The increasing global demand for food, coupled with the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, has shifted attention towards blue food systems. While these systems offer a potential solution to food security challenges, their sustainability is threatened by various factors, including overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. Recognising these challenges, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO, UN) advocates for ensuring the sustainable contribution of aquatic food systems to global food security and nutrition, aligning with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). It was hypothesised that adoption of UN-SDGs would increase the interest of researchers in sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture. Therefore, a bibliometric analysis of the relevant literature published between 2000 and 2023 was conducted to test this hypothesis. The analysis revealed a significant rise in publications addressing climate change and sustainability after the adoption of the UN-SDGs. The countries exhibiting high vulnerability to climate change contributed disproportionately fewer publications to the database. The United States emerged as the leading contributor in terms of publication volume, while Canada’s University of British Columbia was identified as the institution with the highest number of contributing authors. The findings underscore pronounced geographical disparities in research output, with a predominance of countries from the Global North. The underlying factors contributing to these disparities are discussed. Furthermore, the study discusses the policy implications of these findings and emphasises the imperative to prioritise equitable research initiatives. Such efforts are essential to effectively support the realisation of the SDGs within the domain of blue food systems and sustainability.

In this book, Prema, a young girl living in Mumbai, learns about heatwaves and their devastating effects when her father falls seriously ill during an intense summer. Through her eyes, readers explore the human impact of rising temperatures and the urgent need for climate awareness.

Authors: Shrunoti Ritesh Tatiya, Santonu Goswami, Seema Mundoli, Harini Nagendra

Illustrations: Shrunoti Ritesh Tatiya

The fourth edition of the Mountains of Life newsletter celebrates International Mountain Day, focussing on sustainable mountain solutions through innovation, adaptation, and youth engagement. The newsletter includes the highlights of the Mountains of Life festival, held at our Bengaluru campus from 13 – 26 November 2024. We also feature inspiring stories from interns, and acknowledge the efforts of mountain enthusiasts, especially the youth, alongside select contributions from readers. Thank you for your continued support — happy reading!

The third edition of the Mountains of Life newsletter celebrates Himalaya Diwas (9 September). This special edition highlights the critical role of the Himalayas in safeguarding nature and the impact of climate change on this unique ecosystem. Explore the rich biodiversity, conservation efforts, and folklore of the Himalayas, alongside recipes and stories from the region. Learn about melting glaciers, shifting weather patterns, and the growing threat of invasive species.

The second edition of the Mountains of Life newsletter highlights the importance of World Environment Day with a focus on land restoration and drought resilience. It features stories on the impact of desertification on Indian mountain ecosystems and communities, showcases sustainable agricultural practices like the Barah-Anaja system of Uttarakhand, and celebrates indigenous conservation knowledge. The newsletter also shares inspiring stories of unsung heroes across India working to restore barren mountain regions to self-sustaining ecosystems, explores the biodiversity of the Eastern Ghats, highlights endangered species in Indian mountains, and includes a puzzle corner for interactive learning.

Building on the success of the Forests of Life newsletters last year, and with the upcoming Mountains of Life festival scheduled in November 2024, we are excited to bring you a collection of mountain wonders through captivating stories, insights into challenges faced by the communities and calls for action. Additionally, we facilitate a platform for young voices to showcase their creative renditions, encouraging them to explore the various facets of the mountain ecosystems and the need for their conservation. With ​“Planet vs Plastics” as the theme of this newsletter, we intend to raise awareness about the danger of plastic pollution in the mountains, advocate for the reduction of single-use plastics, acknowledge the efforts of some unsung heroes, and call for more sustainable alternatives.

This is a monthly newsletter published by Azim Premji University, as a part of Forests of Life, a climate awareness festival celebrating forests — a quest and yatra of young people from across different parts to engage with the youth of this country. In this edition, we celebrate International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems.