5 Great Articles to Start off 2023
We are pleased to share five great articles on human ecology and the environment. They cover a wide range of topics, including the climate crisis, the impact of pollution on human health, sustainable agriculture and food systems, biodiversity conservation, and the relationship between urban development and ecosystems. These articles help us understand the ways in which human activities affect the natural world and provide insights into how we can live in harmony with the environment. By reading and staying informed about the latest research in human ecology, we can become better stewards of the planet and work towards a healthier, more sustainable future.
Environmental Inequality
by Kate Martin, Pico Analytics
Environmental inequality or environmental racism is “a form of systemic racism whereby communities of colour are disproportionately burdened with health hazards through policies and practices that force them to live in proximity to sources of toxic waste such as sewage works, mines, landfills, power stations, major roads and emitters of airborne particulate matter. As a result, these communities suffer greater rates of health problems attendant on hazardous pollutants” (World Economic Forum, 2020). Today, it would be easy to argue that environmental inequality has gone a step further with some minority ethnic and Indigenous communities being left to face most of the worst impacts of climate change. Whilst on a global level we see a distinct difference in climate and environmental policy aims as nation states varying in ethnic makeup from the homogeneity of Japan or South Korea to the melting pots of the US and Brazil fight it out to ensure continued economic growth whilst ignoring the more vulnerable members of their societies. Read the full article here.
2. Most Forests are less able to Cope with Hazards under Climate Change
by the European Commission DG Environment News Alert Service
Climate change is weakening forests around the world, a new study concludes. Increased climate variability and water shortages have made forests in warmer regions less able to recover from natural and anthropogenic disruptions. The study also suggests that climate change has pushed 23% of the world’s natural boreal and tropical forests close to their ecological tipping point – meaning that they may not survive future disturbances. Both conservation and climate change policies should account for this fall in resilience, say the researchers. Forests regulate the water cycle, protect soil and conserve biodiversity, and absorb one-third of anthropogenic carbon emissions. Read the full report here.
3. Driving air pollution accountability and action via data transparency
by the World Economic Forum
Poor air quality is now one of the three main causes of premature morbidity, resulting in nearly 7 million deaths globally in 2022. Moreover, 99% of the world’s population experiences air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organization guidelines, clearly necessitating action to limit our risk. Yet, our ability to mitigate poor air quality and the damage it causes is hampered by a lack of actionable information. Read the full article here.
4. 2023 Brings New Conservation Challenges—and Opportunities
by Jim Palardy, Ph.D., Pew Charitable Trusts
The new year once again brings the opportunity to discuss emerging conservation issues that could significantly affect the environment—in both positive and negative ways. I recently joined a panel of experts from around the world to conduct a horizon scan, a collaborative research method used for surfacing threats and opportunities, to identify the top 15 novel conservation issues that are likely to warrant society’s urgent attention in the next five to 10 years. Over the past several months we canvassed around 1,300 other experts, which yielded a list of 102 issues, which we then scored, ranked, and rigorously discussed. Read the full article here.
5. 12 Women Cultivating Sustainable Food Systems in 2023
by Theresa Lieb, GreenBiz
With a new year comes new inspiration and the opportunity to embed more resilience, equity and climate-smart practices into food systems around the world. But these changes won’t magically occur. They will happen because of the diligent and strategic work of the people who believe in a better future and are making it happen.
More often than not, those people are women. Yet they continue to be underrepresented in startup funding rounds, corporate leadership teams and conference panels. Read the full article here.
