Climate crisis and recent developments in bio-based restoration of ecosystems

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Sustainable Development
• Ecosystem Restoration

Background:

• Growing concerns over the climate crisis necessitate sustainable economic growth and biodiversity protection.
• Experts advocate for bio-based ecosystem restoration and responsible resource management to ensure intergenerational equity.
• The 16th Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Conference (SDEWES 2021) convened to address these critical issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of recent developments in energy, water, and environmental sustainability.
• To review selected articles presented at the SDEWES 2021 conference.
• To serve as an editorial introduction for a special issue of the Journal of Environmental Management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of conference proceedings.
• Editorial synthesis of key themes and findings.
• Compilation of articles for a virtual special issue.

Main Results:

• Identification of key trends and innovations in sustainable energy, water management, and environmental protection.
• Highlighting the interconnectedness of these three domains in achieving sustainable development.
• Showcasing research presented at SDEWES 2021 as representative of current advancements.

Conclusions:

• The SDEWES 2021 conference underscored the urgency and progress in sustainable development across energy, water, and environment sectors.
• Continued research and application of bio-based solutions and responsible resource management are crucial.
• This special issue serves as a valuable resource for understanding the latest scientific contributions to global sustainability efforts.