• Energy Research
• Open Access close
• Closed Access close
• Restricted close
• Open Source close
• 1. No poverty close
• US close
• EU close

We employ a set of sign restrictions on the generalized impulse responses of a Global VAR model, estimated for 38 countries/regions over the period 1979Q2.2011Q2, to discriminate between supply-driven and demand-driven oil-price shocks and to study the time profile of their macroeconomic effects for different countries. The results indicate that the economic consequences of a supply-driven oil-price shock are very different from those of an oil-demand shock driven by global economic activity, and vary for oil-importing countries compared to energy exporters. While oil importers typically face a long-lived fall in economic activity in response to a supply-driven surge in oil prices, the impact is positive for energy-exporting countries that possess large proven oil/gas reserves. However, in response to an oil-demand disturbance, almost all countries in our sample experience long-run inflationary pressures and a short-run increase in real output.

<abstract> <p>Fish is a key component of Nigeria's protein supply, making up about 40% of the nation's protein intake and considerably aiding in the achievement of the second Sustainable Development Goal of feeding the expanding population. Despite its importance, Nigeria's fish production and supply cannot keep up with demand. While total fish output has increased from 1,073,059 tonnes in 2014 to 1,169,000 tonnes in 2018 and is expected to reach 1,275,000 tonnes by 2030, there is a great supply gap. Fish production not only affects food security but also the national economy and employment. Notwithstanding, the fisheries sub-sector suffers several difficulties, such as poor management, a deficient fisheries policy, overfishing, diminishing catch, and a lack of technical know-how among fish growers and fishermen. Thus, exploring untapped aquaculture potential and managing small-scale fisheries effectively are necessary to close the gap between the demand for and supply of fish. The fish output situation can be improved by enforcing fisheries policy and regulations, increasing investments in ethical fisheries and aquaculture, and providing sufficient training for fish farmers and fisherfolk. To reduce waste associated with the limited number of fish now produced, post-harvest losses must also be addressed. By solving these issues and putting in place the necessary actions, Nigeria can increase its fish production, strengthen its food security, and accomplish the sustainable development goals in its evolving blue economy.</p> </abstract>

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rest on a set of broadly accepted values within a human rights framework. The SDGs seek to improve human lives, improve the planet, and foster prosperity. This paper examines the human rights framework and the principles of social justice and shows that, while the SDGs do not specifically state that there is human right to food, the SDGs do envision a better, more just, world which rests upon the sufficiency of the global food supply, on environmental sustainability, and on food security for all. Then the paper examines the interrelationships between the SDGs, food access and waste, and human rights within a framework of social justice. Finally, it looks at the potential pandemic of hunger wrought by COVID-19, showing that COVID-19 serves as an example of a crisis that has raised unprecedented challenges to food loss and waste in the global food supply system and tests our commitment to the principles espoused by the SDGs.

This paper examines the impact of climate change on primary crops grown in Africa. An innovative approach is presented that bridges the gap between agro-economic and traditional Ricardian models. We label it a ‘structural Ricardian model’. It first captures the type of crop a farmer will select and then examines the conditional net revenue of that crop. The model is estimated using a sample of over 5000 farmers across 11 countries in Africa. The analysis finds that farmers shift the crops they plant to match the climate they face. Studies that fail to account for crop switching will overestimate the damages from climate change and underestimate the benefits.

Abstract Climate change impacts may manifest via multiple pathways, often leading to a shortage of resources, reduction in production capacities, or reduction in available labor inputs that are vital for economic activities. Effective climate change adaptation strategies are needed to determine the optimal allocation of scarce resources, commodities or capital under crisis conditions to minimize the economic consequences. In such cases, it is necessary to account for structural properties of economic systems to ensure that rational distribution policies are implemented. Input–output models are used to illustrate interdependencies among economic sectors and to assess both direct and indirect effects of disruptive events. Alternatively, these interdependencies may be exploited for developing effective recovery efforts to minimize the ripple effects of a crisis. In this paper, a process graph representation of the input–output model is developed to generate a rational procedure for the allocation of scarce resources, commodities or capital during crisis conditions. The process graph model is a graph-theoretic approach originally developed for chemical process design applications. The analogous problem structure allows it to be used for the input–output system. The method is demonstrated through several case studies to identify allocation policies geared towards reducing the impact of disruptions attributed to critical resources, commodities, or capital. Results show that depending on the economic structure, the optimal allocation of scarce resources, commodities or capital will satisfy the final demands of some economic sectors and reduce the production capacity of others in order to minimize the reduction of total gross domestic product. Though similar results can be obtained through traditional mathematical programming models, the process graph platform has the advantage to visually present the distribution of scarce resources, commodities or capital within the system. This work is a first attempt to implement the process graph approach in the fields of economics and climate change adaptation. In conclusion, the process graph based approach developed in this work can be used to provide policymakers with insights in developing appropriate risk mitigation plans associated with climate change-induced crisis conditions. Potential applications include both the development of disaster preparedness measures for anticipated disruptions, as well as the implementation of real-time emergency response in the midst of a crisis.

Abstract Societies need to transition to renewable energy and eliminate fossil fuel use as soon as possible. However, policymakers have mostly neglected to consider that there is an array of possible energy transition pathways. Therefore, I offer a typology that envisions potential energy futures as falling along a two-dimensional model comprised of the structural organization of the social (political, economic, and civil) on one axis — on a spectrum of democratic versus monopolistic — and the scale of the energy system on the other — dichotomized as centralized versus decentralized. This typology suggests that there are four potential energy futures, which I term: (1) libertarian energy decentralism, (2) technocratic energy centralism, (3) democratic energy centralism, and (4) democratic energy decentralism. These four futures are not equal in terms of power, equity, and ecological impact. I argue that the democratization of the social is necessary to facilitate a “just transition,” but the scale of the energy system will also play a pivotal role in reinforcing and reproducing democratic and just social relations.

Background: Migration from Latin America to the US has been increasing over the past few decades. Migrants may experience structural and environmental vulnerabilities that increase their risk for negative impacts of climate change upon resettlement. This pilot study examined these determinants of health for Latin American immigrants in Atlanta. Methods: Between May and December 2021, Latin American immigrants were recruited to complete a questionnaire, with a subset completing an in-depth interview. Questionnaire results were analyzed descriptively, and interview responses were analyzed using grounded theory analysis. Results: Fifty-four participants from 11 countries were enrolled and were majority female (87 %), ranging in age from 20 to 72. Length of time in the US varied with 48 % living here for over 15 years. Challenges with structural and environmental determinants of health included running out of medication (54 % of those on daily medication) or food (37 %), household pests (40 %), trouble paying utility bills (31 %), mold (17 %), and no air conditioning (10 %). Only 33 % stated they could easily satisfy their material needs. Fifty-four percent had an emergency plan, while 65 % knew how to find out about emergency alerts. Qualitative analysis identified language barriers, access to healthcare, and poor mental health as common challenges. Social support was a potential factor of resilience. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the influence of social and environmental determinants of health on climate resilience in Atlanta-area immigrants and may inform migrant-focused organizations in providing resources to this community and supporting climate adaptation to safeguard health in this at-risk population.

Abstract Energy consumption of the iron and steel industry is examined in seven countries (Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, Poland and the United States) for the period 1980–1991. Using a decomposition analysis based on physical indicators for process type and product mix, we decompose intra-sectoral structural changes and efficiency improvements. Specific energy consumption decreased in all countries except Poland. Efficiency improvement played a key role in Brazil, China, Germany and the US, while structural changes were the main driver for energy savings in France and Japan. We also compare the use of various economic indicators to physical indicators and find that they do not track physical developments well in Poland or the developing countries we studied. In the industrialized countries, value added based energy intensity indicators generally reflect the specific energy consumption better than other economic indicators, although large differences occur in individual years. We found a smaller correlation between other economic indicators (gross output and value of shipments) and specific energy consumption. We conclude that use of physical energy intensity indicators improves comparability between countries, provides greater information for policy-makers regarding intra-sectoral structural changes, and provides detailed explanations for observed changes in energy intensity.