Sustainable intensification – “oxymoron” or “third-way”? A systematic review

Sustainable Intensification (SI) is a term that has been advanced to capture a concept that some consider as the ‘third paradigm’ for global agricultural development. However, the term has become subject to intense debates as well as scepticism and confusion regarding its meaning and the characteristics of production systems that could indicate SI (defined as “indicators”). This has resulted in a proliferation of literature. We have conducted a systematic review of a sample of this literature analysing the most commonly suggested indicators of SI in order to investigate the extent to which the critiques of SI are valid in their viewpoints that SI is an oxymoron, underpinned by a productivist agenda, and to identify the critical issues in the development of a comprehensive and unambiguous set of SI indicators. From 633 articles identified by a search of relevant databases, a sample of 75 articles were selected and analysed using the NVIVO™ software. The results were organised according to a Socio-Ecological Systems (SES) framework comprising seven sub-systems or components − resource system, resource units, governance system, resource users, interactions, outcomes, and environment. A total of 218 indicators (both positive and negative) were identified. Most of these indicators focused on the ‘outcomes’ of agricultural systems with the majority being related to agricultural production. Few indicators were identified as relating to the economic and societal dimensions of food systems. Whilst this potentially suggested a productivist bias in the current interpretation of SI it was difficult to draw a black and white conclusion, since for the other system components, the majority of the indicators suggested appeared to take a more holistic point-of-view and emphasised both productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems. Our analysis suggests that a key reason why SI may be viewed with scepticism is a lack of specificity and elucidation of the rationale, scale, and farm type for which SI is proposed. Moreover, a number of the indicators were so loosely defined that the interventions they imply could be enacted without due consideration of the social impacts of their adoption. We conclude that there is need to develop SI indicators according to specific farming types and scales and also with more consideration of the social and political dimensions of food systems in order to promote a constructive dialogue around the concept of SI to take place. Unless the concept of SI is described and measured in such a holistic and inclusive manner, it is unlikely to be accepted as a valid descriptor of sought-after agricultural practices by players in the Third Sector

Public perceptions of opportunities for community-based renewable energy projects

It now widely acknowledged that the UK needs to increase renewable energy capacity and it has been claimed that community-based renewable energy projects, with high levels of public participation, are more likely to be accepted by the public than top-down development of large-scale schemes and may bring additional benefits such as increased engagement with sustainable energy issues. However, little research has investigated public expectations of how people would like to participate in such projects and why. The aim of this study was to explore one rural community’s response to a proposed sustainable energy project. A questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews provided quantitative and qualitative data. There was widespread support for local generation and use of renewable energy, with respondents expecting benefits from a project in terms of increased community spirit and conservation of natural resources. However, desire for active involvement was lower and residents viewed themselves participating as consultees, rather than project leaders. We suggest community renewable energy projects are likely to gain public acceptance but are unlikely to become widespread without greater institutional support

Degree of Association Between Personality Adjustment and Academic Achievement as Measured by the California Test of Personality and the California Achievement Test

Educatio

Local renewables for local places? Attitudes to renewable energy and the role of communities in place-based renewable energy development

This chapter discusses the concept of community-based renewable energy (RE) development in relation to themes of place and place-based community. We start from the assumption that there is a need for more RE, and look at how this might be achieved in the UK, focusing on rural places.1 Increasing RE capacity addresses the twin goals of mitigating climate change and increasing energy security (HM Government 2009). Since RE targets are unlikely to be met under current trends (UKERC 2009), new approaches to increasing capacity are required. Historically, energy policy has favoured large-scale RE development, especially wind power, by large private companies which currently dominate the energy market (Woodman and Baker 2008). However, public opposition to proposed developments has sparked interest in the potential for more localised RE development centred on geographic communities (Walker et al 2007; Rogers et al 2008). This chapter explores how perceptions of place affect the potential for community-based RE development. After briefly reviewing the literature on public attitudes to RE, showing how interpretations of place influence attitudes, a case study of a community-based RE project2 is presented to illustrate how and why this approach can work in practice. We then consider the implications for future development of place-based RE projects

Social impacts of community renewable energy projects: findings from a woodfuel case study

There is much current interest in the potential of community-based renewable energy projects to contribute to transition towards low carbon energy systems. As well as displacing fossil fuel consumption by increasing renewable energy generation, projects are expected to have a range of social impacts which may result in additional positive sustainability outcomes. These include potential to increase: acceptance of renewable energy developments; awareness of renewable and sustainable energy technologies and issues; uptake of low carbon technologies; and sustainable/pro-environmental behaviours. To date however, there has been little investigation of whether and how these impacts occur. This paper presents results from qualitative research investigating the social impacts of a community woodfuel project as experienced by project participants and other local stakeholders. Findings show projects can raise awareness of renewable energy technologies and increase uptake of renewables. Overall the case study project successfully changed the local social context for development of woodfuel heating, reducing risk for all involved in the future development of this sector, particularly in the immediate locality. There was some evidence of increased engagement with wider sustainability issues but this was limited to direct participants, suggesting local projects need to be supported by wider systemic change to maximise impacts

Rainforests, place and palm oil in Sabah, Borneo

The conservation of tropical ecosystems is complex and contested, not least in terms of cultural and political perspectives between developed and developing nations (Bawa and Seidler 1998; Colchester 2000; Brosius and Hitchner 2010). In Sabah, on the island of Borneo, East Malaysia, much of the forest has recently been converted to oil palm plantations. The plantations cover vast areas and leave relatively little space for native flora and fauna. While efforts are underway to enhance biodiversity within the plantations, there is no clear consensus as to how this might best be achieved and this has led in part to divisions opening up among stakeholders (Othman and Ameer 2010). A range of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working within Sabah endeavour to conserve threatened biodiversity; at the governmental level there are significant drivers for development and economic stability; while the plantation owners are trying to improve their yields and increase their global market. There is also considerable consumer pressure from Europe and North America linked to concerns about the survival of iconic rainforest species such as orangutans. These same economies, however, are consumers of plantation products. This chapter will consider these aspects within a context of globalisation and profound economic and social change within Malaysia. Aspects and theories of sense of place will be explored in this rapidly changing environment

Microfluidic electroporation of robust 10-μm vesicles for manipulation of picoliter volumes

We present a new way to transport and handle picoliter volumes of analytes in a microfluidic context through electrically monitored electroporation of 10-25 μm vesicles. In this method, giant vesicles are used to isolate analytes in a microfluidic environment. Once encapsulated inside a vesicle, contents will not diffuse and become diluted when exposed to pressure-driven flow. Two vesicle compositions have been developed that are robust enough to withstand electrical and mechanical manipulation in a microfluidic context. These vesicles can be guided and trapped, with controllable transfer of material into or out of their confined environment. Through electroporation, vesicles can serve as containers that can be opened when mixing and diffusion are desired, and closed during transport and analysis. Both vesicle compositions contain lecithin, an ethoxylated phospholipid, and a polyelectrolyte. Their performance is compared using a prototype microfluidic device and a simple circuit model. It was observed that the energy density threshold required to induce breakdown was statistically equivalent between compositions, 10.2 ± 5.0 mJ/m for the first composition and 10.5 ± 1.8 mJ/m for the second. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using giant, robust vesicles with microfluidic electroporation technology to manipulate picoliter volumes on-chip

Preparation and electrically monitored manipulation of giant lipid vesicles for improved mass transport on-chip

Robust, giant vesicles (10-20μm) have been developed which are able to withstand electrical and mechanical manipulation in a microfluidic device. These vesicles can be guided and trapped, with the controllable transfer of material into or out of their confined environment through electrically monitored electroporation

Telmisartan Therapy Does Not Improve Lymph Node or Adipose Tissue Fibrosis More Than Continued Antiretroviral Therapy Alone

BackgroundFibrosis in lymph nodes may limit CD4+ T-cell recovery, and lymph node and adipose tissue fibrosis may contribute to inflammation and comorbidities despite antiretroviral therapy (ART). We hypothesized that the angiotensin receptor blocker and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist telmisartan would decrease lymph node or adipose tissue fibrosis in treated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection.MethodsIn this 48-week, randomized, controlled trial, adults continued HIV-suppressive ART and received telmisartan or no drug. Collagen I, fibronectin, and phosphorylated SMAD3 (pSMAD3) deposition in lymph nodes, as well as collagen I, collagen VI, and fibronectin deposition in adipose tissue, were quantified by immunohistochemical analysis at weeks 0 and 48. Two-sided rank sum and signed rank tests compared changes over 48 weeks.ResultsForty-four participants enrolled; 35 had paired adipose tissue specimens, and 29 had paired lymph node specimens. The median change overall in the percentage of the area throughout which collagen I was deposited was -2.6 percentage points (P = 0.08) in lymph node specimens and -1.3 percentage points (P = .001) in adipose tissue specimens, with no between-arm differences. In lymph node specimens, pSMAD3 deposition changed by -0.5 percentage points overall (P = .04), with no between-arm differences. Telmisartan attenuated increases in fibronectin deposition (P = .06). In adipose tissue, changes in collagen VI deposition (-1.0 percentage point; P = .001) and fibronectin deposition (-2.4 percentage points; P < .001) were observed, with no between-arm differences.ConclusionsIn adults with treated HIV infection, lymph node and adipose tissue fibrosis decreased with continued ART alone, with no additional fibrosis reduction with telmisartan therapy

Association between Policy Changes for Oxygen Saturation Alarm Settings and Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality in Infants Born Very Preterm

ObjectiveTo determine the impact of policy changes for pulse oximetry oxygen saturation (SpO2) alarm limits on neonatal mortality and morbidity among infants born very preterm.Study designThis was a retrospective cohort study of infants born very preterm in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. Infants were classified based on treatment at a hospital with an SpO2 alarm policy change and study epoch (before vs after policy change). We used a generalized linear mixed model to determine the effect of hospital group and epoch on the primary outcomes of mortality and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and secondary outcomes of necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and any ROP.ResultsThere were 3809 infants in 10 hospitals with an SpO2 alarm policy change and 3685 infants in 9 hospitals without a policy change. The nature of most policy changes was to narrow the SpO2 alarm settings. Mortality was lower in hospitals without a policy change (aOR 0.63; 95% CI 0.50-0.80) but did not differ between epochs in policy change hospitals. The odds of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were greater for hospitals with a policy change (aOR 1.65; 95% CI 1.36-2.00) but did not differ for hospitals without a policy change. Severe ROP and necrotizing enterocolitis did not differ between epochs for either group. The adjusted odds of any ROP were lower in recent years in both hospital groups.ConclusionsChanging SpO2 alarm policies was not associated with reduced mortality or increased severe ROP among infants born very preterm