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- Artificial intelligence and climate change: the potential roles of foundation modelsPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Kovaleva, Marina; Ng, Artie; Nagy, Gustavo; Luetz, Johannes; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaArtificial intelligence (AI) is being developed fast and applied in several areas including education and healthcare with excellent potential for use in fields that require complex analytics, particularly in the case of climate change. Recent developments in AI, such as ChatGPT and OpenAI, machine vision technologies and deep learning, among others, may be deployed in various contexts, including climate change. Of specific interest is the role played by foundation models (FMs), which may help to augment intelligence on climate change and reduce the social risks of adaptation and mitigation initiatives. This article discusses the potential applications of FMs in climate change research and management and illustrates the need for further studies. FMs, built on large unlabelled data sets and enabled by transfer learning, offer versatility in handling complex tasks. Specifically, FMs can aid in climate data analysis, modelling future scenarios, assessing risks, and supporting decision-making processes. Despite their potential, challenges such as data privacy, algorithm bias, and energy consumption require careful consideration. The article emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary efforts to address these challenges and maximize the positive impact of FMs in mitigation and adaptation. AI, including advanced models like FMs, holds significant promise for addressing climate change challenges.
- Dinner is served: how climate change interferes with olive oil productionPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Luetz, Johannes; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Nagy, GustavoThe Mediterranean region accounts for nearly 95% of global olive oil production. However, climate change - manifesting in intensified heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and increased pest prevalence - is undermining both the quantity and quality of yields. These disruptions threaten the livelihoods of rural producers and destabilize international markets. This article examines the complexities facing growers and outlines targeted mitigation strategies, highlighting the broader implications of climate change for a staple commodity relied upon daily by millions around the world. The analysis highlights interconnected climate impacts on agriculture, trade, and gastronomy, and identifies opportunities to enhance resilience through policy, agronomic innovation, and sustainable practices. It advances an integrated approach to Mediterranean food sustainability, linking agricultural adaptation with culinary heritage.
- How cities are striving to cope with ever-increasing temperaturesPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Fracassi, Umberto; Nagy, GustavoPurpose: This study looks at the growing trend of higher temperatures in cities during the summer months. This rise in temperature leads to various environmental and health issues. This research aims to identify the major risks posed by extreme heat, especially for vulnerable communities. It also evaluates how well the current measures in different cities around the world address this increasing problem. Design/methodology/approach: The research adopts a comparative analysis approach, examining and contrasting specific measures and strategies adopted across different cities worldwide to address rising urban heat. The study reviews existing literature and real-world examples from 2023 and 2024 to explore how cities are coping with extreme temperatures, focusing on solutions such as green infrastructure, early warning systems and water management strategies. Findings: The results reveal that, while some cities have made considerable progress in enhancing their heat resilience, including the implementation of urban greening and improved early warning systems, there remains a pressing need for more targeted measures to address urban heat effectively to strategically protect human well-being in a context where excess heat conditions migrate from exception to occurrence. The study emphasises that metropolitan areas and expanding megacities worldwide require comprehensive strategies to manage summer heatwaves and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate posing novel, compounded hazards to human health. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on urban heat resilience by highlighting the emerging patterns of extreme temperatures and their effects on public health and well-being. It underscores the urgency for cities to adopt adaptive strategies to cope with rising temperatures, offering insights into the potential trajectory of heatwaves in 2024 and beyond. The study provides a timely and relevant analysis of the global urban heat challenge, urging policymakers and urban planners to prioritise sustainable and effective interventions demanded by populations across the full complex spectrum of contemporary societies.
- Is carbon dioxide removal in the Arctic region really feasible?Publication . Leal Filho, Walter; Luetz, Johannes; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Hunt, Julian; Nagy, GustavoThe Arctic region, warming at nearly four times the global average rate, is both an important carbon sink and a potential source of greenhouse gas emissions, especially due to thawing permafrost. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is increasingly recognised as a necessary measure to support global efforts to reduce emissions. This article examines whether, and under what conditions, large-scale CDR deployment in the Arctic is practically feasible. It also discusses the challenges associated with it. We synthesise peer-reviewed evidence on the performance of key CDR approaches relevant to high-latitude environments, including nature-based solutions (NbS), e.g. peatland restoration, blue carbon protection and afforestation, as well as enhanced rock weathering (ERW), ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) and direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS). Across these approaches, the feasibility is constrained by permafrost dynamics, hydrology, ecological sensitivity, energy availability, monitoring and verification, and governance. Whereas some CDR methods offer potential climate benefits, most are characterised by considerable uncertainty and context-dependent trade-offs. None currently demonstrates unequivocal feasibility at scale under Arctic conditions. Beyond these technical and ecological constraints, we identify four clusters of socio-political barriers that further complicate Arctic CDR: governance fragmentation, geopolitical tensions, inadequate regulatory mechanisms, and uneven global deployment. A comparative assessment suggests that peatland restoration and blue carbon protection are the most immediately actionable options, whereas DACCS and OAE would require substantial new infrastructure and energy investment. The study concludes by outlining targeted policy and research priorities to address existing technological, ecological, and governance challenges, and to situate Arctic CDR within broader mitigation strategies without risking over-reliance or mitigation deterrence. The novelty of this paper lies in its analysis of the multiple variables that influence the viability of CDR. Overall, Arctic CDR appears technically possible but remains highly constrained, with its feasibility contingent on meeting stringent operational conditions, robust governance, and continued emissions reductions elsewhere.