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Climate change is an ongoing problem, and climate adaptation is high on the agenda. Climate adaptation is a global issue with local impacts, and it benefits from participatory planning. Participatory planning has lots of opportunities, but also some challenges, for example, that it requires time and resources. Getting minority groups involved can also be a challenge. This study aims to investigate the opportunities and challenges with digital storytelling as a method to amplify the voices of the community and create a mutual understanding of climate change and climate adaptation between the citizens, planners, and the county government, using the project Future Yetu as a case study. Interviews were conducted with key persons with different roles in the project, and a survey was sent to the digital storytelling workshop participants. The results show that there are many benefits to using digital storytelling; it can help balance out the inherent power structures in society, it creates greater engagement among the participants, the public can more easily relate and gain an increased understanding of the problems, and it creates a sense of togetherness among the residents. In Future Yetu, it has also led to several implementations, and dialogue with Nairobi City County has been started. Challenges with digital storytelling have also been identified. Access to technology and the ability to use it has proven to be the most common challenge, especially in developing countries. It has also been proved to be challenging to integrate digital storytelling into the regular planning process, mainly due to the personnel required. However, there are opportunities for organizations such as the Hope Raisers Initiative, which already has trained facilitators and the technology needed to offer the process as a service to support the work of the county and the policymakers. / Klimatförändringar är ett pågående problem över hela världen och alla människor påverkas, mer eller mindre. Särskilt utsatta för klimatförändringarnas effekter är människor som bor i informella områden. Kunskapen om både klimatförändringar och klimatanpassning måste öka bland invånarna, samtidigt som marginaliserade grupper får höras och vara med och påverka. Beslutsfattare och planerare behöver veta vilka problem som finns och vilka åtgärder som fungera i det specifika området. Deltagandeplanering blir mer och mer vanligt och används med fördel inom klimatanpassning. Klimatförändringarna är ett globalt problem, men effekterna sker lokalt och behöver åtgärdas utifrån den lokala kontextens förutsättningar. Ett problem när det gäller deltagandeplanering har varit att nå marginaliserade grupper, men deltagande metoder som används rätt kan ge dem möjlighet och förmåga att delta i planering och informera dem om vilka åtgärder de själva kan implementera tillsammans, för klimatanpassning och förändra samhället i rätt riktning.  Syftet med den här studien är att undersöka möjligheterna och utmaningarna med digital storytelling som metod för att förstärka samhällets röster och skapa en ömsesidig förståelse för klimatförändringar och klimatanpassning mellan medborgare, planerare och beslutsfattare. Projektet Future Yetu i Korogocho, Nairobi som genomförts av Hope Raisers Initiative används som en fallstudie. Syftet är också att skapa en guide för digital storytelling som ett verktyg för planering av klimatanpassning som kan användas i andra delar av Nairobi eller andra städer och länder.  Intervjuer och en enkätundersökning har genomförts med olika personer som varit delaktiga i projektet Future Yetu. Resultaten visar att det finns många fördelar med att använda digital storytelling, bland annat kan det hjälpa till att balansera ut de inneboende maktstrukturerna i samhället, då alla använder samma språk för att kommunicera inom digital storytelling. Andra fördelar är att det skapar större engagemang bland deltagarna, allmänheten kan lättare relatera och få en ökad förståelse för problemen och det skapar en känsla av gemenskap bland invånarna. I projektet Future Yetu har det även lett till en rad implementeringar och att en dialog med Nairobi City County har påbörjats. Det finns även en del utmaningar med digital storytelling. Tekniken är det som har visat sig vara den vanligaste utmaningen, både tillgång till den och förmågan att använda den, speciellt i utvecklingsländer. Det har även visat sig svårt att integrera digital storytelling i den vanliga planeringsprocessen, främst på grund av personalåtgången. Dock finns det möjligheter för organisationer som till exempel Hope Raisers Initiativ, som redan har utbildad personal och tekniken som krävs att erbjuda processen som en service för att stötta beslutsfattarnas arbete.

Yes / The chlor-alkali industries produce caustic soda (NaOH), chlorine (Cl2 ), and hydrogen (H2 ) as primary products. In 2021, the global chlor-alkali market was valued at $63.2 billion. The article evaluates the global aspects of chlor-alkali industries and prospects for Bangladesh. The current production capacity of NaOH from the chlor-alkali industries in Bangladesh is around 282,150 metric tons/year (MT/y). The by-products, chlorine (Cl2 ) of 250,470 MT/y and hydrogen (H2 ) of 7055 MT/y, are produced domestically. The local demand of Cl2 is 68,779 MT/y. However, there are no systematic utilizations of the residual Cl2 and vented H2 , which threatens the sustainability of the chlor-alkali industries. The article prefigures that a 150,000 MT/y PVC plant can utilize 45.2 % of residual Cl2 of chlor-alkali plants, which would be an economical and environmental milestone for Bangladesh. The residual Cl2 can earn revenue of 908 million USD/y, which can be utilized to import ethylene. For the sustainable utilization of vented H2 , production of H2O2 , fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) and H2 fuel-cell-based power plant are the feasible solutions. Thus, for the long-term growth of the chlor-alkali industry in Bangladesh and other developing countries, systematic utilization of Cl2 and H2 is the only feasible solution. / This research was funded by ‘BUET Chemical Engineering Forum (BCEF), 001-2020.

This thesis explores the transformative potential of eco-cultural tourism in revitalizing post-industrial cities, with a focus on the network of towns along the Ohio River in West Virginia. The research seeks to understand the multifaceted impacts of tourism on urban development, social infrastructure, and economic growth in small towns. The core concept is to create a tapestry of connectivity along the river, celebrating the region's natural beauty and promoting shared experiences and community cohesion. The proposed initiative envisions a Master Plan featuring a well-integrated network that connects cities along the Ohio River. This network includes walking and biking trails, ATV routes, camping areas, water activities like kayaking and motorboating, accommodations, restaurants, local shops, and a dedicated rail corridor for travel. The proposed development primarily targets Parkersburg, a small city in Wood County, West Virginia, located at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers. The second phase of the project focuses on two critical sites within Parkersburg, essential for implementing the revitalization plan. Parkersburg is envisioned as the catalyst and starting point for the entire network, positioning it as the epicenter of urban regeneration and community development. Overall, the thesis investigates the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a comprehensive tourism-driven urban revitalization strategy. Through an interdisciplinary approach to planning and design, it examines the ecological, cultural, tourism, and environmental impacts on development, envisioning a sustainable future where West Virginia's post-industrial cities prosper as interconnected nodes. / Master of Science / Discover the transformative power of eco-cultural tourism in breathing new life into West Virginia's post-industrial cities. This research delves into the intricate impacts of tourism on urban development, social fabric, and economic resurgence in suburban areas, focusing on the picturesque towns lining the Ohio River. Imagine a meticulously planned network seamlessly connecting these towns through a myriad of experiences: tranquil water trails, adventurous ATV paths, historic rail lines, and scenic biking routes. This master plan not only celebrates the region's natural splendor but also cultivates a sense of community and shared heritage. At its heart lies Parkersburg, strategically positioned to spearhead this revitalization effort. As a nexus for urban renewal and communal growth, Parkersburg is poised to serve as the gateway to a vibrant tourism destination, breathing vitality into once-dwindling local economies. Through interdisciplinary analysis, this thesis explores the numerous benefits and challenges of implementing such a comprehensive tourism-driven strategy. By envisioning a future where West Virginia's post-industrial cities thrive as interconnected hubs along culturally enriched eco-trails, it paves the way for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

In this dissertation, the design, implementation, and educational applications of a real-time water and weather monitoring system, developed to enhance water sustainability education and research, are discussed. This unique system, called LabVIEW Enabled Watershed Assessment System (LEWAS), is a real- world extension of various data acquisition modules that were successfully implemented using LabVIEW into a freshman engineering course (Engineering Exploration, ENGE 1024) at Virginia Tech. The outdoor site location measures water quality and quantity data including flow rate, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and temperature -- as indicators of stream health - for an on-campus impaired stream in real-time. In addition, weather parameters (temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity and precipitation) are measured at the LEWAS outdoor site. The measured parameters can be accessed by remote users in a real-time through a web-based interface for education and research. LEWAS is solar powered and uses the campus wireless network through a high-gain antenna to transmit data to remote clients in real-time. Its power budget consisting of consumption (14 W), electrical storage, and generation (80 W, peak) is balanced to enable 24/7 operation regardless of weather conditions. An embedded computer with low power consumption and modules for communicating and storing data are installed in the field and it is programmed to process measured environmental parameters to be delivered to remote users. This computer is programmed both using a field programmable gate array (FPGA, for low power consumption and robust operation) and traditional microprocessor programming (for more flexibility). The environmental sensors of the system are routinely calibrated using established procedures. A LEWAS Development Platform was established to develop and test the system and to train and mentor several undergraduate and graduate students who helped in its implementation. A number of design and implementation challenges were overcome including extending campus Internet access to a location not included on the network and integrating hardware and software from three different sensor manufacturers into a unified software platform accessible over the Internet. To study the educational applications of LEWAS, an observational study was conducted as the system was gradually introduced to students in ENGE 1024 between 2009 and 2011. Positive student attitudes on the role of LEWAS to enhance their environmental awareness informed an experimental design implemented to study the motivational outcomes associated with the system. Accordingly, appropriate educational interventions and a hands-on activity on the importance of environmental monitoring were developed for both control and experiment groups, with only the latter given access to LEWAS to retrieve the environmental parameters for the activity. An instrument was developed on the theoretical foundation of the expectancy value theory of motivation and was administered to control and experimental groups in ENGE 1024. Altogether, 150 students participated in the study. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was applied which resulted in factors that group questions together based on interest, importance, real-time access, and cost (feasibility of monitoring). After conducting parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses, it was determined that there exists a statistically significant difference between control and experimental groups in interest, real-time, and cost factors. This finding implies that providing real-time access to environmental parameters can increase student interest and their perception of feasibility of environmental monitoring -- both major components of motivation to learn about the environment. Future extensions and applications of the system at Virginia Tech and beyond are discussed. / Ph. D.

Yes / Extant research has established that environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) has a positive influence on performance outcomes. Nevertheless, several contingencies tend to affect the strength of this relationship. In this study, we draw on natural resource-based theory to introduce competitive strategies as moderators in the ESO-performance nexus. Using time-lagged data obtained from 269 firms in Ghana, this study finds that firms pursuing the differentiation strategy can positively boost performance outcomes with ESO than without differentiation strategy. We also find that firms can use the low-cost or the integrated strategy to get higher impact on performance with ESO respectively. Based on the results, firms in Ghana do not need differentiation strategy in order to boost the effect of ESO on financial performance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Yes / Despite the growing research evidence on the effect of environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) on firm outcomes, contingent factors that may influence the strength of this relationship have received little scholarly attention. In this study, we use insights from the literature on ESO and family business to introduce family status and firm age as moderators in the ESO-performance linkage. Using time-lagged data from 253 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, we found the impact of ESO on firm performance is amplified for nonfamily firms but not significant for family firms. Our evidence suggests it is stronger among older firms than younger ones. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Yes / Congruent with economic stability and environmental sustainability, the ninth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) plays a crucial role in undergirding the industrial revolution. Conversely, it is inevitably complex for underdeveloped and emerging economies to meet the ninth SDG's 2030 agenda due to a lack of sufficient financial resources and the slow adoption of technology. With China expanding its Belt and Road Initiatives (BRIs) globally, mainly few findings espouse the significant link between BRI and the ninth SDG, and its probable impact remains understudied. Hence, a considerable gap yet exists in contemporary understanding of the impact of BRI on sustainability. Therefore, we conducted an exploratory study on six different countries (Algeria, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Palestine) to investigate the role of the BRI in achieving the ninth SDG. Face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were applied. This qualitative data collection technique involved 26 participants representing industry experts and academic researchers. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated and thematically analysed. The result showed a significant progressive impact of BRI on the ninth SDG, and that the development of sustainable infrastructure is a key antecedent of the BRI policy enforcement in the six countries explored. The result also showed positive and negative spillover effects of BRI projects in the six countries. Government and Policymakers should design and enforce pro-growth and sustainable strategies to facilitate continuous implementation of policies that would align the execution of the BRI projects to bolster achievement of the ninth SDG.

In recent years, the concept of environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility are crucial for consumers and companies. This thesis was made to explore and gain a better understanding in how luxury consumer evaluation of alternatives are manifested by luxury companies' environmental sustainable practices. To investigate this, the research question: How do a variety of factors, including environmental sustainability, manifest in consumers' evaluation of luxury brands and products? was formulated. A qualitative research method was used with semi-structured interviews together with an inductive approach. With purposive sampling, fourteen interviewees that have consumed or are consuming luxury fashion were participating to help us gather helpful information for our bachelor thesis. The information gathered from the participants were analysed with thematic analysis method and discussed in connection with the literature review. In the conclusion it is shown that durability and quality are important considerations when making purchases, with price sensitivity being more important for infrequent consumers. Evaluations must take into account both external and internal factors. Despite the fact that many customers consider themselves to be environmentally conscious, there is a disconnect between this belief and how they actually purchase luxury fashion. Future sustainability in the luxury market is, however, looked forward to with confidence as customers demand more environmental responsibility from companies.