Search Results (31)

The rapid integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into education across all sectors has prompted a proliferating body of scholarship addressing the ethical, social, and environmental implications of these technologies. This narrative literature review synthesises international empirical, conceptual, and policy literature published between 2022 and 2026 to trace the evolving story of ethical concerns surrounding GenAI in education. Drawing on the moral philosophy of consequentialism, particularly the utilitarian ethics of John Stuart Mill, the review analyses six interconnected domains of ethical concern: environmental sustainability and the carbon footprint of AI infrastructure; algorithmic bias, ideological encoding, and the reproduction of misinformation; user dependency and the erosion of learner agency; the displacement of critical and creative thinking; data privacy and surveillance; and the orientation of major GenAI platforms toward profit-driven and capitalistic outcomes. Unlike systematic reviews that privilege methodological replicability, this narrative review foregrounds interpretive synthesis, tracing how the ethical discourse has shifted from early alarm and prohibition toward more nuanced frameworks for responsible integration. The review identifies a consequentialist tension at the heart of the debate: while GenAI offers measurable benefits in personalisation, accessibility, and efficiency, these gains must be weighed against distributed harms that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, the natural environment, and the epistemic foundations of education itself. The review concludes with a set of guidelines for the ethical use of GenAI in educational contexts, grounded in the literature synthesised in the article. Full article

This research paper addresses the persistent problem of environmental opacity in sustainable debt markets, exposing a structural flaw that incremental regulation alone cannot remedy. This study advances a radical, physics-grounded solution that fundamentally transforms environmental reporting from voluntary self-disclosure to instrumentally verified, quantum-limited measurement. The method integrates three mutually reinforcing analytical frameworks: the design of Quantum-Verified Green Bonds (QVGBs), the application of cryptographic quantum key distribution (QKD), and the formal apparatus of financial contract theory. The principal conceptual innovation resides in a three-tiered architectural structure—physical, cyber–physical, and financial—that collectively shifts the epistemological foundation of sustainable finance from institutional norms and managerial discretion to the immutable constraints of physical laws. By deploying nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond as primary sensing arrays at industrial emission points, this system achieves environmental parameter estimation bounded by the Cramér–Rao quantum limits, a precision ceiling governed by Quantum Fisher Information, not corporate policy. This architecture acquires high-fidelity, real-time data on CO₂ and CH₄ flux densities, transforming atmospheric pollutant concentrations into physically attested, contractually actionable financial variables. A QKD layer further leverages the no-cloning theorem to render any upstream data manipulation physically self-revealing through statistically detectable elevations in the Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER). The central contribution of this work lies in the algorithmic coupling of bond coupon structures to these quantum-verified state variables, enforced via smart contracts, thereby converting “environmental misinformation” from a viable managerial strategy into a strictly dominated equilibrium outcome. These findings carry substantial implications for bridging the “trust gap” in green financial markets, a gap sustained by chronically undervalued transition risks and deficient accountability mechanisms in air quality and carbon reporting. The QVGB framework stabilizes green asset prices by subordinating capital allocation decisions to physical constraints rather than political or institutional ones, thereby establishing a new ontological baseline for the global sustainable debt market. Full article

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transitioned from a specialized research area to a ubiquitous socio-technical infrastructure influencing sectors from healthcare and law to manufacturing and defense. In tandem with its transformative promise, AI has created an exponentially expanding ethics literature questioning, fairness, transparency, accountability, and justice. This review synthesizes publications and key policy developments between 2019 and 2025, bringing sectoral discourses together with cross-cutting frameworks. Grounded in a systematic scoping review methodology, we frame the field along four meta-dimensions: trust and transparency, bias and fairness, governance & regulation, and justice, while we investigate their expression across diverse sectors. Special attention is dedicated to healthcare (patient trust and algorithmic bias), education (integrity and authorship), media (misinformation), law (accountability), and the industrial sector (data integrity, intellectual property protection, and environmental safety). We ground abstract principles in concrete case studies to illustrate real-world harms and mitigation strategies. Furthermore, we incorporate pluralistic ethics (e.g., Ubuntu, Islamic perspectives), environmental ethics, and emerging challenges posed by Generative AI and neuro-AI interfaces. To bridge theory and practice, we propose an operational governance framework for organizations. We contend that success involves transitioning from principles toward ethics-by-design, pluralistic governance, sustainability, and adaptive oversight. This review is intended for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers who need a comprehensive and actionable framework for navigating the complex landscape of AI ethics. Full article

Growing global environmental awareness has fueled a “green” market, but also a confusing array of information, raising risks of misinformation. In response, sustainability certifications and instruments have become crucial tools in the cosmetics industry. However, the rapid spread of these ecolabels has created new problems, including market fragmentation, consumer confusion, and heightened concerns about greenwashing. This study conducts a systematic comparative analysis of 24 prominent sustainability schemes within the cosmetics sector. We developed an analytical framework to assess each instrument across three dimensions: (i) value chain coverage (from sourcing to end-of-life), (ii) corporate sustainability scope (environmental, social, governance), and (iii) verification and transparency mechanisms. The results reveal a fragmented landscape with significant scope imbalances. Most instruments robustly cover upstream impacts (e.g., ingredient sourcing), but downstream phases—including consumer use, packaging, and circularity—are markedly under-addressed. At the corporate level, environmental criteria dominate, with social and governance dimensions inconsistently integrated. Verification rigor and transparency vary widely, with many relying on confidential audits or self-declaration. In conclusion, while valuable as market instruments, prevailing certifications are insufficient as standalone assurance tools. The findings highlight a misalignment with emerging regulations, underscoring the need for greater lifecycle integration, enhanced transparency, and alignment with comprehensive corporate sustainability frameworks. Full article

Building resilience is largely affected by the socioeconomic characteristics of the community as well as the physical and environmental local characteristics. The effectiveness of the adopted policies for resilience building partly relies on considering public concerns and insights. Insights from public narratives can enrich the resilience-building policies by sharing experiences or evidence from past disasters. Furthermore, it reveals priorities and concerns that society is expecting to be addressed. Even if the concerns are triggered by misinformation, addressing them (e.g., by disseminating corrective information) can increase the success of resilience-building policies. Tracing the public narrative over time shows how much people’s perspectives have changed after the disaster and how the relief and resilience-building efforts were compatible with society’s expectations. This study is aimed at extracting such insights from the public narrative on social media platforms after Morocco’s 2023 earthquake. Full article

Global health faces unprecedented challenges driven by communicable diseases, which are increasingly amplified by persistent health inequities, the impact of climate change, and the speed of emerging crises. Prevention is not merely a component but the foundational strategy for an effective, sustainable, and fiscally responsible public health response. This paper delves into the pivotal role of core prevention levers: robust vaccination programs, stringent hygiene standards, advanced epidemiological surveillance, and targeted health education. We detail how contemporary technological advancements, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and genomics, are fundamentally reshaping infectious disease management, enabling superior predictive capabilities, faster early warning systems, and personalized prevention models. Furthermore, we thoroughly examine the imperative of integrating the One Health approach, which formally recognizes the close, interdependent links between human, animal, and environmental health as critical for combating complex threats like zoonoses and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Despite significant scientific progress, persistent socio-economic disparities, the pervasive influence of health-related misinformation (infodemics), and structural weaknesses in global preparedness underscore the urgent need for decisive international cooperation and equitable financing models. We conclude that only through integrated, multidisciplinary, and resource-equitable strategies can the global community ensure effective prevention, mitigate severe socio-economic disruption, and successfully build resilient healthcare systems capable of withstanding future global health threats. Full article

Background: Vaccinations are essential to protect travelers from infectious diseases, especially in high-risk destinations. However, awareness and adherence to vaccination recommendations vary, influenced by communication, personal beliefs, and behavior. Methods: A focus group was conducted in February 2025 at a local health authority in central Italy, specifically within its travel clinic, to explore travelers’ awareness, attitudes, and behaviors regarding vaccination. The discussion was analyzed using the “3Cs” Vaccine Hesitancy model. Participants were purposively selected to ensure diversity and representativeness. Discussions included past travel experiences, knowledge of required vaccines, motivations for immunization, and barriers to access. Results: Four key thematic areas emerged: socio-cultural/environmental factors, psychological/emotional influences, knowledge/information access, and general health perceptions. Communication gaps often weakened belief in vaccine efficacy and necessity. Cultural background, past experiences, and risk perception heavily influenced decisions. Discussion: Although vaccination is widely viewed as a protective measure, vaccine hesitancy persists due to misinformation and limited institutional trust. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified both awareness and skepticism. The 3Cs model clarified hesitancy levels and barriers, emphasizing the need for effective communication and trust-building. Conclusions: Enhancing access to accurate information, strengthening healthcare professionals’ communicative role, and reducing economic obstacles are crucial. Tailored awareness campaigns and integrated health policies are essential to increasing vaccine uptake, safeguarding traveler health, and limiting global disease spread. Patient or Public Contribution: Members of the public contributed to this study by participating in a focus group, where they shared their personal experiences, perceptions, and opinions regarding travel-related vaccinations. Their insights provided valuable qualitative data that helped inform the study’s findings. However, they were not involved in the study design, the analysis of the data, or the preparation of the manuscript. The role of participants was limited to the data collection phase of the study. Full article

This article examines the phenomenon of greenwashing in the automotive industry and its perception by market participants, i.e., vehicle users and potential buyers. The main goal of this publication is to highlight greenwashing and determine how this concept is perceived by consumers in the context of the electric vehicle market and whether it may influence future purchasing decisions. A study was conducted using a proprietary questionnaire. Respondents were asked about their knowledge and awareness of greenwashing. Subsequent questions asked 417 respondents to provide their perceptions of greenwashing in the electric vehicle market. Greenwashing is a marketing practice that portrays a company’s products or activities as more environmentally friendly than they actually are, potentially misleading potential customers. This article concludes that greenwashing in the automotive industry has a real impact on consumer decisions and brand image. While green marketing can bring short-term benefits, long-term lack of transparency and misinformation can lead to a loss of trust and harm to both companies and the environment. Real benefits can only be achieved by combining these claims with actual environmentally friendly practices. Full article

This article investigates technological choices for Waste-to-Energy (WtE) implementations in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management. It identified challenges and opportunities, thereby transforming the perspective of MSW from waste into a valuable resource. The methodology included a systematic literature review, following PICO and PRISMA protocols. The analysis included 118 open-access review articles, published between 2018 and 2024, from Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, concerning thermochemical, biochemical, and chemical technologies. Key challenges for new implementations include economic barriers, social issues, and regulatory shortcomings. Opportunities arise from education, supportive policies, and lessons learned from developed countries such as Germany and Japan. Limitations include the focus on specific databases and the potential oversight of data from other sources or unexamined data. Implications for future research should expand coverage as well as assess longer periods to enhance MSW valorization. Implications also include guidance for public managers and policymakers in formulating MSW management strategies, including policies, WtE technology selection, public education, and reducing misinformation to boost implementation and social acceptance of WtE initiatives. Effective WtE implementation improves public health and the environmental performance of regions by reducing landfills and generating economic and employment opportunities for vulnerable communities. The study’s originality lies in bridging a significant research gap on WtE implementation through a comprehensive examination of its challenges and opportunities. By integrating international experiences and lessons learned, it generates guidance for the sustainable development of MSW management systems. Full article

This study examines how environmental journalists in Eastern Indonesia develop innovative digital strategies to counter corporate disinformation while maintaining credible climate reporting amid systematic censorship and algorithmic suppression. Through ethnographic fieldwork with 34 environmental journalists in Makassar and surrounding maritime communities (2023–2024), combined with digital platform analysis and content verification tracking, this investigation reveals how local journalists create “networked verification archipelagos” that mirror traditional maritime communication systems to combat extractive industry misinformation. Our analysis revealed three primary counter-disinformation mechanisms: (1) community-based verification networks that successfully identified 87% of corporate misinformation within 48 h through traditional knowledge integration; (2) algorithmic resistance strategies that increased environmental content visibility by 156% through cultural framing techniques; and (3) cross-platform coordination that maintained journalist communication networks despite 34 documented censorship campaigns. These networks enable accurate environmental reporting despite corporate-sponsored disinformation campaigns, government restrictions on mining coverage, and social media algorithms that amplify climate denial content. The research demonstrates how journalists in the Global South develop decolonial approaches to counter-disinformation that challenge Western platform-centric fact-checking models while maintaining journalistic credibility and community accountability. These findings contribute to understanding power dynamics and coloniality in disinformation studies while offering insights for media literacy and democratic integrity in climate-vulnerable regions. Full article

The social acceptance of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) is a decisive factor in the successful implementation of clean energy projects. This study explores the attitudes, demographic profiles, and common misconceptions of citizens in the Region of Epirus, Greece, toward photovoltaic and wind energy installations. Special attention is given to the role of education, age, and access to information—as well as spatial factors such as visual exposure—in shaping public perceptions and influencing acceptance of RES deployment. A structured questionnaire was administered to 320 participants across urban and rural areas, with subdivision between regions with and without visual exposure to RES infrastructure. Findings indicate that urban residents exhibit greater acceptance of RES, while rural inhabitants—especially those in proximity to installations—express skepticism, often grounded in esthetic concerns or perceived procedural injustice. Misinformation and lack of knowledge dominate in areas without visual contact. Statistical analysis confirms that younger and more educated participants are more supportive and environmentally aware. The study highlights the importance of targeted educational interventions, transparent consultation, and spatially sensitive communication strategies in fostering constructive engagement with renewable energy projects. The case of Epirus underscores the need for inclusive, place-based policies to bridge the social acceptance gap and support the national energy transition. Full article

Currently, young populations (individuals under 26 years old) face unprecedented challenges, including climate change, environmental degradation, and the management of public health crises such as vaccine hesitancy. In this complex environment, social media plays a crucial role in shaping youth attitudes and behaviors, presenting both significant opportunities and risks. Social media platforms have become essential in shaping public opinion on general topics and health-related issues, particularly vaccination. Understanding how digital platforms influence youth behavior regarding vaccination can offer valuable insights into psychosocial mechanisms capable of stimulating sustainable behaviors among the same demographic. This study explores a novel intersection between public health and environmental communication, proposing that the same psychosocial and communicative mechanisms influencing pro-vaccination behaviors—such as trust, social influence, and emotional resonance—also underpin pro-environmental engagement among youth. Understanding this overlap allows for cross-domain strategies in digital communication campaigns. This paper examines how digital communication strategies effective in promoting vaccination can be adapted to foster pro-environmental behavior among youth. By identifying shared psychosocial mechanisms—such as fear, trust, and social influence—the study proposes a conceptual framework for leveraging social media to support sustainable behaviors. This study explores how social media influences youth attitudes towards vaccination and pro-environmental behavior. Using a structured questionnaire distributed among 450 young participants (aged 18–26) and analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via WarpPLS, the research identifies key psychosocial mechanisms such as fear, trust, and social influence. Results show that social media exposure and peer environment are strong predictors of both vaccination and environmental behaviors (R² = 0.70 for vaccination attitude; R² = 0.50 for environmental attitude). The proposed conceptual model highlights the importance of emotionally resonant, science-based communication strategies in promoting sustainable behaviors among youth. Practical implications for strategic digital campaigns are discussed. Full article

This research focuses on current photojournalism practices in the media representation of the climate crisis, exploring how images published by Spain’s leading digital newspapers contribute to shaping public perception of the phenomenon. Through a mixed-methods approach, this study examines eco-visual reporting in 2023—a year characterized by unprecedented global temperatures—alongside an examination of the initial month of coverage of the 2024 DANA floods. The main objective of this study is to evaluate whether the visual depiction of climate change in mainstream media aligns with or deviates from the established visual patterns associated with stereotyped iconography and alarmist narratives. This research provides a taxonomy of the predominant thematic elements and their frequency, addressing key issues such as the persistence of worn-out visual tropes, the reliance on stock images, and the episodic nature of its news treatment. The inclusion of the most catastrophic climate disaster of the 21st century in Spain allows for an exploration of how the media pressure inherent to crisis situations intensifies the risk of errors in image attribution and contextualization. Finally, we offer practical recommendations to guide visual coverage toward comprehensive, accurate, and human-centered approaches, aiming to foster public trust and maximize the potential of photojournalism as a key tool in collective mobilization against the climate emergency. Full article

This study explores public discourse surrounding the January 2025 California wildfires by analyzing high-engagement YouTube comments. Leveraging sentiment analysis, misinformation detection, and topic modeling, this research identifies dominant emotional tones, thematic patterns, and the prevalence of misinformation in discussions. The results show a predominantly neutral to positive sentiment, with notable emotional intensity in misinformation-related comments, which were rare but impactful. The thematic analysis highlights concerns about governance, environmental issues, and conspiracy theories, including water mismanagement and diversity-related critiques. These findings provide insights for crisis communication, policymaking, and misinformation management during disasters, emphasizing the importance of aligning strategies with public concerns. Full article

Greenwashing, the phenomenon of misleading stakeholders concerning the environmental sustainability efforts of a company, may undermine the trust of people to a company or to a whole industry and the progress toward sustainability. This paper provides an extensive Literature Review about the evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria and their relationship with the Greenwashing Phenomenon. It also examines the historical and regulatory contexts, causes, consequences and mitigation strategies of this phenomenon. By analyzing the market distortions and the environmental harm that may be linked to the Greenwashing Phenomenon, the study highlights the need for enhanced regulation, improved transparency and stakeholder vigilance. The methods employed in this paper include a thematic analysis of the literature and qualitative case study comparisons to derive insights into the multifarious impacts of greenwashing. Such case studies provided in this paper concern companies such as Volkswagen, Zara, Coca-Cola and BP. Full article