Laboratory research in management: Misconceptions and missed opportunities

Laboratory research has long been a common method of inquiry in the behavioral sciences. In recent years, however, laboratory methodologies appear to have fallen from favor with many management researchers. This paper summarizes reasons for this trend including limited external validity and appropriateness of using laboratory methodologies. Additionally, a number of situations in which laboratory research may hold considerable promise and utility are identified such as using multiple samples or multiple studies in one paper, or when sensitive topics are the focus of research. The paper concludes with the reminder that the questions asked should dictate the methodology selected, not the preferences of a reviewer or editor.     

Potential of microalgae as biopesticides to contribute to sustainable agriculture and environmental development

The loss of yields from agricultural production due to the presence of pests has been treated over the years with synthetic pesticides, but the use of these substances negatively affects the environment and presents health risks for consumers and animals. The development of agroecological systems using biopesticides represents a safe alternative that contributes to the reduction of agrochemical use and sustainable agriculture. Microalgae are able to biosynthesize a number of metabolites with potential biopesticidal action and can be considered potential biological agents for the control of harmful organisms to soils and plants. The present work aims to provide a critical perspective on the consequences of using synthetic pesticides, offering as an alternative the biopesticides obtained from microalgal biomass, which can be used together with the implementation of environmentally friendly agricultural systems.     

Mitigating Climate Change in US Cities: Opportunities and obstacles

This study examines opportunities for and obstacles to the mitigation of climate change in US cities using the example of the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) campaign sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. The CCP experience suggests a number of ways in which municipal governments can control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also highlights several obstacles that make it difficult for local officials to do so. First, climate change is generally framed as a global issue. The CCP experience suggests that climate change is most likely to be reframed as a local issue when the preferred policy response (controlling GHG emissions) can be linked to issues (e.g. air quality) already on the local agenda. Secondly, even when local governments recognise that they should do something to control GHG emissions, institutional barriers make it difficult for municipalities to move from political rhetoric to policy action. Finally, it is questionable whether local initiatives can make meaningful contributions to climate change mitigation in the absence of policy changes at the state and national levels. Este estudio examina oportunidades y obstaculos para la mitigación del cambio climático en las ciudades de Los Estados Unidos usando el ejemplo de "Ciudades para la Protección del Clima" (CCP), campaña patrocinada por el Consejo Intenacional para Iniciativas Ambientales Locales (ICLEI). La experiencia del CCP sugiere un numero de formas en que los gobiernos municipales pueden controlar las emisiones de gas efecto invernadero (GEI) pero tambien resalta varios obstaculos que hacen esto difícil para los funcionarios locales. Primero, el cambio climático es generalmente enmarcado como un asunto global. La experiencia del CCP sugiere que el cambio climático es mas probable que sea renmarcado como un asunto local cuando la respuesta de politica preferida (controlar emisiones de GEI) puede ser relacionada con asuntos que ya estan en la agenda local (ej. calidad del aire). Segundo, aún cuando los gobiernos locales reconozcan que ellos deben hacer algo para controlar las emisiones de GEI, las barreras institucionales hacen difícil que las municipalidades se muevan de retórica politíca a una acción política. Finalmene, es cuestionable si las iniciativas locales puedan hacer contribuciones significativas a la mitigación del cambio climático en ausencia de cambios de política en el estado y a nivel nacional.     

Challenges of Urban and Regional Carbon Management and the Scientific Response

Abstract

How urbanization unfolds in the text few decades and which urban development path we choose are potentially critical to the efforts aimed at stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions. However, our understanding of urban, as a unit or system, and its cross-scale linkages in the context of carbon management is at infancy state. In this context, this article outlines, the key challenges and introduces a new scientific initiative - Urban and Regional Carbon Management Initiative of the Global Carbon Project, which has raised key scientific questions with the aim to find reasonable answers. This article mainly showcases key science questions, past activities and future outlook with the aim to reach out to the related scientific and policy communities.