Summary

Environmental science emerged from the fields of natural history and medicine during the Enlightenment. Today, it provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. Environmental studies are incorporating more of the social sciences in order to understand human relationships, perceptions and policies towards the environment. This entry collection features information about design and technology for improving environmental quality in every aspect.

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Entries
Topic Review
Disaster Risk Reduction Education
The integration of disaster risk reduction efforts with natural science learning tools can effectively increase students’ preparedness in facing disasters. Learning tools developed for students might include syllabus, lesson plans, student worksheets, and handouts. In addition, the design of inclusive tools for disaster education programs focused on children and young people with disabilities needs to be worked with a differentiated instruction strategy so that their perceptions and knowledge regarding disasters and their role to build resilience is proper for their reality.
  • 689
  • 15 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Monitoring of Ecological Response to River Restoration
Nature-based solutions are widely advocated for freshwater ecosystem conservation and restoration. As increasing amounts of river restoration are undertaken, the need to understand the ecological response to different measures and where measures are best applied becomes more pressing. 
  • 475
  • 14 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Sustainable Construction Projects
There are several definitions of "sustainable construction", but it is positioned as a relevant contemporary issue aligned with the efforts needed to achieve sustainability and development. Sometimes its focus is limited to the environmental dimension, but it must encompass all three pillars: environmental, social, and economic aspects in its scope to be considered sustainable:  Environment: Focusing on the protection of the environment through the reduction of ecological impacts, resource utilization, and waste production. Social: Integrating health and safety aspects in construction and the area of influence, as well as conflict resolution for all stakeholders.  Economic: Integrating efficiency and savings, quality assurance, and profitability. Complemented by the result of the application of biomimetic methodology: the biocircular model.  In this model, it is established that construction processes must be efficient and dynamic, considering the human dimension, management, and technical knowledge to achieve objectives.  In addition, the circular economy approach focused on reuse, recycling, durability, and optimization. 
  • 533
  • 13 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Dehydrin Genes in Model Brachypodium Grasses
Dehydration proteins (dehydrins, DHNs) confer tolerance to water-stress deficit in plants. We performed a comparative genomics and evolutionary study of DHN genes in four model Brachypodium grass species. Ten dehydrins have been describe within Brachypodium species. Due to limited knowledge on dehydrin expression under water deprivation stress in Brachypodium, we also performed a drought-induced gene expression analysis in 32 ecotypes of the genus’ flagship species B. distachyon showing different hydric requirements. Bdhn1 - Bdhn2, Bdhn3 and Bdhn7 genes, orthologs of wheat, barley, rice, sorghum, and maize genes, were more highly expressed in plants under drought conditions.
  • 607
  • 13 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Biogas Production from Maize Silage after Acid-Heat Pretreatment
One of the most effective technologies involving the use of lignocellulosic biomass is the production of biofuels, including methane-rich biogas. In order to increase the amount of gas produced, it is necessary to optimize the fermentation process, for example, by substrate pretreatment.
  • 486
  • 10 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Social Entrepreneurs for Innovative Professional Career Developments
Social impact and innovation are crucial aspects of any social entrepreneurship project. There are some fundamental common factors as critical determinants of the final social entrepreneurial decision and result: (i) motivations such as emotional connection, moral judgment, personal dissatisfaction, purpose achievement and change, and social needs; (ii) personal internal resources such as connection skills, conviction, creativity, efficiency skills, and learning orientation; (iii) facilitating external factors such as financial and social support, higher and social education, relevant past events, and previous professional experience. Putting together all these factors, there is a theoretical framework that can explain social entrepreneurship as an alternative career option and connect it with a dominant social entrepreneur’s narrative and profile.
  • 581
  • 13 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Finger Millet Production in Ethiopia
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) is a highly nutritious crop, predominantly grown in the semi-arid tropics of the world. The crop has medicinal value to human beings due to its human health benefits and being rich in calcium, iron and dietary fiber and gluten-free. Ethiopia is the center of the genetic diversity of the crop. However, the productivity of finger millet in the country is low (<2.4 tons ha−1) compared with its potential yield (6 tons ha−1). The yield gap in Ethiopia is due to a range of biotic and abiotic stresses and socio-economic constraints that are yet to be systemically documented and prioritized to guide future production and improved variety development and release. The objective of this study was to document finger millet production opportunities, constraints and farmer-preferred traits in Ethiopia as a guide to variety design in improvement programs. 
  • 2.0K
  • 13 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Green Hydrogen Economy in Southern Africa
Green hydrogen energy is significant in decarbonizing the entire hydrogen value chain network from its generation to the end-user sectors. It can help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the UNSDG 7, and regional sustainability. Further, the public sector (especially governments) are recognized to have a pivotal role in hydrogen energy deployment because it can enhance or drive the transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a green economy, especially if the hydrogen energy ploicies are clearly articulated or translated into hydrogen energy statute in each Southern African Development Communities (SADC) country. To ensure that communities and SADC nations appreciate the hydrogen energy economy, there is need to also communicate the benefits that come with green hydrogen, alongside the global pursuit to reduce GHG emissions that cause climate change.
  • 587
  • 10 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Barriers to Electric Vehicle Adoption in Thailand
Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered to be a solution for sustainable transportation. EVs can reduce fossil fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the negative impacts of climate change and global warming, as well as help improve air quality.
  • 1.3K
  • 09 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Recent Advances in Wind Turbine Noise Research
A review of current research on many aspects of wind turbine noise generation and propagation, as well as its effects on humans and fauna has been undertaken. Research areas considered include turbine noise generation, turbine designs to minimize noise generation, noise propagation to surrounding communities, effects of noise on surrounding communities (including fauna) and regulation (including compliance checking).
  • 681
  • 09 Dec 2021
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