Day: May 10, 2022

Exploring the Intersection Where Business Models, a Circular Economy and Sustainability Meet in the Waste Economy: A Scoping Review

Hoffman, M., Schenck, C. J., & Herbst, F. (2022). “Exploring the Intersection Where Business Models, a Circular Economy and Sustainability Meet in the Waste Economy: A Scoping Review.” Sustainability 14(6), 3687. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063687

Abstract: The authors endeavor to investigate the intersection and relationship between sustainability, business models and a circular economy. These three concepts are believed to be at the heart of finding a solution to creating and implementing a circular economy. The three pillars of sustainability (society, environment and economics) have been identified as the golden thread when applied to developing circular economies and the business models used in these circular economies. These three pillars highlighted the areas of intersection and engagement between the circular economy and business models. The three pillars, or stakeholders, need to be considered equally and, where there is sacrifice and benefits, they need to be balanced. A scoping review was chosen, as the starting point, to ascertain the literature in the field. The results of the scoping review showed a lack of research conducted at the point of intersection between these three fields. Finding a solution by creating and implementing a circular economy will have positive effects on the economy, environment and society, as there is, proverbially, “not much time left” and everyone in the process will sacrifice and benefit. The research has highlighted the need to explore the intersection and relationship between sustainability, business models and the circular economy as a concept, and future research should develop frameworks to guide the development and implementation of this intersection to include all relevant stakeholders.

Language justice boosts worker safety, empowers people, experts say

Read the full story at Environmental Factor.

Inclusivity requires greater effort to create multilingual spaces, according to speakers at a March 2 webinar titled “Promoting Environmental and Occupational Public Health Through Language Justice.” NIEHS Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH) hosted the event.

Language justice is the right of every person to speak, understand, and be understood in the language they prefer and in which they feel most articulate and powerful, according to the American Bar Association. Beyond legal settings, the principle is important when it comes to working with communities to share research information that relates to environmental and occupational health, noted NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) Director Sharon Beard.

Backed-up pipes, stinky yards: Climate change is wrecking septic tanks

Read the full story in the Washington Post.

As climate change intensifies, septic failures are emerging as a vexing issue for local governments. For decades, flushing a toilet and making wastewater disappear was a convenience that didn’t warrant a second thought. No longer. From Miami to Minnesota, septic systems are failing, posing threats to clean water, ecosystems and public health.

Keeping up with regulatory trends, business opportunities in sustainable packaging

Read the full story at Sustainable Brands.

As we see more and more legislation aimed at improving both recyclability and safety of packaging, it is best to first understand your company’s baseline in sustainable packaging. Then, there are a growing number of tools designed to help companies keep track of and meet these evolving requirements.

A lake in Florida suing to protect itself

Read the full story in the New Yorker.

Lake Mary Jane, in central Florida, could be harmed by development. A first-of-its-kind lawsuit asks whether nature should have legal rights.

Light, oxygen turn waste plastics into useful benzoic acid

Read the full story from Cornell University.

Chemists have discovered a way to use light and oxygen to upcycle polystyrene — a type of plastic found in many common items — into benzoic acid, a product stocked in undergraduate and high school chemistry labs and also used in fragrances, food preservatives, and other ubiquitous products.

U.S. 2022 Power Sector Outlook

Download the document.

Surging global energy prices have been a central theme over the past year, as
rebounding economic activity vied with new waves of COVID infections, and the
shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has roiled oil and gas markets in particular.
But the soaring cost of fossil fuels and unexpected disruptions in energy security are
now supercharging what was already a torrid pace of growth in solar, wind and
battery storage projects.

IEEFA predicted last year that wind, solar and hydro’s share of the U.S. electric
power market would approach 30 percent by the end of 2026. IEEFA now believes
the forecast reflected the low end of possible growth, given the significant
acceleration in expected solar and wind (particularly offshore) capacity installations
through 2026. We now expect that clean energy’s share of the electric generation
market could hit 33 percent or more. Together with existing nuclear generation, this
would push the U.S. share of carbon-free electricity to well over 50 percent—a
massive transition from just five years ago.

A Systematic Review on the Local Wisdom of Indigenous People in Nature Conservation

Abas, A., Aziz, A., & Awang, A. (2022). “A Systematic Review on the Local Wisdom of Indigenous People in Nature Conservation.” Sustainability 14(6), 3415. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063415

Abstract: The local wisdom of indigenous people in nature conservation plays a critical part in protecting the planet’s biodiversity and the overall health of the ecosystems. However, at the same time, indigenous people and their lands are facing immense threats through modernization and globalization. This study aims to systematically review and analyze the local wisdom of the indigenous people in nature conservation. The present study integrated multiple research designs, and the review was based on the published standard, namely the PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). This study used Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus as the main databases in searching for the required articles. Through content analysis, this study can be divided into seven main categories: (a) forest management, (b) flora and fauna conservation, (c) food security, (d) water management, (e) land management, (f) weather forecasting, and (g) others. The findings offer some basics on how academics can adopt and adapt the existing local wisdom of indigenous people in nature conservation into the scientific framework and design to answer the Sustainable Development 2030 Agenda.

Biofuels are taking off with the airline industry on board

Read the full story at Environment + Energy Leader.

When United Airlines took off from Chicago for Washington, DC last December, it landed a significant development: the use of 100% sustainable aviation fuel. The goal is that biofuels will fully power the airline industry by 2050.

Healthy forests, healthy communities

Read the full story at JSTOR Daily.

Deforestation in areas where residents hunt and gather food can lead to malnutrition, food insecurity, and greater forest loss.