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This chapter analyses conditions under which residents of a small Russian town accept the concepts “pollution” and “ecological risk.” The town in question is Sokol in the Vologda oblast of the Russian Federation, where there are two pulp and paper mills and other forest industries. Sokol is a typical small town with a population of about 40,000. The pulp and paper mills are locally run. The issues surrounding Sokol's pulp and paper mills generally present a typical Russian picture (Kuliasova & Kuliasov, 2002a, 2002b) with one major exception. Industrialization in Sokol goes back more than a century and thus reflects the broader history of the 20th century.

The treatment and care of persons with a disability should and must be all encompassing. With the expansion of the knowledge that proper dieting can make a difference in the individual’s development and quality of life, attention must be focused on using proper food intake to remediate the negative impact of a disability. Food is related to proper healthcare; therefore, we must include proper nutrition in working with learners with exceptionalities. We must add to the list of treatments not only educational intervention, social interaction, and independent living, but also food intake. This chapter looks at the dietary needs of several disabling conditions, and addresses how particular dietary food selections help in their development and their ability to learn integration, playing skills with others, and working independently when called on to do so. Therefore, for the purposes of this chapter, we focus on exceptionalities such as cognitive disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis.

The report is an environmental impact assessment of two conjoining water streams in the lower area of the Wembury catchment where freshwater meets the coast. The assessment was conducted as there were concerns that the streams may be causing exceedances of the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) due to catchment-based inputs from anthropogenic activities.

Water, sediment samples, and other parameters were collected, measured, and treated to preserve the concentration of nutrients and metals at three sites. A comparison with the neighbouring river Erme was made to determine if the findings were coherent. The report includes recommendations and mitigation strategies needed to improve the environmental quality of the system.

Findings indicate several breaches of EQS: water nitrogen, copper and zinc, and sediment copper. The highest recorded concentrations were mainly at sites one and two, likely from point source inputs from Wembury town and pollution accumulation from upstream land use such as arable and agricultural land. A special precaution must be taken for sediment copper, increasing monitoring to ensure values do not exceed Probable Effects Level (PEL) possibly becoming dangerous for the fauna and flora but also for humans. River Erme showed to also have EQS breaches but to some degree displayed an overall better ecological status. Despite several breaches in the legal limits, Wembury displays an overall good ecological status supporting life above and below water and is therefore an appropriate model for promoting environmental stewardship. It is to be noted that the material of the coursework was further edited after its original submission.

This chapter examines the Netherlands’ challenges in safeguarding its low-lying coastline against rising sea levels and the consequences of coastal defense strategies on marine life, particularly in relation to SDG14. Sea-level rise necessitates increased soft coastal defense strategies, affecting seafloor areas and marine biodiversity through sand extraction and sand nourishments. The use of hard structures for coastal defense contributes to the loss of natural coastal habitats, raising biodiversity concerns. The chapter explores the potential benefits of artificial hard surfaces as marine habitats, emphasising the need for careful design to prevent ecological problems caused by invasive species. Strategies for enhancing biodiversity on human-made hard substrate structures, including material variations, hole drilling, and adaptations, are discussed. The ecological impact of marine sand extraction is examined, detailing its effects on benthic fauna, sediment characteristics, primary production, and fish and shrimp populations. Solutions proposed include improved design for mining areas, ecosystem-based rules for extraction sites, and ecologically enriched extraction areas. The ecosystem effects of marine sand nourishments are also analysed, considering the impact on habitat suitability for various species. The chemical effects of anaerobic sediment and recovery challenges are addressed. Mitigation measures, such as strategic nourishment location and timing, adherence to local morphology, and technical solutions, are suggested. The chapter underscores the importance of education in Nature-based Solutions and announces the launch of a new BSc programme in Marine Sciences at Wageningen University & Research, integrating social and ecological knowledge to address challenges in seas, oceans, and coastal regions and support SDG14 goals.

Sri Lanka, as an island located near the southern tip of India and the Asian Continent and in the core area of the South Asian Monsoon has developed its own unique forms of Hydraulic Civilization. Sri Lanka is covered with a network of thousands of man-made lakes and ponds, known locally as “tanks,” numbering more than 25,000. Some are in the functional mode and others still remaining abandoned type. Many are thousands of years old and almost all show a high degree of sophistication in their construction and design. Sri Lanka's tanks are fascinatingly distributed in the cascades of tanks one below the other conserving water and soil and most effectively, acting as buffers against droughts while giving due consideration to maintaining the ecosystem equilibrium.

Innovation thrives during crises. Covid-19 gives one such opportunity to the pharmaceutical industry. Product innovation gives an opportunity to beat the pandemic. However, process innovation using the concept of co-opetition can help the pharmaceutical industry create a win–win for the market and the industry. This chapter covers co-opetition strategies that pharmaceutical sector can follow to help the customers and marketers win this game. The chapter looks at various co-operation-based strategies including co-operation by division of markets, co-operation by sharing of distribution, co-operation through patent waivers and co-operation with complementary goods manufacturers. After the co-operation, comes competition. The chapter considers duopoly as a means to help divide the market for all to co-exist.

Research at the intersection of neurotoxicology, cognitive neuroscience, genetics, and behavior – “toxicogenomics” – promises to improve understanding of behavior and public policies. Many toxicants modify neurotransmitters with effects depending on genotype, development, and experience. For example, lead and manganese downregulate dopaminergic or serotonergic function, weaken behavioral inhibition, and are positively correlated with hyperactivity (ADHD), substance abuse, or violent crime. Within this context, the chapter argues that neurotoxicology holds great promise for improving public policies in areas such as criminal justice and education. After discussing research methods, the chapter surveys previous work in neurotoxicology as it pertains to educational outcomes and to crime. Data are summarized linking: (1) children's blood lead levels with poor educational performance; (2) hair and blood levels of heavy metals with violent crime; and (3) uptake of multiple toxicants with pollution from abandoned mines. The chapter concludes by drawing lessons for ongoing research agendas at the intersection of neurotoxins, behavior, and policy.