Articles

The Nexus between Mediterranean Diet, Obesity and Climate Change

/in /by

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

/in /by

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

/in /by

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

/in /by

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

/in /by

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.

 

Feasibility Analysis of Beef Cattle Farming Business against Climate Change in Sumenep District Indonesia

/in /by

The objective of the study was to analyze the feasibility of beef cattle farming to climate change in Sumenep District, East Java Province, Indonesia. The research was conducted at the beef cattle Farm for one month from December to January 2023. The method used in the research is a survey with a quantitative approach while the sampling method is multistage sampling (multi-stage cluster sampling for data collection from a large group of areas with the largest to smallest population) and the method can be combined with other sampling methods namely purposive sampling (deliberate data collection) and data collection methods are interviews, questionnaires, observation, focus group discussions and documentation. The data used is cost data from beef cattle farming businesses with a sample size of 150 respondents. The data analysis used was feasibility analysis, namely R/C ratio, which collected production cost data consisting of variable costs, fixed costs and total revenue. The results showed that beef cattle farming in Sumenep district obtained an R/C ratio value of 0.99 for a population of 2 heads, an R/C ratio of 1.00 for a population of 3 heads, and an R/C ratio of 1.06 for a population of 4 populations. The conclusion is that climate change affects the R/C ratio value of the 2-tailed population which is declared not feasible to run while the 3-tailed and 4-tailed populations are feasible to run and develop.

A Study of Farmer Profiles under Climate Change Conditions in Sumenep District Indonesia

/in /by

The purpose of the study was to determine the profile of beef cattle farmers in Sumenep District and to determine the economic activities of beef cattle farming in Sumenep District before and during climate change which includes the ease of selling beef cattle, selling prices, and business profits. The research was conducted using a survey method with sampling techniques using purposive sampling with the criteria of farmers who have been doing beef cattle farming for at least two years with active livestock groups and have a minimum of two years of farming experience. Farmers who were used as respondents amounted to 150 respondents. The analysis used is descriptive with mode measurement or the most frequently occurring value. The results showed that beef cattle farmers in Sumenep district mostly have three beef cattle on their farms (65% or 97 people). Most respondents were between 15 and 64 years old (83%), had primary school education (36%) and had the most farming experience in the 20 to 30 years age range (42%). A total of 35% of respondents had three family members. Before climate change, farmers found it easy to sell their products, the selling price was good and it was easy to make a profit. Whereas during climate change, farmers found it difficult to sell their products, selling prices were lower and it was difficult to make a profit.

Enhancing Sustainable Banking Practices: Implementing the Besgi Framework to Indonesian Bank

/in /by

Climate change, a global issue largely caused by human activities, is now beginning to be addressed by the G20, including financial institutions. Indonesia, as part of the G20, is implementing a sustainable finance program to improve the financing, durability, and competitiveness of financial services institutions. This study evaluates the adoption of sustainable banking practices in Indonesia within the context of global climate change initiatives. Using the Banks’ Environmental, Social, Governance, and Indirect Impact (BESGI) framework, which provides a comprehensive assessment of banks’ ESG performance using the Multidimensional Synthesis of Indicators (MSI) aggregation method. The BESGI performance of 14 Indonesian banks from 2020-2022 was assessed, revealing varying results of fluctuating data with Mandiri scoring the highest in year 2021 and BTN the lowest in year 2020. The findings indicate a growing emphasis on sustainable finance within the Indonesian banking sector in terms of financing and investment. The BESGI Score has insignificant results on banks’ performance and stability. However, further research is essential to comprehend the implications of these practices on the performance and stability of banks.

Algae’s Promise to Sequester Carbon Sheds New Insight on Changing Climate

/in /by

The addition of more greenhouse gases (GHG) to the earth’s atmosphere, which accounts for more than half of the planet’s warming potential, has resulted in changes in long-term average weather conditions, or climate change. In order to counter the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, carbon sequestration is a newly developed strategy. Contrary to carbon emission reduction measures, carbon sequestration has a strong potential to lower carbon dioxide levels or mask carbon dioxide emission if the gas is trapped from several stationary sources and used effectively to produce chemical and energy. The implementation of carbon regulations has spread widely.

The cost of air pollution is credited with a monetary value. Due to this, investments in the growth of microalgae for carbon sequestration have received attention from all around the world. With these systems, existing carbon mitigation strategies are shown to be a viable and promising alternative. In general, the microorganism groups that make up microalgae are extremely diverse and quick-growing, and they are very skilled in photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic settings. With a unit carbon dioxide fixation capacity 10–50 times greater than terrestrial plants, these microalgae can be grown on non-fertile land. Describe in detail the most recent advancement in the effective use of microalgae for carbon dioxide in this article review.

Bioclimatic Modeling of Phlomoides Kirghisorum (Lamiaceae) Species Distributed in Fergana Valley

/in /by

The article analyzes the natural distribution area of the species Phlomoides kirghisorum Adylov, Kamelin & Makhmedov using the programs of type MaxEnt and ArcGis, the endemic of Central Asia (past, future). According to the results of the study, it is proved that the main distribution of the species coincides with the boundaries of the areali Tien–Shan mountain system (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan). It is noted that the climatic factors that are optimal for the species are sufficient temperature and annual precipitation. According to both scenarios, it was found that the increase in temperature by 0.4–1.6 °C and 1.4–2.6 °C was directly influenced by the main bioclimatic factors such as Mean temperature of coldest quarter (Bio11), Precipitation seasonality (Bio15).