A new study warns that coastal erosion and rising sea levels will accelerate due to climate change, threatening the world's sandy beaches. Effective climate action could prevent 40% of erosion, but societies will still need to adapt and protect these ecosystems.
Future factories will require new skills and organizational structures that prioritize human collaboration with robots. Research explores the psychological effects of working alongside large industrial robots and developing tools to enhance robot design.
A new study by JRC scientists reveals that global warming can underestimate extinctions by up to 10 times if co-extinction cascades are not accounted for. The researchers constructed virtual Earths with thousands of plants and animals, simulating extreme environmental changes.
A new study by the JRC found that adopting a healthy diet could reduce the water footprint by 11-35% for meat-based diets, 33-55% for pescetarian diets, and 35-55% for vegetarian diets. This shift towards a more resource-efficient vegetable-rich diet is crucial due to the high water footprint of animal products.
A new study finds that only a few areas in Africa are suitable for palm oil production without harming primate populations, raising concerns about the industry's impact on conservation. The research highlights the need for sustainable practices and policy initiatives to mitigate large-scale deforestation.
In the EU, 35.3 kg of fresh produce is wasted per person per year, with 50% coming from fruit and vegetables. Researchers found that applying targeted prevention strategies could reduce avoidable waste by 14.2kg per capita.
Climate change poses unprecedented flood risk unless timely adaptation measures are taken in Europe. Coastal defense structures need to be installed or reinforced to withstand increasing extreme sea levels.
A new carbon accounting system has been adopted by the EU to measure forest management's impact on greenhouse gas emissions. This approach reflects actual historical practices rather than projected future outcomes, providing a more credible solution to account for forest sinks and reducing GHG emissions.
A study by the European Commission Joint Research Centre found that even with strong efforts, residual carbon emissions will reach over 1000 gigatons by the end of the century, exceeding the level needed to achieve the 1.5°C target. Accelerated energy efficiency improvements and electrification are necessary to limit warming.
A recent study by the Joint Research Centre reveals that changes in global vegetation cover from 2000 to 2015 have made the planet warmer. The research found that the removal of tropical evergreen forests for agricultural expansion is the most significant factor contributing to local increases in surface temperature.
The new database shows that the world has become more urbanized than thought, with population growth doubling in Africa and Asia. The database also tracks environmental factors like greenness, soil sealing, and air pollution, revealing promising signs for sustainability.
Only one-third of countries meet global targets for protected area connectivity, with EU Member States averaging 18.9% connected land coverage. The study recommends designating new PAs in strategic locations to enhance connectivity and support biodiversity conservation.
A global map of travel time to cities has been published by the European Commission Joint Research Centre, showing that over 80% of people live within one hour of a city. However, accessibility is not equally distributed across development spectrum, with lower-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa having limited access.
The European Commission Joint Research Centre report explores how blockchain can improve education, from paperless degrees to tracking citations and protecting intellectual property. The report highlights the potential of blockchain in reducing bureaucracy and increasing transparency in the education sector.
Scientists analyzed various natural hazards like earthquakes, space weather events, and floods to understand their impact on power grid recovery time. The report highlights the importance of integrating risk assessment and management efforts across policy areas and improving cross-jurisdictional emergency management capabilities.
According to a new study, global soil loss has increased by 35.9 billion tonnes between 2001 and 2012, with moderate to high erosion impacting about 9.3% of Earth's land surface. Conservation agriculture can save over a billion tonnes of soil per year if implemented correctly.
The European Commission has introduced a package of measures to reconcile ambitious environmental standards with increasing car industry competitiveness. The 2nd Mobility Package aims to restore citizens' trust in the automotive industry by promoting clean and affordable mobility for all.
Climate policies aimed at limiting global warming below 2C can reduce air pollution-related deaths by 15-40% annually, while raising crop yields by 2.5-6.6%. The report also finds that these measures could save over 300,000 lives annually by 2030.
Global CO2 emissions have stalled for the third consecutive year, with fossil carbon dioxide emissions slowing down since 2012. Meanwhile, methane and nitrous oxide emissions continue to rise, driven by agricultural activities and industrial production in key countries like China, US, and India.
Scientists have unveiled a dataset mapping diverse migrant communities in the EU, providing insights for policymakers to develop targeted integration policies. The maps reveal residential patterns of migrants by nationality or country of origin, highlighting concentration, diversity, and segregation within cities.
A recent study warns of the increasing threat of forest fires in Europe and their impact on air quality. The JRC's annual report confirms longer and more intense fire seasons, with severe health implications for humans, particularly during prolonged fire seasons.
A new study from the European Commission Joint Research Centre found no significant long-term trend in the Black Sea's average surface water temperature. However, there was a positive trend at 50 meters below the surface, suggesting warming of deeper waters.
A new global erosivity map shows significant variations in rainfall erosivity across different climatic regions, highlighting the need for soil degradation mitigation and restoration strategies. The map provides critical data for assessing soil erosion by water, flood risk, and natural hazard prevention.
A new study reveals that heat stress concurrent with drought or water excess can explain about 40% of the changes in wheat yields from one year to another. Water excess affects wheat production more than drought in several countries, contributing to reduced yields due to increased pests and diseases.
A new report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre presents the state-of-the-art in disaster risk management, highlighting the importance of science in preventing disasters and saving lives. The report identifies knowledge gaps and needs for further research to improve responses to natural hazards.
The Atlas of the Human Planet 2017 reveals that one out of three people worldwide is exposed to earthquakes, with 414 million living near active volcanoes. Exposure to natural hazards has doubled globally over the past 40 years, primarily due to urbanization and population growth.
A new study reviews EU and US food colouring legislation to find ways to reduce regulatory barriers to international trade. Key findings include differing rules on colour additives, labelling requirements, and natural vs synthetic colours.
A new EU report highlights knowledge gaps in reducing risks linked to space weather and recommends policy, industry, and science collaborations to close these gaps. The report also emphasizes the need for early warning systems and better communication between science and industry.
A new European study projects a 15% increase in storm surge levels by 2100 under high-emissions scenarios. Coastal areas with high population density face significant threats from rising sea levels and increased storminess.
A JRC-led research highlights four adaptation measures to reduce flood risk in Europe, prioritizing vulnerability reduction and relocation over traditional protection methods. The study suggests a combination of measures is more effective than individual actions, and recommends optimizing these strategies at the river basin level.
The African Postharvest Losses information System (APHLIS) will be upgraded to monitor other crops, improving postharvest management. The new system will provide data on crop quality, income, and nutrition, enabling strategic targeting of investment in loss mitigation and R&D programmes.
A new statistical technique confirms that man-made CO2 and methane emissions cause global warming, particularly in densely populated regions. The study provides complementary support to model-based studies and highlights the need for further research on regional climate dynamics.
The study reveals that forest clearing substantially affects local climate by altering average temperature and maximum summer temperatures. Evapotranspiration plays a key role in these impacts, with arid areas experiencing the most pronounced effects.
A recent study suggests targeted alpha therapy could be effective in eliminating HIV-infected cells in the central nervous system. The therapy uses a specific human antibody labelled with bismuth-213 to target and destroy infected cells while sparing healthy ones.
The study reveals that traffic is the largest source of urban air pollution, responsible for 25% of particulate matter. Domestic fuel burning and industrial activities also contribute significantly to air pollution, with regional variations observed.
European climate projections suggest enhanced probability of heatwaves in the coming decades, comparable to the worst heatwave since 1950 in Russia. The analysis shows that previous records were broken in 2010, with a similar heatwave expected at least once in 30 years under certain climate scenarios.
The study highlights the main pathways of alien species introduction in European lakes and rivers, including escape from aquaculture facilities and pet/aquarium trade releases. It emphasizes the need for stricter regulation and control measures to mitigate these threats and achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Target 9.
Estimated electricity production from African urban waste could reach 122.2 TWh in 2025, alleviating energy poverty for millions. However, poor waste management limits actual potential to 83.8 TWh, affecting 27 million families.
The European Commission Joint Research Centre has found that the uncertainty in solar photovoltaic power measurements can be reduced by more than half, allowing for tighter margins and increased accuracy. This breakthrough could lead to cheaper and faster calibration of secondary reference devices, benefiting both industry and research.
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre highlights the need for global cooperation to regulate nanotechnology in food and agriculture. Current approaches vary between countries, with EU and Switzerland introducing binding provisions and others relying on non-legally binding guidance.
The EU loses approximately 970 million tonnes of soil annually due to water erosion, equivalent to a one-metre-depth loss from Berlin-sized area. Soil erosion by water accounts for the greatest loss in Europe, with agricultural lands accounting for 68.3% of total losses.
A new study finds that EU consumers waste an average of 123 kg per capita annually, equivalent to 16% of consumed food. The majority of this waste is avoidable, with vegetables, fruit, and cereals being the most wasted due to shorter shelf-life and over-purchasing.
A study found that female liver cells are more susceptible to adverse effects of drugs than male counterparts, particularly postmenopausal women. The findings highlight the need for a sex-specific approach in toxicology and suggest that current theories cannot explain why women are generally more sensitive to drug toxicity.
Global CO2 emissions hit a new all-time record of 35.3 billion tonnes in 2013, with China's emissions increasing at a slower rate than usual due to energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy growth. The US saw a slight increase in emissions, while the EU continued to decrease emissions.
The EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard shows that EU companies invested €162.4 billion in R&D in 2013, while US and Japanese companies invested more. The European Commission is calling for a boost in R&D investment to keep up with global competitors.
A recent slowdown in global warming is attributed to a natural cooling phase known as multidecadal variability (MDV) and a downturn of the secular warming trend. Scientists analyzed surface temperature data records to identify this hiatus period, which coincides with natural cooling phases.
A new report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre analyzes the impacts of climate change in 9 sectors, predicting significant economic losses, heat-related deaths, and coastal damage. The study finds that the northern Europe region would experience the lowest welfare losses, while southern Europe would bear the most burden.
The European Commission Joint Research Centre has identified Europe's top ICT hubs, which excel in access to top universities, research centers, and funding opportunities. These regions have a high concentration of businesses, innovative output, and strong networks, making them ideal for digital success.
The new atlas highlights the delicate relationships between soils and climate, as well as their role in food security, particularly in relation to climate change. Soils also support six out of seventeen countries hosting the highest rate of biodiversity, with approximately 185 Gt of organic carbon stored down to a depth of 1m.
A 2009-2010 study by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre found an average 66% decrease in sulphur dioxide concentrations in EU harbors, while non-EU ports showed no change. The policy limits fuel sulfur content to less than 0.1%.