#Achieving sustainable agriculture through Goal 15

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Preserving Life on Land: Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 15

Goal 15 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is focused on ensuring life on land, recognizing the importance of preserving and restoring ecosystems, promoting sustainable land management, and halting biodiversity loss. With the global population steadily increasing and human activities placing unprecedented pressures on terrestrial ecosystems, achieving Goal 15 is crucial for the well-being of both present and future generations. This article delves into the significance of Goal 15 and highlights key strategies and actions needed to protect and restore life on land.

The Importance of Goal 15 for a Sustainable Future

Goal 15, "Life on Land," holds immense significance as a fundamental pillar for sustainable development. Terrestrial ecosystems encompass a wide array of habitats, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and deserts, each playing a vital role in supporting life on Earth. These ecosystems provide essential services that are critical for human well-being and the overall health of our planet.

One of the primary services provided by terrestrial ecosystems is the regulation of essential resources such as clean air, water, and soil fertility. Forests, for instance, act as "green lungs" by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, contributing to the purification of the air we breathe. They also act as natural filters, regulating water quality by capturing and filtering rainfall, replenishing groundwater reserves, and preventing soil erosion. Furthermore, healthy soils support agricultural productivity, ensuring food security for communities around the world.

Beyond the provision of essential resources, terrestrial ecosystems also support biodiversity and cultural diversity. They serve as habitats for countless species, many of which are yet to be discovered or understood fully. Biodiversity is crucial for maintaining the resilience and adaptability of ecosystems, as each species plays a unique role in the intricate web of life. Moreover, diverse ecosystems offer valuable opportunities for recreation, tourism, and cultural practices, enriching our lives and connecting us to our natural heritage.

Unfortunately, unsustainable land use practices pose significant threats to terrestrial ecosystems. Deforestation, driven primarily by agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development, leads to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. As forests are cleared, countless species lose their homes, pushing them closer to extinction. Moreover, the destruction of forests and other ecosystems disrupts the delicate balance of ecological processes, such as nutrient cycling, pollination, and seed dispersal, which are essential for the survival of ecosystems and the species they support.

Climate change further exacerbates the challenges faced by terrestrial ecosystems. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events pose significant risks to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Many species are struggling to adapt to these rapid changes, leading to population declines and local extinctions. The impacts of climate change also contribute to land degradation and desertification, further compromising the productivity and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems.

By achieving Goal 15, we can address these pressing issues and protect the invaluable services provided by terrestrial ecosystems. Safeguarding biodiversity is crucial for maintaining the functionality and resilience of ecosystems. Preserving intact forests, restoring degraded habitats, and establishing protected areas are essential steps towards achieving this goal. These actions not only offer refuge to endangered species but also contribute to the preservation of genetic diversity and the restoration of ecological balance.

Moreover, achieving Goal 15 contributes to poverty eradication and the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Many communities around the world depend on healthy terrestrial ecosystems for their livelihoods, relying on agriculture, forestry, and other natural resources for income and sustenance. Sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry, organic farming, and regenerative agriculture, can enhance productivity while minimizing the environmental footprint. By prioritizing sustainable agriculture and providing support to local communities, Goal 15 can foster economic resilience and ensure the well-being of both people and the planet.

Furthermore, achieving Goal 15 is crucial for the resilience of communities and economies that rely on healthy terrestrial ecosystems. Ecosystem services, such as water regulation, flood control, and climate regulation, are essential for reducing the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters and climate change impacts. By maintaining intact ecosystems, we enhance the capacity of landscapes to withstand and recover from environmental shocks, ensuring the long-term well-being and stability of communities.

Goal 15: Life on Land is a vital component of the Sustainable Development Goals, addressing the urgent need to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems. By safeguarding biodiversity, preserving essential ecological functions, and mitigating the impacts of unsustainable land use practices and climate change, we can maintain the delicate interconnectedness between all forms of life on Earth. Achieving Goal 15 not only contributes to the preservation of our planet's natural heritage but also promotes poverty eradication, sustainable agriculture, and the resilience of communities and economies. It is an imperative task that requires collective efforts and the integration of sustainable practices into our daily lives and policy decisions. Only through our commitment to Goal 15 can we secure a sustainable future where life on land thrives for generations to come.

Preserving Biodiversity and Halting Deforestation

Biodiversity is the foundation of life on land, and protecting it is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems. One key aspect of Goal 15 is halting deforestation and restoring degraded forests. Deforestation not only contributes to greenhouse gas emissions but also disrupts ecosystems, displaces indigenous communities, and threatens the habitat of countless species. Governments, organizations, and individuals must collaborate to implement sustainable land-use practices, promote reforestation initiatives, and strengthen protected areas to conserve and restore forests.

Additionally, preserving biodiversity extends beyond forests. It involves protecting endangered species, conserving habitats such as wetlands and grasslands, and curbing the illegal wildlife trade. Ensuring the effective management of protected areas and promoting sustainable use of natural resources are vital components in achieving this goal.

Promoting Sustainable Land Management and Combating Desertification

Sustainable land management is essential for ensuring the productivity and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems. Degraded lands, soil erosion, and desertification pose significant challenges to achieving Goal 15. Land degradation not only affects agricultural productivity but also exacerbates climate change impacts, water scarcity, and food insecurity.

To combat these issues, sustainable land management practices such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and integrated watershed management must be adopted. These practices help restore soil fertility, reduce erosion, and enhance water retention capacity. Furthermore, promoting sustainable land management techniques can create employment opportunities, improve food security, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Addressing Climate Change and its Impact on Terrestrial Ecosystems

Climate change poses a severe threat to life on land. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events can disrupt ecosystems, exacerbate desertification, and increase the vulnerability of species and communities. To achieve Goal 15, it is crucial to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy adoption, transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices, and promoting afforestation and reforestation efforts are vital steps in combating climate change. Additionally, enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and communities through nature-based solutions, such as the restoration of mangroves and wetlands, can provide multiple benefits, including coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and the preservation of biodiversity.

Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns

Consumer choices and production practices significantly impact terrestrial ecosystems. Unsustainable consumption, overexploitation of natural resources, and pollution contribute to land degradation and biodiversity loss. Achieving Goal 15 requires transitioning towards sustainable consumption and production patterns.

This can be accomplished through various means, such as promoting circular economy principles, reducing waste generation, adopting sustainable agricultural practices, and embracing eco-friendly technologies. Additionally, raising awareness among individuals and businesses about the environmental impacts of their choices and encouraging sustainable alternatives can drive positive change.

Conclusion

Goal 15: Life on Land is a critical component of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to preserve and restore terrestrial ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and combat land degradation. By halting deforestation, promoting sustainable land management, addressing climate change impacts, and embracing sustainable consumption and production patterns, we can ensure the long-term viability of life on land. Achieving Goal 15 not only benefits the environment but also enhances human well-being, promotes socio-economic development, and contributes to the overall sustainability of our planet. It is our collective responsibility to work towards a future where life on land thrives, and every individual can play a part in realizing this goal.

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Sustainable Natural Resource Management: Forests, Woodlands, and Wetlands

Abstract

Forest and wetlands are fragile communities, when human activities precede uncontrolled their roles are lost. Objective was to investigate the role of forest and wetlands as water catchment areas in Zimbabwe. Christmas Pass forest woodland and wetland in Mutare was the study site. Sample of 196 people, selected through stratified random sampling and simple random sampling, then purposive sampling for 20 key informants. In-depth interview, key informant interviews, focus group discussion, and observation was conducted. Study revealed that both forest and wetlands are important in the hydrological cycle. Noted that there are several adverse impacts brought by anthropogenic activities. Observed that water was an essential factor in sustainable forest management, and forests are crucial for regulating the water cycle. Forest woodlands and wetlands are under a huge threat for extinction, as anthropogenic activities continue to impact negatively on these areas. Forest woodlands and wetlands are a major water catchment area and there is need for catchment basin management plan for as to rejuvenate the river flow downstream. Recommended the need for best management practices (BMPs) as they are proactive and often voluntary practical methods or practices used during forest management to achieve goals related to water quality, silviculture, wildlife and biodiversity, aesthetics, and/or recreation. Noted that the sustainable management of the forest woodlands requires participatory approach of all stakeholders through capacity building and empowerment. Above all, there was need for the catchment basin to balance its role of provision of human needs and the ecosystem services.

Introduction

The deforestation involves conversion of forest land to agriculture land, or residential resettlement. Worldwide the most concentrated deforestation occurs in tropical rainforests. About 31% of Earth's land surface is covered by forests. Between 15 million to 18 million hectares of forest, an area the size of Belgium, are destroyed every year, on average 2,400 trees are cut down each minute (IUFRO, 2007). FAO (2013) indicated that only 4 billion hectares of forest are left. The world has lost one-third of its forest, an area twice the size of the United States. This is despite the fact that forest and wetland are major catchment area for water, which need to be used by the human beings.

The above degradation of the wetland and forest has significantly affected the hydrological cycle. FAO (2013) suggested that water is a scarce commodity as it availability, accessibility, adequate and safety heavily depends on climate conditions, weather and sustainable management of the water catchment basins. The first and key step in providing safe water is the selection of the best available sources of water. The best sources of safe water is found in well protected catchment area that includes forest woodlands and wetlands. In general ground water is better protected water that the surface water, the ground water is usually found in the forest or wetlands as springs (Bonan, 2008).Catchment protection is the second step in providing safe water and where, for whatever reason, source choice is limited it presents a key opportunity to minimise pathogen contamination. A catchment is an area where water is collected by the natural landscape. Imagine cupping a person’s hands in a downpour of rain and collecting water in them (FAO, 2013). The forest woodlands and wetlands are a very important water catchment basin. In most parts of Zimbabwe, it is being evident that the management of water catchment basin depends largely on the institutional setting as well as policy orientation of different communities.

Naturally, human beings, animals, birds and forests depend largely on each other and without proper management systems human beings will overrule the natural communities. This naturally creates tension between natural resources, including woodlands, wetlands, animals and birds since the demand and the need for these natural resources will increase (FAO, 2013). This has led to degradation of the forest woodlands and the wetlands. Wetlands and forest woodlands are fragile communities and when human activities precede uncontrolled, function and roles of the wetland and forest woodland as a water catchment source and species richness will be lost. According to Bredemeier (2002), anthropogenic activities affect the health of our water catchments this is through deforestation of the forest woodlands, and settlement and farming in the wetlands just to mention a few.

Humans often equate forest and wetlands with wasteland, a place to be drained, filled in, burnt off and re-purposed. In fact, FAO (2013) studies show that 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1900. Measured against 1700, an estimated 87% have been lost. There has been serious deforestation, clearance, clearcutting, or clearing is the removal of a forest or stand of trees the Christmas Pass forest woodland and wetland that is then converted to non-forest use.

Water has become a scarce commodity in the study area as the water catchment areas are drying up. FAO (2013) indicated that the forest woodlands and wetlands are being cleared for the purpose of timber harvesting, resettlement and farming. Therefore the study area is not spared, this has led to woodlands and wetlands around the study area losing their original status of being a water catchment basin, loss of flora and fauna species used to be seen in the forest and wetland area as there is no water to drinking. The rivers network are dried up and no water is flowing downstream. This then means that Zimbabwe has not been spared, from the adverse impacts of land degradation desertification, and drought. FAO (2013) indicated that it is estimated that 10% of land’ soils are under high risk of erosion due to the nature of soils, which are sodic. The soils break into fine particles and tunnel subsequently collapsing and forming gullies (FAO, 2013). Some of the reason for land degradation especially taking the form of desertification, deforestation, overgrazing, salinization, or soil erosion, land degradation can be caused by unsustainable land management practices, such as deforestation, soil nutrient mining and biophysical factors, such as the natural topography of an area or its rainfall, wind, and temperature.

Source : Sustainable Natural Resource Management: Forests, Woodlands, and Wetlands | InformatoveBD

[k12academics]

At Montessori Children's House of Denver, we model a profound respect and joy in every classroom at every campus. In this positive environment, children can learn more about themselves and develop their interests and self-confidence. On any given day you can see for yourself how much our staff and teachers love what they do by watching their interactions with our students and their families. At MCHD, our respect extends throughout the community, and we volunteer and become involved in community service and activities whenever possible.Learning Environments

As a pre-K through 6th grade school, Montessori Children's House of Denver is committed to helping each child lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning, a foundation that can take years to build. The classrooms are set up with a child's engagement and independence in mind. The furniture is sized for the age of children in each classroom. The learning environments are filled with Montessori materials that are specially designed for all areas of study. Each campus has active gardening areas and sustainability programs, and our Central Park campus has a greenhouse and more extensive gardens where students learn about agriculture and sustainability practices.

Our Montessori learning environments have a 1:5 toddler-to-teacher ratio; 1:10 preschool and kindergarten student-to-teacher ratio; and 1:15 elementary and middle school student-to-teacher ratio. Each student can move throughout the classroom and meticulously prepared learning areas, guided by the highly structured Montessori curriculum to choose lessons that reflect their interests and their developmental needs. Montessori materials are designed to intrigue students and help them move forward with their learning through isolation of concepts, built-in points of interest, and controls of error that enable them to develop their inborn reasoning abilities. With encouragement and guidance from the teachers, students direct their own learning and progress at their own pace, repeating and practicing lessons as many times as needed, to reach their full potential in each subject area in the time span that's right for them.

Our goal at Montessori Children's House of Denver is to help each child reach their fullest potential, supporting them throughout their journey of self-discovery so that they may be successful in all areas of their lives. Our alumni, and especially those who stay with us through middle school, emerge with a strong sense of self and are ably equipped to pursue whatever they would like to make of their lives. We love hearing from our alumni, because they have become such amazing people (as you can see below).Longevity and History

MCHD was founded in 1991 by Gina Abegg and Rachel Averch. This pair of dedicated Montessori educators were committed to creating an excellent Montessori school that reflected their core beliefs about the strength and beauty of Montessori education. Since then, MCHD has grown steadily, now with three campuses in the heart of Denver.Leadership and Teaching Staff

The MCHD team is cohesive and committed, collaborating with and supporting each other to achieve the school's purpose and direction. MCHD teachers are highly qualified, holding their MACTE accredited Montessori certifications and ECT credentials in addition to any licensures, degrees, certifications or director qualifications. All staff members engage in regular professional development to keep abreast of the latest advances in both child development and Montessori techniques.

Our leadership team, Rachel Averch, Michelle O'Donoghue, Sarah Mohagen, Irene O'Brien, and Julie Buck are experts in Montessori methods, with more than 85 years of combined experience in Montessori education. The entire team is united with the MCHD vision and implements that vision daily.MCHD Vision

At the Montessori Children's House of Denver, our vision is to challenge, nurture, inspire and support each child's individual growth and development within an effective, safe, enriched, beautiful and welcoming learning community that embodies the Montessori principles.

[marpufoundation2005]

Boosting CSR Efforts and Supporting SDGs with Marpu Foundation

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not just about fulfilling obligations; it's about making a real difference in society. Partnering with the Marpu Foundation can give your CSR efforts a major boost, while also aligning them with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here’s how this partnership can drive meaningful change, with some real-life examples from Marpu’s impactful projects:

1. Quality Education for All (SDG 4): Marpu Foundation’s education initiatives focus on providing quality education to underprivileged children. Take their "Pathshala" project, for example, which sets up learning centers in rural areas and offers free tuition and study materials. By teaming up with Marpu, companies can support these centers, ensuring more children get the education they deserve. This not only boosts your CSR efforts but also helps achieve SDG 4.

2. Promoting Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Marpu Foundation organizes health camps in remote villages, providing essential medical services and health education to communities that often lack access to healthcare. Companies can sponsor these camps, providing necessary medical supplies and support. This collaboration not only enhances your CSR impact but also promotes better health and well-being in these communities, contributing to SDG 3.

3. Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6): Access to clean water and proper sanitation is a major challenge in many rural areas. Marpu Foundation’s "Jaladhara" project installs water purification systems and builds toilets in villages. By partnering with Marpu, companies can help expand these projects, ensuring that more communities have access to clean water and sanitation, thus supporting SDG 6.

4. Providing Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7): Marpu Foundation installs solar panels in off-grid villages, providing sustainable energy solutions. Companies can collaborate with Marpu to expand these renewable energy projects, helping more households gain access to affordable and clean energy, thereby supporting SDG 7.

5. Promoting Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Marpu Foundation’s vocational training programs equip youth and women with the skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship. Companies can support these training programs by offering resources, mentorship, and job placements. This not only promotes economic growth but also provides decent work opportunities, contributing to SDG 8.

6. Protecting Life on Land (SDG 15): Marpu Foundation’s environmental initiatives, like tree plantation drives and biodiversity conservation projects, help preserve natural habitats and promote sustainable land use. Partnering with Marpu allows companies to support these initiatives, contributing to SDG 15 by protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems.

7. Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10): Marpu Foundation’s social inclusion projects focus on empowering marginalized communities through education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. By supporting these projects, companies can help reduce inequalities and promote social inclusion, contributing to SDG 10.

Real-life Examples from Marpu’s Projects:

Project Udaan: This initiative focuses on empowering girls through education and skill development. Companies can sponsor educational materials and vocational training, helping to uplift young girls and contributing to gender equality (SDG 5).

Green Village Initiative: Marpu’s efforts to create sustainable villages include implementing eco-friendly practices and promoting organic farming. Companies can support these initiatives by funding sustainable agriculture projects, contributing to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11).

By partnering with Marpu Foundation, companies can make sure their CSR efforts are not just about fulfilling obligations but about making a real difference. This collaboration can lead to innovative, impactful, and sustainable CSR initiatives that benefit both the community and the company. So, when are you taking the first step towards a more sustainable and socially responsible future?

[marpu-foundation-2005]

Boosting CSR Efforts and Supporting SDGs with Marpu Foundation

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not just about fulfilling obligations; it's about making a real difference in society. Partnering with the Marpu Foundation can give your CSR efforts a major boost, while also aligning them with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here’s how this partnership can drive meaningful change, with some real-life examples from Marpu’s impactful projects:

1. Quality Education for All (SDG 4): Marpu Foundation’s education initiatives focus on providing quality education to underprivileged children. Take their "Pathshala" project, for example, which sets up learning centers in rural areas and offers free tuition and study materials. By teaming up with Marpu, companies can support these centers, ensuring more children get the education they deserve. This not only boosts your CSR efforts but also helps achieve SDG 4.

2. Promoting Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Marpu Foundation organizes health camps in remote villages, providing essential medical services and health education to communities that often lack access to healthcare. Companies can sponsor these camps, providing necessary medical supplies and support. This collaboration not only enhances your CSR impact but also promotes better health and well-being in these communities, contributing to SDG 3.

3. Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6): Access to clean water and proper sanitation is a major challenge in many rural areas. Marpu Foundation’s "Jaladhara" project installs water purification systems and builds toilets in villages. By partnering with Marpu, companies can help expand these projects, ensuring that more communities have access to clean water and sanitation, thus supporting SDG 6.

4. Providing Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7): Marpu Foundation installs solar panels in off-grid villages, providing sustainable energy solutions. Companies can collaborate with Marpu to expand these renewable energy projects, helping more households gain access to affordable and clean energy, thereby supporting SDG 7.

5. Promoting Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Marpu Foundation’s vocational training programs equip youth and women with the skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship. Companies can support these training programs by offering resources, mentorship, and job placements. This not only promotes economic growth but also provides decent work opportunities, contributing to SDG 8.

6. Protecting Life on Land (SDG 15): Marpu Foundation’s environmental initiatives, like tree plantation drives and biodiversity conservation projects, help preserve natural habitats and promote sustainable land use. Partnering with Marpu allows companies to support these initiatives, contributing to SDG 15 by protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems.

7. Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10): Marpu Foundation’s social inclusion projects focus on empowering marginalized communities through education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. By supporting these projects, companies can help reduce inequalities and promote social inclusion, contributing to SDG 10.

Real-life Examples from Marpu’s Projects:

Project Udaan: This initiative focuses on empowering girls through education and skill development. Companies can sponsor educational materials and vocational training, helping to uplift young girls and contributing to gender equality (SDG 5).

Green Village Initiative: Marpu’s efforts to create sustainable villages include implementing eco-friendly practices and promoting organic farming. Companies can support these initiatives by funding sustainable agriculture projects, contributing to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11).

By partnering with Marpu Foundation, companies can make sure their CSR efforts are not just about fulfilling obligations but about making a real difference. This collaboration can lead to innovative, impactful, and sustainable CSR initiatives that benefit both the community and the company. So, when are you taking the first step towards a more sustainable and socially responsible future?

[techtrends-today]

Agrivoltaics a global trend

Agrivoltaics, combining agriculture and solar energy, is a revolutionary innovation in renewable energy. This blog post explores its impact on sustainability and efficiency, offering valuable insights for middle-income young women interested in this field.

Introduction to Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics, or agro photovoltaics, involves using land for both agriculture and solar energy production. This method maximizes land use and creates a symbiotic relationship between solar panels and crops. By placing solar panels above crop fields, farmers generate renewable energy while maintaining agricultural productivity. The global agrivoltaics market is expected to reach $9 billion by 2030.

The Benefits of Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics optimizes land use by integrating solar panels with farming, increasing land productivity by up to 60%. It creates a favorable microclimate, improving crop yields by 10-20% for certain crops. Economically, agrivoltaics diversifies farmers' income through solar energy generation and surplus energy sales, offering an ROI of up to 15%.

Applications of Agrivoltaics in Business Functions

Agrivoltaics promotes sustainable agriculture by reducing water use and combating climate change, aligning with UN SDGs. It advances renewable energy goals by integrating solar energy with farming, as seen in countries like Germany and Japan. Additionally, agrivoltaics creates job opportunities in installation, maintenance, and crop management, driving economic growth and innovation.

Addressing Common Concerns about Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics, the combination of agriculture and solar panels, can benefit crop growth by reducing heat stress and conserving soil moisture. Although initial installation costs are higher, the long-term benefits and manageable maintenance make it worthwhile. Selecting compatible crops is crucial, and ongoing research aims to provide farmers with effective guidelines.

FAQs

What is agrivoltaics?

Agrivoltaics, also known as agro photovoltaics, is the simultaneous use of land for both agriculture and solar energy generation. This innovative approach maximizes land use by combining solar panels with crop fields.

How does agrivoltaics benefit farmers?

Agrivoltaics benefits farmers by improving land use, increasing crop yields, and boosting economic viability through the integration of solar panels with farming activities, allowing for diversified income and optimized land resources.

Are there any drawbacks to agrivoltaic systems?

Agrivoltaic systems have higher initial costs and require careful crop selection, but their long-term benefits outweigh these challenges.

How can agrivoltaics contribute to renewable energy goals?

Agrivoltaics advances renewable energy by combining solar energy with agriculture, promoting sustainable practices and achieving energy targets.

Where can I learn more about agrivoltaics?

To learn more about agrivoltaics and its applications, check out the comprehensive guide by the Leadvent Group at Leadvent Group's Agrivoltaics Event.

Conclusion

Agrivoltaics integrates solar panels with farming, optimizing land use, boosting crop yields, and supporting renewable energy goals, providing a sustainable and profitable solution for farmers and landowners. For business professionals and organizations looking to harness the power of solar energy, understanding the potential of agrivoltaics is essential. To delve deeper, visit the Leadvent Group's comprehensive guide on agrivoltaics at https://www.leadventgrp.com/events/3rd-annual-agrivoltaics-europe/details and learn how this innovative approach can revolutionize your operations.

[nasmi-2320]

"Enhancing CSR Impact through Collaboration with Marpu Foundation "

Collaborating with the Marpu Foundation can significantly enhance the impact of your CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives. Marpu Foundation, known for its commendable work in various social sectors, can bring expertise, resources, and community trust to your CSR projects. Here are several ways collaboration with Marpu Foundation can enhance your CSR impact:

Expertise and Experience

Access to Communities

Resource Sharing

Scale and Reach

Innovation and Creativity

Long-term Sustainability

Enhanced Brand Reputation

Monitoring and Evaluation

Here are some examples of how partnering with Marpu can achieve these goals:

Education and Skill Development (SDG 4): Marpu Foundation has initiated projects aimed at improving access to quality education in underserved communities. By partnering with Marpu, companies can support initiatives such as building schools, providing educational resources, and offering vocational training programs.

Women's Empowerment (SDG 5): Marpu's projects often focus on empowering women and promoting gender equality. Through partnerships, companies can support initiatives like entrepreneurship training for women, providing microloans for female-led businesses, or creating safe spaces for women's education and skill-building.

Healthcare and Sanitation (SDG 3 and 6): Marpu Foundation works on improving healthcare access and sanitation facilities in remote areas. Companies can partner with Marpu to fund medical camps, build healthcare centers, or install clean water and sanitation systems in communities lacking these essentials.

Environmental Conservation (SDG 13 and 15): Marpu is committed to environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation. Through partnerships, companies can support initiatives such as reforestation projects, wildlife conservation efforts, or promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Community Development and Livelihood Enhancement (SDG 1 and 8): Marpu Foundation undertakes projects to improve livelihood opportunities and overall community development.

Partnering with the Marpu Foundation can indeed be a significant boon for CSR efforts and the advancement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Marpu Foundation has a proven track record of implementing impactful projects focused on various aspects of sustainable development, including education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and community empowerment. Moreover, partnering with Marpu Foundation can enhance the credibility and visibility of CSR activities, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development. Overall, partnering with Marpu Foundation represents a strategic opportunity for businesses to enhance their CSR efforts, drive positive change, and make a tangible difference in advancing the SDGs.

https://www.marpu.org/

[climatechangereview]

The Role of Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Global Sustainable Development

Climate Change Review | United Kingdom

Understanding Sustainable Development in Agriculture

Sustainable Development in Agriculture refers to farming practices and systems that are productive, economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially responsible over the long term. This holistic approach ensures that agriculture can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Key Components of Sustainable Agriculture

1. Soil Health and Conservation: Sustainable farming practices prioritize maintaining and enhancing soil fertility through methods like crop rotation, organic farming, reduced tillage, and the use of cover crops. Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable agriculture, supporting robust plant growth and reducing the need for chemical inputs.

2. Water Management: Efficient water use and management are crucial. Techniques such as drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and the construction of water-efficient infrastructure help conserve water and ensure its availability for future use.

3. Biodiversity: Sustainable agriculture promotes biodiversity by incorporating a variety of crops and livestock species. This diversity helps in pest control, pollination, and resilience against climate change impacts.

4. Energy Efficiency: Utilizing renewable energy sources and adopting energy-efficient technologies reduces the carbon footprint of agricultural operations. This includes the use of solar panels, wind turbines, and bioenergy.

5. Economic Viability: Ensuring that farming is economically sustainable involves fair pricing, access to markets, and financial support systems for farmers. This aspect is vital for maintaining the livelihoods of farming communities.

Global Sustainable Development and Its Importance

Global sustainable development encompasses a broad range of efforts aimed at achieving a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework for global efforts towards sustainability.

Key SDGs Related to Agriculture

1.Zero Hunger (SDG 2): This goal aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Achieving this goal is critical for eradicating poverty and promoting health and well-being.

2. Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6): Access to clean water and adequate sanitation is essential for agricultural productivity and the health of rural communities. Sustainable water management practices are integral to this goal.

3. Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7): Promoting renewable energy use in agriculture contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and enhances energy security for rural areas.

4. Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Ensuring economic growth in the agricultural sector creates jobs, enhances livelihoods, and promotes fair labor practices.

5. Life on Land (SDG 15): Sustainable land use and management practices protect terrestrial ecosystems, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Development

Implementing sustainable development in agriculture and achieving global sustainable development face several challenges, including:

1. Climate Change: Adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change is a significant challenge. Changing weather patterns, extreme weather events, and rising temperatures affect agricultural productivity and food security.

2. Resource Scarcity: The limited availability of natural resources, such as water and arable land, necessitates efficient and sustainable management practices.

3. Economic Barriers: Farmers, especially smallholders, often face financial constraints and lack access to technology and markets.

4. Policy and Governance: Effective policies and governance structures are essential to support sustainable practices and ensure equitable resource distribution.

Despite these challenges, there are numerous opportunities:

1.Technological Advancements: Innovations in agricultural technology, such as precision farming, biotechnology, and data analytics, offer significant potential for enhancing sustainability.

2. Education and Awareness: Raising awareness and educating farmers and consumers about sustainable practices can drive widespread adoption.

3. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society can mobilize resources and expertise for sustainable development initiatives.

4. International Cooperation: Global cooperation and knowledge-sharing are critical for addressing transboundary issues and achieving the SDGs.

Conclusion

Sustainable development in agriculture and Global Sustainable Development are interconnected goals that require concerted efforts from all sectors of society. At Climate Change Review, we are committed to highlighting the importance of these efforts and promoting practices that ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all. By embracing sustainable agriculture and working towards the SDGs, we can build a world that is resilient, equitable, and environmentally sound.

[fitjourneydaily]

Sustainable Habits: Building Long-Term Goals through Lifestyle Changes and Consistent Efforts

In today's fast-paced world, adopting sustainable habits has become increasingly crucial. As the global community acknowledges the urgent need to preserve our environment, individuals must play a part in creating a sustainable future. However, sustaining these habits requires more than temporary changes; it necessitates long-term commitment and consistent efforts. In this article, we explore the concept of sustainable habits, the importance of setting long-term goals, making lifestyle changes, and the significance of continuous effort in fostering a sustainable lifestyle. 1. Understanding Sustainable Habits Sustainable habits are actions and choices we make daily that contribute to the overall well-being of our planet and future generations. These habits encompass a wide spectrum of activities, including energy and water conservation, waste reduction, conscious consumption, and more. Adopting sustainable habits requires a mindset shift towards a holistic and eco-friendly lifestyle, driven by a genuine concern for the environment. 2. Setting Long-Term Goals To effectively incorporate sustainable habits into your life, it is essential to set long-term goals. Long-term goals provide a sense of direction and keep you motivated throughout your sustainability journey. Begin by identifying specific areas where you can make a significant impact, such as reducing your carbon footprint or minimizing plastic waste. Break down these goals into smaller, actionable steps to make them more achievable. For instance, aim to reduce energy consumption by 15% over the next year or eliminate single-use plastics from your daily routine. 3. Embracing Lifestyle Changes Sustainable habits require lifestyle changes that prioritize environmental well-being. Consider adopting the following lifestyle changes to support your long-term sustainability goals: a. Conscious Consumption: Opt for ethically and sustainably produced goods. Choose products with minimal packaging, made from recycled or organic materials. Prioritize quality over quantity to reduce waste and promote longevity. b. Renewable Energy: Switch to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to minimize carbon emissions. Invest in energy-efficient appliances and turn off unused electronic devices to save power. c. Eco-Friendly Transportation: Reduce reliance on private vehicles and instead explore eco-friendly transportation options like cycling, walking, or public transport. When driving is necessary, carpooling or using electric vehicles can significantly reduce environmental impact. d. Waste Management: Practice responsible waste management by recycling, composting, and reducing the amount of waste generated. Opt for reusable alternatives like cloth bags, stainless steel water bottles, and silicone food storage covers. e. Sustainable Diet: Consider adopting a plant-based diet or reducing meat consumption. Integrate organic and locally sourced produce into your meals, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture and minimizing the carbon footprint associated with the food industry. 4. Consistent Efforts: Sustainability is not achieved overnight; it requires consistent effort and dedication. While it may be challenging at times, staying committed to your sustainable habits is crucial for long-term success. Here's how to maintain consistency: a. Creating Routines: Incorporate sustainable practices into your daily routine. Make them habitual by setting reminders or finding creative ways to keep yourself motivated. b. Seeking Support: Connect with like-minded individuals or join sustainability communities to gain inspiration, share ideas, and learn from others' experiences. Their support can help you stay accountable and reinforce your commitment. c. Tracking Progress: Regularly monitor and evaluate the progress you make towards your long-term goals. Celebrate small victories, make necessary adjustments, and keep pushing forward. d. Being Resilient: Remember that setbacks are part of the journey. Don't get discouraged by occasional lapses; instead, use them as opportunities for growth and learning. Stay resilient in your commitment to sustainability. Conclusion Transitioning to a sustainable lifestyle is a transformative journey that benefits both the planet and ourselves. By developing sustainable habits built on long-term goals, embracing necessary lifestyle changes, and consistently implementing eco-friendly practices, we contribute significantly to creating a more sustainable future. Let us commit to making a positive impact through our daily choices and inspire others to join us on this path towards a greener, more sustainable world. Tags: 1. Sustainable habits 2. Long-term goals 3. Lifestyle changes 4. Consistent effort Discover a new era of wellness with Puralean's Natural Weight Loss Supplement. Our carefully crafted formula supports your weight loss goals naturally and effectively. Harness the power of nature to achieve your dream body. Learn more on the Puralean Natural Weight Loss Supplement Product Page. Read the full article

[jcmarchi]

Rowing in the right direction

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/rowing-in-the-right-direction/

Rowing in the right direction

For a college student, senior Tatum Wilhelm wakes up painfully early — at 5:15 a.m., to be exact. Five days per week, by 6:20 a.m. sharp, she is already rowing on the Charles River, bursting through the early morning fog. 

Between majoring in chemical engineering, minoring in anthropology, and working as an undergraduate student researcher at the Furst Lab, Wilhelm’s days are packed. But she says it’s her role on MIT Crew that gives her perspective on her goals and what matters most.  

Stretching her arms after a workout on the erg, the unforgiving indoor rowing machine used for individual training, she explains, “Crew is a set time in the day when I’m not thinking about academics. I’m just focused on pushing myself physically — and the river is beautiful.” 

She was captain of her team last year, but winning isn’t the current that pulls Wilhelm deeper and deeper into her sport; it’s teamwork. 

“When I first came here, I had the preconception that everyone at MIT was a genius and super into their books,” she says. “They are very smart, but everyone also does really cool stuff outside of academics. My favorite thing about this school is the people — especially my team.” 

Fitting in

A first-generation college student raised by a single mom, Wilhelm came to MIT from California with the support of Questbridge, a nonprofit that mentors high-achieving, low-income students as they apply early decision to their top-choice colleges. She was passionate about science and knew that MIT was the right place, but she didn’t know a soul on campus. 

It’s Wilhelm’s friendships, both in the lab and in the eight-person boat, that have given her a feeling of belonging. 

“Before I got to MIT, I honestly didn’t know what an engineer was,” she says bluntly. 

But once Wilhelm saw engineering alumni solving real-world problems in the field, she knew it was for her, ultimately choosing chemical engineering. 

When Covid-19 hit the spring of her first year and remained virtual for the fall 2020 semester, Wilhelm temporarily relocated to Alaska, where she worked as a farm hand and learned about sustainable agriculture. “I am an engineer — not a farmer. I am also not that outdoorsy, and that experience pushed me way out of my academic comfort zone in a great way,” Wilhelm says. 

During that time, she began working remotely as an undergraduate researcher in the Furst Lab, logging on between shifts in the fields to meet with Assistant Professor Ariel Furst, who actively included her as one of the team from the start. 

Back in Cambridge as a sophomore, Wilhelm unexpectedly discovered a passion for anthropology when she signed up for class 21A.157 (The Meaning of Life), a seminar taught by William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Anthropology Heather Paxson.

Wilhelm admits, “I thought the class would be too philosophical, but it was actually extremely applicable to things that were going on in students’ lives. It was about finding personal meaning in work, family, and money in tangible ways.” At the time, the whole world was still reeling from Covid-19, and being able to conduct that kind of soul-searching became a powerful tool. 

“I just kept going with the anthro courses and soon had collected enough for a minor,” Wilhelm says. “They complement my chemical engineering classes, which are very technical and centered around problem-solving.” 

Real-world chemical engineering

Wilhelm spent her junior year studying thermodynamics and fluid dynamics in the Department of Chemical Engineering (ChemE), as well as class 21A.520 (Magic, Science, and Religion), a seminar with professor of anthropology Graham Jones. The contrast both stretched and soothed her brain. She says Jones’s engaging style of teaching made him her favorite MIT professor.

This fall, Wilhelm took a class called 21A.301 (Disease and Health) with associate professor of anthropology Amy Moran-Thomas. Discussions about the biopharmaceutical industry and analyzing modes of care directly connected with her ChemE coursework and internships, and gave her perspective on how her future work can impact real-world users. She reflects, “Looking at how these treatments impact patients’ lives has provided a deeper understanding of the implications of my work. I value being able to look at very technical scientific problems from a humanities lens, and I think it has enhanced my learning in both disciplines.” 

Alongside her academic studies, Wilhelm has continued working at the Furst Lab, more recently with the support of MIT SuperUROP. The competitive program provides advanced undergraduates with independent research opportunities. 

With this funding, Wilhelm is conducting a project to examine how to potentially engineer cell-based electrochemical lanthanide sensors. Lanthanides are rare-earth elements used in several industries, including electronics and green energy, primarily due to their abundance and low cost. 

Wilhelm explains, “The current methods for the separation of lanthanides in mining and recycling are costly and environmentally damaging. This project aims to create an inexpensive and environmentally-friendly method for detecting and recovering lanthanides from complex solutions.”

At MIT, she has noticed some interesting parallels between being part of the crew team and sharing the lab with researchers of different ages and backgrounds. In both settings, failing, iterating, and ultimately winning frame the culture. 

She says, “In the lab, there is an overarching sense of purpose, which also translates to crew. In rowing, we are all working together. We train both individually and as a team. Our performance as individuals matters, but we ultimately have to all come together to move the boat forward.” 

Next year, Wilhelm hopes to steer toward a PhD in chemical engineering or material science. 

“I’m really interested in the industry applications of ChemE, but in reality, I just want to continue researching and learning new things every day right now,” she says.

[thxnews]

African Development Bank and KEITTI Join Hands

  Forging a Climate-Friendly Partnership

In a groundbreaking move, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITTI) have come together to sign a collaborative technical assistance agreement. This strategic alliance aims to facilitate increased investments in low-carbon and climate-resilient technologies, ultimately bolstering climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts across numerous African nations.   Paving the Way for Progress The historic agreement was formalized on September 14 during the sidelines of the 7th Korea-Africa Ministerial Conference on Economic Cooperation, hosted in Busan, South Korea's vibrant second-largest city. Through this innovative partnership, Korea is poised to share its technological prowess, experiences, and knowledge with the African member countries of the AfDB. The primary objective is to assist these nations in identifying and cultivating eco-friendly projects that will contribute to sustainable development.  

Commitment to Climate Action

Dr. Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate Change, and Green Growth at the AfDB, who played a pivotal role in signing the agreement, expressed profound satisfaction regarding the partnership. He emphasized that this collaboration would pave the way for the deployment of climate change technologies across numerous African countries. Furthermore, Kariuki noted that the focus areas outlined in the agreement align seamlessly with the priorities of the 2023 KOAFEC Ministerial Conference, which notably centers on agriculture and energy. He stressed the critical importance of transforming these sectors to ensure energy and food security, highlighting the need for substantial investments in technology development, increased financial resources, and the forging of strategic partnerships.  

Africa's Climate Conundrum

Africa faces unique challenges in the realm of climate change. It is home to nine of the world's ten most climate-vulnerable countries. Despite contributing only 4% of global carbon emissions, Africa remains the continent most susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change. Recent findings from the African Development Bank's African Economic Outlook 2022 underscore the severity of the situation. Climate change looms as a looming threat, with the potential to erode Africa's economic performance, possibly causing a reduction of up to 15% in GDP by the year 2050.   A Shared Vision for Environmental Projects Dr. Lee Woo-Weon, Vice President of the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITTI), enthusiastically welcomed the collaboration with the African Development Bank on joint technical assistance projects. "KEITTI will actively support the preparation of environmental projects across various sectors, including water, energy, climate change, circular economy, and environment," Dr. Woo-Weon stated, underlining the commitment to tackling pressing environmental challenges.  

AfDB's Pioneering Climate Initiative

The African Development Bank stands at the forefront of efforts to bolster climate-resilient and low-carbon development throughout Africa. It achieves this through strategic investments aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Bank's Climate Action Window stands ready to mobilize a staggering $13 billion, with the aim of amplifying transformative climate action programs across the African continent. Kariuki, reinforcing the AfDB's commitment, asserted, "The African Development Bank is fully equipped to provide comprehensive technical support, project preparation assistance, concessional financing, and risk mitigation measures to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change. Together, we can ensure a just energy transition." He called upon global partners to unite with the African Development Bank in the collective pursuit of transformative climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives, with a shared vision of a sustainable future for Africa.   Sources: THX News & African Development Bank. Read the full article

[hardynwa]

18 inventors seek $49.6m intervention at Africa Social Impact Summit

African inventors and entrepreneurs are seeking 49 million dollars from investors at the just concluded Africa Social Impact Summit (ASSIS) to scale up their businesses at the just concluded summit in Lagos This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sterling One Foundation made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos. The two-event was co-convened by Sterling One Foundation and the United Nations in Nigeria. The summit had as its theme, "Global Vision, Local Action: Repositioning the African Development Ecosystem for Sustainable Outcomes." Ibekwe said that the Summit featured a deal room with pitches from 18 businesses shortlisted from over 500 applications from across Africa. She said that the finalists drawn from from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria with businesses cutting across health, waste recycling, agriculture, and education had a combined investment bid of about 49.6 million dollars for expansion and production capacity increase. According to her, the investors are observing due diligence to determine what the successful candidates will access to upscale their businesses. The CEO noted that the gathering off key players from the government, the diplomatic community, civil society, and the public and private sectors for the summit was not just a talk shop but a meaningful engagement that would spark the desired impact in Africa. She said that ASIS 2023, being the second edition was designed to help build partnerships and galvanise investments that would ensure that Africa makes rapid progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). Ibekwe said that with with the world halfway through the 15-year timeline set for the actualisation of the SDGs, there had been a call across the globe to review the work done to see what has worked and what has not, and to identify critical areas where additional measures were needed for success to be achieved. She said that the call formed the basis of conversations at ASIS 2023. She said that the call also resonated as former President of Malawi, Joyce Banda, Consul Generals of the British High Commission, United States of America, German, and Danish Consulates, Permanent Secretaries of the Nigeria Ministries of Women Affairs, Education, Water Resources, Environment, Budget, and National Planning, non-profit leaders, business executives, and experts from different vital sectors, including education, health, climate action, agriculture, and more, shared insights into their different sustainability strategies, results so far, and plans for the coming years. She expressed hope for several partnerships and innovations to emerge from the summit. The CEO said that she was looking forward to existing social impact initiatives in various rural communities accessing multilevel resources to be able to do more and spread their impact from community to community across the continent. She added that she was humbled by the intentionality of the private sector to own the SDGs and expressed gratitude to the partnership of the United Nations as the co-convener of the summit “Across the continent, the people are waiting for action. For far too long, Africa has been tagged – the Emerging Continent, with the continent’s potential a recurring theme of conversation, yet poverty, hunger, climate crisis, and inequality, remain visible; thus, Africa is yearning for action. "I remain confident and incurably optimistic that there is the capacity for the type of action we seek in this room. There is the capacity to build strong partnerships for sustainable solutions to move from plans to action quickly. " I urge everyone to interact and collaborate because the stakes are very high,” Ibekwe said. She said that Mr Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Bank Limited explained that the true essence of the Summit was to ensure that at every level, the issues and challenges resulting in widespread poverty across Africa got tackled rightly and that everyone was moving in the right direction. “Six months from now, when we reach out for you, we want to hear that because you came here, you met someone, and you established a relationship, you rethought your approach, therefore, are getting more value from your resources, and are better at solving problems together. " The only thing that matters is the relationships you form today and how these relationships transmit to a much better outcome than you had before you came here,” Suleiman, who is also board member of the Sterling One Foundation said. Ibekwe said that the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Nigeria, Mr Matthias Schmale, described the Summit’s timing as an opportune happenstance during a time of enormous challenges and great opportunities for Africa. Schmale said that the 2030 Agenda is a clear framework for addressing these challenges facing Africa, which requires all of us to break free from business-as-usual approaches and move together faster. “Governments, NGOs, and civil society cannot tackle our current challenges alone. If we are to secure a just, sustainable world, we need a whole-of-society approach in which the private sector plays a pivotal role,” Schmale said. While further stating that the promise of the 2030 Agenda was now in peril, he urged more CEOs and investors to adopt the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact, hire more qualified women, and ensure that their investments focus on more than just profit to reflect social impact considerations. He pledged support to the Nigerian Government, citing the Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development, which both parties have agreed to, and also called on more organizations to embrace Public-Private Partnerships to leverage the strengths and capabilities of both sectors to fast-track and scale up major development initiatives. Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State welcomed the pledge and idea and called on the private sector to take the lead in unleashing enterprise-driven innovation to create the impact ecosystem required for recovery within the state and across Africa. He was represented by the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat. Ibekwe said that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr David Adejo, further echoed this sentiment as he stressed that the government cannot solely run the education sector. Adejo endorsed private sector and academia partnerships to significantly restructure the curriculum and determine the kind of graduates we want. He said that this was already underway with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has birthed entrepreneurship departments in all universities in Nigeria. He added that there was still a lot more to be done to help younger children. Ibekwe said that Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, in her goodwill message urged the private sector in the global North to forge strong partnerships with the private sector in the global South to directly impact people within African communities. Remarks from the US Consul General, Mr Will Stevens, the German Consul General, Mr Weert Börner, the Danish Consul General and Head of Trade, Mrs Jette Bjerrum, and a representative of the British High Commission, all highlighted the potential that Africa holds, especially with its human resources and the different ways each of these countries is supporting to harness these resources The US Consul General, in his remarks, said it was time to begin to talk about African solutions to global problems, not just African solutions to African problems. With partnerships from top private organizations such as The Coca-Cola Company, Microsoft, MTN Foundation, Sterling Bank, Oando Foundation, SBG Insurance Brokers, the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance, TRACE and developmental partners like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), British Council, United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, USAID-sponsored Nigeria SCALE Project, Nigeria INGO Forum, Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) and UNIDO-ITPO Nigeria, the Summit was able to convene over 1,500 physical attendees, and more than 60 leading experts in various industries, who engaged in discussions about the critical sectors of the African economy. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations, in her goodwill message described Africa as the “most exciting business opportunity in the world, with 60 per cent of the world’s arable land and a massive population of motivated youths, Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser to President on Industrialisation, African Development Bank Group, stressed the need for an economic transformation from agriculture-based to industry and services. Adrian Clamp, Global Head of Connected Enterprise at KPMG, said that the Summit helped to identify evidence-based strategies for improving impact investment inflow into Africa. Other panel discussions focused on more promising ways to fund quality education access, health programs in underserved communities, strategies for financing scalable climate change solutions, increasing the operational efficiency of civil society organizations, accelerating action on water and critical action points for genuine equitable development, harnessing our youth population and their talents, and improving how we report the progress made on the continent. Read the full article

[dayofcombattingsandandduststorms]

Sand and dust storms and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sand and dust storms (SDS) present a formidable and wide-spread challenge to achieving sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions. They have become a serious global concern in recent decades due to their significant impacts on the environment, health, agriculture, livelihoods, and socio-economic well-being. Sand and dust storms are an essential element of the Earth’s natural bio-chemical cycles, but are also caused in part by human-induced drivers, including climate change, and unsustainable land management and water use. In turn, sand and dust storms contribute to climate change and air pollution. Sand and dust storms’ impacts are felt in all regions of the world, both in developed and developing countries, and pose severe challenges to achieving 11 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, especially:

SDG-2 — Goal 2: Zero hunger

SDG-3 — Goal 3: Health

SDG-6 — Goal 6: Water and sanitation

SDG-8 — Goal 8: Economic growth

SDG-11 — Goal 11: Cities

SDG-13 — Goal 13: Climate action, and

SDG-15 — Goal 15: Biodiversity forests and desertification.

At least 25 % of global dust emissions originate from human activities, and in some areas, desert dust has doubled in the 20th century. The impact of this phenomena is difficult to control, as human activity in one part of the world can cause sand and dust storms in another region. However, just as sand and dust storms are caused by human activities, these storms can also be reduced through human actions.

[internationalteaday]

Carbon neutral tea production in China - Case studies.

Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges we face today, severely degrading agricultural productive capacities, and the natural resources and ecosystems on which they rely. It hits poorer communities the hardest, disproportionately affecting those most vulnerable and least able to adapt. Agriculture and food security depend on climate action today more than ever before. As explained in the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land (2019), the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector is responsible for about 25 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, a part of which comes from food systems and agricultural value chains. Despite this, the agriculture sectors can be an important part of the solution to climate change through adaptation and mitigation efforts. In order to achieve the central goal of the Paris Agreement to stay “well below” two degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 °C, rethinking sustainable agriculture and GHG emissions is critical. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been making advances in low carbon and carbon neutral approaches for sustainable agricultural development, making use of potential synergies between climate mitigation and adaptation through innovative agricultural production systems and their value chains. As part of FAO’s Strategy on Climate Change, the Organization, along with its partners, is developing low carbon initiatives, based on emission reductions along entire agricultural value chains, with tea and its business model being the first commodity to be evaluated. This report, with tea as central commodity, presents how research and technology development, monitoring and assessment, standards for production and new market schemes can lead to a new approach to sustainable food and agriculture systems. The tea industry and its value chain generate about 15 to 19 kg of CO2eq for each kilogram of tea produced, attributable to several sources, including fertilizers applied to soils, the production of pesticides and herbicides, electricity used for irrigation and processing, as well as fossil fuels used in transport. At the same time, tea is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, particularly to extreme temperature events and changes in rainfall patterns. As the largest producer and consumer of tea in the world, China is collaborating with FAO to develop an overall framework and minimum standards for sustainable tea production. This report, developed in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), assesses the potential of low carbon and carbon neutral approaches to tea production. Based on the lessons learned from this study, FAO expects to transfer and exchange knowledge through South-South Cooperation with other tea-producing countries. The development of low carbon tea production in Kenya, the world’s largest tea exporter, will be the first initiative. It aims to lay the groundwork to standardize this approach and to upscale it regionally and globally, while building a tea sector that reduces its environmental impact and is more resilient to climate change. Furthermore, the experiences of this pilot study will demonstrate the advantages of low carbon approaches to the private sector, including cost saving due to efficiency, lower capital costs, improved public and private sector partnerships, as well as higher price premiums. Successful cases of low carbon approaches, shared among stakeholders, can then address climate change along agricultural value chains, to develop further low carbon and carbon neutral markets. As we re-shape and build new food systems to feed the future, decisive climate action will be our defining challenge. Whether producer or consumer, from farmer to policymaker, in rural or urban contexts.

Carbon neutral tea production in China - Three pilot case studies.

[joycruz]

Human Rights

Human rights are essential to achieving sustainable development that leaves no one behind and are central to all its three dimensions – social, environmental, and economic. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) "seek to realize the human rights of all", and more than 90% of the targets directly reflect elements of international human rights and labor standards. The pledge to “leave no one behind” mirrors the fundamental human rights principles of non-discrimination and equality. There is no more pressing or more powerful way for business to accelerate social development than by driving respect for human rights across their value chains. These rights are familiar to us that we apply in our daily lives.

It is worth pausing for a moment on what human rights are and their relationship to sustainable development. Human rights are the expression, through international law standards, of the basic dignity and equality of human beings. They speak to a variety of ways in which people are entitled to be treated: without discrimination, with the freedom to hold opinions and express their views, to enjoy privacy and a family life, decent working conditions and a fair wage for their work, to be free from forced labor and physical abuse, to have access to the clean water needed for drinking and hygiene, to food necessary to sustain themselves, to the highest level of health they can achieve, and so forth.

SDG 1: No Poverty. Targets include eradicating extreme poverty, implementing social protection measures and ensuring equal access of men and women to economic resources.

SDG 2: End Hunger. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 4: Quality Education. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

SDG 5: Gender Equality. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Reduce inequality within and among countries.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

SDG 13: Climate Action. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

SDG 14: Life Below Water. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

SDG 15: Life on Land. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

The human rights component of the SDGs must therefore be realized chiefly through their implementation. These SDGs are not more important than the others, but they most clearly illustrate the original link between socioeconomic rights on the one hand and civil and political rights on the other. They therefore implicitly define the concept of the right to sustainable development. Furthermore, these SDGs are in the public spotlight because society is increasingly being undermined by poverty, inequality and climate change, while SDG16 relates to the achievement of democracy governed by the rule of law and access to justice for all.

[industryupdate]

Rise in Fertilizer Application of NH3 Boost Green Ammonia Industry

In 2021, the green ammonia industry contributed $16.4 million in revenue, and by 2030, it is projected to rise to $6,559.1 million, progressing at a 94.6% rate, ascribed to numerous ongoing industrial projects for chemical production in Oman, Oceania, and Mauritania. Moreover, it is aimed to achieve the 15-metric-ton capacity of the announced projects in 2030, which is about 8% of the ammonia production presently by 54 projects. In addition, the strict regulations, and increased efforts to attain zero-emission goals are expected to cause market propulsion with rising production of ammonia through clean methods.

APAC contributes a significant revenue share to the green ammonia market, amounting to $7.06 million, ascribed to the strict government regulations, and environmental concerns with UN commitment to attain zero emissions in 2050. Furthermore, wind and solar energy are expected to proliferate the AWE, due to stringent emission laws and growing focus to attain zero-carbon goals.

Moreover, the frequency of decline in the cost of chemical production drives the green ammonia industry. Besides this, the rising awareness toward zero emissions is expected to surge in the frequent usage of the pilot in the near future. North America, the EU, and APAC are increasingly focused on attaining the net zero binding target by 2050. In addition, the increase in the understanding of long-term sustainable energy storage and the right usage of green ammonia in the production of agricultural fertilizers, and other eco-friendly products drive the market.

Fertilizers capture a significant share of the green ammonia market, accounting for 55%, ascribed to the massive fertilizer application of the eco-friendly NH3, resulting in green ammonia market propulsion. In addition, the wide usage of ammonia as feedstock for inorganic, and nitrogen-based fertilizers also propels the market. The decarbonization strategy has resulted in the rising importance of green ammonia in the manufacturing of fertilizers. The global ammonia production accounts for 170 million metric tons, and more than 70% of this production is utilized in the production of fertilizers, according to ThyssenKrupp AG.

Moreover, clean ammonia serves as both viable fuel and eco-friendly raw material for fertilizers, including the massive potential of solar and wind as renewable sources that are projected to dominate the renewable energy market in the coming years. In addition, key companies are increasingly investing to advance their position in the market. For instance, Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions has developed a system that utilizes air, water, and renewable energy, by using chlor-alkali electrode technology-based AWE process.

Therefore, the AWE category boosts the market, led by the pacing up of the green hydrogen projects in various countries.