Community-led initiatives’ everyday politics for sustainability – Conflicting rationalities and aspirations for change?

This project has received funding from the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (Grant Agreement no. 603705) through TESS (Towards European Social Sustainability, http://www.tess-transition.eu/).Community-based initiatives are widely seen to play an essential role in a societal move towards a low carbon, sustainable future. As part of this, there is often an assumption that such initiatives share expectations (i.e. a guiding vision) of large-scale change and that their activities contribute to this change. Here, we ask to what extent this assumption reflects members’ own perspectives on and interpretations of the aims and ambitions of their community initiative, and what this implies for a larger vision of sustainability transitions. In doing so, we respond to calls for a better understanding of the ‘everyday politics’ of what could be seen as processes of societal transitions in practice. We conducted qualitative interviews with members of five community initiatives in Italy, Finland and the UK. In each of these initiatives, we found a range of aspirations (i.e. outcome-related aims) and rationalities (i.e. procedural guiding principles). While some of these aims and ways of working were compatible with each other, we identified three major tensions that could be found across our study initiatives. These tensions centred on (i) the degree of politicisation of the initiative, (ii) the extent to which financial aims should take priority and (iii) questions of organisational form. We interpret these tensions as conflicting expressions of larger, societal-level discourses, and argue that this diversity and resulting conflicts need to be acknowledged – both in transition research and at the practical level – to avoid co-optation and disenfranchisement.PostprintPeer reviewe

Making Forest Values Work: Enhancing Multi-Dimensional Perspectives towards Sustainable Forest Management

Background and Purpose: Sustainability, sustainable development and sustainable forest management are terms that are commonly, and interchangeably used in the forest industry, however their meaning take on different connotations, relative to varying subject matter. The aim of this paper is to look at these terms in a more comprehensive way, relative to the current ideology of sustainability in forestry.Materials and Methods: This paper applies a literature review of the concepts of: i) sustainable development; ii) sustainable forest management; and iii) economic and non-economic valuation. The concepts are viewed through a historical dimension of shifting paradigms, originating from production- to service-based forestry. Values are discussed through a review of general value theory and spatial, cultural and temporal differences in valuation. Along the evolution of these concepts, we discuss their applicability as frameworks to develop operational guidelines for forest management, relative to the multi-functionality of forests.results and conclusions: Potential discrepancies between the conceptual origins of sustainable development and sustainable forest management are highlighted, relative to how they have been interpreted and diffused as new perceptions on forest value for the human society. We infer the current paradigm may not reflect the various dimensions adequately as its implementation is likely to be more related to the distribution of power between stakeholders, rather than the value stakeholders’ place on the various forest attributes

Italian Style: Legislative Developments in Accommodation, Mobility, Food, Delivery, and Transport in Italy's Collaborative and Sharing Economy

This contribution pays special attention to the Italian legal framework concerning the collaborative and sharing economy, with a focus on those economic initiatives which are platform mediated. This choice is due to the importance of the concept of “platform” in the definitions of the CSE provided at both the Italian and the European levels. As highlighted in some studies, most actors of the CSE can be considered not only economic disruptors but also policy disruptors. Thus, the chapter tries to shed light on the difficulties Italian regulators had while dealing with the emergence of these actors, especially in sectors such as food, accommodation, delivery, and transport. Italian policymakers were not able to design new regulatory frameworks to cope with the challenges of CSE, privileging bans or almost total deregulation over the elaboration of innovative rules. Regarding the issue of digital labour, the Italian legislator adopted a partial solution, creating a framework that dualizes the labour market, maybe with the aim of satisfying both digital workers and platforms. Overall, it seems that the Italian ecosystem of the CSE is bound to evolve, especially after the appearance of the health crisis related to the COVID-19

Bioavailability in soils

The consumption of locally-produced vegetables by humans may be an important exposure pathway for soil contaminants in many urban settings and for agricultural land use. Hence, prediction of metal and metalloid uptake by vegetables from contaminated soils is an important part of the Human Health Risk Assessment procedure. The behaviour of metals (cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, lead and zinc) and metalloids (arsenic, boron and selenium) in contaminated soils depends to a large extent on the intrinsic charge, valence and speciation of the contaminant ion, and soil properties such as pH, redox status and contents of clay and/or organic matter. However, chemistry and behaviour of the contaminant in soil alone cannot predict soil-to-plant transfer. Root uptake, root selectivity, ion interactions, rhizosphere processes, leaf uptake from the atmosphere, and plant partitioning are important processes that ultimately govern the accumulation ofmetals and metalloids in edible vegetable tissues. Mechanistic models to accurately describe all these processes have not yet been developed, let alone validated under field conditions. Hence, to estimate risks by vegetable consumption, empirical models have been used to correlate concentrations of metals and metalloids in contaminated soils, soil physico-chemical characteristics, and concentrations of elements in vegetable tissues. These models should only be used within the bounds of their calibration, and often need to be re-calibrated or validated using local soil and environmental conditions on a regional or site-specific basis.Mike J. McLaughlin, Erik Smolders, Fien Degryse, and Rene Rietr

Association of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid viral antigen and the receptor for advanced glycation end products with development of severe disease in patients presenting to the emergency department with COVID-19

IntroductionThere remains a need to better identify patients at highest risk for developing severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as additional waves of the pandemic continue to impact hospital systems. We sought to characterize the association of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid viral antigen, and a panel of thromboinflammatory biomarkers with development of severe disease in patients presenting to the emergency department with symptomatic COVID-19.MethodsBlood samples were collected on arrival from 77 patients with symptomatic COVID-19, and plasma levels of thromboinflammatory biomarkers were measured.ResultsDifferences in biomarkers between those who did and did not develop severe disease or death 7 days after presentation were analyzed. After adjustment for multiple comparisons, RAGE, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid viral antigen, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-1 were significantly elevated in the group who developed severe disease (all p<0.05). In a multivariable regression model, RAGE and SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid viral antigen remained significant risk factors for development of severe disease (both p<0.05), and each had sensitivity and specificity >80% on cut-point analysis.DiscussionElevated RAGE and SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid viral antigen on emergency department presentation are strongly associated with development of severe disease at 7 days. These findings are of clinical relevance for patient prognostication and triage as hospital systems continue to be overwhelmed. Further studies are warranted to determine the feasibility and utility of point-of care measurements of these biomarkers in the emergency department setting to improve patient prognostication and triage

Linguistic Naturalism and Natural Style. From Varro and Cicero to Dionysius of Halicarnassus

NWO276-30-009Classics and Classical Civilizatio

In the market for carbon: conventions, coordination and narratives of voluntary carbon offsetting in Chiapas, Mexico

Esta tesis tiene el objetivo de investigar cómo las narrativas globales alrededor de los bonos de carbono en el sector forestal crean valor e influencian lo que los mercados de carbono otorgan, cómo y a quién. Se relaciona con el marco teórico de las convenciones y con el enfoque del análisis del discurso para analizar las diferentes convenciones movilizadas en las narrativas utilizadas por los actores involucrados en la cadena de valor del carbono. Se examina un estudio de caso del programa forestal de captura de carbono Scolel Té en Chiapas, México. Los valores ideológicos y materiales y los significados enfatizados por las historias sobre las compensaciones de carbono forestales influencian el apoyo hacia esos enfoques y, además, difunden valores proambientales entre los productores de bonos de carbono en el sector forestal. Esta tesis demuestra cómo los actores, a diferentes escalas, movilizan las convenciones con el fin tanto de apoyar la creación y valorización de las actividades de compensación de carbono como de influir en el manejo de los bosques tropicales por parte de las comunidades. Al mismo tiempo, las incoherencias entre enunciaciones narrativas más amplias, que se enfocan en otorgar beneficios locales, aun movilizando a los consumidores de los bonos de carbono, chocan con las motivaciones de los productores y con sus percepciones de los incentivos para cambiar su comportamiento ambiental. Los resultados empíricos aclaran más a fondo cómo los discursos alrededor de la compensación de carbono circulan bidireccionalmente entre las escalas, cómo las percepciones locales de los discursos alrededor del cambio climático y ambiental son adoptadas de manera diferente (o no) y se reflejan en las prácticas cotidianas de las actividades agrícolas y forestales, y cómo las convenciones crean valor en los mercados de bonos de carbono de manera tal que se adapte a las instituciones locales y sea movilizado por los productores para diferentes objetivos (por ejemplo, para obtener credibilidad y legitimidad). Estos hallazgos sugieren que, al tomar en cuenta tanto los incentivos materiales como las construcciones discursivas, se podría contribuir a una mejor comprensión de los llamados valores “sin carbono” que están arraigados en el manejo forestal enfocado a la captura de carbono y a explorar más a fondo las motivaciones socioeconómicas detrás del respaldo a los mercados de carbono, detrás de la producción y consumo de los bonos de carbono, así como las consecuencias no deseadas que afectan a los productores de compensaciones voluntarias de emisión de carbono.Questa tesi si propone di studiare come le narrazioni globali sulle compensazioni forestali del carbonio creino valore e influenzano ciò che i mercati di carbonio forniscono, in che maniera e a beneficio di chi. Si confronta con l’impianto teorico delle convenzioni e con l’approccio dell’analisi del discorso con il fine di esaminare le diverse convenzioni mobilitate nelle narrazioni impiegate dagli attori che partecipano alla catena di valore del carbonio. Viene esaminato il caso di studio del programma forestale di compensazione delle emissioni di carbonio  Scolel Té in Chiapas, Messico. I valori ideologici e materiali e i significati che vengono enfatizzati nei racconti sulla compensazione forestale del carbonio influenzano il sostegno che tale approccio riceve e, inoltre, diffondono valori pro-ambientali tra i produttori delle compensazioni forestali del carbonio. Questa tesi dimostra come gli attori, su scale differenti, mobilitino le convenzioni sia per sostenere la creazione e la valorizzazione delle attività di compensazione di carbonio sia per influenzare come le comunità gestiscono le foreste tropicali. Al tempo stesso, le incoerenze esistenti tra i più ampi enunciati narrativi, che si si concentrano sull’erogazione di vantaggi a livello locale, mobilitano i consumatori dei crediti di carbonio anche se si scontrano con le motivazioni dei produttori e con la loro percezione degli incentivi a cambiare il comportamento ambientale. I risultati empirici descrivono ulteriormente come il discorso della compensazione del carbonio circoli in maniera bidirezionale tra le scale, come le percezioni locali del discorso del cambiamento climatico e ambientale locali siano (o meno) adottate in modo diverso e si riflettano nella pratica quotidiana delle attività agricole e forestali, e come le convenzioni creino valore nei mercati dei crediti di carbonio in una forma tale che si adatti alle istituzioni locali e sia mobilitato dai produttori per diversi scopi (ad esempio per ottenere credibilità e legittimità). Questi risultati suggeriscono che prendendo in considerazione sia gli incentivi materiali sia le costruzioni discorsive si può contribuire ad una migliore comprensione dei cosiddetti valori “senza carbonio” incorporati nel settore forestale finalizzato alla compensazione del carbonio ed esplorare ulteriormente le motivazioni socio-economiche alla base del sostegno per i mercati del carbonio, alla base della produzione e consumo delle compensazioni di carbonio, nonché le conseguenze non intenzionali sofferte dai produttori di crediti di carbonio volontari.This dissertation aims at investigating how global narratives on forest carbon offsetting create value and influence what carbon markets deliver, how and for whom. It engages a conventions theoretical framework and a discourse analytical approach to analyze different conventions mobilized in the narratives used by actors in the carbon value chain. A case study of the Scolel Té forest carbon offsetting program in Chiapas, Mexico is examined. The ideological and material values and meanings that are emphasized in stories about forest carbon offsetting influence the support for these approaches and also transmit pro-environmental values to forest carbon offset producers. This dissertation demonstrates how actors at different scales mobilize conventions to both support the creation and valorization of carbon offsetting activities and to influence how communities manage tropical forests. At the same time, incoherencies between wider narrative claims that focus on delivering local benefits mobilize consumers of carbon offsets yet clash with producer motivations and perceptions of incentives to change environmental behavior. Empirical results further illustrate how discourses of carbon offsetting circulate bi-directionally between scales, and how local perceptions of discourses of climate and environmental change are taken up differently (or not) and reflected in the everyday practices of forest and agricultural activities, and how conventions create value in offset markets which is adapted to local institutions and mobilized by producers for different aims (e.g., to gain credibility and legitimacy). These findings suggest that considering both material incentives and discursive constructions could contribute to better understanding the so-called “non-carbon” values embedded in carbon forestry and further explore the socio-economic motivations to support carbon markets, to produce and consume carbon offsets, as well as the unintended consequences for producers of voluntary carbon offset

Participation dynamics and institutional change in the Scolel Té carbon forestry project, Chiapas, Mexico

Carbon forestry has become a cornerstone of attempted climate change mitigation in developing coun-tries. As such, dozens of projects have been developed to supply carbon offsets to both voluntary and reg-ulated carbon markets. In this paper we shed further light on the effects of such projects on communitiesand households by studying the implementation of a carbon forestry project in four communities in thestate of Chiapas, Mexico. The project pays farmers to carry out a number of tree-planting activitiesdepending on the local agro-ecological systems. We investigate how such activities have been promotedin and adopted by communities and we identify a series of community-based, institutional, resourcemanagement and asset-related factors that explain farmers’ willingness to participate in the projects.Our analysis highlights a number of shared motivations for joining the project but varied levels of under-standing about the project rationale. We also show how community norms, access to land tenure, finan-cial and physical assets differ among participants and non-participants which translates in increasinginequalities in access to income and to other development projects. However, we also demonstrate thatproject activities, as currently designed, motivate some farmers to participate because of the potential ofthe project to act as a mechanism to bridge existing social divides through cooperation in the project andtherefore financially and politically benefit from participation. Overall, the paper demonstrates that theproject contributes to transforming local livelihoods and institutions, unfortunately not always as origi-nally designed