"Science for Environment Policy" Newsletter Issues

Notice nature to improve your mental health and encourage conservation (26/07/2023)

The health of humans and ecosystems is interconnected, and the claim that our well-being benefits from connectedness to nature is well-documented. This study clarifies the impact of citizen science projects and ‘noticing good things in nature’ on people’s connectedness to nature and pro-conservation behaviour. Click here to read more

Effectiveness of urban tree planting for city cooling varies between European regions (26/07/2023)

The effectiveness of tree planting in cities to reduce urban temperatures varies regionally. This study reports differences in cooling efficiency trends between European regions, and highlights issues that affect cooling benefits. Click here to read more

Birds as environmental indicators: raptor species a good proxy for agricultural bird diversity (26/07/2023)

The lesser kestrel is an ideal flagship species for tracking the avian diversity of intensively farmed land in Italy, according to a new study. Modern intensive husbandry (livestock production for meat and milk) is threatening biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems, and has become a leading cause of critical environmental issues and biodiversity loss worldwide. Click here to read more

Invasive fish in Catalonia show need for updated management protocol for biological invasion prevention (26/07/2023)

Invasive species are a growing threat for freshwater ecosystems and can have widespread ecological impacts. New research suggests that current strategies to prevent invasions need updating. Catalonian freshwater rivers are the main route through which non-native fish species enter Spain. Click here to read more

Your opinion matters! Please take part in our 2023 survey. (13/07/2023)

Aquatic biosensors glow like fireflies as they detect disintegrating plastic debris (04/07/2023)

Monitoring the degradation of plastic waste in both fresh and saltwater environments could be done quickly and effectively using glowing ‘biosensors’ built on bacteria, finds new study. Almost 26 million tonnes of plastic is generated in Europe each year. Plastic finds its way into lakes, seas and the ocean via littering and waste disposal and through sewerage and water treatment systems, and now accounts for 80% of all marine debris. Click here to read more

New research supports the need for streamlining best practice in anaerobic digestion (04/07/2023)

A robust assessment of GHG emissions from anaerobic digestion for biogas in France finds that its potential carbon savings depend on many variables, as reflected in the EU legislation. This study suggests that, in France, the potential of anaerobic digestion (AD) to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions depends on two factors: 1) it must be accompanied by post-fermentation gastight digestate storage; and 2) the efficiency of soil carbon storage at baseline (lower baseline soil carbon storage leads to greater GHG mitigation). Click here to read more

Cancer drugs in freshwater impact survival of water fleas — an important fish food (04/07/2023)

Two human cancer medicines found in freshwater ecosystems at low concentrations can cause mutations in aquatic organisms. Researchers exposed water fleas to chemotherapeutic drugs, observing serious impact on DNA and life history over time. In 2019 the European Commission adopted a ‘strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment’, citing a need for further monitoring and research of environmental impacts. Pharmaceuticals are frequently found in freshwater rivers and streams. Click here to read more

Register now: Zero Pollution Talks - "Zero Pollution and Foresight: building a Zero Pollution future" (04/07/2023)

On 11 July 2023, 10:30 – 11:30 CEST, the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will host the second in a series of Zero Pollution Talks. The topic for the event is "Zero Pollution and Foresight: building a Zero Pollution future". The ZP Talks are designed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, raise awareness, and address a wide range of issues and topics related to zero pollution. This event will look at the topic of strategic foresight in EU policy-making, specifically focusing on how to embed foresight in developing transition pathways and preparing for future challenges. Register

New research explores how ‘green infrastructure’ policy is applied in Sweden (26/06/2023)

Researchers have explored the creation and implications of Sweden’s ‘green infrastructure’ policy, an approach identified by the European Commission as a potential strategy to protect biodiversity and create healthy, resilient ecosystems. Our planet is rapidly losing its biodiversity. Here, green infrastructure (GI) offers a potential solution; GI involves protecting, creating, restoring and connecting green spaces to create strategic networks of both natural and man-made spaces across an environment – from parks to green walls, wildflower verges, woodlands, reedbeds and more. Click here to read more

Increase in reduced-snowmelt drought in the Alps affects downstream water flow patterns (26/06/2023)

Droughts in catchment areas in the Alps affect several major European rivers. This study reports that drops in snowmelt are causing drought to become more common, affecting the timing and characteristics of water shortages downstream. Four of Europe’s major rivers – the Rhine, Rhône, Danube, and Po – originate in the Alps. A range of weather-related processes determine the water levels provided by these mountain catchments. Click here to read more

Call for better management of coastal sand mining to halt ‘dire’ consequences (26/06/2023)

Sand mining in coastal environments brings huge environmental, social and economic impacts. A study discusses how best to manage these impacts, recommending ‘sand rights’ and use of alternative aggregates and techniques in construction. After water, sand (including gravel) is the second-most exploited natural resource in the world, earning it the nickname ‘the new gold’. Click here to read more

€105 million a year loss of ecosystem services from 90% loss of Mediterranean seagrass bed (19/06/2023)

An international study assessed the range of Posidonia oceanica (seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean), and associated ecosystem services lost, due to a 90% loss of the seagrass habitat resulting from industrial pollution. The Gulf of Gabes (Lesser Syrtis Gulf) in the Mediterranean Sea, just off the south-east coast of Tunisia, used to be the location of the most extensive seagrass bed in the Mediterranean basin and an important habitat for benthic (bottom-living) species, including commercial fish of importance to small-scale (artisanal) fisheries. Click here to read more

New analysis indicates European cities and countries with highest expected losses from future flooding (19/06/2023)

Flooding — the most expensive natural hazard in Europe — is forecast to worsen in the future due to climatic and socio-economic changes. This study provides a large-scale risk assessment of river-based flooding in Europe for the years 2025, 2055 and 2085 — to estimate flood losses to homes. Floods affect more people globally than any other natural hazard. Fluvial flooding usually happens when a significant amount of rain falls over a long time, causing rivers to rise and overflow onto surrounding land. Click here to read more

Increasing tree coverage to 30% in European cities could reduce deaths linked to urban heat island effect (19/06/2023)

The cooling effect of trees is well known, but no study has so far aimed to quantify how many premature deaths might be prevented through this ecosystem service. Global warming and the expansion of the built environment are expected to intensify the urban heat island (UHI) effect, and related adverse health impacts. These impacts occur not only in extreme heatwaves, but also during more frequent, moderate increases in air temperature. In this study, researchers analysed data on 93 European cities to estimate the number of lives that trees could save. Click here to read more

Lead fallout fingerprint of the Notre-Dame de Paris fire uncovered (06/06/2023)

In 2019 the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral fire spread leaded dust over Paris. Scientists have now uncovered a unique geochemical fingerprint of the lead dust pollution from this incident. Future studies of environmental samples of soil, air and river sediments can use the geochemical fingerprint to determine lead deposited from the fire. A large part of the Notre-Dame de Paris (NDdP) cathedral roof and spire was constructed of lead, and it was estimated that 150 kg of lead was spread during the fire by one study, with another estimating 1 tonne of lead to have fallen within 1 km of the cathedral. Click here to read more

Decreasing levels of oxygen in deep lake water linked to longer warm seasons (06/06/2023)

Monitoring has shown that summer levels of dissolved oxygen in lakes are declining. New analysis reveals that this is probably due to effects of global warming, and will be detrimental for aquatic species and potentially methane emissions. The level of dissolved oxygen is a determining factor in various aspects of aquatic ecosystems, influencing its quality as biodiversity habitat – low oxygen levels make water unsuitable for aerobic organisms (which need oxygen to breathe). In temperate lakes across the world, data indicating that average summer oxygen levels are declining are, therefore, of concern. Click here to read more

Low-carbon energy construction will generate limited materials-associated emissions but can result in a high demand for key materials (06/06/2023)

Essential expansion of low-carbon energy infrastructure will have resource and emissions implications. Researchers note that while materials-associated emissions will not threaten carbon budgets, meeting the demand for key materials may be hard. Meeting global climate targets will require rapid decarbonisation of the energy sector. This will entail construction of extensive renewable energy infrastructure, increasing both demand on raw materials and materials-related greenhouse gas emissions. Click here to read more

Modelling waterborne viruses in a recreational lake could provide useful information on risk (06/06/2023)

Assessing the health risk of virus-contaminated water should take account of virus inactivation due to environmental stressors, a new study shows. Viruses that cause stomach bugs can be present in lakes, including those used for recreation. However, viral contamination of recreational waters is rarely directly monitored and how viruses behave in lake water is poorly understood. Researchers therefore looked to assess the risk from four common waterborne viruses in Lake Geneva: adenovirus, enterovirus, norovirus and rotavirus. Click here to read more

Baltic Sea shipping should avoid copper in antifouling paints and open-loop scrubbers to mitigate pollution (18/05/2023)

The semi-enclosed Baltic Sea suffers high levels of pollution. A new study highlights that mitigation must look to address hull coatings and devices that wash hazardous substances from ship exhausts into the water. In the most recent Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) assessment (2011-2016), all the Baltic Sea basins failed to reach good environmental status as defined by the EU Maritime Strategy Framework Directive. Click here to read more

Ship hull anti-fouling - are silicone-based coatings a viable, sustainable alternative to toxic, copper-based coatings in the Baltic Sea? (18/05/2023)

Biofouling of ship hulls with algae, moss animals and barnacles causes drag, increasing greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, whilst also raising the risk of invasive species being transported. Commonly used copper-based biocidal hull coatings are toxic to non-target organisms and can pollute marine areas. This study tested a much less toxic silicone-based coating for suitability on vessels in the Baltic Sea. Click here to read more

Climate change mitigation policies that reduce air pollution and promote healthy lifestyles could save over 2 million lives in England and Wales by 2050 (18/05/2023)

A new modelling study highlights the health co-benefits of actions towards achieving the UK’s 2050 net zero targets. Reduced indoor and outdoor air pollution, reduced consumption of meat and dairy, plus greater uptake of cycling and walking, could prevent 2 million premature deaths by 2050. The EU has committed to becoming a net zero economy by 2050, and under the EU climate law, Member States must cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030 – a commitment that is at the heart of the European Green Deal. Click here to read more

Nanoplastics: state of knowledge and environmental and human health impacts (19/04/2023)

Nanoplastics Infographics (19/04/2023)

Nanoplastics Video (19/04/2023)

Related publications from Science for Environment Policy (19/04/2023)

Analysing two decades of data on stranded turtles in the North East Atlantic, researchers have found that 14% of turtles were entangled in litter and 86% of those examined after death had ingested plastic. This study indicates the effect of litter on turtles that feed near oceanic islands. Coordinated stranding networks which report marine mammals washed ashore either because they are sick or injured or have died, provide a crucial tool for studying species in remote locations, say the researchers. Click here to read more

Swedish risk assessment of contaminated sites points to the need for more objective measures (11/04/2023)

European countries have developed their own methods of risk assessing contaminated sites. A comparison of Swedish (qualitative) and German (quantitative) methods shows that they can produce vastly different results for the same sites. Waste disposal, mining and industrial activities have caused widespread contamination of soil and water around the world, with pollutants including metals, mineral oil and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Click here to read more

Researchers develop data-driven framework for forecasting bacteria levels in beach water (11/04/2023)

Scientists in the USA have harnessed abundant environmental data to develop machine-learning models that can predict bacteria levels in beach water, up to three days in advance. Agencies could use this information to manage health risk to beach users. There is an increasingly large amount of data available – for example from weather monitoring – that may be able to inform environmental risk management. Click here to read more

Pollutant chemicals found in stranded specimens of endangered dolphin on the Italian coastline (11/04/2023)

The Mediterranean Sea subpopulation of Risso’s dolphin, Grampus griseus is endangered, with population numbers falling. These dolphins are sensitive to environmental contaminants. This study tested dolphin samples from Italy for the presence of 3 banned toxic chemicals – all persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Click here to read more

Biobased biodegradable polymers may amplify absorption of mercury from the marine environment (22/03/2023)

Biobased polymers, designed to be used instead of fossil-based plastics, are growing in use worldwide. As plastic littering in the environment is of great concern, the effects of littered biobased biodegradable plastics in aquatic habitats may be amplified by their capacity to interact with mercury (Hg). This study sought to understand better how ultraviolet (UV) ageing affects biobased polymers in water, and whether the amount of mercury that can attach to these polymers increases as a result. Click here to read more

Disposable plastic face masks found effective for 40 hours of use (22/03/2023)

Disposable face masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic prevented transmission of the virus, but created a plastic waste disposal problem. This study sought to find out if single use masks remain effective if worn multiple times, with or without washing. Disposable face masks are a tool to prevent the transmission of SARS-COV-2 in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and are also used to prevent other aerosol inhalation exposures, for example from mould clean-up after flooding or air pollution from wildfire smoke. Click here to read more

Half of urban trees are outside their ‘comfort zone’ – future plantings must consider climate resilience (22/03/2023)

Trees growing in cities world-wide may be at risk from climate change. Urban greening must use species that can cope with future conditions to secure benefits. Trees and shrubs in streets, parks, urban woodlands and other spaces provide a range of vital benefits in towns and cities – where over half the world’s people live. They connect people with nature and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, for example through cooling and carbon sequestration. However, climate change also poses a threat to urban trees, which may not thrive in warmer temperatures predicted, or survive heatwaves and drought which are also predicted to increase in severity and frequency. Click here to read more

Rising sea levels due to climate change found to escalate the rate of erosion of rocky shorelines (22/03/2023)

UK scientists find two previously stable rocky stretches of coastline are set to erode faster than they have in thousands of years, due to climate-driven sea-level rise. The study uses data on the sea-level and cliff-retreat rates from the last 8000 years at Bideford and Scalby, UK, alongside predicted sea-level rise and cliff retreat-rate data until 2100. Climate change is accelerating sea-level rise (SLR) and, with coastal urbanisation increasing worldwide, cliff erosion on rocky coasts is an immediate hazard to human lives, property and infrastructure in these locations. Click here to read more

New method combines commodity tracing and species data to quantify impacts of soy imports on biodiversity (22/03/2023)

Tropical deforestation for land conversion to agriculture is a known problem. Through a novel method which maps changes in biodiversity in production areas, researchers have highlighted the impacts of Brazilian soy exports to Germany. In many parts of the world, expansion of agricultural land is a key driver of habitat and biodiversity loss. Internationally traded crops, therefore, have ecological impacts beyond the country in which they are consumed. Combining data on trade, land cover and biodiversity, researchers have developed a new way of explicitly linking imports to effects in the areas of production. Click here to read more