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The Arctic climate system is in great distress, warming faster than the rest of the world and transforming more rapidly than previously anticipated. Sustained and harmonized multidisciplinary observations at key locations are needed to fill knowledge gaps and evaluate the ongoing climate change impacts on the complex Arctic marine system. For more than a decade, the Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) has functioned as a “detection array” for ecosystem changes and trends in the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean. This long-term collaborative initiative builds on active involvement of scientists conducting in situ observations within marine disciplines to systematically document how the arctic marine ecosystem is transforming with environmental change. The DBO concept is currently being expanded into other sectors of the Arctic, including Davis Strait and Baffin Bay, the Atlantic Arctic gateway area, and the East Siberian Sea. Through increased collaboration and joint practices, findings from these regional areas can leverage to pan-Arctic perspectives and improve our understanding of the entire Arctic Ocean. Common practices are now being developed, including key phenomena and relevant indicators to study. Also, we strive towards harmonized routines for sampling, analysis and data sharing to increase the comparability across both disciplines and regions, and to improve the usability of our in-situ observations also for the modelling and remote sensing scopes. An ambition is, moreover, to expand from today's predominantly open-sea coverage towards coastal regions, to the benefit of both local communities and researchers. The process of establishing a pan-Arctic DBO network is to a large part facilitated by the EU Horizon project Arctic PASSION (2022-2025). Here, we present the latest developments and shared priorities, as well as our vision of how to incorporate our efforts into other parallel processes aiming to strengthen the pan-Arctic observing system towards, during and beyond the upcoming IPY.

This study develops a multidimensional framework to assess cumulative exposure to climaterelated risks across Europe, integrating health, energy, transport, and socioeconomic conditions. By mapping risk distribution across regions and measuring dependence, we capture the interconnectedness of exposures and identify key socioeconomic drivers. Our findings reveal a substantial variation in risk distribution, with no clear geographical patterns. Unsurprisingly, household income emerges as the strongest determinant of exposure. We extend this analysis by projecting cumulative exposure to 2050, applying climate scenarios. The results suggest gradual rather than sharp change in exposure over time, with some areas exhibiting sharp rises; however, average risks are expected to rise across the entire continent.

This dissertation examines the impacts of the 1973 Arab petrostate oil embargo on U.S. energy politics. I argue that the embargo was the moment that transformed oil from a domestic and highly regulated commodity into a matter of national security and competitive geopolitics. While its likelihood was foreseen by the Nixon Administration, the embargo did exacerbate an existing energy crisis that was caused by pre-embargo federal energy policies. Following the embargo, a dominant narrative emerged that viewed dependence on foreign oil supplies as an existential threat that merited extraordinary government measures. The securitization of the energy crisis allowed the Nixon Administration to implement many of its pre-embargo energy policies, including the launch of a national energy program to bring the U.S. to energy self-sufficiency by 1980. The embargo was the trigger for the creation of new governmental entities, such as the Department of Energy and U.S. Central Command, that endure to this day. It also shaped the U.S.'s close relationship with Saudi Arabia as an essential oil supplier and a key ally in the Arab world. The dissertation contests the revisionist accounts that argue that the embargo was a non-event, arguing that its impacts on U.S. domestic and foreign policies are still tangible and relevant. Doctor of Philosophy For most countries, ensuring energy security and uninterrupted oil supplies is a matter of national security and economic survival. However, for the U.S., long a major oil exporter, access to energy resources only rose to the status of a national security issue in the early 1970s. This dissertation examines the impacts of the 1973 Arab petrostate oil embargo on U.S. energy politics. I argue that the embargo was the moment that transformed oil from a domestic and highly regulated commodity into a matter of national security and competitive geopolitics. Pre-embargo rising domestic demand for oil, insufficient domestic supplies, and misdirected federal regulations had already weakened the resilience of the U.S. oil market and caused shortages. Following the embargo, the Nixon Administration launched a national program to achieve energy self-sufficiency by 1980. I argue that the value of committing the U.S. to energy autarky was essential for conveying to foes and allies that the Nixon Administration was willing to invest in a very costly national program so that it can maintain the autonomy of both its foreign policy and of the economy. I also argue that racial and cultural prejudices influenced the Nixon Administration's reaction to the embargo, in that throughout the ramp-up and during the post-embargo period, both the media and the Nixon Administration expressed disbelief at the effrontery of underdeveloped countries that were until recently Western possessions to challenge a global superpower. Following the embargo, a dominant narrative emerged that viewed dependence on foreign oil supplies as an existential threat that merited extraordinary government measures. The securitization of the energy crisis allowed the Nixon Administration to implement many of its pre-embargo energy policies. The embargo was the trigger for the creation of new governmental entities, such as the Department of Energy and U.S. Central Command, that endure to this day. It also shaped the U.S.'s close relationship with Saudi Arabia as an essential oil supplier and a key ally in the Arab world.

Although the feasibility of introducing climate policies underpins global efforts to curb climate change, there has been limited analysis estimating the likelihood of introducing specific policies in different country contexts. Drawing on a dataset of climate policies introduced globally over the past 50 years, this paper explores patterns in climate policy adoption to quantify policy feasibility across countries. In constructing a ‘Climate Policy Space’ network based on the co-occurrence of policies across countries, the paper shows that climate policy adoption is path-dependent: countries are significantly more likely to introduce policies that are related to their prior climate policymaking experience. Exploiting this finding, the paper constructs empirically validated ‘Climate Policy Feasibility Frontiers’ which identify policies that are likely to be more feasible and could also increase the probability of the adoption of other policies. Complementing traditional cost-benefit analysis, feasibility frontiers can inform more realistic and strategic climate policy prioritization across countries.

Over the past decade, research data management services have evolved significantly, driven by increased recognition of the value of data sharing and open scholarship. What began as basic data management planning has transformed into comprehensive services that encompass not only data planning and storage, but also sharing, long-term preservation, and the widespread adoption of persistent identifiers like ORCIDs and DOIs. These advancements have not only facilitated the creation of FAIR data (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) but have also played a crucial role in enhancing research reproducibility and collaboration across disciplines. Over a decade ago, Cornell’s Research Data Management Service Group surveyed NSF-funded researchers to investigate researchers’ preparedness to meet the new data management planning requirements. They found that there was a great deal of uncertainty, with at least 20% of survey respondents selecting “I'm not sure” for every question it was offered as a response (Steinhart et al., “Prepared to Plan?”). Contrast that with our later survey of researchers who had deposited data and received curation support in 2021: “97% agreed that data curation adds value to the data sharing process, 96% agreed it was worth the effort, and 90% felt more confident sharing their data due to the curation process” (Marsolek et al., “Understanding the Value of Curation.”). In the current research landscape, with increased awareness and adoption of data sharing and open scholarship practices, monitoring and responding to data management needs is more important than ever. Providing data management services not only helps researchers comply with funding agency and publisher requirements but also enhances the reproducibility and impact of their research. Cornell University offers a suite of data management services designed to support researchers throughout the data lifecycle, from data creation and storage to sharing and preservation. This poster will outline the available data management services at Cornell and provide examples of how we’ve grown since 2011, and how we hope to grow over the next decade. By leveraging Cornell’s data management services, researchers can ensure that their data is secure, well-organized, discoverable, and accessible, enhancing the quality and impact of their research.

This report highlights strategic areas of opportunity for the EU and its member states to use existing funds more efficiently while implementing public policies and incentives that can drive substantial progress toward meeting the EU’s transport decarbonization goals. It focuses on three specific transport challenges that are critical for the EU: i) accelerating the transition to zero-emission road transport technologies; ii) sustainable urban and metropolitan mobility; and iii) increasing the role of rail in helping decarbonize transport. While looking into these areas, the report offers a range of policy options to reduce GHG emissions, enhance efficiency, and use market instruments to promote sustainable transport solutions. Although the report targets the EU and its 27 member states, the recommended policy actions also apply to EU accession countries due to their close economic and geographical ties to the EU and their aspiration to become future member states.

This report provides a foundational guide to regional energy integration, with a particular focus on developing and emerging economies. Many regions are about to integrate power grids and markets across national boundaries, which can offer economic benefits, enhanced power supply quality and security, and opportunities for scaling up climate change mitigation measures. The report begins with an overview of the different levels of power system integration, followed by an analysis of the primary drivers behind regional energy integration. It identifies five key building blocks essential for achieving deeper integration: interconnection infrastructure, planning and investment coordination, technical and operational coordination, commercial arrangements and market design, and institutional architecture. The report also highlights the key challenges hindering the development of these building blocks, particularly issues related to political cooperation and financing. It concludes by advocating for a collaborative, step-by-step approach, along with institutional capacity building and innovative financing mechanisms, to advance regional energy integration efforts.

This thesis is concerned with the mathematical modeling of bioplastic compoundswith fillers of agri-food origin (brewery waste) in the context of the mechanics ofsolids. The modeling will be carried out on the basis of original experimental laboratorydata produced by using materials and equipments belonging to the Polymer,Biopolymers and Composites laboratory and to the Mechanical Treatment Prototype laboratoryof the Department of Engineering of the University of Messina in collaborationswith the Advanced Social District of Messina, with "Crossing" (spin-off of theDepartment of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems of the Ca’ Foscari Universityof Venice and other partners of the LIFE RESTART project. The thesis is part of acollaborative perspective between experimental disciplines (Chemistry and MaterialsEngineering) and theoretical disciplines (Mathematical Physics), and it is consistentwith the increasingly widespread need to implement development policiesaccording to the paradigm of the circular economy, with attention to environmentalprotection and sustainable use of resources.The plan of the thesis is the following.In Chapter 1, some general qualitative and quantitative considerations about thepollution problems, determined by the dispersion of a huge amount of fossil–basedplastics in the environment, are given; consequently, it is stressed the importancethat bio-based plastics may have. The higher cost of the bioplastics, compared withthe one of fossil-based plastics, can be significantly reduced by the production ofcompounds where the biopolymer is mixed with some agricultural waste. This processis within the framework of the new paradigma of circular economy which triesto minimize waste and optimize the use of resources.Chapter 2 briefly reviews the very basic elements of continuous solid mechanics,whereas in Chapter 3, the laboratory production process of the mixture of bioplastics(Polybutylene Succinate, PBS) and brewer spent grains (BSG), together with theexperimental setup for carrying out the mechanical tests, are described. The experimentaldata in Chapter 3 are then fitted in order to characterize the relations betweensome relevant mechanical parameters of the bio-compound and the filler concentration.Chapter 4 is devoted to the description of the experimental data for a newbio-compound where an additive has been mixed to PBS and BSG to increase thephysical and chemical affinity of the two components. The experimental data, representedby stress–strain curves, show that the Young’s modulus and the ultimatetensile strength of dog-bone samples are linearly related to the filler concentration.Finally, in Chapter 5, the mathematical modelization of the bio-compounds studiedin Chapter 4 is numerically developed along with the Finite Element Method using COMSOL Multiphysics software; the two theoretical models that have been investigatedare the Maxwell model and the Burgers model.