Carbon Net-Zero by 2050: Benefits, Challenges and Way Forward

In accordance with the Paris Agreement, to which Sri Lanka is a Party to, global temperature rise must be kept well below 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels and efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5oC above pre-industrial level must be pursued. In response to this, countries who signed the UNFCCC, including Sri Lanka, submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2016 which will come into force during 2021-2030. However, according to Emissions Gap Report 2021 (UNEP  2021), climate pledges combined with other mitigation measures put the world on track for a global temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century which is above the goals of the Paris climate agreement which intended to keep the global temperature rise well below 2°C.  Therefore, in order to address this alarming situation, many countries including Sri Lanka have given pledges to become carbon neutral by 2050. This means that the emissions from economic sectors will be reduced as per the NDC scenario and even beyond while increasing the carbon sequestration. In this equation, plants play a unique role as they are the only organisms which can absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide in the photosynthesis function. According to the Third National Communication of Sri Lanka, forests/trees will contribute to 11.5% of the Green House Gas (GHG) emission reduction which is projected by all sectors in the country by 2030. It is required to increase this contribution to a much higher level in order to achieve carbon neutral status. In this context while drastically reducing the deforestation almost to zero, it is required to increase the tree cover in the country including natural forests and trees outside forests which includes home gardens, urban forests and avenue plants, coconut plantations, shade trees in tea lands etc

Development of Forestry Education in Sri Lanka: With Special Reference to University of Sri Jayewardenepura

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Dynamics of the Response of Coastal Ecosystems to Tsunami Catastrophe

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Socio-cultural, Ecological and Managerial Perspectives of a Selected Cascade Tank System in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka

The main objective of the study was to assess the current knowledge and perceptions of the communities on the ecosystem services provided by the water tanks with special reference to a tank cascade system in Anuradhapura District. The findings were used to get an understanding of the present status of management, gaps and provide recommendations using an integrated approach with the relevant stakeholders. An ancient tank cascade system situated in the Kahatagasdigiliya Divisional Secretariat Division in Anuradhapura District of the North Central Province was used for the study. Four tanks constituted the selected cascade system, namely Bambarahela wewa, Kumbuk wewa, Diwul wewa and Hettu wewa and were located in three villages ie. Bambarahela, Diwulwewa and Hettuwewa. The former villages were inhabited by Sinhala Buddhist while the latter was by Muslims. These tanks are under the jurisdiction of the Konwewa Agrarian Development Office. Secondary data as well as primary data were collected on the socio economic, ecological and managerial environment of the tank cascade and related areas. Primary data were gathered using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews. Mixed methods were used to analyse data. According to the findings, majority of the village communities use the tank for farming and related activities, bathing and washing etc. However, none use the tank water for drinking as they have a notion that it is polluted. A statistically significant relationship (p<0.05) was not observed between the occupation and monthly income of the communities with their knowledge of the ecosystem  services of the tanks while the education level of households showed a positive relationship (p<0.05). However, there was a lack of knowledge on the full range of ecosystem services of the tanks, tank cascades and this needed to be enhanced. All the respondents were of the view that the tank and associated environment need to be improved and while they were somewhat satisfied with the activities of the farmer organisations and the officials of the Department of Agrarian Services they agreed that this needed improvement to procure the full potential of the tank cascade system. All the respondents were willing to contribute to the improvement and conservation of the tanks. The majority (61%) agreed to pay a fee ranging from a minimum of Rs. 100 to above Rs. 200) annually for tank management. Therefore it could be recommended that in order to promote the ecosystem approach in tank management it is required to enhance the knowledge among the stakeholders and follow an inclusive and integrated approach with the participation of especially farmers and farmer organizations and the officials of the Department of Agrarian Services.KEYWORDS: Cascade, tank, ecosystem services, managemen

Comparison of some physical and chemical properties of soils under different aged Teak plantations in Kadjuwatte with other sites having healthy growth of Teak in Mahaweli System C, Sri Lanka

Soil is one of the most important natural resources for crop production. Plants require soil to obtain water and nutrients for growth and for anchorage and stability. According to published records, among many factors controlling the distribution and growth performance of Teak (Tectona grandis) are edaphic factors including depth, drainage, texture, moisture status and fertility of both surface and subsurface soils. There is a marked relationship between mineral nutrition of soil and growth of Teak.The study was initiated with the objective of finding the contribution of edaphic conditions on the growth performance of Teak grown in Kadjuwatte, an estate located in Dehiattakandiya, Mahaweli System C belonging to Informatics Agrotech Pvt. Ltd. The total extent of the Estate is 1646 acres and the Teak plantations with the ages ranging from 8 to 18 are spread over 200 ha in the entire Estate. Trees in general show suboptimal performance compared with the reported growth for other parts of Sri Lanka and countries with similar climates. Further, it was also observed that the growth of Teak located in the same District shows better performance compared to the Teak in Kadjuwatte.Three soil samples were taken up to a depth of 45 cm from each block in both Kadjuwatte and the Teak Plantations in Polonnaruwa District. These samples were analysed for both physical and chemical parameters such as soil pH, texture, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, nitrate nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Soil profiles were also made in the plantations in Kadjuwatte and other Teak plantations in the Polonnaruwa District.The results revealed that significant differences (p&gt;0.05) were observed in both physical and chemical properties of soil in plantations in Kadjuwatte compared with the other Teak Plantations in the Polonnaruwa District. Soil pH, Phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen was significantly lower in the soil in Kadjuwatte. pH, Organic matter, Phosphorus, Potassium showed variations between ages even in the same plantation. About 25cm thick hard pan has been identified in soil profile of Kadjuwatte plantation which was absent in other healthy plantations of Teak taken for the comparison.Therefore it can be concluded that both physical and chemical parameters as well as the effective soil depth for tree growth had shown significant impact on the growth of Teak. Fertilisation will help to improve the growth of existing Teak plantations in the Kadjuwatte while planting in locations without hard pan will facilitate growth in the future.

DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

Although improvements in human health represent a crucial aspect ofdevelopment worldwide, many trends associated with development and globalchange appear to be reducing health security. In this article, the humaneidemiological environment has been defined and key biophysical, economic,socio-cultural and political factors that shape it have been described. Thepotential impact upon the epidemiological environment of aspects of bothdevelopment and global change are then examined: the influences of humanpopulation size, mobility, geographic distribution and nutritional status;modernization; loss of indigenous medicinal knowledge; microbial evolution ofantibiotic resistance; land conversion and biodiversity loss; agriculturalintensification; stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change. Humanvulnerability to infectious disease is often strongly and deleteriously influenced byongoing, intensi fying changes in these factors. An unprecedented level ofcommunication and cooperation between experts, institutions and nations isrequired to respond to the increasing threat of epidemic disease, which points to apromising area for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration.The paper recommends the following as urgent steps to be takeon the front line toimprove the human epidemiological situation;Reduction of the population to an optimum size, establishment of early warningnetworks and expert response teams to improve the chances of early detection,development of global strategies of highly targeted and minimal antibiotic andpesticide use and the imposition of moratoria to slow the development of resistantstrains of pathogens, application of integrated pest management, worldwidecampaigns on education and awareness of the importance of personnel andcommunity hygiene in preventing disease, provision of international aid forupgrading the facilities of homes, hospitals of poor nations in order to screen thepathogens effectively. While taking the necessary steps to improve theepidemiological environment it is essential that equity of opportunity betweensexes, races, religions and nations be increased which is of vital interest to bothrich and the poor.

Assessment of ecosystem services for climate regulation: case study of the Madu Ganga wetlands

The ecosystem services assessment plays one of the key role in the modern concept of sustainable development, including combat climate change and achievement carbon neutrality, since the value assessment of all benefits and risks from ecosystem services is the most visible for decision makers (business and government). Mangrove forests in developing countries, such as Sri Lanka, are important factor in achieving carbon neutrality. The purpose of present investigation was the economic assessment of climate regulation services on the example of the Madu Ganga wetlands (Sri Lanka). The carbon stock was calculated as the marginal cost of reducing carbon emissions, and the sequestration was assessed through the calculation of the carbon social cost or the marginal cost of damage. As a result, the high cost of carbon storage by the Madu Ganga wetlands was revealed - approximately, it amounted to $153,341,221. The cost of the ES for carbon sequestration was$2,153,424. The total cost of services to regulate the carbon cycle of the Madu Ganga wetlands was $155,494,645, or 0.18% of the nominal GDP of the island of Sri Lanka for 2021. The high value of the mangrove forests of Madu Ganga shows their crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality within the framework of the concept of sustainable development

Оценка экосистемных услуг по регулированию климата водно-болотными угодьями Маду-Ганга

The ecosystem services assessment plays one of the key role in the modern concept of sustainable development, including combat climate change and achievement carbon neutrality, since the value assessment of all benefits and risks from ecosystem services is the most visible for decision makers (business and government). Mangrove forests in developing countries, such as Sri Lanka, are important factor in achieving carbon neutrality. The purpose of present investigation was the economic assessment of climate regulation services on the example of the Madu Ganga wetlands (Sri Lanka). The carbon stock was calculated as the marginal cost of reducing carbon emissions, and the sequestration was assessed through the calculation of the carbon social cost or the marginal cost of damage. As a result, the high cost of carbon storage by the Madu Ganga wetlands was revealed - approximately, it amounted to $153,341,221. The cost of the ES for carbon sequestration was$2,153,424. The total cost of services to regulate the carbon cycle of the Madu Ganga wetlands was $155,494,645, or 0.18% of the nominal GDP of the island of Sri Lanka for 2021. The high value of the mangrove forests of Madu Ganga shows their crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality within the framework of the concept of sustainable development.Мангровые лесные массивы играют важную роль в достижении углеродной нейтральности. Однако для развивающихся стран, таких как Шри-Ланка, недостаточно представлены данные об экономической ценности способности мангровых экосистем накапливать и поглощать углерод. Целью данного исследования была экономическая оценка услуг по регулированию климата на примере водно-болотных угодий Маду-Ганга (Шри-Ланка). Данные по накоплению углерода были рассчитаны как предельные затраты на сокращение выбросов углерода, а данные по поглощению - через расчет социальной стоимости углерода или предельной стоимости ущерба. В результате исследования установлена общая стоимость услуг по регулированию углеродного цикла водно-болотных угодий Маду-Ганга, которая составила 0,18% от номинального ВВП острова Шри-Ланка на 2021 г. Высокая экономическая ценность мангровых лесных массивов Маду-Ганга отражает их приоритетную роль в достижении углеродной нейтральности в рамках концепции устойчивого развития

Organic Agriculture as a Sustainable Solution to Chronic Kidney Disease Unidentified (CKDu)

Chronic Kidney Disease Unidentified (CKDu) is a rare form of tubule- interstitial disease involves slow, asymptomatic progressive kidney damage over 3 or more months, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. Nearly 80% of patients experience total kidney failure within 2 years following diagnosis. According to the Ministry of Health (2016) the total deaths due to renal failure had shown a decrease from 2,215 in 2011 to 2,147 in 2014. The total number of patients in the high risk areas have been recorded as 21,452. Over the past 12 years numerous studies have been undertaken by a range of institutions in relation to the problem and, as a result, a body of research has been established. While there is still considerable debate and conjecture over the causal factors contributing to the development of CKDu, there are facts supported by information that provide insights into the disease. Among the most significant causal factors, the long term exposure to contaminated (with heavy metals) drinking water accentuated by the natural hardness and fluoride content of the same, long term exposure to agrochemicals including sub optimal applications of them without wearing protective gear, occupations such as farming which includes long hours of exposure to the sun and agrochemicals, low socio economic status including income and education, lifestyle habits which include smoking, consumption of illicit liquor and microalbuminuria etc. had been documented by researchers. Resorting to organic agriculture which is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people, has been identified as a sustainable solution to the prevention/reduction of the disease. As most of the lands are under conventional farming a transition period is required. Among the most important factors which needs to be looked into in the context of organic farming, management of soil fertility, weed control, pest and disease control, farm animal integration and finally going for certification, regulation and standards are key. Despite numerous challenges to adopt organic agriculture country has been provided with a concerted directive and leadership in adopting this especially in the aftermath of the killer disease, CKDu. In this context the launching of the national programme titled ‘Towards a Toxin Free Country’ and a three year plan had been prepared to achieve this target are significant. A separate institution had been established under the President to coordinate these activities. This paper elaborates the methodologies to be adopted in this transition from inorganic to organic agriculture to achieve long term sustainability in agriculture and natural resources management sectors and also to effectively manage Chronic Kidney Disease unidentified in which long term exposure to agrochemicals had been identified as a significant causal factor. KEYWORDS: Chronic Kidney Disease Unidentified, organic agriculture, agrochemicals, soil fertility, Toxin Free Countr