The role of food crop production, agriculture value added, electricity consumption, forest covered area, and forest production on CO2 emissions: insights from a developing economy.

Several studies have quantified the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with energy consumption, agriculture value added, food crop production, forest covered area, and forest production in various countries. However, past studies have ignored the long-term and short-term effects of these factors on CO2. This study used data from 1980 to 2018 and applied the autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) technique to test long-run and short-run effects of these factors on CO2 emission in the Pakistani context. The results revealed that in short-run food crop production, forest covered area and forest production have capacity to reduce CO2 emission. However, in long run, energy consumption and agriculture value added along with food crop production, forest covered area, and forest production are negatively and significantly related to CO2 emission which shows that these sectors, in long run, have capacity to mitigate emissions. Additionally, results also show that food crop production and forest covered area are more effective to reduce CO2 emission as compared to other sectors. The robustness of the results was supported by using additional models and tests. This study provides scholars with valuable insights and also helps government authorities and policymakers to develop comprehensive strategies to reduce carbon emissions.

Elevated concentrations of mercury and methylmercury in the Gadani shipbreaking area, Pakistan.

Gadani shipbreaking area, Pakistan, is the world's third largest shipbreaking unit. However, to date, only a few studies on the environmental impacts of the industry, including mercury (Hg) pollution, have been conducted. To address this, concentrations of total Hg (HgT) and methylmercury (MeHg) were measured in surface sediments collected from the Gadani shipbreaking area as well as a local reference area. The highest concentrations of HgT and MeHg (median ± interquartile range) were detected in samples from the beach at the yard zone (HgT: 270 ± 230 µg kg-1, MeHg: 0.65 ± 0.69 µg kg-1), followed by sediment samples from the inter/sub-tidal zone where ships are dismantled (HgT: 20 ± 5.8 µg kg-1, MeHg: 0.043 ± 0.016 µg kg-1). These concentrations were on average 4-50 and 3-30 times greater than the concentrations of HgT and MeHg, respectively, observed in the reference area. CAPSULE: Elevated concentrations of total and methylated mercury observed in the Gadani Shipbreaking area sediments.

The impacts of economic and environmental factors on sustainable mega project development: role of community satisfaction and social media.

This study examines the impacts of different economic, environmental, and social factors on sustainable China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development in the context of the CPEC, a multi-billion-dollar mega project. By applying the social exchange theory, this study tested the relationship between economic and environmental impacts through community satisfaction on sustainable CPEC development. This study used social media use as moderator in the relationship between community satisfaction and sustainable CPEC development. The quantitative methods were applied in this study. The data were collected through an online survey from 254 residents along the CPEC route in Pakistan, and structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was applied for analysis. Results suggested that economic benefits are positively related with community satisfaction which is related with sustainable CPEC development; however, environmental impacts were not significant. Furthermore, social media use related to CPEC development moderated the relationship between community satisfaction and sustainable CPEC development. Findings of this study suggest how economic benefits and community satisfaction can enhance the reputation of sustainable CPEC development resulting in a positive image of this mega project in the minds of local population. Furthermore, positive impact of this mega project can be created by using effective social media policies.

Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Selected Marine Fish Species of Gadani Shipbreaking Area and Pakistan.

Gadani shipbreaking area, located on the coastline of Pakistan, is an important fish production area. In this study, levels of four metals (Ni, Pb, Cd, and Mn) in 148 muscle and gill samples of seven fish species (Small-scale terapon, Torpedo scade, Sicklefish, Saddle grunt, Gold silk seabream, Indian mackerel, Spotted sickle fish) and seawater samples, taken from 9 sampling sites in the shipbreaking area, were determined. In addition, multiple approaches were used to assess human health risks from fish consumption. Trace metal concentration in seawater ranged from 0.05 to 1.96 mg/L in shipbreaking vicinity and 0.03 to 0.97 mg/L in the reference site (Miani Hor). However, metal accumulations in fish species ranged from 1.33 to 5.26 µg/g. Among trace metals, the level of Pb in all fish species was highest, followed by Ni, Mn, and Cd. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for both gills and muscles displayed the order: Mn > Cd > Ni > Pb. Estimated daily intake (EDI) values were below the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Based on target hazard quotient (THQ), the investigated fish species were safe regarding Pb and Mn (THQ < 1), while they may cause potential risk regarding Cd and Ni (THQ > 1). After comparison with maximum permissible limits, heavy metal concentration in the edible muscle tissues of all the analyzed fish species from the Gadani coast were found safe for human consumption.