Nigeria, Dec. 10 -- The year 2025 began in a way that set the tone for everything that followed. On a cold January morning in Arlington, Texas, I stood outside the lecture hall of the International Solid Waste Association Winter School with a cup of coffee warming my hands, while the winter air pressed against my face. I had just finished listening to a series of discussions that spilled across topics such as the circular economy and landfill engineering. The hall vibrated with voices from many regions, each accent carrying a distinct experience. During a break, as I exchanged thoughts with colleagues, I sensed the magnitude of what lay ahead. It was not a vague feeling but a quiet certainty that the year was going to stretch me in new wa...