scholarly journals COVID-19, the Food System and the Circular Economy: Challenges and Opportunities

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 7939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Giudice ◽  
Rocco Caferra ◽  
Piergiuseppe Morone
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Food System ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Nation States ◽  
The Social ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Original Theme

This paper analyzes the causes and effects of the COVID-19 crisis, with a specific focus on the food system. Food consumption and production has not only been impacted by the crisis, but it may have also contributed to causing the pandemic. After providing a brief introductory framework, the paper presents the results of a pilot study on the link between COVID-19 and the food system, as indicated by the social media activity of selected European Union (EU) Twitter accounts, measured using an original “theme popularity” metric. Thereafter, a systematic review of the literature is proposed to identify the causes of the rise in popularity of a sustainable food system theme, the potential consequences of the COVID-19 crisis for the food system (targeting the production, consumption and waste disposal phases) and possible solutions, focusing on the circular economy. Challenges and opportunities for policymakers in the short and long term are discussed. A holistic approach is advocated, as the global food system is intimately connected with society and requires deep cooperation among nation states and economic actors.

Issues and Challenges of Asian Development

Worldview ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 18 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 36-39
Author(s):  
Saburo Okita
Keyword(s):  
Growth Opportunities ◽  
Asian Development ◽  
Good Shape ◽  
Monetary System ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Oil Crisis ◽  
Complicated Nature

The economy of Southeast Asia has been in relatively good shape in spite of the instability of the world monetary system, trade deficits, and the worldwide oil crisis. There are promising factors for economic growth, opportunities for employment, and possibilities of rising income. But Asian development presents short-and long-term problems of a very complicated nature. One of the most serious problems is inflation and its impact on the social and political programs of individual countries. At the same time, there are severe shortages of basic commodities, such as oil and food. My own country, Japan, is among those affected.

The Urban Agriculture Fix

2020 ◽  
pp. 93-110
Author(s):  
Joshua Sbicca
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Urban Agriculture ◽  
Food System ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
The Great Recession ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
The City ◽  
Sustainable Food System

When urban agriculture becomes a sustainability initiative with institutional backing, it can drive green gentrification even when its advocates are well intentioned and concerned about the possible exclusion of urban farmers and residents. This chapter explores these tensions through the notion of an urban agriculture fix, which I apply to a case in Denver, Colorado. Urban farmers accessed land more easily after the Great Recession and as a result were a force for displacement and at risk of displacement as the city adopted sustainable food system plans, the housing market recovered, and green gentrification spread. This case suggests the importance of explaining how political economy and culture combine to drive neighborhood disinvestment and economic marginalization, which can compel the entrance of urban agriculture due to its perceived low cost and potential high return for local residents. Yet, while urban agriculture may provide some short-term benefits, it may ultimately be entangled in some of the long-term harms of green gentrification.

scholarly journals How Can Dietitians Leverage Change for Sustainable Food Systems in Canada?

2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 164-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liesel Carlsson ◽  
Edith Callaghan ◽  
Göran Broman
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Knowledge Development ◽  
Organizational Policy ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
The Social

Purpose: In this paper, we begin to set out language defining sustainable food systems (SFS) in Canada, through the voices of dietitians, and identify leverage points where dietitians can affect change. Methods: Dietitians of Canada members were invited to a Delphi Inquiry process; questions explored a vision of SFS in Canada, barriers to that vision, and actions. Results were independently analysed by 2 members of the research team who used the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development to structure the data. Results: Fifty-eight members participated. The resultant vision describes a future food system in 15 thematic areas of the social and ecological systems. Barriers are described according to how they undermine sustainability. High-leverage actions areas included: (i) facilitating knowledge development within the profession and public, (ii) influencing organizational policy to support SFS, and (iii) and influencing public policy. Approaches to such action included: (i) facilitating cross-sectoral collaboration and (ii) applying reflexive approaches. Conclusions: This research suggests a multidimensional understanding of food systems sustainability among dietitians. The vision provides some language to describe what dietitians mean by SFS and can be used as a compass point to orient action. Action areas and approaches have the potential to drive systemic change while avoiding unintended consequences.

scholarly journals Polish Transition towards Circular Economy: Materials Management and Implications for the Construction Sector

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Tomaszewska
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Materials Management ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Eu Policies ◽  
Energy Consuming

Poland’s economy as the sixth largest economy in the EU is painfully experiencing the effects of natural resource depletion, which extend to increasing prices and the growing dependence on foreign suppliers. The situation is particularly unfavorable in the construction sector, which is among the most resource- and energy-consuming areas of the economy. This paper juxtaposes the situation of Polish construction industry in the context of the national economy with the context of the evolving EU policies promoting green solutions. The resulting changes in Polish legislation, industry and society are identified. The implementation of selected Circular Economy (CE) aspects, outcomes, emerging challenges and future directions are discussed. The social aspects related to this transformation were analyzed based on a survey carried out among construction industry consumers. The results clearly highlight that individuals are aware of the need to protect the environment, but also indicate a strong necessity to educate the populace about the consequences of the excessive exploitation of the environment and the long-term benefits of CE solutions.

scholarly journals It’s All in the SKU: Getting Food from Somewhere from the Field to the Dinner Plate while Using a Large Scale Retailer

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Haythorn ◽  
Daniel Knudsen ◽  
James Farmer ◽  
Carmen Antreasian ◽  
Megan Betz
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Local Food Movement ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Good System ◽  
Food Retailers ◽  
Food Movement

The local food movement provides sustainable food, but often suffers from a lack of economic viability. We examine the need for concerned consumers, qualified growers, and responsible retailers. Concerned consumers are individuals who desire food from somewhere, but must shop at food retailers. Qualified growers sell sustainable food from somewhere, and must be able to set their own prices. Responsible retailers provide consumers with food from somewhere. Taken together, currently there is no good system in place to allow for large scale purchases and long term sales of food from somewhere for a retailer. To solve this, we propose a benevolent wholesaler model, in which stock keeping unit (SKU) numbers are given to each type of product from each farm. This enables tracking of the origin of the produce by retail customers and individual consumers, while retaining the attributes of a food system that allow for large scale purchases and long term sales. Such systems are no less sustainable, but potentially provide enhanced economic viability for producers.

Elementalistic and Holistic Views for Evaluation and Design of Structure Movement Systems

1996 ◽  
Vol 1541 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Martin P. Burke
Keyword(s):  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Dual Approach ◽  
Flexible Supports ◽  
Bridge Joints ◽  
Short And Long Term

In the evaluation and design of structure movement systems (bridge joints, bearings, flexible members, flexible supports, etc.), numerous errors are made by bridge designers who appear to have used and depended on a primarily elementalistic approach to structure design. By means of representative examples, it is demonstrated that bridge designers should supplement the elementalistic approach with a comprehensive or holistic approach. This dual approach to design will help ensure that structure movement systems will be suitably configured and coordinated to facilitate all anticipated short- and long-term movements and deformations.

scholarly journals Examining the COVID-19 Response of Canadian Grantmaking Foundations: Possibilities, Tensions, and Long-Term Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Saifer ◽  
Isidora G. Sidorovska ◽  
Manuel Litalien ◽  
Fontan Jean-Marc
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Economic Impacts ◽  
Philanthropic Foundations ◽  
Justice Sociale ◽  
The Social ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Grantmaking Foundations

This article explores how Canadian philanthropic foundations with social justice mandates responded to the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by loosening restrictions for grantees; collaborating on new initiatives; elevating grassroots knowledge; and balancing short- and long-term priorities. This response, however, revealed a series of tensions in the dominant pre-COVID-19 philanthropic model—specifically, as a mechanism to address the social, econ- omic, and ecological crises that predate COVID-19. The early pandemic response of grantmaking foundations can there- fore serve as a model for what a more democratic, agile, collaborative, and justice-oriented philanthropic sector can look like. RÉSUMÉ Cet article examine la réponse de fondations philanthropiques canadiennes aux enjeux de justice sociale pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. Elles l’ont fait en assouplissant les exigences exigées aux donataires; en collaborant autour de nouvelles initiatives; en priorisant l’expertise des communautés; et en équilibrant les priorités à long et à court terme. Cette réponse révèle les tensions inhérentes au modèle classique de l’action philanthropique, particulièrement dans les façons de répondre aux crises sociales, économiques et écologiques. La réponse actuelle fournit des bases solides pour repenser le modèle d’action du secteur philanthropique subventionnaire afin qu’il soit plus démocratique, plus collaboratif et plus axé sur la justice.

scholarly journals POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN MOTHERS AND FATHERS – AN UNDERESTIMATED DIAGNOSIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-161
Author(s):  
Anca A. Simionescu ◽  
◽  
Andreea Hetea ◽  
Maria Ghita ◽  
Ana Maria Alexandra Stanescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Development ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
The Social ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Long Term Consequences

Postpartum depression remains a significant healthcare priority due to the social and family consequences. Research has shown that both mothers and fathers experience significant psychological changes during pregnancy and postnatally, including depressive disorders. Underdiagnosed in most cases, the short and long-term consequences involve infant and child development, family’s life and social disruption. Because this pathology may lead to deviation from behavioural and social norms, we want to emphasize that timely and appropriate diagnostic can improve the effectiveness of treatments and avoid complications.This may contribute to optimal social, emotional and behavioural child development that may occur consecutively to family members” emotional and psychological manifestations.

scholarly journals The social function of the feeling and expression of guilt

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 200617
Author(s):  
Eglantine Julle-Danière ◽  
Jamie Whitehouse ◽  
Aldert Vrij ◽  
Erik Gustafsson ◽  
Bridget M. Waller
Keyword(s):  
Dictator Game ◽  
Moral Emotions ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Experimental Setting ◽  
Relationship Context ◽  
The Social ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Relationship Breakdown ◽  
Functional Relevance

Humans are uniquely cooperative and form crucial short- and long-term social bonds between individuals that ultimately shape human societies. The need for such intense cooperation may have provided a particularly powerful selection pressure on the emotional and communicative behaviours regulating cooperative processes, such as guilt. Guilt is a social, other-oriented moral emotion that promotes relationship repair and pro-sociality. For example, people can be more lenient towards wrongdoers who display guilt than towards those who do not. Here, we examined the social consequences of guilt in a novel experimental setting with pairs of friends differing in relationship quality. Pairs of participants took part in a cooperative game with a mutual goal. We then induced guilt in one of the participants and informed the other participant of their partner's wrongdoing. We examined the outcome using a dictator game to see how they split a joint reward. We found that guilty people were motivated to repair wrongdoing regardless of friendship. Observing guilt in others led to a punishment effect and a victim of wrongdoing punished close friends who appeared guilty more so than acquaintances. We suggest, therefore, that guilt has a stronger function between close friends as the costs of relationship breakdown are greater. Relationship context, therefore, is crucial to the functional relevance of moral emotions.

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