Article No. 1
Understanding the challenges of climate change adaptation in rural Bangladesh: Qualitative insights of geographical obstacles
This research delves into the challenges of climate change adaptation in rural Bangladesh, particularly in coastal and riverine areas, through qualitative insights on geographical obstacles. It reveals the vulnerability of low-income communities heavily reliant on agriculture, facing threats to food production and security due to climate-induced disasters and land pressure. The study underscores the multifaceted impacts of climate change, including freshwater scarcity, gender inequalities, and forced migration, exacerbating socio-economic vulnerabilities. While indigenous adaptation practices like salinity-resilient agriculture and integrated farming techniques are employed by coastal farmers, the research highlights the inadequacy of current measures to address escalating salinity levels and extreme events, leading to significant losses and livelihood challenges. Additionally, it explores the role of indigenous knowledge systems in disaster risk reduction, advocating for their integration with modern scientific approaches to enhance resilience effectively. The study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy measures to enhance climate resilience in vulnerable regions, advocating for essential infrastructure development, improved resource access, and community-based adaptation strategies to empower local communities in decision-making processes.
Article No. 2
Exploring Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Technology and its Impact in Addressing Climate Change
Attending a recent seminar by Professor Lei Zhu on Energy Investment/Technology Evaluation sparked my curiosity about advanced carbon capture technologies. While I had a basic understanding of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), the seminar provided a comprehensive overview of the latest innovations, particularly in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). This motivated me to expand my knowledge on the subject. In this article, I will explore CCUS technologies and their significant role in addressing climate change, offering insights tailored to those new to the topic.
CCUS has emerged as a pivotal technology in the global combat against climate change. While the basic concept of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) is straightforward, the historical development and application of these technologies are complex and captivating. This article will delve into the origins, mechanisms, and impacts of CCUS, alongside its adoption across various industries. It will also explore case studies from leading projects worldwide, examining how CCUS is playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
Article No. 3
Environmental Contamination and Assessment of Heavy Metals in Water and Sediments of Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
Awash River is considered as one of the most important irrigation and drinking water resources for the community. Huge amount of domestic, municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes notably are discharged to river. In the present study, the contamination levels of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Mn, Cd, and Pb) and their ecological effect in water and sediment of Awash River were investigated. Sediment and water samples were collected from selected sites along the course of river and analyzed the metals to be concerned. The result showed that mean concentrations of heavy metals ranked as: in water and sediment samples were Mn > Cr > Cd > Cu and Pb. Mean concentrations of Cr, Mn and Pb in the water samples were higher than WHO and USEPA guidelines for some sites in the upper basin of the river. Heavy metals contamination in the sediments were evaluated by applying United State environmental Protection Agency’s sediment quality Guidelines (USEPA) and indexes such as Enrichment factor, Geoaccumulation Index, contamination factor , Degree of contamination, Ecological risk factor and potencial Ecological risk index were high in the upper basin sampling sites of the river and the extent of metal pollution in the river around is frightening and considerably affecting the aquatic ecology of the river. Therefore, further studies are needed on metal speciation and effects on metal uptake by humans and organisms in addition to continuous monitoring.
Pakistan, with its diverse ecosystems ranging from the towering Himalayas to coastal mangroves, is experiencing rapid biodiversity loss driven by several critical factors: habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, overexploitation, and invasive species. Habitat destruction, primarily resulting from deforestation and agricultural expansion, poses significant threats to iconic species such as the Snow Leopard and Indus River Dolphin. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges by altering species distributions and disrupting ecological balance. Pollution and overexploitation degrade vital habitats, while invasive species outcompete native flora and fauna, leading to ecological imbalances. Future projections suggest an alarming acceleration in species extinction and ecosystem degradation, which could have severe repercussions for human well-being. Despite ongoing conservation efforts, including the establishment of protected areas and community-based conservation initiatives, significant challenges persist. This paper calls for immediate and comprehensive action to enhance conservation strategies, implement sustainable resource management practices, and address the impacts of climate change to effectively halt biodiversity loss and preserve Pakistan’s natural heritage.