Percorrer por autor "Leal Filho, Walter"
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- Assessing the connections between COVID-19 and waste management in BrazilPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Salvia, Amanda Lange; Paço, Arminda; Ferreira, Célia; Neiva, Samara; Rampasso, Izabela Simon; Anholon, Rosley; Vasconcelos, Claudio Ruy Portela de; Eustachio, João Henrique Paulino Pires; Jabbour, Charbel Jose ChiappettaIn addition to the health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, several countries— particularly in developing regions—faced serious additional challenges in the economic, social and environmental areas. In Brazil, one of these challenges refers to the changes in consumption caused by the lockdowns, and the environmental impacts caused by new patterns of waste generation. Against this background, this paper investigates the changes in consumption and waste generation in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a technical contribution to the topic by comparing the perception of survey respondents on the amount of household waste produced before and during the pandemic, and cross-checking these with information on current aspects of policymaking, the findings suggest that the amount of some specific types of household waste has noticeably increased, challenging even more the local waste management systems. The data instrument was validated by a pre-test, prior to deployment. According to the respondents, packaging (both plastic and paper/cardboard) was the type of waste that reported the highest increase in generation during the lockdowns, which is in line with the results of increased consumption of food delivery within this period. The results also suggest that current waste management policies make Brazil ill-equipped to deal with one of the non-intended effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely impacted Latin America’s largest country.
- Awareness and skills at a distance: the contribution of distance learning higher education institutions to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development GoalsPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Mapar, Mahsa; Trevisan, Laís Vieira; Caeiro, Sandra; Pretorius, Rudi W.; Nicolau, Melanie D.; Nicolau, Paula Bacelar; Lambrechts, WimDistance Learning Higher Education Institutions (DL-HEIs) can advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by expanding access to education, fostering research and innovation, and promoting collaboration on a global scale. This study aims to identify the strategies conducted by DL-HEIs to increase learners’ awareness, knowledge, and skills related to the SDGs and explore how DL-HEIs around the world incorporate the SDGs into their activities. More specifically, it uses a mix of case studies and a global survey that covers six continents and 52 countries to identify important strategies, drivers, and barriers in this field. The case study findings reveal that technology in distance education fosters innovative teaching, boosting engagement and comprehension of complex sustainability topics. The survey results show that DL-HEIs mainly incorporate sustainability through their curriculum and research, with teaching staff and researchers as the main contributors. They often use a mix of live and recorded learning to teach skills like critical thinking, focusing on SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), and 13 (Climate Action). While commitment from institutions and sustainability policies are significant drivers, limited financial resources and awareness create obstacles. The study concludes that technology-based distance education offers a strong and inventive platform for promoting global sustainability education.
- Biodiversity and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD): tendencies and perspectivesPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Castro, Paula; Nicolau, Paula Bacelar; Azul, Anabela Marisa; Azeiteiro, UlissesThis introductory paper outlines some of the areas where research and action is needed, so as to allow a more systematic development of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the Biodiversity Conservation context. Apart from presenting the concepts of ecosystem services and biodiversity, this chapter indicates the main initiatives needed to be developed to incorporate ESD in the curricula as a multiple-perspective approach. Additionally, it is discussed how biodiversity conservation through education action fit within the actual premises and programmes of sustainability as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 2010 Biodiversity Target or under the scope of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020. Tendencies and perspectives on Education for Biodiversity Conservation in the coming decades is also a subject of debate in the present chapter.
- Climate change and health: an analysis of causal relations on the spread of vector-borne diseases in BrazilPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Bönecke, Juliane; Spielmann, Hannah; Azeiteiro, Ulisses; Alves, Fátima; Carvalho, Mauren Lopes de; Nagy, Gustavo J.The increases in greenhouse gas concentrations caused by anthropogenic activities such as industrial emissions, transport and burning of forests and other resources, recorded over the past decades, are known to have an impact on the global environment. In particular, this paper reviews the evidence that climate change has an impact on human health as a whole and on the spread of vector-borne diseases in particular. It offers an analysis of previous research on the connections between climate change and health, with a case study from Brazil, and lists some areas which may guide future policy-making.
- Climate change and health: an overview of the issues and needsPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Azeiteiro, Ulisses; Alves, FátimaThis introductory chapter outlines some of the key issues related to climate change and health, as well as some areas where action is needed, so as to allow a more systematic approach towards the problem. It outlines the challenges of Climate change to societies and its impacts on human health; considers the influence on various groups of stakeholders and suggests some measures, which may lead to a better understanding of the connections between human health and ever changing climate conditions.
- Climate change and health: improving resilience and reducing risksPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Azeiteiro, Ulisses; Alves, FátimaA major objective of this volume is to create and share knowledge about the socio-economic, political and cultural dimensions of climate change. The authors analyze the effects of climate change on the social and environmental determinants of the health and well-being of communities (i.e. poverty, clean air, safe drinking water, food supplies) and on extreme events such as floods and hurricanes. The book covers topics such as the social and political dimensions of the ebola response, inequalities in urban migrant communities, as well as water-related health effects of climate change. The contributors recommend political and social-cultural strategies for mitigate, adapt and prevent the impacts of climate change to human and environmental health. The book will be of interest to scholars and practitioners interested in new methods and tools to reduce risks and to increase health resilience to climate change.
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation in practicePublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Kovaleva, Marina; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Luetz, Johannes M.; Alves, Fátima; Nagy, Gustavo J.; Yaffa, Sidat; Ayal, Desalegn Yayeh; Kalungu, JokastahClimate change represents one of the most pressing global challenges, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, economies, and societies. Driven primarily by human activities, notably fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, climate change has led to rising global temperatures, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and significant disruptions to natural systems. These impacts pose serious risks to biodiversity, food security, water availability, public health, and economic stability. Addressing this multifaceted challenge requires an integrated approach that combines both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Practice brings together interdisciplinary research, case studies, and applied solutions that explore these complementary pathways. The volume examines strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing carbon sequestration, and implementing adaptive measures across key sectors, including agriculture, energy, urban planning, and water management. Emphasising real-world applications and collaborative approaches, the book highlights successful examples of climate action and underscores the role of scientific, policy, and social innovation in building resilience. By integrating technical solutions with governance and policy frameworks, this volume provides students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers with critical insights and practical tools to support transformative climate action towards a more sustainable and socially just future.
- Climate change policies and agendas: facing implementation challenges and guiding responsesPublication . Alves, Fátima; Leal Filho, Walter; Casaleiro, Paula; Nagy, Gustavo J.; Diaz, Harry; Al-Amin, Abul Quasem; Farooq, Harith; Guerra, José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade; Margot, Hurlbert; Klavins, Maris; Saroar, Mustafa; Lorencova, Eliska Krkoska; Suresh, Jain; Soares, Amadeu; Morgado, Fernando; O’Hare, Paul; Wolf, Franziska; Azeiteiro, UlissesClimate policies are essential to mitigate climate change and to develop successful adaptation processes. However, there is a paucity of international studies that analyse the status of climate change policies. This paper reports on research undertaken in a sample of 13 highly diverse countries, in regards to their geography, socioeconomic development, vulnerability elements, adaptation, and climate-risks. The results draw attention to the global spread and standardisation of climate change policies, namely through the adoption of comprehensive National Adaptation Plans/Strategies (NAPs/NASs) that include mitigation measures and evaluation mechanisms. Although NAPs tend to take into account different non-governmental stakeholders, they are still mainly state-centred (i.e. their steering and implementation are the responsibility of each country´s Ministry of the Environment) in most of the 13 countries in which this study was carried out. The results show that NAPs’ objectives mainly reflect more a global agenda and pay less attention to national/regional vulnerabilities and contexts. In fact, despite different socioeconomic levels of development, diverse climate-risks, and dissimilar vulnerability and readiness status among countries, the examined NAPs tend to focus on the same critical sectors and objectives. Notwithstanding their similarities, our results highlight two different logics of adaptation reflected on the NAPs: one focused on economic risks and opportunities, characteristic of developed countries; and others focused on natural resources and conservation, characteristic of developing countries.
- Climate change strategies: handling the challenges of adapting to a changing climatePublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Kovaleva, Marina; Alves, Fátima; Abubakar, Ismaila RimiThe aim of this book series is to provide an authoritative source of information on climate change management, with an emphasis on projects, case studies and practical initiatives – all of which may help to address a problem with a global scope, but the impacts of which are mostly local. As the world actively seeks ways to cope with the effects of climate change and global warming, such as floods, droughts, rising sea levels and landscape changes, there is a vital need for reliable information and data to support the efforts pursued by local governments, NGOs and other organizations to address the problems associated with climate change. This series welcomes monographs and contributed volumes written for an academic and professional audience, as well as peer-reviewed conference proceedings. Relevant topics include but are not limited to water conservation, disaster prevention and management, and agriculture, as well as regional studies and documentation of trends. Thanks to its interdisciplinary focus, the series aims to concretely contribute to a better understanding of the state-of-the-art of climate change adaptation, and of the tools with which it can be implemented on the ground.
- COVID-19 and waste production in households: a trend analysisPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Voronova, Viktoria; Kloga, Marija; Paço, Arminda; Minhas, Aprajita; Salvia, Amanda Lange; Ferreira, Célia; Sivapalan, SubarnaApart from the health aspects and the high death toll, the COVID-19 pandemic has, since its official recognition in March 2020 caused may social and economic problems. It has also led to many environmental ones. For instance, the lockdowns have led to higher levels of consumption of packaged products, and of take-away food. This paper reports on an international study on the increased consumption and subsequent changes in the amounts of waste produced since the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that 45–48% of the respondents observed an increased consumption of packed food, fresh food, and food delivery. One of the main reasons for the increased waste generation during the lockdown was the fact that people have spent more time at home. In addition, increases of 43% and 53% in food waste and plastic packaging. Drawing from comparisons on the amount of domestic waste produced before and during the pandemic, the findings suggest that some specific types of municipal waste have visibly increased, putting additional pressure on waste management systems. This characterises one of non-intended effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results from this study provide useful insights to city administrations and municipal utilities on consumption patterns during emergency situations. This, in turn, may support more systemic and strategic measures to be taken, so as to curtail the increase of household waste during pandemic situations.