Noise pollution affects us all, but some populations like children, older adults and people with pre-existing health conditions may suffer more health wise due to excessive transport noise according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing released this week. The analysis recommends better targeted actions to protect vulnerable and disproportionately exposed populations. Better targeted … Continue reading New EEA briefing on health impacts from excessive transport noise
Category: environment
New EU-funded project – Ruralise – focusing on European rural communities
Over the past decade, European rural communities have navigated severe demographic shifts and housing pressures that have triggered a rural housing affordability crisis which pushes local youth and vulnerable residents out of their homes. To support rural areas in revitalising their communities, the EU funded Ruralise project will make housing across Europe more affordable, accessible, … Continue reading New EU-funded project – Ruralise – focusing on European rural communities
Electrifying public transport is only half the journey
On the Deutsche Welle website, Ana Munoz Padros writes that Europe is making progress in electrifying public transport, but replacing diesel buses with electric ones is only part of the solution. The bigger challenge is creating transport systems attractive enough to persuade people to leave their cars behind. But are cities moving fast enough to … Continue reading Electrifying public transport is only half the journey
New EEA report on options to strengthen Europe’s sustainable competi
Europe faces an increasingly competitive and uncertain global environment, shaped by geopolitical change, technological disruption and growing exposure to climate and environmental risks. What strategic choices can Europe make today to remain prosperous, resilient and competitive towards 2040? A new European Environment Agency (EEA) report explores the forces likely to shape Europe’s future and identifies … Continue reading New EEA report on options to strengthen Europe’s sustainable competi
The hidden costs of Russia’s nuclear ambitions
In an article on the Aljazeera website, Arshak Makichyan discusses Moscow faces a huge decommissioning bill at home even as it expands its nuclear industry abroad. Russia’s nuclear plants are ageing. Who will pay to dismantle them? The world often discusses the nuclear threat posed by Russia, but far less attention is paid to … Continue reading The hidden costs of Russia’s nuclear ambitions
Britain’s record-breaking summer raises climate concerns, but will it change behaviour?
In an article on The Conversation website, Lorraine Whitmarsh, Professor of Environmental Psychology, University of Bath and Bella Zanin, Knowledge Exchange Associate, Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations, University of Bath, discuss how growing concern about climate change does not necessarily translate into changes in behaviour. Did the hot summer make more people … Continue reading Britain’s record-breaking summer raises climate concerns, but will it change behaviour?
Cheaper electricity — but at what cost?
In an article on The Conversation website, Akshaya Jha, Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, argues that the claimed savings from repealing US power-plant emissions rules omit potentially substantial health and climate costs. EPA says repealing power plant emissions rules will save billions – but its estimate leaves out health … Continue reading Cheaper electricity — but at what cost?
Wastewater is too valuable to waste
In an article on The Conversation website, Isabell Fritz, PhD Candidate, Water and Environmental Engineering, Lund University and Ashley Hall, PhD Candidate in Water and Wastewater Treatment, Lund University, show how wastewater is not simply waste. As climate change increases pressure on Europe’s water supplies, we may be overlooking a valuable resource that flows away … Continue reading Wastewater is too valuable to waste
Energy in Demand News, September 27-28, 2026
If we do not move away from this dependency on fossil fuels, then I can promise everybody it will be a permanent crisis Dan Jørgensen, EU Energy Commissioner, speaking to Financial Times A federal judge in New York ruled that the state’s new climate “superfund” law, which would force fossil fuel companies to pay $75 … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, September 27-28, 2026
The circular economy cannot stop at the border
In an article on The Conversation website, Rachida Bouhid, Ph.D Scholar, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) writes about the impact of industrialised countries sending millions of tonnes of waste products to the Global South. The problem arises when environmental costs and end-of-life responsibility are effectively transferred to the receiving country while the financing, regulation and … Continue reading The circular economy cannot stop at the border
