Climate change has become a considerable concern for humanity during this anthropocentric era. Scientists believe that the rate of global warming and climate change varies directly with the increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide. Urbanization is happening at a higher rate in this era than in any other generation. It was reported that the building sector plays a critical role in the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Construction of buildings, operation, and utilization of the built environment has led to emissions of a large number of CO2 into the ambient air. Various issues and challenges arise from the building sector in reducing CO2 emissions. The exploitation of non-renewable energy resources, poor building design, and lack of sustainability consideration in urbanization has been holding back CO2 emission mitigation measures in the building sector. Therefore, CO2 emission mitigation plans and schemes are necessary alongside standardized frameworks and guidelines. The strategies to reduce CO2 in the building sector are enforcing standards and policy, conducting impact assessment, adopting low carbon technology, and restricting energy utilization. All stakeholders must play their roles efficiently to reduce CO2 emissions and aid in the fight against climate change.
1 February 2012 in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Human activities continue to affect our water quality; it remains a major problem worldwide (particularly concerning freshwater and human consumption). A critical water quality index (WQI) method has been used to determine the overall water quality status of surface water and groundwater systems globally since the 1960s. WQI follows four steps: parameter selection, sub-indices, establishing weights, and final index aggregation, which are addressed in this review. However, the WQI method is a prolonged process and applied to specific water quality parameters, i.e., water consumption (particular area and time) and other purposes. Therefore, this review discusses the WQI method in simple steps, for water quality assessment, based on two multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods: (1) analytical hierarchical process (AHP); and (2) measuring attractiveness by a categorically based evaluation technique (MACBETH). MCDM methods can facilitate easy calculations, with less effort and great accuracy. Moreover, the uncertainty and eclipsing problems are also discussed—a challenge at every step of WQI development, particularly for parameter selection and establishing weights. This review will help provide water management authorities with useful knowledge pertaining to water usage or modification of existing indicators globally, and contribute to future WQI planning and studies for drinking, irrigation, domestic, and industrial purposes.
There is increasing concern regarding alleviating world energy demand by determining an alternative to petroleum-derived fuels due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, rapid population growth, and urbanization.
Natural fibers are getting attention from researchers and academician for utilization in new technology due to their ecofriendly nature and sustainability. This paper reviews advancements of utilization of natural wool fiber in industry and agriculture. Sheep wool is one of the natural and renewable sources which is widely used in the textile industry to make clothes, rugs, socks, and carpets, besides some uses in agriculture as fertilizers. Recently, wool has become alternative material in some industrial sectors, which increases the value of wool fiber. Increasing demand for alternative materials in buildings sectors has driven the production of sheep wool fibers with comparable and unique properties, for example thermal and sound insulation. Wool with enlarged pores is commercially available for sorption of dyes, oil spill, and volatile organic compounds (Greener Cleaner). Wool is also chemically modified for use in catalytic converter. The unique composition of wool has made it favorable in construction of light aircraft, ships, and trains upholstery. The self-extinguish property makes wool promising as a seal insulator for heat-generating appliances. Substances such as lanoline, ceramide, peptone, and keratin have been proposed for manipulation with wool to be utilized in pharmacotherapy cosmetics, and medical treatment.
13 July 2020 in International Journal of Energy Research