Issue 50, 2024
30 Years: 50th Anniversary Issue
Articles
A Green Legacy: 30 Years of Manuscript Publishing Trends in the Electronic Green Journal
This study examines the publishing and citation trends of the Electronic Green Journal: Professional Journal on International Environmental Information (EGJ) over the past three decades (1994–2024). This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of research articles, top authors, countries, organizations, collaboration patterns, and highly cited articles. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using data extracted from the journal's metadata, Google Scholar database, and Google Scholar Profiles. A thorough search strategy was employed to ensure relevant data extraction. A total of 49 records (n=49) were selected for analysis using an Excel spreadsheet.
The findings indicate 169 research articles were published during this period, with the highest number of articles published in the year 2000 and 2001 (n=20). The year 1994 garnered the most citations, totaling 1,767. Authors from the United States and Canada were the most prolific, contributing the highest number of research studies and author collaborations. Single authorship was the most common pattern, followed by collaborations between two authors. This paper provides an opportunity to examine the evolution of open international scholarly communication published in the EGJ over the past 30 years (1994–2024) and to highlight its most impactful contributions.
Analyzing productivity and citation metrics, this study is the first to offer a detailed understanding of the environmental sustainability literature published in the EGJ.
Doing the Right Things Right: Identifying the Factors that Influence the Success or Failure of Conservation Programs Using the Conservation Excellence Model
The increasing rates of biodiversity loss and global warming necessitate the implementation of conservation interventions with the highest likelihood of success, given limited resources. Using criteria within the Conservation Excellence Model, the authors comparatively analyzed the core conservation processes of 25 conservation programs in Southeast Asia and identified the factors that influenced program success. Eight key factors emerged: Stakeholder Involvement, Process Selection and Management, Activity and Impact Monitoring Systems, Measurable Goals and Objectives, Evidence-based Approach, Adaptability and Innovativeness, Political Will, and Sustainable Financing. The authors described a management approach that illustrates how identifying measurable goals and objectives enables program success. Additionally, the authors demonstrated the benefits of using both value and technical judgments in developing interventions, shifting from activity to impact monitoring, and integrating learning and innovation into interventions. The authors also found that programs can better overcome operational barriers and increase the likelihood of sustainable outcomes by deepening engagement with conservation partners.
Adapting to Veganism in a Meat-Obsessed Country: Experiences, Identity Negotiation, and Strategies Against Misconceptions
In Brunei, a country where the population heavily favors cuisines centered around chicken, beef, lamb, and duck, there is a consistently high demand for meat. However, not everyone prefers meat, particularly those who embrace specific ethical, spiritual, health, and cultural values. Being a vegan in Brunei, where meat consumption is the norm, presents unique challenges. This study examines how individuals in Brunei who have converted to a plant-based diet adapt, manage their vegan identity, and confront problems and misunderstandings in their daily lives. Qualitative interviews were conducted with nine selected participants, alongside a vegan forum sponsored by Green Brunei on February 27, 2022. The results show that the transition to veganism was driven by a desire to protect the land and animals, learn about the benefits of plant-based diets, and align their dietary choices with their personal identities. The study reveals the social histories and experiences that prompted the participants to become vegans, their resistance strategies against popular misconceptions about veganism, and how they negotiate their vegan identity. Despite prevalent beliefs and societal norms, the respondents demonstrated resilience. In a meat-obsessed nation, they often felt isolated. Developing strategies to navigate their daily lives and maintain their motivation despite loneliness strengthened their commitment to veganism.
Green Marketing: The Impact of Green Advertising on Consumer Purchasing Behavior
Green marketing has emerged as a crucial strategy for businesses to address environmental challenges and meet the growing demand for green products and services. This paper explores the impact of green marketing on consumer purchasing behavior. The research objective is to identify the factors influencing green purchase decisions and to assess the impact of green advertising on consumer purchasing behavior. A survey was conducted using a questionnaire with a sample size of 200 respondents. The target population consisted of consumers from various supermarkets in Karachi. Data was analyzed using SPSS and Smart PLS. The results show a positive relationship between green advertising, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. This study is crucial for organizations looking to adopt green marketing, as it offers a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Essays
Circular Economy and Sustainability in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges for Development
The importance of developing the circular economy in Nigeria is increasingly recognized in literature. Nigeria, as the most populous black nation with over 200 million people and the 27th largest economy globally, possesses significant potential to explore and implement circular economy models, especially within the waste management sector. The market is buoyed by its large population and the growing demand for recycled materials, driven by economic incentives. Advancing the circular economy will aid in diversifying the national economy, promoting inclusive prosperity, and generating employment while creating safer environments to advance sustainable development goals (SDGs).
However, the circular economy in Nigeria faces challenges such as low awareness, inadequate market integration, infrastructure deficiencies, policy inconsistencies, and high costs associated with equipment retrofitting. Recognizing the untapped potential of the circular economy as a transformative resource capable of creating employment opportunities for the burgeoning youth population and driving green growth amidst the threats posed by climate change, the study emphasizes the need for increased and monitored investments in infrastructure.
Furthermore, it recommends providing grants and capacity-building support to current stakeholders within the circular economy sector to foster the development and scalability of innovative solutions, including ecosystem and equipment retrofitting/procurement. Consequently, it is imperative for the federal government to formulate and implement appropriate policies that support the circular economy framework.
The transition towards a circular economy model presents significant opportunities for development in Nigeria, a country grappling with various environmental and socio-economic challenges. By adopting this model, Nigeria can mitigate resource depletion, reduce waste generation, and foster economic growth while promoting sustainability. However, this transition also comes with its set of challenges that need to be addressed for effective implementation. This study addresses both the opportunities and challenges facing the Nigerian economy in developing a circular economy.
Reviews
Review of The Cartoon Introduction to Climate Change (Revised Edition) by Grady Klein and Yoram Bauman
The Cartoon Introduction to Climate Change (Revised Edition) is a unique and engaging overview of climate science and its impact on the planet. The product of a creative collaboration between illustrator Grady Klein and Yoram Bauman called "the world’s first and only stand-up economist,” the book is a valuable contribution to the literature on climate change. The first edition, published in 2014, was a breakthrough in offering an entertaining, illustrated guide to the global crisis. The 2022 Revised Edition has been updated with the latest scientific data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Despite the daunting statistics on the dire state of our changing world, the humorous and informative cartoons engage and entertain the reader, allowing us to become familiar with critical concepts in climate science, projections, and policy.
Review: The Culture of Stopping
First published in Germany in 2021, and now available in a translation in English (made by Sharon Howe), Harald Welzer’s the Culture of Stopping claims it is time to stop (over) producing, (over) consuming, and (over) spoiling goods. A professor at the Flensburg University of Applied Sciences (close to the Danish border), Welzer had previously published a book with a provocative title: Climate Wars: What People Will Be Killed For (2012).