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The Impact of Mediterranean Diet on Global Challenges

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Mediterranean diet is considered healthy compared to typical western diets while it was used by populations residing in Mediterranean basin since centuries. Several studies indicate that Mediterranean diet offers many health and environmental benefits. The positive impacts of this diet in treating various global challenges have been examined. Reviewing  several published papers the impacts of Mediterranean diet on managing obesity and malnutrition, on climate change mitigation and in the achievement of the sustainable development goals have been investigated. The results indicate that the use of Mediterranean diet helps in treating obesity and malnutrition, while it contributes positively in climate change mitigation and in achieving the 17 sustainable development goals. Unfortunately, for several reasons, the traditional Mediterranean diet  has been nowadays replaced by unhealthy western type diets burdening various global challenges that humanity faces. Our work is important since it indicates that the change of our dietary pattern shifting from western diet to Mediterranean diet will result in the mitigation of several global challenges. The results of the present study could be useful to medicinal doctors, policy makers, public authorities, non-governmental environmental organizations and other institutions related with the abovementioned issues.

The water-tourism nexus in the island of Crete, Greece

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The island of Crete, Greece is located in eastern Mediterranean region which is characterized by limited water resources. It hosts more than 6 million of tourists every year who consume large quantities of water during their vacations. The study of the interdependence between water and tourism industry in Mediterranean islands with limited water resources is important for their prosperity. Their nexus in Crete has been investigated based on existing data regarding water consumption and the local tourism industry. The share of direct water use in tourism in the total water consumption in Crete has been estimated and compared with other tourism destinations. Tourism industry affects water resources in Crete while water is a basic resource in tourism industry. The share of direct water demand in tourism to total water consumption in the island, at 3.06%, is above the global average, at 0.6%. The high share of direct water demand in tourism industry to total water consumption in Crete, the expected future increase in tourists’ arrivals and the future reduction of water resources due to climate change indicates that improved management of water resources is necessary to avoid water shortages and water-related conflicts. Our results could be useful to public authorities and private bodies related to tourism industry and water use in the island.

Influence of Climate Variability on The Dynamics of Land Use Land Cover in the Sub-Soudanian Sector: The Case of the Badenou Classified Forest, Northern Côte D’ivoire

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In a context of global change marked by climate evolution, tropical forest ecosystems are under increasing pressure that threatens their integrity and biodiversity. This study quantifies the impact of climatic parameters on the evolution of land use/cover in the Badenou Classified Forest (northern Côte d’Ivoire) between 1990 and 2022. By cross-referencing Landsat images and climatic data (temperatures, precipitation, PDSI, SPI) via Google Earth Engine, and applying statistical tests (Spearman correlations, PCA, regressions), significant relationships were highlighted. The results show a distinct vulnerability of natural ecosystems to climatic stresses. Dense dry forests and galleries regress with drought (PDSI: ρ = -0.502, p = 0.003). The low density shrub savannah declines sharply with rising temperatures (Tmax: ρ = -0.613, p < 0.0001). Water bodies decrease during dry periods (PDSI: ρ = -0.545, p = 0.001). Anthropogenic dynamics present contrasting responses. Fallow lands decrease with temperature (Tmax: ρ = -0.413, p = 0.017), while perennial crops expand their reach under these same conditions (Tmax: ρ = +0.413, p = 0.017). An increase in bare soils and built-up areas is correlated with humid conditions (SPI: ρ = +0.362, p = 0.039). This research demonstrates that climatic variables, particularly temperatures and drought indices, are major explanatory factors for landscape transformations. These quantified results provide an essential scientific basis for the development of adaptive management policies, reconciling biodiversity preservation and local development in a context of global change.

Effect of Green Loan and Green Mortgage on Climate Change Mitigation in Nigeria

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Green loans and green mortgages can provide huge opportunities to tackle climate change in Nigeria by providing finance for energy efficient housing and sustainable infrastructure; supporting renewable energy uptake; and creating jobs in the green economy. However, in Nigeria there are still limited examples of green loans and green mortgages due to a lack of empirical evidence; lack awareness from stakeholders, and the necessity to develop stronger policies and regulations to improve the effectiveness of green loans and green mortgages. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to determine the impact of green loans and green mortgages as a great way of addressing climate change in Nigeria; the study explains the effect in a ex-post facto study covering the 2012 to 2024 period. The study relied on time series secondary data, and the data was collected on a quarterly basis and secondary data was obtained directly from the Statistical Bulletin provided by a number of agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Stock Exchange, National Bureau of Statistics, World Bank and International Monetary Fund, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the use of an econometric technique of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model to analyse the data. The study found that green loans and green mortgages have positive and statistically significant effects on Nigeria’s emissions of greenhouse gases. In conclusion, the study says that green loans and green mortgages have a positive impact on climate change mitigation in Nigeria. The study puts forward a number of ways to strengthen outcomes. Policymakers should implement more robust screening and monitoring processes. The requirements for loan approvals should put emphasis on verifiable reduction of emissions targets of borrower’s projects, with the borrower to be required to report on environmental outcomes periodically.

Impacts of climate variability on the spatio-temporal dynamics of plant formations in the forest-savannah transition zone: the case of the Lamto Scientific Reserve, Central Côte d’Ivoire

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Understanding climatic variability’s effects on land and biodiversity is vital for guiding sustainability, conservation, and climate impact predictions in fragile ecosystems like Côte d’Ivoire’s forest-savanna transition zone. This study aims to analyse the impact of climate variability on the spatio-temporal dynamics of land use in the Lamto Scientific Reserve. To do this, a set of monthly climate data covering the period from 1990 to 2022 was used, including indicators such as rainfall, maximum, minimum and average temperatures, drought and standardised rainfall indices. The study also involved the classification of Landsat images dating from 1990, 2002, 2012 and 2022, enabling changes in land use to be observed. The corresponding areas were correlated with the climatic variables using a Spearman correlation test. The results show a transition from savannah to denser tree cover in the reserve. In addition, an increase in rainfall, varying between 900 and 1687 mm, suggests that Lamto could be classified as a humid region. The analysis highlights the complex interactions between climate change, particularly high temperatures, and land-use dynamics. Gallery and semi-deciduous forests show resilience in the face of rising temperatures, favouring their expansion. On the other hand, pre-forest formations, such as open forests and wooded savannahs, are more affected by these temperatures, which hinders their development. Tree savannahs also show a certain resilience, while shrub savannahs and bare land are often associated with ecological degradation processes in response to high temperatures. Finally, although rainfall plays a role, its influence seems minor, suggesting that other environmental or climatic factors, such as watercourses or microclimate, play a more significant role in land use/land cover dynamics.

The Nexus between Mediterranean Diet, Obesity and Climate Change

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Obesity and climate change consist of two major problems which have severe economic, environmental, social and health impacts all over the world. Mediterranean diet used to be the traditional diet in Mediterranean region with many nutritious and health benefits and low environmental impacts. However, it has been replaced nowadays with the western diet or other similar diets. The interlinkages among Med diet, obesity and climate change have been studied. The interrelation among them have been analyzed indicating their complex interdependence. Obesity and climate change are mutually interlinked while the use of Mediterranean diet can reduce the obesity rates and mitigate climate change. It has also lower environmental impacts, compared to western diets, leading to sustainable agricultural systems. Climate change has adverse impacts to Mediterranean diet due to harmful impacts on agriculture. Our findings indicate that the broad adoption of Mediterranean diet would reduce the obesity rates, mitigate climate change, reduce the undesired environmental impacts of the food production system and promote the sustainable agriculture which is necessary for the healthy nutrition of an increasing global population. The results could be useful to national and international policy makers who are trying to develop policies for the mitigation of climate change and the reduction of obesity rates promoting nutritious, healthy and sustainable food production and consumption systems.

The Interrelation between Obesity Management and Climate Change in Greece

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Two major global problems of our era are climate change and obesity. Both are interlinked and interconnected having undesired social, economic, environmental impacts as well as harmful impacts on human health. The rate of obesity and overweight in children and adults in Greece is high compared to other EU countries causing many health, social and economic problems. Climate change is foreseen to have severe and harmful impacts in Greece as well as in other Mediterranean countries altering the climate conditions. Obesity and its treatment mitigate climate change, mainly due to the change in the dietary pattern of the treated patients. The proposed diets for managing obesity, based on Mediterranean dietary patterns, have less GHG emissions and lower climate footprint. Climate change makes more difficult the treatment of obesity, mainly due to the rising temperatures. Climate change has undesired and harmful impacts on obesity treatment in Greece while obesity treatment results in the mitigation of climate change in the country. Future policies for climate change mitigation and managing obesity in Greece should take into account their mutual interconnections and interlinkages in order to maximize their effectiveness in treating these two severe pandemics in the country.

Business Risk Management Strategy in Adaptation of Beef Caft Businesses to the Impact of Climate Change in Sumenep District

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This study aims to determine the mitigation strategies of farmers in Sumenep district in their strategic management when facing climate change. Climate change greatly affects livestock activities in Sumenep district in various factors, extreme weather changes can harm beef cattle farming in terms of selling value. Increased temperature causes stress in cattle. Drought can reduce forage and water availability. Dry conditions inhibit the growth of grass and other feed plants, forcing farmers to look for alternative feeds such as hay or commercial animal feed. Extreme climate change that occurs gradually over three months, twice the normal time and the following three months, facing extreme climate change that has an impact on the health of livestock in Sumenep District and the selling price of cattle that does not match the expectations of farmers. Research was conducted to outline strategies in business adaptation using the SWOT method to determine priority options from the general micro and macro impacts, the following knowledge aims to determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The right strategy in handling beef cattle business adaptation will minimize losses of farmers due to climate change and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock sector.

Scenario Planning for Strategic Decision-Making in Captive Power Plant: A Case Study of EBC Company Facing Global Net Zero Emission Challenges Beyond 2031

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Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, especially the combustion of fossil fuels, increased world surface temperatures by 1.1 °C between 2011 and 2020 compared to the 1850–1900 period. In order to limit global temperature rise, and achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century, as outlined in the Paris Agreement—which Indonesia signed in 2016—a substantial decrease in coal usage is imperative. This poses uncertainties for coal-dependent companies like Eastern Borneo Coal (EBC) in Indonesia. This study investigates the business environment uncertainties faced by EBC, particularly regarding its captive coal power plants, and assesses the potential risks associated with various future scenarios using scenario planning method. Findings suggest EBC must prioritize equipment upgrades and compliance measures in stricter regulatory environments, enhance operational efficiency and diversify investments in favourable conditions, implement cost reduction strategies and focus on high-quality coal production in challenging markets, and maintain flexibility and explore export opportunities under looser regulations. Emphasizing the importance of monitoring key indicators, engaging with stakeholders, and investing in sustainable technologies, the study provides strategic insights to help EBC navigate future uncertainties and maintain competitiveness, positioning it as a leader in sustainable energy practices beyond 2031.

Impacts of Rainfall Variability on Streamflow in the Drylands of Northern Kenya: Assessing Water Availability under a Changing Climate

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Water availability is a function of climatic and land surface conditions, which determine the amount and distribution of atmospheric water as it reaches the surface. This largely depends on rainfall, whose variability affects water, food and livelihood security. This paper sought to quantify the effects of rainfall variability on water availability in an effort to support effective water resources management. Coefficient of Variation (CV), Standardized Anomaly Index (SAI) and Mann-Kendall trend test approaches were used to assess variability and trends, while correlation and regression analysis were employed to determine effects of rainfall variability on streamflow. A hydrological model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), was used to simulate streamflow with a view to assessing water availability under two climate change scenarios; Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5. Results show that the area experiences moderate to extreme rainfall variability, as indicated by CV and SAI values that ranged from 20 to 99% and -2.5 to +3 respectively, resulting in moderate to extreme floods and droughts that often disrupt livelihoods. Current streamflow simulations (1981 – 2020) indicated increasing trends. Near and far future streamflow volumes will decrease by 15% during the April-May-June season while during October-November-December season they will increase by 13%, compared to the present. Increasing trends of rainfall and streamflow indicate that the area has opportunities for rainwater harvesting while the high variability indicates a need for early warning systems to cushion communities from climatic shocks evidenced by the impacts of climate extremes experienced in the area.