| 1. |
- Pihl, E., et al.
(författare)
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Ten new insights in climate science 2020- A horizon scan
- 2020
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Ingår i: Global Sustainability. - : Cambridge University Press. - 2059-4798.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Non-technical summary We summarize some of the past year's most important findings within climate change-related research. New research has improved our understanding of Earth's sensitivity to carbon dioxide, finds that permafrost thaw could release more carbon emissions than expected and that the uptake of carbon in tropical ecosystems is weakening. Adverse impacts on human society include increasing water shortages and impacts on mental health. Options for solutions emerge from rethinking economic models, rights-based litigation, strengthened governance systems and a new social contract. The disruption caused by COVID-19 could be seized as an opportunity for positive change, directing economic stimulus towards sustainable investments. Technical summary A synthesis is made of ten fields within climate science where there have been significant advances since mid-2019, through an expert elicitation process with broad disciplinary scope. Findings include: (1) a better understanding of equilibrium climate sensitivity; (2) abrupt thaw as an accelerator of carbon release from permafrost; (3) changes to global and regional land carbon sinks; (4) impacts of climate change on water crises, including equity perspectives; (5) adverse effects on mental health from climate change; (6) immediate effects on climate of the COVID-19 pandemic and requirements for recovery packages to deliver on the Paris Agreement; (7) suggested long-term changes to governance and a social contract to address climate change, learning from the current pandemic, (8) updated positive cost-benefit ratio and new perspectives on the potential for green growth in the short- A nd long-term perspective; (9) urban electrification as a strategy to move towards low-carbon energy systems and (10) rights-based litigation as an increasingly important method to address climate change, with recent clarifications on the legal standing and representation of future generations. Social media summary Stronger permafrost thaw, COVID-19 effects and growing mental health impacts among highlights of latest climate science.
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| 2. |
- Alfredsson, Eva C., et al.
(författare)
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Industrial climate mitigation strategies and the remaining fair carbon budget – The case of Sweden
- 2024
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Ingår i: Next Sustainability. - 2949-8236. ; 3, s. 100031-100031
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article explores the climate mitigation strategies of the 15 industries with the largest carbon dioxide emissions in Sweden. Starting from two carbon budget alternatives, we analyse the mitigation projections of the companies in relation to what can be considered their fair share of the remaining carbon budget for Sweden.We furthermore determine the uncertainties associated with the strategies. The results suggest that if the communicated mitigation plans are implemented as planned, the companies overdraft our main, 1.5-degree, budget option but stay within the alternative 1.7-degree budget. The analysis shows, however, that the timing and efficiency of emission reductions are crucial.Already small delays or lower efficiency in implementation, result in evident overdrafts of also the alternative budget. There are also substantial political and technical risks which can prevent timely mitigations. The article makes a novel contribution by analyzing industries’ mitigation strategies relative to their share of the remaining carbon budget.The article demonstrates the importance of transparent industrial climate mitigation strategies and in particular the need for policymakers to set incentive structures to promote strategy implementation.
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| 3. |
- Alfredsson, Eva C., et al.
(författare)
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Prospects for economic growth in the 21st century : A survey covering mainstream, heterodox and scientifically oriented perspectives
- 2017
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Ingår i: Economic Issues. - : ECONOMIC ISSUES EDUCATION FUND. - 1363-7029. ; 22, s. 65-87
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite the importance of economic growth for the current economy, business and societal planning there are few long-term growth projections undertaken. There is, however, a vivid debate on what is called the 'new normal' - secular stagnation - which is undertaken within academic disciplines. This overview covers mainstream, heterodox and scientifically oriented economic perspectives on the prospects for economic growth in the 21st century. The survey shows that existing long-term projections and scenarios indicate growth rates ranging from around half a percentage point less than during the last two decades (projected by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD), to dramatically lower growth rates). Differences stem from different perspectives on the determinants of economic growth and the potential for improvements in productivity. Headwinds are: an aging population, especially in OECD countries; resource constraints, including energy; increasing environmental costs in particular due to the consequences of climate change; overaccumulation; increasing income differences; and declining social capital. One conclusion is that policymaking based on the assumption that economic growth will continue at pre-crisis levels is unwise and risky.
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| 4. |
- Hellsten, Sofie, et al.
(författare)
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Actors' perceptions of environmental impact assessment (EIA) benefits to fulfil Sweden's national environmental objectives
- 2023
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Ingår i: Environmental impact assessment review. - : IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet. - 0195-9255 .- 1873-6432. ; 99, s. 106985-106985
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Activities that require a permit in Sweden account for a significant part of the environmental impact that jeopardizes the fulfilment of the 16 Swedish National Environmental Quality Objectives (EQOs) set up by the Swedish Parliament. In this study we investigate how the EQOs are perceived as a management tool in the Swedish Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, mainly based on interviews.We have identified several limitations associated with the use of EQOs in EIAs as an effective management tool towards sustainability. These limitations include that the EQOs have a subordinate significance compared with other aspects in the EIA process and that EQOs represent different concepts of sustainability. Furthermore, EQOs have low validity and are set as national objectives, hence separated from the operational level of EIAs.A significant proportion of environmental pressures leading to failure to achieve the EQOs are related to permit requiring activities, hence EIA and the permitting process can be important policy instruments to achieve the Swedish EQOs.Integrating EQOs better into EIAs may facilitate handling of synergies, inconsistencies, and trade-offs between environmental and sectoral objectives. Furthermore, driving forces of environmental problems may be targeted more directly.However, in order for the Swedish EQOs to have a larger impact in the permitting process, the EQO system may need to be adapted, and may also need to be complemented with binding standards or legal norms. Furthermore, clearer guidelines regarding issues to focus on, and necessary templates and documentation may be useful tools to facilitate the process even further.
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| 7. |
- Josefsson, Sarah, 1976-, et al.
(författare)
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Structure-related distribution of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and HCB in a river-sea system
- 2011
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Ingår i: Chemosphere. - : Elsevier BV. - 0045-6535 .- 1879-1298. ; 83:2, s. 85-94
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Water concentrations of PCDD/Fs, HCB, and non-ortho, mono-ortho, and non-dioxin-like PCBs were measured four times during 1 year in a coastal area of the Baltic Sea, to investigate background levels and distribution behaviour. Sampling sites included two rivers, an estuary, and the sea. Particulate and apparently dissolved concentrations were determined using active sampling (filters + PUFs), while freely dissolved concentrations were determined using passive sampling (POM-samplers). The distribution between particulate + colloidal and freely dissolved phases, in the form of TOC-normalized distribution ratios (K-roc), was found to be near or at equilibrium. The observed Kroc were not significantly different between sampling sites or seasons. For PCDD/Fs, the concentrations were significantly correlated to suspended particulate matter (SPM), while no correlation to organic carbon (TOC) was observed. In the estuary and the sea, PCB concentrations were correlated to TOC. The sorption of various congeners to SPM and TOC appeared to be related to both hydrophobicity and 3D-structure. The PCDD/F concentration in the sea decreased to one third in May, likely connected to the increased vertical flux of particles during the spring bloom.
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| 8. |
- Karlsson, Magnus, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Indications of Recovery from Hypoxia in the Inner Stockholm Archipelago
- 2010
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Ingår i: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 39:7, s. 486-495
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Improved benthic conditions compared to the 1990s were found during benthic investigations, including sediment and benthic macrofauna in the inner Stockholm archipelago during 2008. In the 1990s, these areas were dominated by black and laminated surface sediments and very sparse fauna. A clear relationship was found when comparing sediment status with the benthic macrofauna. Reduced surface sediment and impoverished macroinvertebrate community was only found at one sampling station representing an enclosed part of the inner archipelago, whereas the other seven stations, with depths ranging from 20 to 50 m, had oxidized surface sediments and considerable biomasses of benthic macrofauna (6-65 g m(-2)) dominated by the invading polychaete Marenzelleria neglecta. An extrapolation of the results shows that, within the investigated area, the coverage of reduced surface sediments had decreased from approximately 17% in the late 1990s to 4% in 2008.
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| 9. |
- Karlsson, O. Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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A revised semi-empirical mass balance model for phosphorus in Baltic coastal areas
- 2014
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Ingår i: Fundamental and Applied Limnology. - : Schweizerbart. - 1863-9135. ; 185:3-4, s. 209-221
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A decade of research on the phosphorus dynamics in Baltic Sea coastal areas using a combination of mathematical modelling, sediment surveys and time series of water quality data from monitoring programs has led to an improved understanding of processes controlling phosphorus turnover and coastal primary production. This paper presents a revised model for phosphorus turnover in non-tidal enclosed Baltic coastal areas. Using a new dataset from 500 sediment sampling stations it was possible to quantify and develop new simplified algorithms for sedimentary processes i.e. burial and erosion that did not decrease the model's predictive power. Our results indicate that erosion of old clays can be an important primary source to phosphorus water concentrations in enclosed coastal areas. A simple laboratory experiment using Common Duckweed (Lemna minor) supports to some extent that phosphorus originating from old clays is partly bioavailable and hence may influence the trophic state in the studied areas.
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| 10. |
- Karlsson, O. Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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Using Fish as a Sentinel in Risk Management of Contaminated Sediments
- 2022
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Ingår i: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. - Stockholm : IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet. - 0090-4341 .- 1432-0703. ; 84:1, s. 45-72
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sediments polluted by historical emissions from anthropogenic point sources are common in industrialized parts of the world and pose a potential threat to the function of aquatic ecosystems. Gradient studies using fish as a bioindicator are an option to assess the ecological impact of locally polluted areas. This study investigates the remaining effects of historical emissions on sediments outside ten Swedish pulp and paper mills using perch (Perca fluviatilis). The aim has been to obtain a general picture of the impact area of local deposits of cellulose fiber-rich sediments containing elevated levels of trace metals, e.g., Hg, and organochlorines, e.g., dioxins. In addition to analyzing contaminant levels in muscle and liver tissue, morphological measures in the fish that constitute biomarkers for health and reproductivity were measured. Another aim was to augment existing historical data sets to observe possible signs of environmental recovery. Overall, the results indicate only a minor elevation in contaminant levels and a minor impact on the fish health status in the polluted areas, which in several cases is an improvement from historical conditions. However, exceptions exist. Differences in the ecosystems' responses to pollution loads are primarily explained by abiotic factors such as water turnover rate, bottom dynamic conditions, and water chemistry. Weaknesses in the sampling methodology and processing of data were identified. After minor modifications, the applied survey strategy has the potential to be a management tool for decision-makers working on the remediation of contaminated areas.
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| 15. |
- Puttonen, Irma, et al.
(författare)
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Distribution and estimated release of sediment phosphorus in the northern Baltic Sea archipelagos
- 2014
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Ingår i: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0272-7714 .- 1096-0015. ; 145, s. 9-21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Phosphorus contents in the sediments were determined in archipelago areas of the northern Baltic Sea (Svealand in Sweden and Aland, SW Finland and W Uusimaa in Finland) during 2008-2012. Spatial and vertical distribution of phosphorus was studied by analysing sediment samples from 345 stations of different seabed substrate types. A sequential extraction method was applied to evaluate the pool of the potentially mobile phosphorus, i.e., the amount of phosphorus that can be expected to be released from sediments to water with time, and possibly support primary production. In addition, vertical distribution of immobile phosphorus forms in the sediments was used as a tool to assess phosphorus burial. The uppermost 2 cm of sediments were calculated to contain 126,000 tonnes of phosphorus in the study area covering 19,200 km(2) of the seafloor. Subtracting the assumed average background content (i.e. that assumed to be buried) of this total phosphorus content gave an estimation of 31,000-37,000 tonnes of potentially mobile phosphorus at the sediment surface. Redox sensitive iron-bound phosphorus accounts for two thirds of this pool. Compared with the total phosphorus input from the catchment of the entire Baltic Sea 29,000 tonnes in 2009 it can be concluded that the store of phosphorus that can be released with time from the sediments is large, and that internal phosphorus recycling processes thus may play a key role in phosphorus fluxes in the coastal zone. Spreading of hypoxia in the future, as recent modelling and sediment proxy results suggest, is likely to severely deteriorate the water quality, particularly in the archipelago areas where the water exchange is slow.
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