efforts to limit the temperature increase to1.5◦C.The landmarkAgreementhas 29 articles, includingmitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, finance, technology development and transfer, capacity building, transparency of action and support, and global stocktake, which pose many new global opportunities and challenges for climate research and services. Global warming has caused ice melting in polar regions and the northern hemisphere and elevation of sea level, extreme weather and climate events such as tropical cyclone and ENSO, acceleration of global water cycle, as well as ocean acidification and hypoxia. Since the earth’s climate system is highly non-linear, even if the global temperature increase could be limited to 1.5◦C via emission reduction, risks and vulnerability may remain that could result in more frequent extreme weather events, regime shifts of non-equilibrium ecosystem, and persistent rise of global and regional sea level. Therefore, in response to the Agreement, scientific community should build up a massive research effort on the mechanisms and adaptation of climate changes, including reliable assessment of climate changes and their impacts in global and regional scales, especially decadal predication that could provide scientific evidence in support of the reduction of carbon emission. While the Agreement represents a monumental step in the international efforts in controlling global warming, many difficult problems remain to be solved. Most notably, it is unclear what amount of reduction in greenhouse gas emission is required to control the global warming below 2◦C by 2100. Multi-components of the earth’s climate system and multiscale spatial-temporal variations call for interdisciplinary research through collaboration and innovation, in order to improve the prediction of decadal and longer timescale climate changes. To achieve this goal, we need to build global comprehensive observational networks, reliable earth system models as well as develop more effective prediction-assessment approaches. In this regard, China’s investment still lags behind developed countries, and increased investment in fundamental research on the mitigation and adaptation strategies of climate changes are called for. The good news is that the government has recently approved the ‘Earth System Simulator’ project and is planning for the establishment of comprehensive ocean observation systemover theChina’s 13th ‘Five-Year Plan’ as well. In terms of social economic development, ambition of the Agreement in emission reductions could be achieved by restructuring the world’s energy usage from fossil fuels to renewables, which influences geopolitics and world economy as well as will enhance the innovation-driven development in renewable energy. Key renewable marine energies, such as tidal wave energy, ocean thermal energy, and sea-water chemical energy, together with solar and wind energy, will contribute larger shares of energy sources and help to reduce carbon emission. With increasing use of marine energy, we can expect technological advances in equipment innovation andmanufacturing, newmaterials, and ocean engineering, all of which benefit economy, promote upgrade and transformation of industries as ‘Marine Energy Plus’. The Paris Agreement will undoubtedly bring opportunity for a drastic restructuring of China’s energy industry, and we should bemaking early preparation tomeet this upcoming adjustment. In short, the Paris Agreement will promote climate research, industrial structural adjustment, and economic social development, in spite of potential difficulties in its implementation and the deficiency in current technologies

The recent federal presidential election and Democratic majority in Congress assure that federal legislation to address climate change will be enacted. The nature and extent of future federal climate change regulation cannot be predicted. But, climate change regulation will be in our future. In the absence of federal regulation, regional associations and states have taken action on their own to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. The Western Climate Initiative (WCI) is a regional association that is developing a detailed climate change program. New Jersey is one of the states which has passed, and is now implementing, legislation to address climate change. By evaluating the WCI and New Jersey activities regarding climate change, one can develop an understanding of the major issues, some possible options for dealing with those issues, and the impact climate change regulation will have on the economy, energy issues, and everyday living.

Indoor environmental quality and energy consumption real-time assessment: A field measurement of a nearly zero-energy building in cold region of China

The urgent global need to combat climate change has driven a switch to renewable energy sources including solar, wind, and tidal power from fossil fuels. Biomass energy, derived from sources such as agricultural and wood waste, shines as a flexible and renewable solution to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on finite fuels. This article explores the transformative potential of converting biomass into bio-natural gas (bio-methane), addressing climate change, waste management, and energy security. Benefits of this conversion include lower greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable renderability, and adaptability in energy generation. Bio-methane integration with existing gas infrastructure eases renewable energy storage and distribution, reducing dependency on foreign fossil fuel imports. It powers various sectors, minimizing environmental impact. Furthermore, biomass-to-bio-natural gas conversion resolves waste issues by utilizing organic waste, creating jobs, and improving air quality. Anaerobic digestion plays a crucial role in this process, yielding methane efficiently through microbial cooperation. Future prospects include higher-quality biomethane suitable for automotive fuel and pipeline injection, enhancing energy storage and integration. Biomethane's role in greener transportation will expand with biogas upgrading advancements. In sum, biomass-to-bio-natural gas conversion charts a cleaner, sustainable energy future, combating global warming and waste challenges while bolstering energy security.

The carbon emission trading policy (CETP) is a market-based environmental instrument to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. It can further have an impact on companies' green innovation (GI). In this regard, we innovatively propose the internal and external theoretical mechanisms of the impact of CETP on the GI of companies and use the financial data and patent data of Chinese listed companies from a micro perspective to empirically verify them. The findings demonstrate that the CETP has an inducing effect on the GI of companies, which is particularly evident in nonstate-owned companies, large companies, and the cleaning industry. The impact of CETP on companies GI is mainly achieved through internal incentive mechanisms, while the role of external influence mechanisms is not obvious. In terms of internal incentives, cost compliance effects and innovation compensation effects are the main channels for promoting GI. In terms of external effects, the carbon market's efficacy has not contributed to boosting GI for companies; the coordination effect of carbon policy and government intervention on companies' GI is also limited. Our research provides a theoretical basis for effectively encouraging the GI of companies to achieve carbon neutral and carbon peak goals.

Environmental factors, such as climate change, have serious consequences for existing buildings, including increased resource consumption and footprint, adverse health effects, and reduced comfort for the occupants. To promote sustainability and address climate change, architecture must embrace digitalization. Buildings can be built digitally, analyzed in real time, optimized for energy consumption, and utilized to reduce carbon emissions and achieve zero energy consumption using digital twin technology. Currently, Lebanon’s residents are turning to solar power to generate renewable energy as a result of a lack of energy supplied by the government. In this study, a digital twin model was designed using an artificial neural network (ANN) to investigate the energy consumption of residential buildings. The main idea was to assist architects and engineers in forecasting energy consumption for different design materials by selecting the most effective alternate design for materials with building envelope characteristics, such as exterior walls, roof insulation, and windows, to minimize the consumption of energy in a residential building, hence resulting in a green building. The data simulations used in the digital twin model were carried out using Quick Energy Simulation Tool (eQuest) software; 1540 simulation results were used for different thicknesses of insulation material, values of conductivity, and window types. The digital twins were designed using an artificial neural network model. The results of the investigation and the accompanying eQuest output results were found to be precise and very similar.

China's strategy for energy development and climate change mitigation