environment
Jan. 17, 2022
2021 Was Earth’s Fifth Hottest Year, Scientists Say
The annual average temperature in 2021 exceeded the modern average by 0.3 ºC, scientists at Europe’s Copernicus climate change service found.
Jan. 12, 2022
Study: Shifting to Plant-Based Diets Can Cut Global Emissions and Capture CO2
This new approach to eating in high-income nations would slash more than half of all greenhouse gas emissions.
Jan. 11, 2022
Burning Biomass in Europe Causes Deforestation in the U.S., Scientists Warn
The U.S. wood pellet industry is the largest supplier for European wood-burning power plants, which scientists argue may undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Jan. 10, 2022
Italy’s Farchioni Becomes First Major Olive Oil Company to Receive Sustainability Certification
The company's environmental reports fall in line with the Untied Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals, Italian authorities confirmed.
Jan. 4, 2022
Amazon Records Highest Rate of Deforestation in 15 years
Deforestation in the Amazon increased 21 percent from 2020 to 2021 and is more than double what it was a decade ago.
Jan. 4, 2022
Extreme Weather Cost Billions in Damage in 2021, Study Finds
Extreme weather events around the planet severely impact people and ecosystems. Now, researchers have calculated the economic costs.
Dec. 22, 2021 Europe
E.U. Moves to Block Deforestation-Derived Imports, Including Some Palm Oil
Dec. 20, 2021 World
La Niña Is Back, Bringing Rain and Drought for Second Straight Year
Dec. 17, 2021 World
Dec. 15, 2021 News Briefs
Dec. 9, 2021
Spanish Study Reveals Olive Pit Biofuel Potential
A study shows that olive pits provide the highest calorific yield of any comparable fuel source and a lower environmental impact.
Dec. 7, 2021
Up to 27 Million in Spain Face Water Shortages by 2050, Minister Warns
The southeast of Spain is at the highest risk. New investments in infrastructure and technology are critical to mitigating the impacts of the crisis.
Dec. 7, 2021
U.S. Households Could Slash Emissions by Reducing Junk Food Consumption
A new study suggests 71 percent of households could improve their carbon footprint by consuming less junk food and not buying in bulk.
Nov. 22, 2021
Social Farming Initiatives in Italy Focus on Environment, Inclusion
Italy leads the way in social olive farming with projects in Tuscany and Molise that focus on quality, protecting biodiversity and social inclusion of marginalized groups.
Nov. 17, 2021
Current Climate Pledges Will Not Avoid Irredeemable Consequences of Global Warming, Researchers Say
A new analysis from the Climate Action Tracker shows that the current commitments to curtail greenhouse gas emissions will not stop further global temperature rises.
Nov. 16, 2021
Demonstrators at COP26 Demand More Action from Leaders on Climate
Protestors rallied in Glasgow and around the world to express their dismay at the process and results of COP26.
Nov. 16, 2021
COP26 Concludes with Watered-Down Joint Agreement
The nearly 200 countries that signed the Glasgow Climate Pact agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and phase down coal. Critics say not enough was accomplished.
Sep. 20, 2021
BBC: Number of ‘Extremely Hot Days’ Each Year Is Rising
A BBC report found that the number of days with temperatures that surpass 50 ºC has nearly doubled in the past 40 years.
Sep. 16, 2021
Nearly One-Third of Wild Tree Species Are Threatened with Extinction, Report Warns
Over the past 300 years, the forested areas on our planet have shrunk by 40 percent, researchers found.
Sep. 14, 2021
Proposed Label Would Allow Consumers to Compare Sustainability of Food Items
Researchers in France say the label would grade foods' environmental footprint based on its farming practices, biodiversity impact and effect on climate change.
Sep. 14, 2021
Intensive Olive Farms Contribute to Desertification in Spain, Experts Warn
Researchers caution that one-fifth of Spain is at risk of desertification. Poor agricultural and land-use practices paired with historic mismanagement are largely to blame.
Sep. 8, 2021
Even During a Pandemic, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Soared to Record Highs in 2020
A report from the American Meteorological Society found that carbon dioxide concentrations were the highest they had been in at least 800,000 years.
Sep. 2, 2021
Weakened Gulf Stream Will Have Major Impact on European Agriculture, Scientists Predict
Weakening ocean currents will likely increase incidences of extreme weather events, researchers warn, particularly in the Mediterranean Basin.
Aug. 24, 2021
Glyphosate Controversy Continues as New Report Concludes Herbicide Is Not Carcinogenic
Health campaigners are outraged with the EFSA’s conclusion, accusing the food safety authority of bending to pressure from industry.
Aug. 17, 2021
Europe Announces Plan to Plant 3 Billion Trees by 2030
The E.U. hopes to convince farmers to be one of the driving forces in the effort to plant the new trees.