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Each year on 22 April, International Mother Earth Day brings together researchers, environmental leaders, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness and inspire action to protect our planet. Aligned with the 2026 theme, “Our Power, Our Planet”, we are honored to present this interview with Dr. Robson Mateus Freitas Silveira, Guest Editor of Poultry (ISSN: 2674-1164) and the Guest Editor of the Special Issue “Precision Poultry Farming: Environmental Automation for Sustainable and Efficient Production”.

Dr. Robson Silveira is a researcher in animal science focused on the interface between climate change, animal welfare, and sustainable livestock production. He holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science and Pastures from the Universidade de São Paulo and currently work as a postdoctoral researcher at the Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ambiência. His research integrates thermal physiology, animal behavior, and data science to understand and mitigate the effects of environmental stress on livestock systems. He has authored over 100 international publications and serve as a scientific editor and reviewer for multiple journals. His work emphasizes precision livestock farming, advanced statistical modeling, and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, resilience, and animal welfare. He is particularly interested in developing climate-smart strategies that support sustainable intensification and align livestock production with global sustainability goals.

The following is an interview with Dr. Robson Silveira:

1. Can you briefly introduce your research and what motivated you to work in this area?

I am a researcher in animal science with a focus on the interface between climate change, animal welfare, and production efficiency. My work integrates thermal physiology, behavior, and data science approaches to better understand how environmental stressors affect livestock systems. I was motivated to work in this area by the growing need to reconcile food production with animal welfare and environmental sustainability, especially under increasingly variable climatic conditions. My goal is to generate evidence-based strategies that improve resilience and efficiency in livestock systems while maintaining ethical and sustainable standards.

2. From your perspective, what is the most pressing environmental challenge today, and how does your work address it?

One of the most pressing environmental challenges today is the impact of climate change on food production systems, particularly through heat stress and environmental variability. These factors directly compromise animal welfare, productivity, and system sustainability. My research addresses this by quantifying thermal stress, identifying adaptive responses in animals, and developing predictive and data-driven strategies to mitigate its effects. By integrating environmental indicators such as temperature, humidity, and enthalpy with animal-based measures, I aim to support more climate-resilient livestock systems.

3. What inspired you to focus on sustainability or environmental research as an early career researcher?

My interest in sustainability emerged from recognizing that animal production systems are both highly vulnerable to environmental changes and essential for global food security. Early in my career, I became particularly interested in how environmental stressors shape animal biology and behavior. This led me to focus on sustainable intensification—improving productivity while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring animal welfare. The urgency of climate change reinforced my commitment to this research path.

4. The theme “Our Power, Our Planet” highlights collective action—how does your research contribute to real-world environmental impact or solutions?

My research contributes to real-world impact by generating practical tools and knowledge that can be applied at the farm and industry levels. For example, I develop models and indicators that help producers identify critical environmental thresholds and optimize management practices to reduce thermal stress. Additionally, by using advanced statistical and machine learning approaches, I support precision livestock farming strategies that enhance efficiency, reduce resource waste, and improve animal welfare. These contributions help bridge the gap between science and practical application.

5. In your view, how can researchers collaborate with policymakers, industry, or communities to drive meaningful environmental change?

Effective collaboration requires translating scientific findings into actionable and accessible information. Researchers must engage with policymakers and industry stakeholders early in the research process to ensure relevance and applicability. This includes co-developing solutions, participating in advisory panels, and contributing to evidence-based policies. Collaboration with producers and communities is also essential to ensure that innovations are feasible and context-specific. Interdisciplinary approaches are key to addressing complex environmental challenges.

6. What role do you think innovation and emerging technologies play in accelerating sustainability and protecting our planet?

Innovation and emerging technologies play a central role in advancing sustainability. Tools such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensor-based monitoring systems enable more precise and real-time decision-making in livestock production. These technologies allow us to better predict environmental stress, optimize resource use, and improve animal welfare outcomes. In my work, I use data-driven approaches to extract meaningful patterns from large datasets, supporting more efficient and adaptive production systems.

7. How can researchers better engage the public or raise awareness to encourage collective action on environmental issues?

Researchers can enhance public engagement by communicating science in a clear, accessible, and transparent manner. This includes using multiple platforms, such as social media, public talks, and collaborative projects with stakeholders. Demonstrating the real-world relevance of research—especially its impact on food systems, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability—is essential to fostering awareness and trust. Education and outreach initiatives also play a critical role in promoting collective action.

8. Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of environmental research and global sustainability efforts?

I hope to see a stronger integration between science, technology, and policy to address global sustainability challenges. Environmental research should increasingly focus on scalable, data-driven, and interdisciplinary solutions. I also expect greater emphasis on resilience and adaptation strategies, particularly in the context of climate change. Ultimately, my hope is that research will continue to contribute to more sustainable, ethical, and efficient food production systems that align with global sustainability goals.