Articles tagged with Environmental Policy
A team of 70 scientists warns that climate change will drastically reduce the ability to build a sustainable future based on healthy ecosystems. Insects face extinction and ecosystem disruption due to global warming and extreme weather events.
A CSU study found that racially segregated communities are exposed to a more concentrated form of air pollution, including toxic metals like lead and cadmium. This disparity is linked to systemic racial injustices and targeted emissions reductions can help reduce exposure.
Researchers analyzed 30 years of cardiovascular mortality data from the US and UK, finding that lead exposure contributes more to CVD death risks in the US. The study also revealed a steady decline in cardiovascular deaths associated with all environmental factors in both countries.
A Dartmouth study found that severe heat waves resulting from climate change have already caused massive economic losses worldwide. The research estimates $16 trillion was lost to the effects of high temperatures on human health, productivity, and agricultural output.
The Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge Monitor assesses public knowledge on climate, maternal health, vaccination, and more. The quarterly survey reports aim to highlight strengths and weaknesses in public knowledge and inform public health strategies.
A recent study found that companies' zero-deforestation supply chain commitments have reduced tree clearance in the Brazilian Amazon by only 1.6% between 2006 and 2015. Despite this, over 50% of soy-suitable forests in Brazil remain unprotected. Experts call for stronger regulations to effectively combat deforestation.
A new paper highlights the crucial role insects play in ecosystems, including pollination, food sources, and mental health benefits. The authors advocate for a shift in public perception of insects, citing government inaction on biodiversity policy, and outline strategic priorities to support insect conservation.
Ancient tree conservation is crucial for maintaining ecosystem integrity and mitigating climate change. The researchers propose a two-pronged approach to protect these trees, including germplasm conservation and forest rewilding.
Researchers advocate for ocean-centered governance to resolve crises and foster harmony with humanity. The Earth Law Center and other experts propose introducing rights to the ocean.
A proposed U.S. menthol ban could significantly reduce plastic pollution and toxic chemical leaching into soil and water supplies. The ban is estimated to cut littering by 3.8 billion cigarette butts annually, saving approximately 1.7 million pounds of waste.
Researchers analyzed 351 Chinese firms from 2006 to 2019, finding that female CEOs were associated with environmentally sustainable policies. The presence of female directors on the board strengthened this relationship. These findings suggest women's leadership can promote social and environmental benefits for stakeholders.
Research from German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research finds poorly defined land rights increase deforestation in Brazil. Private land rights can be effective if combined with strict environmental policies, such as the Forest Code.
A mobile app will be developed to record cigarette smoke exposure and other air pollutants in everyday locations, engaging Black and American Indian youth as Citizen Scientists. The study aims to enhance youth engagement in healthy environments and local clean-air policies.
Researchers found that environments with high walkability and greenness increase physical activity levels. People who spent more time in these areas had the highest levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity.
A £1 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund will support a new initiative aimed at identifying and activating 'positive tipping points' to accelerate decarbonization and limit climate change. The project will focus on improving assessment, forecasting, and activation of positive tipping points across various sectors.
Restoring relatively narrow strips of riverfront forests could substantially improve regional water quality and carbon storage in Costa Rica. The analysis shows that such buffers tend to be most beneficial in steep, erosion-prone, and intensively fertilized landscapes.
A new study by Flinders University researchers highlights the critical link between environmental degradation and pandemics, emphasizing the need for urgent ecosystem restoration efforts to aid in COVID-19 recovery. The study suggests that up to 95% of land on Earth will be degraded by 2050 if effective measures are not taken.
The study reveals that between 90 and 99 percent of all deforestation in the tropics is driven directly or indirectly by agriculture. The majority of deforestation results in land speculation or abandoned projects, rather than actively producing agricultural production.
A NASA initiative studies wildfire-induced air pollution by measuring atmospheric CO and O3 levels using airborne observations. The study found that CO levels increased in the plume as it was transported away from the fire site, while plume age was associated with distance in both vertical and horizontal directions.
A new study developed a novel way to understand how human activities cause unintended consequences on sustainable development goals. Researchers used China's Wolong Nature Reserve as a demonstration site and found that efforts to promote one goal often result in unintended impacts on others.
A study by OIST Graduate University's Marine Biophysics Unit found that mangroves in the Ryukyu Islands have limited connectivity, making it crucial to protect isolated forests. The research used genetics and oceanography to track propagule dispersal, revealing rare genetic exchanges between islands.
Researchers developed a new Integrated Ozone Depletion metric to measure ozone-destroying substance impacts on the ozone layer. The IOD considers emission strength, atmospheric duration, and ozone destruction, providing a straightforward tool for evaluating ozone layer protection measures.
A new Princeton University study found that Americans widely underestimate their fellow citizens' support for climate policies, with conservatives and liberals alike mistakenly believing a minority supports action. The research suggests this underestimation can lead to weaker actual support and stifled public discussion.
A recent HKU study found that Global South cities experience only one-third of the greenspace exposure level of Global North cities, highlighting the need for prioritizing greening policies and actions. The research reveals a severe disparity in greenspace exposure linked to differences in greenspace provision and landscape design.
New research from the University of Waterloo confirms speculation taxes have little impact on controlling Ontario house prices. Municipalities struggle to regulate markets due to factors like geography and governance, leading to ineffective tax measures.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that high-value properties in the western United States are disproportionately exposed to wildfire hazards. Researchers found that both low- and high-income communities bear a disproportionate burden of wildfires.
A new study finds that mild smog exposure during pregnancy is linked to higher risks of low birth weight, high blood pressure, and early water breaks. The research highlights the need for environmental protection measures to reduce air pollution's impact on pregnant women and their unborn children.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University find that existing coal-fired plants can produce electricity at a cost comparable to renewables with energy storage. The study suggests modifications to current tax incentives to increase deployment of carbon-constrained fossil-fuel and negative emissions technologies.
A newly published framework outlines steps for administering probiotics to wildlife, prioritizing native species, effective dosages, and delivery systems. The goal is to restore beneficial bacteria and protect key symbiotic relationships, while considering potential risks and side effects.
A new energy plan developed by researchers at Kyushu University suggests a more sustainable future energy system that includes 61% renewable-based electricity. The plan, which prioritizes solar and wind power, exceeds current projections by 50%, with significant reductions in coal-based generation and nuclear power.
A new study estimates that exposure to PFAS chemicals may result in $5.5-63 billion in lifetime health costs due to conditions like low birth weight, childhood obesity, kidney cancer, and hypothyroidism. The study supports the EPA's decision to lower safe allowable levels of these substances.
A Yale University-led commentary argues that governments must move beyond misconceptions discouraging public investment in clean energy. By redirecting investments towards decarbonization, subsidizing technologies to reduce costs, and diversifying portfolios, policymakers can maximize energy innovation returns while managing expectatio...
A University of Essex study found that three-quarters of professional footballers experienced general fatigue for 37 days and muscle fatigue for 38 days after recovering from COVID-19. Despite no drop in lung capacity, GPS data showed a four per cent decline in match performance.
A Dartmouth study provides a scientific basis for climate liability claims between individual countries, linking national emissions to global economic losses and warming. The research estimates $6 trillion in cumulative losses attributable to the world's top emitters from 1990 to 2014.
A new study provides a data-driven definition of a pond, distinguishing it from lakes and wetlands, based on surface area, depth, and emergent vegetation. The researchers found that ponds have distinct ecological structures and functions, requiring unique monitoring standards.
A new study found that exposure to air pollution and indoor burning without ventilation significantly increases the risk of heart disease mortality. Researchers created maps of eight environmental risk factors across Golestan Province, Iran, and identified associations between death and these factors, controlling for traditional risk f...
In the 2020 US House of Representatives elections, Democrats supporting the Green New Deal saw a significant increase in their vote share. This study examined the electoral appeal of climate policies, specifically the Green New Deal, and found that it resonated with voters.
The proposed Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework fails to address the totality of chemical pollutants threatening ecosystems worldwide. Researchers urge negotiators to include persistent and toxic substances like mercury and PFAS in the agreement.
The Safeguard project recommends improving pollinator knowledge, tackling causes of decline, and raising awareness to reverse the 2030 pollinator loss objective. European Commission's public consultation gathered views on strengthening the current framework on wild pollinators.
Research reveals Paradise, California's water contained VOCs at levels exceeding EPA standards due to degraded plastic pipes near or above ground. To protect communities, experts recommend burying service lines deeper, using isolation valves, and monitoring temperature thresholds.
A study published in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis found that the quality of mistletoe, a traditional Chinese medicine, is affected by its host plant. The researchers used metabolomics to investigate the influence of host plants and environmental factors on mistletoe's medicinal qualities. The results show that both host plants an...
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that children exposed to road traffic noise in schools have slower attention and working memory development compared to those in quieter environments. The research suggests potential implications for environmental noise policies protecting school environments.
A new analysis found over 10 million tonnes of PCB-containing materials remain globally, posing public health and environmental threats. The Stockholm Convention's deadline for elimination is nearing, but most countries are not on track to meet it.
A new study by Bigelow Laboratory confirms the effectiveness of chemical dispersants in breaking down oil in seawater under real-world conditions. The researchers found that dispersants were effective if applied within two to four days, a typical time frame for oil spill response.
Researchers explored potential policies to reduce nitrogen loss while protecting farmers' bottom lines. The study found that a nitrogen leaching fee policy showed the best outcome, with estimated cost savings of $524 million per year.
A new study finds that while immediate economic benefits of carbon emissions reductions are limited, most scenarios have net economic benefits after 2050. The benefits are most dramatic for developing countries, with a median net benefit of 6.0% of GDP for a 1.5°C reduction target.
Researchers recommend organizing targeted culls and creating a supply chain to make lionfish a component of the region's fishing industry. They also call for legal changes to permit lionfish removals across the Mediterranean and inclusion on the EU list of invasive species of concern.
A new study finds that fracking is linked to poor birth outcomes and contaminants in public drinking water. The research, which analyzed data from Pennsylvania between 2006 and 2015, shows a significant increase in preterm births and low birth weight among infants exposed to fracking-related chemicals.
Researchers found that pandemic shutdowns gave a window into environmental racism in California's air pollution policy, revealing disproportionate impacts on Hispanic and Asian communities. The study suggests policies targeting transportation emissions could have significant environmental justice impacts for these groups.
A new Penn State study found that people are more likely to choose empathy for an animal over a human, but only when the choices are not in competition. When context matters, people's willingness to engage in human empathy decreases, while their interest in animal empathy increases.
The EuropaBON project aims to develop a unified approach to monitoring Europe's biodiversity and ecosystems. A list of 15 essential variables has been identified for harmonization across countries, but most are not currently being monitored adequately.
The study explores how countries can reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 with continued economic growth through 2100. The results suggest that stringent public policies and rapid deployment of low-carbon technologies are necessary to achieve this goal, with the global economy projected to be five times its size in 2100.
A new study by a University of Georgia researcher finds that plastic bag bans or fees can lead to an increase in the sale of smaller trash bags, potentially offsetting any reduction in plastic waste. Sales of larger trash bags remain relatively unchanged.
A recent study of Australian suburbs found that tree-inclusive gardens provide up to a 30-metre buffer during summer heatwaves, reducing energy costs. Researchers recommend incorporating deciduous trees into housing designs for better energy efficiency and urban aesthetics.
The Philadelphia Regional Center for Children's Environmental Health aims to identify and protect vulnerable communities from environmental exposures. The center will focus on four primary research areas: asthma prevention, lead exposure, air pollution, and endocrine disrupting chemicals.
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
A bi-national regulation targeting ships entering the Great Lakes since mid-2000s has reduced invasive species risk by 85%, with a significant impact on fisheries and biodiversity. The study suggests that saltwater flushing through ballast tanks is a crucial control strategy.
A global study reveals that freshwater lake ecosystems are being damaged by salt concentrations below government-protective thresholds. The loss of zooplankton triggers a cascade effect causing an increase in algae, potentially altering nutrient cycling and water quality.
A new study reveals that construction workers are at high risk of tracking multiple toxic metals into their homes, including arsenic, chromium, and lead. The study found a range of factors, such as lack of work lockers and poor hygiene practices, can impact metal concentrations in home dust.
The UN Environment Programme's latest Frontiers Report identifies three critical environmental issues: urban noise pollution, wildfires, and phenological mismatches. These issues pose significant risks to public health and ecological systems, emphasizing the need for urgent action.