This study explores Zapatista communities' relationship with the land and their participation in transnational networks of coffee distribution, focusing on the political ontologies behind their resistance to capitalist privatization and extractive economies by analyzing their approach to land through the lens of political ecology and anthropology. Rooted in indigenous ontologies blended with anticapitalist ideologies, the Zapatistas' rejection of private property and their creation of autonomous territories represent a radical stance in the ongoing struggle for indigenous rights and agrarian reform in Mexico. Ethnographic fieldworks with both Zapatista producers and European solidarity networks reveal tensions between autonomy, processes of political subjectivization, and resistance to commodification, as well as the risk of romanticizing indigenous and peasant movements. The research contextualizes these dynamics within broader challenges posed by increasing violence, state repression, and organized crime in Chiapas. The findings contribute to ongoing debates about the commons, indigenous autonomy, and the contradictions of participating in transnational markets. By integrating insights from anthropology, political ontology, and social movement studies, this research offers a deeper understanding of how Zapatista communities and their allies strive to build sustainable economic lives, underlying their significance in reimagining dignifying alternatives to current predatory capitalism.
This article examines the vulnerability of rural roads in Cambodia to flooding, with a focus on enhancing climate resilience through spatial and hydrological analysis. The study utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and a Rational Method to assess flood risks and identify infrastructure vulnerabilities in Siem Reap Province. Data from a 12-year period (2012-2023) was analyzed to evaluate changes in rainfall intensity and peak discharge, revealing that certain road segments, particularly Siem Reap Roads 03 and 04, are highly susceptible to flooding. GIS-based flood mapping pinpointed flood-prone areas, while the Rational Method provided estimates of peak runoff, helping to identify critical infrastructure segments in need of upgrades. The findings demonstrate that road networks in low-lying areas and near water bodies are particularly vulnerable, with the highest peak discharge recorded in 2020, reflecting the growing impact of climate variability. To mitigate these identified risks, the study recommends infrastructure improvements such as enhanced drainage systems, road elevation, and the use of permeable materials. These results offer valuable insights for policymakers and engineers to prioritize investments and develop climate-resilient infrastructure strategies. Integrating climate resilience into rural road planning allows Cambodia to reduce adverse flood impacts on transportation and fosters sustainable rural development.
The climate crisis is a global challenge significantly affecting the sustainability of both human system and ecosystem. Due to their geographical circumstances, communities on small islands are more vulnerable to its impacts. This study critically examines the potential of the ecosystem-based climate change adaptation model (Ecosystem-Based Adaptation) to increase climate resilience in small island communities, particularly in Indonesia. Through a semi-systematic literature review of 31 key studies, this research analyzes the characteristics of small island climate vulnerability and resilience, then compare the findings to Indonesia context. Ecosystem-Based Adaptation has several advantages compared to other climate adaptation models; however, some challenges and limitations associated with its implementation are also identified. Findings suggest that for Ecosystem-Based Adaptation to be effective, it needs to be community-led alongside empowerment, integrative-collaborative, and adaptive. Furthermore, the literature review identified critical gaps in current research on Ecosystem-Based Adaptation on small islands, offering valuable avenues for further exploration and advancement of this vital adaptation approach.
Despite evidence of a biblical influence on the anthropocentric model of man's dominance over nature, some trends of Christian thought dialogue with the contemporary philosophical and anthropological insights on nature and human relationship with it. Beside Pope Francis' relevant contribution to the debate on climate change and anthropocentrism at large, and his call for integral ecology, other Christian experiences are of great interest in this regard. The article focuses on the work of an Italian Catholic thinker who anticipated some of the current theoretical questions about Anthropocene, and envisioned a novel post-Christian, generally post-religious and even post-cultural, cosmology which is worth to investigate. In L'uomo planetario (The Planetary Man) (1985), Ernesto Balducci presents a vision of human interdependence with nature, echoing themes later explored by posthumanist anthropology. Balducci advocates for transcending the human-centered view of nature as a separate object, and embracing a planetary consciousness, urging a re-evaluation of the human-nonhuman relationship. His perspective, which predates current onto-ecological debates, underscores the urgency of overcoming anthropocentrism and embracing a holistic approach to environmental stewardship. Balducci's vision aligns astonishingly with Chakrabarty's concept of the "planetary age" and resonates with his argument on overcoming sustainability toward planetary habitability. Revisiting Balducci's insights, we can find inspiration in our constant search for new visionary visions of nature and our place within it.
We study theories and models for sustainable agroecology business networks and lessons applicable to agroecology businesses and markets in Eastern Uganda. Agroecology, as both a science and social movement, offers promising solutions for building resilient food systems. However, transitioning from conventional market-driven agriculture to agroecology-based systems presents challenges, particularly in the marketing of agroecological products. To address this gap, we examine various theories and models for sustainable agroecological business networks, aiming to identify interventions that catalyse the transitioning and sustainability of agroecological business networks through enhanced marketing. Methods involved document analysis, following interpretive qualitative research, and stakeholder participatory market system mapping and development. The results indicated seven theories shaping the principles and practices of agroecology business networks, one approach for developing market systems, and ten models for social, economic, and environmental interventions in agroecology networks. The Model for Women's Entrepreneurship in Agroecology and Food Systems scored the highest at 93% to address the disablers of transitioning towards agroecology. From this model, and with support of other literature, we proposed the EquiAgro; A gender-inclusive Agroecological Business Model for Agroecology Business Networks and Markets. Our conclusions provide strategies for co-creating sustainable, resilient and socially inclusive agricultural systems that prioritize environmental stewardship and community well-being.
Following the Paris Agreement, global actors intensified climate action through ambitious pledges, financial alliances, and investments in green technologies. However, despite continued rises in atmospheric carbon concentrations and global temperatures, a series of structural regressions have emerged, exposing the deep vulnerabilities and inherent flaws of artificial environmental protection systems-systems predominantly shaped by mainstream economics' growth-oriented and technology-centric paradigms. This paper, grounded in Granular Interaction Thinking Theory (GITT), seeks to uncover the logical flaws embedded in such systems. It explains how they perpetuate the illusion that perpetual economic growth is compatible with environmental protection through prioritizing investment in advanced-yet often costly, low-impact, and highly uncertain-technological solutions. This bias also results in an overdependence on a limited range of technologies, heightening the risk of economic bubble formation and immiserizing growth. To address these systemic shortcomings, we advocate for the adoption of the semiconducting principle of monetary and environmental value exchange. This principle ensures that environmental values can be translated into monetary values, but not vice versa-thereby preventing monetary valuation from undermining ecological sustainability. Operationalizing this principle effectively requires the cultivation of Nature Quotient (NQ) across society and a broader socio-cultural shift toward an eco-surplus culture, in which environmental protection, restoration, and regeneration are not peripheral trade-offs, but foundational preconditions for long-term economic resilience, political stability, and social well-being. Such a profound transition will inevitably increase systemic entropy-manifesting as uncertainty and disruption across established socio-cultural and political patterns, norms, and structures. Accordingly, this paper also explores the major challenges that may hinder the emergence and diffusion of an eco-surplus culture, as well as strategies for addressing them.
While digital technologies are expanding rapidly in developing countries, their environmental consequences - particularly electronic waste (e-waste) - remain poorly integrated into digital development discourse. Most existing studies treat digital readiness and environmental sustainability as distinct domains, offering limited empirical evidence on how digital infrastructure impacts waste management, especially across regions with varied governance capacities. This study addresses this gap by analyzing whether higher digital readiness correlates with improved e-waste management in 40 developing countries - 20 from Africa and 20 from Asia. Drawing on cross-national data, the study uses indicators such as the ICT Development Index (IDI), AI Readiness Index, GDP per capita, urbanization rate, and e-waste formally collected and recycled. Descriptive analysis shows that while the average ICT score was 4.12 (on a 10-point scale), only 14.2% of e-waste was formally recycled across the sample, with Africa averaging under 5%. Regression results reveal that in Africa, both IDI (beta = 2.49, p < 0.001) and GDP per capita (beta = 0.0012, p = 0.011) significantly predicted recycling rates, while in Asia, these relationships were weaker and statistically non-significant. AI Readiness was not a strong predictor in either region. These findings imply that digital infrastructure alone is insufficient for sustainable outcomes and must be paired with effective governance and investment in environmental systems. The study's novelty lies in its cross-regional, comparative approach, bridging digital development and environmental sustainability. Theoretically, it extends Ecological Modernization Theory by demonstrating that technological capacity must be mediated by policy effectiveness. Empirically, it introduces the concept of a "sustainability lag" to explain why rising digital access does not automatically translate into improved environmental outcomes in the Global South.
Mounting ecological crises-climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource depletion-act as "threat multipliers," undermining livelihoods, intensifying insecurity, and fueling violent conflict. This perspective argues that peace in the twenty-first century must extend beyond the absence of armed conflict to encompass harmony between humanity and the natural environment. Lasting peace, therefore, requires reinvestment in ecosystems as critical foundations for resilience, prosperity, and stability. Cultivating Nature Quotient (NQ)-the capacity to perceive and act upon ecological interdependence-is a prerequisite for leaders and societies to secure peace with nature and safeguard civilization's continuity.
Mangrove ecosystems are considered vulnerable environments with a high risk of disappearing due to anthropogenic activities. Currently, territories prioritize economic development over the conservation of environmental resources, which paradoxically sustain their economy and, therefore, their own existence. This is the case of the Mangrove Community Reserve of the Portoviejo River Estuary, an ecosystem that has been affected since 1950 by the expansion of urban boundaries, intensive agricultural practices, and, most notably, aquaculture activities, which have deforested approximately 86% of the original mangrove cover. Consequently, the purpose of this research was to understand how urban expansion, driven by the population growth of the communities within the estuary's biocorridor and their associated economic activities, has generated significant land-use conflicts that hinder conservation efforts for the remaining mangroves in the community reserve. Three methodological phases were applied: (a) characterization of the study area, (b) evaluation of human interactions and environmental pressure, and (c) identification of key patterns driving land-use changes. It was concluded that the urban footprint has increased by 146% since 2006, the population is growing around the mangrove reserve, and their socio-productive activities have fragmented the ecosystem and transformed the natural landscape. It is estimated that 407.55 hectares of mangrove forest have disappeared over the past seven decades due to indiscriminate logging for the construction of shrimp farms and agricultural plots, causing significant environmental alterations in the reserve.
In the face of intensifying environmental degradation and unsustainable consumption trends, fostering sustainable consumption behaviour among university students has become a strategic imperative for global sustainability agendas. Although environmental education is widely endorsed as a key driver of pro-environmental behaviour, its real-world impact often remains limited when psychosocial dynamics are overlooked. This study investigates how conformity, social environment, and self-concept function as moderating factors that enhance the impacts of environmental education on sustainable consumption behaviour. Employing a large-scale quantitative design, data were collected from students across 122 public universities in Indonesia using structured questionnaires. The model was tested using Structural Equation Modelling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) through WarpPLS. The findings reveal that these psychosocial factors significantly strengthen the link between environmental education and sustainable consumption, suggesting that social identity and peer context are critical enablers of behavioural change. The study offers a novel contribution to the sustainable consumption literature by integrating educational, social, and psychological constructs within a cohesive theoretical framework. It also provides actionable insights for higher education institutions and policymakers to design transformative educational interventions that cultivate social influence, internalized norms, and environmentally responsible identities among students.
The Murui people's concept of Jagiyi or Jafaiki signifies Breath of Life. This concept represents the genesis and the end of the Murui existence, as it was exhaled by Moo and the material world was created. Furthermore, it is the sole means through which human life is possible, as we breathe. This study presents Jagiyi or Jafaiki as a native aesthetics or philosophy of life. It demonstrates how this concept is perpetuated through the contextualisation of social practices according to events lived in and out of the territory of origin. I conducted interviews with several elders and participated in community events in Leticia in the context of academic projects and cultural rituals. Furthermore, I conducted a review of the relevant literature. I present four examples illustrative of the maintenance of Jagiyi or Jafaiki has occurred in recent times: 1. The foundation of Nimairafiya or the Indigenous School 'House of Knowledge'; 2. The cooling of the presence of illegal armies and the internal war in territories; 3. The cooling of daily life in foreign lands; 4. The contribution to the Commission of Truth's Final Report. I conclude that the symbolic and physical violence expressed through extractivist economies, internal armed conflict and displacement from the place of origin are the events recognised as decisive for the hybridization of social practices, and the maintenance of Jagiyi or Jafaiki represents a strategy for the defence of the cultures, natures and territories of the Murui people, which may be regarded as contemporaneous native aesthetics.
Drawing on contributions to the conference Natures and Human Nature. Ethics, Aesthetics, Ecologies. A Comparative Approach, held on April 24, 2024, this article proposes a reading based on Douglas, Vildavsky and Thompson's Cultural Theory of different "visions" of the natural world. Cultural theory posits that there are four cultural configurations or worldviews that influence how human beings represent their relationships with the environment and how they think about themselves. Individualists believe that nature is robust and benign and that human beings are autonomous and driven by self-interest. Hierarchical groupings perceive nature as a stable system governed by authoritative positions. In such a society, individuals are regarded as passive and require governance by robust and reliable institutions. Egalitarianism views nature as delicate and interconnected, highlighting reciprocal care and equality as fundamental principles. Fatalism embraces a perspective characterized by chaos, wherein neither nature nor humanity adheres to a discernible or rational order. Ethnographic experiences and theoretical reflections demonstrate how these configurations can be useful when evaluating both field research results and disciplinary epistemological frameworks.
Circular Economy (CE) integrates social and environmental considerations into business strategies, recognizing these aspects as crucial for achieving organizational and ecosystems sustainability. While previous studies on CE and its correlation with Creating Shared Value (CSV) predominantly focus on developed nations, this research aims to fill the gap by showing an empirical investigation of the implementation of a circular business model in the tapioca industry of Indonesia. This study employed the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, encompassing economic, environmental, and social performance and analysed 132 survey responses from tapioca business managers and owners in Indonesia using a quantitative approach with SmartPLS 4. The findings indicate that CE and CSV practices positively influence TBL performance and reveal a strong association between CE practices and CSV opportunities. By aligning with the TBL framework, this study highlights the transformative potential of CE and CSV practices in driving sustainability, profitability, and social equity in the global agroindustry.
This study explored the potential of cocoa shells as a sustainable feedstock for bioplastic production. Two treatments, T1 and T2, using a mixture of cocoa shell flour and cassava starch, were evaluated based on their filtration, solubility, elongation, strength, moisture content, and biodegradability. The results showed that the cocoa shell flour had favorable rheological and thermal properties (viscosity: 39 mPa s; gelatinization temperature: 80 degrees C), though it had high moisture (24.94%) and ash content (23.93%). Treatment T2 demonstrated superior filtration and solubility, while T1 excelled in elongation, strength, and biodegradability. Both treatments showed good solubility, indicating potential compatibility with different solvents. These findings suggest that cocoa shells are a promising and eco-friendly resource for bioplastic production.
This paper explores the relationship between Circular Economy (CE) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks-a connection that remains ambiguous in both academic literature and practical application. This lack of clarity hinders corporate accountability and progress toward sustainability goals. To address this, we examine how CE and ESG intersect by integrating relevant theories and practical approaches. We identify key strategic overlaps across diverse CE and ESG indicators and frameworks, demonstrating how each can inform and strengthen the other. We begin by outlining foundational theories and current practices in both CE and ESG, then explore how their integration can enhance organisational alignment and accountability, particularly in the environmental dimension of ESG. To support this synergy, we propose an updated 10-R framework for qualitative reporting, incorporating new dimensions such as Regeneration (e.g., Rewilding and Restoration) to reflect biodiversity considerations. Additionally, we introduce the Circularity Scoring Model (CSM) to assess organisational CE performance concerning ESG objectives quantitatively. Our findings suggest that embedding CE principles into accounting and investment practices can highlight opportunities for improvement, such as transitioning to renewable energy, sourcing alternative materials, extending product lifespans, enhancing repairability, minimising waste, and increasing use of recycled or regenerative resources.
Resilient and inclusive city design has become essential for a sustainable future for urban areas in ecologically sensitive zones in the face of rapidly increasing urbanization and development. This paper explores the multifaceted dimensions of resilient and inclusive urban planning, focusing on its significance amidst urban expansion and socio-economic disparities affecting the corresponding ecologically sensitive areas. Drawing upon interdisciplinary literature and case studies, the paper examines the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of resilience and inclusivity within urban planning frameworks. The ability of cities to endure and rebound from a variety of shocks and strains, such as natural disasters, the effects of climate change, and socioeconomic upheavals, is referred to as resilience. In contrast, inclusivity emphasizes the equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and decision-making power among diverse urban populations, including marginalized groups and vulnerable communities. This study clarifies the relationship between resilience and inclusivity in the planning of urban areas by synthesizing theoretical discourse and actual evidence. It highlights the importance of integrating eco-sensitive approaches, adaptive strategies, and participatory mechanisms to foster resilience and inclusiveness in urban development processes. Furthermore, the paper underscores the role of governance structures, policy frameworks, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms in promoting resilient and inclusive urban environments. By critically examining the challenges, opportunities, and best practices associated with resilient and inclusive city planning, this paper contributes to advancing knowledge and informing policy discourse toward fostering sustainable and equitable urban development pathways
Trees and forests on private lands and farms play a crucial role in providing ecosystem goods and services that support human well-being. To promote sustainable management of these resources, many countries are assigning tree harvesting rights to private landowners. This strategy encourages tree-growing investments and sustainable practices. However, there is limited research on its effects in developing countries. This study focused on Kenya, using a case study approach and document content analysis to examine the impact of assigning tree harvesting rights on sustainable tree growing. Results show that since 1990, tree coverage on private farms in Kenya has increased by 48.12%, reaching 10,385,000 hectares by 2010. Farm forests are key to timber production, especially in Central Kenya, where up to 155 tree species are grown. These forests provide products like firewood and timber, but unsustainable practices such as low tree replacement and high tree densities pose challenges. Small-holder farmers are driven by high population density and market demand but face obstacles such as low tree prices and inadequate management techniques. Despite these challenges, farm forests have been essential, particularly during the Sawlog harvesting ban (2002-2012), and are expected to remain central to Kenya's forestry sector. While assigning tree-growing rights has had positive impacts, including ecological and economic benefits, it has also led to negative sustainability outcomes. Therefore, developing a stable legal framework, improving market access, and offering financial incentives are crucial for supporting sustainable forestry on private lands.
This paper examines applying Local Wisdom Species (LWS), namely Purun (Eleocharis dulcis Hensch); Sago (Metroxylon sago Rottb); Gelam (Melaleuca cajuputi Powell) and Honeybee, and Gaharu or Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk), to involve rural communities in peatland restoration. If LWS disappear due to pressure from industrial plantations, rural communities will be controlled by the international trade system, which threatens their rural lifestyles, and they will be pushed out of the peatlands where they have lived for hundreds of years. This research aimed to reveal selected LWS in developing peatland restoration. This study applied field surveys, questionnaires and focus group discussions. Purposive sampling was used to get the data, collected, processed, and analysed. For rural communities, the LWS was developed for economic, technical, social, and environmental reasons. If the government can help rural communities to develop the LWS, then it is likely that rural communities will benefit from better management of peatland restoration. It requires collaborative efforts between rural communities, researchers, and policymakers to bridge traditional knowledge and modern science, encouraging a more comprehensive approach to addressing global challenges. This finding is very useful in participating rural community-based peatlands restoration using four approaches, namely decentralization, conservation, protection and optimization. With these four approaches, it is possible for this research finding to be implemented in the field.
Agricultural waste pollutes natural resources, impacting soil fertility, biodiversity, and CO2 levels. Composting offers an alternative solution. This study evaluated Bacillus albus and Bacillus wiedmannii for composting banana pseudostem and cocoa shell waste. The experiment, divided into 4 treatments, found both residues to be slightly acidic. The pseudostem had higher moisture content (30.5%) compared to the cocoa shell (12.3%). During composting, temperature peaked at 33.7 degrees C and ended at 25.5 degrees C, with a final pH of 7.4 and moisture of 42%. Using statistical analysis, treatments T3 (cocoa shell/B. wiedmannii) and T4 displayed the best results for various parameters. Additionally, T4 showed significant improvement in NPK content. Germination and root growth tests with cucumber seeds revealed no phytotoxicity, highlighting the effectiveness of composting for waste management and its potential use in agriculture.
