Air quality is steadily improving across Europe with most air pollution monitoring stations achieving current EU annual limits for some of the most harmful air pollutants. However, additional measures to improve air quality, especially in cities, will be required to fully meet current EU standards as well as recently agreed future air quality standards by … Continue reading Latest EEA air quality data analysis shows that, while steady improvements, air pollution remains Europe’s largest environmental health risk
Category: health
New EEA briefing on risk of human exposure to harmful toxins coming from rising temperatures due to climate change
Rising temperatures due to climate change are increasing the risk of human exposure to so-called mycotoxins, naturally occurring toxins produced by fungi found in certain foods, feed and crops according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published this week. These toxins can harm health and preventing the rise of contamination requires joined-up action on … Continue reading New EEA briefing on risk of human exposure to harmful toxins coming from rising temperatures due to climate change
New EEA briefing on need to control methane emissions across Europe
More action is needed to control and reduce methane emissions across Europe and globally, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published recently. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, in addition it is also a major contributor to ground-level ozone pollution, leading to poor air quality and harm to human … Continue reading New EEA briefing on need to control methane emissions across Europe
Estimating future heat-related and cold-related mortality under climate change, demographic and adaptation scenarios in 854 European cities
A new modelling study estimates 2.3 million additional temperature-related deaths unless urgent action is taken to address changing climate. The study is discussed in a news item on the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine website. Climate study: Rise in heat deaths will substantially outweigh fewer cold deaths A modelling study, led by … Continue reading Estimating future heat-related and cold-related mortality under climate change, demographic and adaptation scenarios in 854 European cities
New EEA assessment on Europe’s air quality health impact
Just under 240,000 deaths per year in the European Union can be attributed to exposure to fine particulate matter, a key air pollutant, according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality health impact assessment published this week as the new EU rules enter into force. The latest data also confirm, yet again, that … Continue reading New EEA assessment on Europe’s air quality health impact
Where is the urgency for action on climate change? There is a gravely mistaken believe which grossly under appreciates the era of global death and human misery
Joshua M. Pearce, John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation and Professor, Western University writes on The Conversation website about some of the weakness from the recent COP29. He argues that business-as-usual climate discourse has failed. Understanding the real human deaths caused by carbon emissions could help drive change in climate policy. … Continue reading Where is the urgency for action on climate change? There is a gravely mistaken believe which grossly under appreciates the era of global death and human misery
New EEA briefing on first state of play on national surveillance for heat-related health impacts
Collecting timely and reliable data on the number of deaths and illnesses associated with heat are vital to deploy targeted emergency responses during heatwaves. Twenty of the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) 38 member and cooperating countries currently monitor heat impacts on health, according to an EEA briefing published this week. Impacts of heat on … Continue reading New EEA briefing on first state of play on national surveillance for heat-related health impacts
New EEA report on reducing chronic respiratory disease in Europe
Chronic respiratory disease is one of the leading causes of death in Europe, and more than a third of these deaths are estimated to be caused by environmental factors that are preventable. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report, published this week, key interventions include reducing pollution, energy poverty, and occupational exposures. Tackling … Continue reading New EEA report on reducing chronic respiratory disease in Europe
Sports have good reason for caring about sustainability: Olympic progress toward sustainability
In an article on The Conversation website, Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan writes about why the Paris Olympics is promoting sustainability. Given the heat this week in Paris, something has to happen to promote sustainability. Readers are encouraged to read the article written in the Guardian by Damian Carrington … Continue reading Sports have good reason for caring about sustainability: Olympic progress toward sustainability
Extreme heat from climate change shown to have serious effect on mental health
In an article on The Conversation website, Peter Crank,Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Waterloo in Canada discusses the impact of extreme health on our mental well-being. Climate change and mental health: How extreme heat can affect mental illnesses During heat waves, hospital admissions for mental health spike. The past 10 years were the … Continue reading Extreme heat from climate change shown to have serious effect on mental health
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 