We examine possible funding sources for constructing Climate Change Haven Communities on a global basis. Areas of the planet that have the potential to house persons migrating to “safe havens” in their own or other ...We examine possible funding sources for constructing Climate Change Haven Communities on a global basis. Areas of the planet that have the potential to house persons migrating to “safe havens” in their own or other countries will require the rapid construction of communities capable of supporting them, their families, businesses and farms. However, different political-economic conditions are found across the areas which can serve as locations for these Climate Change Haven Communities. We develop funding and construction strategies for the United States (free-market capitalism), France and Spain (European Union supported economies), and Taiwan region (state-directed economy). The proposals for the Taiwan region should also be applicable to the rest of China.展开更多
This communication looks at the photo-oxidation of polythene and polypropylene plastic bottle tops that are placed on soil in a hot arid environment. The degree of oxidation of the plastic is monitored by FT-IR spectr...This communication looks at the photo-oxidation of polythene and polypropylene plastic bottle tops that are placed on soil in a hot arid environment. The degree of oxidation of the plastic is monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy. It is noted that while different bottle top types photo-oxidize at different rates, all show an appreciable level of oxidation after half a year of exposure to the environment. The oxidation leads to brittleness of the plastic, which leads to fissure formation in bottle tops of little thickness. This leads to fragmentation of the material upon impact, making plastic bottle tops an appreciable source of microplastics.展开更多
Background: Waste management in Western Area Rural (WAR), Sierra Leone, is plagued by infrastructural and socioeconomic challenges, leading to environmental and health hazards such as flooding, air pollution, and vect...Background: Waste management in Western Area Rural (WAR), Sierra Leone, is plagued by infrastructural and socioeconomic challenges, leading to environmental and health hazards such as flooding, air pollution, and vector-borne diseases. Despite awareness campaigns, informal methods like open dumping and burning dominate. This study applies the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to analyse how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control influence waste management practices and barriers to proper disposal with potential solutions. Methods: A quantitative approach was employed, using stratified random sampling and structured questionnaires to collect data from 333 participants across ten communities in Western Area Rural (WAR). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to examine the relationship between socio-demographic variables and waste management practices. Results: While 98.2% of respondents acknowledged the importance of waste management, limited perceived behavioural control driven by financial constraints (83.8%), inadequate education (83.2%), and insufficient infrastructure (66.4%) hindered effective waste disposal ultimately linking health and environmental risks, such as flooding and marine pollution from plastic waste. Most respondents (68.8%) lacked access to formal waste services, with disposal occurring primarily via open dumping (62.9%) and burning (17.9%). Subjective norms reinforced informal disposal, as community waste-burning remained an accepted practice. Women were disproportionately affected due to economic constraints and larger household sizes. Despite these challenges, 93.1% were willing to engage in community clean-up efforts, indicating strong pro-environmental attitudes constrained by structural barriers. Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for integrated waste management strategies informed by TPB, targeting attitudes through education, reshaping social norms through community-driven initiatives, and enhancing perceived behavioural control by improving infrastructure and financial accessibility. Addressing gender disparities, strengthening public-private partnerships, and expanding recycling and composting programs can foster sustainable waste management in resource-constrained settings.展开更多
Changes in the coastline are characterized by accretion and erosion. The aim of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of the coastline and the study areas with a view to mitigating and ...Changes in the coastline are characterized by accretion and erosion. The aim of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of the coastline and the study areas with a view to mitigating and preventing the risk of coastal erosion in order to propose a coastal occupation model with planned development policies in the future. These phenomena lead to changes in the position of the coastline. After extraction, the satellite images are compiled, then superimposed and processed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for statistical calculation of coastline change rates. A morphosedimentary study is carried out using topography and sedimentology. The topographic method is used to calculate sediment volumes using monthly profiles. The sedimentological method is used to determine the granulometric variations in the morphological units by calculating sedimentological indices. With erosion rates of −2.13 m/yr and −2.17 m/yr respectively at Djiffère (Palmarin and Sangomar breccia) and Joal (Joal Fadhiouth and Ngazobil), the EPR index revealed a sediment deficit. Palmarin Ngallou and the island of Fadhiouth are undergoing accretion at rates of +1.43 m/yr and +1.14 m/yr respectively. From a topographical point of view, the respective accumulations of −13.74 m3/m of beach and −8.65 m3/m of beach at Djiffère and Joal respectively point to significant erosion on all the aerial beach units, while for the underwater beaches, accretion was noted with accumulations of +4.00 m3/m of beach and +5.94 m3/m at Djiffère and Joal respectively. As for the sedimentological results, the Mz index shows a decrease in grain size from the high beach to the surf zone. Some points show bimodal deposits, showing the impact of the dune on beach activity, confirmed by the dispersion on the Mz-sigma diagram. The three methods used in this work show that the Djiffère sector in Joal is dominated by erosion, even though accretion points can be noted.展开更多
This applied research seeks to explore feasible plant design for manufacturing insulation materials for construction projects using waste sheep fleece to address environmental issues related to wasted sheep wool and e...This applied research seeks to explore feasible plant design for manufacturing insulation materials for construction projects using waste sheep fleece to address environmental issues related to wasted sheep wool and enhance the gross national product. The process starts by collecting low-cost sheep fleece from farms and processed via a production line, including scouring, plucking, carding, thermal bonding, and packing. The design process involves determining an optimal location, infrastructure, staffing, machinery, environmental impact, and utilities. A final economic analysis is undertaken to estimate the product’s cost, selling price, and break-even point based on the anticipated capital and operational costs. The plant is intended to process 6778 tons of sheep wool annually. The study suggests that Mafraq Industrial City is a perfect location for the plant, and purchasing land and structures is the optimal option. The projected capital cost is 1,416,679 USD, while the anticipated operational costs amount to 3,206,275 USD. Insulation material production is estimated to be 114,756 m3 annually. The material may be manufactured into 1 m wide, 0.05 m thick sheets for 2.02 USD per square meter. Thus, for a 10-year plant, a 2.47 USD/m2 selling price breaks even in one year.展开更多
As global populations grow, the generation of various waste materials like fats, oils, and grease (FOG), fruit waste, and other perishable wastes increases concurrently. Disposal of these highly putrescible waste prod...As global populations grow, the generation of various waste materials like fats, oils, and grease (FOG), fruit waste, and other perishable wastes increases concurrently. Disposal of these highly putrescible waste products in landfills consumes valuable landfill space. Anaerobic digestion can transform these waste materials into valuable components, including fertilizer and biogas, reducing the demand for landfill space. The current study is based on the hypothesis that incorporating high-strength organic waste into conventional wastewater sludge can enhance the production of onsite biogas at wastewater treatment plants, therefore contributing to the reduction of the plant’s energy demands from the grid. The batch anaerobic biodegradability test assays were performed for 63 days to observe the impact on the biomethane yield from adding high-strength organic waste to the wastewater sludge and to investigate the combined effects of co-digesting two different preselected high-strength organic waste streams. Additionally, physicochemical characterization was performed on different fruit waste juicing residuals to indicate which fruit wastes might increase anaerobic digestion efficiency. The highest methane yield of 243 mL/gVS and 280 mL/gVS, respectively, were obtained with two mixtures having 10% FOG as the sole substrate and 10% FOG along with 10% fruit waste. The study also assessed the siloxane concentrations present as trace contaminants in the biogas samples. An initial economic feasibility assessment of food waste co-digestion at two wastewater treatment plants in Florida was conducted using the Co-Digestion Economic Analysis Tool (CoEAT) model. Based on the laboratory results, the analysis indicated a net positive benefit of $39,472 for a medium-sized plant (10 - 30 MGD capacity) and $52,488 for a larger plant (>30 MGD capacity) after 15 years, while diverting 10 - 18 tons/day of food waste from landfills with an anticipated minimal increase in sludge volume production at food waste additions less than 10% of the digester feed as stated in the literature.展开更多
The department of Tillabéri is primarily affected by climatic phenomena, impacting crop yields, growing cycles, and consequently, the economic outcomes of agricultural operations. The objective of this study is t...The department of Tillabéri is primarily affected by climatic phenomena, impacting crop yields, growing cycles, and consequently, the economic outcomes of agricultural operations. The objective of this study is to analyze these impacts of climate disruption on the economic performance of farms. The methodology adopted for this study combined documentary research with field surveys conducted on a sample of 250 randomly selected farmers. The analytical methods used mainly consisted of linear regression, profitability calculations, and linear programming. The findings indicate that all productions across different crops have experienced a decrease over the past 30 years. For instance, the production of millet, sorghum, and cowpea, which were respectively 812 kg/ha, 260 kg/ha, and 100 kg/ha between the last 30 and 20 years, has now dropped to 412 kg/ha, 106 kg/ha, and 46 kg/ha respectively. A negative and significant effect on agricultural net margin was observed due to variables such as flooding, drought, pest invasion in rice fields, and temperature changes. Smallholder farms show a relatively low margin (46%) to cover their fixed costs, which may indicate a risk if fixed expenses are high. Furthermore, the analysis results from linear programming reveal that farmers could achieve an additional net profit per hectare of 116,861 FCFA, 217201.5 FCFA, and 291988.2 FCFA respectively for small, medium, and large producers by managing variable costs and health-related expenses for households.展开更多
Urban areas worldwide face escalating challenges in managing municipal solid waste (MSW) due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and changing consumption patterns. Inefficient waste management systems contribute...Urban areas worldwide face escalating challenges in managing municipal solid waste (MSW) due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and changing consumption patterns. Inefficient waste management systems contribute to environmental degradation, public health risks, and resource depletion, underscoring the need for innovative solutions. This review employing AI-driven sorting technologies in urban waste management as a transformative framework for sustainable MSW management, emphasizing waste reduction, resource recovery, and closed-loop systems. The paper synthesizes existing literature, case studies, and technological advancements to explore strategies for integrating CE principles into MSW management. Key areas of focus include the application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics;advancements in waste-to-resource technologies;the development of scalable and adaptable CE models tailored to diverse urban contexts;and fostering collaboration among governments, private sectors, and communities. Findings highlight the potential of CE frameworks to minimize waste generation, enhance resource efficiency, and create resilient urban systems. However, significant barriers remain, including technological, financial, and policy challenges. The review concludes by identifying future research directions and actionable recommendations for stakeholders, aiming to advance the global transition toward sustainable urban waste management.展开更多
The Twangiza mine is located in the Mitumba mountain range, in the western part of the Albertine Rift Valley, just 20 km East of Itombwe Nature Reserve. A biological inventory was carried out within the mine’s decade...The Twangiza mine is located in the Mitumba mountain range, in the western part of the Albertine Rift Valley, just 20 km East of Itombwe Nature Reserve. A biological inventory was carried out within the mine’s decade-old progressive ecological rehabilitation sites. This inventory covered insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals. The main objective of the inventory was to assess the level of animal recolonization in the 100-hectares’ restored areas. A total of 22 insect genera, 4 amphibian species, 11 reptile species, 43 bird species and 11 small mammal species were found. All of them were strongly settled in the core area within the afforested sites. Prior to the start of the Twangiza mine activities and 4 years before the ecological rehabilitation in the area, the avifauna was depauperate, both in number of species and their abundance. By then, no mammals or reptiles were recorded within the footprint area. The environmental and social baseline assessment identified 38 bird species in 2008, mainly grassland and mobile species, which were using scrub along valley streams as a refuge, outside the current mine footprint. Our results clearly demonstrate the positive impact of the afforestation on insect, amphibian, reptile, bird and small mammal’s diversity in this area.展开更多
文摘We examine possible funding sources for constructing Climate Change Haven Communities on a global basis. Areas of the planet that have the potential to house persons migrating to “safe havens” in their own or other countries will require the rapid construction of communities capable of supporting them, their families, businesses and farms. However, different political-economic conditions are found across the areas which can serve as locations for these Climate Change Haven Communities. We develop funding and construction strategies for the United States (free-market capitalism), France and Spain (European Union supported economies), and Taiwan region (state-directed economy). The proposals for the Taiwan region should also be applicable to the rest of China.
文摘This communication looks at the photo-oxidation of polythene and polypropylene plastic bottle tops that are placed on soil in a hot arid environment. The degree of oxidation of the plastic is monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy. It is noted that while different bottle top types photo-oxidize at different rates, all show an appreciable level of oxidation after half a year of exposure to the environment. The oxidation leads to brittleness of the plastic, which leads to fissure formation in bottle tops of little thickness. This leads to fragmentation of the material upon impact, making plastic bottle tops an appreciable source of microplastics.
文摘Background: Waste management in Western Area Rural (WAR), Sierra Leone, is plagued by infrastructural and socioeconomic challenges, leading to environmental and health hazards such as flooding, air pollution, and vector-borne diseases. Despite awareness campaigns, informal methods like open dumping and burning dominate. This study applies the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to analyse how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control influence waste management practices and barriers to proper disposal with potential solutions. Methods: A quantitative approach was employed, using stratified random sampling and structured questionnaires to collect data from 333 participants across ten communities in Western Area Rural (WAR). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to examine the relationship between socio-demographic variables and waste management practices. Results: While 98.2% of respondents acknowledged the importance of waste management, limited perceived behavioural control driven by financial constraints (83.8%), inadequate education (83.2%), and insufficient infrastructure (66.4%) hindered effective waste disposal ultimately linking health and environmental risks, such as flooding and marine pollution from plastic waste. Most respondents (68.8%) lacked access to formal waste services, with disposal occurring primarily via open dumping (62.9%) and burning (17.9%). Subjective norms reinforced informal disposal, as community waste-burning remained an accepted practice. Women were disproportionately affected due to economic constraints and larger household sizes. Despite these challenges, 93.1% were willing to engage in community clean-up efforts, indicating strong pro-environmental attitudes constrained by structural barriers. Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for integrated waste management strategies informed by TPB, targeting attitudes through education, reshaping social norms through community-driven initiatives, and enhancing perceived behavioural control by improving infrastructure and financial accessibility. Addressing gender disparities, strengthening public-private partnerships, and expanding recycling and composting programs can foster sustainable waste management in resource-constrained settings.
文摘Changes in the coastline are characterized by accretion and erosion. The aim of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of the coastline and the study areas with a view to mitigating and preventing the risk of coastal erosion in order to propose a coastal occupation model with planned development policies in the future. These phenomena lead to changes in the position of the coastline. After extraction, the satellite images are compiled, then superimposed and processed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for statistical calculation of coastline change rates. A morphosedimentary study is carried out using topography and sedimentology. The topographic method is used to calculate sediment volumes using monthly profiles. The sedimentological method is used to determine the granulometric variations in the morphological units by calculating sedimentological indices. With erosion rates of −2.13 m/yr and −2.17 m/yr respectively at Djiffère (Palmarin and Sangomar breccia) and Joal (Joal Fadhiouth and Ngazobil), the EPR index revealed a sediment deficit. Palmarin Ngallou and the island of Fadhiouth are undergoing accretion at rates of +1.43 m/yr and +1.14 m/yr respectively. From a topographical point of view, the respective accumulations of −13.74 m3/m of beach and −8.65 m3/m of beach at Djiffère and Joal respectively point to significant erosion on all the aerial beach units, while for the underwater beaches, accretion was noted with accumulations of +4.00 m3/m of beach and +5.94 m3/m at Djiffère and Joal respectively. As for the sedimentological results, the Mz index shows a decrease in grain size from the high beach to the surf zone. Some points show bimodal deposits, showing the impact of the dune on beach activity, confirmed by the dispersion on the Mz-sigma diagram. The three methods used in this work show that the Djiffère sector in Joal is dominated by erosion, even though accretion points can be noted.
文摘This applied research seeks to explore feasible plant design for manufacturing insulation materials for construction projects using waste sheep fleece to address environmental issues related to wasted sheep wool and enhance the gross national product. The process starts by collecting low-cost sheep fleece from farms and processed via a production line, including scouring, plucking, carding, thermal bonding, and packing. The design process involves determining an optimal location, infrastructure, staffing, machinery, environmental impact, and utilities. A final economic analysis is undertaken to estimate the product’s cost, selling price, and break-even point based on the anticipated capital and operational costs. The plant is intended to process 6778 tons of sheep wool annually. The study suggests that Mafraq Industrial City is a perfect location for the plant, and purchasing land and structures is the optimal option. The projected capital cost is 1,416,679 USD, while the anticipated operational costs amount to 3,206,275 USD. Insulation material production is estimated to be 114,756 m3 annually. The material may be manufactured into 1 m wide, 0.05 m thick sheets for 2.02 USD per square meter. Thus, for a 10-year plant, a 2.47 USD/m2 selling price breaks even in one year.
文摘As global populations grow, the generation of various waste materials like fats, oils, and grease (FOG), fruit waste, and other perishable wastes increases concurrently. Disposal of these highly putrescible waste products in landfills consumes valuable landfill space. Anaerobic digestion can transform these waste materials into valuable components, including fertilizer and biogas, reducing the demand for landfill space. The current study is based on the hypothesis that incorporating high-strength organic waste into conventional wastewater sludge can enhance the production of onsite biogas at wastewater treatment plants, therefore contributing to the reduction of the plant’s energy demands from the grid. The batch anaerobic biodegradability test assays were performed for 63 days to observe the impact on the biomethane yield from adding high-strength organic waste to the wastewater sludge and to investigate the combined effects of co-digesting two different preselected high-strength organic waste streams. Additionally, physicochemical characterization was performed on different fruit waste juicing residuals to indicate which fruit wastes might increase anaerobic digestion efficiency. The highest methane yield of 243 mL/gVS and 280 mL/gVS, respectively, were obtained with two mixtures having 10% FOG as the sole substrate and 10% FOG along with 10% fruit waste. The study also assessed the siloxane concentrations present as trace contaminants in the biogas samples. An initial economic feasibility assessment of food waste co-digestion at two wastewater treatment plants in Florida was conducted using the Co-Digestion Economic Analysis Tool (CoEAT) model. Based on the laboratory results, the analysis indicated a net positive benefit of $39,472 for a medium-sized plant (10 - 30 MGD capacity) and $52,488 for a larger plant (>30 MGD capacity) after 15 years, while diverting 10 - 18 tons/day of food waste from landfills with an anticipated minimal increase in sludge volume production at food waste additions less than 10% of the digester feed as stated in the literature.
文摘The department of Tillabéri is primarily affected by climatic phenomena, impacting crop yields, growing cycles, and consequently, the economic outcomes of agricultural operations. The objective of this study is to analyze these impacts of climate disruption on the economic performance of farms. The methodology adopted for this study combined documentary research with field surveys conducted on a sample of 250 randomly selected farmers. The analytical methods used mainly consisted of linear regression, profitability calculations, and linear programming. The findings indicate that all productions across different crops have experienced a decrease over the past 30 years. For instance, the production of millet, sorghum, and cowpea, which were respectively 812 kg/ha, 260 kg/ha, and 100 kg/ha between the last 30 and 20 years, has now dropped to 412 kg/ha, 106 kg/ha, and 46 kg/ha respectively. A negative and significant effect on agricultural net margin was observed due to variables such as flooding, drought, pest invasion in rice fields, and temperature changes. Smallholder farms show a relatively low margin (46%) to cover their fixed costs, which may indicate a risk if fixed expenses are high. Furthermore, the analysis results from linear programming reveal that farmers could achieve an additional net profit per hectare of 116,861 FCFA, 217201.5 FCFA, and 291988.2 FCFA respectively for small, medium, and large producers by managing variable costs and health-related expenses for households.
文摘Urban areas worldwide face escalating challenges in managing municipal solid waste (MSW) due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and changing consumption patterns. Inefficient waste management systems contribute to environmental degradation, public health risks, and resource depletion, underscoring the need for innovative solutions. This review employing AI-driven sorting technologies in urban waste management as a transformative framework for sustainable MSW management, emphasizing waste reduction, resource recovery, and closed-loop systems. The paper synthesizes existing literature, case studies, and technological advancements to explore strategies for integrating CE principles into MSW management. Key areas of focus include the application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics;advancements in waste-to-resource technologies;the development of scalable and adaptable CE models tailored to diverse urban contexts;and fostering collaboration among governments, private sectors, and communities. Findings highlight the potential of CE frameworks to minimize waste generation, enhance resource efficiency, and create resilient urban systems. However, significant barriers remain, including technological, financial, and policy challenges. The review concludes by identifying future research directions and actionable recommendations for stakeholders, aiming to advance the global transition toward sustainable urban waste management.
文摘The Twangiza mine is located in the Mitumba mountain range, in the western part of the Albertine Rift Valley, just 20 km East of Itombwe Nature Reserve. A biological inventory was carried out within the mine’s decade-old progressive ecological rehabilitation sites. This inventory covered insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals. The main objective of the inventory was to assess the level of animal recolonization in the 100-hectares’ restored areas. A total of 22 insect genera, 4 amphibian species, 11 reptile species, 43 bird species and 11 small mammal species were found. All of them were strongly settled in the core area within the afforested sites. Prior to the start of the Twangiza mine activities and 4 years before the ecological rehabilitation in the area, the avifauna was depauperate, both in number of species and their abundance. By then, no mammals or reptiles were recorded within the footprint area. The environmental and social baseline assessment identified 38 bird species in 2008, mainly grassland and mobile species, which were using scrub along valley streams as a refuge, outside the current mine footprint. Our results clearly demonstrate the positive impact of the afforestation on insect, amphibian, reptile, bird and small mammal’s diversity in this area.
