pollution
Heatwaves: how can Europe make its cities healthier and be better prepared?
Extreme weather events such as heatwaves are no longer merely an environmental concern; they are recognised as a global public health emergency. According to the WHO, approximately 175,000 deaths annually in the European region are linked to extreme heat. As these harmful events become more frequent, affecting both our health and our healthcare system, the ...
A scientist’s opinion: interview with Prof. Roel Vermeulen on extreme weather and the impact on our health
“We should treat extreme weather events as an important health issue in Europe,” says Prof. Roel Vermeulen, professor of Environmental Epidemiology and Exposome Science at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. Across Europe, we’re seeing more extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires. What are the main ...
A scientist’s opinion: interview with Dr Michael Hennessy Picard on space sustainability
Dr Michael Hennessy Picard holds a PhD in Law from the University of Quebec in Montreal (Canada) and is a Lecturer in International Environmental Law at the University of Edinburgh (UK). He is working on the regulatory oversight of satellite re-entry, ablation and atmospheric pollution. Can you explain the concept of “space debris” and what ...
A scientist’s opinion: Interview with Prof. Dick Vethaak about microplastic pollution
Last April 2024, we had the privilege of interviewing Prof. Dick Vethaak, a renowned expert in the field of micro- & nanoplastics. It is with great sadness that we heard about him passing in June 2024. We are honoured to be able to share his insights via the European Science-Media Hub and extend our deepest ...
A scientist’s opinion: Interview with Dr. Dana Kühnel about microplastic pollution
What are microplastics, where do they come from, and why are they a problem? Why are they so difficult to remove from the environment? Dana Kühnel: Microplastics are either intentionally produced or formed by degradation and fragmentation of larger plastic items (primary and secondary microplastics). They are released into the environment by uncontrolled disposal of ...
Microplastic pollution: an ever growing problem, yet knowledge gaps on impacts to human health remain
Plastic is everywhere. Adaptable, cheap and resilient, the material is ubiquitous in the modern world – and so is plastic pollution, contaminating the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil we grow our food in. Microplastic pollution is especially a problem that just keeps on getting bigger, but there are still big ...
Prof. Francesco Forastiere: Understanding industrial air pollution and its health impacts in the EU
Professor Francesco Forastiere, a renowned Italian environmental epidemiologist. He recently co-authored a newly published study on industrial air pollution in the EU. He is also a temporary adviser to the World Health Organization. The study was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Panel for the Future of Science and Technology. Focusing on regions like the Ruhr ...
A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Dr Debbie Rosen & Professor Piers Forster about Covid-19 & climate crisis
Interview with Dr Debbie Rosen, Science and Policy Manager for the EU Horizon 2020 CONSTRAIN project, based at the University of Leeds, UK, and Prof Piers Forster, professor of climate physics at the University of Leeds, the founding Director of the Priestley International Centre for Climate and PI for the CONSTRAIN project Global economic activity ...