Una nueva Cumbre universal tendrá lugar en Johannesburgo (África del Sur) a finales de este verano. Se prevé la asistencia de cerca de 60.000 participantes, representantes de Estados, ONG y movimientos afiliados.

Entrevista con Christian Patermann, director del programa europeo de investigación sobre medio ambiente y desarrollo sostenible.

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El interés por las "ciencias de la Tierra" nació en el Siglo de las Luces pero el descubrimiento de la complejidad del ecosistema terrestre es bastante reciente. Recapitulación sobre la evolución de un capítulo del conocimiento.

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Más allá de los conocimientos y de las tecnologías cada vez más avanzadas, el desarrollo sostenible exige nuevos principios de buen gobierno basados en el equilibrio y la equidad.

Agente de primera magnitud en la defensa del medio ambiente, Europa debe indudablemente su combatividad al dinamismo de su investigación.

Los siguientes resúmenes están sólo en inglés pero casi todos los artículos están en varios idiomas.
Para verlos, clique primero en el número de la revista de que se trate, número que está a la derecha del resumen en inglés. Luego clique en el botón del idioma que desee, que se encuentra en el ángulo izquierdo de la cabecera. Y a partir de ahí puede descender hasta encontrar el artículo que busca y leerlo sin más que clicar en el enlace correspondiente o en la imagen que lo acompañe. Ahora bien, esto no funciona para los primeros números de la revista I+DT info.

Could the subsoil of high mountain areas 'melt'? Yes, and the result may be an increased risk of landslides with extremely damaging consequences. The culprit? Climate warming. The EU's PACE project is now hard at work developing the analytical tools to avoid the potential dangers stemming from this melting of the permafrost.

Launched in 1998 by the European Commission and a group of space agencies, the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) initiative aims to provide Europe with independent and permanent access to the information flows generated in space. Such information is crucial for monitoring the environment, preventing and managing natural and industrial disasters, complying with greenhouse gas reduction commitments, anticipating conflicts and handling crises.
 

Every year forest fires destroy hundreds of thousands of hectares in Europe, mainly in the Mediterranean Basin. Using satellite pictures, digital cameras, computer modelling and other high-tech devices, scientists are now exploring new ways of combating this scourge.
 

Can forests reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the principal
cause of climate warming? This sensitive question was one of the reasons for the failure of the conference in The Hague in November 2000 which sought concrete international commitments implementing the 1997 Kyoto protocol. Such commitments are the subject of intense scientific debate, which the vast CarboEurope research network is seeking to help resolve.
 

Aviation has two Achilles heels: noise and air pollution. Despite the enormous progress in reducing these major nuisances, the prospect of sustained growth in global air transport presents aeronautics research with a major environmental challenge.
 

Aviation has two Achilles heels: noise and air pollution. Despite the enormous progress in reducing these major nuisances, the prospect of sustained growth in global air transport presents aeronautics research with a major environmental challenge.
 

The sea is wreaking revenge for man's negligence. From north to south, Europe's coastal waters are periodically invaded by toxin-producing micro-algae which pose a threat to human health. What is going wrong? Researchers on the Nutox project and Eurohab initiative are gradually coming to understand the physico-chemical and biological mechanisms which are producing this worrying phenomenon.
 

The symbols of unspoilt nature seemingly beyond the reach of modern ills, remote mountain regions are in fact hypersensitive ecosystems, both victims and excellent indicators of environmental and climatic changes caused by man. Over recent years, multidisciplinary teams of European researchers with the AL:PE and MOLAR projects have been studying these remote expanses of azure skies and lakes.
 

Would we be prepared to change our habits to counter the risks of climate change? Ulysses, a European project involving experts from the social and natural sciences, has been experimenting with a new kind of methodology for urban democratic participation.
 

The risks of climate change are serious. What could they mean for Europe? And how should we respond? By analysing the scenarios and likely socio-economic consequences in relation to specific geographic characteristics, experts from Acacia are bringing policy-makers, industrialists and social players face-to-face with realities that can no longer be ignored - and the changes they will require.
 

African, South American and Caribbean experts are working together on an extensive European endeavour to promote the Ecopath model: a key tool for understanding the interactions between species and the responsible management of marine ecosystems.
 

The thousands of small boatbuilders that flourish along the coasts and waterways of Europe will benefit from a clean, high-performance technology for moulding composite materials. An innovation which is sure to spread to many other sectors.
 

Fifty six million apartments, built after the Second World War, must be incorporated into new urban development strategies. Which is why energy- and water-saving measures, improved quality of life for residents, the management of household waste, and materials recycling are all being studied now by the building managers and researchers of the Sureuro project.
 

The sustainable development of urban transport is dependent on many variables, in terms of infrastructure, pricing policies and the allotment of land. That is why integrated planning tools are now being tested at a number of sites in northern and southern Europe, with a view to optimal mobility in the city of tomorrow.
 

Today's cities are grappling with multiple and complex problems as they seek to ensure a sustainable development as the sole guarantee of quality of life for their inhabitants. 'The City of tomorrow and cultural heritage', a key action under the Fifth Framework Programme, is endeavouring to promote an in-depth and integrated approach to all the technological, socio-economic and environmental challenges facing our metropolitan areas. David Miles, who is responsible for this policy at the European Commission, explains.