The Environmental Knowledge Commons

Re-defining Sustainability: Living in Harmony with Life on Earth

Extinction in the Anthropocene.

Dramatic alterations to the natural environment due to human activity have produced a permanent rupture in the Earth system; the relative stable epoch of the Holocene has given way to a volatile Anthropocene. Acceptance of these claims means that we now live in this altered physical reality, inviting us to rethink how we conceptualise disasters. Yet, disaster scholars have been hesitant to apply the Anthropocene label and to acknowledge the profound changes that it can bring to the study of disasters. This paper queries whether this label is a necessary adage or unnecessary baggage for disaster studies by examining the possibilities and the challenges associated with engaging with the Anthropocene. An analysis of the concepts, causes, and consequences of disasters reveals how the Anthropocene provides, as the very least, a theoretical heuristic for challenging linear temporal assumptions, the epistemological status of uncertainty, and the location of agency in disaster studies.

Contemporary environmental challenges significantly impact the Olympic legacy, necessitating adaptations and sustainable policies. Climate change, manifested through rising global temperatures, reduced natural snowfall, and increased frequency of extreme weather events, affects both the organization of competitions and the viability of traditional host locations. The development of infrastructure required for the Games contributes to habitat degradation, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Air and water pollution, exacerbated by Olympic activities, along with massive waste generation, pose additional challenges, particularly in host cities with underdeveloped waste management systems. Intensive consumption of natural resources, such as water and construction materials, further worsens issues in ecologically vulnerable regions. Social and ecological inequalities also arise, including the displacement of local communities and the uneven distribution of environmental and economic costs. To mitigate these effects, it is essential to integrate sustainability principles through the use of existing infrastructure, adoption of strict environmental standards, and implementation of carbon footprint reduction policies. Promoting ecological education and innovative solutions can transform the Olympic Games into a model of best practices for sustainable global events. The modern visions promoted by National Olympic Committees (NOCs) reflect a growing commitment to organizing environmentally friendly Olympic Games, integrated into global sustainability strategies. These initiatives prioritize reducing the ecological impact of sporting events, aligning with international objectives for environmental protection and climate change mitigation. Measures adopted include the use of existing infrastructure or temporary facilities to minimize habitat degradation and resource consumption. Sustainable planning involves transitioning to renewable energy sources for powering venues, reducing carbon emissions through green transportation, and efficiently managing waste through recycling and reuse. Additionally, NOCs promote environmental education among athletes, officials, and the public, emphasizing the Games' role as a platform for global awareness. Circular economy principles are incorporated into organizational processes, while collaborations with private and public sector partners support the implementation of innovative, eco-friendly technologies. These modern visions, reflected in initiatives such as the International Olympic Committee's Agenda 2020+5, reinforce the commitment to transforming the Olympic Games into a model of environmental leadership, contributing to a sustainable legacy for the long term. Ensuring global ecological standards within the Olympic Movement requires the adoption and promotion of strategic and multidimensional actions with a long-term impact on global sustainability. Key identified measures: ✓ Development of sustainable infrastructure Designing and utilizing facilities that adhere to ecological principles, such as reducing energy consumption, using recyclable materials, and constructing venues with minimal impact on ecosystems. ✓ Reducing the carbon footprint Introducing eco-friendly transportation for delegations and spectators, utilizing renewable energy across all Olympic facilities, and offsetting emissions through ecological restoration projects and reforestation initiatives. ✓ Efficient waste management Implementing advanced waste collection and recycling systems, reducing single-use materials, and promoting the circular economy at every stage of event organization. ✓ Environmental education and awareness Conducting awareness campaigns for athletes, spectators, and host communities on the environmental impact of actions, while integrating sustainability as a core value of the Olympic Movement. ✓ Adopting international environmental standards Aligning Olympic strategies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement. ✓ Continuous monitoring and evaluation Establishing a transparent system for reporting environmental performance and implementing audit mechanisms to ensure compliance with established standards. Through these actions, the Olympic Movement can position itself as a global leader in promoting sustainability, reinforcing its role as a model of ecological best practices, and actively contributing to environmental protection. Olympic education serves as a strategic tool for promoting ecological sustainability within the Olympic Games, aiming to encourage behavioral and cultural changes necessary for environmental protection. This educational dimension, embedded in the values of Olympism, facilitates awareness of human activities' impact on ecosystems and promotes the adoption of sustainable practices in the long term. Educational initiatives include programs targeted at athletes, organizers, spectators, and host communities, focusing on topics such as reducing carbon footprints, conserving natural resources, and managing waste. Awareness campaigns surrounding the Olympic Games leverage digital platforms, workshops, seminars, and partnerships with educational institutions to amplify ecological messages. A central aspect is integrating concepts of circular economy and environmental responsibility into sporting and organizational activities, emphasizing sustainability across all stages, from planning to implementation. Additionally, Olympic educational programs aim to create a lasting legacy by fostering generations aware of their role in protecting the environment. Through initiatives such as Agenda 2020+5, Olympic education becomes a cornerstone of transforming the Olympic Games into a model for sustainable events, contributing to global environmental goals and reinforcing the role of Olympism as a promoter of sustainable development. Contemporary environmental challenges represent a significant threat to the Olympic legacy, influencing both the organization of the Olympic Games and their impact on the environment, economy, and the global community. Climate change, pollution, habitat degradation, and the intense consumption of resources put pressure on host regions, and addressing these issues requires an integrated and sustainable approach. However, by implementing rigorous ecological policies, utilizing innovative technologies, and adopting a sustainable organizational model, the Olympic movement can become a leader in promoting environmental responsibility. Initiatives such as using existing infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions, and environmental education are essential for transforming the Olympic Games into a global example of best practices. In conclusion, to ensure a positive Olympic legacy in the long term, organizers must address these environmental challenges with a strong commitment to sustainability. This approach can contribute not only to protecting the environment but also to strengthening the role of the Olympic Games as a global platform for positive ecological change.

The loss of natural habitat resulting from human activities is the principal driver of biodiversity loss in terrestrial ecosystems globally. Metrics of habitat loss are monitored at national and global scales using various remote sensing based land-cover change products. The metrics go on to inform reporting processes, biodiversity assessments, land-use decision-making and strategic planning in the environmental and conservation sector. We present key metrics of habitat loss across South Africa at national and biome levels for the first time. We discuss the spatial patterns and trends, and the implications and limitations of the metrics. Approximately 22% of the natural habitat of South Africa has been lost since the arrival of European settlers. The extent and the rate of habitat loss are not uniform across South Africa. The relatively mesic Grassland, Fynbos and Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biomes have lost the most habitat, while the arid Nama-Karoo, Succulent Karoo and Desert have lost the least. Rates of loss increased across all biomes in recent years (2014–2018), indicating that the historical drivers of change (i.e. expansion of croplands, human settlements, plantation forestry and mining) are intensifying overall. We should caution that the losses we report are conservative, because the land-cover change products do not capture degradation within natural ecosystems. Preventing widespread biodiversity losses and securing the benefits we derive from biodiversity requires slowing and preventing further habitat degradation and loss by using existing land-use planning and regulatory tools to their full potential. Significance: The loss of natural habitat resulting from human activities is the principal driver of biodiversity loss in terrestrial ecosystems in South Africa. Monitoring trends and patterns of habitat loss at a national scale provides a basis for informed environmental decision-making and planning, thus equipping civil society and government to address habitat loss and protect biodiversity while also meeting key development and socio-economic needs. Open data set: https://doi.org/10.15493/SAEON.FYNBOS.10000011

Obama Signs Act to Make More Federally Funded Research Open Access: NIH Requirement Extended to Other Agencies

Long-term trends and influence of climate and land-use changes on pollen profiles of a Mediterranean oak forest

Freshwater ecosystems represent hotspots for the world’s total diversity and human well-being. However, they are also subjected to threats across the globe as a result of localised human activities, broad scale catchment clearance, climate change and invasive species. The increased degradation of freshwater habitats and their ecological functions as a consequence of these threats, at local and global scales, has led to significant freshwater problems for human existence and the world’s biodiversity. There is growing evidence that the loss of biodiversity is one of the most complex environmental issues facing the world; however, the importance of understanding species distribution patterns and the ecological differentiation among species that are reflected as species-specific responses or tolerances to environmental drivers is less well understood. In particular, when a morphological approach is used as a taxonomic tool for investigating species diversity and species level responses to environmental drivers, the diversity of responses hidden within species complexes may not be realized, and the conclusion of generality may mask specific cryptic species responses. In South-East Queensland, Australia, European occupation since the mid 1800’s has seen large scale clearing of native vegetation along streams and rivers in nearly all catchments. As a consequence of this land-use change catchment hydrology has been substantially altered, which, combined with the presence of dams and weirs, has resulted in a decline in water quality of streams in some catchments, which is of growing concern for conservation of species biodiversity. This study aimed to explore cryptic diversity in two species complexes of freshwater aytid shrimps common in South-East Queensland and elucidate species level responses to environmental variation that could explain their spatial distribution. This broad aim was met through three specific studies. First, using regional scale data of cryptic species diversity and water quality, the importance of species-specific responses to environmental conditions in determining spatial distribution patterns and environmental relationships of cryptic species in the Caridina indistincta and Paratya australiensis species complexes was examined. To accomplish this aim, DNA sequences were used to identify shrimp specimens from 89 sites in 17 catchments spanning the study area. In addition, an assessment of eight morphological traits was used to test whether these cryptic species could be morphologically identified. Use of these eight traits did allow species level identification, at least in South-East Queensland. However, caution is suggested in the use of these morphological traits for recognising species, due to the probability of morphological plasticity within a species across broad spatial scales. Ordination analysis of presence-absence data showed that the five cryptic species within the two species complexes showed spatially distinct distributions across streams in SEQ, with each cryptic species displaying different relationships with individual environmental variables. For species in the Caridina indistincta complex, C. indistincta sp. B was significantly associated with elevation, C. indistincta sp. D was significantly correlated with dissolved oxygen range, whilst, individuals of C. indistincta sp. A were negatively associated with elevation and dissolved oxygen range. This may indicate that C. indistincta sp. A tended to inhabit sites with low elevation and perhaps having a higher tolerance to a low range of dissolved oxygen. For the Paratya australiensis species complex, P. australiensis lineage 4 and 6 showed significant correlations with elevation and conductivity, respectively. The second broad aim of the study was to explore these spatial patterns at smaller geographical scales and with greater detail about water quality to understand and quantify the fundamental environmental factors (e.g., physical chemical water parameters and concentrations of heavy metals) that are potentially shaping the current distribution patterns and abundance of cryptic species within the two species complexes. To explore this aim, sediment samples from 22 sites in 13 catchments in SEQ were analysed to determine concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) of 11 heavy metals. Additionally, a number of water quality variables were measured in situ, including: elevation, stream width, stream temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, and turbidity. Also, a water sample was taken from each site for laboratory analysis of: Ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), Dissolved oxidized nitrogen (Nitrate+Nitrite) (NOX-N), Total nitrogen (TN), Total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), Total kjeldahl phosphorus (TKP), Orthophosphate-P (PO4-P). Shrimps were collected from each site and identified to species using both morphology and DNA sequencing. The morphological identification of each adult individual (except juveniles which were genetically analysed) was used as a measure of absolute abundance and the genetic ‘checking’ of a set number of individuals in each sample was used to compute relative abundance. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the spatial distribution and absolute and relative abundance of C. indistincta sp. D and sp. B were significantly positively influenced by elevation, while the relative abundance of P. australiensis Lin.6 was significantly positively affected by the concentration of manganese (Mn). Stream Total nitrogen (TN) was significantly positive driver of the spatial distribution and relative abundance of C. indistincta sp. A, while Orthophosphate-P (PO4-P) was significantly positive driver for the absolute and relative abundance of this species. Further analysis, this study confirms that P. australiensis Lin.6 was more tolerant of heavy metal concentrations compared with other cryptic species, as its distribution and absolute and relative abundance were significantly positively correlated with the concentrations of manganese, iron and cobalt. In contrast, C. indistincta sp. A was more sensitive to these metals than other study species. These results demonstrated that cryptic species of freshwater atyid shrimps of the C. indistincta and P. australiensis species complexes were different in their environmental requirements. As well, the cryptic species of both complexes were identified to have different associations with heavy metal concentrations, indicating that these species were different in their tolerance to toxicants. Finally, the third aim of the study was to further examine the differences in sensitivity to heavy metals (Copper and Zinc) among cryptic species of the two study complexes experimentally in the laboratory. Two cryptic species of each complex were used as study species, C. indistincta sp. A and sp. D and P. australiensis Lin.4 and Lin.6. The field studies showed differences among these species in their correlations with metal concentrations, and therefore they were seen as good candidate species for testing differences in the sensitivity to metal toxicants. Each cryptic species was exposed to six concentrations of each metal Cu or Zn using an acute (96-h) toxicity test. The results from this study were generally showed contrasting correlation between species and heavy metals; P. australiensis Lin.6 was the most tolerant species to both study metals, while C. indistincta sp. A was more sensitive to copper, and C. indistincta sp. D was more sensitive to Zn compared with the other tested species. Furthermore, the exposure of individuals of each species to the heavy metals caused changes in both their behaviour and their colour during exposure time. Overall, this study has shown cryptic species within broad species complexes can vary in their spatial distribution and their tolerance and response to water quality parameters. This highlights the advantage of using analyses of biotic and abiotic variables for ecological management and biodiversity conservation and the need to understand true species diversity when looking at species level responses to environmental degradation.

SUMMARYClimate and land-use changes are expected to drive high rates of environmental change and biodiversity loss in Mediterranean ecosystems this century. This paper compares the relative future impacts of land use and climate change on two vulnerable tree species native to Southern California (Juglans californica and Quercus engelmannii) using species distribution models. Under the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change's A1B future scenario, high levels of both projected land use and climate change could drive considerable habitat losses on these two already heavily-impacted tree species. Under scenarios of no dispersal, projected climate change poses a greater habitat loss threat relative to projected land use for both species. Assuming unlimited dispersal, climate-driven habitat gains could offset some of the losses due to both drivers, especially in J. californica which could experience net habitat gains under combined impacts of both climate change and land use. Quercus engelmannii, in contrast, could experience net habitat losses under combined impacts, even under best-case unlimited dispersal scenarios. Similarly, projected losses and gains in protected habitat are highly sensitive to dispersal scenario, with anywhere from > 60% loss in protected habitat (no dispersal) to > 170% gain in protected habitat (unlimited dispersal). The findings underscore the importance of dispersal in moderating future habitat loss for vulnerable species.

Concern about climate change, biodiversity loss, habitat degradation and landscape change: Embedded in different packages of environmental concern?

Is there a need for a new journal devoted to preventive medicine?

Should research institutions from developing countries provide open access to their data? Who would benefit? These are highly relevant questions for environmental research. In the backdrop of increasing discussions regarding open data, attention should be paid to guarantee that research institutions from developing countries do not become mere data providers. At the same time, restricted access to data should not become a barrier for advancing our knowledge of critical environmental issues. Open access policies for environmental data must be developed not only for advancing science, but also to provide growing opportunities for researchers in developing countries.

The growing human population is responsible for a massive decline in species, biodiversity, and ecosystems across the globe. If we are to significantly slow these losses, the attention and resources devoted to individual causes should be commensurate with the magnitude of their contribution to the problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative magnitude of five major threats to species identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as threatened with extinction. Specifically, we analyzed the entire IUCN Red List database to determine the percentage of threatened species affected by overexploitation, climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, and invasive species, diseases, and genes. We also randomly sampled a portion of the database to estimate the percentage of species for which each threat was the dominant threat placing them at risk of extinction. Of the 20,784 species for which data were available, 88.3% were impacted by habitat destruction, 26.6% by overexploitation, 25% by invasives, 18.2% by pollution, and 16.8% by climate change and weather. Focusing on dominant threats, the percentage of species for which a given threat was the main factor pushing them toward extinction was as follows: habitat destruction 71.3%, overexploitation 7.4%, invasives 6.8%, pollution 4.7%, climate change, and weather 1.8%. Regardless of how percentages are calculated, habitat destruction threatens more species than all other categories combined, climate change the fewest. From the perspective of species and biodiversity conservation, these data suggest that a significant change in global environmental priorities is needed. Habitat destruction should become a greater focus of global environmental efforts and receive the attention and resources appropriate to the extraordinary magnitude of its impact. Moreover, while it is important to address all environmental problems, given the disproportionate impact habitat destruction has on species, care should be taken to avoid solutions to other problems that exacerbate this destruction.

Human activities such as afforestation, reforestation and off-shore oil exploitation have tremendous impact on the coastal ecosystems including the soil biota. The link between soil bacterial and fungal community structure diversity, other soil attributes, and environmental crises such as climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and pollution in mixed-species plantations involving nitrogen-fixing species.The prevalence of Actinobacteria playing a key role in decomposing organic material, may have been increased soil C storage reported in the acacia and eucalyptus plantations. Regarding fungal community structure and diversity, the relative abundance of Ascomycota which have the ability to preserve the community stability following environmental disturbances due to the expanded number of resources, was dominant. High sulfur concentrations, or H2S emissions, derived in all likelihood from oil exploitation, have the potential to enhance Actinobacteria growth and biomass, while they decrease, in contrast, the prevalence and ability of the Ascomycota. The sulfur was found to being positively correlated to Actinobacteria, but negatively interrelated to Ascomycota.Acacia and eucalyptus plantations boost soil resilience against the climate and land-use changes through C storage and co-benefits. However, oil exploitation activities involving H2S emissions may diminish the ability of such mixed-species plantations to withstand the environmental stress and they also tend to harm soil health and coastal environment in the long term. Oil exploitation has an enormous economic importance for the Republic of the Congo. Special attention may be paid to the risk of harming the coastal ecosystems when off-shore oil exploitation is occurring.

Research Problem: The intersection of religion, civil society, and public policy is an increasingly relevant area of study, particularly in the context of environmental degradation. In Bangladesh, the impacts of climate change, industrialization, and globalization have created significant environmental challenges. These challenges necessitate a critical examination of the role of civil society, including religious organizations, in addressing environmental issues. The key question is: How effectively is civil society, in conjunction with religious institutions, contributing to the environmental movement and influencing policy reform in Bangladesh? Research purposes: This paper aims to explore the role of civil society, including the influence of religious organizations, in the environmental movement in Bangladesh. It seeks to understand how civil society organizations engage in advocacy, lobbying, stakeholder pressure, environmental impact assessments, and grassroots mobilization. The goal is to evaluate how these efforts shape public policy on environmental governance in a religious and sociopolitical context. Research methods: : This study uses a qualitative, review-based approach, relying on secondary data from existing literature, media reports, and policy documents. It critically examines the involvement of civil society organizations in the environmental movement, with a focus on how religious values and institutions intersect with public policy efforts in Bangladesh’s environmental governance. Results and Discussion: The findings suggest that civil society organizations, including those with religious affiliations, play an important role in influencing environmental policy in Bangladesh. Through advocacy, lobbying, and public mobilization, these organizations have brought attention to critical environmental issues, facilitating public participation in environmental governance. However, challenges remain, including political biases and limited resources, which affect their ability to fully shape policy. Religious organizations have also been shown to contribute moral and ethical dimensions to environmental activism, aligning their values with sustainable development goals. Research Implications and Contributions: The research underscores the importance of integrating religious organizations into the broader framework of civil society engagement in environmental governance. It highlights how religious values can complement public policy efforts, contributing to a more holistic approach to sustainable development. The paper provides recommendations for policymakers to strengthen collaboration between civil society, religious institutions, and government bodies to make environmental policy more effective and inclusive, aligning with the journal’s scope of exploring the intersection of religion and public policy.