IMPACTS OF MULTILATERALISM ON CLIMATE CHANGE UNDER THE UNITED NATION

UBIAZA Patricia, OSUNTOGUN A. J (Ph.D)

United Nations (UN) being the largest multilateral organization since its establishment in1945 has surmounted different challenges, however, a daunting challenge of the UN in the twenty-first century is climate change. Climate change has had a pandemonium effect on the global economy, social, and ecosystem of the world. In spite of these challenges, this paper argues that the cure to climate change however rests on strong multilateralism built on mutual trust, inclusion, and solidarity. This study is a call to reflect on the present-day multilateralism under the United Nations. It seeks to analyze how multilateralism has been and can be employed to address Climate Change in the UN. A Socio Legal study. Employing the doctrinal method, this paper adopted secondary data from the Peoples’ Climate Vote organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its partners, including the University of Oxford. The survey was conducted in 2020 having 1.22 million participants across 50 countries and primary data was collated among122 participants in Nigeria. Empirical studies were also undertaken with the aid of structured individual interviews with key participants in specific environmental institutions within Nigeria and the United Nations. Responses from these stakeholders are analyzed with the support of doctrinal methods in making appropriate recommendations. The study revealed that the UN has positively impacted on climate change through its legal frameworks, institutional frameworks, and climate finance, among others.

Keywords: Climate Change, Multilateralism, Unilateralism, United Nations

Effects of Pinus halepensis reforestation on plant biomass and native species in the forest of Beni Sohane (Zloul valley - Morocco)

Khalid Benarchid*, Mohammed Khatori, and Said Hilali

Laboratory Eco-Design, Energy, Environment and Innovation.

Faculty of Science and Technology, Hassan Premier University, Settat – Morocco

(*)Corresponding author: k.benarchid@uhp.ac.ma

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the reforestation of Pinus halepensis on the plant biomass and morphological characteristics of native species in the Beni Sohane forest. Plant biomass of the herbaceous layer was harvested on randomly selected 2 m2 quadrats in reforested plots of ± 12, ± 25, and ± 45 -year-old, and native forest controls. The internode length and leaves dimensions (length and width) were measured on plants randomly selected belonging to four native species Quercus ilex L., Pistacia lentiscus L., Phillyrea augustifolia L., and Cistus creticus L. The results showed that Pinus halepensis reforestation did not affect the above-ground biomass and the leaves and internodes dimensions for the young plantation ±12-year-old. However, it has a negative effect on aboveground biomass, which is exacerbated by the age of planting. The average weight of dry matter was significantly reduced for ± 25-year-old and ± 45-year-old (P < 0.001) compared with the native forest. This has led to the abandonment of pastors of important pastures previously exploited by cattle. Moreover, the raising of Pinus halepensis trees which forms a canopy above all indigenous species leads to changes in the dimensions of internodes and leaves. In fact, for the two oldest plantations, the internodes length, leaf width, and length of the 4 species have been significantly increased. However, their ratio length/width has been significantly decreased. Regular thinning of the P. halepensis trees would be necessary to restore the balance of these ecosystems.

Keywords: Reforestation; Pinus halepensis ; Phytomass ; Exotic species.

Forecasting Agricultural Output Using Machine Learning Approach Based on Random Forest Algorithm: How Important are Environmental and Climate Variables?

Samuel Chibuzor Umeh*, Olushina Olawale Awe & Kehinde Blessing Faloni

*Faculty of Economics and Business, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Bilbao, Spain.

Many researchers have worked on the nexus between agricultural output, climate, and environmental variables in recent times due to the high importance of food security. However, many of the traditional econometric models used are unable to forecast agricultural output with high accuracy. In this study, we examine the forecasting performance of the random forest machine learning algorithm and compare its predictive performance with other machine learning algorithms like K Nearest Neighbourhood (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), Robust Linear Model (RLM), Random Forest (RF), and Least Angle Regression (LARS) using data from Africa´s largest economy, Nigeria. The result shows that the random forest machine learning algorithm outperforms other machine learning algorithms because it has the lowest Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 3500.989 followed by LARS with an RMSE of 3524.157, SVM with RMSE of 3756.603, DT with RMSE of 3863.969, RLM with RMSE of 4032.575 and KNN algorithm with RMSE of 5524.410. Variable importance result shows that temperature is the best predictor of agricultural output in Nigeria followed by CO2 emissions while rainfall has no effect on agricultural output. The correlation plot shows that agricultural output has a strong positive relationship with temperature, a weak positive relationship with rainfall, and a strong negative relationship with CO2 emissions. Therefore, climate-smart agricultural practices, climate education especially for farmers, and carbon neutrality or reduction policies together with research and development should be adopted by the government and policymakers to ensure agricultural sustainability and food security in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Keywords: Forecasting, Machine learning, Random Forest, Climate change, Agricultural Output, Food security

School Climate Assemblies: Empowering Youngsters to Co-create more Sustainable Futures

Gisela Cebrián, Jon Xavier Olano, Anna Boqué and Juan Prieto

Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain

To promote new ways of life and sustainable social practices, people and communities must be able to engage in transformative and community learning processes that promote environmental awareness and action, as well as the acquisition of new sustainability knowledge and competencies. This paper presents the processes and outcomes of Empowering the Educational Community to Adapt to Climate Change (EMPOCLIM) project, an innovative initiative held in the region of Tarragona (Spain) to raise awareness and involve youngsters in sustainability and climate change issues. School climate assemblies have been created and implemented in 5 Secondary Education Schools involving over 500 youngsters actively participating in co-creation processes to identify sustainability actions and to develop an action plan and policy recommendations at local and regional levels. EMPOCLIM emphasizes the strengthening of environmental awareness and the empowerment of young people through education, recognizing their potential to become ambassadors and change agents for climate action and sustainable development in their communities through sharing knowledge and experiences with their families, local communities and policy makers. School climate assemblies, conceived as innovative democratic processes to learn, deliberate, make decisions and seek solutions for change climate and local and regional sustainability, while evaluating its influence on environmental awareness and the development of sustainability competencies. An action plan and policy recommendations document has been produced with all the outcomes and actions proposed during the school climate assemblies, where 8 main recommendations have been identified focused on: energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies; environmental management of industries and control mechanisms; sustainable mobility; preservation and expansion of green and natural spaces; reduce, recycle and reuse and sustainable consumption; Water management and use; environmental education and awareness; sustainable cities and communities.

Keywords: Youth, Environmental education, Climate change, awareness, Spain

COVID as a metaphor for Ecodeath in selected J.P. Clark's "A dream to live " and "Climate change the measure of our times."

Adeniranye, Adeyinka Charles
Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. Email: charlesadeniranye@gmail.com

Abstract

The interaction of man with nature has left the environment battered and, in most cases, without repair in any near future. However, occurrences around us always serve as warning signals of the danger of a lack of ecological concerns; prominently of recent is the COVID pandemic. Against this backdrop, this study looks at the traumatic experiences of the poetic persona in both poems as a way of understanding the danger of ecological destruction and it is that metaphoric representation. The poems have been purposively selected, because of their relevance to the focus of the study, for literary analysis. The study employs the trauma theory for the analysis and discovers that the poetic persona suffers regret and trauma caused by the disconnectedness between their experiences of what nature offered in the past and the realities of what man has turned nature to. The resources of nature present in the villages present life while those of the city presents death just as COVID does. Man's futility at tethering nature is also revealed. This study draws a similarity between the mortal power of COVID and what awaits man if ecological degradation is not checked. The study concludes that the poems capture the realities of the "death drive" that is pushing man to destroy the environment as a precursor to his own destruction so man should protect the environment in all ramifications.

Environmentally Changing World: What should we change?

Grace James
The Green Institute Internship, Covenant University Canaan Land, Ota Ogun State. Email: grace.james@stu.cu.edu.ng

Abstract

The components of the Environment in which we live are one that must be studied by those who live within its confines. Classified into mainly Macro and Microorganisms, the ecosystem is a complex environment affected by natural and anthropogenic factors. Each Organism in the Ecosystem by “ design” is saddled with its own roles, obligations, and regulations to play in the Ecosystem; with a primary goal of maintaining balance in the Ecosystem. With this, we can conclude that humans, as well as plants and even organisms, are connected in the “big cycle” of life, from conception or sprouting to eventual death. In the quest for industrialization and progression, The Human race made compromises to the already balanced state of the Ecosystem. Anthropogenic factors such as the felling of trees for heat sources, filling water bodies to create artificial islands to accommodate bridges and houses for the progression of the human race affected the balance of the Ecosystem. The imbalance created by these factors are effects to the actions previously taken due to poor decision-making, insufficient knowledge of the needed balance in the Ecosystem, and sometimes greed which have disrupted the structure of the natural behavior in the Ecosystem.

Accessing The Quality of Water from Boreholes in The Southern Part of The Ashanti Gold Belt

Daniel Nana Yaw Nyarko
University of Mines and Technology, P.O. Box 237, Tarkwa, Ghana. Email: nynyarko9@gmail.com

Grace Ofori-Sarpong
Professor, University of Mines and Technology, P.O. Box 237, Tarkwa, Ghana. Email: gofori-sarpong@umat.edu.gh

Richard Kwasi Amankwah
Professor, University of Mines and Technology, P.O. Box 237, Tarkwa, Ghana. Email: rkamankwah@umat.edu.gh

ABSTRACT

Water is one of the earth’s most abundant natural resources which supports a lot of domestic and industrial activities. Diverse socio-economic activities however exert a significant impact on the natural fluctuations of the streamflow and the quality of freshwater resources. In mining areas, the impact of water bodies may be due to mining, mine drainage, and processing effluent. This work thus sought to determine the quality of water from boreholes in the southern parts of the Ashanti Gold Belt, the most prominent gold belt in Ghana which hosts more than 50% of gold mining activities and to investigate whether changes in water quality were due to mining activities, geo-chemical or human factors. Water samples from 48 boreholes in the study area were analyzed to determine their physicochemical characteristics in order to evaluate the factors affecting the water quality. Analyses of the samples indicated that most of the water bodies had relatively lower pH values, mostly below the threshold limit. A substantial percentage of the samples contained high levels of manganese, iron, mercury, and chromium. These might be due to geochemical and biochemical oxidation of sulphides. Calcium, copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, and nickel were however in trace quantities.

Keywords: Water Quality, Ashanti Gold Belt, Geochemical Activities, Mining Activities, Borehole

REPOSITIONING AND TRANSITIONING EDUCATION DELIVERY BEYOND COVID -19 FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

GRACE CHIBIKO OFFORMA
PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA.

Abstract

The year 2020 was the 5th year of the signing of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by the United Nations. Most countries are still grappling with the implementation of the 17 goals when COVID-19 Pandemic struck, disrupting education at all levels. Education is the hub of all developments and requires the utmost attention to attain the SDGs. Among the greatest challenges presented by the pandemic was how to adapt a system of education built around physical schools. More than 188 countries (91%) of enrolled learners worldwide closed their schools to contain the spread of the virus. This impacted seriously the learners, especially the vulnerable ones. Most educational institutions swiftly switched over to an online mode of education. They were unprepared and had humongous challenges in integrating technology, providing hard and soft wares, adjusting curriculum and assessment, etc. UNESCO (2020) recorded that the educational experiences of nearly 1.6 billion students of all ages, were disrupted. This calls for repositioning and transitioning the education delivery, to attain sustainable development. While this repositioning entails adjusting, changing, or altering the pedagogy, the tools, human resources, and the environment; transitioning means progression, or simply movement to a higher-level, all-in pursuit of the educational goals. In this presentation, the impact of COVID-19 on education delivery, the challenges, the need for repositioning and transitioning education delivery, and the way forward to attain sustainable development are discussed.

Keywords: Education, SDGs, COVID-19, Technology

Fostering Gender Equality for Sustainability in Africa

Adenike A. Akinsemolu
The Green Institute

Arijeniwa Foluke Victoria
The Green Institute

Abstract

Fostering gender equality is an important aspect of the development strategy that yearns to enable individuals to minimize their poverty levels and improve their standards of living. One of the crucial sustainable development elements is to handle the natural resource foundation on which anthropogenic activity relies. On the contrary, the socially constructed roles of women and men and deprivation of women because of discrimination, employment discrimination, as well as traditional attitudes are sources of sustainability initiative concerns. The study embraced the review of secondary information and data in looking at the gender issues across and in the sustainable development facets. Investing in women and girls, supporting their needs as home-based consumers, entrepreneurs, producers, workers, and instituting a sustainability framework that challenges the discriminatory social practices and norms will not only spur gender equality but also achieve sustainability. This article is important because it contributes knowledge in sustainable development, gender, and environmental studies. It acknowledges the importance of women for economic growth, good governance, social development, human rights protection, and environmental protection. Recommendations for spearheading gender equality are also provided to enable Africa to navigate the challenges it faces and lead to rapid socio-economic and political development. 

Keywords: gender equality, sustainability, empowerment, social development, economic growth, environmental protection.

Assessing results of the components of the water poverty index in the communities of the area of influence of the Chingaza National Natural Park in Fomeque, Colombia

Maria Paula Ramirez Medina 
Environmental engineer from Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose de Caldas. Technical intern at the Green Institute. E mail: mpramirezm@outlook.com  mpramirezm@correo.udistrital.edu.co 

Daniel Felipe Romero Cruz 
Environmental engineer, from Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose de Caldas.  Email: dcruz.34724@gmaill.com daniel.romero@esap.edu.co

Alvaro  Martin Gutierrez M
Professor at Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose de Caldas and thesis director of “Perception of the water resources in the communities of the area of influence of the influence PNN Chingaza, municipality of Fomeque”. Email: amgutierrezm@udistrital.edu.co 

Abstract

The link between water and poverty is strongly intertwined. A sound assessment of water scarcity is crucial to identify priority areas in the water sector and develop appropriate strategies to intervene in these communities. The calculation of the Water Poverty Index (HPI) allows the conversion of qualitative aspects; the environmental perception of a community about the water resource, to quantitative values combining physical, biotic, and socioeconomic elements. The calculation of the Water Poverty Index (HPI) of this study was carried out under the sustainability approach, holistic perspective, and was evaluated based on geometric analysis. This study shows an application of the Water Poverty Index to estimate and compare the level of water scarcity in 5 hamlets located in the Negro river sub-basin, belonging to the buffer zone of the Chingaza National Natural Park in Colombia.
55 households were selected using the stratified random sampling technique for the identification of environmental perceptions and 20 indicators to estimate the 5 key components described by the Index.
The result of the study shows a medium-low degree (54.74) of water poverty in the Rio Negro sub-basin. The index score varies greatly (from 40.29 to 62.85) along the buffer zone and it was found that the hamlets closer to the urban area suffer more from water scarcity compared to the hamlets bordering the protected area.

Keywords: water scarcity, Water Poverty Index (WPI), environmental impact, poverty level.

Space-time analysis of brain farming in the Jaguaribe River estuary (Aracati), Ceara State

Nayara Paiva Vieira  
University of Fortaleza. Amancio Valente Street nº 1555 – Ceara/Brazil . Email: nayarapdv5511@edu.unifor.br

Márcia Thelma Rios Donato Marino 
Dr.Professor at University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR). Engenheiro Leal Lima Verde Street nº21 – Ceara/Brazil . Email: marino@unifor.br

Leonardo Holanda Lima 
ESG Advisor at Industries of Federation of the State of Ceara. Tiangua Street nº457 – Ceara/Brazil . Email: leonardoengambiental13@gmail.com

Abstract

The research is essential to understanding environmental issues in coastal areas of Brazil, and it is participatory on the east coast of the state of Ceará. The main objective of this work was to carry out a spatiotemporal analysis of the impacts related to the Jaguaribe River estuary. The Geographic Information System - GIS method was applied to the elaboration of maps and data extraction. Recognition of areas modified by shrimp farming activities and spatiotemporal analysis of environmental impacts, over 16 years (2004 to 2020), as well as the quantification of urbanized areas placed in Permanent Protection Areas - APP in the river estuary Jaguaribe, were performed through digital image processing. Judging by the results collected by the spatiotemporal analysis, there are punctual anthropic changes in the Jaguaribe river estuary. In 16 years, the most striking factors in the survey are associated with the increase in shrimp farming by 6.92% and urbanization by 1.12%, as well as the reduction of vegetation by 15.16%. The stretch of beach, dunes, permanent preservation area, and the Jaguaribe river watershed are features that have reduced in these 16 years, not so expressive, but lacking further studies of the environmental reality. The exposed soil registered a growth of 12.66%, a number directly proportional to the reduction in vegetation. In these circumstances, it is known that the lack of urban planning and commitments to environmental legislation were not fulfilled, leading to the destruction of portions of the mangrove ecosystem and areas of permanent preservation.

Keywords: spatiotemporal analysis, Jaguaribe River, estuary, shrimp farming, Brazil

Estimate of environmental and economic gains from domestic vermicomposting associated with an organic garden in a single-family residence

Leonardo Holanda Lima 
ESG Advisor at Industries of Federation of the State of Ceara. Tiangua Street nº457 – Ceara/Brazil . Email: leonardoengambiental13@gmail.com

Gabriel Ferdinando Moreira Pesente 
Student of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering at University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR). Washington Soares Avenue nº1321 – Ceara/Brazil. Email: ferdinando97@hotmail.com

Lamarka Lopes Pereira
Dr.Professor at University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR). Washington Soares Avenue nº1321 – Ceara/Brazil. Email: lamarka@unifor.br

Abstract

The disposal of household waste in landfills or dumps and the excessive consumption of pesticides that cause diseases and pollute the environment are problems in modern society. This work is justified by the proposition of alternative solutions that alleviate the mentioned problems. Domestic vermicomposting was presented as a treatment technique for these residues, associated with the use of compost produced in an organic garden for a single-family residence with five inhabitants, for a period equivalent to 3 months. For vermicomposting, the worm of the species Eisenia fetida was used, not using citrus residues, strong seasonings, and leftovers from cooked or fried foods to minimize problems with earthworms and vectors. Treated residues were weighed, as well as all vegetables and legumes as harvested. As a result, it was estimated that if at least 10% of the population of Fortaleza adopted such practices, around 15,646.85 tons/year of waste would no longer be sent to the landfill, equivalent to an estimated savings of R$ 3,129,369, 96 / year. Regarding the economy with food taken from the organic garden nourished by the fertilizer produced in the residence, it was estimated a value of R$ 221.75/month for the family. It is concluded, based on the values ​​found, that the techniques are economically viable.

Keywords: Physical waste. Vermicomposting. Residential organic garden.

Contribution to sustainable communities in North Macedonia: A Case Study of DECOS project

Suzana Kasovska Georgieva
Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy-IECE.  suzana@iege.edu.mk

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present an attempt in modification of communities to sustainable living in North Macedonia. With the educational program “Developing Eco Skills for a Green Economy-DECOS” communities in North Macedonia were enabled to upgrade their green skills on personal, organizational, and societal levels, and therefore to contribute to higher self-sustainability, organizational and societal sustainability.

Needs analyses with communities assessing their awareness on sustainable living, with special attention to sustainability, waste, and energy management were conducted. Results from the study help answer the questions concerning sustainability in the communities in North Macedonia.

Results provide detailed insights which were used later in educational activities (program DECOS) and policy-making for sustainable development. Models for solutions for green economy were developed, actions for eco skills in sustainability, waste, and energy management were facilitated. The target group consisted of adult learners, companies, industrial sector, public institutions, ministries, NGOs from North Macedonia.

The analyses and courses increased the awareness of communities on sustainability and influenced their living style for more societal sustainability.

This research contributes to the field by offering new findings in a relatively new and unexplored area of study in North Macedonia. Also, the results from the study can be related in finding solutions for modification of the communities to more sustainable living.

Keywords: Sustainable communities, Eco skills, Green economy, DECOS, North Macedonia.

ELIMINATE POVERTY BY OVERSEEING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL COMMUNITIES

Shashi Mehta

Assistant Professor, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University Haryana. shashimehta.25@gmail.com

Abstract

Ecosystem services play a significant role in running the livelihood of rural communities. It provides a wide range of services to the rich and poor equally. The paper explicit that rich and poor both are dependent on resources but their purpose of usage is different. Rich people are economically strong and still consume more eco-services for making profits. In contrary to this, the poor are directly dependent on the ecosystem for meeting the requirement of large size of family and livelihood. The present paper has made an attempt to comprehend the socio-economic conditions of the households and assessed their dependency on ecosystem services available in the surrounding. The case study approach has been taken into account for in-depth analysis. Both primary and secondary data were collected for analyzing the status of ecosystem services and its impact on people’s livelihood. The collected data were analyzed through qualitative and quantitative methods for a better illustration of the case study. The research has tried to develop an integrated framework for sustainable living of rural communities with an emphasis on management of ecosystem services. The paper has asserted that a greater involvement of institutions is vital for eradicating poverty through better management of ecosystem services at the local level.

Keywords: Ecosystem Services, Poverty, Livelihood, Rural Communities, Institutions

Aligning the City of Tampa with the Sustainable Development Goals: Lessons Learned and Future Directions

Brooke Hansen
Director, SDG Action Alliance, Patel College of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida 

Brittney Glennon
Cities and the SDGs Project Coordinator SDG Action Alliance, Patel College of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida 

Luke Westlake
Sustainable Business Planning and Project Coordinator SDG Action Alliance, Patel College of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida

ABSTRACT

 Under the recently formed SDG Action Alliance, a UN partnership, student interns at the Patel College of Global Sustainability at the University of South Florida have completed several projects to align the 17 Sustainable Development Goals with the City of Tampa. However, initial attempts resulted in many different documents that were not in a digestible format for policymakers, city officials, or the public. Interns decided to create a social media marketing Canva presentation that summarizes the 17 SDGs for the City of Tampa in a colorful and simple format noting where the city falls short of targets and indicators and where substantive progress is being made. There are also sections that highlight exemplary SDG projects the city has completed. The research was conducted using a comparative case study approach to identify best practices for aligning the SDGs with Los Angeles, USA, and Bristol, UK, as the exemplars. While Tampa currently does not have the capacity to conduct the Voluntary Local Review that is the foundation of most city alignments, the Sustainability and Resilience Officer is interested in beginning the process with the current sustainability plans and road maps the city has adopted. The need for SDG adoption was made apparent when a recent stormwater management green bond application vetted by Moody’s ESG Solutions required SDG alignment using their new SDG Alignment Screening Tool for investors. Other justifications for cities to align with the SDGs will be presented, as well as challenges encountered in data collection and recommendations for other municipalities.  

Key Words: SDGs, sustainability assessment, sustainable cities, social media marketing

Immersive Learning Environments for Environmental and Sustainability Education

Paula MacDowell
Educational Technology and Design, University of Saskatchewan, Canada. paula.macdowell@usask.ca

Brent Olson
Educational Technology and Design, University of Saskatchewan, Canada. bjo935@mail.usask.ca

Abstract

Despite the growing global problems of unsustainable consumption, exploitation of resources, and environmental degradation, which threaten the planet’s health and our survival, many students and teachers remain largely uninvolved in climate change action or discourse for sustainable living. Crucially, today’s children and youth deserve to be better educated on what uncontrolled and unsustainable consumption patterns mean for their future. Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is highly complex and challenging in traditional classroom settings, such that students understand the connections between their actions and the consequences on the environment. The purpose of this study was to identify how to design immersive virtual environments that foster youth capacity-building around sustainability education and environmental stewardship. Seven youth (ages 12-18), two teachers, and two researchers used the Oculus Quest headset to explore the SDGs in the social virtual reality platform AltspaceVR (weekly meetings were two hours for a period of three months). Participants experienced guided learning adventures in virtual worlds about the SDGs and completed a presentation to demonstrate their learning. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were used for data collection and analysis, including surveys, participant observation, and a group interview. Findings show that engaging youth with immersive virtual experiences can be an effective and affordable solution for visualizing issues like climate breakdown and increasing empathy for conservation efforts to protect the Earth. An essential contribution from the research is how teachers and designers can use immersive virtual reality to enhance the classroom learning environment by engaging learners' sense of wonder, agency, and presence.

Keywords: sustainability education, immersive virtual reality, learning environments, SDGs

Textile Composting to Find Solutions Around Textile Waste and Carbon Emissions: A Circular Economy Pilot Composing Project

Ericka Leigh,

Jasmine Seitz,

Hector Fontanet

Abstract

The average American throws away 82 lbs. of clothes per year for 17 billion lbs. Annually, where 85% is landfilled or burned, leaching toxins into the air, soil, and groundwater. Fashion production contributes 10% of global carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. The mounting issues involving textiles, fast fashion, and sustainability are being addressed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and various stakeholders in the textile industry. At the fourth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4), the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion was formed to raise awareness about the many impacts of the clothing supply chain and to promote circular economy solutions. A pilot project led by Ericka Leigh, compost expert and founder of Sewn Apart, is generating data to explore solutions to textile waste management. Rather than landfilling fabrics or shipping overseas, a partnership between the University of South Florida and several organizations led by Sewn Apart started a textile composting project at the Rosebud Continuum Sustainability Education Center to explore reducing textile waste by composting it instead. By doing so, reusable items are diverted from the waste stream, compost for sustainable agriculture is created, and carbon is sequestered in the soil which pulls CO2 from the atmosphere and adds regenerative nutrients back to the Earth. Students from the USF Patel College of Global Sustainability, GLOBE, and SDG Action Alliance volunteer for the project and gain hands-on experience and transferable skills in waste management, composting, testing for soil toxicity, and learning about the unsustainable practices rampant in the fashion industry. Results to date of the project will be presented as well as a discussion of scalability and future directions.

Keywords: textiles, fashion, SDGs, composting, regenerative agriculture, circular economy

Dynamics of Climate Change Induced Migration: Scenario from Coastal Regions of Bangladesh

M Manjurul Islam

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist, Climate Change and DRR Programme, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, Bangladesh.

Ashish Barua

Programme Manager, Climate Change and DRR Programme, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, Bangladesh.

Moumita Sen

Junior Programme Officer, Climate Change and DRR Programme, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Climate change-induced migration is a frequent occurrence in climate-vulnerable areas, and Bangladesh, as one of the most vulnerable countries, is no exception. Migratory patterns are prevalent in coastal areas of Bangladesh because of climate change's consequences on slow-onset and fast-hitting catastrophes. Khulna and Bagerhat are two of Bangladesh's most climate-vulnerable districts, and climate-induced migration is a critical adaptation strategy in the region. The purpose of this study was to identify and understand the existing dynamics that have happened due to climate change-induced migration. Quantitative and qualitative techniques have been used to gather data in a credible and reliable approach. Household questionnaire survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) techniques were used for data collection in the study sites. In the studied areas, seasonal and out-migration are extremely frequent. Climate-related calamities have caused forced migration in the Morrelganj, Paikgacha, and Koyra Upazila of Khulna and Bagerhat districts. Conferring to the study, approximately 60% of families in the studied areas move from one location to another to pursue work and a better life. Therefore, it is necessary to establish links between the places of origin of migration (climate-affected coastal villages) and the destinations of migration (cities and communities) to provide safer mobility and risk management in the situation of forced migration due to climate change. Considering the number of job and employment options in the hosting locations, it could be possible to provide skills development training, semi-skill employment, and entrepreneurship, and capacity-building skills to help people earn more and live a better quality of life.

Keywords: Climate Change, Migration, Coastal Region, Bangladesh, Mobility, Dynamics

POTENTIALS OF MICROALGAE IN BIOFUEL PRODUCTION

Asmau I. Safana
Department of Biology, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina. asmau.safana@umyu.edu.ng

Dr T.S Imam
Department of Biological Sciences, Bayero University Kano. tijjanimam70@gmail.com

Abstract

Microalgae are organisms found in freshwater, lakes, and rivers, as well as brackish and marine waters. They have a great potential for creating biodiesels, this is imperative as the reliance on fossil fuels is fast depleting. Algal species grow in a wide variety of environments, from freshwater through saturated saline. Algal efficiently use CO2 and are responsible for more than 40% of the global carbon fixation, with the majority of this productivity coming from marine microalgae. Algae can produce biomass very rapidly, with some species doubling in as few as 6 hours and many exhibiting two doublings per day. All algae have the capacity to produce energy-rich oils, and a number of microalga species have been found to naturally accumulate high oil levels in total dry biomass. Further work is needed on commonly available algal species in our aquatic habitats to explore the vast potentials of these organisms and the need for improvement of the protocols towards optimization of oil yield from the microalgae. Molecular knowledge on the genes responsible for the production of biofuels is vague, therefore, there is also the need to bridge this knowledge gap. Facilities for bio-diesel extraction and application for algal species are grossly inadequate, thus, there is also the need to address this constraint.

Keywords: Microalgae, fossil fuels, biodiesel, environment.

IT IS POSSIBLE: CREATING SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Prof. Dr. Angelina Taneva-Veshoska

Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering, and Energy, Skopje, N.Macedonia. angelina@iege.edu.mk

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Slavica Trajkovska

Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering, and Energy, Skopje, N.Macedonia. slavica.trajkovska@iege.edu.mk

Ana Tomikj

Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering, and Energy, Skopje, N.Macedonia. ana.tomik@iege.edu.mk

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the process of creating sustainability leaders through specialised educational program. This research assesses the short and long-term impact of the educational program “Sustainability Leadership“ that was implemented in three countries (North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Lithuania) with over 50 professionals.  

Survey research was conducted through interviews with participants who have been a part of the program “Sustainability Leadership” in three countries. The research presents how the program has changed the participant’s professional orientation and career progress in the field of sustainability and assesses their role as sustainability leaders in their environment. Moreover, the research analyse the content and the quality of the specialised educational program and proposes learning paths, methods, and techniques in creating sustainability leaders. 

The results from the research present the benefits of this educational program and the impact it has on the participants and their organisations. This research provides in-depth analysis of the program “Sustainability Leadership“ and assess the introduction of different mindset and new behaviours in the participant’s organisation. The holistic approach of the program allows sustainability leaders to manage complexity, communicate their vision, propose new challenges and think long term in the process of creating economic sustainability.   

This paper contributes to the field by offering support and new findings. This research adds to the body of literature in what is considered a relatively new and innovative educational program that can be implemented in other countries.

Keywords: Economics, Management, Leadership, Education, Sustainability, Organizations.