The first monograph under EURECA-PRO
Sustainable production and consumption, selected environmental aspects - the first monograph at the Silesian University of Technology was created as part of EURECA-PRO. The monograph presents selected problems regarding sustainable production and consumption in the environmental aspect.
The study covers, among others, problems related to soil management, the growing problem of lack of availability of water of appropriate quality, air pollution and waste management.
Chapter II is devoted to sustainable soil management. An approach based on the sustainable use of soil resources is presented here, ensuring a balance between environmental protection, soil use and productivity.
Chapter III describes the constantly growing problem of lack of availability of water of appropriate quality, which is a key element of almost all industries. A classification of the most common pollutants in the aquatic environment was also presented, with particular emphasis on 200 organic micropollutants and microplastics. Possibilities of predicting the phenomenon of water shortages and methods of counteracting them through proper management of available water resources based on the assumptions of a circular economy were also indicated.
Chapter IV describes modern technologies and processes related to municipal wastewater treatment. Particular attention was paid to the problem of the inflow of nutrients into the environment causing eutrophication. For this reason, the processes and technologies related to the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus have been described in detail. The current trend related to the recovery of nutrients from wastewater was also indicated. The problem of micropollutants occurring in sewage is also briefly described.
Chapter V is devoted to sustainable waste management. It presents the issue of waste in the context of the current and future hierarchy of waste management, which is based on the Zero Waste principle. The chapter discusses three main aspects related to waste management in the context of sustainable development: rational waste management, conscious consumers and sustainable production. Then, trends shaping waste management were discussed, statistical data on waste generation in Europe and around the world and methods of waste management were presented. Philosophies that allow you to limit consumerism and radically or gradually switch to the Zero Waste or Less Waste style are also described.
Chapter VI discusses the issue of ambient air quality, which is of key importance in terms of sustainable development. Particular attention was paid to health threats related to air pollution and their negative impact on public health. Attention was paid to mortality rates due to poor air quality in countries with varying degrees of wealth.
Chapter VII is devoted to internal environmental issues and sustainable buildings. At the beginning, the concept of a green building was defined, and its features were presented, the most important standards regarding the quality of the internal environment and certificates giving buildings the standard of a sustainable building were discussed. Next, the basic indicators of the quality of the indoor environment, including thermal comfort and indoor air quality, are discussed, and basic information is provided on the methodology of environmental, economic and social assessment of buildings throughout their life cycle.
Chapter VIII is devoted to innovative energy generation technologies that may contribute to the implementation of the idea of sustainable development. The latest trends in energy systems research are indicated. The current level of social acceptance for the energy transformation process and favourability for selected technologies was analysed.
The monograph can be found at: Sustainable production and consumption: selected environmental aspects Sustainable production and consumption: selected environmental aspects - Repository of Scientific Publications of the Silesian University of Technology "RePolis" (polsl.pl).
