Search Results (12,468)

The sustainability of the planet is based on reducing the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. The recovery of biomass waste puts economically valuable materials into circulation, which can successfully replace fossil fuels and which would otherwise be sent to landfills. Based on the review of several published works, we observe that the referenced processes to value biomass or biomass waste are not necessarily the most profitable and environmentally friendly. The most used methods to valorize biomass and biomass waste are mainly based on researchers knowledge and experience, neglecting some methods that are more appropriate or developing technologies. The valorization of biomass and biomass wastes should promote the production of products with the highest added value, and it must also be environmentally friendly and cost-effective. This manuscript proposes a hierarchy for the use of various valorization processes of biomass waste, from various agricultural activities, urban solids waste, food processing industries, and even wood industries. The proposed hierarchy is based on a number of recommendations aimed at increasing the use and valorization of biomass, in order to reach the objective of carbon neutrality and to comply with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

The environmental persistence of antiviral drugs poses serious safety hazards to aquatic ecosystems through their selective pressure on microorganisms, yet the understanding of antiviral drugs’ impact on microbial community structures remains limited. In this study, surface water samples from Beijing were analyzed for antiviral drug concentrations using UPLC-MS/MS, and microbial community abundance was assessed via 16S amplicon sequencing. Employing these methods, we investigated the mechanisms through which antiviral drugs may exert ecological risks via microbial communities. Our findings reveal that antiviral drugs significantly increase the abundance of Enhydrobacter and Nitrospira microbiota. The concentration of DNA polymerase inhibitor is significantly positively correlated with the abundance of Peredibacter, Enterococcus, Aeromonas, Aquabacterium, Alloprevotella, and Ruminococcus. Antiviral drugs were also found to significantly reduce the abundance of digestive system-related functions in organismal systems, while promoting processes associated with carbohydrate metabolism and influencing the metabolic activity of bacterial communities. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that antiviral drugs disrupt the original key microbial communities, with Bdellovibrio and Candidatus omnitrophus emerging as new key microbial communities, indicating that rare microbial communities can also play an important role in maintaining system stability. Total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved oxygen (DO) were identified as key factors influencing bacterial community shifts. Our findings underscore the potential contribution of wide-scale usage of antiviral drugs to aquatic bacteria, yielding novel perspectives for the sustainable management of urban riverine environments. Full article

Typhoon disasters not only trigger secondary disasters, such as rainstorms and flooding, but also bring many negative impacts on the normal operation of urban infrastructure and the safety of people’s lives and property. In order to effectively prevent the risks of typhoon disaster chain, this paper proposes a joint entity and relation extraction model based on RoBERTa-Adv-GPLinker. Then, relying on the ontology theory and methodology, we establish a knowledge graph of typhoon disaster chain. The results show that the joint extraction model based on RoBERTa-Adv-GPLinker outperforms other baseline models in all assessment indexes. Moreover, the constructed knowledge graph of typhoon disaster chain includes secondary disasters and derived disaster impacts. This can largely depict the evolution process of typhoon disaster secondary derivations. On this basis, a risk assessment model of typhoon disaster chain based on Bayesian network is established. Taking Fujian Province as an example, the risk associated with the typhoon disaster chain is assessed, verifying the effectiveness of the method. This study provides a scientific basis for enhancing government emergency response capabilities and achieving sustainable regional development. Full article

The European Union’s path towards zero carbon dioxide emissions for new passenger vehicles necessitates a transitional period in which conventional vehicles coexist with zero-emission alternatives. This shift requires targeted strategies from engineers and policymakers, particularly in the area of road design, to reduce pollution. This study aims to investigate the environmental benefits of converting a two-lane urban roundabout into a turbo-roundabout through a virtual microsimulation approach using PTV VISSIM. The simulated model was calibrated and validated with real-world daily traffic data by properly adjusting the driving behavior parameters and comparing observed and modeled traffic volumes and queues. The Vehicle-Specific Power (VSP) emission method was applied to model, calculate and illustrate emissions by analyzing vehicle trajectories for the examined scenarios. Results show a statistically significant reduction in emissions for nearly all trips, with emissions decreasing by up to 44% across the intersection and its surrounding areas, and up to 23% at the intersection itself. Emissions are largely influenced by trip duration and traffic efficiency, both of which are enhanced by the improved geometric configuration of the case study intersection. These findings highlight that turbo-roundabouts represent an effective, environmentally sustainable design solution for urban intersections. Full article

This study examines the effects of transitioning to hydrogen production in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Palawan Province, Philippines, focusing on technology, environment, and stakeholder impact. This research, conducted through a July 2022 survey, aimed to assess public awareness, knowledge, risk perception, and acceptance of hydrogen and its environmentally friendly variant, green hydrogen, infrastructure. Disparities were found between urban NCR and rural Palawan, with lower awareness in Palawan. Safety concerns were highlighted, with NCR respondents generally considering hydrogen production safe, while Palawan respondents had mixed feelings, particularly regarding nuclear-based hydrogen generation. This report emphasizes the potential ecological advantages of hydrogen technology but highlights potential issues concerning water usage and land impacts. It suggests targeted public awareness campaigns, robust safety assurance programs, regional pilot projects, and integrated environmental plans to facilitate the seamless integration of hydrogen technology into the Philippines’ energy portfolio. This collective effort aims to help the country meet climate action obligations, foster sustainable development, and enhance energy resilience. Full article

Sustainable development, a key global priority, is increasingly shaped by factors such as the sharing economy, environmental patents, and energy efficiency, which have significant social, economic, and environmental implications. With rising public concern about the environment, volatile energy prices, and growing market pressure, more businesses are seeking ways to optimize energy usage. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of green technologies, the sharing economy, and energy efficiency on environmental sustainability in the G7 countries. By utilizing quarterly data from 2014Q1 to 2020Q4, this study measures ecological sustainability using the load capacity factor. The research employs the Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) approach to assess the relationships between variables, while the Cross-Sectionally Augmented IPS (CIPS) test is used to examine unit roots in the data. The objective of this study is to evaluate how these factors contribute to environmental sustainability and to provide policy recommendations for enhancing sustainability practices across the G7 countries. The scientific novelty of this work lies in its application of MMQR to understand the varying effects of energy efficiency, the sharing economy, and green technologies on sustainability and its incorporation of short-term quarterly data, offering fresh insights into the dynamics of these relationships. The findings reveal that an increasing number of sharing economy users and population growth positively impact environmental sustainability. Moreover, policies promoting efficient resource utilization and the sharing economy can significantly enhance sustainability. However, urbanization and industrialization pose challenges, necessitating more stringent industrial regulations and careful urban planning. The results indicate that while energy efficiency and the sharing economy hold theoretical potential for sustainability, their practical impacts can vary. To ensure long-term sustainability, the adoption of environmental patents and green technologies is critical, with initial investments yielding substantial returns as these technologies become more widely adopted. This study proposes policy recommendations including greater international collaboration, comprehensive energy policies, advanced urban planning, expanded support for green innovation, and stricter industrial regulations. The research also underscores the role of the United States in leading global sustainable development initiatives. Finally, this study suggests that future research should consider longer timeframes, advanced analytical methods, and a broader range of variables to further understand the complexities of sustainable development. Full article

The integrity of habitat quality is a pivotal cornerstone for the sustainable advancement of local ecological systems. Rapid urbanization has led to habitat degradation and loss of biodiversity, posing severe threats to regional sustainability, particularly in extremely vulnerable arid zones. However, systematic research on the assessment indicators, limiting factors, and driving mechanisms of habitat quality in arid regions is notably lacking. This study takes Urumqi, an oasis city in China’s arid region, as a case study and employs the InVEST and PLUS models to conduct a dynamic evaluation of habitat quality in Urumqi from 2000 to 2022 against the backdrop of land use changes. It also simulates habitat quality under different scenarios for the year 2035, exploring the temporal and spatial dynamics of habitat quality and its driving mechanisms. The results indicate a decline in habitat quality. The habitat quality in the southern mountainous areas is significantly superior to that surrounding the northern Gurbantunggut Desert, and it exhibits greater stability. The simulation and prediction results suggest that from 2020 to 2035, habitat degradation will be mitigated under Ecological Protection scenarios, while the decline in habitat quality will be most pronounced under Business-As-Usual scenarios. The spatial distribution of habitat quality changes in Urumqi exhibits significant autocorrelation and clustering, with these patterns intensifying over time. The observed decline in habitat quality in Urumqi is primarily driven by anthropogenic activities, urban expansion, and climate change. These factors have collectively contributed to significant alterations in the landscape, leading to the degradation of ecological conditions. To mitigate further habitat quality loss and support sustainable development, it is essential to implement rigorous ecological protection policies, adopt effective ecological risk management strategies, and promote the expansion of ecological land use. These actions are crucial for stabilizing and improving regional habitat quality in the long term. Full article

This study introduces soil squeezing technology (SST) as an innovative approach to soil improvement that addresses the limitations of conventional methods in urban geotechnical projects. Unlike traditional in situ mixing, SST uses displacement, compaction, and controlled solidification to effectively increase soil cohesion and strength while reducing voids. By minimizing reliance on large mixing plants and bulky machinery, SST offers significant advantages in confined urban spaces, providing accessibility and operational efficiency. This paper describes the mechanism of SST, field application procedures, and adaptability to different soil types including humus and organic-rich soils. The compaction-driven approach ensures the consistent formation of dense, high-strength columnar soil structures, even in challenging geotechnical environments. Field studies demonstrate SST’s superior bearing capacity, uniformity, and reduced site disturbance compared to conventional methods, making it suitable for modern infrastructure. Quality control through real-time inspection further highlights the operational reliability of SST. This research underscores SST’s potential as a cost-effective, scalable solution that meets the stringent demands of urban development while minimizing environmental impact and optimizing resource use. Full article

The digital transition is one of the biggest challenges of the new millennium. One of the key drivers of this transition is the need to adapt to the rapidly changing and heterogeneous technological landscape that is continuously evolving. Digital Twin (DT) technology can promote this transition at an urban scale due to its ability to monitor, control, and predict the behaviour of complex systems and processes. As several scientific studies have shown, DTs can be developed for infrastructure and city management, facing the challenges of global changes. DTs are based on sensor-distributed networks and can support urban management and propose intervention strategies based on future forecasts. In the present work, a three-axial operative framework is proposed for developing a DT urban management system using the city of Venice as a case study. The three axes were chosen based on sustainable urban development: energy, mobility, and resiliency. Venice is a fragile city due to its cultural heritage, which needs specific protection strategies. The methodology proposed starts from the analysis of the state-of-the-arts of DT technologies and the definition of key features. Three different axes are proposed, aggregating the key features in a list of fields of intervention for each axis. The Venice open-source database is then analysed to consider the data already available for the city. Finally, a list of DT services for urban management is proposed for each axis. The results show a need to improve the city management system by adopting DT. Full article

Currently, subway and underground engineering projects are vital for alleviating urban congestion and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. Among these, excavation engineering for foundation pits involves the most accidents in geotechnical engineering. Although there are various construction methods, most face issues such as a large footprint, high investments, resource waste, and low mechanization. Addressing these, this paper focuses on a subway foundation pit project in Guangzhou using mechanical shaft sinking technology. Using intelligent cloud monitoring, we analyzed the stress–strain patterns of the cutting edge and segments. The results showed significant improvements in construction efficiency, cost reduction, safety, and resource conservation. Based on this work, this paper makes the following conclusions: (1) The mechanical shaft sinking method offers advantages such as small footprint, high mechanization, minimal environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness. The achievements include a 22.22% reduction in construction time, a 20.27% decrease in investment, and lower worker risk. (2) Monitoring confirmed that all cutting edge and segment values remained safe, demonstrating the method’s feasibility and rationality. (3) Analyzing shaft monitoring data and field uncertainties, this study proposes recommendations for future work, including precise segment lowering control and introducing high-precision total stations and GPS technology to mitigate tunneling and assembly inaccuracies. The research validates the mechanical shaft sinking scheme’s scientific and logical nature, ensuring safety and contributing to technological advancements. It offers practical insights, implementable suggestions, and significant economic benefits, reducing project investment by RMB 41,235,600. This sets a benchmark for subway excavation projects in South China and beyond, providing reliable reference values. Furthermore, the findings provide valuable insights and guidance for industry peers, enhancing overall efficiency and sustainable development in subway construction. Full article

Climatic changes lead to many extreme weather events throughout the globe. These extreme weather events influence our behavior, exposing us to different environmental conditions, such as poor indoor quality. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) poses a significant concern in the modern era, as people spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Ventilation influences key IAQ elements such as temperature, relative humidity, and particulate matter (PM). Children, considered a vulnerable group, spend approximately 30% of their time in educational settings, often housed in old structures with poorly maintained ventilation systems. Extreme weather events lead young students to stay indoors, usually behind closed doors and windows, which may lead to exposure to elevated levels of air pollutants. In our research, we aim to demonstrate how real-time monitoring of air pollutants and other environmental parameters under extreme weather is important for regulating the indoor environment. A study was conducted in a school building with limited ventilation located in an arid region near the Red Sea, which frequently suffers from high PM concentrations. In this study, we tracked the indoor environmental conditions and air quality during the entire month of May 2022, including an extreme outdoor weather event of sandstorms. During this month, we continuously monitored four classrooms in an elementary school built in 1967 in Eilat. Our findings indicate that PM2.5 was higher indoors (statistically significant) by more than 16% during the extreme event. Temperature was also elevated indoors (statistically significant) by more than 5%. The parameters’ deviation highlights the need for better indoor weather control and ventilation systems, as well as ongoing monitoring in schools to maintain healthy indoor air quality. This also warrants us as we are approaching an era of climatic instability, including higher occurrence of similar extreme events, which urge us to develop real-time responses in urban areas. Full article

Water and land resources (WLR) are the most important basic resources for social and economic development. The effective alignment of WLR is crucial for maximizing resource utilization and promoting sustainable regional development. This study focuses on Western Jilin Province (WJP), China, employing the degree of coupling coordination model, spatial autocorrelation, and the center of gravity transfer model to assess and characterize the spatio-temporal differentiation patterns of water and land resource matching from 2006 to 2020. Five indicators—annual average temperature (AAT), urbanization rate (UR), population density (PD), reclamation rate (RR), and water resource utilization rate (WRUR)—were selected as influencing factors. A Tobit model was constructed to elucidate the driving mechanisms behind the evolution of the WLR coupling coordination degree (CCD) in WJP. The results indicate the following: (1) From a temporal perspective, the coupling coordination degree of WLR in WJP has shown a year-on-year increase from 2006 to 2020, transitioning from a moderate imbalance to intermediate coordination, reflecting a trend of continuous improvement. (2) Regarding spatial distribution, the overall center of gravity of water and land resource coupling coordination remained relatively stable between 2006 and 2020; however, the direction of distribution gradually shifted from the northeast to the southwest and then from the northwest to the southeast. (3) The AAT, PD, and RR from 2006 to 2020 were all statistically significant at p < 0.01. Notably, the RR positively influences the CCD of WLR, whereas the AAT and PD exert a negative impact. In contrast, the UR and WRUR do not significantly affect the CCD of WLR. Full article

The aim of this research is to analyze the drivers of young urban residents’ readiness to actively participate in agro living lab (ALL) projects, contributing to sustainable and resilient urban systems. This study is based on a literature review and a survey conducted among students from selected universities in Kraków. Using factor analysis and regression trees, the profiles of the individuals most inclined to participate in ALL projects were identified. The analysis included a wide range of variables, such as education, proximity to agriculture, perception of urban agriculture, and various sociodemographic characteristics. These findings indicate that readiness to engage in ALL projects is strongly associated with respondents’ field of study, interests, and individual experiences. Moreover, participants with positive attitudes toward urban agriculture and personal relationships with farmers were more likely to express a readiness to participate in ALLs. These results provide new insights into the social conditions influencing ALL participation and offer valuable guidance for developing strategies to promote the active engagement of urban populations in sustainable food initiatives. Full article

This study investigates the environmental and socioeconomic dimensions of domestic cycling tourism in Slovenia, focusing on “double pollution” and “greenhushing” practices. The aim is to evaluate the sustainability of cycling tourism by examining its indirect environmental impacts, particularly emissions from ancillary travel behaviours such as car usage to reach cycling destinations. Utilizing data from 2011 to 2021, this research employs factor analyses using the principal component analysis (PCA) extraction method and vector autoregression (VAR) modelling to explore relationships between key socioeconomic, environmental, and tourism-related variables. This study identifies three common factors influencing cycling tourism: (1) socioeconomic and urban dynamics, (2) tourism-driven environmental factors, and (3) climatic sustainability challenges. Results highlight that cycling tourism contributes to emissions due to associated car travel, counteracting its eco-friendly image. Findings reveal that favourable economic conditions and urbanisation drive tourism demand, while increased tourist arrivals correlate with higher emissions. This study also uncovers greenhushing, where stakeholders underreport the environmental costs of cycling tourism, leading to mistaken perceptions of its sustainability. This study concludes that, while domestic cycling tourism supports economic growth and health, its environmental benefits are compromised by ancillary emissions. Transparent environmental reporting, enhanced public transport, and local bike rental systems are recommended to mitigate these challenges and align cycling tourism with Slovenia’s sustainability goals. Full article

Wind energy has emerged as a viable alternative to fossil fuels due to its clean and cost-effective nature. Pakistan, facing growing energy demands and the imperative to reduce carbon emissions, has invested significantly in wind power to supply electric power in rural and urban communities, particularly in the Thatta district of Sindh Province of Pakistan. However, the sustainability of wind energy generation is contingent upon consistent and sufficient wind resources. This study examines the wind potential of Thatta district from 2004 to 2023 to assess its suitability for large-scale wind power development. To evaluate the wind potential of Thatta district, seasonal wind speed and direction data were collected and analyzed. Wind shear at different heights was determined using the power law, and wind potential maps were generated using GIS interpolation techniques. Betz’s law was employed to assess wind turbine power density. Box–Jenkins ARIMA and SARIMA models were applied to predict future wind patterns. This study revealed that Thatta district experienced sufficient wind speeds during the study period, with averages of 9.7 m/s, 7.6 m/s, 7.4 m/s, and 4.8 m/s for summer, autumn, spring, and winter, respectively. However, a concerning trend of decreasing wind speeds has been observed since 2009. The most significant reductions occurred in summer, coinciding with Pakistan’s peak electricity demand. While Thatta district has historically demonstrated potential for wind energy, the declining wind speeds pose a challenge to the sustainability of wind power projects. Further research is necessary to identify the causes of this trend and to explore mitigation strategies. Full article