Articles tagged with Environmental Policy
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
A new study finds that limiting global warming to 1.5°C could save twice as much glacier ice as current policies, which project an average of +2.7°C. This would mitigate 10cm of sea-level rise and preserve up to 39% of global glacier mass.
A new study published in Science finds that strong climate policy can preserve twice as much ice as current warming trajectories, even if temperatures stabilized today. At a 1.5°C temperature increase, 53% of global glacier mass could be preserved, alleviating hazards like flooding and freshwater deficiency.
Involving communities in nature-based solutions leads to innovation in design and quality, as well as people gaining greater benefits from green spaces. The study highlights the importance of citizen participation and consultation in NBS projects.
Subsidies to agriculture, fossil fuels, and other sectors cause significant environmental degradation, threatening biodiversity and public health. The study highlights the urgent need for a transformation of the current economic model to protect nature and ensure well-being.
A new study found that state-led climate action can reduce carbon emissions by up to 46% by 2050, with different technologies adopted in each state. State-led efforts would focus on industrial decarbonization, while federally coordinated efforts rely more on clean energy production.
The University of Texas at Arlington's (UTA) Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) has developed a real-time sensor data system to track environmental impact. The program helps Texas manufacturers reduce pollution, lower emissions, and save costs by identifying energy waste, water consumption, and air leaks.
The AI system uses evolutionary computing to find optimal policy solutions that balance trade-offs between carbon storage, economic disruptions, and environmental benefits. It recommends nuanced approaches to land-use strategies, such as replacing crop land with forest, rather than simply converting all land into forests.
New research challenges conventional views on the link between environment and conflict, highlighting global inequalities that disproportionately harm countries in the Global South. The study finds that ecological sustainability and peace are not positively correlated, but comprehensively sustainable peace is possible.
The new ShARP Center will investigate how PFAS affect liver health, and develop methods to detect and remove them from public water sources. Researchers will also study the link between PFAS exposure and rare cancers.
A study found that a mismatch between government and public perceptions of natural disasters can lead some residents to remain in their homes despite evacuation efforts. Researchers suggest that understanding these differences can inform state disaster preparedness and aid government efforts.
A new study found that PFAS exposure remains a concern for California adults, with drinking water, seafood, eggs, and brown rice identified as contributors. While dietary associations are lower than previous studies, the findings highlight the need to regulate PFAS in drinking water.
A study proposes five action fronts for civil defense units to increase their organizational capacity, including professionalization and resource allocation. Municipalities face challenges such as monitoring urban expansion, lack of financial resources, and social participation.
The EndoCompass project aims to guide future studies and funding programs with a research roadmap for better hormone health in Europe. Manuel Heitor will share his perspective on the future of research in Europe, emphasizing the need for greater investment and coordination.
A recent study from POSTECH University evaluated ground-level NO2 concentrations using satellite remote sensing data, revealing significant socioeconomic disparities in air pollution exposure. The research found that areas with higher socioeconomic levels had higher NO2 concentrations, contradicting previous findings in other countries.
The BRICS countries, accounting for 45% of global GHG emissions, need to transition towards cleaner energy to achieve carbon neutrality goals. The study's energy-economic model projects that non-fossil fuel share will reach 85% in some nations by carbon neutrality deadlines.
A novel power system dispatch model optimizes thermal power, wind power, PV generation, and energy storage systems for cost reduction, carbon emission control, and stability enhancement. Increasing ESS capacity improves renewable energy utilization while mitigating power generation fluctuations.
A new study reveals that over half of Black and Latina women reported using personal care products with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, highlighting critical safety gaps in product regulation. The study found that these chemicals are present in a wide range of products, including shampoo, lotions, and eyelash glue.
New study models spatial patterns of grazing halos around coral reefs and finds that halo patterns can signal reef resilience. The research suggests that stable halos exist where herbivores are limited by predators, while oscillating halos may indicate a shift in system health.
A PSU study found that only a quarter of respondents would pay full price for washing machine filters, highlighting the need for point-of-sale purchases. Government subsidies could increase adoption by up to 20%, suggesting a potential solution to microplastic pollution.
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) are collaborating on a special collection to maintain momentum in climate change research supporting the US National Climate Assessment. This effort aims to sustain the work of authors who were dismissed earlier this week by the Trump Administration.
A new study by University College London researchers suggests that intensifying existing farmland can degrade local biodiversity more than expanding agricultural land, depending on factors like region and crop type. The study highlights the need for sustainable intensification techniques to mitigate the impact of farming on the environ...
The American Meteorological Society warns that catastrophic cuts to federal science agencies like NOAA threaten the US weather enterprise, which supports public safety, private sector operations, and national security. A strong weather enterprise is essential for America's economic leadership.
Biomass is crucial for Europe's ability to reach its climate targets, providing both energy and negative emissions. Excluding biomass from the European energy system would increase costs by 169 billion Euros per year.
The proposed elimination of NOAA Research would drastically undercut the scientific backbone needed for accurate weather forecasts and services. Key stakeholders like the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association urge action to maintain competitiveness in weather forecasting.
The study evaluates Hengshui City's 'zero-waste city' initiative, which integrates biogas production, electricity generation, heat recovery, and organic fertilizer manufacturing. The project achieves significant emission reductions, with a 64% decrease in CO2 equivalent emissions per year.
The Deep Computational Text Analyser (DECOTA) is an open-access AI tool that transforms open-ended survey responses into clear themes in minutes, not months. Developed by the University of Bath, DECOTA delivers insights around 380 times faster and over 1,900 times cheaper than human analysis.
The study found that product lifetimes for large appliances in Norwegian households remained relatively consistent over the decades, except for washing machines and ovens. Washing machine lifetimes decreased by 45% due to increased laundry cycles, while oven lifetimes decreased by 39% likely due to renovation trends and changing kitche...
A study by North Carolina State University detected high levels of PFAS, including GenX and other toxic compounds, in the dust of homes near a fluorochemical plant. The findings suggest that household dust can be an additional source of PFAS exposure, particularly for those living closer to the facility.
A study by Tsinghua University researchers highlights the need for a strategic framework to achieve net-zero energy sector technologies in China. The team proposes three primary pathways to reduce emissions: improving efficiency, transitioning to zero-carbon energy sources, and implementing carbon capture technologies.