scholarly journals The Role of Synthetic Biology in Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Prospects and Challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles DeLisi ◽  
Aristides Patrinos ◽  
Michael MacCracken ◽  
Dan Drell ◽  
George Annas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Reduction ◽  
Societal Challenges ◽  
Regulatory Strategies ◽  
Powerful Approach ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon ◽  
Cellular Phenotypes

The long atmospheric residence time of CO2 creates an urgent need to add atmospheric carbon drawdown to CO2 regulatory strategies. Synthetic and systems biology (SSB), which enables manipulation of cellular phenotypes, offers a powerful approach to amplifying and adding new possibilities to current land management practices aimed at reducing atmospheric carbon. The participants (in attendance: Christina Agapakis, George Annas, Adam Arkin, George Church, Robert Cook-Deegan, Charles DeLisi, Dan Drell, Sheldon Glashow, Steve Hamburg, Henry Jacoby, Henry Kelly, Mark Kon, Todd Kuiken, Mary Lidstrom, Mike MacCracken, June Medford, Jerry Melillo, Ron Milo, Pilar Ossorio, Ari Patrinos, Keith Paustian, Kristala Jones Prather, Kent Redford, David Resnik, John Reilly, Richard J. Roberts, Daniel Segre, Susan Solomon, Elizabeth Strychalski, Chris Voigt, Dominic Woolf, Stan Wullschleger, and Xiaohan Yang) identified a range of possibilities by which SSB might help reduce greenhouse gas concentrations and which might also contribute to environmental sustainability and adaptation. These include, among other possibilities, engineering plants to convert CO2 produced by respiration into a stable carbonate, designing plants with an increased root-to-shoot ratio, and creating plants with the ability to self-fertilize. A number of serious ecological and societal challenges must, however, be confronted and resolved before any such application can be fully assessed, realized, and deployed.

scholarly journals Global manure nitrogen production and application in cropland during 1860–2014: a 5 arcmin gridded global dataset for Earth system modeling

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 667-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bowen Zhang ◽  
Hanqin Tian ◽  
Chaoqun Lu ◽  
Shree R. S. Dangal ◽  
Jia Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
System Modeling ◽  
Earth System Modeling ◽  
Southeastern Australia ◽  
Mapping System ◽  
Livestock Systems

Abstract. Given the important role of nitrogen input from livestock systems in terrestrial nutrient cycles and the atmospheric chemical composition, it is vital to have a robust estimation of the magnitude and spatiotemporal variation in manure nitrogen production and its application to cropland across the globe. In this study, we used the dataset from the Global Livestock Impact Mapping System (GLIMS) in conjunction with country-specific annual livestock populations to reconstruct the manure nitrogen production during 1860–2014. The estimated manure nitrogen production increased from 21.4 Tg N yr−1 in 1860 to 131.0 Tg N yr−1 in 2014 with a significant annual increasing trend (0.7 Tg N yr−1, p < 0.01). Changes in manure nitrogen production exhibited high spatial variability and concentrated in several hotspots (e.g., Western Europe, India, northeastern China, and southeastern Australia) across the globe over the study period. In the 1860s, the northern midlatitude region was the largest manure producer, accounting for ∼ 52 % of the global total, while low-latitude regions became the largest share (∼ 48 %) in the most recent 5 years (2010–2014). Among all the continents, Asia accounted for over one-fourth of the global manure production during 1860–2014. Cattle dominated the manure nitrogen production and contributed ∼ 44 % of the total manure nitrogen production in 2014, followed by goats, sheep, swine, and chickens. The manure nitrogen application to cropland accounts for less than one-fifth of the total manure nitrogen production over the study period. The 5 arcmin gridded global dataset of manure nitrogen production generated from this study could be used as an input for global or regional land surface and ecosystem models to evaluate the impacts of manure nitrogen on key biogeochemical processes and water quality. To ensure food security and environmental sustainability, it is necessary to implement proper manure management practices on cropland across the globe. Datasets are available at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.871980 (Zhang et al., 2017).

Solid Waste Carbon Planning Tool

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Traeger ◽  
Kirk Dunbar ◽  
Emily Bedwell
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Waste Reduction ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Local Systems ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Reduction ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Waste Management Practices ◽  
High Level

The EPA has developed the Waste Reduction Model (WARM) to help solid waste managers estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from several different waste management practices. This model is useful for high level analysis but breaks down when applied to specific local systems. This paper will discuss new work currently being done by HDR to provide more reliable analysis of local conditions. This capability is of growing importance given the emergence of national carbon regulations which will require solid waste managers to develop greenhouse gas reduction strategies for their local systems.

Optimising beef business performance in northern Australia: what can 30 years of commercial innovation teach us?

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dionne Walsh ◽  
Robyn Cowley
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Costs ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Land Condition ◽  
Livestock Productivity

This paper evaluates three decades of innovation by a leading beef producer in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory. The case study represents a rare published analysis of changes in production, greenhouse gas emissions and land condition metrics for a commercial livestock business. Thirty years ago the property was under-developed and had poor livestock productivity by today’s standards. Between 1981 and 2013, the business has increased carrying capacity through water point development, and achieved a >50% increase in herd size, a 46% improvement in weaning rate, an 82% reduction in breeder mortality rate and an improvement in land condition. Annual liveweight turn-off has increased from 75 kg to 128 kg per adult equivalent (AE) carried. All of this has been achieved while using recommended stocking rates. In contrast, two additional analyses reflecting other management approaches being taken by some north Australian beef businesses resulted in poor productivity, economic, emissions and land condition outcomes. Total greenhouse gas emissions have increased on the case study property since 1981 as a result of increasing herd size. However, the intensity of emissions per tonne of liveweight sold has declined by 43% due to the improvements in livestock productivity. The potential for generating carbon revenue from this emissions intensity improvement was explored. We found that for >95% of northern beef enterprises, current project transaction costs would entirely negate carbon revenue at a carbon price of < $25 tCO2e–1. At $5 tCO2e–1, the minimum herd size needed to cover the project transaction costs would be in excess of 35 000 AE. Although substantial carbon profits appear unlikely at present, the management practices evaluated can deliver substantial economic, emissions and land condition benefits to individual businesses and the wider industry. The paper concludes that cost-effective investment to concurrently increase herd size and livestock productivity per head, in conjunction with safe stocking rate management, is a proven path to economic and environmental sustainability in the north Australian beef industry.

scholarly journals An Integrated Approach for the Assessment of Environmental Sustainability in Agro-Industrial Waste Management Practices: The Case of the Tequila Industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Díaz-Vázquez ◽  
Danay Carrillo-Nieves ◽  
Danielle A. Orozco-Nunnelly ◽  
Carolina Senés-Guerrero ◽  
Misael Sebastián Gradilla-Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Physicochemical Characterization ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Waste Streams ◽  
Tequila Vinasses

Sustainable waste management is a key component needed to achieve multiple of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations for the year 2030. Such waste management can reduce the degradation of superficial water sources and can contribute to the sustainable and efficient use of resources. Due to their usually high nutrient and organic loads, agro-industrial wastes pose a threat to soil and water resources and are a major contributor to greenhouse gas generation. In this study, a novel approach was proposed to assess the environmental sustainability of vinasse management practices, integrating an extensive physicochemical characterization of tequila vinasses, a GIS-based weighted overlay analysis and a scenario analysis. Mathematical models were applied for the determination of discharged pollutants (nitrogen, phosphorus, BOD5), as well as greenhouse gas emissions. This methodology was applied to an environmental sustainability assessment of the management practices of tequila vinasses, which are one of the main waste streams generated by the agro-industry in the Mexican state of Jalisco and are one of the main contributors to organic and nutrient loads affecting the water quality of Jalisco’s superficial water sources. Through this integrated approach, critical regions for the management of tequila vinasses were determined and an extensive physicochemical characterization of tequila vinasses was performed and applied to assess the environmental sustainability of four management scenarios for tequila vinasses. These results can be used by decision-makers for the implementation of public policy and infrastructure for the improvement of local and regional waste management systems. Additionally, these data may be used to increase the environmental sustainability of the tequila industry. The proposed methodology has the potential to be applied to different waste-intensive regions as well as different organic waste streams for the assessment of the environmental sustainability of specific management practices considering the local and regional context.

scholarly journals The Potential of Green Bond Markets as Drivers of Change

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andra-Nicoleta Mecu ◽  
Florentina Chițu ◽  
Gheorghe Hurduzeu
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Bond Markets ◽  
Drivers Of Change ◽  
Financial Products ◽  
The Social ◽  
Made In

The risks derived from climate change and the social inequalities of the economic model en-danger the continuity of society as we know it. The investment community is developing financial products in order to channel the environ-mental and social transition process, with green bonds and social bonds being key instruments to facilitate the change of model. In just a few years, investments made in assets that respect environmental sustainability, social responsibility and good management practices have in-creased from 12% to 42% of total investments made by investors around the world. The current paper it is intended to discuss the regulation and evolution of green bonds since its inception in 2007, globally and nationally, focusing on the principles of implementation, benefits and role of the COVID-19 pandemic in issuing green bonds.

Managing Landscape Irrigation to Avoid Soil and Nutrient Losses

EDIS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Hochmuth ◽  
Laurie Trenholm ◽  
Don Rainey ◽  
Esen Momol ◽  
Claire Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Environment ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
County Agents ◽  
The Right ◽  
Soil And Water

Proper irrigation management is critical to conserve and protect water resources and to properly manage nutrients in the home landscape. How lawns and landscapes are irrigated directly impacts the natural environment, so landscape maintenance professionals and homeowners must adopt environmentally-friendly approaches to irrigation management. After selecting the right plant for the right place, water is the next critical factor to establish and maintain a healthy lawn and landscape. Fertilization is another important component of lawn and landscape maintenance, and irrigation must be applied correctly, especially following fertilization, to minimize potential nutrient losses. This publication supplements other UF/IFAS Extension publications that also include information on the role of soil and the root zone in irrigation management. This publication is designed to help UF/IFAS Extension county agents prepare materials to directly address nutrient losses from lawns and landscapes caused by inadequate irrigation management practices. This 6-page fact sheet was written by George Hochmuth, Laurie Trenholm, Don Rainey, Esen Momol, Claire Lewis, and Brian Niemann, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss586

BİLGİ YÖNETİMİ UYGULAMALARI KAPSAMINDA İNSAN KAYNAKLARI YÖNETİMİNDE MEYDANA GELEN DEĞİŞİMLER

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Ozan Büyükyılmaz
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Management Philosophy ◽  
Management Processes

The development and expansion of knowledge management as an important management philosophy has a significant impact on human resources management as well as on organization as a whole. In this context, knowledge management processes have been used as a strategic tool within human resources management.Therefore, functions of human resources management must adapt itself to this change. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of human resources management in the management of knowledge and to reveal the effects of knowledge management practices on the functions of human resources byexamining the relationship between human resources and knowledge management. In this context, a theoretical investigation was conducted. It has been determined that significant changes occurred on the functions of human resources management such as selection and recruitment, performance management, remuneration and reward, training and development within the framework of the knowledge management strategies.

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