Issue 609

Over the last decade policymakers across the world have implemented measures to counter plastic pollution. This independent study analyses these key policy initiatives and concludes that they are backed by science. Risks to human health and the environment caused by the widespread use of plastics and resulting plastic pollution are a major concern to both citizens and scientists. Click here to read more

Using recovered electric vehicle batteries to create storage for energy surpluses from wind farms in Tenerife is technically and economically feasible, says a study, although, if energy prices are too low, this would impair profitability. Transitioning public energy supplies to renewable sources poses several challenges. Click here to read more

Abandoning grassland, as well as a focus on monocultural plantation forests on the habitat, hurts biodiversity and affects its capacity to provide services which enable effective ecosystem functioning, suggests research from Estonia. Grasslands are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in Europe, and also play a considerable role in providing ecosystem services vital to agriculture and society, such as pollination, the maintenance of soil quality and natural pest control. Click here to read more