Planetary Sustainability

AN INNOVATIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY INTERPRETATION OF EDUCATION’S ROLE IN SUSTAINABILITY

Mikhail Kurushkin — 2025-01-26

The concept of “education” varies across cultures and languages, with the Russian term “образование” encompassing both “education” and “formation”. This dual meaning reflects different approaches to understand education’s purpose. While education often implies the development of curiosity and a broad worldview, training is oriented toward acquiring practical, job-specific skills. These differences underscore the importance of distinguishing between the two concepts, as they serve complementary but distinct roles. Education involves not only teaching and learning but also instilling values and shaping an individual’s perspective on the world. Unlike training, which focuses on immediate applicability, education fosters a deeper understanding of systems and relationships, preparing individuals for lifelong growth. Observations of natural learning processes in animals and traditional learning techniques in human cultures highlight the value of hands-on and experiential methods, often overshadowed by contemporary practices. Despite the growing influence of technology on teaching and learning processes, the essence of education as a means of shaping worldviews remains unchanged. While students may prioritise career-oriented training, education provides a foundation for long-term personal and professional development, ultimately enriching both individual lives and society as a whole.

ADVANCING PLANETARY SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH LITHOLOGICAL MAPPING: ASTER REMOTE SENSING IN ANTARCTICA’S DRY VALLEYS

Khurram Riaz — 2025-01-26

The Dry Valleys of South Victoria Land in Antarctica, one of the most extreme deserts on Earth, offers an unparalleled analog for Martian landscapes and a vital record of Earth's geological history. Characterized by a cold, arid climate and minimal atmospheric moisture, the region's ancient rock formations, including early Paleozoic granitoid plutons, Devonian to Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Beacon Supergroup, and Jurassic basalt flows, provide insights into Earth's evolution. The logistical challenges of traditional field-based geological surveys in this remote and fragile environment emphasize the need for sustainable exploration methods. This study leverages Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) remote sensing technology to achieve high-resolution lithological mapping while minimizing environmental impact. Image processing techniques such as Band Ratio (BR) analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and the Optimal Index Factor (OIF) were employed to enhance the spectral characterization of lithologies. These approaches facilitated the identification of key lithological units, including sandstone, granite, gneisses, and basaltic flows, and the production of an accurate lithological map. By integrating remote sensing with sustainable scientific practices, this research demonstrates the potential to advance planetary sustainability while uncovering critical geological insights in extreme environments.

HARNESSING MARINE INVERTEBRATES: THE EXTRACTION TECHNIQUES OF COLLAGEN

NURUL IFFAH JUHARI — 2025-01-26

Marine resources offer a sustainable alternative to conventional protein and nutrient sources with marine collagen playing an important role in functional foods and nutritional supplements. Collagen from marine invertebrates is widely used in the food industry, pharmaceutical products, and biomedical applications. The aim of this study is to study the techniques used to extract collagen from various marine invertebrates. Marine collagen is a structural protein characterised by a helical structure composed of amino acids like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Collagen comprises of 28 different types but only four types: Type I, II, III, and IV have always been studied. Type I is obtained from skin, tendon, and bone, meanwhile Type II is obtained from tissues of vitreous body, cartilage, and nucleus pulposus. Type III is obtained from the vessel walls and reticular fibres of lungs, spleen, and liver and Type IV is obtained from basement membranes. The extraction of marine collagen involves three stages: Pretreatment, extraction, and recovery. Several marine collagen extraction techniques are commonly used, including acid soluble collagen, pepsin soluble collagen, carbon dioxide acidified water, and alkaline denaturing procedures. Different extraction methods produce collagen yields with varying chemical compositions and characteristics. All of the extraction processes are ethical and environmentally friendly.

AQUAPONICS: A SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR AQUACULTURE AND AGRICULTURE FOOD SECURITY

Norhidayah Abdul Manan — 2025-01-26

Aquaponics are one of green technologies and that would allow for the production of multiple food products like fish and vegetables in one complete system. Aquaponic systems also have potential as a sustainable food security practice as the production of vegetables and fish can be done simultaneously. The process also supports global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 2 (zero hunger), with the implementation of aquaponic systema by local communities. The aquaponic concept is characterised by the recycling of fish waste into beneficial products and as a source of nutrients and natural fertilisers for plant growth. The synergy between the plants, fish and bacteria in the soil and fish waste benefits all components in the system and promotes a circular economy. This review emphasises the types of aquaponic systems, the fish that are suitable for aquaponic cultivation, the types of vegetables that are suitable for aquaponic cultivation and the benefits of the application of aquaponic systems. Aquaponic systems, help promote a sustainable environment, for the recycling of fish and plant waste into fertilisers that maximise resources use and production yields. In this manner, the system helps the local community improve socioeconomic and income generation as well as supports national and global food security agenda.

INSIGHTS INTO THE REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND AGE AT MATURITY OF CLIMBING PERCH, Anabas testudineus (BLOCH, 1792) IN MALAYSIA

Siti Jalilah Mohamad — 2025-01-26

Understanding the reproductive biology and age at maturity of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) is essential for effective aquaculture management and broodstock development. This study examined the species’ reproductive traits under laboratory conditions, focusing on fecundity, Gonadosomatic Index (GSI), Hepatosomatic Index (HSI), and age at maturity. Fecundity was assessed in 30 mature females (total length: 11.0 to 15.0 cm; weight: 32.72 to 68.92 g), which exhibited a fecundity range of 23,316 to 71,862 eggs, with a mean of 49,498 eggs. Positive linear relationships were observed between fecundity and parameters such as total length, body weight, and gonad weight. GSI values ranged from 14.26% to 28.32% and HSI ranged from 0.80% to 1.58%. Gonadal development and age at maturity were studied in juveniles with histological analysis revealing that males reached maturity at 4.5 months (12.66 ± 1.73 cm, 34.54 ± 10.56 g, n = 30), while females matured at 5 months (12.4 ± 0.96 cm, 48.06 ± 14.59 g, n = 30). The gonads of both sexes progressed through distinct stages of development with maturity being reached during the latter stages. These findings indicate that climbing perch achieve sexual maturity within five months under controlled conditions and these insights provide critical information in optimising broodstock
management and seed production strategies. The study offers significant implications for aquaculture practices aimed at enhancing sustainability and productivity.