Water

Our Double-Edged Nitrogen Sword Nitrogen exists as a profound duality in Earth’s systems. Its inert atmospheric form ($N_2$) constitutes the most abundant gas surrounding the planet, serving as an invisible backdrop to existence. When converted into reactive forms through fixation processes, nitrogen transforms into a fundamental building block for proteins and DNA, becoming the engine of agricultural productivity that sustains billions of people. ...

Historical Evolution of Water Security Understanding The understanding of water security has evolved significantly over time, particularly in conjunction with the growing awareness of climate change. Historically, water management often focused on ensuring supply for specific sectors like agriculture or urban consumption, often through large-scale infrastructure projects such as dams and irrigation systems1. However, the late 20th and early 21st centuries saw a broadening of the concept of “water security” to encompass not just quantity but also quality, ecosystem health, and the equitable distribution of water resources23. ...

A chemical miracle has turned into a global menace The development of PFAS began in the 1940s when manufacturers started producing these chemicals for their unique properties of water, oil, and stain resistance12. Initially celebrated for their versatility in non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, and countless industrial applications, PFAS were considered technological marvels that enhanced modern life13. The strong carbon-fluorine bonds that make these chemicals useful also make them virtually indestructible in natural environments12. ...

A (Grim) History of Hollowing Out Our Home The understanding of biodiversity as a planetary boundary has developed considerably over recent decades. Scientists have progressively recognized that biological diversity represents not merely an environmental concern but a fundamental limit to human activities. This recognition began with the Stockholm Resilience Centre’s introduction of the planetary boundaries framework, which identified biodiversity (or biosphere integrity) as one of nine critical Earth system processes that maintain planetary stability1. ...

From Absence of War to Foundations of Wellbeing The concept of peace within global frameworks has evolved significantly over decades. Initially narrowly defined as the “absence of war” in traditional UN approaches, peace has progressively expanded to encompass positive attributes of social harmony, justice, and human security12. The Brundtland Report in 1987 marked a pivotal expansion, integrating conflict prevention as a key sustainability consideration. ...