Search Results (311)

Silicon has a striking similarity to carbon and is found in plant cells. However, there is no specific role that has been assigned to silicon in the life cycle of plants. The amount of silicon in plant cells is species specific and can reach levels comparable to macronutrients. Silicon is used extensively in artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and the digital revolution, and thus can serve as an informational molecule such as nucleic acids. The diverse potential of silicon to bond with different chemical species is analogous to carbon; thus, it can serve as a structural candidate similar to proteins. The discovery of large amounts of silicon on Mars and the moon, along with the recent development of enzyme that can incorporate silicon into organic molecules, has propelled the theory of creating silicon-based life. The bacterial cytochrome has been modified through directed evolution such that it could cleave silicon–carbon bonds in organo-silicon compounds. This consolidates the idea of utilizing silicon in biomolecules. In this article, the potential of silicon-based life forms has been hypothesized, along with the reasoning that autotrophic virus-like particles could be used to investigate such potential. Such investigations in the field of synthetic biology and astrobiology will have corollary benefits for Earth in the areas of medicine, sustainable agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Full article

The report examines food availability and demand in the Anthropocene era, exploring the connections between global population growth and carrying capacity through an extended version of Cohen’s Condorcet concept. It recalls the super-Malthus and Verhulst-type scalings, matched with the recently introduced analytic relative growth rate. It focuses particularly on the ongoing Fifth Industrial Revolution (IR) and its interaction with the concept of a sustainable civilization. In this context, the significance of innovative food preservation technologies that can yield high-quality foods with health-promoting features, while simultaneously increasing food quantities and reducing adverse environmental impacts, is discussed. To achieve this, high-pressure preservation and processing (HPP) can play a dominant role. High-pressure ‘cold pasteurization’, related to room-temperature processing, has already achieved a global scale. Its superior features are notable and are fairly correlated with social expectations of a sustainable society and the technological tasks of the Fifth Industrial Revolution. The discussion is based on the authors’ experiences in HPP-related research and applications. The next breakthrough could be HPP-related sterilization. The innovative HPP path, supported by the colossal barocaloric effect, is presented. The mass implementation of pressure-related sterilization could lead to milestone societal, pro-health, environmental, and economic benefits. Full article

Starting from the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century to date, urban areas have faced increasing environmental challenges due to the diffusion of harmful substances, resulting from vehicular traffic, the activities of different industries, waste, and building construction, etc. These pollutants are dangerous, since they pose a threat to both the environment and human health. Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly and low-cost technique that uses plants and their associated microorganisms to clean-up contaminated sites. In this review, we explore its main applications in urban settings. Specifically, we investigate how phytoremediation works, highlighting the most effective plants for its success in a city context. Moreover, we also describe the main factors influencing its effectiveness, such as soil, climate, and pollutants. In this regard, several case studies, conducted worldwide, have reported on how phytoremediation can successfully reclaim contaminated areas, transforming them into reusable city green spaces, with reduced costs compared to traditional remediation techniques (e.g., soil replacement, soil washing, etc.). Moreover, by integrating it into urban planning, cities can address environmental pollution, while promoting biodiversity, enhancing the landscape, and increasing its social acceptance. This nature-based solution offers a practical path toward more sustainable and resilient urban environments, especially in regard to the climate change framework. Full article

Nanomaterials are present everywhere today and represent the new industrial revolution. Depending on the application, there are many ways to synthesize nanomaterials with different properties. The industrial production of nanomaterials faces various challenges at different stages, going from conception and design to implementation and scaling-up of the production process, which can limit the growth of practical application at a large-scale scope, such as due to the lack of reproducibility, safety, and environmental impact. Here, we discuss current advances achieved for nanomaterial production at a large scale, encompassing a range of synthetic strategies and post-treatment modifications used to enhance the nanomaterials’ performance. A particular interest is devoted to highlighting the progress of MoS₂ nanomaterials’ application. Thus, overcoming those discussed challenges becomes a new prospect for the future perspectives of industrial nanomaterials and nanotechnologies. Full article

Atmospheric methane (CH₄) concentrations have increased to 2.5 times their pre-industrial levels, with a marked acceleration in recent decades. CH₄ is responsible for approximately 30% of the global temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution. This growing concentration contributes to environmental degradation, including ocean acidification, accelerated climate change, and a rise in natural disasters. The column-averaged dry-air mole fraction of methane (XCH₄) is a crucial indicator for assessing atmospheric CH₄ levels. In this study, the Sentinel-5P TROPOMI instrument was employed to monitor, map, and estimate CH₄ concentrations on both regional and global scales. However, TROPOMI data exhibits limitations such as spatial gaps and relatively coarse resolution, particularly at regional scales or over small areas. To mitigate these limitations, a novel Convolutional Neural Network Autoencoder (CNN-AE) model was developed. Validation was performed using the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON), providing a benchmark for evaluating the accuracy of various interpolation and prediction models. The CNN-AE model demonstrated the highest accuracy in regional-scale analysis, achieving a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 28.48 ppb and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 30.07 ppb. This was followed by the Random Forest (RF) regressor (MAE: 29.07 ppb; RMSE: 36.89 ppb), GridData Nearest Neighbor Interpolator (NNI) (MAE: 30.06 ppb; RMSE: 32.14 ppb), and the Radial Basis Function (RBF) Interpolator (MAE: 80.23 ppb; RMSE: 90.54 ppb). On a global scale, the CNN-AE again outperformed other methods, yielding the lowest MAE and RMSE (19.78 and 24.7 ppb, respectively), followed by RF (21.46 and 27.23 ppb), GridData NNI (25.3 and 32.62 ppb), and RBF (43.08 and 54.93 ppb). Full article

Beer is the third most popular beverage in the world, and its production is distributed uniformly between the biggest continents. Considering the environmental aspects, the utilization of brewing by-products, mainly brewers’ spent grain (BSG), is essential on a global scale. The beer revolution, lasting over a few decades, significantly diversified the beer market in terms of styles, and therefore, also its by-products, which should be characterized appropriately prior to further application. Herein, the presented study investigated the unprecedented number of 22 different variants of brewers’ spent grain, yielded from the production of various beer styles, enabling their proper comparison. A comprehensive by-product characterization revealed an almost linear relationship (Pearson correlation coefficients exceeding 0.9) between the color parameters (L*, a*, browning index) of beer and generated spent grain, enabling a prediction of BSG appearance based on beer color. Applying wheat or rye malts increased the content of extractives by over 40%, reducing cellulose content by as much as 45%. Thermal treatments of malts (kilning or smoking) also reduced extractive content and limited antioxidant activity, often by over 30%. A lack of husk for wheat or rye reduced the crystallinity index of spent grain by 21–41%, while the roasting of barley efficiently decomposed the less stable compounds and maintained the cellulose crystalline structure. All the analyzed BSG samples were characterized by low volatile emissions and very limited antimicrobial activity. Therefore, their harmfulness to human health and the environment is limited, broadening their potential application range. Full article

The rise of smart precision weeding driven by Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) technologies symbolizes a quantum leap in sustainable agriculture. The modern weeding systems are becoming promisingly efficient, intelligently autonomous, and environmentally responsible by introducing artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), 5G connectivity, and edge computing technologies. This review discusses a comprehensive analysis of the traditional and contemporary weeding techniques, thereby focusing on the technological innovations paving way for the smart systems. Primarily, this work investigates the application of 5IR technologies in weed detection and decision-making with particular emphasis on the role of the aspects such as AI-driven models, drone-robot integration, GPS-guided practices, and intelligent sensor networks. Additionally, the work outlines key commercial solutions, sustainability metrics, data-driven decision support systems, and blockchain traceable practices. The prominent challenges in the context of global agricultural equity pertaining to cost, scalability, policy alignment, and adoption barriers in accordance to the low-resource environments are discussed in this study. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations and future research directions, highlighting the potential of 5IR technologies on the smart precision weeding. Full article

As a major driving force in the current technological revolution, artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly accelerated the intelligence, automation, and informatization of enterprises, thereby inevitably influencing the sustainable development performance (SDP) of manufacturing enterprises. This study takes the “Next-Generation AI Innovation Pilot Zone” policy as a case study and utilizes a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model and machine learning techniques to investigate the impact of AI on the SDP of Chinese manufacturing enterprises. The findings indicate that AI contributes to improving the SDP of manufacturing firms. The mechanism analysis reveals that AI enhances SDP via a green innovation effect, cost-saving effect, and digital transformation effect. The moderation analysis further shows that the CEO duality inhibits the positive impact of AI on SDP. The heterogeneity results based on the GRF model indicate that the positive relationship between AI and SDP is pronounced in state-owned enterprises and heavily polluting firms. This study not only enriches the literature on the micro-level environmental effects of AI but also provides valuable insights for governments and businesses seeking to improve SDP. Full article

The Cambrian–Ordovician Plankton Revolution played a crucial role in the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE) or Ordovician Radiation, as a driver of diversification. The emergence of new planktonic species enhanced primary productivity and improved nutrient cycling, fueling diversification across trophic levels. In this context, established plankton consumers like sponges and cnidarians thrived, and animals like euarthropods also radiated in response to these environmental conditions. Here, we hypothesize that Offacolidae, a small group of early chelicerates (the group including sea spiders, spiders, mites, and horseshoe crabs) known from the early Ordovician to the end of the Silurian, were suspension feeders that diversified within this changing ecosystem. Extant chelicerates are primarily predators or parasites, with no known cases of suspension feeding, which is also the case in extinct members. However, anatomical and environmental evidence suggest that Offacolidae may have adopted this feeding strategy. We examine the environmental conditions in which Offacolidae fossils were found, considering both biotic and abiotic factors such as paleolatitude, bathymetry, and the associated plankton community. We also assess the possible biomechanics of their unique appendages to determine their suitability for suspension feeding. Finally, comparisons with extant arthropods, such as the suspension-feeding crustaceans Limnomysis benedeni, Atya gabonensis, Subeucalanus pileatus, and the genus Emerita, provide insights into possible evolutionary analogies in their morphology, which may have served the same function. If confirmed, this hypothesis would make Offacolidae a unique case within chelicerates, illustrating how exceptional early Ordovician conditions fostered novel ecological adaptations and highlighting an interesting case of analogy between different lineages of euarthropods. Full article

This research investigates the spillover effects between assets of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), focusing on the role of climate policy uncertainty in shaping these interactions. Using a time-varying parameter vector autoregressive (TVP-VAR) approach and a joint connectedness method, the analysis incorporates five global indices representing key 4IR domains: the internet, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and robotics, fintech, and blockchain. The findings reveal significant interdependencies among 4IR assets and evaluate the effect of risk factors, including climate policy uncertainty, as a critical driver of the determinants of returns. The results indicate the growing impact of climate-related risks on the structure of connectedness between 4IR assets, highlighting their implications for portfolio diversification and risk management. These insights are vital for investors and policymakers navigating the intersection of technological innovation and environmental challenges in a rapidly changing global economy. Full article

Humans and nature have always been connected. Meanwhile, with the industrial revolution, landscapes have become more artificial, reducing the human–nature relationship. Urban design should follow biophilic principles to reconnect people with nature, mitigate climate change, improve air quality, restore biodiversity loss, and solve social problems. Poor air quality affects people’s health, and vegetation plays a crucial role in purifying the air. Similarly, contact with nature benefits physical and mental health and well-being. However, there is no consensus on how urban design can be beneficial for improving air quality and human health. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of evidence linking nature-based solutions (NBSs), air quality, carbon neutrality, and human health and well-being. Five hundred articles published between 2000 and 2024 were analysed. A number of publications studied the benefits of green infrastructure in improving air quality, carbon sequestration, or the influence of green spaces on human health. The topic of NBSs has recently emerged related to air quality, health, and promoting physical activity, as has accessibility to green spaces and mental health, also associated with blue spaces and residential gardens. The results revealed the gaps in the literature on how to design green and blue spaces to tackle environmental and public health crises simultaneously. Full article

Since the last glacial maximum, the Earth has experienced drastic climate changes. However, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, human activities have abruptly intensified, altering the planet’s climate patterns. Climate models predict that over the next hundred years, the globe will experience even more drastic changes than those observed in the past 20,000 years. Understanding how plants adapt to environmental changes has thus become a critical research priority. Currently, evidence suggests that plants adapt to environmental changes primarily through two distinct pathways: one mediated by genetic variation and the other involving the direct or indirect participation of epigenetic modifications. Given the unprecedented rate of contemporary climate change, epigenetic mechanisms may exert a more immediate and flexible influence than genetic modifications. Epigenetics, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA, plays an important role in the post-transcriptional regulation process and affects the growth and development of plants, as well as their responses to environmental changes. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge on the epigenetic mechanisms underlying plant responses to environmental changes and examine the dynamic interplay between epigenetic regulation and environmental stimuli, aiming to provide insights into enhancing the tolerance of plants to environmental stress factors. Full article

To achieve high-quality development, the Chinese government has proposed the establishment of Green Finance Reform and Innovation Pilot Zones (GFRIPZs). Green finance enhances environmental governance, guides capital flows, and supports sustainable economic growth. Against the backdrop of the “dual carbon” goals (carbon peaking and carbon neutrality), this study examines whether green finance significantly drives urban energy structure transition and explores its underlying mechanisms. Leveraging the GFRIPZ policy as a quasi-natural experiment, we construct a multi-period Difference-in-Differences (DID) model to systematically analyze the impact of green finance on energy structure transition. The findings reveal that the GFRIPZ policy significantly accelerates urban energy structure transition, with stronger effects observed in resource-based cities, central and western regions, and cities with higher administrative levels. Green finance drives this transition through the mediating effects of green technological innovation and resource allocation efficiency, while the digital economy further amplifies its positive impact. This study concludes that green finance effectively promotes urban energy structure transition and supports high-quality economic development. These findings provide empirical evidence and policy insights for advancing China’s energy revolution and achieving its climate objectives. Full article

This study investigates the moderating role of independent directors on corporate boards in raising the ESG reporting for non-financial listed firms in Pakistan to strive for a greener revolution around the economy. A sample of 369 firms listed and operated on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for a period covering 2012–2023 (both inclusive) have been taken out of a target population of 456 non-financial listed firms. The results are investigated using bivariate, multiple, and hierarchical regression analyses. This study has significant findings in the context of Pakistan and can be generalized to struggling economies around the globe. The interventional role of independent directors has significant findings for the full model. Findings from the Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy Score (CSRSS) are inconclusive irrespective of the measurement method used, i.e., environmental innovation score (EIS) or environmental pillar score (EPS). Environmental, Social, Governance Score (ESGS) has revealed a positive and significant impact when EIS is used as a performance variable, whereas when EPS is taken as a performance measure, the results are significant and negative. Under the lens of stakeholders’ theory, upper echelon theory, and agency theory, this study contributes to the corporate governance domain and the literature on environmental improvisation and ESG reporting. Researchers, statutory authorities, and academicians can benefit from it. The vital role of independent directors is the key to developing economies to strive for a sustained greener environment. This study is the first in the Asian and, specifically, Pakistani context to take on the interventional role of independent directors in promoting ESG reporting requirements for corporate greener revolution efforts. Full article

One of the most important trends in today’s construction is energy efficiency. Nowadays, construction is undergoing a revolution thanks to modern technologies. Technological innovations not only speed up the construction process but also improve the quality, durability, and safety of the structure, ensure energy efficiency, as well as aesthetics and comfort of use. Modern technologies, such as photovoltaic panels and heat pumps, can produce their own electricity and heat for buildings’ own needs with minimal use of fossil fuels. This not only leads to economic benefits, but also has a positive impact on the environment. Furthermore, choosing the right materials is the key factor in sustainable construction. Concrete, steel and other traditional building materials, although durable, have a negative impact on the environment due to the high energy consumption during their production. This study employed a SWOT-TOWS analysis to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the basic construction materials used for sustainable building. Its purpose was to compile all construction materials and evaluate them using the same technological, environmental, and socio-economic indicators. The results of the analysis allowed for the comparison of materials in terms of their usability in sustainable construction and provided the opportunity to determine strategies for their further application, thereby filling the research gap in this area. Taking into account care of the natural environment, the article presents current trends in modern sustainable construction in the world. Using SWOT analysis, the advantages and disadvantages of sustainable construction were indicated, and the economic, social, legal, environmental, and technological barriers to their development were discussed. Particular attention was paid to the use of pro-ecological technologies that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Full article