31 May 2023
An external filter, retrofitted to your washing machine, is an immediate way of stopping microfibres going down the drain. Guardian lifestyle piece You might not know it, but installing a washing machine filter might be one of the simplest defences against microplastics entering the ocean. Scientists estimate there are 14m tonnes of microplastic on the ocean floor, and a […]
08 Mar 2023
From the Guardian The scenes are rare enough in mid-summer; in early March, they are unprecedented. Lac de Montbel in south-west France is more than 80% empty, the boats of the local sailing club stranded on its desiccated brown banks. In northern Italy, tourists can walk to the small island of San Biagio, normally reached […]
27 Oct 2022
As part of efforts to achieve zero pollution by 2050, the European Commission unveiled stricter rules to tackle air and water pollution. The European Commission is proposing stronger rules on surface and groundwater pollutants, and treatment of urban wastewater. “Day in and day out, we get new information about the degree to which public health is directly […]
25 Aug 2022
Two-thirds of Europe is under some sort of drought warning, in what is likely the worst such event in 500 years. The latest report from the Global Drought Observatory says 47% of the continent is in “warning” conditions, meaning soil has dried up, the BBC has reported. Another 17% is on alert – meaning vegetation […]
10 Aug 2022
From the Guardian Water shortages across the continent, from France through Italy, Spain and beyond, are creating a critical situation Europe’s worst ever drought in pictures The dry bed of the Brenets Lake on the Doubs River, a natural border between eastern France and western Switzerland, as much of Europe bakes in a third […]
20 Apr 2021
An investigation by the EU, shared with Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine late last year, concluded that fishery controls were “unsatisfactory”. As a result, the country faces losing tens of thousands of tonnes from its fishing quota and around €40m in funding annually. The investigation reported that, during a four-year period, 33 cases of […]
19 Jan 2021
From Water Europe The European Union and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement on trade and cooperation which is the best outcome that we can expect for our future relations with our neighbouring country. We are happy to see that this agreement includes high environmental standards and opportunities to continue research and innovation cooperation. However, despite […]
30 Jun 2020
EEA ‘The current condition of Europes seas is generally poor according to the EEA report Marine Messages II. This is bad news for people as it affects our quality of life, livelihoods and economies. The condition of our seas determines their capacity to supply, amongst others, oxygen, food, a habitable climate, and certain raw materials, […]
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