Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development (JESD)

PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE USE OF NATURAL VERSUS SYNTHETIC MOSQUITO REPELLENTS IN GHANA

Fatima Eshun, Jonathan Osei-Owusu, William K. Heve — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Purpose –– This study examined people's knowledge, taste, and preferences on the use of these ingredients in mosquito repellents.
Methods –– The study adopted questionnaires to solicit public opinions and 303 respondents were conveniently sampled using an
online Google link. Their responses were examined using descriptive analyses and an ordinal regression model.
Findings –– The study identified that 57% of respondents preferred to use mosquito repellents that will contain natural ingredients only, whereas 14% preferred mosquito repellents that will have a combination of both natural and artificial ingredients. The educational status of respondents influences their preference for mosquito
repellent.
Conclusion & Recommendation –– The study concludes that there is a need to educate people on the effects of using synthetic mosquito repellents. Further scientific investigations are required to examine the efficacy of mosquito repellents made from natural ingredients.
Keywords –– Malaria, plant-based repellents, health, efficacy, artificial repellents

PROJECTED CHANGES IN CLIMATE AND EXTREME INDICES IN ILORIN, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Andrew Manoba Limantol — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Purpose –– This study examines the projected impact of climate change on rainfall, temperature, and climate extreme indices in
Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Methods –– The study analysed rainfall and temperature extreme indices by considering eleven (11) climate change indices from the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection Monitoring Indices (ETCCDMI) using RClimdex in the R software package. With MAKESENS software, the magnitude and trends in rainfall and temperature extreme indices were calculated using the non-parametric Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator.
Findings –– The study identified that most extreme rainfall indices were projected to decrease in the future (2020–2049),
with the exception of consecutive dry days (CDD), which increased. The temperature extremes analysis shows an
increasing trend in warm days (TX90p) and warm nights (TN90p), but a decreasing trend in cool days (TX10p) and cool nights (TN10p) for both the baseline and future periods.
Conclusion & Recommendation –– These findings provide valuable insights into the anticipated changes in rainfall, temperature, and climate extreme indices, contributing to our understanding of the potential impacts of climate change on the study area and emphasizing the need for adaptive measures to address the projected challenges.
Keywords –– RCMs, Rainfall, Temperature, Kwara State,
Climate Extremes

STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVES IN HIGHER EDUCATION ON USING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: REFLECTIONS OF A GHANAIAN UNIVERSITY.

Ohene Kwesi Tuffour, Cynthia O. Ameyaa, Kingsley Adomako — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Purpose –– This study sought to investigate the attitudes and identify the experiences and challenges faced by undergraduate students in using educational technology during the pandemic.
Methods –– A mixed-methods approach was employed, using surveys and interview guides that were administered to
undergraduate students.
Findings ––The results indicated that the majority of students who participated in the study representing 70% were comfortable with the transition to online learning, while 45% of respondents preferred traditional in-person classes. The study also identified slow internet connectivity was identified as the most common challenge faced by students, with 50% of the respondents reporting this issue.

Conclusion & Recommendation –– This study provides important insights into students’ experiences and perspectives on the use of educational technology during the COVID-19 pandemic in higher education. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of the pandemic on higher education and the role of educational technology in shaping the future of higher education in Ghana and other developing countries.

Keywords –– Educational technology, COVID-19, higher education, student perspectives, Ghana

THE ROLE OF BASIC SCIENCES IN ADDRESSING GLOBAL CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: EXPERIENCES FROM CIFOR-ICRAF

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Purpose –– This paper highlights the application of the basic sciences in tackling human-induced global challenges, including
climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and broken food systems, that militate against the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Methods –– It adopted a secondary research approach involving a review of current literature.
Findings –– It shows that basic studies in different branches of plant biology contribute to the conservation and management of tree and forest genetic resources while studies in soil biology and principles of chemistry and physics contribute to soil health assessment in landscape restoration efforts.
Conclusion & Recommendation –– The paper argues that the success of sustainable development initiatives that leverage the
ability of trees to provide ecological goods and ecosystem services could be constrained by the growing threat to botanical education and inadequate funding of basic science disciplines.
Recommendations are made to improve funding and inclusion of the basic sciences, particularly in African universities, in sustainability focused research initiatives.
Keywords –– Climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, food and nutrition security, science education.