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• Premise of the study: Climate‐induced forest retreat has profound ecological and biogeochemical impacts, but the physiological mechanisms underlying past tree mortality are poorly understood, limiting prediction of vegetation shifts with climate variation. Climate, drought, fire, and grazing represent agents of tree mortality during the late Cenozoic, but the interaction between drought and declining atmospheric carbon dioxide ([CO2]a) from high to near‐starvation levels ∼34 million years (Ma) ago has been overlooked. Here, this interaction frames our investigation of sapling mortality through the interdependence of hydraulic function, carbon limitation, and defense metabolism.• Methods: We recreated a changing Cenozoic [CO2]a regime by growing Sequoia sempervirens trees within climate‐controlled growth chambers at 1500, 500, or 200 ppm [CO2]a, capturing the decline toward minimum concentrations from 34 Ma. After 7 months, we imposed drought conditions and measured key physiological components linking carbon utilization, hydraulics, and defense metabolism as hypothesized interdependent mechanisms of tree mortality.• Key results: Catastrophic failure of hydraulic conductivity, carbohydrate starvation, and tree death occurred at 200 ppm, but not 500 or 1500 ppm [CO2]a. Furthermore, declining [CO2]a reduced investment in carbon‐rich foliar defense compounds that would diminish resistance to biotic attack, likely exacerbating mortality.• Conclusions: Low‐[CO2]a‐driven tree mortality under drought is consistent with Pleistocene pollen records charting repeated Californian Sequoia forest contraction during glacial periods (180–200 ppm [CO2]a) and may even have contributed to forest retreat as grasslands expanded on multiple continents under low [CO2]a over the past 10 Ma. In this way, geologic intervals of low [CO2]a coupled with drought could impose a demographic bottleneck in tree recruitment, driving vegetation shifts through forest mortality.

Dans cette étude, nous avons calibré le modèle BioWin pour évaluer la consommation d'énergie, les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et le taux de nitrification volumétrique dans le traitement de l'urine à haute teneur en ammoniac et séparée par la source dans une station d'épuration décentralisée. Dans un premier temps, nous avons validé le modèle en utilisant des processus de traitement par bioréacteur à membrane urinaire (MBR) à l'échelle du laboratoire. Par la suite, le modèle BioWin à grande échelle a été utilisé pour évaluer la performance d'un système de traitement de l'urine à grande échelle. Les résultats de simulation pour le traitement de l'urine par procédé MBR, optimisés à un point de consigne d'oxygène dissous de 3 mg/L, ont révélé une consommation d'énergie de 3 kWh/kg N, des émissions de gaz à effet de serre de 25,6 kg CO2e/m3 et un taux de nitrification volumétrique de 310 mg N/L/j. Remarquablement, cela ne représente que 25–30 % de l'énergie totale dépensée dans la synthèse à l'échelle industrielle d'un engrais vierge utilisant le procédé Haber-Bosch. Nos résultats indiquent que la demande énergétique collective d'une STEP urinaire détournée et d'un MBR urinaire séparé pour la récupération des engrais est comparable à celle d'une STEP MBR conventionnelle sans récupération des nutriments. Il est important de noter que le détournement de l'urine réduit les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et l'empreinte globale de la station d'épuration par rapport aux stations conventionnelles. De plus, la récupération des nutriments par la séparation et le traitement des sources d'urine contribue de manière significative à la récupération des nutriments et aux économies circulaires. En este estudio, calibramos el modelo BioWin para evaluar el consumo de energía, las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero y la tasa de nitrificación volumétrica en el tratamiento de orina con alto contenido de amoníaco y separada por fuentes dentro de una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales descentralizada (EDAR). Inicialmente, validamos el modelo utilizando procesos de tratamiento de biorreactor de membrana urinaria (MBR) a escala de laboratorio. Posteriormente, se empleó el modelo BioWin ampliado para evaluar el rendimiento de un sistema de tratamiento de orina a gran escala. Los resultados de la simulación para el tratamiento de orina mediante el proceso MBR, optimizado a un punto de ajuste de oxígeno disuelto de 3 mg/L, revelaron un consumo de energía de 3 kWh/kg N, emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero de 25,6 kg CO2e/m3 y una tasa de nitrificación volumétrica de 310 mg N/L/d. Sorprendentemente, esto constituye solo el 25–30 % de la energía total gastada en la síntesis a escala industrial de un fertilizante virgen utilizando el proceso Haber-Bosch. Nuestros hallazgos indican que la demanda de energía colectiva de una EDAR desviada de orina y un MBR de orina separado para la recuperación de fertilizantes es comparable a la de una EDAR MBR convencional sin recuperación de nutrientes. Es importante destacar que el desvío de orina reduce las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero y la huella global de la EDAR en comparación con las convencionales. Además, la recuperación de nutrientes a través de la separación y el tratamiento de la fuente de orina contribuye significativamente a la recuperación de nutrientes y a las economías circulares. In this study, we calibrated the BioWin model to assess the energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and volumetric nitrification rate in the treatment of high-ammonia-containing, source-separated urine within a decentralised wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) setting. Initially, we validated the model using lab-scale urine membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment processes. Subsequently, the upscaled BioWin model was employed to evaluate the performance of a full-scale urine treatment system. Simulation results for urine treatment by MBR process, optimized at a dissolved oxygen set point of 3 mg/L, revealed an energy consumption of 3 kWh/kg N, greenhouse gas emissions of 25.6 kg CO2e/m3, and a volumetric nitrification rate of 310 mg N/L/d. Remarkably, this constitutes only 25–30 % of the total energy expended in the industrial-scale synthesis of a virgin fertiliser using the Haber-Bosch process. Our findings indicate that the collective energy demand of a urine diverted WWTP and a separate urine MBR for fertiliser recovery is comparable to that of a conventional MBR WWTP without nutrient recovery. Importantly, urine diversion reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the overall footprint of the WWTP compared to conventional ones. Moreover, nutrient recovery through urine source separation and treatment contributes significantly to nutrient recovery and circular economies. في هذه الدراسة، قمنا بمعايرة نموذج BioWin لتقييم استهلاك الطاقة وانبعاثات غازات الدفيئة ومعدل النترجة الحجمي في معالجة البول عالي الأمونيا المفصول عن المصدر داخل بيئة محطة معالجة مياه الصرف الصحي اللامركزية (WWTP). في البداية، تحققنا من صحة النموذج باستخدام عمليات معالجة المفاعل الحيوي لغشاء البول على نطاق المختبر (MBR). بعد ذلك، تم استخدام نموذج BioWin الموسع لتقييم أداء نظام معالجة البول على نطاق واسع. كشفت نتائج المحاكاة لمعالجة البول عن طريق عملية MBR، المحسنة عند نقطة ضبط الأكسجين المذاب البالغة 3 مجم/لتر، عن استهلاك طاقة قدره 3 كيلو واط في الساعة/كجم نيوتن، وانبعاثات غازات الدفيئة البالغة 25.6 كجم من مكافئ ثاني أكسيد الكربون/م 3، ومعدل نترتة حجمي قدره 310 مجم نيوتن/لتر/يوم. ومن اللافت للنظر أن هذا لا يشكل سوى 25–30 ٪ من إجمالي الطاقة المستهلكة في التوليف الصناعي للأسمدة البكر باستخدام عملية هابر بوش. تشير النتائج التي توصلنا إليها إلى أن الطلب الجماعي على الطاقة من محطة معالجة مياه الصرف الصحي المحولة للبول و MBR منفصل للبول لاستعادة الأسمدة يمكن مقارنته بالطلب على الطاقة من محطة معالجة مياه الصرف الصحي التقليدية بدون استعادة المغذيات. والأهم من ذلك، أن تحويل البول يقلل من انبعاثات غازات الدفيئة والبصمة الإجمالية لمحطة معالجة مياه الصرف الصحي مقارنة بالمحطات التقليدية. علاوة على ذلك، يساهم استرداد المغذيات من خلال فصل مصدر البول ومعالجته بشكل كبير في استرداد المغذيات والاقتصادات الدائرية.

IntroductionTransforming consumption and lifestyles toward sustainability cannot be achieved by individual behavior change alone but requires changes in the structures in which this behavior is embedded. However, “structure” is a blurry concept and scholars use it in a multitude of ways. What often remains implicit in studies on structural phenomena are different types of structures, how they may or may not restrict the agency of individuals in particular ways, and how these restrictions support sustainable consumption patterns at the societal level. To move beyond the current state of research, this article systematizes political, economic, technological, and societal structural factors the literature identifies as impactful regarding the sustainability of consumption and lifestyles compatible with the targets of the Paris Agreement.MethodsWe draw on a systematic review of existing research and use empirical observations to develop conceptual terms that revisit the structure-agency dilemma and offer ways going forward about (un)sustainable consumption.ResultsWe do so based on the material or ideational, as well as shallow or deep nature of these factors. Thereby, the article throws light on the deep and opaque material and ideational structural factors lying underneath and shaping the sustainability impact of the more visible, shallow structural factors typically considered in public debates about sustainability governance.DiscussionThe article, thus, highlights the need to consider and address these deep structural factors for any effective pursuit of transformation.

Many organisations are realising the growing importance of sllstainability in today's business lexicon and the need to incorporate a supply chain approach, since the implementation of slistainability extends beyond organisational boundaries and involves multiple parties and variolls considerations. Despite this need, the extant literature on sustainable supply chain management focuses predominantly on a single dimension in isolation and lacks practical integrated frame'works in which all three dimensions of sllstainability (i.e. environmental, social and economic dimensions) can be discerned. To address this gap, we propose a more holistic framework which incorporates performance indicators for all three dimensions that can be used as a tool for the development and management of sustainable supply chains. This paper provides significant theoretical contribution and implications for supply chain management. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Waste management is an area of significant global concern. The reuse of waste materials (such as: plastics, glass, wood, etc.) in concrete manufacturing has been studied for potential cost savings, improvements in quality, and reduction of environmental impact leading to sustainability. This study examines the performance of concrete containing recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste in granular form to replace the fine aggregate. A series of concrete specimens for Grade 32 concrete mix were cast using PET granules as partial replacement to fine aggregates in the mixture (0%, 10%, 30%, and 50% replacement by volume of fine aggregate). Important properties such as workability (slump), density, compressive strength, elastic modulus, tensile strength, flexural strength, and crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) were evaluated together with the microstructural observations. The experimental results indicated that volumetric replacement of fine aggregates with 10% recycled PET granules positively impacted the characteristics of the concrete. The findings further revealed an improvement in the ductility of concrete with recycled PET granules content, albeit the effect was more pronounced with the concrete containing 10% PET granules. The experimental results for the mechanical properties were compared against available Australian and American design guidelines and a strong linear relationship is observed. Lastly, the findings of this study on mechanical properties revealed an optimum performance relative to those reported in the available literature, particularly for the concrete with 10% of fine aggregate replaced by PET granules.

AbstractA tax on meat could help address the climate impact and animal welfare issues associated with the production of meat. Through a referendum choice experiment with more than 2,800 German citizens, we elicited support for a tax on meat by varying the following tax attributes: level and differentiation thereof, justification and salience of behavioural effects. Only at the lowest tax level tested do all tax variants receive support from most voters. Support is generally stronger if the tax is justified by animal welfare rather than climate change mitigation. Differentiated taxes that link the tax rate to the harmfulness of the product do not receive higher support than a uniform tax; this indifference is not driven by a failure to anticipate the differential impacts on consumption. While the introduction of meat taxation remains politically challenging, our results underscore the need for policymakers to clearly communicate underlying reasons for the tax and its intended behavioural effect.

Regional and local decision-makers still require relevant information and training in order to establish long-term strategies and to contribute to national and supranational energy and climate targets. As an example, a widespread participation of local authorities to comply with the Italian long-term building renovation strategy has not occurred so far. Thus, the overall target, annual 1% floor area of new or deeply renovated buildings to the nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) standard by 2020 (PanZEB 2015), proves to have been disregarded to date. Evidence-based, data-enabled assessment of the building stock and of its relationship with the energy system as a whole at a capillary level is crucial to this extent. In Italy, various building databases are already being used with the ultimate purpose of EPBD implementation and to track and record incentives for public and private building renovation. These datasets have an untapped potential for local energy planning that could be released from wider integration, also including energy consumption data and smart-metering data. Moreover, the regulatory landscape is changing toward an interaction of the building with the user, the energy grid and other buildings in a dynamic and functional way. Within this context, the paper will investigate how integrated data could unlock the value of a more evidence-based planning starting from the DIPENDE integrated dataset, a REQUEST2ACTION (IEE 2014–2017) pilot project combining data from energy performance certificates (EPCs) with bottom-up information on building renovation, and other data in order to support decision making at different territorial scales.

Recently, insects have received increased attention as an important source of sustainable raw materials for animal feed, especially in fish, poultry, and swine. In particular, the most promising species are represented by the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, HI), the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, TM), and the common house fly (Musca domestica, MD). Although rapid development is expected, insects remain underutilized in the animal feed industry mainly due to technical, financial, and regulatory barriers. In addition, few works have analyzed consumer and stakeholder points of view towards the use of insects as animal feed. In this article, we summarize the main findings of this body of research and provide a discussion of consumer studies regarding the consumption of animals fed with insects. Our review suggests that consumer acceptance will not be a barrier towards the development of this novel protein industry. Furthermore, we conclude that it will be of interest to understand whether the use of this more sustainable feed source might increase consumer willingness to pay for animal products fed with insects and whether the overall acceptability, from a sensory point of view, will be perceived better than conventional products. Finally, the main challenges of the feed farming industry are addressed.