Since 2008, Thematic Issues have been available on key areas of environmental research with particular policy relevance. These monthly reports cover each area in depth, providing a guide to the latest research in the field. All subscribers to the weekly new slert automatically receive Thematic Issues.
Issue 1 - Biofuels
Feb 2008
Interest in biofuels is growing and
proposed European Commission targets to increase the amount of
biofuels used in transportation to 10 per cent is likely to drive
further research and development in this field. But the move to
increase biofuel production raises concerns about the impact of
biofuel crops on the environment, landscape and food security.
Sustainable consumption and production are two sides of a coin, both are
needed to achieve real progress towards sustainability and both will be
addressed in the forthcoming European Commission Action Plan on
Sustainable Consumption and Production which is expected in May 2008.
With this in mind, this thematic issue discusses a number of strategies that
could be used to reduce consumption and improve the sustainability of
production systems.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are expected to play a key role in
strategies to avoid dangerous climate change. They enable large reductions in CO2
emissions, even given the almost inevitable continued use of fossil fuels predicted
by energy analysts. Recently, the European Commission has proposed a policy to address
the environmental integrity of carbon capture and geological storage. CCS is especially
important for coal-based developing economies such as China and India.
The new EU Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe and the proposed amendments to the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will drive changes in EU contributions to harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. New targets have been set in the Air Quality directive to reduce exposure to fine particles and reduce risks to human health. In January 2008, the European Commission proposed a number of changes to improve and extend the EU's ETS to further reduce GHG emissions. The ETS is the major market-based policy used by the EU to effect climate change strategies.
Deforestation is not new: 2000 years ago most of Europe was covered by forests. Today, forests cover less than half of the continent. While forest area is increasing in many temperate regions, the rate of deforestation is alarmingly high in the tropics, where forests are disappearing faster than anywhere else in the world.
Aggressive non-native species represent a serious threat to biodiversity and are a major cause of extinction globally. In Europe several invasive alien species (IAS) dominate their new environments, threatening native species with extinction. For example, European red squirrel populations are on the brink of extinction in Italy and the UK, following the introduction of the larger American grey squirrel.
The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) urges policy implementation managers to respond to poor ecological, chemical and quantitative status of the water system caused by negative pressures from different drivers. This issue discusses recent experiences with regard to different stages of river basin management strategy, to help us understand how we can safeguard water, an indispensible resource.
Where would we find most of our raw materials if forests did not produce them? What would we eat if insects did not pollinate plants? Could we live without clean water? Ecosystem goods and services arising from biodiversity are critical, but they are also coming under severe threat. In this issue, we provide examples of studies that contribute to improved understanding of the current biodiversity crisis and the value of ecosystem services.
The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2007) concluded that even the most stringent mitigation efforts cannot avoid further impacts of climate change in the next few decades. This inevitability of impacts makes investment in adaptation essential. Yet mitigation also remains crucial: to rely on adaptation alone would eventually lead to a level of climate change to which effective adaptation is no longer feasible.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) affect the broader social, economic and ethical aspects of life. Honest, open public debate, which involves a wide range of people is necessary to build confidence in policy decisions made on behalf of all citizens.
Half the world's population live in cities. By 2050, the total number of urban dwellers is expected to nearly double, rising from 3.3 billion to 6.4 billion. How do we accommodate urbanisation while ensuring good quality of life and health? How do we minimise environmental damage but still develop our cities? This thematic issue provides a window into the research evidence that can help us create healthier urban environments and more sustainable urban policies.
Nanoparticles may be small, but they are at the centre of a huge
debate. Nanotechnology has great potential for industry and
society, but we need more awareness of the potential impact of
manufactured or engineered nanoparticles on human health and
the environment to ensure that its products are safe. Although
nanotechnology is new, it is expanding quickly and research is
needed to understand its associated risks. This thematic issue
outlines some of this research and indicates areas for future
investigation.
As part of the European Commission's strategy to ensure safer use of pesticides, a new legislative framework has recently been adopted that includes a regulation specifying stricter criteria for approval of pesticides and a directive on the sustainable use of pesticides. This special issue intends to examine current research that could influence future policy in this important area.
Healthy soils are vital in a world challenged by climate change. We need to decide how best to use land to provide food for a growing population and how it can be used to
mitigate the effects of manmade emissions. The quality of soil must be maintained or
restored if it is to provide its essential services: cycling nutrients, water and air, supporting
biodiversity and acting as a substantial store for carbon. This thematic issue outlines key
research in these areas.
Sustainable development is perceived as a compromise between environmental, economic and social goals. This allows society to ensure well-being for present and future generations without damaging the environment and jeopardising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This thematic issue outlines recent research which helps us understand the benefits of sustainable living and how it can be achieved through implementing sustainable development strategies.
Mercury is widely considered to be among the highest priority environmental pollutants of concern on the global scale. Although occupational exposure to inorganic mercury is a continuous problem, possible effects on broader sections of the population resulting from widespread dispersal of mercury in the environment has become a major concern in recent years. This thematic issue reports on research which explores the impacts of mercury emissions and contaminants, and how they may be traced, controlled and reduced.
Both the cause of environmental problems and possibilities for addressing them depend on human perceptions, attitudes and behaviour, which are linked to values, preferences and beliefs about the world. Communication is key to analysing the relation between all of these aspects. This thematic issue reports on research which provides insights into how we can communicate environmental issues effectively.
