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In the context of the current climate crisis and a growing need for electricity, renewable energy plays an important role. Repowering means upgrading existing renewable energy production with new, more efficient technology to increase production in older sites. Wind-power technology has developed significantly in the last few years and upgrading wind parks in the most suitable locations is relevan
Since 2018, the Swedish housing market has exhibited a paradoxical development in which a persistent housing shortage coexists with increasing vacancies. The simultaneous progression of these seemingly anti-correlated trends raises important questions regarding the functioning of the residential real estate sector. This thesis examines why the residential Swedish rental market continues to produce
One third of the produced food for human consumption is wasted throughout the sup-ply chain. Given that 45% of the Earth's habitable land is classified as agricultural land, of which 16% is used for crop production, this situation is unsustainable. Food packaging could be one of the solutions to reduce food waste. Smart packaging, which includes active and intelligent packaging, is an innovati
This essay explores the critiques of modernity from posthuman and Indigenous perspectives, exploring their convergences and divergences. It argues that both frameworks challenge the anthropocentric and dualistic paradigms that have historically governed Western thought. Posthumanism encourages ontological humility by recognizing the non-dual nature of existence and more-than-human agency, while In
The effects of climate change are resulting in harmful impacts — known as loss and damage — hitting the most vulnerable countries the hardest. At COP27 in Sharm el- Sheikh, a new “loss and damage fund” was agreed upon, creating history within the international climate change policy arena. However, the question of who may benefit from this fund, remains. The fund is to address the countries that ar
As our cities face the growing impacts of climate change, there is a pressing need to rethink urban development through innovative lenses. One approach is to venture into this change by transforming the functions of the cities to let nature assist in community tasks, thereby reducing the footprint of greenhouse gases. This study shows the integration of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and Artificial
This study investigates concentrations of eight metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, Ni, As) in the freshwater resource Lake Vomb, located in the south of Sweden (Scania), and explores the potential use of deformed Chironomidae larvae as bioindicator. Sediment samples from six locations were analysed against threshold values from the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and background values
Wetlands are vital for biodiversity, socio-ecological systems, and carbon sequestration, but they present a complex challenge in crafting effective conservation policies. This study investigates a successful case of wetland conservation policy, focusing on the notable achievements of Kristianstad Vattenrike. Utilizing a comprehensive research approach, encompassing semi-structured interviews, surv
In recent years, Generative AI has experienced a rapid increase in society and is now used all over the world. The purpose of this study is to find out how much energy and water a student in Lund, as well as all students in Lund, consumes when utilizing Generative AI. The method consists of a quantitative survey study that targeted students in Lund and was placed around Lund campus. The collected
Oil spills are known to cause severe ecological damage, yet the long-term effects on benthic organ-isms are still not fully understood. This study investigates how blue mussels (Mytilus edulis trossulus) were affected by the 2023 oil spill caused by the grounding of the passenger ferry Marco Polo in the Hanö bay, southern Sweden. Here I compare mussels collected from four oil-contaminated sites wi
This study investigates the relationship between the use of pesticides within Ängelholm Municipality’s largest water protection area and the levels of these substances in the drink-ing water. With a growing population and modern lifestyle, society has developed a de-pendency on continuous food production, which in turn has led to increased use of pesti-cides to ensure stable harvesters. This can h
PFAS contamination has been identified at numerous sites worldwide, particularly at firefigh-ting training facilities. Firefighting foams, Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), used at these facilities often contain PFAS as their active substance. The aim of this study was to examine factors that influence transport of eleven different substances of PFAS. Furthermore the study aimed to see how long ti
The threat against biodiversity on beaches is significant in combination with the erosion pressing on our coastlines. At the same time beaches provide paramount cultural and recreational value and are expected to be attractive and accessible for beach visitors. This study explores macroalgae and the conflict between using the beach as a habitat to promote biodiversity while also promoting recreati
Based on current climate data both drought intensity and frequency is expected to increase. Soil microbes react in a variety of ways to drought-imposed stresses, with only a fraction surviving until wetter conditions return. As drought ends and rain returns, these microbial communities respond with an associated pulse in soil CO2-emissions called the Birch effect. Understanding soil microbial resp
Global biodiversity is heavily damaged by human interventions. There are multiple drivers for human-caused biodiversity loss; however, land use linked to agricultural production is the leading one. In response to this major threat, the interest in and importance of assessing the potential biodiversity impacts, particularly those related to land use, have grown significantly. Especially within fram
This study systematically reviews the endocrine-disrupting effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS) on aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates to assess potential health- and ecological risks. Scientific articles were analyzed to compare the impacts of these chemicals on reproductive systems, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and metabolism. Results indicate that BPA, even at low concentrat
Since pre-industrial times, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has contributed to climate change affecting all ecosystems. As a result, global and national commitments have been made to reduce emissions by enhancing the number and effectiveness of carbon sinks. To meet the national climate targets, Sweden has proposed financial compensation for forest owners who postpone harvesting. This
Social and climate-related challenges are closely intertwined. Existing research has shown that community’s ability to recover from extreme weather events is largely influenced by social vulnerabilities and societal resilience. In response, environmental justice has emerged as a potential tool to address these dual challenges in urban planning. Within this context, strategies such as urban densifi
During the years 1951–2002, an amount of 2600–5000 tons of PFAS was released into the environment. The widespread occurrence of PFAS substances can have negative consequences for microbial species and communities within ecosystems, which is ex-pected to have negative effects also for higher trophic levels. Therefore, the purpose of this literature study was to compile information on which identifi
The EU is reforming its Emissions Trading System (ETS) to increase the price on emissions, phase out free carbon allowances and thus accelerate decarbonization. Alongside these reforms, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been introduced to mitigate the risk of carbon leakage, imposing tariffs on carbon-intensive products imported to the EU. While CBAM will be beneficial for many EU-
