Editor’s Choice Articles

A high concentration of fluoride (F⁻) in drinking water is harmful and is a serious concern worldwide due to its toxicity and accumulation in the human body. There are various sources of fluoride (F⁻) and divergent pathways to enter into groundwater sources. High F⁻ incidence in groundwater was reported in Raigarh district of Central India in a sedimentary (Gondwana) aquifer system. The present study investigates the hydrogeochemistry of groundwater in the Tamnar area of Raigarh district to understand the plausible cause(s) of high F⁻ concentration, especially the source(s) and underlying geochemical processes. Groundwater samples, representing pre-monsoon (N = 83), monsoon (N = 20), and post-monsoon (N = 81) seasons, and rock samples (N = 4) were collected and analyzed. The study revealed that (i) groundwater with high F⁻ concentration occurs in the Barakar Formation, which has a litho-assemblage of feldspathic sandstones, shales, and coal, (ii) high F⁻ concentration is mainly associated with Na-Ca-HCO₃, Na-Ca-Mg-HCO₃, and Na-Mg-Ca-HCO₃ types of groundwater, (iii) the F⁻ concentration increases as the ratio of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ increases (Na⁺: Ca²⁺, concentration in meq/l), (iv) F⁻ has significant positive correlation with Na⁺ and SiO₂, and significant negative correlation with Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO₃⁻, and TH, and (v) high F⁻ concentration in groundwater is found in deeper wells. Micas and clay minerals, occurring in the feldspathic sandstones and intercalated shale/clay/coal beds, possibly form an additional source for releasing F⁻ in groundwater. Feldspar dissolution coupled with anion (OH⁻ or F⁻) and cation (Ca²⁺ for Na⁺) exchange are probably the dominant geochemical processes taking place in the study area. The higher residence time and temperature of groundwater in deeper aquifers also play a role in enhancing the dissolution of fluorine-bearing minerals. Systematic hydrogeochemical investigations are recommended in the surrounding area having a similar geologic setting in view of the potential health risk to a large population. Full article

Climate classifications supply climate visualization with inference about general vegetation types. The Köppen classification system of thermal classes and an arid class is widely used, but options are available to strengthen climate change detection. For this study, I incorporated temperature and aridity information into all climate classes to isolate climate change, added a hypertropical class to better detect warming and drying in tropical zones, and developed a consistent ruleset of thermal classes with one temperature variable for streamlined application, yet maintained primary Köppen thermal classes. I compared climate currently to 6000 years ago (ka; Mid-Holocene) and 22 ka (Last Glacial Maximum) worldwide. Growing degree days > 0 °C was the most efficient variable for modeling thermal classes. Climate classes based on growing degree days matched 86% of Köppen thermal classes. Current climate shared 80% and 23% of class assignments with the Mid-Holocene and Last Glacial Maximum, respectively, with dry conditions shifting to the tropical and hypertropical classes under current climate. Contributing to our understanding of global environmental change, this classification demonstrated that the hypertropical class experienced the greatest change in area since 6 ka and the second greatest change in area since 22 ka, and the greatest increase in percentage arid classes during both intervals. The added hypertropical class with aridity information delivered sensitive detection of warming and drying for relevant climate classes under climate change. Full article

In order to better understand the extent to which global climate variability is linked to the frequency and intensity of heat waves and overall changes in temperature throughout the United States (US), correlations between long-term monthly mean, minimum, and maximum temperatures throughout the contiguous US on the one hand and low-frequency variability of multiple climate indices (CIs) on the other hand are analyzed for the period from 1948 to 2018. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient is used to assess correlation strength, while leave-one-out cross-validation and a bootstrapping technique (p-value) are used to address potential serial and spurious correlations and assess the significance of each correlation. Three parameters defined the sliding windows over which surface temperature and CI values were averaged: window size, lag time between the temperature and CI windows, and the beginning month of the temperature window. A 60-month sliding window size and 0 lag time resulted in the highest correlations overall; beginning months were optimized on an individual site basis. High (r ≥ 0.60) and significant (p-value ≤ 0.05) correlations were identified. The Western Hemisphere Warm Pool (WHWP) and El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) exhibited the strongest links to temperatures in the western US, tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures to temperatures in the central US, the WHWP to temperatures throughout much of the eastern US, and atmospheric patterns over the northern Atlantic to temperatures in the Northeast and Southeast. The final results were compared to results from previous studies focused on precipitation and coastal sea levels. Regional consistency was found regarding links between the northern Atlantic and overall weather and coastal sea levels in the Northeast and Southeast as well as on weather in the upper Midwest. Though the MJO and WHWP revealed dominant links with precipitation and temperature, respectively, throughout the West, ENSO revealed consistent links to sea levels and surface temperatures along the West Coast. These results help to focus future research on specific mechanisms of large-scale climate variability linked to US regional climate variability and prediction potential. Full article

Amid global concerns regarding climate change and urbanization, understanding the interplay between land use/land cover (LULC) changes, the urban heat island (UHI) effect, and land surface temperatures (LST) is paramount. This study provides an in-depth exploration of these relationships in the context of the Kamrup Metropolitan District, Northeast India, over a period of 22 years (2000–2022) and forecasts the potential implications up to 2032. Employing a high-accuracy supervised machine learning algorithm for LULC analysis, significant transformations are revealed, including the considerable growth in urban built-up areas and the corresponding decline in cultivated land. Concurrently, a progressive rise in LST is observed, underlining the escalating UHI effect. This association is further substantiated through correlation studies involving the normalized difference built-up index (NDBI) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The study further leverages the cellular automata–artificial neural network (CA-ANN) model to project the potential scenario in 2032, indicating a predicted intensification in LST, especially in regions undergoing rapid urban expansion. The findings underscore the environmental implications of unchecked urban growth, such as rising temperatures and the intensification of UHI effects. Consequently, this research stresses the critical need for sustainable land management and urban planning strategies, as well as proactive measures to mitigate adverse environmental changes. The results serve as a vital resource for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental scientists working towards harmonizing urban growth with environmental sustainability in the face of escalating global climate change. Full article

The reintroduction of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) results in significant changes in ecosystems. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the environment-forming activity of C. fiber on the riparian phytocoenoses of the Raifa forest sector of the Volga-Kama State Nature Biosphere Reserve (Middle Volga region, European Russia) after the reintroduction. Phytoindication methods of ecological–coenotic groups and indicator values were used to assess changes in environmental conditions under the influence of beaver activity. The influence of the beaver reintroduction factor on the increase in the moisture regime (by three points according to the Tsyganov indicator values) and the illumination of habitats, the richness of soils in nitrogen, and the acidity and salt regime of soils (by one point) was revealed. Under the conditions of fodder and construction activities of the beaver, an increase in the proportion of aquatic and wetland groups from 10.2% to 28.2% and boreal plant species from 15.0% to 27.6% was detected. An expansive nature of the change in the degree of landscape occupancy with wetland plants was noted. A decrease in the degree of landscape occupancy (3 to 2 points) of the distribution of ruderal species in the riparian zones of the waterbodies of the reserve due to the activity of the beaver was revealed. Based on phytoindication and ecological–coenotic analyses, it was shown that the reintroduction of C. fiber into the waterbodies of the Raifa forest sector of the reserve is responsible for maintaining the necessary microclimatic conditions for the preservation of natural southern boreal communities. The results obtained can be used for predictive assessment of the influence of the beaver on riparian (small rivers and lakes) plant communities of forest ecosystems in the Middle Volga region of European Russia and other regions of the planet with similar environmental conditions. Full article

With advances in technological sciences, individuals can utilize low-cost air monitoring sensors to record air quality at homes, schools, and businesses. Air quality data collected from LCSs are publicly accessible, informing the community of the air quality around them. It is important to measure local and regional particulate matter (PM) concentrations to keep the public involved, especially those with specific health concerns, such as asthma, wheezing, and seasonal allergies. The number of studies involving the use of LCSs to evaluate PM levels is increasing with more manufacturers producing ‘easy to use’ LCSs targeting the public. The goal of this review is to understand and incorporate the findings from studies using LCSs to analyze PM of various sizes, i.e., PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₄, and PM₁₀. This review integrates analyses from 51 different studies in 14 countries, including the U.S. The findings indicate spatial heterogeneity in the PM concentrations across a region. Some of the low-cost sensor manufacturers mentioned in these studies include Plantower, AQMesh, Alpha-sense, PurpleAir, E-MOTEs, and Shinyei. This review emphasizes the importance of LCSs in the field of PM monitoring and its potential to inform the public about their exposure burden, and to aid state and federal decision makers in formulating policies for mitigating the effects of PM pollution in any urban or rural setting. Full article

The Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) effect refers to the difference in Land Surface Temperature (LST) between an urban area and its surrounding non-urban area. LST can provide detailed information on the variations in different types of land cover. This study, therefore, analyzes the behavior of LST and SUHIs in fourteen cities in the El Bajío Industrial Corridor, Mexico, using Landsat satellite images from 2020, with QGIS software. It utilizes thermal profiles to identify the land uses that intensify LST, which are essentially those that are anthropologically altered. The results show that the increases in LST and SUHI are more pronounced in cities with greater urban conglomeration, as well as those where there are few green areas and a sizeable industrial or mixed area, with few or no bodies of water. In addition, the increase in temperature in the SUHI is due to certain crops such as vegetables, red fruits, and basic grains such as corn, wheat, and sorghum that use fallow as part of agricultural practices, located around urban areas, which minimizes natural areas with arboreal vegetation. Full article

Fungi are a diverse and fascinating group of organisms that play an important role in various ecosystems, e.g., in the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling. However, climate change poses a significant threat to these ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause shifts in the distribution of fungi and negatively impact the ecosystems they inhabit. Yet fungi have the potential to play a role in mitigating the effects of climate change. With the use of biotechnology, fungi can help meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and their properties make them useful organisms in addressing the urgent challenges that humanity faces. For example, industrial biotechnology using fungi can lead to the production of goods that are more biodegradable, use less energy and produce less waste. Fungi have long been used in the production of enzymes, alkaloids, detergents, acids, and biosurfactants on an industrial scale. Recent research in the field of white biotechnology has made significant progress, and further advances are expected in the near future, especially in agricultural and environmental biotechnology. With this in mind, it is crucial to explore the use of fungi in novel and environmentally conscious technologies, as well as in mitigating the effects of climate change. Full article

Globally, the seasonal snow cover is the areal largest, the most short-lived and the most variable part of the cryosphere. Remote sensing proved to be a reliable tool to investigate their short-term variations worldwide. The medium-resolution sensor MODIS sensor has been delivering daily snow products since the year 2000. Remaining data gaps due to cloud coverage or polar night are interpolated using the DLR’s Global SnowPack (GSP) processor which produces daily global cloud-free snow cover. With the conclusion of the hydrological year 2022 in the northern hemisphere, the snow cover dynamics of the last 23 hydrological years can now be examined. Trends in snow cover development over different time periods (months, seasons, snow seasons) were examined using the Mann–Kendall test and the Theil–Sen slope. This took place as both pixel based and being averaged over selected hydrological catchment areas. The 23-year time series proved to be sufficient to identify significant developments for large areas. Globally, an average decrease in snow cover duration of −0.44 days/year was recorded for the full hydrological year, even if slight increases in individual months such as November were also found. Likewise, a large proportion of significant trends could also be determined globally at the catchment area level for individual periods. Most drastic developments occurred in March, with an average decrease in snow cover duration by −0.16 days/year. In the catchment area of the river Neman, which drains into the Baltic Sea, there is even a decrease of −0.82 days/year. Full article

Urban areas can be differently anthropized; often, high-density populations lead to higher amounts of pollution. Nowadays, ornamental plants can represent important living components of urban areas, and if appropriate species are used, they can provide important ecosystem services. The relationships between green infrastructures and ecosystem services have been recognized for a long time, but the role of ornamental plant species has not been studied as much. In this frame, the different ecosystem services of ornamental plants, i.e., provisioning (e.g., food, air, and water cleaning), regulating (e.g., rain water, climate, nutrient recycling, pollination, and the formation of fertile soils), and cultural (e.g., recreation opportunities or the inspiration we draw from nature) will be critically analyzed to select the most suitable ornamental plant species able to assure the better performance. The action mechanisms will also be analyzed and discussed to individuate the best ideotypes of plant species able to better assure water purification, air quality, space for recreation, climate mitigation and adaptation, human wellbeing, and health. This information is suitable to ensure that the protection, restoration, creation, and enhancement of green infrastructure become integral parts of urban spatial planning and territorial development. Full article

Plastics are a precious, versatile set of materials. The accumulation of plastic waste threatens the environment. Recycling plastic waste can produce many new products. The many opportunities for using plastic waste create pressure for a strategy to develop or improve current waste management systems to reduce the negative impact on humans, fauna and flora. The objective of this review paper is to consider an opportunity to recycle plastic; to convert plastic waste into plastic sand bricks. This would reduce the impact of the four emerging crises (plastic pollution, unemployment, the shortage of affordable housing and climate change) identified in South Africa as a threat to sustainability. This paper reviews studies utilising plastic waste to manufacture materials for the construction industry. The feasibility of using plastic waste to manufacture bricks revealed high compressive strength, low water absorption and weighed considerably lower compared to traditional bricks. Plastic sand bricks, therefore, can provide a solution that can be used to curb the four emerging crises and contribute to sustainability. Full article

Groundwater is a useful source of water for various uses in different places. The major challenge in the use of this resource is how to manage and protect it from contamination. The current study was conducted in Morogoro Municipality to identify vulnerable groundwater areas by using DRASTIC-LU/LC model. The study applied eight input parameters, i.e., depth to water table, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of vadose zone, hydraulic conductivity and land use/land cover patterns, which were overlaid in GIS to generate groundwater vulnerable map. The model used rating (R = 1–10) and weighting (W = 1–5) techniques to assess the effect of each parameter on groundwater contamination. The DRASTIC-LU/LC Vulnerability Index map was classified into low- (area = 29.2 km²), moderate- (area = 120.4 km²) and high-vulnerability zones (area = 124.4 km²). Nitrate analysis was conducted using the cadmium reduction method (DR 890) to assess the validity of the model and it was observed that 55%, 15% and 50% of the samples with unacceptable (>50 mg/L), high (29–50 mg/L) and moderate (14–28 mg/L) nitrate concentrations, respectively, fall into the high-vulnerability zone. Furthermore, 45%, 70% and 50% of the samples with unacceptable, high and moderate nitrate concentrations, respectively, fall into the moderate-vulnerability zone. In the low-vulnerability zone, only 15% of samples were found with a high nitrate concentration. Full article

Globally, wildfires and prescribed fires are becoming more prevalent and are known to affect plant and animals in diverse ecosystems. Understanding the responses of animal communities to fire is a central issue in conservation and a panacea to predicting how fire regimes may affect communities and food webs. Here, a global meta-analysis of 2581 observations extracted from 208 empirical studies were used to investigate the effect of fire on aboveground and belowground fauna (e.g., bacteria, fungi, small mammals, arthropods). Overall, results revealed that fire had a negative effect on biomass, abundance, richness, evenness, and diversity of all faunas. Similarly, when considering wildfires and prescribed fires the data revealed that both fire regimes have negative effects on fauna. Similarly, fire had negative impacts on aboveground and aboveground fauna across most biomes and continents of the world. Moreover, there was little evidence of changes in pH, moisture and soil depth on soil organisms suggesting that other factors may drive community changes following a fire disturbance. Future research in fire ecology should consider the effects of fire across several species and across larger geospatial scales. In addition, fire effects on faunal community structure must be studied under contrasting global fire regimes and in light of the effects of climate change. Full article

Solanum elaeagnifolium, one of the world’s most widespread invasive weeds, thrives in the regions of Tunisia with a semi-arid climate. An enhanced understanding of its biological traits could be useful for its management. For this purpose, S. elaeagnifolium vegetative propagation, flowering, fruiting, and spread patterns were assessed under semi-arid environmental conditions at Chott Mariem (Tunisia) over three years (2013–2015). Our results revealed that S. elaeagnifolium showed an active vegetative growth phase during the spring (March–May). Thereafter, the plant stopped its vegetative growth in June–August in favor of flowering and fruiting. The vegetative growth resumed during September–October and declined in November, announcing its dormant period. Thanks to its vigorous rhizomatous system, S. elaeagnifolium was able to emit offshoots within a radius of 1.5 m from parent shoots by 30 months after its establishment. These findings could inform and improve dedicated management control options for S. elaeagnifolium. Silverleaf nightshade should be controlled before the full-flowering stage in spring and following the first autumnal rainfall to prevent vegetative propagation and fruiting. Full article

A variety of elements in nature, from a pine cone’s bracts to a spiral galaxy, are described by a unique mathematical relationship described by Fibonacci as adhering to the “golden ratio”. In forest management, various models are used to achieve a balance between forest use and conservation that meets societal expectations in both ecological and economic terms. In Central European countries, where forest management has been subordinated to the timber industry, such a transition is still in progress, and people continue to look for an acceptable balance between forest conservation and management. The main objective of this paper is to review approaches to forest management in Central Europe with the aim of contributing to current discussions on forest management models in Europe. We anticipate that the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 will implement the billion-tree afforestation program with appropriate consideration of forest potential based on the tenets of sustainable management and that the future climate will be neutral. We hope that the forestry aspects of the strategy will provide a positive impetus to forest management by finding effective compromises between forest conservation and forest use in furthering the aims of sustainable development. Full article

Animal based-food products represent an essential source of protein supply in overall diets, and livestock provide 25% of the total protein content consumed by humans as food. Concurrently, livestock significantly impacts the environment, being responsible for 10–12% of total anthropogenic CO₂ emissions. Among livestock, pork is considered one that accounts for the greatest impact in terms of emissions, about 4.62 kg CO₂ eq/kg. Furthermore, the growing global demand for protein sources has led to a widespread need to find agri-food solutions that meet the demand for food through sustainable production systems. The high nutritional quality of edible insects, in terms of amino acids, fats, minerals, and vitamins, is comparable with meat products. This study aims to compare protein production from pork and mealworm, assessing the degree of substitution and environmental impacts of the two production systems. To assess the impacts of protein production from mealworms and pork on the ecosystem, resources, and human health, an LCA was conducted using the ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint method, with a 100-year hierarchical perspective (H) V1.05. It emerged that pork production is characterized by high impacts on the ecosystem, land use, climate-altering emissions, and fossil resources, in contrast with mealworm protein production. The low impact of insect protein production and the high nutritional values make edible insects a sustainable solution to growing food demand and economic benefits render edible insects globally a major potential future food. Full article

Water resources are paramount for the maintenance of the Earth’s system equilibrium; however, they face various threats and need increased conservation and better management. To restore water resources, nature-based solutions can be applied. Nevertheless, it is unclear which solution promotes greater water supply resilience: restoring riparian vegetation, improving management practices in key areas for water recharge, or both? In addition, how significant are these results in the face of climate change effects? To answer this, we used the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model to simulate and compare four different land use scenarios under three climate conditions (i.e., observed climate and two of the IPCC’s future climate projections). Focusing on key areas contributed more to increasing water supply resilience than forest restoration. Applying both solutions, however, yielded the greatest increases in resilience and groundwater recharge and the greatest decreases in surface runoff and sediment loads. None of the solutions caused a significant difference in streamflow and water yield. Furthermore, according to both of the IPCC climate projections evaluated, by the end of this century, the average annual streamflow will be lower than the historical mean for the region. Climate adaptation strategies alone will be insufficient to ensure future water access, highlighting the need for implementing drastic mitigation actions. Full article

This study aims to assess urban heat islands and land cover types in relation to vulnerable populations. The city of Richmond, Virginia was selected as the study area using the Census Block Group as the geographic unit of analysis. Regression analysis was carried out to examine the impacts of land cover types on ambient temperatures, while correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between ambient temperature and vulnerable populations. Lastly, multivariate clustering analysis was performed to identify areas vulnerable to urban heat in the city. Findings suggest that: (1) impervious surfaces lead to higher ambient temperatures, while tree coverage has a cooling effect on urban heat; (2) vulnerable populations, except for older adults, tend to live in areas with higher ambient temperatures; and (3) vulnerable populations are spatially clustered in specific locations in the city. This study concludes with recommendations of mitigation measures to reduce the adverse effect of urban heat islands by applying high-albedo materials to urban surfaces and expanding tree coverage and green space. Full article

The current paper presents the monitoring of soil and nutrient losses through runoff as the result of the climate change. The experimental results were recorded on the standard plots for runoff and erosion control. The results of the studies carried out highlight that total nitrogen losses range from 0.05 kg/ha to 12.60 kg/ha, potassium displaced from the plots has values between 0.02 and 1.35 kg/ha, the humus associated with the eroded soil includes values between 0.51 and 176.5 kg/ha, phosphorus is recorded with maximum values of 0.39 kg/ha, the total iron losses have values between 3.14 and 431.16 g/ha, manganese has losses from 1.69 to 290.82 g/ha, copper losses range from 0.15 to 7.62 g/ha, and, regarding zinc, the values are within the limits of 0.25–57.22 g/ha. The maximum values of the displacement of fertilizing elements from the sloping agricultural lands, by means of liquid and solid leaks, are registered at the plots left as permanent black fields, the plots practically unprotected against the rain erosion. The experiments were performed at the Soil Erosion Research and Development Station “Mircea Moțoc”, Perieni/Staţiunea de Cercetare Dezvoltare pentru Combaterea Eroziunii Solului “Mircea Moţoc”, Perieni (SCDCES—MM, Perieni), Vaslui County, an institution strategically located in an area subject to erosion soil. Additionally, the paper envisages how the National Rural Development Programme (NRDP) and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) can be of use in this area by analysing past lessons and providing an overview of what was done. Full article

The implementation of the European Landscape Convention (ELC) at national and regional scales has brought with it the need to rethink landscape governance policies. In view of the disparity of possible methods for approaching landscape knowledge derived from the ELC, this article proposes the study of the three most ambitious landscape assessment methods developed in Spain at present. Specifically, those of Valencia, Galicia and Catalonia. Their study and comparative reading allow us to conclude that they have a similar structure imposed in part by the requirements of the Convention. Despite this, all three demonstrate a wide operational flexibility depending on the purpose of each one. As a derivative of the study, it is argued that a method seeking to fulfill both a sustainability and a public participation agenda would have to combine quantitative forms of socio-ecological assessment with a qualitative measurement of cultural appreciation of landscapes. Full article

The upper-ocean processes controlling the near-surface layer temperature in the western Gulf of Mexico (GOM) are examined by estimating the contributing terms in the heat equation based on a 54-year simulation of an eddy-resolving HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). An eddy-active region defined by large surface eddy kinetic energy, representing the Loop Current eddies (LCEs) primary trajectory region, is selected for analysis. Both observations and the simulation reveal that the mean net surface heat flux cools the northern GOM and warms the southern GOM. Mean horizontal heat advection contributes to an overall cooling in the eddy-active region. Mean vertical heat advection has a strong seasonal variability associated with the strong seasonal cycle of the mixed layer process: winters tend to have a strong downward heat advection in the eddy-active region and a strong upward heat advection in the rest of the western GOM, while summers tend to have a weak advective heat flux. The downwelling (upwelling) is primarily due to the dominant anticyclonic (cyclonic) wind stress curl. Mean eddy heat flux convergence contributes to the overall warming in the upper ocean of the western GOM. Diffusive flux is not small across the thermocline, and it is expected to have an insignificant influence on the near-surface temperature. Full article

The results of permafrost landscape studies on northeastern Eurasia are presented in this review. The assessment of permafrost vulnerability to disturbances and global warming was the basis for the development of these studies. The permafrost landscape, considering the morphological features of the landscape and the permafrost together, is a timely object of study. The theoretical developments of Soviet physical geographers and landscape scientists are the basis for permafrost landscape studies. Over the past four decades, numerous permafrost landscape studies have been carried out on northeastern Eurasia (and Russia). Considering the results of these studies is the main objective of this article. The analysis of the problems of permafrost landscape identification, classification, and mapping and the study of their dynamics and evolution after disturbances and long-term development were carried out. Permafrost landscape studies employ the research methods of landscape science and geocryology. Environmental protection and adaptation of socioeconomic conditions to modern climate warming will determine the prospects for studying permafrost landscapes. Full article

Global mean annual temperature has increased by more than 1 °C during the past 150 years, as documented by thermometer measurements. Such observational data are, unfortunately, not available for the pre-industrial period of the Common Era (CE), for which the climate development is reconstructed using various types of palaeoclimatological proxies. In this analysis, we compared seven prominent hemispheric and global temperature reconstructions for the past 2000 years (T2k) which differed from each other in some segments by more than 0.5 °C. Whilst some T2k show negligible pre-industrial climate variability (“hockey sticks”), others suggest significant temperature fluctuations. We discuss possible sources of error and highlight three criteria that need to be considered to increase the quality and stability of future T2k reconstructions. Temperature proxy series are to be thoroughly validated with regards to (1) reproducibility, (2) seasonal stability, and (3) areal representativeness. The T2k represents key calibration data for climate models. The models need to first reproduce the reconstructed pre-industrial climate history before being validated and cleared for climate projections of the future. Precise attribution of modern warming to anthropogenic and natural causes will not be possible until T2k composites stabilize and are truly representative for a well-defined region and season. The discrepancies between the different T2k reconstructions directly translate into a major challenge with regards to the political interpretation of the climate change risk profile. As a rule of thumb, the larger/smaller the pre-industrial temperature changes, the higher/lower the natural contribution to the current warm period (CWP) will likely be, thus, reducing/increasing the CO₂ climate sensitivity and the expected warming until 2100. Full article

The coastal plains of Tamil Nadu, India, are prone to floods, the most common disaster experienced in this region almost every year. This research aims to identify flood risks in the coastal plain region of Tamil Nadu, delineated through a watershed approach with 5020 micro-administrative units covering an area of about 26,000 sq. km. A comprehensive flood risk assessment covering hazard, vulnerability, and exposure parameters was carried out using multiple datasets derived from field surveys, satellite data, and secondary data sources. The flood hazard layer was prepared on a probability scale (0–1) with the help of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar data coupled with GIS-based water rise modelling using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model (SRTM-DEM) and reports of the District Disaster Management Plans of 13 coastal districts. In addition, the National Resources Conservation Service-Curve Number (NRCS-CN) method was adopted to estimate surface runoff potential for identifying low probability flood-prone regions. The vulnerability and exposure of the population to flood hazards were determined using census and household data-based indicators. The different categories of built-up areas were delineated and intersected with the flood hazard layer to estimate elements at flood risk. An exhaustive field survey was conducted at 514 locations of the study area, targeting deprived communities of all major settlements to validate the flood hazard layer and understand the public perceptions. The amalgamation of results shows that very high flood risk prevails in the northern parts of coastal Tamil Nadu, especially the stretch between Chennai and Cuddalore. In addition, to provide baseline datasets for the first time at micro-administrative units for the entire coastal plains of Tamil Nadu, the study offers a pragmatic methodology for determining location-specific flood risks for policy interventions. Full article

In January 1980, during exceptional cyclonic rainfall, an atypical landslide, called déboulé, rapidly generated the permanent 700 m-long gully of the Ravine de l’Eglise on an inhabited plateau in Reunion Island (Indian Ocean). Retrieving the initial conditions that led to this historical process is both challenging and necessary for understanding the mechanism of gully incision and providing pointers for improving risk mitigation in relation to this phenomenon. In this study, we reconstruct the pre- and post-failure topographies using SFM (structure from motion) applied on archive aerial photographs. Based on the comparison of these digital elevation models, we estimate the volume of material eroded to be ca. 0.63 Mm³. Groundwater level increase, part of the triggering mechanism, is hindcast in the catchment of the gully using a lumped hydrological model. This model shows that in only a fortnight the groundwater level probably rose by 36 m, which could have caused a progressive increase in pore pressure and triggered formation of the gully by retrogressive landslides. We test this hypothesis by considering the pre-failure topography and the hindcast groundwater level in a deterministic model based on limit equilibrium equations to explore ground stability. The evolution of ground stability with a rise in the water table shows that the gully may have extended in a headward direction by retrogressive landslides. This is the first quantitative reconstruction of an exceptional historical event affecting the territory of Reunion Island. The methods used to investigate the Ravine de L’Eglise incision thus offer new complementary insights and challenges for understanding the mechanism and the temporality of gully formation. Full article

Soil salinity is a major threat to the sustainability of agricultural production systems and has defeated civilisations whenever the cost of remediation exceeded the benefits. Among the reasons for this is the complexity of the plant-water-soil nexus and that the causes of salinity are often separated from the damage in time and space. There have been many activities to address salinity, and while good progress has occurred in commercially attractive irrigation areas, many apparently successful techniques, such as intercropping obligate halophytes with conventional crops, processing halophyte meals for human consumption and new uses for saline waters, have not been taken up, although the benefit in ecological terms is understood. There are limited payments available for some ecosystem services, but these are not yet a very recognised market for land users, whose agency is essential for long term success and addressing this requires institutional evolution. We conclude, from Australian experience, that a more concerted effort, perhaps initiated by a philanthropist, is needed to show merchants and agencies how a range of payments for ecosystem services can be turned into true markets in an aggregate way so the ‘knowledge of what can be done can be transformed into benefit’. Full article

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is one of the oldest conservation organizations in the United States and is the only federal agency solely charged with conserving fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. The agency leads numerous conservation initiatives, such as protecting and recovering endangered species, managing almost 600 wildlife refuges throughout all states and territories, enforcing federal wildlife laws, and regulating international wildlife trade. In the past, these activities have not accounted for climate change. The accelerating biodiversity crisis, in combination with climate uncertainty, adds to the existing complexity associated with responding to multiple anthropogenic stressors. Here we describe current practice and thinking related to climate uncertainty and management of USFWS resources. We focus on three agency domains which represent various conservation planning responsibilities: evaluating species to be listed as threatened or endangered, Habitat Conservation Plans for listed species, and land management techniques on wildlife refuges. Integrating climate considerations into agency planning documents is complex and we highlight effective current applications and suggest future improvements. Additionally, we identify outstanding research needs or management applications, and updates to existing policy that will aid in developing improved conservation strategies. Our synthesis contributes to ongoing efforts to incorporate climate uncertainty into conservation planning, natural resource management, and related policy revisions. Full article

This review paper considers the disjuncture between the rapid pace of climate change and the more sluggish ability of cities to fully implement effective strategies of climate change adaptation and mitigation. We will refer to this as the ‘slow city–quick climate change’ dilemma. Climate change is accelerating, quickly rendering obsolete previous urban forms inadequate, while structural adjustments to cities are slower moving. Cities around the world were largely built for previous climate regimes. In the short to medium term, there is a mismatch between the climate regime that cities were designed for and the climate regime they now inhabit. The paper is divided into four parts: a brief review of climate change in general; climate change in cities; a review of climate change adaptation and mitigation in cities; and finally, a discussion of urban futures in the time of climate regime change. Full article

The health of human-being and our planet are incessantly interlinked, and such links often exist in the context of cities. This article articulates urban intelligence as an essential capacity for cities to be more adaptive and responsive to face the risks in the context of climate change and global pandemics. Urban intelligence includes data intelligence, design intelligence, and crowd intelligence, which collectively contribute to planetary health with better understandings in cities’ complex physical-environmental-technical-social dynamics. In the long run, urban intelligence supports cities by enabling a better conceptual understanding of human-earth conflicts, transdisciplinary research in the science of the cities, and governmental collaborations at the local and global scale. Full article

The City of Palma de Mallorca has been historically affected by flood events, with the latest flood of great magnitude occurring in 1962. After decades without large flooding events, since the start of the 21st century, 28 floods have been identified within the city boundaries. As change in the spatial location of these events has been observed, a research to identify where the floods are located nowadays and which causes can be related to such distribution has been undertaken. Six types of floods were identified and the events classified accordingly, with the deficient planned infrastructures, flat urban areas without defined drainage and coastal sectors the three most common types. The results highlight the importance of the urban sprawl and malpractices related to flood risk areas, thus increasing the occurrence of floods of less spatial impact but with greater disturbance on the daily activity of the city inhabitants. Nevertheless, some uncertainties are identified in this research, demonstrating the need of further investigations. Full article

According to the United Nations (2020), since the 1980s, the global overall rate of water use has grown by 1% per year, and it is projected that, by 2050, humanity’s water footprint could exceed 30% of current levels. This situation is in stark contrast to the path toward the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 6, “clean water and sanitation”, which also influences Goal 14, “life below water”, and Goal 15, “life on land”. This is because the availability of water directly affects the food security and production capacity of each Country, and therefore its management is a crucial issue worthy of particular attention. Problems related to water security are particularly evident in the Mediterranean area, which is already facing high environmental challenges. It is an area severely affected by global warming; thus, it is one of the most vulnerable environments to climate change globally. It follows that the improper management of water resources could further worsen an already alarming situation. This research aims to study the main water-related challenges that Mediterranean Countries face, highlighting the significant problems that weaken each Country. In this regard, the indicators relating to Goal 6 were considered, to define each Country’s current state. However, for a correct understanding, the main problems these Countries face were researched through a critical review of the literature (Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science). In this way, we were able to underline the effects of human activities on the hydrosphere and the repercussions on various ecosystems, following the drivers-pressures-state-impact-response causal framework. The results suggest that there is still a long way for Mediterranean Countries to progress toward Agenda 2030, as they face problems related to chemical (nitrate, microplastics, heavy metals, pesticides, etc.) and biological (E. coli and other microorganisms) pollution, as well as saline aquifers, absent or obsolete infrastructures, and transboundary basins. Hence, this study aims to provide valuable tools for a better evaluation of water management in Mediterranean Countries. Full article

Due to their authentic urban and architectural character, the Medinas of Tunis and Marrakesh became listed among the United Nations educational, scientific, and cultural organization (UNESCO) heritage sites in 1979 and 1985, respectively. Nowadays, the urbanization of the surrounding green areas and the climate change impacts on cities are degrading the Medinas’ livability and their characteristic heritage. On the other hand, scientific knowledge and data about the green system in the dense urban cores of Medinas in the Maghreb region is still not a widely apprehended theme in the scientific domain. This research objective is to initiate nature-based and sustainable solutions in these cities by demonstrating the application of the urban green infrastructure (UGI) approach. As a research methodology, an analysis of the historical green system development in the Medinas is given to highlight their tangible and intangible values. The analysis goes over three periods: first, the medieval Islamic era, then the modern period during the French colony, and the contemporary city as a unique urban landscape. Finally, the study proposes a design guideline to prove the applicability of the UGI in the given historical morphologies by implementing the retained historical values of the historic green heritage in Medinas and the aspects of the site. Full article

Bats populations and their habitats are currently threatened globally, but particular declines have been seen across Europe. The contingent valuation method is commonly used to assign an economic value to species conservation through a willingness to pay (WTP) surveys. We carried out face-to-face interviews of a representative to the Greek population sample (n = 1131) and used a multiple-bounded discrete choice approach to estimate WTP for bat conservation. More than half of the Greek population was supportive of bat conservation (54.6%). Mean WTP was estimated at €21.71, and the total amount that could be collected was €105.6 million, after considering the number of taxpayers and the proportion of supportive people. There was an interplay between emotions, with likeability being the most important positive predictor of support, and fear the most important negative predictor of WTP for bat conservation. Among sociodemographics, older participants, with higher education, farmers, and pet owners showed the highest support, while those with higher education, farmers, and consumptive recreationists offered the highest bid for bat conservation. Participants drew information about bats mostly from informal sources, such as friends, movies, novels, and comics. Our study allowed for the estimation of public support and necessary funds for bat conservation, which are valuable for successful conservation management. Findings will also be critical for the design and implementation of effective education and outreach programs, aimed at increasing knowledge about bats and ultimately support for bat conservation actions. Full article

Bushfires are an integral part of the forest regeneration cycle in Australia. However, from the perspective of a natural disaster, the impact of bushfires on human settlements and the environment is massive. In Australia, bushfires are the most disastrous natural hazards. According to the records of the Parliament of Australia, the recent catastrophic bushfires in NSW and Victoria burnt out over 10 million hectares of land, a figure more significant than any previous bushfire damage on record. After the deadly 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, which killed 173 people in Victoria, public attention to bushfires reached a new peak. Due to the disastrous consequences of bushfires, scientists have explored various methods to mitigate or even avoid bushfire damage, including the use of bushfire alerts. The present study adds satellite imagery and GIS-based semi-real-time bushfire contents to various bushfire warnings issued by government authorities. The new product will disseminate graphical bushfire contents to rural Australians through social media, using Google Maps. This low-cost Media GIS content can be delivered through highly popular smartphone networks in Australia through social media (Facebook and Twitter). We expect its success to encourage people to participate in disaster mitigation efforts as contributors in a participatory GIS network. This paper presents a case study to demonstrate the production process and the quality of media GIS content and further discusses the potential of using social media through the mobile network of Australia while paying attention to mobile blackspots. Media GIS content has the potential to link with the public information systems of local fire management services, disseminate contents through a mobile app, and develop into a fully automated media GIS content system to expand the service beyond bushfires. Full article

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their indicators provide opportunities to best combine the available knowledge and data to monitor and estimate different metrics and track their progress. The overall picture can be complex as some indicators are often interconnected (e.g., rural and/or urban development with a water body’s status). Two factors can play a crucial role in achieving the SDGs: the use of new technologies for database building and multidisciplinary studies and understanding. This study aims to explore these factors, highlight their importance and provide an example as guidance of their proper and combinative use. Ireland is used as an example of a data-scarce case with poor–slow progress, especially on the environmental SDGs. Two “non-reported” SDG indicators (lack of data) are selected and estimated in this work using freely available data (remote sensing, satellite imagery) and geospatial software for the first time in the country. The results show improvements in rural and urban development; however, this is accompanied by negative environmental consequences. A more holistic approach is needed and a broader conceptual model is presented to avoid any misleading interpretations of the study of SDGs. The transition to the modern technological and multidisciplinary evolution requires respective knowledge and understanding, strongly based on complex systems analysis. Full article

Air pollution continues to be of concern for Bulgarian cities, mainly due to particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 μm (PM₁₀). There is public and expert interest in the improvement of two operational air quality modeling systems: the Bulgarian Chemical Weather Forecast System (BgCWFS) and the Local Air Quality Management System (LAQMS) for the city of Plovdiv. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of satellite data assimilation in BgCWFS on surface concentrations over Bulgaria (resolution 9 km), to downscale BgCWFS output to LAQMS (resolution 250 m), and to examine effects on PM₁₀ in Plovdiv. Data from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2 (GOME-2) (MetOP satellites) for aerosols, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) were assimilated in BgCWFS using objective analysis. Simulation experiments with and without satellite data were conducted for a summer and a winter month. The comparison to surface observations in the country showed improvement of results when using satellite data, especially in the summer due to mineral dust events captured by satellites. The decrease in the normalized mean bias (NMB) over the two months was 43% (PM₁₀) and 73% (SO₂). The LAQMS estimated background contributions to PM₁₀ in the city as 32%. The absolute NMB by LAQMS decreased by 38%. Full article

Mountainous regions present numerous obstacles to agriculture. These include the terrain, which is associated with surface erosion, as well as surface runoff, which washes away plant nutrients and weak soil. Spatial analysis is currently used in the study of various stochastic variables, especially those of high priority for soil water properties. Small watershed and basin-scale models were used to simulate the quantity of surface run-off, groundwater and predict the environmental impact of land use and land management practices. A new generation of the distributed hydrological models has greatly broadened simulation fields to soil and water diversified situations. The study also measured declines in slope and grain size distribution, factors impacting surface erosion and surface runoff. Multivariate statistics (canonical analysis) showed that soil moisture was most correlated both with agricultural land and forests, which is why it was used to create the model of spatial distribution. The model showed that salinity has the smallest forecast error in modeling, and thus best corresponds with the soil moisture. It is important to make a correct diagnosis of soil properties, and the degree of degradation. The assessment of the physiographic parameters of a basin will contribute to the development of proper usage and determine the quality of the water in the soil, which will be essential for forest resources and agricultural land in mountain areas exposed to surface erosion. Full article

Natural resources are gradually coming under continuous and increasing pressure due to anthropogenic interventions and climate variabilities. The result of these pressures is reflected in the sustainability of natural resources. Significant scientific efforts during the recent years focus on mitigating the effects of these pressures and on increasing the sustainability of natural resources. Hence, there is a need to develop specific indices and indicators that will reveal the areas having the highest risks. The Water and Land Resources Degradation Index (WLDI) was developed for this purpose. WLDI consists of eleven indicators and its outcome results from the spatiotemporal performance of these indicators. The WLDI is based on the Standardized Drought Vulnerability Index (SDVI) and the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Index (ESAI). The WLDI is applied for the period from October 1983 to September 1996, considering Greece as a study area. The results of the application of this index reveal the areas with the highest risks, especially in the agricultural sector, with less than the needed water quantities due to extensive periods of droughts. This index could be used by scientists, but also by policy makers, to better and more sustainably manage environmental pressures. Full article

This study aimed to reconstruct the sedimentation rates over time and identify the changing sources of sediment in a major hydropower reservoir in Tanzania, the Nyumba ya Mungu (NYM). Fallout ²¹⁰Pb measurements were used to estimate age of sediment deposits and broad changes in sedimentation rates were reconstructed. Sedimentation peaks were cross referenced to geochemical profiles of allogenic and autogenic elemental constituents of the sediment column to confirm a causal link. Finally, geochemical fingerprinting of the sediment cores and potential sources were compared using a Bayesian mixing model (MixSIAR) to attribute the dominant riverine and land use sources to the reservoir together with changes through recent decades. Reservoir sedimentation generally increased from 0.1 g cm⁻² yr⁻¹ in the lower sediment column to 1.7 g cm⁻² yr⁻¹ in the most recent deposits. These results correlated to changes in allogenic and autogenic tracers. The model output pointed to one of two major tributaries, the Kikuletwa River with 60.3%, as the dominant source of sediment to the entire reservoir, while the other tributary, Ruvu River, contributed approximately 39.7%. However, downcore unmixing results indicated that the latest increases in sedimentation seem to be mainly driven by an increased contribution from the Ruvu River. Cultivated land (CU) was shown to be the main land use source of riverine sediment, accounting for 38.4% and 44.6% in Kikuletwa and Ruvu rivers respectively. This study explicitly demonstrated that the integration of sediment tracing and dating tools can be used for quantifying the dominant source of sediment infilling in East African hydropower reservoirs. The results underscore the necessity for catchment-wide management plans that target the reduction of both hillslope erosion reduction and the sediment connectivity from hillslope source areas to rivers and reservoirs, which will help to maintain and enhance food, water and energy security in Eastern Africa. Full article

The present study investigated the effect of biomass burning on the water cycle using a case study of the Chari–Logone Catchment of the Lake Chad Basin (LCB). The Chari–Logone catchment was selected because it supplies over 90% of the water input to the lake, which is the largest basin in central Africa. Two water balance simulations, one considering burning and one without, were compared from the years 2003 to 2011. For a more comprehensive assessment of the effects of burning, albedo change, which has been shown to have a significant impact on a number of environmental factors, was used as a model input for calculating potential evapotranspiration (ET). Analysis of the burning scenario showed that burning grassland, which comprises almost 75% of the total Chari–Logone land cover, causes increased ET and runoff during the dry season (November–March). Recent studies have demonstrated that there is an increasing trend in the LCB of converting shrubland, grassland, and wetlands to cropland. This change from grassland to cropland has the potential to decrease the amount of water available to water bodies during the winter. All vegetative classes in a burning scenario showed a decrease in ET during the wet season. Although a decrease in annual precipitation in global circulation processes such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation would cause droughts and induce wildfires in the Sahel, the present study shows that a decrease in ET by the human-induced burning would cause a severe decrease in precipitation as well. Full article

World Heritage is the pinnacle of the recognition of the natural, aesthetic, and cultural value of a place on the planet. Since its inception in 1972, over 1100 sites have received World Heritage status. Many of these places are being challenged by the effects of climate change. Urgent action is needed to build the resilience and adaptive capacity of World Heritage sites in the face of climate change threats to come. The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (WTWHA) is one of the most effectively regulated and managed protected Areas in the world. This includes the scientific evidence upon which that regulation and management is based. However, there is growing evidence that climate change impacts are a clear and present threat to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) upon which the listing is based. This challenges the very concept of OUV and points to the business-as-usual regulation and management not being sufficient to deal with the threat. It also calls for quantum changes in the approaches to protecting natural and cultural heritage and the OUV in World Heritage Areas. This WTWHA case study gives insights into the journey travelled and the pathways that need to be laid out to protect our most cherished internationally recognised natural and cultural landscapes. We demonstrate the importance of evidence in support of advocacy and management action to address the clear impacts of climate change on species, ecosystems, people, and societies living in the WTWHA. The strategic and climate adaptation plans provide the framework upon which these actions take place. Community engagement in the delivery of mitigation, adaptation, and resilience policy is key to the long-term future of the WTWHA. Full article

Machine learning (ML), as an artificial intelligence tool, has acquired significant progress in data-driven research in Earth sciences. Land Surface Models (LSMs) are important components of the climate models, which help to capture the water, energy, and momentum exchange between the land surface and the atmosphere, providing lower boundary conditions to the atmospheric models. The objectives of this review paper are to highlight the areas of improvement in land modeling using ML and discuss the crucial ML techniques in detail. Literature searches were conducted using the relevant key words to obtain an extensive list of articles. The bibliographic lists of these articles were also considered. To date, ML-based techniques have been able to upgrade the performance of LSMs and reduce uncertainties by improving evapotranspiration and heat fluxes estimation, parameter optimization, better crop yield prediction, and model benchmarking. Widely used ML techniques used for these purposes include Artificial Neural Networks and Random Forests. We conclude that further improvements in land modeling are possible in terms of high-resolution data preparation, parameter calibration, uncertainty reduction, efficient model performance, and data assimilation using ML. In addition to the traditional techniques, convolutional neural networks, long short-term memory, and other deep learning methods can be implemented. Full article

Streamflow and sediment flux variations in a mountain river basin directly affect the downstream biodiversity and ecological processes. Precipitation is expected to be one of the main drivers of these variations in the Himalayas. However, such relations have not been explored for the mountain river basin, Nepal. This paper explores the variation in streamflow and sediment flux from 2006 to 2019 in central Nepal’s Kali Gandaki River basin and correlates them to precipitation indices computed from 77 stations across the basin. Nine precipitation indices and four other ratio-based indices are used for comparison. Percentage contributions of maximum 1-day, consecutive 3-day, 5-day and 7-day precipitation to the annual precipitation provide information on the severity of precipitation extremeness. We found that maximum suspended sediment concentration had a significant positive correlation with the maximum consecutive 3-day precipitation. In contrast, average suspended sediment concentration had significant positive correlations with all ratio-based precipitation indices. The existing sediment erosion trend, driven by the amount, intensity, and frequency of extreme precipitation, demands urgency in sediment source management on the Nepal Himalaya’s mountain slopes. The increment in extreme sediment transports partially resulted from anthropogenic interventions, especially landslides triggered by poorly-constructed roads, and the changing nature of extreme precipitation driven by climate variability. Full article

The transportation sector of Senegal is dominated by the road subsector, which relies on fossil fuels: gasoline and diesel. Their combustion generates substances such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and many others responsible for climate change, which has negative impacts on the environment, human health, and activities. This study is based on data collected from Senegal’s official reports on transport and energy, and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) greenhouse gases’ analysis methods. In the period 2000–2013, growing emissions were experienced, reaching up to 2.38 × 10⁶ tCO₂-eq in 2013. The aging vehicle fleet (~20 years old on average), made up of light-duty vehicles (around 85%), a fast-growing number of imported cars, and the predominance of diesel engines (around 59%) are the aggravating factors. Beyond climate change, other gaseous substances resulting from the combustion of fuels such as carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxide (SO₂), and particle matters (PMs) contribute to the deterioration of the outdoor air quality. Therefore, it is becoming urgent to monitor the evolution of these emissions and take appropriate measures to reduce their concentrations in the atmosphere. The Government of Senegal has taken a step forward through the modernization of transport infrastructure, and the creation of a center dedicated to the monitoring of outdoor air quality (Centre de Gestion de la Qualité de l’Air—CGQA) and a center in charge of the technical control of vehicles (Centre de Contrôle Technique des Véhicules Automobiles—CCTVA) in Dakar, but much remains to be done. Full article

(1) Background: Human activity is warming the planet and destabilizing the climate through greenhouse gas emissions, which underscores the need for climate communication to overcome barriers to action. (2) Methods: We launched a five-month campaign that included questionnaires (n = 500) and one-on-one interviews (n = 24) to assess climate change sentiment, engagement, adaptation, as well as understand who climate outreach reaches and the observations and concerns such groups report across the U.S. so as to better understand the local context of climate change and enable more effective climate communication and outreach in the future. (3) Results: Results showed outreach efforts to mostly reach college educated Caucasians who identified as Democrats. “Future generations” was the most frequently ranked climate concern, with the economy, property value, and national security ranked last. Communities frequently observed hotter temperatures, increased flooding, and species impacts. Among “climate-concerned” individuals, the majority reported never contacting a local politician about climate change. College students least frequently reported climate change as a top priority and reported a low frequency of civic engagement on the issue. In-person interviews highlighted climate impacts disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities of color, such as heat-related mortality and gentrification. Climate adaptation strategies were underway, but mostly among farmers, ecologists, and non-governmental organizations (NGO) workers. (4) Discussion: This study helps inform elected officials, urban planners, and climate communicators as it relates to the allocation of resources for climate adaptation and education, and highlights key knowledge gaps that deserve focus by future outreach efforts. Full article