Abstract

Reducing poverty and inequality of any kind is a pre-condition for achieving improved quality of life and overall well-being of the masses for attaining sustainable development. In this pre-text, this paper examines the multidimensional aspects of poverty in the rural households of the Kargil district of Ladakh, India. The analysis of primary data collected from 315 sample households using the Alkire-Foster method reveals the presence of multidimensional poverty in about 66.03% of households. In contrast, about 33.33% of households are vulnerable to such poverty. It is found that deprivations in education, standard of living, nature of employment, women empowerment, and social security dimensions are critical in contributing to multidimensional poverty in the district. Besides, the estimation of the multiple regression equation infers that the intensity of multidimensional poverty is positively influenced by the age of the household head and family size, and negatively influenced by monthly food and non-food expenditures. Therefore, the policy focus is required on all these aspects to help households escape from multidimensional poverty so that inclusive growth can be ensured.

Abstract

In the context of the Anthropocene, and in the face of an unprecedented climate crisis generating 20 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually, this study critically examines the transition from a ‘grey’ economy based on fossil fuels to a ‘green’ and regenerative economy, proposing two interrelated strategies: the transformation of terrestrial and agricultural systems to enhance natural carbon sequestration (including halting deforestation, regenerative agriculture and sustainable livestock systems), and the restructuring of global social metabolism (promoting reduced consumption, circular economies and renewable energy). The analysis emphasizes that this transition will require unprecedented global cooperation and bold government policies and will face significant challenges such as resistance from entrenched interests and global inequalities; however, the expected benefits—including a stable climate, healthy ecosystems and a sustainable economy—justify the necessary efforts, framing this transformation not just as a technical challenge but as an ethical and ontological imperative to move from an extractive relationship with the planet to a co-creative role that ensures intergenerational prosperity and planetary health.

Abstract

Biocracy refers to a system of governance and decision-making that prioritizes the well-being and health of living systems, including ecosystems, species, and human communities. Biocracy promotes holistic, participatory, and adaptive management, integrating science, traditional knowledge, and collective decision-making. The goal is to cultivate a mutually enriching relationship between humans and the natural world. As a result, all human actions have an impact on Biocracy. This study covers annual data from 2010 to 2022 for a group of member countries of the COP28 with the percentage of emissions reduction needed to meet the 1.5-degree Celsius target by 2030 among current top emitters and employs the tobit panel model with a limited dependent variable (LDV). The primary economic variables that substantially influence Biocracy are GDP growth, foreign investment, inflation rate, employment, trade-related variables (exports and imports), and governance. The results indicate that the governance index and imports variable have the most significant positive effect on Biocracy, and the elasticity of governance has the largest impact on Biocracy among all the variables studied. The study’s objective is to identify strategies to enhance Biocracy without hindering economic growth, with an emphasis on the role of good governance.

Abstract

The study aims to analyze the differences and influences of financial literacy and financial inclusion on food security in the green and blue economies of San Jose, Camarines Sur, located within the poorest region of Luzon, Philippines. The research also seeks to determine the levels of financial literacy, inclusion, and food security among specific members of each economy, namely rice farmers in the green economy and fisherfolk in the blue economy. This study employs a causal-comparative research design utilizing weighted mean, Kruskal-Walli’s test, and multivariate linear regression to assess the levels, variances, and impacts of financial literacy, inclusion, and food security. The findings indicate that both the green and blue economies exhibit low levels of financial literacy, as individuals struggle to apply their knowledge and skills to their attitudes and behaviors. Furthermore, given that many rice farmers and a majority of fisherfolk reside in remote areas away from urban centers, they encounter challenges in accessing and effectively utilizing financial services and products. Additionally, due to their informal income status, they experience transient food insecurity. The study highlights a significant difference in financial literacy, particularly in terms of behavior and attitude, attributed to variations in income patterns. Disparities in financial inclusion are observed concerning access, usage, quality, and well-being, stemming from geographical and systemic obstacles such as the coastal isolation of the blue economy and institutional barriers faced by both groups. The research concludes that financial literacy and financial inclusion play significant roles in influencing food security, with their effects varying across specific dimensions of each variable.

Abstract This study examines the multidimensional energy poverty index (MEPI), headcount ratio, and intensity in six South Asian countries. Using two datasets (India, 2005 and 2015), (Bangladesh, 2011 and 2017), (Afghanistan, 2010 and 2015), (Pakistan, 2012 and 2017), (Nepal, 2011 and 2016), and (the Maldives, 2009 and 2016), this study employs an adjusted MEPI to compare each country’s effort in multidimensional energy poverty reduction (2005 to 2017). The empirical results indicate that India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and the Maldives significantly reduced MEPI, headcount ratio, and intensity compared to past years. However, in the case of Afghanistan, MEPI and the headcount ratio increased. The empirical results further indicate that although there has been a significant reduction in MEPI, the deprivation of modern cooking fuel and access to electricity remains high in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. The study invites attention towards clean energy sources and proposes that if these countries provide modern energy fuel to households, a significant reduction is possible in the MEPI score. In our study, the results obtained with modern cooking fuel significantly dropped MEPI, headcount ratio, and intensity. These findings explain the necessary attention toward multidimensional energy poverty reduction strategies in South Asia and other developing countries.

Abstract

Although South Africa committed itself to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals, progress in education has been hampered by controversies about equity and excellence. Although some believe that the equity vs. excellence tension will and should never be resolved, this paper’s point of departure is that learner achievement will be made less difficult when equity and excellence are prioritized correctly. The paper proposes that prioritization is possible through the natural law theory, yet few if any studies have explored that perspective in South Africa. Four research questions then shape the arguments. Following a dialectical approach, the paper shows that since Aristotle’s time, the notion of natural law has been accepted as one of the most fundamental concepts of our civilization. Through the natural law theory, equity is not only viewed as the highest form of law but is also the highest form of any good or pleasure, hence excellence. This implies that in education, without actualizing learners’ potential or excellence of their nature, equity has not been achieved for them. Through the theory, the paper shows South Africa’s behaviors that violate natural law. However, this is not sustainable as it only provides the nation with temporary happiness instead of true happiness in accordance with nature. This according to Aristotle’s natural law theory is hedonic happiness instead of eudemonic happiness. Contrary to beliefs that violators of natural law go scot-free, nature is red in tooth and claw and its punishment is evident in the vicious cycles, such as a low happiness index, high crime rates, high unemployment rates and poor service deliveries that plague South Africa. In terms of theory, the natural law theory allows for more precise definitions of equity and sustainable development which are currently lacking in all the previous debates. In terms of practice, both the natural law theory and sustainable development converge in the capability approach to education. The relation between the capability perspective and education is acknowledged in the 2002 UNESCO Report “Education for all”, and its distinctive feature, the human capability approach is its assessment of policies not on the basis of their impact on incomes, but on whether or not they expand the real freedoms that people value. This approach and its conversion argument say that these internal converting capabilities are highly diverse among people, which weakens the supporting argument for a resource-based equality. The conversion argument says that the importance of primary goods or resources [external conversion factors] is derivative of the individual capability [internal conversion factors] to convert them into valued functionings. A recommendation coming from such observations is that our future depends crucially on how we educate the next generation of gifted people, especially in the mathematical sciences. The paper concludes by providing an example of how a critical mass of gifted people or excellence could create equity as knowledge cascades down in an organization or society. Singapore is an example that achieves equity through its gifted education programs. The paper recommends a similar approach if South Africa were to achieve the equitable and sustainable education it aspires for its learners.

Abstract

Medical social workers play an indispensable role in hospice settings by addressing the multifaceted needs of patients and their families during end-of-life care. This paper focuses on how their expertise in psychosocial assessment, care planning, advocacy, counseling, and resource coordination ensures holistic, patient-centered care that integrates clinical and emotional support. Medical social workers foster culturally sensitive practices through interdisciplinary collaboration, enhance communication among care teams, and provide tailored interventions that address emotional, social, and spiritual concerns. This integration improves the quality of life for patients and alleviates emotional and systemic burdens on healthcare infrastructures. In addition to their immediate contributions, medical social workers support sustainable healthcare systems by promoting health equity and addressing disparities in hospice care. Their work aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), by ensuring equitable access to compassionate care for marginalized populations. Furthermore, their efforts to empower communities, advocate for cost-effective care strategies, and integrate social and medical perspectives contribute to the long-term resilience of healthcare systems. As the healthcare landscape evolves, the role of medical social workers in hospice care becomes increasingly critical. Their ability to address root causes of distress, navigate complex family dynamics, and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration exemplifies the necessity of their role in advancing equitable and effective end-of-life care.

Abstract

This review examines the dual roles of renewable energy in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity. It looks at the direct and indirect impacts of renewable energy on biodiversity and highlights strategies for striking a balance between energy development and ecological conservation. The global climate crisis demands immediate action, and renewable energy is a key component of efforts to mitigate climate change. However, while renewable energy technologies like solar, wind, and bioenergy hold significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, their deployment also presents risks to biodiversity. The relationship between renewable energy and biodiversity conservation is complex, as energy infrastructure can cause habitat destruction, ecosystem disruptions, and habitat fragmentation, potentially aggravating the very environmental challenges that renewable energy seeks to address. Whereas renewable energy technologies can lessen the environmental impact of human activity, their widespread use may have unforeseen effects on species and ecosystems. If not properly managed, renewable energy projects have the potential to cause major changes in land use, including desertification, deforestation, and the disruption of delicate ecosystems. Ecosystems may also be harmed by the exploitation of raw resources for renewable energy, such as lithium for batteries and rare earth elements for wind turbines. This review examines the main obstacles to coordinating the growth of renewable energy with the preservation of biodiversity, including the effects of wind farms on bat and bird populations, the way hydropower dams change river ecosystems, and the possibility that bioenergy crops would supplant native flora. It then suggests ways to lessen these effects, such as improved site design, more effective energy systems, and incorporating biodiversity concerns into legislative frameworks. In order to guarantee that renewable energy contributes to a sustainable future for both climate and biodiversity, the study concludes by highlighting the necessity of a multidisciplinary strategy that combines energy and conservation policy.