Suchergebnisse

Including considerations of sustainability in universities' activities has long since become mainstream. However, there is still much to be done with regard to the full integration of sustainability thinking into science and engineering curricula. Among the problems that hinder progress in this field, the lack of sound information on how to actually implement it is prominent. Created in order to address this need, this book presents a wealth of information on innovative approaches, methods and tools that may be helpful in translating sustainability principles into practice.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. As such, both the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the 25th Conference of the Parties (COP 25) recommendations call for action not only from government, but also from various stakeholders. Apart from the knowledge offered by modeling and forecasts, which allows the readers to understand the problem and how it is likely to develop in the future, the book highlights approaches, methods and tools that can help readers cope with the social, economic and political problems posed by climate change. In other words, the book's goal is to accelerate developments in the field of climate change adaptation. This book gathers papers presented at the "2nd World Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation", a joint initiative by the University of Coimbra (Portugal), the Research and Transfer Centre "Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management" at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany), and the International Climate Change Information Programme (ICCIP). The book is truly interdisciplinary, covering various key areas in the field of climate change adaptation. Its focus is on "integrative approaches to implementing climate change adaptation", and is expected to contribute to the further development of this fast-growing field

Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- Chapter 1: Climate Change and Health: An Overview of the Issues and Needs -- Introduction: Setting the Scene -- Climate Change and Health: Some of the Issues -- Climate Change´s Impacts on Health: Some Intervention and Research Needs -- Conclusions -- References -- Part I: Human Health and Climate Change -- Chapter 2: Extreme Weather Events: Addressing the Mental Health Challenges -- Introduction -- Connections Between Climate Change and Mental Health -- The Scientific Evidence -- Future Trends -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 3: Mental Well-Being and the Eco-State: A Classification of Regions and Countries of the European Union -- Introduction -- Literature Review -- Methodology -- Data -- Measurements -- Mental Well-Being -- The Climate Change Performance Index -- Measures of Income Inequality -- Gross Domestic Product by NUTS Regions -- Analysis -- Results and Findings -- The Geography of EU Eco-States -- The Geography of Mental Well-Being by EU Regions and Countries -- Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis of Regional Mental Well-Being -- Regression Results -- Conclusions and Recommendations for Future Research -- References -- Chapter 4: The Bioclimatic (Dis)comfort and Summer Thermal Paroxysms in Continental Portugal: Intensity, Frequency and Spatial... -- Introduction -- State of the Art -- Data and Methodology -- Spatial and Temporal Framework -- Bioclimatic Indexes -- Analysis and Discussion of Bioclimatic Summer Comfort in Portugal -- The Influence of Climatic Elements in THI, ET and EET Indexes -- The Spatial and Temporal Distribution of the Monthly Values of THI, ET and EET -- Heat Waves in the 1981-2010 Period -- Identification of Heat Waves -- The Atmospheric Circulation Associated with the Occurrence of Heat Waves -- Conclusions -- References -- Books and Scientific Journals -- Email Addresses.

AbstractEnvironmental degradation constitutes a disruptive force in man‐made and natural systems. The projected duplication of the frequency and duration of meteorological drought will contribute to a situation of water scarcity, which is expected to negatively impact the agricultural sector. This study focuses on Souss‐Massa, Morocco, a leading agricultural region, and it seeks to map how human mobility fits within a wider adaptation response to environmental degradation. Over 30 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with internal migrants and members of rural communities on the perceived impacts of environmental degradation and human mobility. Most of the interviewees perceive a reduction in the available water, and the agricultural sector is the most severely affected by those changes. Internal migration is the most frequent adaptation strategy mentioned, and the remittances it originates are supporting the communities of origin facing a deterioration of agricultural output.

Este trabajo analiza una dimensión casi ausente en estudios sobre los mecanismos socioterritoriales que reproducen las desigualdades en Brasil: las diferencias en el riesgo de atraso escolar de niños y jóvenes de 7 a 17 años en función de la segregación residencial en Río de Janeiro. Con datos del Censo Demográfico del 2000 se construyeron dos conjuntos de modelos de regresión logística de niveles múltiples para cuantificar el riesgo de atraso escolar de los alumnos de cuarto y octavo año de la educación primaria, según las características individuales, las condiciones socioeducativas familiares y el contexto social del lugar de residencia. Los resultados, además de revelar una relación entre la residencia en una favela y un mayor riesgo de atraso escolar, muestran que el riesgo de atraso

This collected volume deals with emerging issues related to climate variation, climate change and adaptation technologies, with a special focus on Latin American countries. Presenting a variety of adaptation strategies and projects currently being undertaken and implemented, the book showcases how Latin American nations are struggling to meet the challenges of climate change. Latin America as a whole and Central America in particular is one of the most vulnerable regions of the world and is severely affected by recurrent extreme climate-related events. This volume documents and analyzes the main challenges and lessons learned, serving to disseminate knowledge beyond the region and enhance international research and policy cooperation.

Abstract
Background
Recognizing nature and the environment as sociocultural constructions is critical to enhancing a transformational ecological change. This involves understanding their diverse sociocultural meanings and societal approaches and how these understandings affect equitable ecological transitions. We reviewed empirical studies and essays, categorizing 161 studies into three main categories: opposition, domination, and interdependencies, reflecting varying knowledge, power dynamics, cultures, and contexts. These studies aim to uncover how societies conceptualize, explain, and engage with nature and the environment, shaping society–nature relationships and influencing ecological transitions.

Results
This study underscores the diverse perceptions and representations of nature, from a controllable resource to an integrated web of life. Three main categories emerged: (i) nature against society, in a logic of opposition; (ii) nature subordinated to society, in a logic of domination, although integrated into society; and (iii) nature united with society, in a logic of interdependence. Thus, this study advocates discussing "natures" as sociocultural constructs, highlighting the plurality of social perceptions and representations, which can inform policies and challenge socio-political and socio-economic systems.

Conclusions
This review may pave the way to, first, give visibility and value that diversity and plurality as an instrument that can enrich policies and defy socio-political and socio-economic systems to change and, second, identify the main drivers and resistances that the implementation of an ecological transformation change may face in different sociocultural contexts.

Purpose - Environmental threats of immediate risk in areas such as coastal zones (CZ) have aroused new trends of citizenship and participatory democracy. This article intends to analyse elements within those trends, such as environmental culture; socio-political context; dynamics of social associative movement and integration of local knowledge. It also aims to contribute to an overview of the opportunities and barriers found in considering sociocultural and educational challenges in CZ. Design/methodology/approach - In this analysis, case studies of integrated coastal management occurring worldwide were selected and reviewed, considering several nuances of socio-economic and political contexts of CZ. Experiences of public response to coastal catastrophes such the Prestige oil spill in Spain, are also described. Findings – Whether implementing sustainable coastal management through either balanced systems (between large and small-scale strategies) or through largely bottom-up approaches, participation is detected as one of the main factors for a successul integrated approach. Principles such as participatory governance and social justice should be adopted in initial phases of sustainable management processes and preferably involve all of the implied actors of CZ. Originality/value - The literature reviewed provides specific highlights on factors that have empirically contributed to participatory sustainability of CZ, integrating three dimensions of citizenship: education, society's dynamics and culture.