Search Results (175)

Novel high-entropy perovskite oxide powders were synthesized using a sol-gel process. The B-site contained five cations: chromium, cobalt, iron, manganese, and nickel. The B-site cations were present on an equiatomic basis. The A-site cation was lanthanum, with calcium doping. The amount of A-site doping varied from 0 to 30 at%, yielding a composition of La_1−xCa_x(Co_0.2Cr_0.2Fe_0.2Mn_0.2Ni_0.2)O_3−δ. The resulting perovskite powders were pressurelessly sintered in air at 1400 °C for 2 h. Sintered densities were measured, and the grain structure was imaged via scanning electron microscopy to investigate the effect of doping. Samples were cut and polished, and their resistance was measured at varying temperatures in air to obtain the electrical conductivity and the mechanism that governs it. Plots of electrical conductivity as a function of composition and temperature indicate that the increased configurational entropy of the perovskite materials has a demonstrable effect. Full article

The use of geothermal energy is gaining strategic importance in the context of sustainable development and the decarbonisation of local energy systems. As a stable and low-emission renewable energy source, geothermal energy offers tangible environmental and social benefits, including improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and enhanced energy independence. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the social dimensions of geothermal energy deployment in Poland, with a particular focus on environmental impacts, public acceptance, and participatory governance. Based on a Polish geothermal district heating system example, the paper demonstrates that geothermal projects can significantly reduce local pollution and support low-carbon economic transitions. The study includes a comparative assessment of avoided emissions, a critical discussion of potential social barriers, and SWOT and PESTEL analyses identifying systemic enablers and constraints. The authors argue that for geothermal energy to fulfil its sustainability potential, it must be supported by inclusive planning, transparent communication, and a holistic policy framework integrating environmental, technological, and social criteria. Full article

This article aims to identify the social groups particularly vulnerable to pandemic-related stress in the urban environment. The research seeks answers to questions regarding the following: (1) the demographic and socio-economic features of vulnerable groups and (2) their location in the city space. The main research tool was a geosurvey in which respondents determined the stress level experienced. The area of investigation covered three Polish cities. The results obtained were devised using statistical analysis methods. They make it possible to state that the features most differentiating stress level were sex, age, occupational activity, and profession practised. Women, persons aged 60+, economically inactive people (pensioners and unemployed people), and those practising certain professions, especially representing the tourism sector, were the groups most vulnerable to stress. The areas concentrating vulnerable groups were mainly centres of compact development. We assume that this knowledge will allow for improving public health conditions in cities, strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing strategies for adaptation to threats such as a pandemic, with regard to planning and city governance, and, thus, increasing city stress resilience and preparing better for further similar risks. Full article

Poland is a country with significant lignite resources. Prospecting for and exploring lignite deposits, as well as lignite extraction, requires prior acquisition of an appropriate concession. As concessions serve as instruments for regulating economic activity—and thereby constitute a form of permissible restriction on such activity under the Polish Constitution—the legal provisions governing them must be enacted by statute. This article analyzes the role of state policies relating to lignite extraction and its use in electricity generation, and examines the concession procedure as a regulatory instrument, with a particular focus on one specific ground for refusing to grant a concession: inconsistency with the state’s raw material interest. The main research question addresses whether the incorporation of the state’s raw material interest as grounds for refusal complies with constitutional standards and whether policy documents—specifically the State Raw Materials Policy and the State Energy Policy—can effectively guide its interpretation. The analysis concludes that, while the constitutional framework permits such a ground for refusal, current policy documents require updates and greater specificity to ensure legal certainty and consistency in administrative practices. Full article

The aim of this paper is to diagnose the extent of energy poverty in Poland and identify the instruments used in the public sector at the national level to address this challenge. In the theoretical part of the paper, we will review the literature related to the definition of the concept of energy poverty and the classification and measurement methodology of this phenomenon. In the research part, we will analyze the extent of the energy poverty phenomenon in Poland, review the Polish energy policy, and identify and characterize the instruments for tackling energy poverty in Poland implemented within the framework of national government programs. According to official statistics in Poland, depending on the adopted method of measuring energy poverty, in 2019, it affected between 4.2% and 15.4% of the population (the average across four indicators was 9% of the population). Our analyses confirmed the presence of energy poverty in Poland, which is a consequence of high energy prices and low energy efficiency of buildings. Energy poverty primarily affects people with the lowest incomes. Those particularly vulnerable are homeowners, especially residents of rural areas. The analysis of national strategies showed that although energy poverty is recognized at the government level, it is not a priority for the Polish government. There is a lack of a detailed diagnosis of energy poverty and a comprehensive, dedicated program for its reduction. Poland’s energy policy focuses primarily on limiting emissions and improving energy efficiency in buildings, which leads to the marginalization of the energy poverty issue. Full article

As global concerns about climate change and air quality intensify, nations are increasingly adopting sustainable transportation solutions, with electromobility emerging as a key alternative. This study investigates the factors influencing powertrain technology choice and the barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Poland, focusing on insights from technically educated youth, early-career researchers, and academic professionals. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, the study investigates public perceptions, motivations, and challenges associated with EV uptake in a country historically reliant on fossil fuels. Key drivers such as environmental considerations, government policies, and infrastructure development are evaluated alongside persistent obstacles, including high initial purchase costs, inadequate charging networks, range anxiety, and scepticism about battery performance. While the sample is not representative of the broader Polish population, it provides insights from a technically literate cohort likely to shape future technological and policy advancements. Our findings reveal that the adoption of EVs among this group is influenced by factors such as technological innovation and government policies, while barriers include high initial costs, limited charging infrastructure, and scepticism about perceived sustainability, battery life, and performance. The research also highlights the critical role of education and awareness in shaping attitudes toward EVs. This study, though limited by sample size and demographic focus, offers valuable contributions to understanding the early-stage adoption of EVs in Poland and serves as a foundation for future research targeting a more diverse population. The applied research model is scalable, providing a framework for broader studies that could include different age groups, geographical regions, and professional sectors. Full article

Poland is a country rich in mineral resources with a diversified resource base. Energy resources play a key role, as they are strategic resources ensuring the country’s energy security. Strategic resources, the recovery of which is highly risky and the possibilities of substitution are small, are critical resources for the Polish economy. These are the resources included in the list of critical resources for the European Union. The conducted review of mineral resources in Poland showed a large difference between the levels of actual resources and the resources of deposits. Therefore, supporting the mineral resources market is one of the key strategic areas of the Polish economy. This study aims to identify barriers that have a significant impact on the activities of entities in the raw materials sector. The tool used was the PESTEL analysis of companies operating in the raw materials sector. The aim of this study based on the assessment of experts familiar with the raw materials market and dealing with its challenges was to determine the main factors driving the raw materials market. These include the EU’s decarbonization policy, a complex system and relatively high level of taxes, a lack of qualified specialists, a market delay in terms of technological development, an environmental policy focused on a circular economy and renewables, and the problem of raw material depletion. The earlier identification of the market gap in the mineral resources industry in Poland in terms of business development opportunities indicated that IT and ICT would be possible directions of development. Therefore, an analysis of the industry was carried out in terms of business development opportunities. An assessment of the impact of individual factors on the activities of IT entities in the raw materials sector in Poland was carried out. The factors that most determine running a business in the diagnosed IT gap in the RM include a lack of government support for IT investments, new trends resulting from the growing importance of ICT in everyday life, the pandemic situation and the subsequent crisis of many companies on the market, the unstable financial condition of the main customer groups, and the lack of qualified personnel, equipment, and appropriate technology. The presented results may have practical implications, among others, for new economic players who want to establish their companies and conquer the raw materials market. On the one hand, they indicate opportunities, and on the other, they point to threats that may appear in their business life. Full article

The EU’s cohesion policy envisages using renewable energy sources (RESs) to realize sustainable development and reduce urban air pollution. In Poland, investments in this area are gradually being made by cities of different sizes, which is the subject of this study. One of the essential tools for implementing this policy is the Regional Operational Programmes (ROPs), under which it is possible to obtain funding for RES investments. Given the high energy needs of cities, such investments are important. A desk research method, qualitative project analysis, and quantitative analysis were used. The authors made inferences based on the data obtained. The authors analyzed all projects financed by the ROPs 2014–2020 implemented since 2014 by Polish cities to use RESs. The beneficiaries selected were local government units. The type and size of RES installations implemented in cities and the relationship between city size and investment characteristics were identified. To date, such research has not been conducted, filling a gap. The results make it possible to determine the directions and scale of financing RES investments in cities of different sizes in Poland, which was considered this study’s primary objective. This study showed that the size of the city determines the type of RES investments. In addition, it showed that the smaller the city, the lower the percentage of projects implemented on their own and the higher the percentage of projects implemented within a cluster or functional area. Full article

Analysis of publication intensity is an important tool for following research trends. Recent studies have recorded a decrease in the number of Polish publications on the topics of “economy” and “energy”, while global trends showed an increase in the number of publications. The present study undertakes a review of research on the topic of “education” (Sustainable Development Goal 4, SDG 4) based on the number of scientific publications in the Scopus database from 2017 to 2024. The objective of the review was to examine whether a discernible decline in the number of publications by Polish researchers in the field of education research has indeed occurred since 2021. Eight research hypotheses were proposed and tested. The following methods were used: graphical interpretation of 1,116,101 search results from scientific sources, scientometric and correlation analyses, and an analysis of the top 10 most cited publications on this topic, both in Poland and globally. The scientific contribution of this study is in testing and evaluating the hypotheses: the first, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the eighth hypotheses were rejected; the second and the seventh hypotheses were accepted. For the first time, the data obtained confirmed a serious problem in Polish science: since 2021, Poland’s position in the global scientific research market has been declining. The review showed the most popular branches of research in Poland and in the world. These are studies on the use of artificial intelligence, which corresponds to the sixth technological paradigm. The review also showed some differences in Polish specifics and global trends. The practical value lies in managerial recommendations for the Polish Government aimed at improving research on SDG 4. The knowledge gained advances modern knowledge about the management of education research in the context of SDG 4. This review is an important contribution to further research on the sustainability of education worldwide. Full article

Energy transformation is essential for reducing electricity production costs and building a competitive advantage for each country. Its success relies on balancing environmental goals with the need to maintain secure energy supplies, keep prices at an acceptable level for consumers, and ensure the economy’s competitiveness. Although the literature presents various investment constraints for onshore wind farms, little is known about the regulations that were supposed to protect the natural environment, and in practice, they turned out to be legal constraints on the development of onshore wind farms. This research aims to eliminate this research gap, and identify the legal limitations hindering the development of onshore wind farms, using Poland as a case study. It was examined whether legal provisions aimed at ensuring sustainable development could negatively impact the growth of onshore wind farms. The systematic literature study was supplemented by reviewing documents (available in the Polish Parliament and the Government Legislation Centre) relating to the location policy for onshore wind farms. The findings reveal that unfavourable legal solutions introduced in Poland over nearly a decade have severely obstructed the growth of onshore wind energy. This has led to harmful and measurable effects on society and the economy. Therefore, it is suggested that the creation of energy market regulations should be subject to greater stakeholder oversight. This study fits into the research field on legal barriers, classified as any negative phenomena and processes that do not contribute to achieving assumed goals. Full article

Urban settlements in Poland have developed over time, leading to problems such as overpopulation and spatial expansion, which threaten the environment and create spatial chaos. Changes in the demographic structure in Poland led to the need for systematized settlement development. Since 1989, Polish urban areas have undergone significant metamorphosis, with some becoming depopulated and others becoming metropolitan areas. The high autonomy of municipalities allowed for uncontrolled growth of the settlement network, also in typically rural directions. The 2006 Act mandated regional development strategies and urban spatial development plans for voivodship self-governments, but this has not produced adequate results. Cities continue to grow, often causing problems for society, local authorities, and natural ecosystems. This study examined the potential for urban settlement development using k-means cluster analysis to calculate the buildable area, taking in the detail of three case studies: Warsaw, Lodz, and Olsztyn. This allowed the classification of towns into zones corresponding to their level of urbanization. The k-means method used in the study gave similar and even more efficient results than the manual classification. This may contribute to stopping the growing urban expansion into rural areas inadequately prepared for the change in urban structure. This research can help to maintain sustainability and compensate for the problems of pollution in urban and rural areas. Full article

The whiteness of rice grains (WRG) is a key indicator of appearance quality, directly impacting its commercial value. The trait is quantitative, influenced by multiple factors, and no specific genes have been cloned to date. In this study, we first examined the correlation between the whiteness of polished rice, cooked rice, and rice flour, finding that the whiteness of rice flour significantly correlated with both polished and cooked rice. Thus, the whiteness of rice flour was chosen as the indicator of WRG in our QTL analysis. Using a set of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSL) with japonica rice Koshihikari as the recipient and indica rice Nona Bokra as the donor, we analyzed QTLs for WRG across two growth environments and identified six WRG QTLs. Notably, qWRG9 on chromosome 9 displayed stable genetic effects in both environments. Through chromosomal segment overlapping mapping, qWRG9 was narrowed to a 1.2 Mb region. Additionally, a BC₄F₂ segregating population confirmed that low WRG was a dominant trait governed by the major QTL qWRG9, with a segregation ratio of low to high WRG approximating 3:1, consistent with Mendelian inheritance. Further grain quality analysis on the BC₄F₂ population revealed that rice grains carrying the Indica-type qWRG9 allele not only exhibited lower WRG but also had significantly higher protein content. These findings support the fine mapping of the candidate gene and provide an important QTL for improving rice grain quality through genetic improvement. Full article

Poland suffered an epidemic of louse-borne typhus from 1916–1923, with 400,000 cases and more than 130,000 deaths. The causative factors were depressed economic conditions and a refugee crisis that engulfed Poland after World War I. The recognition of the epidemic in 1919 stimulated the creation of the League of Red Cross Societies (LRCS). However, the LCRS had limited resources, and the Poles requested help from other governments and the League of Nations (LoN). The United States sent the American–Polish Relief Expedition to conduct delousing. However, the Polish–Soviet War of 1920 disrupted typhus control and exacerbated the refugee situation. The LoN belatedly organized an underfunded Epidemic Commission. The LCRS sent a research team that did groundbreaking work on the pathology of typhus. Into 1921, the epidemic continued, driven by refugees from typhus-stricken Russia. By 1924, typhus cases were finally approaching pre-World War I levels. Multiple factors lead to the amelioration of the epidemic. The repatriation of prisoners of war and displaced civilians had concluded by 1923. Also, there had been a steady influx of sanitary, food, economic, and medical aid from various organizations into Poland since 1919. Administratively, within Poland, the anti-typhus campaign was also conducted more effectively by the Extraordinary Epidemic Commissariat. Full article

Although energy transformation is a widely discussed topic, there is a dearth of research on the role of rural communes in implementing that concept in Poland, a country where rural areas account for more than 90% of the total landmass. Most research projects are focused on larger local government units, such as cities, whereas rural communes’ role in the development of local energy policies and impact on the development of renewable energy sources (RESs) is often disregarded. Therefore, this study extends the existing literature resources with a view to bridging that gap by assessing rural communes’ investment activity in the context of the Polish energy transformation, with particular emphasis on regional differences in RES investments financed with Union funds. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to assess the contribution of rural communes to the Polish energy transformation process, with a particular focus on regional differences in renewable energy investments financed with European Union funds in the successive seven-year financial perspectives 2007–2013 and 2014–2020. The study aimed to answer the following key research questions: how does the level of rural communes’ investment activities related to renewable energy development compare to that of other commune types? What are the regional differences in rural communes’ investment activities related to renewable energy? What are the main factors affecting rural communes’ investment activity in regions most involved in the development of renewable energies? The study relies on data from the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy and from the Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office. The dataset was processed with the use of descriptive statistics methods and Ward’s method with a view to identifying regional patterns and conditions for the development of renewable energy investments. This study focuses on the investment activities of rural communes in Poland related to RESs financed with European Union funds. The empirical research results highlight rural municipalities’ crucial role in developing RES, emphasizing their high investment activity and significant regional differences. Municipalities from the eastern Polish provinces of Lublin and Podlasie have successfully secured EU funds for RES development. They have implemented numerous projects, primarily related to solar energy. Full article

The endorsement from Christian circles in facilitating the rise of radical right-wing populism in Brazil and the United States, as well as the support and alliance of the Polish Catholic Church with the Law and Justice (PiS) government, are widely acknowledged. Embedded within the intricate fabric of multifaceted factors contributing to the surge of right-wing populism, the Culture War assumes a pivotal yet often underestimated role. Manifesting as a profound confrontation, the Culture War signifies an existential clash between contrasting perspectives concerning socio-cultural values grounded in religious scripture. The research employs a qualitative methodology and a singular case study focused on Portugal, owing to the nation’s enduring relationship with Catholicism. Portugal emerges as indisputably one of the most religious countries in the Western world, akin to Poland. The research question aims to understand the support or relationship from the Portuguese Catholic Church (PCC) and Christian (social) movements to the populist right-wing Chega (lit. ‘Enough!’), slightly departing from their traditional center-right support for PSD and CDS in the Culture War. The results show that the support extended to Chega by the PCC and the Portuguese Episcopal Conference is non-existent in a formal manner. Despite this fact and the lack of formal backing for Chega, some Christian social movements have shown their approval or support for Chega, as the party has some roots in the movement sector, but not as strongly as the Front Nationale. Further research is suggested in order to attain deeper conclusions from both the Portuguese Catholic Church and Christian social movements using other methods for a deeper understanding, such as semi-structured interviews and participant observation of events. Full article