Book chapters

This chapter aligns with SDGs 7, 11, and 10, by offering a case study on renewable energy and rural electrification in Ecuador, in the context of socioeconomic challenges and climate change, whilst also drawing on other examples from developing countries elsewhere.

This chapter aligns with UN SDG Goals 6 and 14 by addressing how anthropogenic impacts to water quality affect marine fish populations and discussing future perspectives for managing water quality and aquatic habitats.

This chapter examines how plastic debris enters, moves through, and accumulates in ocean systems, helping to understand and mitigate marine pollution, which directly supports SDG 14 by protecting marine ecosystems. By analyzing the sources and distribution of plastic waste, it also relates to SDG 12, which promotes reducing waste and improving the management of materials that impact environmental sustainability.

This chapter explores the complex relationship between water and society through various theoretical frameworks, emphasizing the concept of “coupled human-water systems” (CHWSs). Recognizing that water and social systems coevolve across multiple scales, the chapter highlights how understanding these interconnected systems is vital for promoting sustainable urban development (SDG 11) and ensuring healthy, resilient communities (SDG 3). By analyzing past, present, and future system dynamics, the chapter aims to inform policies and actions that foster sustainable water management, reduce health risks, and support resilient infrastructure—key elements for advancing both SDG 11 and SDG 3.