FCT (DCEA) - Capítulos de Livros em Editoras Internacionais
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- 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.
- 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.
- South Asian coalesced realities: SDG 3 and SDG 6 during COVID-19 pandemicPublication . Khattak, Amna Jan; Wahaj, Zujaja; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaOwing to global trade and travel, the recent novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has surpassed all geographical barriers and encompassed the entire world, impacting everyone in all spheres of life. Yet, it is evident that not every person was equally affected. In order to overcome this challenging ordeal, the World Health Organization (WHO) initially recommended washing hands with soap and maintaining hygiene as a first approach to fight against COVID-19. However, this seemingly simple instruction exposed inequalities that exist in terms of economic wealth, access to resources, urban-rural divide, and gender. The aim of this chapter is to establish how COVID-19 has made the achievement of sustainable development goal (SDG) 6, i.e., water and sanitation, of perhaps greater importance than ever before as the eradication of COVID-19 and achievement of SDG 6 are knotted. Focusing on the specific reality of the South Asian context, it is intended to analyze the social, economic, and other inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 and obstacles that these inequalities have brought to highlight in achieving SDG 6 and the intertwined SDG 3, i.e., health and population, in face of the current pandemic situation the world is currently experiencing.
- O papel da responsabilidade social empresarial na promoção do desenvolvimento sustentávelPublication . Marques, Joelma da Silva; Fonseca, Ana
- Trilhas de aprendizagem, metodologias ativas e ágeis para o autodesenvolvimentoPublication . Chagas, Rosana; Ribeiro, Nuno Magalhães; Costa, T.DNa era da indústria 4.0, as organizações são pautadas na interrela-ção da tecnologia a grande quantidade de informações coletadas sobre as preferências pessoais (Sacomano e Sátyro, 2018). Dessa forma, as Organizações que aprendem apontadas por Senge (1990) relacionam os resultados ao compromisso de crescimento pessoal. Neste contexto, a capacitação dos colaboradores deve vislumbrar o atendimento das competências organizacionais respeitando as diferenças de estilo de aprendizagem dos colaboradores. Logo, tanto as organizações quanto seus colaboradores buscam formas de acompanhar o contexto de rápidas mudanças, volume de informa-ção e a necessidade de constante aprendizagem. Sendo que a evolução da estrutura de aprendizagem do adulto está envolvida pela conexão e pela sobreposição de teorias e práticas (Bitencourt, 2010). A partir de um estudo sobre o planejamento e concepção de um módulo informatizado de trilhas de aprendizagem por competências, surgiu a necessidade de comparar as metodologias ativas às trilhas de aprendiza-gem. Assim, a investigação das semelhanças e diferenças entre as metodo-logias ativas e as trilhas de aprendizagem foi realizada partindo do pressu-posto que ambas resultam em autodesenvolvimento. O autodesenvolvimento é utilizado como integrado ao conhecimen-to e às habilidades necessários ao trabalho desempenhado. Nesse contexto, emerge o conceito de competências como ação rela-cionada ao saber e a mobilização de conhecimentos em diferentes situações (Le Boterf, 2003). Desta forma, foi realizado um estudo comparativo entre os achados da pesquisa que resultou na criação de um módulo informatizado de trilhas de aprendizagem por competências e o arcabouço teórico pesquisado sobre as metodologias ativas.
- The role of regional administration on the promotion of social responsibility practices: a case study in the Amazon regionPublication . Oliveira, Maria do Perpétuo Socorro Lamego; Oliveira, Evailton Arantes; Fonseca, AnaThe Regional Council of Engineering and Agronomy of Amazonas (CREA-AM), a regional administration body located in the city of Manaus, Amazon, Brazil, supervises the execution of technological professions in order to prevent inadequate practices. In 2017, CREA-AM approved and implemented an inspection plan to supervise professionals and companies with potential to cause environmental impacts in the Amazon region. The present study assesses the effectiveness of this inspection plan and identifies improvement opportunities regarding the promotion of adequate environmental management practices in professionals’ and companies’ activities, particularly important in developing countries with a growing economy. The methodology used was data collection and analysis of records of administrative processes in the environmental area: 12 non-compliance processes in 2017 and 17 in 2018, and 202 Technical Responsibility Annotations in 2017 and 541 in 2018. The results led to the creation of a new model for the management of environmental surveillance in CREA-AM that is expected to contribute to the promotion of corporate social responsibility practices in the Amazon region.
- Spatial prediction of air quality in an urban sensitive area: a seasonal overviewPublication . Fontes, Tânia; Barros, Nelson
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.