Objective: This study analyzes the specialization of agricultural production and the degree of land concentration in Paraná using primary data from the 1920 Census. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework encompasses the agrarian structure and the colonization of the state, considering factors such as the sesmaria land system, the Land Law of 1850, and European immigration, which influenced land distribution and regional productive dynamics. Method: The method employs a quantitative approach, using the Gini coefficient to measure inequality in land distribution and the Specialization Index to assess the concentration of agricultural production. Results and Discussion: The findings indicate a significant concentration of land in large properties, suggesting an unequal land structure despite the agricultural diversification driven by immigration. This scenario highlights the importance of public policies aimed at ensuring equitable land access and promoting diversified agricultural production. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by utilizing primary data from Brazil’s first agricultural census. This census holds unique importance, as no such data was available before this period. Given the historical transformations in Brazilian agriculture, the 1920 Census provides a broad overview of agricultural production and land concentration in Brazil at the time. Analyses of the indicators and data derived from this census complement the economic history of Paraná and Brazil, filling gaps regarding agricultural specialization and land concentration in the early 20th century.

Despite the critical role of artisanal fishing in Amazonian livelihoods, limited research has addressed the Quality-of-Life of fishers affected by restrictive environmental policies. This study examines the Quality of Life of piracatinga ( Calophysus macropterus ) fishers in the case study of a riverine community in the Brazilian Amazon, particularly in the context of a federal moratorium imposed due to unsustainable fishing practices. Using a snowball sampling method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fishers and representatives of cold storage facilities. A novel Quality-of-Life Index (QLI) was developed, incorporating socioeconomic, environmental, and access-based indicators tailored to the local context. Results reveal that the moratorium has significantly reduced household income, heightened social vulnerability, and contributed to informal and potentially illegal fishing activities. The calculated QLI for the community (0.432) underscores stark disparities when compared to urban centers such as Manaus (QLI = 0.91). These findings suggest that environmental conservation policies, when designed without adequate socioeconomic compensation or community participation, risk undermining both ecological objectives and local livelihoods. This research contributes by proposing a context-sensitive Quality-of-Life metric and offers policy insights for balancing conservation and human development in socio-ecologically complex regions.

Renewable energy stands as a pivotal solution to environmental concerns, prompting substantial research and development endeavors to promote its adoption and enhance energy efficiency. Despite the recognized environmental superiority of renewable energy systems, there is a lack of globally standardized indicators specifically focused on renewable energy efficiency. This study aims to develop and apply a non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) indicator, termed the Renewable Energy Indicator (REI), to measure environmental performance at the national level and to identify differences in renewable energy efficiency across countries grouped by development status and income level. The REI incorporates new factors such as agricultural methane emissions (thousand metric tons of ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ equivalent), PM2.5 air pollution exposure (µg/m³), and aspects related to electricity, including consumption (as % of total final energy consumption), production from renewable sources, excluding hydroelectric (kWh), and accessibility in rural and urban areas (% of population with access), aligning with the emerging paradigm outlined by the United Nations. By segmenting the REI into global, developmental, and income group classifications, this study conducts the Mann–Whitney U test and the Kruskal–Wallis H tests to identify variations in renewable energy efficiency among different country groups. Our findings reveal top-performing countries globally, highlighting both developed (e.g., Sweden) and developing nations (e.g., Costa Rica, Sri Lanka). Central and North European countries demonstrate high efficiency, while those facing political and economic instability perform poorly. Agricultural-dependent nations like Australia and Argentina exhibit lower REI due to significant methane emissions. Disparities between developed and developing markets underscore the importance of understanding distinct socio-economic dynamics for effective policy formulation. Comparative analysis across income groups informs specific strategies tailored to each category.