FCT (DCEA) - Capítulos de Livros em Editoras Internacionais
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- A critical analysis of sustainability indicators for education and curricula in higher education institutions and their adaptation to the Portuguese contextPublication . Rigueiro, Maria Constança Simões; Caeiro, Sandra; Câmara, Patrícia; Fonseca, Ana; Godinho, Teresa; Mapar, Mahsa; Moreira, Anabela Mendes; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Farinha, Carla Sá; Simão, João; Silva, Manuela Vieira da; Leal Filho, Walter; Trevisan, Laís Viera; Pace, Paul J.; Mifsud, MarkThe sustainability assessment within Higher Education Institutions (HEI) serves as a critical learning and capacity-building tool, fostering reflection on sustainability initiatives and advancing alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Current sustainability assessment tools include various indicators across different dimensions of sustainability implementation within HEI. However, there is a significant gap in categorising specific indicators relevant to learning and curricula. In line with a recent initiative by the Sustainable Campus Network (RCS) in Portugal, this study aims to analyse how existing sustainability assessment tools address indicators within the domains of education and curricula. The research aims to identify and categorise indicators relevant to the education and curricula dimension, offering a preliminary list complemented by implementation examples. This analysis draws on a variety of available sustainability assessment tools for HEI. This goal is part of a broader research context in future development of sustainability indicators to systematically assess and monitor sustainability practices within Portuguese HEI. A systematic literature review was done to extract the education and curricula indicators from two key sources (i) existing sustainability assessment tools used globally, and (ii) existing sustainability reports of Portuguese HEI. As a result, 216 “education and curricula” indicators were collected, laying a solid foundation for further analysis and application in the Portuguese HEI context. The indicators were grouped into four different categories, Teaching, Learning, Outreach, and Administrative and Organisational Framework. Within the Portuguese context, only 13 sustainability reports were analysed (out of 97 HEI), in which six institutions addressed the ‘education’ category, primarily focusing on the number of courses, subjects, research initiatives, and projects aligned with the SDG. Although the present analysis was limited to publicly available sustainability reports, which may not fully reflect the breadth of initiatives undertaken by HEI, the findings highlight a significant gap in sustainability reporting among Portuguese HEI. The results of this study are expected to guide HEI towards more effective integration and promotion of a global culture of sustainability within the domains of curricula and education.
- Impact of Oporto Metropolitan Area carbon dioxide emissions over the adjacent coastal zonePublication . Carvalho, Rogério; Barros, Nelson; Duarte, PedroConcerns about global warming over the last years have stimulated a large number of studies regarding atmospheric and oceanic carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and its consequences. In spite of the available data on global atmospheric CO2, there is only limited knowledge on CO2 variability at regional scales. Moreover, there is an important gap in our understanding of the contribution of high CO2 emission regions, such as metropolitan areas, to CO2 concentrations over nearby coastal areas–considered by several authors as an important CO2 sink. A possible working hypothesis is that, large littoral metropolitan areas may have a significant influence on CO2 atmospheric concentrations over those areas and exert an important influence on sea-air CO2 exchanges. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to estimate CO2 concentration at a regional scale, under the influence of Oporto Metropolitan Area (OMA) emissions as a first test of this hypothesis. To fulfil this objective, an emission database was built and used to force, together with meteorological synoptic data, a mesoscale atmospheric dispersion model. The model was used to simulate several weather scenarios and estimate CO2 concentrations along a ca. 90 km stretch of the Portuguese northern shore. The results obtained suggest that emissions from OMA have an important influence on CO2 atmospheric concentrations up to 6–12 km offshore, particularly in autumn and winter. However, this CO2 increase does not seem to have the potential to significantly affect sea-air CO2 exchanges, although this is just a preliminary conclusion that has to be tested by field work.
- Learning from 24 years of ozone data in PortugalPublication . Barros, Nelson; Silva, M.P.; Fontes, Tânia; Manso, M. Conceição; Carvalho, Ana CristinaOzone (O3) is a secondary pollutant mainly produced in the troposphere by photochemical reactions with high impact on human health. In this work hourly average O3 concentrations from the Portuguese air quality network collected during 24 years (1988–2011) were analysed. The background time series were assessed by environment type (urban, suburban and rural) and considering several criteria: the annual mean O3 concentration, the Directive 2008/50/EC O3 long-term objective and the 2005 WHO Guideline for protection of human health and, finally, the hourly information threshold exceedances. The trend of annual mean O3 concentration data and the maximum daily eight-hour mean ozone concentration data were both annually compared using an one-way ANOVA followed by a Tamhane post-hoc comparison test. In both series, although of an instable trend, a tendency for an increase of the mean O3 concentrations was found. On the other hand, after 2006, for all stations types, the normalized number of exceedances for public O3 information are significantly decreasing (p<0.05). In this paper, the O3 trend will be analyzed and discussed, contributing to improve knowledge of long time series of O3 concentrations in Portugal.
- Lifting the veil of complexity, demanding for convergence: an introduction to the book “Planetary health and climate change”Publication . Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Lopes, Hélder Silva; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Leal Filho, WalterHuman-induced alterations to the Earth’s climate, primarily through the release of greenhouse gases, have far-reaching implications for ecosystems and both human and non-human health. However, treating climate change exclusively as an external force continues to limit human potential to effectively address it. This introductory chapter to the book “Planetary Health and Climate Change” explores concepts aimed at bridging the chasm created by this separation, while addressing the socio-ecological hurdles humanity currently face. Despite these efforts, there remains a lack of imagination, a vital aspect to envisioning alternative scenarios and solutions. Among these complexities, the concept of planetary health emerges as a holistic framework that goes beyond conventional public health paradigms. This chapter also delves into the idea of convergence, i.e., a combination of perspectives, disciplines, and approaches to navigate through complex socioecological challenges. It highlights the importance of moving beyond binary thinking and embracing varied worldviews to tackle compounded crises. Through convergence with the lens of planetary health, we can redefine health, prioritize cooperation over competition, and empower ourselves to address the challenges posed by a changing climate.
- Management of modern organisations in the context of Lithuanian smart tourismPublication . Samuolaiti, Mindaugas; Raupelienė, Asta; Brusokas, Andrius; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Ložkinas, Adas; Leal Filho, Walter; Safaa, Larbi; Perkumienè, Dalia; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaIn the management of each tourism organisation, one encounters essential factors characteristic of the management of organisations, but in each of them, efforts are made to improve both different factors and based on different methods. In managing a modern tourism organisation, several external and internal factors are of great importance. These include a strategic focus, the external environment, product innovation, effective marketing and cooperation, customer experience and quality management, human resources, organisational culture. Only a tourism organisation that applies and considers these factors in its activities is enabled to achieve the highest possible results, service quality and competitiveness. This study aims to evaluate the management of a tourism organisation from the perspective of a modern organisation. The interview method was used to achieve the research results. The research was done in 2024. The findings of study show that the importance of managing modern tourism organisations has been emphasised in the scientific literature. This emphasis extends to the need for purposeful adaptation and improvement. The modernity of a tourism organisation is expressed through its constant ability to adapt to the ever-changing environment, embrace learning and development, and foster innovation. The research reveals that modernity is associated with the uniqueness of the tourism organisation. Adaptation to the ever-changing external environment means constant monitoring of trends, adaptation of new technologies, and development of internal organisational culture, encouragement of employees’ courage and freedom, and self-expression. In terms of the application of new technologies in tourism organisations, the continuous improvement and simplification of the system is significant, but there is no rush to use the benefits provided by the artificial intelligence tool.
- Mountainous environment in the central Region of Mucajaí, Roraima, Brazil: Citizen Science and Geotouristic ApproachesPublication . Saldanha Veras, Ana Sibelonia; Ahmed, Waqas; Augusto Cruz de Azevedo Barros, Nelson; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Leal Filho, Walter; S. Lopes, Hélder; Lencastre, Marina Prieto; Estrada, Rui; Vidal, DiogoGeotourism consists of a form of interpretation and awareness practiced in ecosystems geographically located in environments of expressive geological and geomorphological aesthetics, associated with citizen science, which is also inclusive, with the strong involvement of ordinary citizens who collect data from observation of natural environments, streamlining scientific research and generating scientific knowledge, preparing citizens to manage the diverse demands of remote areas. The balance lines of these domains can be severely impaired by global warming, for which human beings have been blamed in this Cenozoic era, destabilizing access to recreation and guided tours. Through a methodological approach based on an international literature review focusing on the northern Amazon, the main objective of this chapter is to demonstrate the relevance of sustainability practiced by citizens from the local reality of mountain geosites, establishing the relationship with the municipality of Mucajaí, Roraima, Brazil. The results can be considered useful references for the scientific community, contributing to the sum of local strategies, with global repercussions, for the development of citizenship, so as not to contribute to the increase in the climate emergency experienced today. To this end, it will be necessary to promote behaviors that avoid episodes of great repercussion and irreparable damage to the communities involved in conducting, encouraging and rescuing the sense of preservation, thus promoting ecological knowledge, and contributing to a more sustainable world.
- Ozone deposition modelling in a portuguese coastal zonePublication . Valinhas, Maria José; Borrego, Carlos; Barros, Nelson; Carvalho, Ana CristinaThe deposition of pollutants from the atmosphere to ecosystems is the cause of some present environmental problems: acidification, eutrophication and, indirectly, ground level ozone. Related with these issues is the critical loads/levels concept, widely accepted in Europe as basis for pollution control strategies. The knowledge of atmospheric pollutants deposition on ecosystems is needed to setup this methodology. This paper presents the parameterisation done in the deposition module of the system of models MAR IV which is adequate to simulate the transport, dispersion and removal of pollutants, including ozone production for mesoscale application. The ozone surface resistance (Rc) pararneterisation was applied to Lisbon region and the modelk performance was assessed with ozone deposition experimental data observed in the study area during the fieldwork LisbEx 97. The influence of parameterisation became evident with the good fit between modelled results and measured data. Based on an empirical method described by the Stockholm Environmental Institute report a Critical Load map, for non-forested areas, was calculated for Pomgal. The methodology is based on the kind of soil and its buffer capacity to acid compounds, The results show that around 70°/0of the country is in sensitive areas reinforcing the need for the application of this concept.
- O papel da responsabilidade social empresarial na promoção do desenvolvimento sustentávelPublication . Marques, Joelma da Silva; Fonseca, Ana
- Population exposure to urban highway traffic emissionsPublication . Barros, Nelson; Fontes, Tânia; Brás, C.; Cunha, L. M.In this paper is presented firstly the traffic and emission characterization of Via de Cintura Interna (VCI), an urban highway at Oporto city, Portugal, with more than 4 000 vehicles/hour during rush hours. Emission estimates were carried through on the basis of emission factors to road transport published in the Atmospheric Emission Inventory Guidebook. A weighed emission factor has been calculated for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and vehicle class, according to the Portuguese fleet composition (vehicles age, type of engine and average speed). Furthermore, during a three-week period, an outdoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring campaign was carried out in a domain around the VCI (100 m for each side), in particular near residential buildings. The results demonstrate that higher NO2 concentrations are seen in the sub-domain with higher circulation of heavy-duty vehicles and where buildings are adjacent to VCI hindering pollutant dispersion. Meteorological conditions, such as wind intensity and direction, temperature and solar radiation were monitorized too. The NO2 concentrations obtained by the monitoring campaign have been used to create scenarios of population exposure to NO2, having taken into account the time-activity patterns of residents. It was verified that higher exposures occur when the population lives in Boavista, in contrast with the favourable scenario that corresponds to life in Prelada and those working in Espinho city. The work and results presented in this paper are a part of the methodology used in the scope of the ImpactAir Project. This project, started in 2003 in Oporto city, has the main objective of evaluating the impact of urban highway (VCI) traffic emissions on air quality and the health of the local population.
- PrefacePublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaIn recent years, the discourse surrounding climate change has grown increasingly urgent, and for good reasons. Our planet is undergoing unprecedented transformations driven by human activities, which are altering the delicate balance of our ecosystems. The term “Planetary Health” has emerged to encapsulate the interdependent relationship between the health of human populations and the health of the natural systems on which we depend. This book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how climate change affects planetary health and what this means for our collective future. The genesis of this book lies in a simple yet profound realisation: the well-being of our planet is inextricably linked to our own well-being. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we consume—all are products of a complex web of environmental processes that are now being disrupted by climate change. As temperature rises, sea level increases, and weather patterns become more erratic, the ripple effects touch every aspect of life on Earth, from human health to biodiversity and from food security to economic stability. The chapters within this book are contributions from leading experts across various fields—climate science, ecology, medicine, economics, and social sciences—each providing unique insights into the multifaceted impacts of climate change. We explore the scientific evidence of climate change, discuss the consequences for natural and human systems, and potential solutions that can help mitigate these impacts. This interdisciplinary approach is needed, as the challenges posed by climate change are complex and interconnected, requiring holistic and collaborative strategies. The book delves into the ways in which climate change exacerbates existing health problems and creates new ones, particularly for vulnerable populations. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, heat waves, and floods, has immediate and long-term effects on mental and physical health. Meanwhile, shifts in disease patterns and the displacement of communities due to rising sea levels or prolonged droughts further compound the health risks. Biodiversity loss is another critical issue addressed in this book. Healthy ecosystems are vital for the provision of ecosystem services, which include everything from pollination of crops to carbon sequestration. As species are driven to extinction at an alarming rate, the resilience of our ecosystems is undermined, threatening food security and livelihoods. This book does not merely catalog the problems; it also focuses on solutions. From innovative technologies to policy frameworks and grassroots movements, there are numerous pathways to a more sustainable and equitable future. The transition to a low-carbon economy, the restoration of degraded ecosystems, and the implementation of effective public health strategies are just a few of the measures that can help us navigate the challenges ahead. In writing this preface, we are reminded of the responsibility we have for future generations. The choices we make today will determine the health of our planet and the legacy we leave behind. This book is a call to action, urging readers to engage with the pressing issue of climate change and to contribute to the global effort to protect our planet and ensure the well-being of all its inhabitants. We thank all authors for their valuable inputs and for sharing their knowledge and experience. We hope that this book serves as both a resource and an inspiration, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of our world and motivating collective action towards a sustainable future.