scholarly journals Low Adaptive Capacity in Africa and Climate Change Crises

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Adjei ◽  
Elijah Foh Amaning
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Terrestrial Environment ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Geographical Position

The changing climate is unequivocal, and it is generally recognised as a threat to the terrestrial environment due to its cross-sectoral and irreversible impacts. Since the inception of industrial revolution (1750), the concentration of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) in the atmosphere has been compromised. Until the past two centuries, the quantity of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere had never surpassed about 280 part per million (ppm) and 790 part per billion (ppb), respectively. Rise in greenhouse gases (GHGs) has impacted almost every biotic component on the surface of the earth, and regions which have low adaptive capacity and greatly depend on agriculture and biodiversity for livelihood are hard hit. This phenomenon has resulted in global warming, extinction of some fora and fauna species, precipitation variability, extreme weather conditions, migration of biotic creatures from one geographical area to another, melting of icecap, sea level rise, coral breach and so on during the last century. The contribution of emission of greenhouse gases of Africa is insignificant, however, the repercussion of the changing climate is crucial in the region due to the presence of other stressors such as poverty, corruption, diseases, geographical position of the continent, low adaptive capacity, rain-fed agriculture etc., and this has led to conflict over resources usage, food insecurity, forced migration, ill-health and many more.

scholarly journals Dynamical Analysis of the Global Warming

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Tenreiro Machado ◽  
António M. Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Fourier Transforms ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Warming Trend ◽  
Dynamical Analysis ◽  
Temperature Records

Global warming is a major concern nowadays. Weather conditions are changing, and it seems that human activity is one of the main causes. In fact, since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the burning of fossil fuels has increased the nonnatural emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that absorbs the infrared radiation produced by the reflection of the sunlight on the Earth’s surface, trapping the heat in the atmosphere. Global warming and the associated climate changes are being the subject of intensive research due to their major impact on social, economic, and health aspects of human life. This paper studies the global warming trend in the perspective of dynamical systems and fractional calculus, which is a new standpoint in this context. Worldwide distributed meteorological stations and temperature records for the last 100 years are analysed. It is shown that the application of Fourier transforms and power law trend lines leads to an assertive representation of the global warming dynamics and a simpler analysis of its characteristics.

scholarly journals Sustainable healthcare – Time for ‘Green Podiatry’

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Margaret Evans
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Foot Health

Abstract Background Healthcare aims to promote good health and yet demonstrably contributes to climate change, which is purported to be ‘the biggest global health threat of the 21st century’. This is happening now, with healthcare as an industry representing 4.4% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Main body Climate change promotes health deficits from many angles; however, primarily it is the use of fossil fuels which increases atmospheric carbon dioxide (also nitrous oxide, and methane). These greenhouse gases prevent the earth from cooling, resulting in the higher temperatures and rising sea levels, which then cause ‘wild weather’ patterns, including floods, storms, and droughts. Particular vulnerability is afforded to those already health compromised (older people, pregnant women, children, wider health co-morbidities) as well as populations closer to equatorial zones, which encompasses many low-and-middle-income-countries. The paradox here, is that poorer nations by spending less on healthcare, have lower carbon emissions from health-related activity, and yet will suffer most from global warming effects, with scant resources to off-set the increasing health care needs. Global recognition has forged the Paris agreement, the United Nations sustainable developments goals, and the World Health Organisation climate change action plan. It is agreed that most healthcare impact comes from consumption of energy and resources, and the production of greenhouse gases into the environment. Many professional associations of medicine and allied health professionals are advocating for their members to lead on environmental sustainability; the Australian Podiatry Association is incorporating climate change into its strategic direction. Conclusion Podiatrists, as allied health professionals, have wide community engagement, and hence, can model positive environmental practices, which may be effective in changing wider community behaviours, as occurred last century when doctors stopped smoking. As foot health consumers, our patients are increasingly likely to expect more sustainable practices and products, including ‘green footwear’ options. Green Podiatry, as a part of sustainable healthcare, directs us to be responsible energy and product consumers, and reduce our workplace emissions.

RISK ASSESSMENT OF ARCTIC NAVIGATION BY USING IMPROVED FUZZY-AHP APPROACH

2021 ◽  
Vol 157 (A4) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Sahin ◽  
S Kum
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Ahp ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Risk Identification ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Risk Levels ◽  
Global Logistics ◽  
Geographical Position ◽  
Arctic Navigation ◽  
Hull Damage ◽  
Hierarchy Process

In this study, navigational risk factors of the Arctic Ocean are defined and numerical weights of each risk are obtained by using Improved Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (IF-AHP) method after conducting expert consultations. The Northern Sea Route shortens the maritime distance approximately 7000 nautical miles comparing to the conventional Suez Canal route. Therefore, it takes a significant role of being economic and time advantage for global logistics. Its geographical position, presence of ice, heavy weather conditions, strong currents and winds are some risks for Arctic transportation. There always have the possibility of unpredictable catastrophes such as a collision, grounding, hull damage and etc. in this region. Reflections of such unwanted incidents might be very costly for economic, political, environmental and safety concerns. Due to there are limited academic studies regarding to analytical and systematical risk identification and determination of risk levels, this study contributes to complete this academic gap.

Greenhouse gases and green roofs: carbon dioxide and methane fluxes in relation to substrate characteristics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Abdul Halim ◽  
Juliana Vantellingen ◽  
Adam S. Gorgolewski ◽  
William K. Rose ◽  
Jennifer A. P. Drake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Methane Fluxes

scholarly journals Greenhouse gases, global warming and glacier ice melt in Nepal

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Krishna B. Karki
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Greenhouse Effect ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Greenhouse Gasses ◽  
Glacier Ice

Concentration of greenhouse gases has been found increasing over the past centuries. Carbon dioxide (9-26% greenhouse effect), methane (4-9%), and nitrous oxide (3-6%) are the three principal greenhouse gasses though chloroflourocarbon and halon are also included as greenhouse gasses but are in very small greenhouse effect. These gasses are produced both from natural process and anthropogenic activities .Increase of these greenhouse gasses from nature in the atmosphere is mainly from the decomposition of organic matter, nitrification and denitrification of nitrogen including respiration by the plants. Anthropogenic production of carbon dioxide is from burning of fossil fuel whereas for methane livestock and paddy cultivation. Agricultural activities mainly use of mineral fertilizer is responsible for nitrous oxide emission. Increase of these gasses in atmosphere increases temperature that further accelerates evaporation of moisture from the earth’s surface. Increase in water vapor in the atmosphere will further aggravate temperature rise. This increase in atmospheric temperature has direct effect in the melting of glacier ice in Nepalese Himalaya. Melting of ice and increases water volume in the glacier fed rivers and glacier lakes. Rise in water volume beyond its capacity the glacial lakes bursts releasing millions of cubit meters of water and takes million of lives and properties downstream. If this continues there will be no more ice left in the Himalaya and in the long run all the rivers of Nepal will go dry and country will face serious water shortage for drinking, irrigation and other purposes. The Journal of AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 1-7

scholarly journals ANTHROPOGENIC COMPONENT OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM THE TERRITORY OF THE KALININGRAD REGION

2020 ◽  
pp. 94-110
Author(s):  
N.V. Dvoeglazova ◽  
B.V. Chubarenko ◽  
Y.A. Kozlova
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Absorption ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Technology Improvement ◽  
Kaliningrad Region

The increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is influenced to a greater extent by a degree of development of industry, a growth of electrification, deforestation, and the burning of fuel for the production of heating and electricity. The contribution of emissions of each of these factors and the ratio of greenhouse gases in them should be taken into account when developing the measures to prevent climate change. According to calculations of emissions from the territory of the Kaliningrad region the burning of fuel and energy resources are supposed to be playing the main role in the greenhouse gas emission from the territory of the Kaliningrad region. In statistical reference books this activity is described as the “activities for the production and distribution of electricity, gas and water.” The usage of this fuel in the energy sector is increasing: from 1742.4 thousand tons of standard fuel in 1991 up to 2193.9 in 2016. Such little increase in total emissions is due to the general technology improvement in the country. Carbon dioxide makes up the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions from the territory of the Kaliningrad region. The percentage of the gases in the total volume is as follows: CO2 - 96.7%, CH4 - 1%, N2 O - 2.3%. Its emissions for the period from 2013 to 2016 varied from 3,757.4 in 2014 to 4,091.7 in 2015 thousand tons of standard fuel, reaching its maximum value in 2015. The estimate presented in this paper is a lower estimate, since it does not take into account emissions from industrial processes, leaks, land use, waste, etc., as well as from some categories of emission sources due to the lack of data on the use of fuel in the Kaliningrad region. Among other things, the calculations of emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide from the use of fuel by vehicles in 2016, which have shown to be 1.86 times less than from burning of fossil fuels for the same year (2032.87 Gg CO2 eq. and 3914.79 Gg CO2 eq., respectively) and to account for 34.5% of the total emissions, have been made. Moreover, according to the methodology for calculating emissions the factor of carbon dioxide absorption by the region’s forests has been taken into account. The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by forests has shown to be only 11.9% of the emissions of this gas during the combustion of boiler and furnace fuel.

scholarly journals Highly Productive Pine Forests in a Changing Climate

2021 ◽  
pp. 9-23
Author(s):  
Nina F. Kuznetsova ◽  
◽  
Elena S. Klushevskaya ◽  
Elena Yu. Amineva
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Soil Drought ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Vital State

Forest steppe of the Central Chernozem Region (CCR) of Russia belongs to the zone of highly productive pine forests. In 2015, for the first time a partial destabilization of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) was recorded within the territory of the CCR. It affected the population, organism and cellular levels of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The destabilization was caused by the 8-year heatwave of 2007–2014 followed by a sharp drop in the water table and four severe droughts (2007, 2010, 2012, and 2014). The analysis was carried out on two sites of pine forest plantations growing in the environmentally sound region: the Stupino test site (Voronezh region, typical plantation for the CCR) and the Usman site (Lipetsk region, lands with elevated groundwater level). The results of morphological, cytogenetic and biochemical studies of model trees of the Stupino test site during the following periods are presented: 4 optimal years in terms of weather conditions, 2014 drought year and 2015 destabilization year. It was found that prolonged hydrothermal stress resulted in the transition of pine from the basic equilibrium state to a slightly nonequilibrium state. The trigger mechanism for changing their vital state was a severe autumn soil drought in 2014, after which the plants became weakened right before winter. A decrease in cone bioproductivity by the traits of seed fullness and the total number of seeds per cone, a change in population sampling structure, an increase in the number of mitosis pathologies, and an increase in proline content in needles were observed despite optimal weather conditions in 2015. The recovery of species was studied for three subsequent optimal years on the example of the Stupino and Usman populations. Experimental data indicate that the processes of vital state normalization involve profound changes in metabolism and require certain energy expenditures. It took the Stupino population longer to return to the regional norm, which indicates a different depth of destabilization of the tree genetic material of the studied populations. For citation: Kuznetsova N.F., Klushevskaya E.S, Amineva E.Yu. Highly Productive Pine Forests in a Changing Climate. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2021, no. 6, pp. 9–23. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2021-6-9-23

scholarly journals Emission of Greenhouse Gases and Odorants from Pig Slurry - Effect on the Environment and Methods of its Reduction

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Marszałek ◽  
Zygmunt Kowalski ◽  
Agnieszka Makara
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Atmospheric Pollutants ◽  
Gaseous Pollutants ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
Heterogeneous Mixture ◽  
Liquid Fertilizer ◽  
Emission Of Greenhouse Gases

Abstract Pig slurry is classified as a natural liquid fertilizer, which is a heterogeneous mixture of urine, faeces, remnants of feed and technological water, used to remove excrement and maintain the hygiene of livestock housing. The storage and distribution of pig slurry on farmland affect the environment as they are associated with, among others, the emission of various types of gaseous pollutants, mainly CH4, CO2, N2O, NH3, H2S, and other odorants. Methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are greenhouse gases (GHGs) which contribute to climate change by increasing the greenhouse effect. Ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are malodorous gases responsible for the occurrence of odour nuisance which, due to their toxicity, may endanger the health and lives of humans and animals. NH3 also influences the increase of atmosphere and soil acidification. The article presents the environmental impact of greenhouse gases and odorous compounds emitted from pig slurry. Key gaseous atmospheric pollutants such as NH3, H2S, CH4, CO2 and N2O have been characterized. Furthermore, methods to reduce the emission of odours and GHGs from pig slurry during its storage and agricultural usage have been discussed.

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