Algae As A Natural Solution For Challenges In Water Food Energy Nexus

Due to global transformational trends, such as population growth, economic development and climate change, energy, water, land and human resources are increasingly under pressure to support societal development and to maintain necessary services. Decision makers need improved tools in order to be better informed about trade-offs and synergies between different development and management choices, and to help them identify options on how to sustainably manage resources. This report proposes a way to carry out a water-energy-food nexus assessment approach in order to: a) understand the interactions between water, energy and food systems in a given context, and b) evaluate the performance of a technical or policy intervention in this given context. The ultimate goal of the nexus assessment is to inform nexus related responses in terms of strategies, policy measures, planning and institutional set-up or interventions.

Environmental engineers support the well-being of people and the planet in areas where the two intersect. Over the decades the field has improved countless lives through innovative systems for delivering water, treating waste, and preventing and remediating pollution in air, water, and soil. These achievements are a testament to the multidisciplinary, pragmatic, systems-oriented approach that characterizes environmental engineering. Environmental Engineering for the 21st Century: Addressing Grand Challenges outlines the crucial role for environmental engineers in this period of dramatic growth and change. The report identifies five pressing challenges of the 21st century that environmental engineers are uniquely poised to help advance: sustainably supply food, water, and energy; curb climate change and adapt to its impacts; design a future without pollution and waste; create efficient, healthy, resilient cities; and foster informed decisions and actions.

Contents: Overview of Treatment Wetlands; Fundamentals of Treatment Wetlands; Horizontal Flow Wetlands; Vertical Flow Wetlands; French Vertical Flow Wetlands; Intensified and Modified Wetlands; Free Water Surface Wetlands; Other Applications; Additional Aspects.

Today's planet faces several critical problems such as resource depletion, environmental destruction, and climate change that affect all areas of life as we know it. Figuring out how to address these issues and prioritizing Earth’s health has been at the forefront of study as it is a key issue that affects us all. One element that requires further investigation is algae regarding its potential for creating a more sustainable future across the food, energy, and environmental sectors. The Handbook of Research on Algae as a Sustainable Solution for Food, Energy, and the Environment provides insight into the biotechnological and biorefinery aspects of algae together with their unique applications in the agriculture and pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, this book considers the biological and biotechnological processes happening in the cultivation and harvesting of algae, DNA sequencing, and genomics of algae. Moreover, it examines the bio-remediation aspects of algae and its utilization to produce biofuels, methane, hydrogen, and other useful renewable sources of energy, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability. Covering topics such as cell biology and food science, this reference work is ideal for academicians, researchers, industry professionals, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students.

A radically new understanding of and practical approach to climate change by noted environmentalist Paul Hawken, creator of the New York Times bestseller Drawdown Regeneration offers a visionary new approach to climate change, one that weaves justice, climate, biodiversity, equity, and human dignity into a seamless tapestry of action, policy, and transformation that can end the climate crisis in one generation. It is the first book to describe and define the burgeoning regeneration movement spreading rapidly throughout the world. Regeneration describes how an inclusive movement can engage the majority of humanity to save the world from the threat of global warming, with climate solutions that directly serve our children, the poor, and the excluded. This means we must address current human needs, not future existential threats, real as they are, with initiatives that include but go well beyond solar, electric vehicles, and tree planting to include such solutions as the fifteen-minute city, bioregions, azolla fern, food localization, fire ecology, decommodification, forests as farms, and the number one solution for the world: electrifying everything. Paul Hawken and the nonprofit Regeneration Organization are launching a series of initiatives to accompany the book, including a streaming video series, curriculum, podcasts, teaching videos, and climate action software. Regeneration is the inspiring and necessary guide to inform the rapidly spreading climate movement.

Urban populations are projected to increase from 54% to 66% of the global population by 2050, with close to 90% of the increase concentrated in Asia and Africa. Cities and towns---a growing source of greenhouse gas emissions---will need to address challenges posed by climate change. A nature-based approach in identifying climate change vulnerabilities and developing relevant adaptation options was conducted in three towns of the Greater Mekong Subregion. Working with local governments, nongovernment organizations, women's groups, and professional associations, town-wide adaptation measures were defined by overlaying climate change projections on town plans and zoning schemes for strategic infrastructure. This publication captures valuable experience and lessons from the project.

Biofuels made from algae are gaining attention as a domestic source of renewable fuel. However, with current technologies, scaling up production of algal biofuels to meet even 5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel needs could create unsustainable demands for energy, water, and nutrient resources. Continued research and development could yield innovations to address these challenges, but determining if algal biofuel is a viable fuel alternative will involve comparing the environmental, economic and social impacts of algal biofuel production and use to those associated with petroleum-based fuels and other fuel sources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy.

NEXT-GENERATION ALGAE This book brings together experts in relevant fields to describe the successful application of algae and their derivatives in agriculture, improving agricultural sustainability, harvesting and processing, food security, fishery, aquafarming, agriculture pollution, and state-of-the-art developments of algae in commercial and agriculture utilization. This book provides up-to-date and cutting-edge information on the application of algae in producing sustainable solutions to various challenges that arise from an increase in agricultural production, as well as its utilization in the bioremediation of industrial wastewater. Moreover, the book provides detailed information about the recent advancements in smart microalgae wastewater treatment using Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing applications. Other topics covered include the use of microalgae in various applications; the use of algae to remove arsenic; algae’s role in plastic biodegradation, heavy metal bioremediation, and toxicity removal from industrial wastewater; the application of DNA transfer techniques in algae; the use of algae as food and in the production of food, ascorbic acid, health food, supplements, and food surrogates; relevant biostimulants and biofertilizers that could be derived from cyanobacterials and their role in sustainable agriculture; and algae’s application in the effective production of biofuels and bioenergy. Audience This book is aimed at a diverse audience including professionals, scientists, environmentalists, industrialists, researchers, innovators, and policymakers who have an interest in bioremediation technologies for extremely polluted environments, especially in water, air, and soil.

Human wellbeing relies upon the availability and wise management of food, energy and water. The interconnections between these resources make clear that the management of each of them cannot be considered in isolation but in an integrated and holistic way. This report presents the results of the application of an integrated analysis approach, the Multi-Scale Integrated Assessment of Society and Ecosystem Metabolism to three case studies: an analysis of the option to produce biofuel from sugarcane in the Republic of Mauritius; an exploration of the future of grain production in the Indian state of Punjab; an assessment of two alternative energy sources to produce electricity in the Republic of South Africa.