scholarly journals Beyond a Sustainable Consumption Behavior: What Post-pandemic World Do We Want to Live in?

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biagio F. Giannetti ◽  
Tamara Fonseca ◽  
Cecília M. V. B. Almeida ◽  
José Hugo de Oliveira ◽  
Wagner C. Valenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
First Century ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Input State ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Taking Action

The Covid-19 pandemic has uncovered the foremost struggles of the twenty first century: social-economic inequality, global value chains, national security, and the environmental crisis. None of these seems novel, as many staged fiction dystopias have been predicting and warning mankind about the negative impacts of unsustainable consumption behaviors by displaying scenarios of exponential human population and economy growth. Several scientific tools for assessing sustainability have been developed to cover social, economic, and environmental aspects, however, most of them are simply used either separately or without a solid conceptual model supporting an epistemological construct to allow for deeper and scientific-based discussions on sustainability. This work presents a perspective about possible scenarios of the world's sustainability, based on a straightforward integrated framework for its quantification. The three capitals of sustainability, summarized as environmental sustainability, productivity and happiness are combined, based on the input-state-output model, and further plotted on a 3-axis graph. Eight different combinations of the three capitals show eight potential future worlds. The least desirable scenario, named “Ineffective,” depicts an environmentally unsustainable, unhappy and poor world, whereas “Paradise” is the utopia to be pursued: happy, environmentally sustainable and productive. Societies' decisions on taking action after quantitatively measuring and monitoring sustainability will be determinant in placing the world on a more developed and sustainable path, and the model proposed in this work can be useful in promoting discussions in this direction.

scholarly journals The transformative effect of the introduction of water volumetric billing in a disadvantaged housing area in Sweden

Water Policy ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 973-990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikael Mangold ◽  
Greg Morrison ◽  
Robin Harder ◽  
Pernilla Hagbert ◽  
Sebastien Rauch
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Ecological Modernization ◽  
Water Usage ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Household Economies ◽  
Housing Area ◽  
Payment Schemes ◽  
Negative Impacts

Domestic water payment schemes are often a product of their time, place and what is perceived to be customary. Aspects that payment schemes can take into account include resource conservation, equity, maintainability, and profitability. In contemporary Sweden profitable environmentally sustainable solutions are promoted, such as the introduction of volumetric billing of water in rental apartments. This paper describes the detailed consequences of this change in the payment structure for domestic water in terms of reduced resource consumption, direct impact on household economies and perceptions of the system's change process. By combining high-resolution quantitative data on water usage and socio-economic household characteristics with qualitative data from semi-standardized interviews with residents, it is possible to identify the different impacts of the system's change and how the process was experienced. It was shown that while water usage decreased by 30%, 63% of the households had increased monthly costs, and unemployed residents were further disadvantaged and closer to social exclusion. Focusing on making environmental sustainability profitable, as posited in ecological modernization theory, may shadow negative impacts on social sustainability.

Introduction to Environmental Nanotechnology

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Rabia Nazir
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
First Century ◽  
Environmental Applications ◽  
Environment Protection ◽  
Environmental Nanotechnology ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Twenty First Century ◽  
Negative Impacts

With the advent of industrialization, there are new technological developments going on which have triggered the new researches and fields. Nanotechnology is one such field that is marked as twenty-first century industrial revolution and led to the development of various products that have impacted life in almost every field. Among these fields, nanotechnology has contributed significantly to the environment protection and its remediation by addressing issues that have been threatening the human for long. In this regard, several nanomaterials have been synthesized and many more are still in pipeline. No doubt the field has made great contributions and has bestowed human with various amenities by enhancing atom efficiency, use of fewer chemicals, less energy and other resource, reduction in waste, providing better materials, and technology for environmental applications promising environmental sustainability, however there are certain negative impacts that still need to be explored.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Off-Grid Solar Energy Implementation in the Aracari Community in Novo Airão - Amazonas

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 756-764
Author(s):  
Andreza Pinto de Oliveira ◽  
Fabiana Rocha Pinto ◽  
David Barbosa de Alencar ◽  
Gisele De Freitas Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Photovoltaic Generation ◽  
Power Outage ◽  
Potential Demand ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
System Project

The challenges of bringing electricity to isolated communities in the Amazon are extremely complex, especially due to their large territorial extension. However, photovoltaic solar energy technology becomes a viable alternative for electrification of isolated regions. In view of this possibility, the concessionaire responsible for the distribution of electricity in the state of Amazonas, Amazonas Energia, prepared a project and implemented photovoltaic generation and distribution systems in twelve communities, located in six municipalities in the Amazon. Therefore, this research aimed to present the analysis of the off-grid photovoltaic system project, which aims at serving the Aracari community in Novo Airão - AM, as well as its positive and negative impacts after the project implementation, considering the tripod variables. of sustainability. The analysis of the results showed that the installed system presents major problems in relation to maintenance, a situation attributed to the lack of resources forecasting and disarticulation of this initiative with public policies aimed at social, economic and environmental sustainability. Consequently, the installed system cannot meet the potential demand of the community, since due to the lack of maintenance and operation services, it caused the system to be interrupted, in which there was a power outage in the mini plant, rendering it inoperative.

scholarly journals Studi Persepsi Masyarakat terhadap Tingkat Keberlanjutan Wilayah Pesisir Kecamatan Sarang

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Nikken Adita Arifiani ◽  
M. Mussadun
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
The Social ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
Approach Method

<p class="Abstract"><em><span lang="EN-US">The dynamics of development that occurs in coastal areas have an impact on the coastal environment including environmental degradation, coastal erosion, tidal flood, and slums. This study aims to determine the public perception of the sustainability of coastal areas in Sarang Sub-district based on indicators of sustainable development from the social, economic, and environmental aspects. The study used quantitative approach method with scoring analysis techniques and descriptive qualitative of coastal area conditions to determine the level of sustainability in coastal areas. The level of sustainability of coastal areas in Sarang Sub-district is divided into three criteria, i.e.high, medium and low level. The analysis results show that the level of sustainability coastal areas of Sarang Sub-district is on medium level, both from the social, economic, and environmental aspects. The medium scale shows that </span></em><em>the </em><em><span lang="EN-US">development and resource utilization occurred in the coastal areas of Sarang Sub-district has been able to improve the welfare of society and can be tolerated in terms of the environment</span></em><em>. However, </em><em><span lang="EN-US">low awareness about the cleanliness of the environment still needs to be considered so that the environmental degradation does not occur in coastal areas of Sarang Sub-district and can remain sustainable in the future. Increase</span></em><em>ing the</em><em><span lang="EN-US"> public awareness of environmental hygiene is very important to be implemented. The community should ha</span></em><em>ve </em><em><span lang="EN-US">the awareness to </span></em><em>the </em><em><span lang="EN-US">environmental sustainability in order to prevent environmental degradation and the emergence of hazards, such as abrasion and rob.</span></em></p>

The Political and Aesthetic Power of the Everyday in Beckett's Happy Days

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-66
Author(s):  
Julie Bates
Keyword(s):  
Second World War ◽  
First Century ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
The Political ◽  
Algerian War ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
The Last Man ◽  
Second World

Happy Days is contemporaneous with a number of seminal contributions to the concept of the everyday in postwar France. This essay suggests that the increasingly constrained verbal and physical routines performed by its protagonist Winnie constitute a portrait of the everyday, and goes on to trace the affinities between Beckett's portrait and several formulations of the concept, with particular emphasis on the pronounced gendering of the everyday in many of these theories. The essay suggests the aerial bombings of the Second World War and methods of torture during the Algerian War as potential influences for Beckett's play, and draws a comparison with Marlen Haushofer's 1963 novel The Wall, which reimagines the Romantic myth of The Last Man as The Last Woman. It is significant, however, that the cataclysmic event that precedes the events of Happy Days remains unnamed. This lack of specificity, I suggest, is constitutive of the menace of the play, and has ensured that the political as well as aesthetic power of Happy Days has not dated. Indeed, the everyday of its sentinel figure posted in a blighted landscape continues to articulate the fears of audiences, for whom the play may resonate today as a staging of twenty-first century anxiety about environmental crisis. The essay concludes that in Happy Days we encounter an isolated female protagonist who contrives from scant material resources and habitual bodily rhythms a shelter within a hostile environment, who generates, in other words, an everyday despite the shattering of the social and temporal framework that conventionally underpin its formation. Beckett's play in this way demonstrates the political as well as aesthetic power of the everyday in a time of crisis.

A Scientific World-View of Nature and Environmental Problem with a Special Concentration on Seyyed Hossein Nasr’s Understanding of Environmental Sustainability (Perspektif Sains terhadap Krisis Alam dan Persekitaran: Pemikiran Seyyed Hossein Nasr tentan)

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 312-328
Author(s):  
Md. Abu Sayem
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
World View ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
World Views ◽  
Renaissance Humanism ◽  
Spiritual World ◽  
Scientific World ◽  
European Renaissance

The present paper attempts to expose how the scientific world-view of nature contributes to the present environmental crisis. Alongside this, it relates European Renaissance, humanism, secularism, the scientific and industrial revolutions, modern philosophy, scientism, technology-based modern life, consumerism-based modern society, etc. with current environmental problems. By focusing on Nasr’s traditional understanding of nature, the paper explores how materialistic and mechanistic world-views are deeply connected with the present ecological crisis. It also offers a critical analysis of Nasr’s spiritual and religious world-view of nature and examines its relevance. In doing so, it aims to highlight some demerits of the present world-view, and to call to reform current perceptions of nature by revitalizing traditional wisdom in order to protect the environment from further degradation. Thus, the paper is scholarly addition to the ongoing discourse on the issue of religions and the environment. Keywords: Eco-theology, Environmental Degradation, Materialistic and Mechanistic Views of Nature, Scientism, Spiritual Crisis of Modern humans, Religious and Spiritual World-Views.   Abstrak Kertas kajian ini menerangkan bagaimana pandangan saintifik telah menyumbang kepada krisis alam sekitar semasa. Disamping itu, kertas ini akan menhubungkaitkan Gerakan Revolusi Humanisma di Eropah, sekularisme, revolusi  sains dan perindustrian, falsafah moden, saintisme, kehidupan moden yang berasaskan teknologi, masyarakat moden yang berasaskan consumerisme, etc. dengan krisis alam sekitar yang berlaku dewasa ini.  Dengan memahami pandangan Nasr terhadap alam sekitar, kertas ini akan merungkai bagaimana pandangan materialistik (kebendaan) dan mekanistik mempengaruhi krisis ekologi masa kini. Ia juga akan menganalisa pandangan spiritual dan agama Nasr terhadap alam sekitar secara kritikal dan akan menilai sejauh mana kesesuaiannya. Dengan sedemikian dapat menyedarkan manusia tentang kecacatan pandangan semasa, yang kemudiannya akan membawa kepada pembaharuan persepsi mereka terhadap alam sekitar dengan cara menghidupkan semula nilai-nilai tradisional demi mengelakkan kemerosotan alam sekitar. Kertas ini akan memuatkan idea-idea para cendiakawan dalam membincangkan isu  berkaitan agama dan alam sekitar. Kata Kunci: Eko-Teologi, Kemerosotan Alam Sekitar, Pandangan Materialistik dan Makanistik terhadap Alam, Saintisme, Krisis Spiritual Manusia Moden, Perspektif Spiritual dan Agama.

The Existence of Geothermal Energy in Communication Perspective and Sustainable Environment in Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
Indriyati Kamil ◽  
Oekan S Abdoellah ◽  
Herlina Agustin ◽  
Iriana Bakti
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Nature Reserves ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Communication Models ◽  
The Government

This article highlights the dynamics of geothermal energy in the Kamojang nature reserve in Indonesia. A nature reserve is a conservation area that must be protected and preserved, because it has unique flora and fauna, and rare ecosystems whose existence is threatened with extinction. After going through a long study process by an integrated team, the government finally made a policy to change the function of the nature reserve into a Nature Tourism Park. Changes in policy changes to the function of nature reserves cause pros and cons in the community, and cause conflicts between government and environmental activists. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that cause changes in the function of nature reserves into natural tourism parks in the Kamojang conservation area of Indonesia, as well as to identify appropriate communication models in the management of geothermal energy through communication and environmentally sustainable approaches. Research findings show that the factors that cause changes in the function of nature reserves into tourist parks include; the interests of geothermal energy to meet national energy needs and electricity infrastructure, accommodate the needs of surrounding communities that utilize water resources in conservation areas, and restore ecosystems. The communication model for geothermal energy management that we propose at the same time is also a novelty namely; ecopopulism approach, negotiation approach, collaboration, and equating meaning and orientation to environmental sustainability. Type of Paper: Empirical Keywords: Geothermal Energy, Nature Reserves, Conservation Policies, Communication Models and Sustainable Development.

The Twenty-first Century

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Gillespie
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
First Century ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Good News ◽  
Species Loss ◽  
The Past ◽  
Scientific Terms ◽  
Twenty First Century ◽  
Open Question ◽  
New Generation

The cumulative environmental challenge of sustainable development in the twenty-first century is larger than anything humanity has ever had to deal with in the past. The good news is that solid progress is being reached in the understanding of issues in scientific terms and understanding what needs to be done. The bad news is twofold. First, although many of the environmental problems of earlier centuries are now being confronted, a new generation of difficulties is eclipsing what were the older difficulties. Secondly, much of the progress is being achieved by the wealthier parts of the planet, rather than the developing world. From population growth to climate change to unprecedented habitat and species loss, whether environmental sustainability can be achieved in the twenty-first century is an open question.

scholarly journals A Systematic Literature Review of Historic Garden Management and Its Economic Aspects

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10679
Author(s):  
Cassandra Funsten ◽  
Valeria Borsellino ◽  
Emanuele Schimmenti
Keyword(s):  
Social Economic ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Built Heritage ◽  
The People ◽  
Clear Vision ◽  
The Social ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Recent Policy

Historic gardens are important parts of humanity’s built heritage within the designed landscape, providing many environmental, economic and socio-cultural benefits. Management is a key part of their conservation, perhaps the most difficult because it is costly, must be continual, and requires a skilled workforce. This systematic review looks at the literature addressing historic garden management, with special attention regarding the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainability. Academic studies on this subject come from many different disciplines, making it both stimulating and fragmented. It is now time to consolidate these interdisciplinary efforts into a clear vision, including a framework of key themes and research methods so as to better coordinate efforts and make the information and innovation generated more accessible to the garden managers “in the trenches”. With this aim, reviewed studies are classified according to 10 criteria: supply or demand orientation; management phase involved; primary sustainability processes addressed; geographic criteria; number of sites covered; policy documents referred to; kind of data collected; study methods employed; possibility of bias specifically regarding historic gardens; garden use. An analysis of these criteria shows that historic garden management literature focuses on describing the gardens themselves, with few studies interested in the people supporting them. Future research should follow recent policy documents’ lead and pay more attention to community value and involvement.

scholarly journals Social Tipping Interventions Can Promote the Diffusion or Decay of Sustainable Consumption Norms in the Field. Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Intervention Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3529
Author(s):  
Joël Berger
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Carbon Neutrality ◽  
Consumption Decisions ◽  
Policy Tool ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Current Prevalence ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Recent Laboratory

The diffusion of environmentally sustainable consumption patterns is crucial for reaching net carbon neutrality. As a promising policy tool for reaching this goal, scholars have put forward social tipping interventions (SOTIs). “Social tipping” refers to the phenomenon that a small initial change in a parameter of a social system can create abrupt, nonlinear change via self-reinforcing feedback. If this reduces the burden on the environment, it is of potential interest for environmental policy. SOTIs are attempts to create social tipping intentionally. SOTIs produce rapid norm changes in laboratory experiments. However, little is known about the potential of SOTIs in the field. This research reports on a field intervention promoting the consumption of hot beverages in reusable mugs instead of one-way cups, conducted at Swiss university cafeterias (N = 162,523 consumption decisions). Two SOTIs involved an appeal promoting sustainable consumption with regular feedback about the current prevalence of sustainable consumption. Two control treatments involved either the same appeal without feedback or no intervention. This research offers three key findings. First, SOTIs involving regular normative feedback can transform sustainable consumption from a minority behavior into a social norm within weeks. Second, tipping points in real-world environmental dilemmas may exceed the values found in recent laboratory experiments (≥50% vs. ≥25%). Third, SOTIs can also promote the decay of sustainable consumption. By implication, the risk-free use of SOTIs requires deeper insights into the boundary conditions of these dynamics.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document