Articles tagged with Environmental Policy
A new study proposes a two-stage decision-making framework for lithium governance in Latin America, highlighting the role of external pressures, internal politics, and industry development. The research suggests that engagement strategies must consider these factors to succeed in the region.
Research reveals that exposure to addictive drugs like fentanyl and ketamine affects the behavior and survival rates of oyster larvae. The study found that after two weeks of exposure, survival declined in all treatments and doses, with benzoylecgonine causing the greatest reduction.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study reveals that raw ecological data is not enough to protect ecosystems; knowledge sharing and stakeholder engagement are crucial. The research proposes the PRISM model to strategically frame ecological data and improve planning decisions.
A national study led by Curtin University found that Australian's location significantly affects their body weight. The research tracked individuals across 14 years and discovered that people tend to adapt to the typical weight profile of their new community., Local food environments, walkability, and access to green space are key fact...
A University of Houston scientist teams with international partners to map Antarctica's glaciers, revealing tidal movements and retreat rates up to 700 meters per year. The dataset provides the most detailed view yet of how glaciers interact with the ocean, enabling better understanding and modeling of sea-level rise.
Researchers warn that Brazil's domestic policies must align with international commitments on forest conservation and climate justice. The country must take concrete actions, such as reversing anti-environmental policies and protecting indigenous peoples' rights.
A study conducted in a Japanese ICU found that healthcare workers experience reduced satisfaction and concentration due to poor lighting and excessive noise. The findings suggest that designing ICUs with improved natural light and mitigating noise can enhance worker satisfaction, productivity, and quality of patient care.
Research by University of Birmingham scientists reveals that lower-income individuals are more likely to own cheaper, higher-emitting vehicles contributing disproportionately to local urban air pollution. Spending an additional £10,000 on a diesel vehicle is associated with a 40% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions per litre.
A survey by Göttingen University found that consumers overestimate the environmental benefits of locally sourced food, while underestimating the advantages of imported goods. This misjudgment can lead to environmentally unfriendly choices.
A new study finds that wetlands along the Mississippi River Basin effectively clean up nitrogen runoff from agricultural fields. The researchers show that restoring these wetlands can lead to significant savings for local drinking water treatment facilities, with potential annual benefits of $200 million.
A new study reveals Low-Cost Source Apportionment (LoCoSA) is being used to great effect across the Global South, offering a powerful tool for improving public health and environmental policy. Researchers are now putting their findings into practice in Uganda, identifying and understanding dominant sources of Kampala's air pollution.
Constructed wetlands can mimic natural water purification processes, but studies of full-scale CWs have been limited. Researchers identified key factors affecting removal efficiency, including carbon sources and hydraulic parameters.
A new study offers a risk management approach to assess carbon removal portfolios and their potential to limit global warming over centuries. The framework suggests combining nature-based carbon storage like forestry with technology-based solutions like Direct Air Capture can provide long-term temperature stabilization.
The UK food system is under pressure due to climate change, global shocks, and poor diets. A new report calls for radical transformation in three key areas: more resilient farming, smarter land use, and healthier diets.
A study by Bonnie Johnson at the University of Kansas found that group reflective practice among planning commissioners and staff improves services and reduces stress. The researchers explored the use of unconventional formats for staff reports to facilitate discussions about their work.
Critical raw materials are projected to grow from 1 million tonnes in 2022 to between 1.2 and 1.9 million tonnes by 2050. Europe can recover more of these essential materials by improving collection, design, and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
The research emphasizes the importance of coordinating China's multi-level carbon markets in the context of global carbon pricing. Local pilot markets are seen as experimental fields for innovation, covering small enterprises and promoting regulatory experimentation.
Researchers find that farmed totoaba could alleviate poaching pressures by establishing a regulated trade. The study suggests that a market-based solution may be more effective than a regulatory approach in curbing poaching. A $6 million subsidy program could make farming cheaper and prevent further decline of the wild population.
Rice exposed to nanoplastics and cadmium suffered a 16% loss in biomass, but biochar treatment increased biomass by over 80% and restored chlorophyll and protein levels. Biochar formed a physical barrier, trapped pollutants, and enhanced antioxidant activity.
A study found that UK MPs and the public overestimated the time needed for global greenhouse emissions to peak. Labour MPs were more likely to know the correct answer than Conservative MPs. The researchers suggest that institutions like the IPCC need to improve communication about climate change to policymakers and the public.
Researchers at Tohoku University utilized AI to develop strategies for water treatment and air pollution control. The study highlights innovative approaches using machine learning in material screening and global distribution simulation of pollutants.
A University of Bath study shows many parents are deeply worried about the climate crisis and their children's future, but struggle to live low-carbon lives. Despite feeling a strong responsibility to safeguard their children's future, most parents find it difficult to consistently model low-carbon behaviors at home.
The US Climate Collection aims to publish U.S.-focused climate assessment science and research synthesis papers to inform future national and sub-national assessments. The collection welcomes studies that advance the evidence-based design of future U.S. assessments of climate risks and solutions.
The 'Grassland Butterfly Index' shows a significant decline in butterfly populations in Germany from 2016 to 2023, with some species decreasing by up to 50%. This trend is consistent with European-wide declines, highlighting the need for effective conservation measures to protect these important ecosystem indicators.
A study found that 72% of Illinois' remaining 981,000 acres of wetlands are unprotected under the federal Clean Water Act, despite providing $419 million in residential flood control benefits. The decision also removes protections for wetlands that may better mitigate a storm surge or heavy rain event.
A review of hundreds of studies found a link between childhood plastic exposure and long-term health concerns like heart disease, obesity, and asthma. Parents can take simple steps to limit their children's plastic exposure, such as replacing plastic containers with glass or stainless steel.
Stakeholders from Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland met to develop impact plans influencing policies and markets to restore degraded peatlands. The plans aim to align policy goals with specific tasks, support efficient funding and market innovation.
Decades of conflict have devastated Kurdish regions' communities and environment, while peace talks neglect ecological harm. A new publication proposes including environmental restoration in negotiations to build a just and lasting peace, emphasizing community-led restoration and Indigenous knowledge.
Public confidence in US health agencies has declined, with sharp decreases among Democrats, according to a new survey. Most Americans lack confidence in HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s ability to provide trustworthy public health information, but have more trust in Dr. Anthony Fauci.
A new study has found that while vertical farms can deliver more than 20 times the yield of field farms and use far less water, their carbon footprint still exceeds traditional farming due to high energy demands. Researchers suggest switching to alternative materials could cut the environmental cost by over 95%.
Researchers found little evidence of disproportionate siting in Black counties, but a growing share of the Black population over time. Long-term demographic shifts after power plant openings led to higher Black population shares, with an average rise of 4% in 50-70 years.
A new review warns that strobilurin fungicides, widely used in farming, are contaminating staple foods, water, and human bodies. Small amounts can cause harm, interfering with cell energy production and potentially disrupting hormones.
Researchers developed a mathematical framework that shows economic growth and environmental sustainability are compatible in developing countries. A 'kindergarten rule' level of pollution abatement is necessary for successful implementation, depending on factors like clean technology availability and foreign aid.
New research demonstrates that corals naturally thriving in extreme environments can be used to boost the resilience of reef sites. Despite being transplanted to more stable conditions, these corals retained their heat tolerance and activated pathways associated with DNA repair and homeostasis.
Climate experts Svante Bodin and Örjan Gustafsson recommend reforms to increase responsiveness, improve communication channels, and tailor scientific outputs to pressing policy needs. The proposed changes aim to unlock the combined potential of IPCC and UNFCCC, enabling more effective climate action.
A study from the University of Gothenburg found broad support for achieving the 30–30 target, with 82% of respondents across five continents in favor. The researchers also discovered that design and implementation of conservation policies significantly impact public support, suggesting a need for adaptable approaches to protecting nature.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has released a statement highlighting five foundational flaws in the Department of Energy's 2025 Climate Synthesis report. These flaws are inconsistent with scientific principles and practices, and require rectification before the report can accurately characterize scientific understanding.
A new study from NYU Tandon reveals how remote work arrangements enabled New Yorkers to participate in community environmental action. Flexible schedules and digital tools empowered volunteers to engage in hands-on labor during the workday, driven by a desire to counter isolation and screen fatigue.
Researchers found a strong correlation between industrial pollution exposure during pregnancy and the risk of intellectual disabilities in grandchildren. A study using Utah Population Database data revealed that grandmothers' prenatal exposures can increase the risk of intellectual disabilities in their grandchildren's children.
Research in Business Strategy and the Environment reveals stronger LGBTQ+ inclusion correlates with higher environmental scores and greater renewable energy consumption among U.S. firms. This relationship is partially mediated by environmental innovation, suggesting inclusive workplace practices enhance environmental outcomes.
Researchers found that increasing tree cover on cocoa farms across Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to a minimum of 30% could sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide equivalent, benefiting the environment and ecosystems. Agroforestry has the potential to deliver meaningful mitigation for the chocolate industry.
A new IIASA study highlights the critical role of socioeconomic conditions in shaping wildfire economic losses. By adopting sustainable development pathways, countries can reduce wildfire-related damages by up to 2% of GDP in low-income nations.
Representatives from over 170 countries meet in Geneva to negotiate a legally binding agreement to tackle global plastic pollution. The proposed treaty aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect biodiversity by limiting plastic production and eliminating hazardous substances.
A new study by researchers from IIASA found that Brazil's mining industry does not deliver sustained economic benefits and instead contributes to deforestation, particularly in the Amazon. Informal mining is a major driver of forest loss, while industrial mining has no strong connection to forest damage.
The researchers developed a five-level pyramid model to assess energy supply security, taking into account dynamic effects and higher resolution. Switzerland can increase its energy security by diversifying its energy sources and increasing domestic production, with additional storage facilities also contributing.
Research suggests that nine commonly used pesticides in viticulture have significantly underestimated environmental impact, with half-lives exceeding two days and potential for long-range transport.
Health experts urge the UN to strengthen the treaty's focus on ending plastic production and reducing toxic chemicals. The World Health Organization estimates that one-quarter of global deaths are linked to environmental harm, including chemicals, pollution, and waste.
A University of Houston engineer has developed a method to create strong and eco-friendly materials from bacterial cellulose, which could replace plastic in various industries. The new material has high tensile strength flexibility, foldability, optical transparency, and long-term mechanical stability.
A new study from ICTA-UAB reveals that urban growth can be unsustainable if not managed carefully, with environmental consequences including increased consumption and emissions. The research provides a comparative framework for understanding different approaches to urban growth, highlighting the need for evidence-based solutions.
A new study explores two future scenarios: the Too Little Too Late scenario, where humanity risks worsening breakdowns, and the Giant Leap scenario, which shows a window of opportunity for reversing declining wellbeing trends. The study identifies five 'extraordinary turnarounds' that could fundamentally alter humanity's trajectory.
Climate anxiety is growing, especially amongst young people, due to the polarized debate around climate change. Professor Beattie's book offers psychological tips on how to handle climate anxiety, including writing personal narratives about difficult emotional experiences. Strategies focus on improving mental well-being and empowering ...
A new paper proposes a global framework to measure how well people and nature are thriving together, introducing the Nature Relationship Index to complement the Human Development Index. The index assesses countries' relationships with ecosystems, access to nature, and environmental protection.
A new study from the University of Delaware and Columbia University found that plastic bag bans and fees can reduce plastic bag litter on shorelines by 25-47%, with more effective impacts at state-level policies. However, overall plastic pollution continues to grow, albeit at a slower rate in places with these policies.
The national carbon market in China integrates economic theory with international experience, covering sectoral coverage, cap setting, allowance allocation, and the MRV system. The market faces challenges including lack of an official phased development roadmap and effective market stability measures.
A study of nearly 600 US companies over 17 years found that firms in states with stakeholder-focused laws are better at avoiding environmental issues. CFOs' personalities, especially if they're overconfident, can lead to risky decisions harming both the environment and the company.
Mount Sinai Health System has received three prestigious awards from Practice Greenhealth for its commitment to environmental sustainability. The system's Mount Sinai Green program aims to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and create healthier environments. Recent initiatives include reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and improvi...
A new report by UCL academics finds that opening new North Sea oil and gas fields is incompatible with achieving the Paris Climate Agreement goals. The researchers recommend stopping all future licenses to explore and refusing development consent for already-licensed fields.
A new study reveals a link between the weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and increased rainfall in the Southern Amazon rainforest. The AMOC's decline may buffer dry season rainfall loss, but also underscores the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to prevent broader climate risks.
New research led by Princeton University demonstrates that Australia can fully decarbonize its domestic and energy export economies by 2060 while avoiding harm to important areas for biodiversity outcomes. The study proposes a 'traffic-light' approach for siting renewable infrastructure, identifying suitable lands for development and t...
A new study by TUM reveals that African green hydrogen production is much more costly than previously assumed, with only 2% of investigated locations being competitive. To make exports to Europe viable, governments and policymakers must provide price and offtake guarantees.