 cover.jpg)
June Philip Obsania Ruiz
Abstract: Climate change disrupts the delivery of health care services. Health care facilities are also leading consumers of energy, with a large environmental footprint that contributes to carbon emissions. Such emissions can be mitigated by using renewable, sustainable and clean energy. This can also be achieved by using materials that reduce energy consumption. Pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11285 “Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act,” Section 33 states that all energy users shall use every available energy resource efficiently and promote the development and utilization of new and alternative energy-efficient technologies and systems, including renewable energy technologies. The Department of Health (DOH), as the nation’s leader in health, has developed the Green and Safe Healthcare Facility Standards and Guidelines, which serve as a guide for health facilities in taking appropriate measures to reduce their environmental footprint. This study aims to describe the process related to the development of standards for a climate-smart health facility and to document the present practices of DOH hospitals. The principles of the standards are aligned with existing national policies and international standards. Some of the DOH hospitals implement green measures such as reduction of energy consumption, rainwater harvesting, energy audits, the use of sustainable materials, handwashing facilities, food safety, green procurement, the use of renewable and clean energies, biophilic design, and healing gardens. The study recommends that more action be taken by the DOH hospitals to develop green and safe (climate-smart) health facilities and that they should also include funding for proper implementation.
Keywords: Climate Change, Climate-Smart Health Facilities, Sustainability, Philippines.
 cover.jpg)
Annisa Dwi Astari and Shabbir H. Gheewala*
Abstract: One-third of global food that is specifically produced for human consumption is lost and wasted along the food supply chain. This has become a global issue as its amount is projected to increase following the growth of the world population. FLW contains valuable components that can be valorized into a range of products for various applications. Managing FLW through valorization is considered one of the pathways to reduce the burden on the environment and support circularity in food systems. Thus, the development of innovative methods to capture the FLW value has received much attention. This review aims to provide an overview of various studies on FLW valorization to date. An attempt has also been made to explore the best practices and challenges of valorization to support the circular economy. The FLW valorization studies have progressed rapidly, including the innovation to produce bio-based materials, food ingredients, nutraceutical products, compost, and bioenergy. As combined with an economic model, the valorization of FLW can also broadly impact the economic and social aspects; thus, contributing to the transition toward the circular economy. Thereafter, several studies have also addressed challenges to valorizing FLW in the circular model; among them are the access to FLW availability data, investment, logistics, policy and regulation, and customer acceptance toward secondary material-based products.
Keywords: Circular economy, food loss, food waste, valorization.
 cover.jpg)
Prangtip Triritthiwittaya*, Chaiwat Ekkawatpanit*, Duangrudee Kositgittiwong and Amnat Chidthaisong
Abstract: The Mae Chaem River Basin experienced frequent wildfires, particularly during the dry season (January to April), with the majority occurring in reserved forest areas. These wildfires' impact is generally classified by severity, disrupted vegetation, soil properties, and hydrological regimes. This study aims to evaluate streamflow and sediment dynamics changes from 2014 to 2018 using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), comparing pre-fire and post-fire scenarios. The results from the Difference Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) showed that low severity burn areas, comprising 20-67% of the total burned area, led to an escalation of peak discharge and sediment flow during the rainy season (May to September). The study found that the total runoff increased by 3% after the fire, which indicates a potential for more severe flooding. The average annual baseflow increased at the basin scale but fluctuated at the subbasin scale. The influence of wildfires on sediment transport exhibited a heightened magnitude compared to water yield. The sediment outflow from the watershed increased by approximately 15% based on the post-fire model. This increase was found to be related to precipitation intensity and the proportion of the burned area. Furthermore, sediment degradation and deposition were found to shift towards subbasins, with 25% of burned areas becoming more susceptible to combustion.
Keywords: Burned area, sediment dynamic, streamflow, SWAT, wildfire.