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Toward Sustainable Environmental Quality: Priority Research Questions for Asia

Leung KMY 1 , Yeung KWY 1 , You J 2 , Choi K 3 , Zhang X 4 , Smith R 5 Show all authors , Zhou GJ 1 , Yung MMN 6 , Arias-Barreiro C 7 , An YJ 8 , Burket SR 9 , Dwyer R 10 , Goodkin N 11 , Hii YS 12 , Hoang T 13 , Humphrey C 14 , Iwai CB 15 , Jeong SW 16 , Juhel G 17 , Karami A 18 , Kyriazi-Huber K 19 , Lee KC 20 , Lin BL 21 , Lu B 22 , Martin P 11 , Nillos MG 23 , Oginawati K 24 , Rathnayake IVN 25 , Risjani Y 26 , Shoeb M 27 , Tan CH 17 , Tsuchiya MC 28 , Ankley GT 29 , Boxall ABA 30 , Rudd MA 31 , Brooks BW 2

Affiliations 

  • 1 Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
  • 2 School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
  • 3 Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
  • 4 School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
  • 5 Hydrobiology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • 6 Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
  • 7 PETRONAS, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 8 Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
  • 9 Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
  • 10 International Copper Association, Washington, DC, USA
  • 11 Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
  • 12 University of Malaysia, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • 13 Loyola University Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • 14 Supervising Scientist Branch, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
  • 15 Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
  • 16 Kunsan National University, Gunsan, Korea
  • 17 National University of Singapore, Singapore
  • 18 Universiti Putra, Serdang, Malaysia
  • 19 Corteva Agriscience, Geneva, Switzerland
  • 20 Proctor and Gamble, Singapore
  • 21 National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
  • 22 International Copper Association-Asia, Shanghai, China
  • 23 College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, Iloilo City, Philippines
  • 24 Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia
  • 25 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
  • 26 Universitas Brawijaya, Malan, Indonesia
  • 27 University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • 28 University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños, Philippines
  • 29 US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC
  • 30 University of York, York, United Kingdom
  • 31 World Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden
Environ Toxicol Chem, 2020 Aug;39(8):1485-1505.
PMID: 32474951 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4788

Abstract

Environmental and human health challenges are pronounced in Asia, an exceptionally diverse and complex region where influences of global megatrends are extensive and numerous stresses to environmental quality exist. Identifying priorities necessary to engage grand challenges can be facilitated through horizon scanning exercises, and to this end we identified and examined 23 priority research questions needed to advance toward more sustainable environmental quality in Asia, as part of the Global Horizon Scanning Project. Advances in environmental toxicology, environmental chemistry, biological monitoring, and risk-assessment methodologies are necessary to address the adverse impacts of environmental stressors on ecosystem services and biodiversity, with Asia being home to numerous biodiversity hotspots. Intersections of the food-energy-water nexus are profound in Asia; innovative and aggressive technologies are necessary to provide clean water, ensure food safety, and stimulate energy efficiency, while improving ecological integrity and addressing legacy and emerging threats to public health and the environment, particularly with increased aquaculture production. Asia is the largest chemical-producing continent globally. Accordingly, sustainable and green chemistry and engineering present decided opportunities to stimulate innovation and realize a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Engaging the priority research questions identified herein will require transdisciplinary coordination through existing and nontraditional partnerships within and among countries and sectors. Answering these questions will not be easy but is necessary to achieve more sustainable environmental quality in Asia. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1485-1505. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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