Ecology
Why Water is Crucial for Sustainable Food Systems
Agriculture is a major user of freshwater withdrawals Irrigated crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry, account for roughly 70 percent of total freshwater withdrawals globally and for over 90 percent in the majority of Least Developed Countries, of which almost…
Earth Hour – A Moment for Solidarity
Every year, at 8:30 pm on the last Saturday of March, millions of people across the world show their support for our planet, raising awareness of nature loss and climate change—the two biggest threats facing our shared planet. But this…
Early Warning Systems Must Protect Everyone Within Five Years
Within the next five years, everyone on Earth should be protected by early warning systems against increasingly extreme weather and climate change, according to an ambitious new United Nations target announced today. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has tasked the World…
Decarbonised Energy Pathway More Cost Effective than Polluting Alternatives in Central America
A decarbonisation strategy can bring benefits to the Central America region at the same or lower energy system costs than the current planning strategy, according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The report finds the…
Emerging Evidence Suggests COVID-19 Was Worsened by Air Pollution
As science reveals more and more links between air pollution and the effects of COVID-19, the pressure is mounting on the European Commission to set high ambitions in the upcoming revision of the EU’s Air Quality Directive. It is no…
What is the Sixth Mass Extinction and What Can We Do About It?
A mass extinction is a short period of geological time in which a high percentage of biodiversity, or distinct species—bacteria, fungi, plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates—dies out. In this definition, it’s important to note that, in geological time, a…
ABB to Automate Bioplastics Plant to Help Meet the Growing Global Demand for Sustainable Materials
ABB has been awarded a major contract by NatureWorks, the world’s leading manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA), a low-carbon bioplastic made from renewable agricultural resources, to automate their new, greenfield plant in Thailand, converting sugar cane to the polylactic acid…