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Qin L, Yang J, Bao J, Sant G, Wang S, Zhang P, Gao X, Wang H, Yu Q, Niu D, Bauchy M. Effects of temperature and CO2 concentration on the early stage nucleation of calcium carbonate by reactive molecular dynamics simulations. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:234501. [PMID: 38884405 DOI: 10.1063/5.0213151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
It is significant to investigate the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation mechanism during the carbon capture process; nevertheless, CaCO3 precipitation is not clearly understood yet. Understanding the carbonation mechanism at the atomic level can contribute to the mineralization capture and utilization of carbon dioxide, as well as the development of new cementitious materials with high-performance. There are many factors, such as temperature and CO2 concentration, that can influence the carbonation reaction. In order to achieve better carbonation efficiency, the reaction conditions of carbonation should be fully verified. Therefore, based on molecular dynamics simulations, this paper investigates the atomic-scale mechanism of carbonation. We investigate the effect of carbonation factors, including temperature and concentration, on the kinetics of carbonation (polymerization rate and activation energy), the early nucleation of calcium carbonate, etc. Then, we analyze the local stresses of atoms to reveal the driving force of early stage carbonate nucleation and the reasons for the evolution of polymerization rate and activation energy. Results show that the higher the calcium concentration or temperature, the higher the polymerization rate of calcium carbonate. In addition, the activation energies of the carbonation reaction increase with the decrease in calcium concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Qin
- School of Civil Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266033, China
- Post-doctoral Mobile Stations of Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
- Qingdao Qingjian New Material Group Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266108, China
- Physics of AmoRphous and Inorganic Solids Laboratory (PARISlab), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Junyi Yang
- School of Civil Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266033, China
| | - Jiuwen Bao
- School of Civil Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266033, China
| | - Gaurav Sant
- Institute for Carbon Management (ICM), University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Sheng Wang
- Qingdao Qingjian New Material Group Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266108, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266033, China
| | - Xiaojian Gao
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Energy Geostructure, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Qi Yu
- Qingdao Qingjian New Material Group Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266108, China
| | - Ditao Niu
- Department of Civil Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Green Building in Western China, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Mathieu Bauchy
- Physics of AmoRphous and Inorganic Solids Laboratory (PARISlab), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Institute for Carbon Management (ICM), University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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2
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Dunant CF, Joseph S, Prajapati R, Allwood JM. Electric recycling of Portland cement at scale. Nature 2024; 629:1055-1061. [PMID: 38778099 PMCID: PMC11136652 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07338-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Cement production causes 7.5% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, arising from limestone decarbonation and fossil-fuel combustion1-3. Current decarbonation strategies include substituting Portland clinker with supplementary materials, but these mainly arise in emitting processes, developing alternative binders but none yet promises scale, or adopting carbon capture and storage that still releases some emissions4-8. However, used cement is potentially an abundant, decarbonated feedstock. Here we show that recovered cement paste can be reclinkered if used as a partial substitute for the lime-dolomite flux used in steel recycling nowadays. The resulting slag can meet existing specifications for Portland clinker and can be blended effectively with calcined clay and limestone. The process is sensitive to the silica content of the recovered cement paste, and silica and alumina that may come from the scrap, but this can be adjusted easily. We show that the proposed process may be economically competitive, and if powered by emissions-free electricity, can lead to zero emissions cement while also reducing the emissions of steel recycling by reducing lime flux requirements. The global supply of scrap steel for recycling may treble by 2050, and it is likely that more slag can be made per unit of steel recycled. With material efficiency in construction9,10, future global cement requirements could be met by this route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille F Dunant
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Shiju Joseph
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rohit Prajapati
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Julian M Allwood
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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3
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Galimshina A, Moustapha M, Hollberg A, Lasvaux S, Sudret B, Habert G. Strategies for robust renovation of residential buildings in Switzerland. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2227. [PMID: 38472170 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46305-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Building renovation is urgently required to reduce the environmental impact associated with the building stock. Typically, building renovation is performed by envelope insulation and/or changing the fossil-based heating system. The goal of this paper is to provide strategies for robust renovation considering uncertainties on the future evolution of climate, energy grid, and user behaviors, amongst others by applying life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis. The study includes identifying optimal renovation options for the envelope and heating systems for building representatives from all construction periods that are currently in need of renovation in Switzerland. The findings emphasize the paramount importance of heating system replacements across all construction periods. Notably, when incorporating bio-based insulation materials, a balance emerges between environmental impact reduction and low energy operation costs. This facilitates robust, equitable, and low-carbon transformations in Switzerland and similar Northern European contexts while avoiding a carbon spike due to the embodied carbon of the renovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Galimshina
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Construction and Infrastructure Management (IBI), Chair of Sustainable Construction, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Maliki Moustapha
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Structural Engineering (IBK), Chair of Risk, Safety and Uncertainty Quantification, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Hollberg
- Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Sven Hultins Gata 6, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sébastien Lasvaux
- University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland (HES-SO), School of Business and Management Vaud (HEIG-VD), Institute of Energies (IE), Avenue des Sports 20, Yverdon-les-Bains, 1401, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Sudret
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Structural Engineering (IBK), Chair of Risk, Safety and Uncertainty Quantification, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Guillaume Habert
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Construction and Infrastructure Management (IBI), Chair of Sustainable Construction, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
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4
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Yücel HE, Dutkiewicz M, Yıldızhan F. The Effect of Waste Ballast Aggregates on Mechanical and Durability Properties of Standard Concrete. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2665. [PMID: 37048958 PMCID: PMC10096098 DOI: 10.3390/ma16072665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The acquisition and transportation of aggregate exacerbate the negative impact of concrete on the environment, and waste materials are considered an effective solution to this crucial problem. One of these waste materials is waste ballast (WB), which is needed for new infrastructure along with increasing rail track technology. In this study, the effect of WB aggregate (which is basalt-based) on the mechanical and durability properties of standard concrete was examined. Coarse aggregate was replaced with WB aggregate at the rates of 50%, 75% and 100%. The slump, compressive strength, flexural strength, capillary water absorption, rapid chloride permeability and water penetration tests on the mixtures were performed. According to the results of this study, the utilization of WB improved the compressive strength and flexural strength of the mixtures by about 15% and 7%, respectively. Moreover, the capillary water absorption, rapid chloride permeability and water penetration values of all the concrete mixtures with WB were lower than the control mixture. In addition, the correlation relations between the mechanical and durability properties indicated that they have a strong relationship with each other. All the results of this study demonstrated that the utilization of WB instead of coarse aggregate improved the mechanical and durability properties of concrete. WB can also provide a more sustainable material formation by minimizing the negative environmental effects of concrete production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Erhan Yücel
- Civil Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde 51240, Turkey
| | - Maciej Dutkiewicz
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Fatih Yıldızhan
- Civil Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep 27310, Turkey
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5
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Sun Q, Zhao S, Zhao X, Song Y, Ban X, Zhang N. Influence of different grinding degrees of fly ash on properties and reaction degrees of geopolymers. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282927. [PMID: 36928673 PMCID: PMC10019730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
This study reports the preparation of geopolymers with a mechanical performance similar to that of cement at room temperature by ground fly ash mixed with a small amount of cement. The grinding time of fly ash raw materials was 0,20,40 and 60 min, respectively. The influence of the grinding degree of the fly ash on the properties and the reaction degree of the geopolymer were investigated by XRD, SEM, EDS, and mercury compression tests. The reaction degree of the fly ash geopolymer was quantified by the selective dissolution method. Increasing the grinding degree of fly ash significantly increased the compressive strength of the geopolymer and the density of the microstructure of materials also increased. Furthermore, porosity and the average pore size decreased and the proportion of small holes in the pores gradually increased. The calculation results were in coincidence with the compressive strength test and the micro-performance test of the material, thus indicating that the selective dissolution method can reflect the influence of the grinding degree on the reaction degree of the geopolymer. Furthermore, the reaction degree of the geopolymer increased as the grinding degree of the fly ash increased. However, the growth rate of the reaction degree for the geopolymer slowed down when the fly ash was ground for more than 40 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingwei Sun
- College of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin, China
| | - Siyuan Zhao
- College of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Xuzhe Zhao
- College of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin, China
| | - Yu Song
- College of Civil Engineering, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China
| | - Xinyu Ban
- College of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin, China
| | - Ni Zhang
- College of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin, China
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6
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Effects of Using Green Concrete Materials on the CO2 Emissions of the Residential Building Sector in Egypt. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14063592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Increasing the rate of construction material consumption has caused significant environmental problems in recent decades, especially the production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), which has been associated with 8% of the world’s human CO2 emissions and is considered the leading binder of concrete. This study aims to investigate the effects of substituting conventional concrete (CC) material with green concrete (GC) in the non-structural concrete works of a residential building in New Borg El-Arab City, Egypt. It attempts to establish what the effects are of using GC on cement, natural aggregates, and CO2 emissions in the design phase. By using a design-based solution (DBS), we began with redesign, reduce, reselect, reuse, and recycle strategies to find an optimal solution for applying recycle aggregate concrete (RAC) as a replacement material in selected building parts, such as the internal floor, external sidewalk, entrance steps, and wall boundary. AutoCAD software and 3Dmax were used to modify the original design and obtain two design references with four different scenarios. Comparative analyses were applied to investigate the effects of different concrete materials. The results show a reduction of about 19.4% in cement consumption in terms of the total concrete of the building and a 44.5% reduction in CO2 emissions due to the reduction of cement in specific building parts. In addition, this solution decreased natural coarse aggregate (NCA) consumption by 23.7% in the final concrete. This study recommends that GC materials close the loop of cementitious material consumption to reduce environmental impacts and achieve sustainability in the Egyptian building sector.
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Liu D, Xu YY, Junaid M, Zhu YG, Wang J. Distribution, transfer, ecological and human health risks of antibiotics in bay ecosystems. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106949. [PMID: 34710731 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotics have been widely detected in bay ecosystems, yet little is known regarding their distribution, composition, sources, ecological and human health risks at the regional scale. We developed a systematic framework to mine data from existing publications and compiled an antibiotic concentration-based dataset containing 439 samples from 30 bays, and compared antibiotics across bays and matrices (water, sediment, and biota). Antibiotic concentrations varied considerably between bays, with hotspots occurring in East Asia. The main categories of antibiotics in waters included sulfonamide and macrolide, while tetracycline, quinolone, and macrolide antibiotics were prevalent in sediments. The main sources of antibiotics in bays included sewage treatment plant effluent, domestic sewage, agriculture runoff, and discharges from mariculture activities. Antibiotics with high ecological risks mainly included sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, and oxytetracycline. Erythromycin posed a considerable risk to human health, and the human health risks presented by other antibiotics were negligible. Regional variations of concentrations correspond to the uneven geographic consumption of antibiotics and their removal rate during wastewater treatment. Differences in antibiotics' composition between matrices are associated mainly with the physicochemical properties of antibiotics (e.g., molecular structure, solubility, and stability) and the content of total organic carbon, metal ions, chlorophyll a, and clay minerals in the sediments. To reduce the ecological and human health implications, priority should be given to the removal of erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole, oxytetracycline, and clarithromycin, with a special focus on their treatment in the Asian bay areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yao-Yang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315800, China.
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Centre for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
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8
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Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of Bridge Designs Involving UHPFRC. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132212399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Cementitious Composite (UHPFRC) has been developed to design lightweight structures and enhance existing designs. As the environmental footprint of the construction industry must be significantly reduced, the potential to lower environmental impacts of structures using UHPFRC needs to be explored. While the greenhouse gas emissions of a volume of UHPFRC are higher than that of the same volume of concrete, UHPFRC enables the reduction in the amount of material required in structural designs and improves the durability of structures. The environmental impacts of structural designs must thus be compared on the cradle-to-grave use cycle of the design at a project scale. In this study, a methodology is proposed to evaluate the ecological burdens of several bridge designs involving various structural elements in UHPFRC. The method proposes an analysis over three time horizons: first, the construction phase, then including the scheduled maintenance, and finally, adding the elimination. A case study of a short-span bridge in Switzerland is used to assess three alternatives of bridge designs: a conventional reinforced-concrete structure, a composite timber–UHPFRC bridge, and a full-UHPFRC solution. The results show that timber–UHPFRC structures can significantly reduce the environmental impacts of bridge designs, showing promising results in terms of sustainable development. The use of the methodology supports bridge owners in assessing the environmental impacts of structural designs.
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9
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Promoting Renewable Energy to Cope with Climate Change—Policy Discourse in Israel. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13063170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Evidence shows that global climate change is increasing over time, and requires the adoption of a variety of coping methods. As an alternative for conventional electricity systems, renewable energies are considered to be an important policy tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore, they play an important role in climate change mitigation strategies. Renewable energies, however, may also play a crucial role in climate change adaptation strategies because they can reduce the vulnerability of energy systems to extreme events. The paper examines whether policy-makers in Israel tend to focus on mitigation strategies or on adaptation strategies in renewable energy policy discourse. The results indicate that despite Israel’s minor impact on global greenhouse gas emissions, policy-makers focus more on promoting renewable energies as a climate change mitigation strategy rather than an adaptation strategy. These findings shed light on the important role of international influence—which tends to emphasize mitigation over adaptation—in motivating the domestic policy discourse on renewable energy as a coping method with climate change.
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Asikis T, Klinglmayr J, Helbing D, Pournaras E. How value-sensitive design can empower sustainable consumption. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:201418. [PMID: 33614080 PMCID: PMC7890503 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In a so-called overpopulated world, sustainable consumption is of existential importance. However, the expanding spectrum of product choices and their production complexity challenge consumers to make informed and value-sensitive decisions. Recent approaches based on (personalized) psychological manipulation are often intransparent, potentially privacy-invasive and inconsistent with (informational) self-determination. By contrast, responsible consumption based on informed choices currently requires reasoning to an extent that tends to overwhelm human cognitive capacity. As a result, a collective shift towards sustainable consumption remains a grand challenge. Here, we demonstrate a novel personal shopping assistant implemented as a smart phone app that supports a value-sensitive design and leverages sustainability awareness, using experts' knowledge and 'wisdom of the crowd' for transparent product information and explainable product ratings. Real-world field experiments in two supermarkets confirm higher sustainability awareness and a bottom-up behavioural shift towards more sustainable consumption. These results encourage novel business models for retailers and producers, ethically aligned with consumer preferences and with higher sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Asikis
- Professorship of Computational Social Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Dirk Helbing
- Professorship of Computational Social Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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11
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Kluczkovski A, Cook J, Downie HF, Fletcher A, McLoughlin L, Markwick A, Bridle SL, Reynolds CJ, Rivera XS, Martindale W, Frankowska A, Moraes MM, Birkett AJ, Summerton S, Green R, Fennell JT, Smith P, Ingram J, Langley I, Yates L, Ajagun-Brauns J. Interacting with Members of the Public to Discuss the Impact of Food Choices on Climate Change-Experiences from Two UK Public Engagement Events. SUSTAINABILITY 2020; 12:2323. [PMID: 32499923 PMCID: PMC7272219 DOI: 10.3390/su12062323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Food systems contribute to up to 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions,
and emissions are increasing. Since the emissions vary greatly between different
foods, citizens’ choices can make a big difference to climate change.
Public engagement events are opportunities to communicate these complex issues:
to raise awareness about the impact of citizens’ own food choices on
climate change and to generate support for changes in all food system
activities, the food environment and food policy. This article summarises
findings from our ‘Take a Bite Out of Climate Change’ stand at two
UK outreach activities during July 2019. We collected engagement information in
three main ways: (1) individuals were invited to complete a qualitative
evaluation questionnaire comprising of four questions that gauged the
person’s interests, perceptions of food choices and attitudes towards
climate change; (2) an online multiple-choice questionnaire asking about eating
habits and awareness/concerns; and (3) a token drop voting activity where
visitors answered the question: ‘Do you consider greenhouse gases when
choosing food?’ Our results indicate whether or not people learnt about
the environmental impacts of food (effectiveness), how likely they are to move
towards a more climate-friendly diet (behavioural change), and how to gather
information more effectively at this type of event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana Kluczkovski
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science,
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Joanne Cook
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science,
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Helen F. Downie
- Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, School of
Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Alison Fletcher
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science,
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Lauryn McLoughlin
- National Trust, Malham Tarn Estate Office, Waterhouses, Settle BD24
9PT, UK
| | - Andrew Markwick
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science,
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Sarah L. Bridle
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science,
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Christian J. Reynolds
- Department of Geography, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN,
UK
- Centre for Food Policy; City, University of London, Northampton
Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK
| | | | - Wayne Martindale
- Food Insights and Sustainability, National Centre for Food
Manufacturing, University of Lincoln, Park Road, Holbeach PE12 7PT, UK
| | - Angelina Frankowska
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science,
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Marcio M. Moraes
- Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cellular Biology, Center
of Biological Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá PR
87020-900, Brazil
| | - Ali J. Birkett
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1
4YQ, UK
| | - Sara Summerton
- Department of Computer Science, School of Engineering, University
of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Rosemary Green
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Joseph T. Fennell
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science,
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Pete Smith
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of
Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK
| | - John Ingram
- Food Systems Transformation Programme, Environmental Change
Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
| | | | - Lucy Yates
- Oxford Martin School, Oxford OX1 3BD, UK
| | - Jade Ajagun-Brauns
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science,
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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Abstract
The food system was developed around a set of policy drivers to make food cheaper and more available, these included promoting agricultural productivity and global trade to increase the availability of food. However, as has been recognised by a plethora of recent papers and reports, these factors have also led to a food system that is unsustainable through its impacts on human health (particularly the growing obesity epidemic) and the environment (e.g. as a major driver of climate change). The world is changing at an unprecedented rate, and the food system is becoming increasingly 'just in time', spatially extended, and dependent on more facilitating sectors (water, land, transport, finance, cyber, etc.). This produces a degree of systemic fragility that drivers (like demand) can interact with events (e.g. a climate impact) to create the opportunity for large-scale shifts in the way the world works. Given the unsustainability of the food system, and the uncertainty of how it may evolve, scenario analysis can be a useful tool for imagining plausible futures as an aid to unlocking 'business as unusual' thinking. Summarising a number of recent processes, I describe scenarios of countries' food systems shaped by changing patterns of trade and changing dietary patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim G Benton
- School of Biology University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
- Energy, Environment and Resources Department The Royal Institute of International Affairs Chatham House, 10 St James's Square London SW1Y 4LE UK
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13
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Mohareb EA, Heller MC, Guthrie PM. Cities' Role in Mitigating United States Food System Greenhouse Gas Emissions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:5545-5554. [PMID: 29717606 PMCID: PMC5956282 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Current trends of urbanization, population growth, and economic development have made cities a focal point for mitigating global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The substantial contribution of food consumption to climate change necessitates urban action to reduce the carbon intensity of the food system. While food system GHG mitigation strategies often focus on production, we argue that urban influence dominates this sector's emissions and that consumers in cities must be the primary drivers of mitigation. We quantify life cycle GHG emissions of the United States food system through data collected from literature and government sources producing an estimated total of 3800 kg CO2e/capita in 2010, with cities directly influencing approximately two-thirds of food sector GHG emissions. We then assess the potential for cities to reduce emissions through selected measures; examples include up-scaling urban agriculture and home delivery of grocery options, which each may achieve emissions reductions on the order of 0.4 and ∼1% of this total, respectively. Meanwhile, changes in waste management practices and reduction of postdistribution food waste by 50% reduce total food sector emissions by 5 and 11%, respectively. Consideration of the scale of benefits achievable through policy goals can enable cities to formulate strategies that will assist in achieving deep long-term GHG emissions targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene A. Mohareb
- Centre
for Sustainable Development, Department
of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, United Kingdom
- Construction
Management & Engineering, School of the Built Environment, University of Reading, Chancellor’s Building, Reading RG6 6DF, United Kingdom
- E-mail:
| | - Martin C. Heller
- Centre
for Sustainable Systems, School of Environment & Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1041, United States
| | - Peter M. Guthrie
- Centre
for Sustainable Development, Department
of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, United Kingdom
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The Positive Feedback Loop between the Impacts of Climate Change and Agricultural Expansion and Relocation. LAND 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/land3030898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Couture RM, Tominaga K, Starrfelt J, Moe SJ, Kaste Ø, Wright RF. Modelling phosphorus loading and algal blooms in a Nordic agricultural catchment-lake system under changing land-use and climate. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2014; 16:1588-1599. [PMID: 24622900 DOI: 10.1039/c3em00630a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A model network comprising climate models, a hydrological model, a catchment-scale model for phosphorus biogeochemistry, and a lake thermodynamics and plankton dynamics model was used to simulate phosphorus loadings, total phosphorus and chlorophyll concentrations in Lake Vansjø, Southern Norway. The model network was automatically calibrated against time series of hydrological, chemical and biological observations in the inflowing river and in the lake itself using a Markov Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) algorithm. Climate projections from three global climate models (GCM: HadRM3, ECHAM5r3 and BCM) were used. The GCM model HadRM3 predicted the highest increase in temperature and precipitation and yielded the highest increase in total phosphorus and chlorophyll concentrations in the lake basin over the scenario period of 2031-2060. Despite the significant impact of climate change on these aspects of water quality, it is minimal when compared to the much larger effect of changes in land-use. The results suggest that implementing realistic abatement measures will remain a viable approach to improving water quality in the context of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raoul-Marie Couture
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway.
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