• Energy Research
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Nowadays, the issues related with environment preservation assume an increasing importance. Progressively, more sustainable solutions/techniques are being developed to combat environmental destruction. The decision to include themes related to the environment in the curriculum of technological courses in higher education aims to promote more sustainable behaviors and in an indirect way, increase the environmental literacy of the population. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the environmental literacy focusing on four topics, i.e., air pollution, water pollution, global warming, and energy resources. For this purpose, a questionnaire was developed and applied to a convenience sample, formed by individuals of both genders, aged between 20 and 81 years old. The questionnaire intended to collect data to characterize the sample and assess the literacy regarding environmental issues. In order to carry out the environmental literacy assessment, the respondents were asked to express their degree of agreement with some statements related with the environmental themes mentioned above. The data collected was analyzed using data mining tools. The results suggest that the population’s literacy is satisfactory in relation to some issues, but insufficient in relation to others, equally important, but less disseminated.

A palmeira é uma cultivar usada na produção de óleos alimentares vegetais, cosméticos e encontra-se em crescente aplicação na produção de biodiesel. Há aumento da consciência que as cultivares são vulneráveis à possível prática criminosa pela introdução intencional de microrganismos patogênicos nas lavouras. De um modo geral, as palmeiras são propensas à degradação quando atacada pelo fungo Ganoderma, conhecido como fungo da podridão branca, por degradar a lignina. É de grande importância considerar este tipo de podridão da palmeira quando atacada pelos microrganismos em questão, de modo a ser estabelecido um controle efetivo.No entanto, na literatura são encontrados trabalhos que ressaltam a importância: (a) de estar-se atento ao modo de proliferação desta praga e (b) de conhecer-se a biologia molecular do Ganoderma. A alta humidade presente no solo litorâneo favorece o surgimento do fungo Ganoderma. A alta salinidade e o baixo pH do solo surge como um ambiente desfavorável para a proliferação deste tipo de microrganismo. Atualmente, o melhor método de controle do Ganoderma é a extinção dos campos de palmeiras por ele contaminados. A melhor estratégia para o futuro estaria no desenvolvimento de palmeiras tolerantes ao ataque das referidas pragas, sendo uma possibilidade a alteração da lignina produzida nas palmeiras. Desta forma, conclui-se que o Ganoderma da palmeira está se tornando em um problema cada vez maior e o seu controle levaria à resolução de questões como a podridão branca. Oil palm (OP) is a major crop for the production of vegetable oil used in foods, cosmetics and increasingly biodiesel. There is an increasing awareness that crops are vulnerable to nefarious introduction of pathogenic microorganisms. Oil palms are prone to a rot by the fungus Ganoderma. White rot fungi are capable of degrading lignin. It is necessary to consider this mode of attack for effective control. Nevertheless, the existing literature is concerned with the (a) mode of spread and (b) molecular biology of Ganoderma. The high moisture content of coastal soil favour Ganoderma. High salinity and low soil pH appear to discourage the disease. The optimum current method of control is to rid fields of decayed OP. The optimal future approach may be to develop tolerant OP and altering lignin in OP may be possible. In conclusion, Ganoderma of OP is becoming increasingly virulent and control would benefit from consideration of the process as one of white rot.

Sustainability assessment and rating systems are intended to foster more sustainable design, construction, operation, maintenance and disassembly/deconstruction promoting and making possible a better integration of environment, societal, and cost concerns with other traditional decision criteria. The use of improved and building technologies can contribute considerably to better environmental cycle and then to the sustainability of the constructions. It is widely recognised in the of Building Sustainability Assessment that Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a much preferable method for evaluating the environmental pressure caused by materials, Building assemblies and the whole life-cycle of a building. Nevertheless, LCA tools are not extensively used in building design and most of building sustainability assessment and systems are not comprehensive or consistently LCA-based. Reasons for this failure above all related to the huge variety and amount of material flows and processes of building’s Lifecycle and to the complexity of the stages of a LCA. This paper will present the difficulties and possible solutions to integrate more accurate environmental methods in rating systems. In this context, the paper will also present the work that is being carried out in the development of the Portuguese Building Sustainability Assessment system (SBTool PT)

Abstract Anthropogenic habitats may function as a refuge for some species, including freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida). In this study we assessed possible differences in density, size and condition index of the Moroccan freshwater pearl mussel Pseudunio marocanus (Pallary, 1918), formerly Margaritifera marocana, colonizing anthropogenic (sāqya = irrigation canal) and natural (Bouhlou River) habitats in Morocco. Results showed that the individuals colonizing the irrigation canal located on the left bank have a significantly higher density and condition index when compared to natural conditions, but no differences were found regarding size. Since this species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, being also considered among the 100 most endangered organisms in the planet, the presence of P. marocanus in anthropogenic habitats has high conservation importance. In fact, and despite no Moroccan freshwater pearl mussels were found on the irrigation canal located in the right bank, the one located on the left bank present stable conditions for the settlement of juveniles and, if managed carefully, for the future survival of the species. However, local authorities reported frequent dredging and cleaning activities by local farmers on this sāqya without any special attention devoted to Moroccan freshwater pearl mussels (or any other species) conservation. Therefore, the results reported here can be used by scientists, managers, politicians and local people to promote future management actions that enhance the Moroccan freshwater pearl mussel protection and guarantee their future survival, including on anthropogenic habitats.

In referring to the fashion system or business, we can address to a wide variety of approaches. On an economical and business analysis, fashion can be defined as a cycle that allows to some mature industries, such as clothing, footwear or even cars, to be dynamic and maintain certain profitability over the time. While our attention tends to focus solely on the finished products, we must understand that these are the result of a long chain of stages, activities and technologies whose interaction is largely responsible for the product’s success on the market. Sustainability arises as a main vector of differentiation for fashion brands in today’s world context. In a fast moving industry such as fashion, sustainability is a concept for designers to explore, breaking the grounds for the environmental impact of the production supply, considerations of end uses or the lifecycle of the product. One of the challenges that we can present to fashion brands nowadays is to deliver a blend of both sustainability and elegance in fashion. In an era dominated by economic and financial crises, how can fashion brands coop with this new reality and enhance their differentiation vectors in order to succeed? This paper intends to explore the sustainable business model and strategy for fashion brands towards a more responsible branding, facing the challenges that the new world places upon them. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

Bio-based materials help reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources, contributing to the development of sustainable construction. Industrial Hemp Concrete (IHC), which uses hemp stalk (HS) as an aggregate and a lime-based binder, is a bio-based material with various applications. This research developed a new hybrid composite in order to improve the mechanical strength and durability of hemp concrete, with the incorporation of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as an aggregate, a resource of a renewable origin that is abundant in several countries. Different formulations were used, which were molded and pressed manually, evaluating their cohesion and compactness. The performance of the developed hybrid composite was measured considering mechanical, thermal, and durability properties. The compression test results showed an increase of 19–24% for composites with 75% hemp and 25% SCB. Thermal conductivity and thermal resistance coefficients were also improved, reaching 0.098 (W/m °C) and 0.489 (m2 °C/W), respectively. This aggregate combination also showed the lowest water absorption coefficient (reducing by 35%) and the best performance in durability tests compared to IHC. The resistance to freeze–thaw is highlighted, increasing 400%. The main reason is the influence of the SCB addition because the short and thin fiber form helps to maintain the physical integrity of the composite by filling the spaces between the hemp aggregates.

AbstractThe decarbonization of the economy, for which the contribution of power systems is significant, is a growing trend in Europe and in the world. In order to achieve the Paris Agreement's ambitious environmental goals, a substantial increase in the contribution of renewable sources to the energy generation mix is required. This trend brings about relevant challenges as the integration of this type of sources increases, namely in terms of the distribution system operation. In this paper, the challenges foreseen for future power systems are identified and the most effective approaches to deal with them are reviewed. The strategies include the development of Smart Grid technologies (meters, sensors, and actuators) coupled with computational intelligence that act as new sources of data, as well as the connection of distributed energy resources to distribution grids, encompassing the deployment of distributed generation and storage systems and the dissemination of electric vehicles. The impact of these changes in the distribution system as a whole is evaluated from a technical and environmental perspective. In addition, a review of management and control architectures designed for distribution systems is conducted.This article is categorized under: Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure Energy Infrastructure > Economics and Policy

Abstract This research has the goal of determining, comparing and substantiating the actual outcome of using sustainable practices, from a financial and environmental comfort point of view. The selected context was of interest due to the challenge of quality sustainable construction at controlled costs, meant for inhabitants of the Portuguese cooperative housing, due to its economical implications and especially its social ones. Two case studies of cooperative housing developments built in Portugal are presented, the first with characteristics of traditional construction and the second including sustainable building features. With these examples, it is intended to demonstrate that it is possible to build below cost limits imposed by law in order to substantially reduce energy consumption costs for heating and cooling as well as for domestic water heating. So, calculations of energy savings in indoor heating and cooling, as well as for domestic water heating are presented in this article for two specific situations: first, for a standard comfort use of housing, as opposed to a situation of real consumption of housing developments as obtained by monitoring carried out for one year in the same dwellings studied for standard comfort. The causes that lead to a substantial decrease in energy consumption in the building of sustainable construction are also described, as a starting point to the improvement of future cooperative housing. Finally are presented, for each of the two situations, calculations of the payback period of investment, according to the specific incremental cost in sustainable construction and the benefits in reducing consumptions. The results show an effective contribution to the improvement of the environment and environmental comfort, due to sustainable construction.