1,721,021 research outputs found
Analysing South Africa's food security environment based on the 2022 Global Food Security Index score and rank
Full text linkMini Dissertation (MAgric (Rural Development))--University of Pretoria, 2024.A report issued by the FAO has warned that, on a global scale, most nations are not progressing towards the achievement of the goal to eliminate hunger before the end of the year 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (United Nations, 2019). Consistent with global patterns, the general state of food security in South Africa has experienced a decline over the preceding five years. The study aimed to analyse South Africa’s food security environment by utilising the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) score and rank, focusing on identifying areas for improvement and prioritising actions for stakeholders. Furthermore, it proposed to evaluate the trend in South Africa’s GFSI rank and score from 2012 to 2022, reviewed performance in the four GFSI dimensions (affordability, availability, quality & safety, sustainability & adaptability), based on the 2022 report, and to suggest actionable steps for various stakeholders to enhance food security. The research adopted a comprehensive approach, blending primary and secondary data sources. Secondary data analysis traced the trajectory of South Africa’s GFSI score and rank over the 2012–2022 period, while primary data collection involved semi-structured interviews with nine recognised experts in relevant fields respective to the indicators. Key findings indicated an initial increase in South Africa’s food security from 2012 to 2016, followed by a moderate decline leading up to 2022. Thirteen out of 68 indicators including, change in the average food cost, food security and access to policy commitments, and water, significantly contributed to the deterioration of the 2022 score and rank. Despite having strong policies and strategies in place to protect and enhance South Africa’s food security, implementation failures were identified in South Africa’s food security environment, these included, lack of collaboration, water system failures and a lack of know-how and support. The GFSI should be understood as an evaluation tool for assessing the food security environment. This study suggests actionable steps that should be implemented and monitored by a food security agency in South Africa. Recommendations included the establishment of a dedicated food security task force or coordinating body to supervise implementation, fostering sustained collaboration among stakeholders. Continuous monitoring of South Africa's GFSI score, and rank was advised to track progress and identify further areas for improvement.Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural DevelopmentMAgric (Rural Development)UnrestrictedFaculty of Natural and Agricultural SciencesSDG-02: Zero Hunge
An exploration into why South Africa does not grow organic cotton
Full text linkThesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.ENGLISH SUMMARY: Cotton is an important fibre in the textile industry, an industry that has a massive environmental impact, much of which is accounted for by the production process. Although polyester is currently the most used fibre in the textile industry, cotton is still the most used natural fibre. Cotton production contributes significantly to the industry’s environmental impact through land and water use. Typically, it is farmed in high-input conventional farming using chemicals and industrial practices that deprive large swathes of land of their nutrients and accelerate the collapse of biodiversity. About 1 500 farmers (both small and large) grow cotton in South Africa. Most of the cotton is produced by about 120 large-scale commercial farmers. None of the cotton grown in the country is organically farmed. This study partially fills the gap in research about perceptions of cotton growing and use in South Africa. The objectives of this research are to provide an overview of cotton farming in South Africa; to explore the perceptions of cotton supply chain actors on their preferences and attitudes towards organic versus Bt cotton; and provide a set of recommendations to the cotton industry for transition towards sustainable practices. A qualitative research methodology was used that consisted of 9 key informant interviews (after an exploratory survey was conducted). As a preparation, a literature review informed a framework for the primary research, guiding the questions for the survey and informant interviews. Overall, the findings of this research show that the arguments for and against growing organic cotton are binary, and the conclusion is not clear cut in terms of what whether organic cotton is better for the environment than the genetically modified cotton that is grown in South Africa. From a business perspective, it emerged that while business is grappling with its contribution to the sustainability agenda, it has the influence and the financial leeway to facilitate and support a transition, yet it is not necessarily doing this to its maximum capacity. A key constraint for business is the pricing mechanism. Adjusting its ‘buy low, sell high’ model, could support a transition to organic. For retailers, buying organic cotton is not cost effective as their businesses are stuck in a “buy low, sell high” model. Currently farmers have no incentive for sustainability transitions. For farmers to transition, business models will need to change so they get the value from farming sustainably. The research also shows that interest in stewardship and care for the planet is not just scholarly - it has wide appeal. The research can contribute to policymaking and to corporate retail strategy. It is also useful for all points of the supply chain to understand that there is a demand for, and interest in, organic. Instead, what emerges from the research is that information and education about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) need to be made more widely available, and that regular and official studies on GMO’s environmental impact should be conducted and made publicly available so that both the industry and the public have a full understanding of the impact of Bt cotton. Some practical recommendations emerging from this research include the need for further investment and commitment to developing organic cotton trials in order to understand the long-term benefits of growing organic cotton.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Katoen is ’n belangrike vesel in die tekstielbedryf – ’n bedryf wat ’n enorme impak op die omgewing het en waarvan die grootste deel deur die produksieproses veroorsaak word. Hoewel poliëster tans die vesel is wat die meeste in die tekstielbedryf gebruik word, is katoen steeds die mees gebruikte natuurlike vesel. Deur die gebruik van grond en water dra katoenproduksie beduidend tot die bedryf se omgewingsimpak by. Dit word gewoonlik in konvensionele hoe-insetboerdery verbou met behulp van chemikaliee en nywerheidspraktyke wat groot stroke grond van voedingstowwe ontneem en die ineenstorting van biodiversiteit verhaas. Nagenoeg 1 500 boere (klein en groot) verbou katoen in Suid-Afrika. Sowat 120 grootskaalse kommersiele boere produseer die meeste van die katoen. Geen van die katoen wat in die land verbou word, word organies verbou nie. Hierdie studie vul gedeeltelik die leemte in navorsing oor persepsies van katoenverbouing en -gebruik in Suid-Afrika. Die doelwitte van hierdie navorsing is om ’n oorsig oor katoenverbouing in Suid-Afrika te verskaf; ’n verkenning van die persepsies van akteurs in die katoenvoorsieningsketting en hul voorkeure en gesindhede rakende organiese versus Bt-katoen (pesbestande katoen wat ’n geen van die bakterium Bacillus thuringiensis bevat); en om ’n stel aanbevelings aan die katoenbedryf vir die oorgang na volhoubare praktyke te verskaf. ’n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie is toegepas wat uit nege onderhoude met sleutelinformante bestaan het (nadat ’n verkenningsopname uitgevoer is). Ter voorbereiding het ’n literatuuroorsig ’n raamwerk vir die primere navorsing verskaf as riglyn vir die vrae van die opname en die onderhoude met die informante. Algeheel toon die bevindings van hierdie navorsing dat die argumente ten gunste van en teen die verbouing van organiese katoen biner is, en die gevolgtrekking is nie duidelik in terme daarvan of organiese katoen beter vir die omgewing is as die geneties gemodifiseerde katoen wat in Suid-Afrika verbou word nie. Uit ’n sakeperspektief het dit duidelik geword dat die handel, terwyl dit worstel met sy bydrae tot die volhoubaarheidsagenda, die invloed en finansiele vryheid het om ’n oorgang te vergemaklik en te ondersteun maar dit tog nie tot sy volle vermoe doen nie. ’n Sleutelbeperking vir die handel is die meganisme vir prysvasstelling. As dit sy model van “koop laag, verkoop hoog” aanpas, kan dit ’n oorgang na organiese verbouing ondersteun. Vir kleinhandelaars is die aankoop van organiese katoen nie koste-effektief nie, aangesien hul ondernemings in ’n model van “koop laag, verkoop hoog” vasgevang is. Boere het tans geen aansporing vir oorgang na volhoubaarheid nie. Vir boere om oor te gaan moet sakemodelle verander sodat hulle waarde uit volhoubare boerdery put. Die navorsing toon ook dat belangstelling in die verantwoordelike bestuur en sorg van die planeet nie net akademies is nie – dit vind oral ingang. Die navorsing kan bydra tot beleidsformulering en tot korporatiewe kleinhandelstrategie. Dit is ook nuttig vir alle punte in die voorsieningsketting om te begryp dat daar ’n vraag na en belangstelling in organiese produkte is. Wat ook uit die navorsing blyk, is dat inligting en opvoeding oor geneties gemodifiseerde organismes (GMO’s) meer geredelik beskikbaar gemaak moet word. Gereelde en amptelike studies oor GMO’s se impak op die omgewing moet ook uitgevoer en openbaar beskikbaar gemaak word sodat sowel die bedryf as die publiek die impak van Bt-katoen ten volle kan begryp. Sommige praktiese aanbevelings wat uit hierdie navorsing na vore kom, sluit in die noodsaak van verdere belegging en verbintenis tot die ontwikkeling van proewe oor organiese katoen om die langtermynvoordele van die verbouing van organiese katoen te begryp.Master
Food and Agriculture Systems Foresight Study: Implications for climate change and the environment - synthesis
Full text linkInvestigating how climate change adaptation can be incorporated into mine closure and rehabilitation strategies to strengthen social-ecological resilience
Full text linkThesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.ENGLISH SUMMARY: Mines have a set lifespan, which means that their closure is inevitable. However, the research suggests that mining companies, historically, do not plan their operations with closure in mind. This is supported by the fact that mine closure and rehabilitation strategies have not been very successful in South Africa to date, resulting in thousands of abandoned mines across the country. Unsuccessful mine closure perpetuates social-ecological vulnerability within surrounding communities, particularly to climate change impacts. Mine closure presents an opportunity to increase the social-ecological resilience of the surrounding community to projected climate change impacts, post life-of-mine. Although there is a lot of literature on projected climate change impacts in South Africa, there are limited studies exploring the extent to which mine closure and rehabilitation strategies incorporate climate change considerations. This research aims to address this gap in the literature. Using a qualitative approach, this study explores how mining companies in South Africa can strengthen the social-ecological resilience of surrounding communities to climate change impacts through the adoption of climate change adaptation in mine closure and rehabilitation strategies. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews with mining experts, from policy scoping, and from a structured review of mining companies’ annual and sustainability reports. Findings from this research highlight three key aspects to adopting climate change adaptation in mine closure and rehabilitation strategies: (1) best practice guidelines significantly influence mine closure and rehabilitation activities; (2) the South African regulations governing mine closure play a crucial role in guiding the change required in industry; and (3) the mining industry must place an increased focus on the value of stakeholder engagements when planning for closure and rehabilitation. This thesis also assesses the benefits and challenges of incorporating climate change adaptation in mine closure and rehabilitation strategies. Findings highlight how the rise in integrated mine closure and progressive rehabilitation is providing early indications of successful and sustainable mine closure in South Africa, and globally. Finally, the insights gained from this research are used to develop practical recommendations to assist mining companies in adopting and implementing climate adaptation responses as part of their closure and rehabilitation strategies, as well as suggest alternative climate adaptation solutions focused on nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Myne het ’n vasgestelde lewensduur, wat beteken dat hul sluiting onvermydelik is. Navorsing dui egter histories daarop dat mynmaatskappye nie hul bedrywighede met sluiting in gedagte beplan nie. Dit word ondersteun deur die feit dat mynsluiting- en rehabilitasiestrategiee in Suid-Afrika tot dusver nie baie suksesvol was nie, wat tot duisende verlate myne regoor die land gelei het. Die onsuksesvolle sluiting van myne handhaaf sosiaal-ekologiese kwesbaarheid in omliggende gemeenskappe, veral teen die impakte van klimaatsverandering. Mynsluiting bied ’n geleentheid om die sosiaal-ekologiese veerkragtigheid van die omliggende gemeenskap teen geprojekteerde impakte op klimaatsverandering te verhoog, na ’n myn se leeftydperk. Alhoewel daar baie literatuur oor die geprojekteerde impakte van klimaatsverandering in Suid-Afrika is, is studies wat die mate waartoe mynsluiting- en rehabilitasiestrategiee klimaatsveranderingoorwegings insluit, ondersoek beperk. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om hierdie leemte in die literatuur aan te spreek. Deur ’n kwalitatiewe benadering te gebruik, ondersoek hierdie studie hoe mynmaatskappye in Suid-Afrika die sosiaal-ekologiese veerkragtigheid van omliggende gemeenskappe teen klimaatsverandering se impakte kan versterk deur klimaatsveranderingaanpassing in mynsluiting- en rehabilitasiestrategiee aan te neem. Data is uit semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met myndeskundiges, vanuit beleidsomvangbepaling, en uit ’n gestruktureerde oorsig van mynmaatskappye se jaarlikse en volhoubaarheidsverslae ingesamel. Hierdie navorsing se bevindinge beklemtoon drie hoofaspekte vir die aanvaarding van klimaatsveranderingaanpassing in mynsluitingen rehabilitasiestrategiee: (1) riglyne van beste praktyk het ’n aansienlike invloed op mynsluiting- en rehabilitasieaktiwiteite; (2) die Suid-Afrikaanse regulasies wat mynsluiting reguleer, speel ’n deurslaggewende rol in die leiding van die verandering wat in die industrie benodig word; en (3) die mynbedryf moet ’n toenemende fokus op die waarde van belanghebbendes se betrokkenheid plaas tydens die beplanning vir sluiting en rehabilitasie. Hierdie tesis assesseer ook die voordele en uitdagings daarvan om klimaatsveranderingaanpassing in mynsluiting- en rehabilitasiestrategiee te inkorporeer. Bevindinge beklemtoon hoe die toename in geintegreerde mynsluiting en progressiewe rehabilitasie vroee aanduidings van suksesvolle en volhoubare mynsluiting in Suid-Afrika, en wereldwyd, verskaf. Laastens word die insigte vanuit hierdie navorsing gebruik om praktiese aanbevelings te ontwikkel om mynmaatskappye te help om reaksies op klimaatsaanpassing as deel van hul sluitings- en rehabilitasiestrategiee aan te neem en te implementeer, asook om alternatiewe oplossings tot klimaatsaanpassing voor te stel wat op natuurgebaseerde oplossings en ekosisteem-gebaseerde aanpassings fokus.Master
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Early-career experts essential for planetary sustainability
Full text linkEarly-career experts can play a fundamental role in achievingplanetary sustainability by bridging generational divides anddeveloping novel solutions to complex problems. We arguethat intergenerational partnerships and interdisciplinarycollaboration among early-career experts will enableemerging sustainability leaders to contribute fully to asustainable future. We review 16 international,interdisciplinary, and sustainability-focused early-careercapacity building programs. We conclude that such programsare vital to developing sustainability leaders of the future andthat decision-making for sustainability is likely to be bestserved by strong institutional cultures that promoteintergenerational learning and involvement.Fil: Lim, Michelle. University of Adelaide; AustraliaFil: Lynch, Abigail J.. National Climate Change And Wildlife Science Center; Estados UnidosFil: Fernández Llamazares, Álvaro. Helsinki University Of Technology; FinlandiaFil: Balint, Lenke. Anglia Ruskin University; Reino UnidoFil: Basher, Zeenatul. Michigan State University; Estados UnidosFil: Chan, Ivis. Sarasota Bay Foundation; Estados UnidosFil: Jaureguiberry, Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Mohamed, AAA. Agricultural Research Center. Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate; EgiptoFil: Mwampamba, Tuyeni H.. Institute Of Ecosystems And Sustainability Research; México. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Palomo, Ignacio. Basque Centre For Climate Change, Spain; España. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; EspañaFil: Pliscoff, Patricio. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Salimov, Rashad A.. Institute Of Botany, Azerbaijan Nat. Academy Of Science; AzerbaiyánFil: Samakov, Aibek. Department Of Ethnology, University Of Tübingen; AlemaniaFil: Selomane, Odirilwe. Natural Resources And The Environment; Sudáfrica. Stockholms Universitet; SueciaFil: Shrestha, Uttam B.. The University Of Queensland; AustraliaFil: Sidorovich, Anna A.. Scientific And Practical Center For Bioresources; Bielorrusi
Exploring equity dynamics along the seaweed value chain in Zanzibar
Full text linkThesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.ENGLISH SUMMARY: The Zanzibar archipelago is a small island state and the semi-autonomous region of Tanzania located in the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar has unique, rich, and valuable coastal ecosystems that provide diverse ecosystem services, which are critical for local livelihoods and well-being. Seaweed aquaculture is one of Zanzibar's major industries and the second-largest cash crop supporting the national economy and thousands of poor and rural coastal residents. Seaweed aquaculture has also attracted attention as a sustainable livelihood activity due to its low environmental impact and numerous socio-economic benefits, especially for women who often do not have the means to earn an income in the small-scale fishing community. However, seaweed farming may not be the silver bullet for empowering women due to mounting sustainability and equity issues related to current seaweed value chain practices. This research used a case study approach to analyse sustainability and equity issues within the seaweed value chain in Zanzibar using a social-ecological systems (SES) approach. This research also explored the multi-dimensional and interrelated relationship among ecosystem services, human well-being, and access mechanisms to understand opportunities for building social-ecological resilience. This research used a hybrid research methodology that included qualitative research methods (e.g., SES mapping, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews) and quantitative research methods (e.g., focus group surveys). Data were analysed using descriptive statistical analysis, value chain analysis, and thematic analysis. Several frameworks (e.g., Theory of human needs, intersectionality, and access mechanism) were also used to inform the data collection and analysis tools. The results of this study provide a more nuanced account that counters existing literature statements that seaweed farming has minor environmental impacts and provides socio-economic benefits through monetary value to women seaweed farmers as the main beneficiaries. Through SES mapping, two key trade-offs were identified: i) seagrass meadows serve as a good environment for seaweed farming but seaweed farming hinders seagrass meadow ecological health; and ii) seaweed farming provides socio-economic benefits to women but working conditions are dangerous for women’s health and safety. The relational value (i.e., relationship, respect, and participation) of seaweed farming was evaluated as more positive than the provisioning services (i.e., food, shelter, water, economic security). The distribution of monetary value was tilted towards the higher value chain activities that are male dominant, such as activities linked to export processes. Identity markers, such as geographic location, gender, age, and origin (place of birth), have a significant impact on different perceptions of the well-being contribution of seaweed farming. These identity markers also determine people's accessibility (i.e., to higher valued seaweed species, government supports, and employment), dependency on ecosystem services linked to seaweed farming, and vulnerability to environmental changes. Social norms and responsibilities, prejudices and perceptions, tradition and culture, education, institutions, and policy contexts played a significant role in shaping this identity-based accessibility, authority, and power dynamics over ecosystem services, further perpetuating social inequalities. These conclusions underscore the importance of more detailed qualitative research with disaggregated assessment tools, as well as mainstreaming equity considerations at all levels and sectors of governance to allow for an evaluation of multi-dimensional equity dynamics. Findings from this research could help to determine how and where to make interventions that are context-specific and address the needs of communities that rely on seaweed aquaculture from the bottom up.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Zanzibar-argipel is ’n klein eilandstaat en die semi-outonome streek van Tanzanie wat in die Indiese Oseaan gelee is. Zanzibar het unieke, ryk en waardevolle kus-ekosisteme wat diverse ekosisteemdienste verskaf wat vir plaaslike lewensbestaan en welstand van kritieke belang is. Seewier-akwakultuur is een van Zanzibar se groot nywerhede en die tweede grootste kontantgewas wat die nasionale ekonomie en duisende arm en landelike kusbewoners ondersteun. Seewier-akwakultuur geniet ook aandag as ’n volhoubare lewensbestaansaktiwiteit vanwee die lae omgewingsimpak en talle sosio-ekonomiese voordele wat dit bied, veral vir vroue wat dikwels nie oor die middele beskik om inkomste in die kleinskaalse vissersgemeenskap te verdien nie. Seewierboerdery is egter dalk nie die wondermiddel vir vrouebemagtiging nie weens toenemende kwessies rondom volhoubaarheid en ekwiteit wat met huidige seewierwaardekettingpraktyke verband hou. Hierdie navorsing het ’n gevallestudiebenadering gebruik om kwessies rondom volhoubaarheid en ekwiteit binne die seewierwaardeketting in Zanzibar te ontleed deur ’n sosiaal-ekologiese stelsel (SES) benadering te gebruik. Het hierdie navorsing die multi-dimensionele en onderling verwante verhouding tussen ekosisteemdienste, menslike welstand, en toegangsmeganismes ondersoek om die geleenthede om sosiaal-ekologiese veerkragtigheid te bou, te verstaan. Hierdie navorsing het ’n hibriede navorsingsmetodologie gebruik wat kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes (byvoorbeeld SES-kartering, deelnemerwaarneming en semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude) en kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodes (byvoorbeeld opnames) ingesluit het. Data is ontleed deur gebruik te maak van inhoud-analise, beskrywende statistiese analise, waardekettinganalise en tematiese analise. Verskeie raamwerke is ook gebruik om die data-insameling- en analise-instrumente in te lig, insluitend interseksionaliteit en welstandsgebiede. Die resultate van hierdie studie verskaf ’n meer genuanseerde toeligting wat bestaande literatuurstellings dat seewierboerdery geringe omgewingsimpakte het en sosio-ekonomiese voordele deur geldelike waarde aan vroue as die hoofbegunstigdes bied, teewerk. Deur SES-kartering te gebruik, is bevind dat alhoewel die voordele van seewierboerdery na vroue vloei, daar ook negatiewe vloei na seegrasweilande is, met twee afwegings wat plaasvind. Die verhoudingswaarde (met ander woorde verhouding, respek en deelname) van seewierboerdery is as meer positief geevalueer as die voorsieningsdienste (dit wil se voedsel, skuiling, water, ekonomiese sekuriteit). Die verspreiding van geldelike waarde is gekantel na die hoerwaardekettingaktiwiteite, soos die uitvoerproses, wat manlik oorheersend is. Identiteitsmerkers, soos geografiese ligging, geslag, ouderdom en oorsprong (geboorteplek) het ’n beduidende impak op verskillende persepsies van seewierboerdery se bydrae tot welstand. Hierdie identiteitsmerkers bepaal ook mense se toeganklikheid (dit wil se tot seewierspesies met hoer waarde, regeringsondersteuning en indiensneming), afhanklikheid van die ekosisteemdienste wat aan seewierboerdery gekoppel is, en kwesbaarheid vir omgewingsveranderinge. Sosiale norme en verantwoordelikhede, vooroordele en persepsies, tradisie en kultuur, onderwys, instellings en beleidskontekste het ’n beduidende rol gespeel in die vorming van hierdie identiteitsgebaseerde toeganklikheid, gesag en magsdinamika oor ekosisteemdienste, wat sosiale ongelykhede verder laat voortbestaan. Hierdie gevolgtrekkings beklemtoon die belangrikheid van meer gedetailleerde kwalitatiewe navorsing met gedisaggregeerde assesseringsinstrumente, sowel dat die ekwiteit-diskoers in die hoofstroom van bestuur op alle vlakke en sektore geplaas word, om multi-dimensionele ekwiteit-dinamika te evalueer en te verstaan. Bevindinge van hierdie navorsing kan help om te bepaal hoe en waar konteksspesifieke ingrypings moet plaasvind en om die behoeftes van gemeenskappe wat op seewier-akwakultuur staatmaak vanaf voelsoolvlak aan te spreek.Master
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Looking across diverse food system futures: Implications for climate change and the environment
Full text linkAgriculture and food systems are in urgent need of transformation. Various foresight reports unpack food systems’ challenges and propose diverse pathways of change towards sustainability. We interrogate the framings and proposed pathways of eleven selected reports from a food system perspective, with a focus on environmental and climate change implications. We synthesize key drivers of food systems and their impact on food system outcomes. We distil trends and strategies identified across the reports and their scenarios and discuss the diversity of ‘sustainability pathways’ and ‘solution spaces’. There is general agreement that resource protection and adaptation balanced with significant greenhouse gas emission reductions are vital to food system transformation. There is less consensus on the choice of change options and how to address potential trade-offs. While new technologies or consumption changes are described, more attention needs to be paid to overcoming blind spots like implications for equity or changes in governance mechanisms
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