Challenges

28 pages, 629 KB

Open AccessViewpoint

Reflecting on Social Inclusion Through Philosophical Discussion: A Sustainable Partnership Framework

by Peter R. J. Trim and Richard C. L. Trim

Challenges 2025, 16(4), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040054 - 5 Nov 2025

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The 17 sustainable development goals advocated by the United Nations have played a big role in focusing the minds of policy makers in terms of sustainability issues and have also highlighted the issue of social inclusion and the need to make society more [...] Read more.

The 17 sustainable development goals advocated by the United Nations have played a big role in focusing the minds of policy makers in terms of sustainability issues and have also highlighted the issue of social inclusion and the need to make society more equitable. As well as referencing the sustainable development goals, attention is given to the planetary health concept as it is known to deepen our understanding of the ecological interdependence brought about by cultural, environmental and socio-economic factors, which have relevance in terms of mankind achieving the sustainable development goals. This paper addresses the following question: How can a framework to foster global partnerships leading to sustainable development be underpinned by a philosophical argument that strengthens the case for social inclusion? Consequently, a wide body of literature is reviewed, with key concepts such as collaboration being placed in context and reinforced through stakeholder theory. A philosophical discussion is entered into embracing Moore’s open question argument regarding the reliance on Intuitionism to explain how actions can be coined as immoral or moral. Such arguments are useful for raising moral issues that often end in moral disagreements, and which raise and help solve ethical problems. To effectively deal with the complexity involved, policy makers should support the use of frameworks that can be used to support and encourage social inclusion. In adopting this viewpoint, we put forward a sustainable partnership framework that provides guidance to policy makers and their advisors in terms of tackling the issue of social inclusion. In order to achieve social inclusion, policy makers need to understand the role that symbolic representation plays and how the influence of major influencers generates collaborative knowledge that is reappraised through philosophical argument. The outcome of the philosophical argument is a change in a nation’s cultural value system and the implementation of social inclusion policy. Full article

15 pages, 2332 KB

Open AccessProject Report

What Shall We Cook Tomorrow? Empowering Students Through Sustainable Food Education and Novel Protein Exploration

by Alessandra Norici, Cristina Truzzi, Caterina Gerotto, Anna Annibaldi, Silvia Illuminati, Alessandra Petrucciani, Lorenzo Mollo, Graziana Spinelli, Miles Minio, Lorenzo Massi, Federico Girolametti, Behixhe Ajdini, Matteo Fanelli, Irene Biancarosa, Giuseppe Dipietro, Matteo Palmucci and Rosa Martino

Challenges 2025, 16(4), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040053 - 4 Nov 2025

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Abstract

This report presents the activities and outcomes of an educational project aimed at promoting sustainable food awareness among high-school students in Italy through the active contributions from young researchers, profit partners and school educators. The project involved two final-year classes—one from a scientific [...] Read more.

This report presents the activities and outcomes of an educational project aimed at promoting sustainable food awareness among high-school students in Italy through the active contributions from young researchers, profit partners and school educators. The project involved two final-year classes—one from a scientific lyceum and one from a technical chemistry institute—and integrated theoretical lessons, laboratory activities, and experiential learning focused on planetary boundaries, sustainable diets, and alternative proteins such as from algae and insects. To assess the impact of the project, pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were administered and are here discussed. The intervention significantly enhanced the students’ cognitive and affective engagement both during the sessions and in the immediate aftermath, as evidenced by elevated levels of satisfaction and retention of key concepts. Overall, the project fostered great environmental awareness and openness to sustainable food choices, demonstrating the potential of targeted hands-on educational programs to influence both attitudes and behaviours in younger generations of western high-income countries. The project serves as a replicable model of a transdisciplinary approach for integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and education for Planetary Health into secondary school curricula. Full article

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24 pages, 3754 KB

Open AccessArticle

Air Quality Monitoring in Two South African Townships: Modelling Spatial and Temporal Trends in O₃ and CO Hotspots

by Aluwani Innocent Muneri, Benett Siyabonga Madonsela and Thabang Maphanga

Challenges 2025, 16(4), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040052 - 31 Oct 2025

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Abstract

Air quality is a key priority in environmental policy agendas worldwide, yet rapid urban growth in developing countries disproportionately affects urban air quality. In sub-Saharan Africa, the spatial and temporal dynamics of key pollutants remain underexplored. This knowledge gap limits the ability to [...] Read more.

Air quality is a key priority in environmental policy agendas worldwide, yet rapid urban growth in developing countries disproportionately affects urban air quality. In sub-Saharan Africa, the spatial and temporal dynamics of key pollutants remain underexplored. This knowledge gap limits the ability to understand how pollution hotspots emerge, how they shift over time, and how they interact with the broader planetary processes such as climate change. This study analysed the spatial distribution of ozone (O₃) and carbon monoxide (CO) hotspots in Diepkloof and Klieprivier townships, Johannesburg, South Africa, using data from 2019 to 2023 obtained from air quality monitoring stations. Spatial patterns were mapped using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation in a Geographic Information System (GIS), and meteorological influences were assessed through multiple linear regression. Results showed distinct spatial trends: Diepkloof experienced a decrease in O₃ from 23 ppb to 16 ppb, whereas Klieprivier remained stable but exhibited marked seasonal variation, peaking at 30 ppb in spring. Wind speed, wind direction, and humidity were significant predictors (p < 0.05) of both CO and O₃. In Klieprivier, meteorological factors explained 54.2% of O₃ variability, with temperature being the strongest predictor. These findings provide valuable insight into pollutant behaviour in urban townships and highlight the importance of integrating spatial analysis with meteorological modelling for targeted air quality management. Full article

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17 pages, 485 KB

Open AccessArticle

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Vision: Backsliding, Illiberalism, and the Unlikelihood of the Agenda’s Success

by Nadini Persaud and Ruby Dagher

Challenges 2025, 16(4), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040051 - 28 Oct 2025

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Abstract

The United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda has been derailed by various events (e.g., COVID-19, economic crises, democratic backsliding, economic illiberalism, decreasing regard for human rights, and war). These events have diverted attention from the Agenda, and consumed precious limited financial [...] Read more.

The United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda has been derailed by various events (e.g., COVID-19, economic crises, democratic backsliding, economic illiberalism, decreasing regard for human rights, and war). These events have diverted attention from the Agenda, and consumed precious limited financial resources that could be used to advance the SDGs. With only five years remaining, this initiative is at serious risk of not achieving its desired objectives and impact. Internal contradictions between the goals, challenges to the funding mechanism, and power imbalances within a country, regionally, and globally need to be addressed. This paper will examine the myriad challenges that countries face in trying to implement the Agenda post COVID-19, including those linked to the actions of developed countries, and explore how important changes to the Agenda could be undertaken all while helping to protect a country’s own policy space. Full article

30 pages, 3449 KB

Open AccessReview

Mapping the Trajectory of Planetary Health Education—A Critical and Constructive Perspective from the Global South

by Isaías Lescher Soto, Bernabé Vidal, Lorenzo Verger and Gustavo J. Nagy

Challenges 2025, 16(4), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040050 - 21 Oct 2025

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Abstract

The planetary health approach has gained traction in academic and international governance spheres; however, its limited integration into education systems has hindered its emergence as a universal framework for addressing the triple planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution) and its impacts [...] Read more.

The planetary health approach has gained traction in academic and international governance spheres; however, its limited integration into education systems has hindered its emergence as a universal framework for addressing the triple planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution) and its impacts on individual well-being and global health systems. We mapped the evolution of the educational approach to planetary health between 2015 and 2025 from a critical and constructive perspective, using a bibliometric and thematic analysis. Through the bibliometric analysis, we found that publications from the Global North predominate, focusing on health programmes and topics such as climate change, One Health, Global Health and Public Health. The thematic analysis, based on inductive categorisation, allowed us to identify criticisms of the educational approach, such as its curricular marginalisation and limited scalability. From an epistemological perspective, these criticisms refer to technoscientific reductionism, the invisibility of non-Western epistemologies and the decoupling of cognition and environment. Given these limitations, we propose a reconstruction of the planetary health approach along three critical dimensions: Motivation, Legitimacy and Epistemology. This reconstruction is projected into short-, medium- and long-term scenarios at the university level, particularly as part of curriculum reform efforts, to broaden the pedagogical impact and promote a more inclusive and transformative vision. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Planetary Health Education and Communication)

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25 pages, 309 KB

Open AccessCase Report

Solastalgia Following Environmental Change in Gold Mining Areas of Zimbabwe: A Case Study of Lived Experiences

by Moses Nyakuwanika

Challenges 2025, 16(4), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040049 - 20 Oct 2025

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Abstract

This case study examines the experience of solastalgia among individuals residing in gold mining towns in Zimbabwe, particularly as environmental degradation intensified, to illustrate the experience of solastalgia through the expressions and reflections of individuals who have been impacted by it. Ecological degradation [...] Read more.

This case study examines the experience of solastalgia among individuals residing in gold mining towns in Zimbabwe, particularly as environmental degradation intensified, to illustrate the experience of solastalgia through the expressions and reflections of individuals who have been impacted by it. Ecological degradation has intensified, and national forest cover has been declining at an average rate of 327,000 hectares per year between 2000 and 2010. Meanwhile, artisanal gold mining releases more than 24 tons of mercury into ecosystems annually, contaminating water bodies. The research employed a qualitative design grounded in the interpretivist paradigm and utilized an inductive methodology. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 11 individuals who had resided in areas impacted by mining for an extended period. Thematic analysis was employed to examine individuals’ emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in response to environmental changes, with an emphasis on feelings of loss, sadness, frustration, and disconnection from place. Participants exhibited intense emotional reactions to environmental changes, including profound sadness, anger, feelings of helplessness, and a longing for the past. Of the participants, 70% reported experiencing profound sorrow, while 60% indicated that they employed community support as a coping strategy. The degradation of forests, water sources, and biodiversity contributed to a sense of alienation regarding their environment and identity. Nevertheless, some demonstrated resilience through their faith, community support, and efforts to safeguard the environment. However, their ability to heal and adapt was hindered by persistent systematic neglect and unfulfilled commitments. This case study contributes to the growing literature on solastalgia by presenting specific instances from Zimbabwe, a region where the phenomenon remains inadequately comprehended. This expands the concept of solastalgia to encompass the ecological degradation resulting from mining activities in Africa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Migration: Navigating Intersecting Crises)

14 pages, 3444 KB

Open AccessArticle

Relational Infrastructures for Planetary Health: Network Governance and Inner Development in Brazil’s Traceable Beef Export System

by Ivan Bergier

Challenges 2025, 16(4), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040048 - 16 Oct 2025

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Abstract

This study analyzes the relational architecture of Brazilian traceable beef exports using a tripartite network model that connects certified meatpacking plants, AgriTrace sustainability protocols, and importing countries. By leveraging export authorization data from the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, it is shown that certification [...] Read more.

This study analyzes the relational architecture of Brazilian traceable beef exports using a tripartite network model that connects certified meatpacking plants, AgriTrace sustainability protocols, and importing countries. By leveraging export authorization data from the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, it is shown that certification protocols function not merely as compliance tools but as relational governance infrastructures, mediating legitimacy, market access, and coordination within global value chains. Bipartite projections allowed the deriving and analyzing of two secondary networks: one mapping connections between meatpacking plants that share certifications, and the other linking consumer nations through common supply channels. The meatpacking plant network displays high modularity, featuring two dominant clusters alongside several smaller, regionally coherent clusters. This structure reflects diverse governance capabilities and strategic certification adoptions. Conversely, the consumer nation network shows lower modularity but identifies central hubs that organize international demand and signal regulatory alignment. These patterns reveal underlying dynamics of coopetition, where actors collaborate through shared standards yet compete through innovation. By integrating the Inner Development Goals (IDG) framework, it is revealed internal capacities, such as trust, complexity awareness, and shared purpose, underpinning the efficacy of traceability systems as ethical and adaptive infrastructures. This values-based lens provides a novel perspective on how technical systems can foster resilient, inclusive, and sustainable trade, thereby contributing to planetary health and human-centered development in global livestock governance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Solutions for Health and Sustainability)

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15 pages, 9577 KB

Open AccessArticle

What Factors Influence Cardamom Farmers to Adopt a Range of Climate-Resilient Practices?

by Shreesha Pandeya, Binayak Prakash Mishra and Sushmita Bhatta

Challenges 2025, 16(4), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040047 - 10 Oct 2025

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Abstract

The hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal provide a suitable environment for the cultivation of large cardamom, a high-value cash crop with significant global market potential. However, climate change poses significant threats to its production and the livelihoods of farmers dependent on this [...] Read more.

The hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal provide a suitable environment for the cultivation of large cardamom, a high-value cash crop with significant global market potential. However, climate change poses significant threats to its production and the livelihoods of farmers dependent on this crop. To cope with these challenges, adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices is essential, particularly among smallholder farmers of rural communities. However, the extent of their implementation remains largely unknown. We surveyed 158 households in Ilam and Tehrathum districts to assess the adoption intensity of climate-resilient practices among large cardamom farmers using the Ordered Probit Model. Findings revealed considerable variation in the adoption intensity of climate-resilient practices. Traditional practices like tillering, weeding, and irrigation were highly adopted, while more innovative, knowledge-intensive methods were less adopted. Education was found to have a positive influence on the high adoption intensity of climate-resilient practices. Each additional unit of year of schooling increases the probability of high adoption of practices by 3.4%. Membership in farmers’ groups increases the likelihood of high adoption by 12.9%, while labor availability and regular extension contact rises by 21.9% and 17.8%, respectively. Similarly, age shows a smaller but significant effect, increasing adoption by 0.5% at p-value = 0.08. The use of traditional practices is common; however, the uptake of scientifically recommended practices for climate resilience remains limited. Policy initiatives focusing on farmer education, promoting farmer organizations, addressing labor shortages, and strengthening extension services are important for enhancing resilience in the large cardamom sector of Nepal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Climate, Challenges, Trends, and Transitions)

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2 pages, 421 KB

Open AccessEditorial

A New Era for Challenges: Celebrating 15 Years with a Fresh Identity as Challenges—Journal of Planetary Health

by Susan L. Prescott, David Webb and Challenges—Journal of Planetary Health Editorial Office

Challenges 2025, 16(4), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040046 - 30 Sep 2025

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Abstract

We are delighted to announce an exciting new chapter in the life of our journal [...] Full article

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19 pages, 898 KB

Open AccessArticle

Greenwashing in the Tuna Industry: Implications for Consumers, Businesses and Planetary Health

by Dan Daugaard, Sana Ejaz and Ayobolawole Adewale Ogundipe

Challenges 2025, 16(4), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040045 - 30 Sep 2025

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Abstract

Greenwashing threatens both consumer trust and the integrity of planetary health initiatives. Transparency in sustainability claims is therefore critical for promoting ecological wellbeing, strengthening food security, and fostering equitable development in the Anthropocene. This paper investigates greenwashing by adapting the Gompers Governance Index [...] Read more.

Greenwashing threatens both consumer trust and the integrity of planetary health initiatives. Transparency in sustainability claims is therefore critical for promoting ecological wellbeing, strengthening food security, and fostering equitable development in the Anthropocene. This paper investigates greenwashing by adapting the Gompers Governance Index methodology to the context of sustainability claims. The focus of our greenwashing index in this case is the sustainability claims made by canned tuna brands in Australia. The index is created from a comprehensive set of criteria for environmental claims, based on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)’s principles for trustworthy claims. We show that the canned tuna brands form two clusters: one at a very high level of achievement and a second group with notable opportunities to improve on their sustainability communication and transparency. The results also highlight several key issues, most notably a lack of information regarding future sustainability transition plans across most brands. A deeper analysis of the scoring scheme shows that the brands with third-party sustainability certification generally achieved a better alignment with the ACCC principles than other brands. Future iterations of this analysis could incorporate online transparency and third-party verification to provide a more comprehensive assessment. Overall, this study underscores the need for clearer sustainability messaging, greater regulatory enforcement, and improved accountability among brands to ensure consumers can make informed choices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Solutions for Health and Sustainability)

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Challenges, Volume 16, Issue 4 (December 2025) – 10 articles

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