In our globalised food system, farmers meet domestic and transboundary food needs. As a result, the contribution of farmers to domestic food production is a poor proxy for their role in national... Show moreIn our globalised food system, farmers meet domestic and transboundary food needs. As a result, the contribution of farmers to domestic food production is a poor proxy for their role in national food security. This study offers the first global assessment of how small-, medium-, and large-scale farmers contribute to global food security. We find that the role of small-scale farmers in national and global food security has been significantly underestimated due to the localised focus of previous studies, particularly in high-income nations. Future research must account for the differentiated roles, impacts, and vulnerabilities of farmers within a global context. Show less
Ewijk, S. van; Ashton, W.S.; Berrill, P.; Cao, Z.; Chertow, M.; Chopra, S.S.; ... ; Myers, R.J. 2023
The circular economy has become a useful concept in sustainable resource management and an area of research that influences business and policy. The successful application of the circular economy... Show moreThe circular economy has become a useful concept in sustainable resource management and an area of research that influences business and policy. The successful application of the circular economy benefits from extensive engagement with the body of scientific knowledge that brought it about, and which offers many relevant methods and findings. This white paper promotes such engagement by presenting 10 insights from the field of industrial ecology; each insight presents critical concepts, challenges, or opportunities for the circular economy stakeholders. Show less
Thakur, M.; Sloot, M. van der; Wilschut, R.; Hannula, S.E; Hooven, F. ten; Geisen, S.; ... ; Putten, W. van der 2023
Measures in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were based on rough ideas regarding transmission routes of pathogens. Quantified models of physical transmission routes are mostly lacking, a gap to be filled.... Show moreMeasures in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were based on rough ideas regarding transmission routes of pathogens. Quantified models of physical transmission routes are mostly lacking, a gap to be filled. Vaccines and medicines, important, are not studied here. We first survey main routes, from primary production in the alveoli and intestines to emissions, environmental routes, to exposure and alveolar infection. Next, specific routes are modelled, mostly at a preliminary state, open to systematic improvement. Starting from a standardized emitter, modelling results show extreme differences in potential exposure, in a range covering up to 4 orders of magnitude. The outcomes are pathogen-specific, already different between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. Extreme exposures may result in smaller spaces; with lower ventilation rates; with a high density of emitting persons per m3; who stay there for several hours; and visitors staying more than a few minutes. In spaces where a build-up of concentrations is low, exposures are low, lowest in open air situations. A main conclusion for the next pandemic is that a quantified model can give strong guidance on where measures are primarily due. For SARS-CoV-2, ventilation can be improved short-term. Longer-term, effective ventilation rules and adaptation of buildings may reduce high exposures substantially. Show less
