Urban agriculture for an inclusive green economy model in Tanzania

Submitted by Petra Hansson on

According to the inclusive green economy (IGE) model, no one should be left out of the green economy revolution. To support an IGE approach, the Tanzanian government must develop policies to support urban agriculture ecosystems because, firstly, Tanzania is an agricultural country. Secondly, agriculture provides many benefits for households, such as boosting livelihoods and improving food security. Third, urban agriculture enhances urban biodiversity and produces ecosystem services needed for urban resilience to climate change and increases tree cover which absorbs greenhouse gases.

Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land, Policy Design, Urban

History, control, epidemiology, ecology, and economy of the invasion of European rabbits in Chile: a comparison with Australia

Submitted by Cristóbal Vásquez on

We reviewed existing studies on the European rabbit in Chile regarding history, control, epidemiology, ecology, and economic impacts, comparing them with Australia's accumulated knowledge about the same topics. We focused especially on the resulting gaps and challenges to orient efforts toward controlling and managing rabbits in Chile. The European rabbit was first introduced to central Chile in the mid-eighteenth century and was reported as naturalized by 1884. It is among the seven invasive species that most affect Chilean ecosystems and their productive uses.

Biodiversity

Traditional crops and climate change adaptation: insights from the Andean agricultural sector

Submitted by Cristóbal Vásquez on

The growth of traditional crops could be a primary resource for adapting to climate change and strengthening agrosystems’ resilience. However, these crops tend to be replaced by non-traditional crops with higher productivity, higher market values, and higher short-term income. In this context, smallholders face trade-offs between maximizing short-term income and ensuring resilience to face likely future climate adversities. The economic assessment of such trade-offs has been commonly neglected in the literature.

Agriculture, Climate Change, Policy Design, Water

Association between long-term air pollution exposure and COVID-19 mortality in Latin America

Submitted by Petra Hansson on

Recent studies have shown a relationship between air pollution and increased vulnerability and mortality due to COVID-19. Most of these studies have looked at developed countries. This study examines the relationship between long-term exposure to air pollution and COVID-19-related deaths in four countries of Latin America that have been highly affected by the pandemic: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. Our results suggest that an increase in long-term exposure of 1 μg/m3 of fine particles is associated with a 2.7 percent increase in the COVID-19 mortality rate.

Air Quality, Covid-19