Stuff – we certainly have a lot of it. Material consumption has increased significantly compared to previous decades, on both global and per capita levels. For example, worldwide material consumption has increased from 27 billion tons in 1970 to 92.1 billion in 2017 (United Nations, 2019). Action is urgently needed to prevent environmental degradation, reduce waste and improve sustainability practices.This week we explore how JCU researchers are helping to address Sustainable Development Goal 12:
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Dr Diane Jarvis’ research aims to increase understanding of the economic and social values relating to the environment, and to inform policy regarding environmental conservation and natural resource management. She recently contributed to The Northern Australia Water Resource Assessment, assessing potential social and economic impacts and risks of water resource and irrigation development for the Australian Government.
Professor Stewart Lockie began his research career investigating the evolution and impacts of environmental policy in agriculture. This has since been extended to studies of biodiversity conservation, environmental standards, markets in ecosystem services, food security, coastal management, resource development, management of natural and industrial hazards.
Dr Pengji Wang is Associate Professor of Business at James Cook University, Singapore Campus. She is actively conducting research on strategy, international business, circular economy and green marketing. Dr Breda McCarthy is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at JCU and a researcher in the field of consumer behaviour. Her research interests include renewable energy, food waste, regional and rural development and ethical consumption. Their recent collaboration, “Circular agri-food approaches: will consumers buy novel products made from vegetable waste?”, investigates a circular economy framework as a solution to food waste and to provide support for farmers.
You can search for research publications by these authors and many more or by topic in Research Online, JCU's research repository.
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