Climate Change and Sustainable Developments - Current Perspective and Technological Solutions

This book focusses on climate change and sustainable scientific/technological solutions, covering topics on pollution, extreme environments, greenhouse gases/global warming, effects of climate change on water resources/forest resources, depletion of fossil fuels and generation of renewable energy, human health, agriculture and food security.

List of contents

Contents
Preface ..................................................................................................................... xiii
About the Editors ..................................................................................................... xv
List of Contributors ................................................................................................ xvii
Chapter 1 A scientific discussion on global climate change ................................. 1
Z. Fuat Toprak
1.1 Introduction .............................................................................. 1
1.2 Numerical comparison of scientific studies on
the subject by years .................................................................. 2
1.3 Reflection of the problem to the public .................................... 2
1.4 A brief review of the literature performed on
the subject ................................................................................ 3
1.5 Problem solution ...................................................................... 5
1.6 Results and discussion ............................................................. 6
References ............................................................................................ 6
Chapter 2 Climate crisis: issues, concerns and solutions for a
sustainable planet ................................................................................10
Ram Boojh
2.1 Introduction .............................................................................10
2.2 Climate crisis ..........................................................................11
2.2.1 Climate crisis to climate/planetary
emergency .................................................................12
2.2.2 Global climate agreements .......................................14
2.2.3 Emissions Gap Report ..............................................14
2.2.4 The net zero ..............................................................15
2.2.5 Crisis of pollution and waste ....................................16
2.2.6 Crisis of oceans ........................................................17
2.2.7 Nature and biodiversity ............................................17
2.2.8 Ecosystem services and nature-based
solutions ....................................................................19
2.2.9 Natural sites, protected areas ...................................21
2.2.10 Wetlands as carbon sinks ........................................ 23
2.3 Population sustainability ........................................................ 24
2.4 Sustainability and climate change education ......................... 25
2.5 Climate justice: reaching out to the unreachable ................... 26
2.6 Climate sustainability solutions and technologies ................. 27
References .......................................................................................... 31
Chapter 3 Contribution of microalgae biorefineries to climate
change mitigation ................................................................................35
M. Victoria Busi, Julieta Barchiesi, and M. Ayelén Pagani
3.1 Introduction .............................................................................35
3.2 Carbohydrates from microalgae ............................................ 38
3.2.1 Variables that modify the carbohydrate content ....... 38
3.2.2 Genetic engineering strategies .................................41
3.2.3 Biomass hydrolysis processes ...................................41
3.3 Biofuels ...................................................................................43
3.3.1 Bioethanol .................................................................43
3.3.2 Biodiesel ...................................................................45
3.3.3 Biohydrogen and biogas............................................47
3.4 Wastewater: a convenient source of water, carbon,
nutrients (and xenobiotics) ..................................................... 48
3.4.1 Wastewater origins and the need for
bioprospection ......................................................... 49
3.4.2 Consortia for organic pollutant degradation ............ 50
3.4.3 Heavy metal detoxification and phycomining ..........51
3.4.4 Biomass harvest ....................................................... 54
3.5 Conclusion .............................................................................. 54
Acknowledgments .............................................................................. 55
Conflict of interest .............................................................................. 55
References .......................................................................................... 55
Chapter 4 Microalgal bioremediation of arsenic-contaminated
environments: opportunities and limitations.......................................71
Chitralekha Nag Dasgupta and Rachana Singh
4.1 Introduction .............................................................................71
4.2 Physico-chemical methods of arsenic removal .......................73
4.2.1 Coagulation and flocculation ....................................73
4.2.2 Ionic absorption ........................................................75
4.2.3 Nanotechnology and nanoparticles ..........................75
4.2.4 Chemical methods ....................................................75
4.3 Arsenic detoxification by microalgae .....................................76
4.3.1 Mechanism of arsenic detoxification by microalgae ..... 77
4.4 Factors affecting heavy metal remediation by microalgae ...... 83
4.4.1 Algal species selection ............................................ 84
4.4.2 Biosorption potential ............................................... 84
4.4.3 Environmental conditions........................................ 84
4.4.4 Concentration of heavy metals ................................ 84
4.4.5 Biomass concentration ............................................. 85
4.4.6 Genetic and physiological factors ............................ 85
4.5 Future prospects ..................................................................... 85
References .......................................................................................... 86
Chapter 5 Innovations in bioplastic production .................................................. 95
Mariana Martín and Diego F. Gomez-Casati
5.1 Introduction ............................................................................ 95
5.2 Navigating plastic pollution: toward sustainable solutions ....... 95
5.3 Types of bioplastics ................................................................ 96
5.4 Production methods ............................................................... 97
5.4.1 Microbial fermentation ............................................ 97
5.4.2 Chemical synthesis .................................................. 97
5.4.3 Production of biodegradable blends ........................ 99
5.5 Advancements and prospects in algae-based bioplastics:
a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics................. 100
5.6 Environmental considerations-biodegradation ..................102
5.7 Challenges and future directions ..........................................103
References ........................................................................................ 104
Chapter 6 Bioplastics for sustainable food packaging application as a
climate change solution .....................................................................108
L. Susmita Devi, Shrawan Kumar, Ram Boojh, and Santosh Kumar
6.1 Introduction ...........................................................................108
6.2 Categories and types of bioplastics .......................................110
6.2.1 Bioplastics from biomass ........................................110
6.2.2 Bioplastics from microorganisms ...........................111
6.2.3 Bioplastics from fossil resources ............................112
6.3 Conversion techniques of bioplastics into food packaging ......113
6.3.1 Injection molding ....................................................113
6.3.2 Blow molding .........................................................114
6.3.3 Extrusion ................................................................115
6.3.4 Thermoforming ......................................................116
6.4 Applications of bioplastics in food packaging ......................116
6.4.1 Fresh produce .........................................................117
6.4.2 Muscle foods ...........................................................117
6.4.3 Bakery and dairy products .....................................118
6.5 End-of-life options of bioplastics ..........................................119
6.5.1 Recycling ................................................................119
6.5.2 Composting .............................................................120
6.5.3 Anaerobic digestion ................................................120
6.5.4 Incineration .............................................................121
Chapter 7 Advancements in biofuels: a comprehensive analysis of
bio-renewable energy ........................................................................127
Vineeta Singh, Ram Niwas, and Shalini Singh Visen
7.1 Introduction ...........................................................................127
7.2 Generations of biofuel ...........................................................128
7.2.1 First-generation biofuels .........................................128
7.2.2 Second-generation biofuels.....................................132
7.2.3 Third-generation biofuel .........................................141
7.2.4 Fourth generation or future of biofuel ....................147
7.3 Conclusion .............................................................................148
References ........................................................................................ 149
Chapter 8 Algal biofuel: commercial viability-dream or reality?...................153
Komal Pandey and Chitralekha Nag Dasgupta
8.1 Introduction ...........................................................................153
8.2 Algae biofuel R&D: expectation and disappointment ..........154
8.3 Energy balance issue .............................................................157
8.4 Scaling up by companies ......................................................157
Solazyme (Now TerraVia), USA .......................................... 157
Sapphire Energy, USA ......................................................... 158
Algenol, Florida, USA ......................................................... 158
ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics, USA ....................... 158
Cellana, Hawaii .................................................................... 158
Algae.Tec, Australia ............................................................. 159
AlgaEnergy, Spain ............................................................... 159
OriginOil (Now OriginClear), Florida, USA ....................... 159
Reliance Industries, India ..................................................... 159
8.5 The promise of algal biofuel .................................................159
8.6 Current state of algal biofuel technology ..............................159
8.7 Conclusion .............................................................................163
References ........................................................................................ 164
Chapter 9 Environment and health: effect of climate change on global
economic growth ...............................................................................169
Naina Dwivedi, Durgesh Kumar, Ravi K. Deshwal,
and Sujeet Pratap Singh
9.1 Introduction ...........................................................................169
9.2 Theoretical framework ..........................................................169
9.3 The contribution of healthcare systems to climate change ......171
9.3.1 Sectors polluting the most within the
healthcare system ...................................................172
9.3.2 Hospital care ...........................................................172
9.3.3 Pharmaceutical and medical products ....................172
9.3.4 Reducing food waste in healthcare facilities ..........172
9.3.5 Improving medical-supply chains ..........................173
9.3.6 Healthcare system-level sustainability strategies ......173
9.3.7 Containing the demand for care .............................173
9.3.8 Innovating medical practice ...................................173
9.3.9 Fostering systemic approaches ...............................174
9.4 Challenges for change ...........................................................174
9.5 The science and politics of climate change global issues ........176
9.6 Hot spots in climate change and health ................................176
9.6.1 Health impacts of climate change and ozone
depletion .................................................................176
9.6.2 Responses to the environmental health
impacts of climate change ......................................177
9.7 Conclusion .............................................................................179
References ........................................................................................ 179
Chapter 10 Sustainable menstrual waste management: interconnections
between technologies, policies, and stakeholders .............................182
Nivedita Banerjee, Vijayaraghavan M. Chariar,
and Divya Srivastava
10.1 Introduction ...........................................................................182
10.2 Problems in the existing treatment process of sanitary
wastes and its environmental effect ......................................183
10.2.1 Current issues related to handling
menstrual waste ......................................................183
10.2.2 Taboos, myths, misconceptions, and facts
versus menstrual hygiene management and
women's dignity ......................................................184
10.3 Sustainable approaches toward menstrual
waste management ................................................................185
10.3.1 Technological innovation ........................................185
10.3.2 Initiatives taken by government/
organizations/institute/NGOs .................................188
10.3.3 Role of stakeholders ...............................................189
10.4 Conclusion .............................................................................191
References ........................................................................................ 193
Chapter 11 Evaluating GMOs environment: a comprehensive study ..................195
Sayak Sanyal and Somali Sanyal
11.1 Introduction ...........................................................................195
11.2 Potential dangers associated with the utilization of
genetically modified organisms in terms of the
ecological equilibrium of the GMO ......................................196
11.3 Engagement in competition with native species ...................197
11.4 The inability to conduct subsequent monitoring
or follow-up ...........................................................................198
11.5 Genetic contamination by cross-breeding ............................198
11.6 Effects on the ecosystem .......................................................198
11.7 Lateral transfer of engineered genes to
different microorganisms ......................................................199
11.8 GMOs and superweeds .........................................................199
11.9 Potential benefit associated with the utilization of
genetically modified organisms in terms of the
ecological equilibrium ......................................................... 200
11.10 Effects on human health .......................................................201
11.11 Conclusion ............................................................................ 202
References ........................................................................................ 203
Chapter 12 Genetically modified organisms and environment .......................... 206
Sunil Kumar Verma, Devendra Singh, Minakshi Pandey,
and Prashant Kumar
12.1 Introduction .......................................................................... 206
12.2 History of GMOs ................................................................. 208
12.3 Types of GMOs .................................................................... 209
12.3.1 Microorganisms as GMOs..................................... 209
12.3.2 Plants as GMOs ......................................................213
12.3.3 Animal as GMOs ....................................................218
12.3.4 Human as GMOs ....................................................219
12.4 GMO production ...................................................................219
12.5 GMO food labeling .............................................................. 220
12.6 GMO irregularity ................................................................. 220
12.7 GM controversies ..................................................................221
12.8 GMO toxicity ........................................................................221
12.9 GMO benefit-risk assessment .............................................. 222
12.9.1 Increased food production ..................................... 222
12.9.2 Human antibiotic resistance .................................. 222
12.9.3 GMO-resistant weeds ............................................ 222
12.9.4 Increased cancer rates ........................................... 223
12.10 GMO detection techniques .................................................. 223
12.10.1 Real-time (RT) PCR .............................................. 223
12.10.2 Differential quantitative PCR ................................ 223
12.10.3 Multiplex PCR ....................................................... 223
12.10.4 Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
(LAMP) ................................................................. 223
12.10.5 Pyrosequencing ..................................................... 224
12.10.6 Microarray ............................................................. 224
12.11 Future of GMO .................................................................... 224
References ........................................................................................ 225
Chapter 13 Anti-erosion and spill closing techniques for restoration of
River Basin: a case study of Sharda River, Uttar Pradesh, India ......... 228
Lalit Kumar Singh and Divya Srivastava
13.1 Introduction .......................................................................... 228
13.2 Study area ............................................................................ 230
13.3 Methods ............................................................................... 230
13.3.1 Boulder pitching .....................................................231
13.3.2 Geo-bags .................................................................231
13.3.4 Design .....................................................................231
13.4 Result and analysis ................................................................233
13.5 Conclusion ............................................................................ 234
References ........................................................................................ 234
Chapter 14 Analytical methodologies for environmental analysis ......................237
Shruti Srivastava and Uma Shanker Maurya
14.1 Introduction ...........................................................................237
14.2 Some commonly used analytical techniques in
environmental analysis .........................................................237
14.2.1 Chromatography .....................................................237
14.2.2 Ion chromatography ................................................239
14.2.3 Spectrophotometry ................................................ 240
14.2.4 Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ...... 242
14.2.5 X-ray fluorescence ................................................. 242
14.2.6 Polymerase chain reaction ..................................... 243
14.3 Role of remote sensing in environmental monitoring ......... 244
References ........................................................................................ 246
Chapter 15 Blueprints for a greener future: unraveling architecture
contribution in CO2 mitigation strategies ......................................... 250
Swetika Porwal, Tarun Pant, Sharad Chandra,
and Paras Porwal
15.1 Introduction .......................................................................... 250
15.2 Global warming and its impact .............................................251
15.3 Significance of architecture in CO2 mitigation .....................252
15.3.1 Green roof to mitigate global warming impact ........252
15.3.2 Water reuse to reduce energy consumption
and carbon emission ...............................................253
15.3.3 Use of sustainable building material in
construction sector ..................................................253
15.3.4 Operation and demolition of waste material ..........255
15.3.5 Sustainable architectural design ............................ 256
15.3.6 Biophilic design ......................................................257
15.4 Conclusion and future perspective ........................................257
References ........................................................................................ 257
Index .......................................................................................................................261

About the author

Chitralekha Nag Dasgupta is currently working as Assistant Professor at Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, India. She is an honorary Research Assistant Professor of Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, USA. Her academic journey is distinguished by a strong foundation in biotechnology and bioenergy research. She has gained more than 20 years of research experience at different internationally acclaimed laboratories, both in India and abroad such as University of Calcutta, IIT Kharagpur, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, INSERM Paris, INRA Versailles France.
Rachana Singh is an accomplished academic and researcher, currently serving as an Assistant Professor III at the Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow. With a strong academic foundation, she holds her Ph.D. in Plant Virology from CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute. With over 25 years of combined teaching and research experience, Dr Rachana has made significant contributions to the field of Plant Virology, and Microbiology.
Ram Boojh is an accomplished environment and sustainability professional with rich experience of over 40 years in diverse fields with the Government, university system, civil society and the United Nations. He is currently the Adviser/CEO at the Mobius Foundation, a Delhi based sustainability organization. He has previously worked with UNEP on a transboundary landscape initiative involving Bhutan, India and Nepal. He headed the Natural Sciences (ecology) division of the UNESCO South Asia office in New Delhi for over a decade and also convened the South & Central Asia MAB Network (SACAM).

Product details

• Authors: Chitralekha Singh Nag Dasgupta
• Assisted by: Boojh Ram (Editor), Chitralekha Nag Dasgupta (Editor), Rachana Singh (Editor)
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 14.08.2025
• EAN: 9781032689807
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3268980-7
• No. of pages: 264
• Series: Earth, Environment, and Sustainability
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); Non-fiction book > Politics, society, business > Politics; Climate Change, SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Ecology, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Development / General, LAW / Environmental, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Environmental / General, Applied ecology, Environmental law, Alternative & renewable energy sources & technology, Development Studies, Environment law, Alternative and renewable energy sources and technology