Environment
Parasites: often overlooked but important for biomedical research
European biomedical researchers show a rising interest towards parasites, often regarded as natural oddities in the past but now recognised as vital parts of natural ecosystems, in addition to having a sizable impact on human health worldwide. Parasites are an incredibly diverse and broad group of organisms, comprising plants, animals and microscopic beings alike. Their ...
Solutions to make Europe more resilient to raging wildfires
Fuelled by climate change and a shift in land-use practices, wildfires are increasing in number and intensity across Europe. In fact, last year was the worst year for wildfires in Europe in 20 years, according to an EUMETSAT report. Its authors contribute the intensity of the fires to factors like increasingly dry vegetation, low soil ...
Carbon dioxide removal technologies: can they help us fight climate change?
The final document of the last United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly known as COP30, acknowledges that the world is approaching an overshoot – that is, exceeding the 1.5 °C global warming threshold. Reducing future emission will be essential, but no longer sufficient: we will also need to actively remove the carbon dioxide (CO2) ...
The art of Arctic science
As Arctic researchers gather in Aarhus, Denmark, for the annual Arctic Science Summit Week (25/3-1/4/2026), the European Science-Media Hub explores the benefits of visual storytelling to engage audiences worldwide with the urgency and significance of scientific work. This article features photos about Arctic ice research, which have been published in National Geographic. In 2022, photographer ...
Primary forests: ‘Allowing biodiversity to spread out again’
“Primary forests can help the EU meet several of its objectives, including its targets under the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the EU Forest Strategy 2030. They would also help with key climate objectives by providing long-term carbon storage”, says expert Bart Nyssen. Nyssen is a forest ecologist at the Department of Earth & Environmental ...
Meeting flood risk with nature-based solutions in EU coastal regions
As the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent, EU citizens are facing growing risks of more severe and frequent flooding. Climate adaptation is being prioritised to meet this risk and protect people, properties and infrastructure, with several EU-funded projects pioneering approaches using nature-based solutions. The impacts of flooding were especially evident in 2024, when ...
Plants driving the future of sustainable technology
Scientists across Europe seek inspiration from flora to develop robots and materials. Europe is home to more than 20,000 plant species. Shaped by millions of years of evolution to withstand extreme conditions such as, droughts, floods, and harsh winters, plants convert sunlight into oxygen through photosynthesis, protect the soil from erosion and, not to forget, ...
Circular and quality fashion could hem textile waste and give the planet a break
Fast fashion practices are pumping out cheap clothes worn only a few times before being thrown away, leading to huge amounts of textile waste – and it is the climate and environment bearing the cost. Better quality textiles, greater circularity and consumer awareness are key to hem the waste, with several EU measures aiming to ...