Articles tagged with Environmental Impact Assessments
A recent study published in Ocean and Coastal Management found that the public perception of plans to combat oligotrophication in the Seto Inland Sea is more positive than expected. The survey revealed that respondents were unfamiliar with nutrient supply measures from factories and sewage treatment plants, but presented information si...
Researchers have developed a new method to calculate the health and climate impacts of reducing buildings' energy consumption. The tool estimates co-benefits under different energy use scenarios, providing insights into the economic value of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and premature deaths caused by air pollution.
A Lancaster University-led study found that corporate-led ecosystem restoration projects often fail to report ecological outcomes, invest sufficient funds, or clearly state their aims. The research highlights the need for improved transparency and consistent reporting to ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals the devastating impact of gold and mineral mining on tropical rivers worldwide. Mining operations have doubled suspended sediment concentrations at 80% of affected rivers, altering river ecosystems and threatening human health.
A new study finds that climate distress in young adults is associated with negative emotions like anger and frustration, yet also motivates them to take positive actions for the environment. The study suggests that targeting climate-aware psychosocial support can help sustain young people's climate engagement and mental health.
A statistically significant increase in heat-related illnesses was found among patients at US Department of Veteran Affairs facilities between 2002 and 2019. Specific groups, such as those with existing health conditions and certain ethnic groups, were more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
The study analyzed the Parnaíba and São Francisco River basins, highlighting vulnerabilities to deforestation, fire, drought, poverty, and climate change. The SEVI index measures socio-environmental vulnerability, revealing 'very high' levels in 53% of the São Francisco basin.
A UK-Sri Lankan research network aimed to develop research capacities among senior academic staff members from both countries. The training network investigated differences, overlaps, and synergies between Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) research communities.
The Brazilian coast, particularly in South and Southeast regions, is experiencing increasingly extreme surface air temperatures and more frequent swings from heat to cold. Biodiversity and public health are affected, with rising mortality rates among animals and humans.
Researchers found a 43% drop in fish and shrimp density around the mining zone and a 56% decrease in surrounding areas. The study suggests that sediment plumes from deep-sea mining can contaminate food sources for ocean animals.
Research by Politecnico di Milano finds offshore wind farms significantly reduce climate change impacts, with a 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. The study also highlights the importance of life cycle analysis for assessing environmental sustainability of renewable energy technologies.
A study by ISGlobal found that transport is the main contributor to NO2-related mortality, while residential and agricultural sectors contribute significantly to PM2.5 mortality. The research suggests that strategies to improve air quality should be adapted to each local context.
University of Missouri researchers developed a method using thermal induction heating to rapidly break down PFAS on the surface of granular activated carbon and anion exchange resins. The process achieved 98% degradation in just 20 seconds, offering a highly energy-efficient alternative to conventional methods.
A recent study in the Journal of Dairy Science found that dairy milk is a crucial source of essential nutrients like protein, riboflavin, vitamin B12, and phosphorus. The analysis revealed that 35% of global calcium consumption comes from milk, highlighting its unique contribution to human nutrition.
The WVU Pollution Prevention Program provides customized source reduction solutions, training, and digital technologies to minimize waste. The program aims to help businesses achieve carbon neutrality through data-driven modeling and AI-powered adjustments.
Researchers propose GREENER framework to promote sustainable research practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and maximizing benefits to humanity and environment. Key considerations include estimating energy consumption of algorithms, tackling embodied impacts through new collaborations, and relocating computations to low-carbon s...
A global analysis of pollinator decline in cities reveals that butterflies are most affected, with shrinking habitats and food availability causing populations to drop. Meanwhile, certain groups of wild bees, such as those nesting above ground, remain less impacted by urbanization.
A new IIASA-led study investigated the potential of engineered Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies, such as Direct Air Capture of CO2 (DACCS), to help bridge the gap between current emissions reductions and ambitious climate goals. The study found that novel CDR can keep pre-Paris climate targets within reach when accounting for ...
Researchers at OU are developing a scalable, integrated sensing platform to detect and monitor methane emissions in the Anadarko Basin. The system aims to help companies identify and mitigate accidental leaks, achieving detection at the meter scale.
A study by University of Waterloo researchers reveals that Canada's carbon price regime exposes high-emitting industries to significant default risks, with assets worth $256 billion at risk. Financial lenders must consider carbon emissions in credit risk assessments to mitigate this risk.
A global study reveals that extractive and industrial development projects harm Indigenous Peoples' lifeways, lands, and rights. The research finds that mining and agriculture sectors most frequently impact Indigenous communities.
Current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped. Small burrowing mammals, like the plateau pika and zokor, play crucial ecological roles in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.
A €2.5million European research programme, FRIETS, is increasing the shelf-life of berries through high-precision agriculture and innovative processing methods while maintaining quality. The four-year project combines precision agriculture strategies with dehydration and edible coating methods to discover healthier food alternatives.
Researchers found that black and turkey vultures ingest more plastic in landscapes with more developed landcover and higher densities of commercial food providers. They may eat plastic thinking it's nutritious bone fragments or intentionally to collect bulk for vomiting up indigestible parts of carrion.
A study from the University of East Anglia found that environmental impact assessments often fail to account for species movement between sites, leading to underestimated impacts on wildlife. The research highlights a planned airport development in Portugal that could affect over 10 times the number of Black-tailed Godwits estimated by...
A Barcelona Institute for Global Health study suggests that increasing green space in the city may help alleviate mental health issues. By 2025, the expansion of Green Axes (Eixos Verds) could lead to a 14% decrease in cases of poor mental health and prevent 13% of antidepressant use, resulting in annual savings of €45 million.
The Nile River Delta faces significant environmental threats from heavy metal pollution and coastal erosion, impacting 60 million people in Egypt. The study highlights the need for conservation measures to slow degradation and recover the ecosystem.
Researchers propose a novel approach to analyzing microplastic particles, highlighting the importance of particle size and shape in determining environmental impact. Studies show that even samples with similar numbers of particles can have varying levels of plastic pollution based on mass, volume, and specific surface area.
Researchers found that stevia-based sweeteners cause significantly less environmental impact than sugar, with reduced land use and water consumption. The study provides promising news for the planet's health, but highlights the need for further research on the health impacts of these natural sweeteners.
A new study identifies a high-risk area in Qatar's Gulf as the most vulnerable to oil spills, which could disrupt global gas supply and cause unprecedented water shortages, compromising containment efforts.
A Florida Atlantic University study found that urban noise exposure during development affects the color of songbirds' beaks, which influence social interactions and mate choice. Males developed less bright beak coloration, while females developed brighter orange coloration than untreated birds.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
A randomized clinical trial found that climate impact menu labels can effectively reduce red meat selections and encourage more environmentally sustainable restaurant food choices. The study suggests that negatively framed labels highlighting high-climate impact items were particularly effective in promoting eco-friendly options.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that feeding cats and dogs dry food can significantly reduce the environmental impact of their diets compared to wet food. The research evaluated the environmental impacts of different pet diets, including greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water usage.
Using 1980s environmental inventories, researchers found that disaster risk assessment could have predicted the damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The study compared composite risk maps from the 1980s with post-2011 hazard maps to show a significant increase in high-risk areas.
Aston University scientist Dr Maria Pimenta da Costa Ocampo provides tailored low-carbon advice to clothes designer Debbie Murphy of Missfit Creations. The advice helps reduce carbon emissions by analyzing the recirculation of second-hand clothes, achieving CO2 equivalent of three tonnes.
The study found that scrubber discharge water accounts for up to 9% of certain carcinogenic and environmentally harmful substances in the Baltic Sea. This increase is partly due to a significant growth in ships equipped with scrubbers, which has tripled since the study was carried out.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers estimates the costs of removing invasive Miscanthus plants, ranging from $85 to $3,316 per site. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the challenges of eradication and highlight the need for accurate research and planning.
Researchers found parotoid gland sizes were significantly smaller in urban toads compared to rural populations, while body mass was not different. Urbanization also caused increased sexual dimorphism in leg length.
A new scientific article highlights the need for a global ocean vision to guide marine policies, plans, and programs. The authors propose incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) into international agreements to develop this holistic approach.
A new study published in Ambio reveals that smells experienced in nature can evoke positive emotions, improve physical wellbeing, and reduce stress. Smells played a significant role in delivering benefits from interacting with nature, often tied to personal memories and ecological characteristics.
Researchers found that rapid vegetation recovery in Fukushima reduced suspended sediment levels and turbidity effects. The study highlights the need for future remediation projects to include measures like revegetation to mitigate downstream environmental impacts.
A global survey of biodiversity experts finds that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought, with estimates suggesting 30% of species have been lost since 1500. The study identifies climate change, pollution, and land-use changes as key drivers of biodiversity loss.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
Scientists found that narwhals experience a large increase in the energetic cost of diving while their heart rate is paradoxically reduced, leading to a significant physiological challenge. The study reveals that prolonged exposure to seismic noise disrupts the normal physiological response of narwhals.
A new study published in Environmental Research: Climate reveals the Earth's energy imbalance is crucial for understanding and addressing climate change. The research found that 93% of extra heat from the imbalance ends up in the oceans, increasing their temperature and sea level, leading to more frequent extreme weather events.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists has published new guidance to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from inhaled anesthetics. The guidance provides actionable steps for healthcare professionals to minimize the impact on climate change while maintaining quality outcomes and patient safety.
A team of Chinese and U.S. scientists created the first global map of chronic oil slicks in oceans and found that more than 90 percent come from human sources. Most slicks occur near coastlines, with significant reductions in pollution around regulated offshore areas.
A new study suggests that sustainable irrigation can boost crop productivity to feed 1.4 billion more people, reducing environmental impacts and clearing natural land for agriculture. However, climate change may complicate this calculus, requiring additional research on water management strategies.
A new study reveals that tidal flats in the southeastern US are under pressure from urbanization, leading to erosion and loss of these critical ecosystem guardians. The research highlights the need for sustainable management plans to mitigate the impacts of urban expansion on coastal environments.
Wealthy individuals are more likely to purchase unsustainable products with higher price tags, feeling entitled to the benefits despite environmental costs. However, when encouraged to think about equality, this effect is diminished.
Researchers from the University of Zurich and University of Montréal developed a method to assess plant biodiversity across ecosystems using satellite imaging spectrometry. The study found that spectral diversity calculations can capture differences in plant community composition across all ecosystems studied, allowing for targeted fie...
Researchers at Ritsumeikan University in Japan have developed a new method to fabricate cadmium-free thin-film solar cells with improved energy conversion efficiency. The process replaces toxic materials with native buffer layers formed through air-annealing, reducing waste and increasing the potential for large-scale manufacturing.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
A multi-institutional team finds that nitrogen insufficiency is a growing concern worldwide due to increased demand for nitrogen by plants and microbes. Declining nitrogen availability can slow plant growth and affect the food chain, while also constraining carbon storage and contributing to global warming.
High-income nations, driven by US and EU, exceed sustainable resource use thresholds by 74% globally. China ranks second in global excess material use, while low- and middle-income countries account for only 8%. Researchers call for transformative post-growth approaches to mitigate ecological breakdown.
A recent study by CityU researchers found that clothes dryers are a significant source of airborne microfibers, with some releasing up to 40 times more than washing machines. The team suggests installing filtration systems in dryer vents to mitigate this environmental concern.
Researchers at McGill University argue that urban runoff toxicity is a growing concern due to increasing urbanization, impacting surface water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Sustainable strategies such as retention ponds and settling tanks can be implemented to control pollutant release and mitigate ecological impacts.
A new study suggests that the majority of ocean plastics are on the seafloor or difficult to monitor, with an estimated 540 million metric tons trapped on land. The research estimates that large plastics and microplastics account for only a small percentage of total ocean plastic waste.
A new study by University of Maryland scientists has developed a five-stage scale to track the progression of salt pollution in freshwater streams and rivers. The researchers found that road salts combined with other pollutants create