In South Asian and Sub-Saharan African nations, climate change offers numerous hurdles to growth and development. These regions are susceptible to climate change due to their vast population reliance on agriculture, high demand for natural resources, and comparatively limited strategies for coping. Reduced food grain yields, crop losses, feed scarcity, lack of potable water for livestock during the summer, forceful animal migrations, and severe losses in the poultry and fishery industries have all been documented, posing a threat to the lives of the rural poor. As global food security and agricultural productivity become increasingly vulnerable, the focus has shifted towards adopting climate-smart agricultural practices and techniques. The present study discussed the need to identify and prioritize regionally evolving climate-smart farming practices and the enabling environment required for CSA uptake. The popular CSA practices in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are crop rotation, cultivation of drought/flood-tolerant crops, legume intercropping, changing planting dates, rainwater harvesting, agroforestry, micro-irrigation technologies, minimum tillage, and integrated crop-livestock farming. A solid institutional structure, policy environment, infrastructure, agricultural insurance, climate information services, and gender and social inclusion provide the required enabling environment to alleviate farmer issues, lower CSA adoption obstacles, and improve operational sustainability. Highlights of the study are: This study examines how climate-smart farming practices are evolving in South Asia and SubSaharan Africa. We used a systematic approach to categorize and characterize agricultural adaptation alternatives to climate change. Our specific goals are to gain knowledge of the CSA adoption-enabling environments and the climate-smart agriculture practices employed in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

The increase in the number of visitors to the tourism sector has a positive impact on the economy of the surrounding merchants. However, it also creates negative externalities through increased waste generation. The generation of unresolved waste will disrupt the function of the environment. Ecotourism Waste Management is one way to handle waste from sellers and tourists by collecting, processing, and selling processed products. The “Waste Treatment House” manages sales proceeds from and for sellers with a profit-sharing system. This effort requires the willingness to pay (WTP) sellers for waste management. This study aims to determine the amount of waste retribution and the factors that influence it. The data used in this study were primary data of 104 sellers in Telaga Ngebel Area, Ponorogo, Indonesia, and were processed using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and descriptive analysis. WTP value is influenced by age, monthly expenses, number of dependents, operating hours, and length of business. The products produced through the program are organic waste processed into compost and fish feed, while inorganic waste is processed into handicrafts. Finally, selling processed waste products and the proceeds from these sales are used to increase merchant empowerment through revenue sharing and savings and loan products. This study has limited secondary data, namely information about the sustainability of waste management that has been carried out and the exact number of sellers in the area around Telaga Ngebel.

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the process of cleaning up crude oil-contaminated soil by using a carefully selected combination of bacteria that are capable of hydrocarbon breakdown. We assessed this bioremediation approach’s efficacy by evaluating tomato plant growth and vigor as indications of soil recovery. According to our research, adding hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria significantly enhanced the crude oil’s ability to break down in contaminated soil. Over time, the amount of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil decreased significantly as a result of the bacterial consortium’s effective hydrocarbon metabolism. It became out that this bioremediation method was both economically and environmentally viable. Furthermore, we noticed significant improvements in the general health and growth of tomato plants grown in the bioremediated soil. These plants showed signs of excellent soil quality restoration, including higher biomass, enhanced root development, and less stress symptoms. This work highlights the possibility of bacteria-mediated bioremediation as a workable and long-term solution to soil pollution caused by crude oil. Additionally, incorporating plant growth monitoring highlights the ecological benefits of bioremediation as a remediation approach for repairing contaminated ecosystems and provides a useful way to assess the efficacy of bioremediation operations. The findings showed a substantial decrease in petroleum hydrocarbons and enhanced tomato plant growth in treated soils, demonstrating effective ecosystem restoration. By using bioremediation to treat soil contamination caused by crude oil, this research supports the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, which is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.

At a global level, energy production is predominantly based on the use of conventional resources such as oil, coal, and gasoline; this dependence has led to adverse effects such as climate change and detrimental impacts on human health; consequently, green hydrogen emerges as a renewable energy source. This work develops and analyses the parameters of a portable hybrid system to produce green hydrogen on a small scale in a more efficient way, allowing it to be placed in rural areas to be used as an ecological fuel source. The hybrid system is divided into two stages; for energy production, a microhydraulic system was developed based on an Archimedes screw turbine, which is made up of a mechanical and electrical design, where the electricity produced is stored in a continuous energy source, which supplies the electric current to the electrodes in the alkaline electrolysis process; where a reaction occurs in the water resource to produce green hydrogen and oxygen. It was demonstrated that the turbine, when presenting a greater wetted area and slope of fall, produces a higher electrical potential, while in the electrolysis process to produce green hydrogen and oxygen, it was determined that the appropriate electrolyte to use is potassium hydroxide at 20% because it has greater electrical conductivity unlike sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide; evidencing the most efficient parameters to implement the hybrid system in rural areas to replace the conventional fuel that is used in cooking food.

Due to unprecedented urban growth many localities within the heart of Guwahati city witness groundwater scarcity, mainly during the dry seasons. This study aims to identify potential groundwater zones in the southwestern fringe of the city where the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has adopted plans for future expansion. Rani and Chayani Barduar are two administrative blocks adjacent to the city, possessing a vast tract of unsettled agricultural land ideal for future township development. Multi-criteria decisionmaking technique using a Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) in a Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) environment is used to produce the groundwater potential map. A total of eight thematic layers important for groundwater recharge: lithology, geomorphology, slope, rainfall, lineament density, soil, drainage density, and Land Use Land Cover are prepared using satellite data, fieldwork, and other suitable techniques and used as input. The study area is classified into five groundwater potential zones – very high (42.52 %), high (28.67 %), moderate (17.23%), poor (10.21 %), and very poor (1.37%). Validation of the result using a yield map derived from the exploratory wells of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) shows strong agreement with the prediction accuracy (AUC = 73.36%). Field-derived water level data also show a high negative correlation (R2 = 0.71) with yield data indicating high specific yield in wells with shallow water levels. The study results will help planners and policymakers with future urban development strategies and sustainable groundwater management practices.

The problem of fire always threatens the existence of forests in Indonesia, repeatedly occurring every year, so it becomes one of the national and regional issues, both occurring naturally and caused by human actions. This study aims to develop a spatial analysis model of the multi-criteria-based fire vulnerability distribution in tropical forest areas. Modeling using GIS and spatial correlation analysis. In a tropical forest area of 7,042.29 Ha in the Tepo Asa Aroa KPH area, North Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi, a spatial model of the distribution of fire vulnerability based on multi-criteria was produced, which could support rapid mapping of fire-prone forest areas. The results of the analysis of variables on land use/vegetation cover, rainfall, slope, distance from roads and settlements, business permits, forest protection, and security simultaneously made it possible to lower the fire vulnerability rating from ‘very high’ and ‘high’ to a ‘medium’ vulnerability rating. ‘ to ‘low’ and ‘very low’. All parameters tested statistically have a spatial correlation with fire vulnerability

The construction industry has played a significant role in causing environmental degradation, primarily due to its substantial energy use. Focusing on green building development projects is gaining momentum as a sustainable solution for mitigating environmental challenges. This study assessed several environmental features of 22 green buildings in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. In addition, the challenges were discussed, and mitigation strategies were recommended. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification technique is widely acknowledged and globally accepted as the leading green building certification standard. Three LEED versions, v3 for new construction and major renovations and v4 and v4.1 for building design and construction, were investigated. Seven environmental features of three versions, including rainwater management, renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, optimized energy performance, construction and demolition waste management, water use reduction, and water efficient landscaping, were considered in this work. A survey questionnaire was prepared to receive information about these LEED-certified (or applied for certification) buildings. The findings of our study suggested that the general trend for seven environmental features of the selected green buildings was positive except for renewable energy, where 72.72% of buildings were in ‘very poor’ condition. Regarding rainwater management, enhanced commissioning, and optimized energy performance, 40.91% of buildings were in ‘very good’ condition. Despite satisfactory responses for several environmental features, the survey found that renewable energy integration remains challenging for all buildings. Solar energy should be extensively employed to enhance energy utilization efficiency, reduce energy demand, and minimize environmental impact. It was suggested that a few challenges, including the government’s lack of action and initiatives, financial incentives, investor hesitation, and knowledge gaps, must be overcome to create a truly green building market in Bangladesh. Bridging this disparity requires policy reforms, public awareness, industry development, and capacity building. This study provides a basic understanding of the green building situation and guides future research and policy initiatives to accelerate Bangladesh’s commitment to sustainable development goals.

Groundwater contamination near the municipal solid waste dump at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) has raised serious health concerns in the local communities. To testify to this, a research study was conducted to quantify the presence of heavy metals. Water sample analyses showed Cd levels ranging from 0.0002 to 0.02 mg.L-1, Pb from 0.00002 to 0.094 mg.L-1, and Hg from 0.0001 to 0.052 mg.L-1, all of which exceed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe drinking water limits. These metals are known to cause a range of health problems, including kidney disease, cancer, brain damage, and developmental delays in children. The situation calls for urgent action to safeguard the local community’s health. Immediate improvements in waste management, such as better landfill designs with systems to capture and treat leachate, are needed to prevent further contamination of groundwater. Additionally, water treatment technologies like reverse osmosis should be considered to provide safe drinking water. Regular monitoring of groundwater quality and public health education in the area are also key steps in minimizing risks. These combined efforts will help ensure safer water for the community and more responsible management of the waste disposal site.

Anthropogenic atmospheric particles with a diameter of less than 2.5µm (PM2.5) and between 2.5 to 10 µm (PM10) are among the main contributors to air pollution and have become a serious pollution threat in the Junin and Huancavelica region of Peru. This increase could be due to the burning of vegetation in the Amazon region of Brazil. Therefore, data obtained with the low-cost PA-II Purpleair sensor were analyzed to measure particulate matter (fine and coarse fashions) in the Junin region (Chanchamayo, station T. Huancayo, station T1 and Chupaca, station T3) and Huancavelica (Pampas, station T2). Likewise, the Hysplit model was used to quantify the transboundary wind trajectories from the Amazon region in Brazil to the Junin region in Peru. Shows that, during the rainy season, the maximum concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 are 151 µg.m- ³ (station T1) and 178 µg.m- ³ (station T1), respectively. Finally, the results of the air quality index (AQI) for PM2.5 allow for the classification of the Huancayo and Chanchamayo stations with “very bad” and “moderate to bad” air quality, respectively. Also, in Pampas and Chupaca, the AQI is classified as very unhealthy and hazardous on almost 50% and 43% of days, respectively

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the major crops grown commercially throughout the world. In recent years, there have been major losses to grapevine production due to the challenges caused mainly due to fungal diseases like downy mildew, powdery mildew, grey mold, black rot, and anthracnose. In the last few decades, rampant chemical fertilization and bio-magnification of hazardous chemicals have posed a threat to human health and destroyed the health of the soil as well as crops. For effective management of these fungal diseases of grapes, nowadays, many researchers are conducting various studies on endophytes, which are proven to be better bio-control agents to suppress the growth and development of grapevine phytopathogens. Endophytes are eco-friendly, effective, and easy to apply at field levels, making endophyte-based formulations suppress the growth and development of grapevine pathogens without causing any detrimental effects to the beneficial micro-organisms present at the rhizospheric zone of soil and host plants as compared to the traditional fungicides usage. It also competes with these pathogens for nutrition, space, and colonization. It helps in the production of secondary metabolites with antifungal properties for preventing the growth of fungal pathogens that cause damage to the grapevine crop. It also induces a defense mechanism in grapevine crops against diseasecausing fungal phytopathogens. In this review article, biocontrol mechanisms of endophytes and their potential application in the management of grapevine fungal diseases have been discussed.