UN-SDG 15: Life on Land

Ecological Impacts of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Runoff Eutrophication and Aquatic Dead Zones Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers enter waterways through surface runoff and leaching, triggering eutrophication—a process where algal blooms deplete dissolved oxygen, creating hypoxic “dead zones” incapable of supporting marine life12. The scale of this crisis is particularly evident in the Gulf of Mexico, where a massive 6,334-square-mile dead zone persists due to Midwestern agricultural runoff. This environmental catastrophe has decimated local fishing industries, reducing shrimp catches by 40% and destabilizing coastal economies that have relied on these waters for generations34. ...

Introduction Food security is a fundamental requirement for human well-being and societal stability. The 1996 World Food Summit defined it as the state where “all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”.1 This definition underscores the importance of not just having enough food, but also having access to the right kinds of food to support health and well-being. Indeed, food and nutrition security are indispensable for both physical and mental well-being, playing a crucial role in overall human development.2 Furthermore, food security is intricately linked to social stability, as its absence can exacerbate social unrest and conflict.3 ...

A recent study published in Nature has raised concerns about the current state of Earth’s climate system. The research suggests that the “safe and just” climate boundary has already been breached, with global average temperatures surpassing the 1°C threshold above pre-industrial levels.1 This finding is particularly significant in the context of the Paris Agreement’s goal to limit warming to 1.5°C, as it indicates that we are dangerously close to exceeding this critical limit. ...