Green hydrogen has emerged as a prominent approach in an effort to mitigate global warming. Given the urgency of addressing the climate change crisis and mitigating global warming, there is an increasing emphasis on curtailing carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved through the production of green hydrogen. While there are various renewable power supply options capable of being utilized for producing green hydrogen, this research focuses solely on offshore wind, photovoltaics (PV), and a hybrid solution due to eThekwini's perceived abundance of solar radiation and extensive coastlines with ample wind resources, making it highly conducive to renewable energy generation. This paper initially introduces the concept of Green Hydrogen production and outlines the methodology employed to assess the viability of hydrogen production from various potential sources. Additionally, the energy requirements for a typical hydrogen plant are determined, along with a brief discussion on potential sites. In this case study, an energy yield assessment was conducted for PV, offshore wind, and a proposed hybrid model to determine the most beneficial source and identify any technical issues that may arise from the utilization of the considered power supplies. Finally, a high-level financial assessment assessing the project's financial viability is described. CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract The critical importance of wetland ecosystems is highlighted, as they provide essential services such as regulating the hydrological cycle, flood control, and filtering pollutants. Globally, 64 % of wetlands have been lost since 1970, with Asia being the most affected region. Agricultural expansion, urban development, and aquaculture are some of the main drivers of the degradation of these ecosystems, particularly mangroves, which play a key role in climate change mitigation. In Costa Rica, wetlands under inventory represent 6.01 % of the national territory, and although the country has made progress in their protection, with 49 % of wetlands falling under some category of protected wild area, challenges remain, such as agricultural expansion, livestock farming, and sedimentation. At the international level, the Ramsar Convention has been key to wetland conservation efforts, with over 2.57 million km2 protected. However, additional efforts are needed to mitigate the threats to these ecosystems, especially in the context of climate change.

Resumen Se resalta la importancia crítica de los ecosistemas de humedales, que proporcionan servicios esenciales, como la regulación del ciclo hidrológico, el control de inundaciones y la filtración de contaminantes. En el nivel global, se ha perdido un 64 % de los humedales desde 1970, con Asia siendo la región más afectada. La expansión agrícola, el desarrollo urbano y la acuicultura son algunas de las principales causas de la degradación de estos ecosistemas, especialmente de los manglares, que cumplen una función clave en la mitigación del cambio climático. En Costa Rica, los humedales bajo inventario representan el 6.01 % del territorio nacional, y aunque el país ha avanzado en su protección, con el 49 % de los humedales bajo alguna categoría de área silvestre protegida, persisten desafíos, como la expansión agrícola, la ganadería y la sedimentación. En el plano mundial, la Convención Ramsar ha sido clave en los esfuerzos de conservación de humedales, con más de 2.57 millones km2 protegidos. Sin embargo, se necesitan esfuerzos adicionales para mitigar las amenazas a estos ecosistemas, especialmente en el contexto del cambio climático.

ABSTRACT Cacti are plants native to the Americas, characterized for their numerous nutritional and functional values, their multiple uses, and their unique morphology and physiology, which allow them to grow and thrive under dry environments with extreme temperatures and in poor soils. Climate Change is imposing great challenges on research and development in agriculture to maintain productivity using sustainable production systems to cope with human population increases. Several strategies are currently being developed to cope with this problem, being domesticating of new species one strategy, particularly if one uses native cacti species. Chile is particularly rich in endemic cacti species. After studying fruit and ethnobotanical characteristics six species were selected for further studies: Corryocactus brevistylus vernacular named “rumba”; Leucostele atacamensis “pasacana”; Airampoa ayrampo “ayrampo”; Browningia candelaris “sabaya”; Eulychnia iquiquensis, “copao de Iquique”; and Haageocereus chilensis “tunilla” which are native cactus species distributed mainly, but not exclusively, in Northern Chile. Their fruits are edible with functional properties or can be used as natural food colorants, characteristics that makes them suitable for domestication. Fruits of C. brevistylus, H. chilensis and L. atacamensis can be consumed fresh, with L. atacamensis having a very high antioxidant capacity. Airampoa ayrampo, on the other hand, has potential as a natural red-purple food colorant. This work shows specific analytical data related to the proportion of pulp in the fruit of these species, and the presence of functional compounds with antioxidant capacity, such as vitamin C and phenolics compounds.

Abstract — The present work is an effort to determine the generation of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, from the cooking process that is developed for chickens, meats, ribs, hamburgers and pizzas, using firewood and coal as a source of thermal energy in the commercial grills of the metropolitan area of the City of Veracruz, which is made up of the municipalities of Veracruz, Boca del Rio, Medellin de Bravo, Jamapa and Manlio Fabio Altamirano, at Veracruz State, Mexico which as a whole They have a population of 882,011 inhabitants, where they exist of 430 commercial establishments of this type exists, making 275 visits to carry out interviews and surveys, showing that 74.18 % use charcoal and 25.81 % use firewood. Using emission factors and caloric indices, it was determined that a total of 2,739.99 tons/year of carbon dioxide equivalent is generated by consumption of firewood and 8,872.66 tons/year of carbon dioxide equivalent by consumption of coal and with a total of 11,612.65 tons/year of carbon dioxide equivalent for all commercial grills facilities, which are involved in constant climate change and the effects that this causes in this metropolitan area on the central coast of the Gulf of Mexico and that must be included in both regulations municipal and in the climate change agenda.

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la relación entre la presencia de rotavirus y factores como la estacionalidad, la variabilidad climática y el cambio climático mediante el uso de redes bayesianas. Para ello, se recopiló información histórica sobre la incidencia de rotavirus en diferentes regiones, así como datos climáticos relevantes, incluyendo temperatura, precipitación y humedad. La metodología empleada consistió en la construcción de un modelo de red bayesiana que integró estas variables, permitiendo analizar sus interacciones y su impacto en la transmisión del virus. Los resultados alcanzados indicaron que la incidencia de rotavirus presentó una clara estacionalidad, con picos durante los meses más cálidos y lluviosos. Además, se observó que la variabilidad climática influía en la frecuencia de los brotes, sugiriendo que cambios en las condiciones climáticas podrían alterar la dinámica de la enfermedad. El modelo también señaló que las proyecciones de cambio climático podrían aumentar la incidencia de rotavirus en ciertas regiones, lo que resalta la necesidad de monitorear estos factores de manera continua. En conclusión, los hallazgos del estudio subrayan la importancia de considerar las interacciones entre el clima y la salud pública en la planificación de estrategias de prevención y control del rotavirus. La aplicación de redes bayesianas no solo permitió una mejor comprensión de estos factores, sino que también proporcionó una herramienta valiosa para anticipar futuros brotes, contribuyendo así a la protección de la salud infantil.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the presence of rotavirus and factors such as seasonality, climate variability and climate change using Bayesian networks. To do so, historical information on the incidence of rotavirus in different regions was collected, as well as relevant climate data, including temperature, precipitation and humidity. The methodology used consisted of building a Bayesian network model that integrated these variables, allowing the analysis of their interactions and their impact on the transmission of the virus. The results obtained indicated that the incidence of rotavirus showed a clear seasonality, with peaks during the warmer and rainier months. In addition, it was observed that climate variability influenced the frequency of outbreaks, suggesting that changes in climate conditions could alter the dynamics of the disease. The model also indicated that climate change projections could increase the incidence of rotavirus in certain regions, highlighting the need to monitor these factors continuously. In conclusion, the findings of the study underline the importance of considering interactions between climate and public health in planning rotavirus prevention and control strategies. The application of Bayesian networks not only allowed a better understanding of these factors, but also provided a valuable tool to anticipate future outbreaks, thus contributing to the protection of children's health.

ABSTRACT Agricultural production system is more effective with the appropriate use of existing resources. Climate change will have adverse effects on crop production depending on water sources scarcity in the future besides, Si may reduce this effect. The aim of this study is to analyze vegetative growth and yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.) with different levels of irrigation and Si doses applications. For this purpose, field experiments were conducted during 2022 and 2023 growing seasons in the Mediterranean environmental conditions. Treatments consisted of four Si doses (150, 100, 50 kg ha-1 and 0 kg ha-1 as control) and four irrigation treatments designed as pan coefficients (I1.00: Ep × 1.00; I0.75: Ep × 0.75; I0.50: Ep × 0.50; I0.25: Ep × 0.25). Experimental design was completely randomized with split-plot system with four replicates. For both growing seasons Si150-I1.00 interactions produced the highest marketable yields as 4.61 and 4.48 t ha-1, respectively, while the lowest values were found from Si0-I0.25 as 1.12 and 1.41 t ha-1 respectively. The highest crown diameter and body length values of 16.19-17.13 and 15.70-15.88 cm were recorded with I1.00 treatment across the two growing seasons. As a result of Si application, the efficiency of the cauliflower crop increased as the effects of water deficit decreased. According to research results in both years, water deficit up to 25% stress and 50 and 100 kg ha-1 Si doses in cauliflower cultivation improves crop yield-related characteristics.

The aim of this paper was to establish if mineral resource scarcity is a driver for South Africa to transition to a circular economy. The project objectives were achieved by investigating economically viable, and critical or strategic minerals remaining in South Africa, as well as resource scarcity, as a driver for South Africa to transition to a circular economy. The study found that some minerals in South Africa, such as iron ore, lead, manganese, gold, and cobalt have less than 50 years of economically viable mining remaining. At least 18 minerals can be classified indicatively as critical or strategic: aggregates, bauxite, chromite, cobalt, copper, gold, graphite, iron, limestone, lithium, manganese, nickel, phosphorous, platinum group metals, rare earth elements, silver, titanium, and vanadium. The classification was based on the minerals' economic importance, supply risk, and potential use in the development and manufacturing of emerging technologies. The findings suggest that the scarcity of mineral resources is a critical driver for the country to transition to a circular economy. Other identified drivers include socio-economic factors, climate change commitments, and business objectives. All minerals are non-renewable resources and at risk of depletion, therefore sustainable extraction and use are critical. Priority should be directed at investigating circular economy opportunities and substitutes for commodities at risk of being depleted within the next 50 years. There is an opportunity for South Africa to transition from a minerals export-based model to one that promotes local mineral beneficiation and manufacturing of end products.

The focus of the paper is to address the temporal discrepancies in long-term rainfall trend results in South Africa, by evaluating a systematic range of observation periods over the century-long analysis period of 1921-2022. Available long-term climate projections show that significant parts of South Africa are expected to experience progressively drier conditions, mainly in the west. To assess long-term rainfall trends over the country, historical trends should be determined - the results of published studies for which are not consistent. Arguably the most significant reason for these inconsistencies is the length of analysis period. This study investigates this effect on the magnitude and statistical significance of historical annual rainfall trends over hydrological years, with the data of 94 homogeneous rainfall districts. Trends of annual rainfall were determined for all periods up to 2022, from the 1921-2022 period up to the last 30 years, i.e. 1993-2022. The annual rainfall trends over the longest analysis period show significantly positive trends over most of the central and western parts and significant drying over extensive parts of mainly the far north-east. However, the most recent period (1993-2022) shows significantly drying trends over extensive parts of the west, south and east. Among the main findings is that the change in trends shows a consistent spatial pattern of significant negative change over most of the southwestern half, and mostly significantly positive trends over the north-eastern sector. These results are in large agreement with future rainfall projections, particularly for the western half. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the wide range of long-term trends in South Africa, both spatially and temporally, and the importance of considering a range of historical analysis periods in the detection of long-term rainfall changes. In effect, the eventual results provide increased confidence to predicted future rainfall scenarios.

Resumo A corrosão em estruturas de concreto armado tem se tornado uma preocupação crescente, principalmente devido aos fatores relacionados às mudanças climáticas, como o aumento dos níveis de dióxido de carbono, mudanças de temperatura e precipitação. A fim de aplicar essas mudanças a estrutura, avaliações regionais são essenciais devido aos impactos ambientais variados. Este estudo examina a corrosão no Brasil, utilizando os níveis urbanos de CO2, utilizando a NBR 6118 (2023) para prever a despassivação, as fissuras iniciais e a falha devido a deslocamentos excessivos (Estados Limites de Serviço). Os resultados indicam uma probabilidade de despassivação de 50% em 13 anos para um cobrimento de 2,5 cm no pior cenário. Além disso, a probabilidade de falha por deslocamento excessivo sofre uma influência significativamente do diâmetro das armaduras, com um aumento de 311% ao longo de 45 anos ao usar um diâmetro de 5 mm em vez de 10 mm. Embora preliminar, este estudo também serve como um alerta para as construções futura e existentes, destacando a necessidade de pesquisas contínuas.

Abstract Corrosion in reinforced concrete structures has become a growing concern, primarily due to climate change-related factors such as the rise of carbon dioxide levels, temperature fluctuations, and altered precipitation patterns. To address this, regional assessments are vital due to varying environmental impacts. This study examines corrosion in Brazil, focusing on urban CO2 levels, employing NBR 6118 (2023) to predict depassivation, initial cracks, and failure due to excessive displacement (Serviceability Limit State). Results indicate a 50% depassivation probability within 13 years for a 2.5 cm concrete cover in the worst-case scenario. Additionally, the diameter of reinforcements greatly influences failure probability for excessive displacement, with a 311% increase over 45 years using a 5 mm diameter instead of 10 mm. These findings underscore the urgency of adapting construction practices to consider accelerated carbonation rates in urban environments and the need for ongoing research to refine predictive models and update construction standards accordingly.

In 1909, Arthur Neiva published an article titled “Contribuição para os estudos dos dipteros. Observação sobre a biolojia e sistematica das anofelinas brasileiras e suas relações com o impaludismo”, highlighting the biology, ecology, and distribution of Anophelinae mosquitoes and the need for more taxonomic studies in Brazil. This came 11 years after Ronald Ross and Grassi demonstrated mosquito roles in transmitting Plasmodium to birds and humans. Despite considerable advances in the understanding of Anophelinae species, knowledge remains insufficient given the complexity of Brazil’s ecosystems, the intensified anthropogenic environmental changes since the mid-20th century, and the persistent public health challenges posed by malaria. This perspective article presents the distribution of Plasmodium vectors and potential vector species in Brazil using climate variables and a maximum entropy model. Geographical distribution maps of Anophelinae species, including putative species, are provided. The article also discusses the current knowledge of vector species distribution in relation to Brazil’s malaria elimination plan, along with the ecological and anthropogenic factors influencing vector distribution.

Climate change has disrupted economies and continues to affect lives in several communities and countries. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13.3 urges all nations to take urgent action to combat climate change. Therefore, education is crucial in promoting climate change action because it helps people reduce their impacts and empowers them to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Currently, literature on the barriers and opportunities in implementing climate change education in South African secondary schools is limited. This study is based on the teacher training conducted by Fundisa for Change using the Teaching Climate Change manual. Archer's (1995) morphogenesis theory was used to understand the barriers and opportunities in implementing climate change education in secondary schools in South Africa. Data were gathered through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with Fundisa for Change teacher participants and with Department of Basic Education officials in Gauteng Province, South Africa, and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. The study found the following opportunities in implementing climate change education: (I) climate change topics are included in the South African national geography curriculum in the Further Education and Training phase, (2) the participating teachers exhibited adequate knowledge of environmental sustainability education, and (3) common research tasks administered require learners to apply knowledge of climate change. However, schools are supplied with lesson plans, tests, and examinations that act as barriers to implementing climate change education, hindering teachers' agency.

RESUMEN El cambio climático impone desafíos significativos a la salud y seguridad laboral, intensificando riesgos como el calor extremo, la contaminación y las enfermedades transmitidas por vectores, este estudio destaca la importancia de la convergencia intersectorial, donde organizaciones intergubernamentales y no gubernamentales colaboran para desarrollar políticas y programas que promueven entornos de trabajo saludables y sostenibles. Se emplearon metodologías de revisiones sistemáticas conforme a los parámetros de PRISMA y técnicas de investigación cualitativa documental para analizar informes de la OMS, OIT, PNUMA, ICLEI y la CSI. La información se estructuró utilizando una matriz de análisis, permitiendo una evaluación detallada de cómo estas organizaciones integran y aplican estrategias intersectoriales. Las conclusiones indican que la salud laboral en la era del cambio climático requiere un enfoque colaborativo y multidisciplinario que supera las barreras tradicionales entre sectores, asegurando que las respuestas sean inclusivas, efectivas y sostenibles. Ejemplos de esta colaboración incluyen la integración de la salud laboral en las políticas de cambio climático de la OMS y el PNUMA, así como las iniciativas de la OIT para promover el trabajo decente en un clima cambiante.

ABSTRACT Climate change poses significant challenges to occupational health and safety, intensifying risks such as extreme heat, pollution, and vector-borne diseases. This study highlights the importance of intersectoral convergence, where intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations collaborate to develop policies and programs that promote healthy and sustainable work environments. Systematic review methodologies by PRISMA parameters and documentary qualitative research techniques were used to analyze reports from the WHO, ILO, UNEP, ICLEI, and the International Trade Union Confederation. The information was structured using an analysis matrix, allowing a detailed assessment of how these organizations integrate and apply intersectoral strategies. The conclusions say that occupational health in the era of climate change requires a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach that transcends traditional barriers between sectors, ensuring that responses are inclusive, effective, and sustainable. Examples of this collaboration include the integration of occupational health into the climate change policies of the WHO and UNEP, as well as ILO initiatives to promote decent work in a changing climate.

Heat stress has been identified as one of the major challenges for livestock production. Global temperatures are steadily increasing, with South African temperatures increasing at nearly twice the global rate. Of the livestock used for food production, dairy cows are the most sensitive to thermal changes, which have detrimental effects on their health, welfare, and overall productivity. Several abiotic factors that influence the heat load experienced by the cow are not commonly included in thermal indices used to measure heat stress; these include solar radiation, wind speed, and soil quality. Furthermore, the thermal comfort zone of cows has been altered by years of intense selection for increased milk yield, causing cows to become heat stressed at lower temperatures. Considering the abiotic and biotic factors affecting the cow's heat load, it can be argued that dairy cows in tropical and subtropical climates are experiencing constant heat stress. In this review, the abiotic and biotic factors influencing the heat load experienced by dairy cows are reviewed, along with the available thermal indices that can be utilised at farm level.

In the novel Mara and Dann: An Adventure (1999), Doris Lessing depicts the survival predicaments of humans and nonhumans tens of thousands of years after a climate catastrophe. This article illustrates the emergence and the main characteristics of climate change fiction and explores how climate change is represented in the novel using the theoretical framework of climate change criticism. In doing so, this study argues that Lessing narrates climate change through crossing boundaries of scales, species, and genres. Lessing transcends the scalar boundary between the short-term human scale and the long-term planetary scale to make climate change and its anthropogenic causes perceptible and visible; she transcends the boundary of species to render humans into another kind of species, threatened by extinction and animal attack, in order to dissolve the dichotomy between subject and object; and she transcends the doom scenarios depicted in fiction dealing with an environmental apocalypse to provide an alternative, better future with the purpose of evoking readers' emotional response and ethical reflection. By examining the boundary crossings, this article sheds new light on Mara and Dann as an epitome of climate change fiction, suggesting Lessing's intentions to deconstruct the age-old dichotomy between humans and nature and to criticise the ideology of anthropocentrism.

Integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) has gained traction among scientists and development practitioners, given their complementary benefits of reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems, livelihoods and protection of assets while concomitantly enabling the achievements of the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework on DRR. However, guidance on integrating climate and disaster risk is poorly understood because of insufficient scholarship. Although common concerns exist, the effective integration of DRR and CCA faces diverse challenges in various countries and contexts, and no study has addressed this topic in the Indian Ocean Region and Seychelles. To address this knowledge gap, a content analysis of relevant policies and strategies and in-depth interviews with 40 stakeholders were conducted to identify the challenges of integrating DRR and CCA alongside their proposed strategy for improvement. Barriers that impede the effective mainstreaming of DRR and CCA include issues about (1) governance and politics; (2) policy integration; (3) competing actors and institutions; (4) coordination and collaboration; (5) resources and funding mechanism; (6) scale mismatches; (7) implementation and mainstreaming; (8) community involvement; and (9) information, communication and knowledge sharing. This study reveals that structural coherence was weak on the strategic rather than conceptual levels, leading to poor institutional, operational and financial coordination. This led to incidental integration and collaboration happening on an ad hoc basis with the Disaster Risk Management Division positioned towards emergency preparedness and response. Proposed recommendations to enhance DRR and CCA integration are provided. CONTRIBUTION: This study serves as a guide for Seychelles and other countries on how to effectively link DRR and CCA to minimise duplication of efforts and enhance the efficient use of human and financial resources while concomitantly achieving the objectives of DRR - to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience.