In the 21st century, deforestation has erased nearly 10 million hectares of virgin forest in Indonesia. Photo: Peter Prokosch Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Peter Prokosch Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Coal-to-biomass transition fuels deforestation in Indonesia

,
In Indonesia increasing deforestation would result in up to 489 million tons of additional emissions, the environmental think tank Trend Asia says. The figure dwarfs the CO2 savings expected with the partial replacement of coal with biomass
By sending electricity from solar energy panels to a set of buried electrodes, it is possible to stimulate the reaction of soil bacteria. Photo: Antalexion Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Antalexion Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Researchers believe microorganisms can help us store energy in the soil

,
By using the action of microorganisms, it is possible to store energy in the soil, British researchers say. This solution could reduce the overall impact of traditional batteries. But for large-scale application we will still have to wait for some time
The Federal Supreme Court (Portuguese: Supremo Tribunal Federal) is Brazil's supreme court. It serves as both a court of appeal and a constitutional court, and its rulings are not subject to appeal. Photo: Rob Sinclair CC BY-SA 2.0Rob Sinclair CC BY-SA 2.0

Brazil Supreme Court restarts the Amazon rainforest Fund

,
Former President Bolsonaro had blocked it in 2019. The country's highest court ruled that the financial vehicle must be operational again within 60 days. After his reelection at the end of October, Lula will thus have at his disposal a fund with credits worth more than $20 billion
Climate properties make tropical peatlands unsuitable for enhanced weathering. Photo: Anna Finke/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Anna Finke/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Enhanced weathering is a threat to tropical peatlands

,
Enhanced weathering, used to facilitate the capture of atmospheric CO2 on the ground, has counterproductive effects when applied on peatlands in warmer areas, a German study has found. In these areas, in fact, carbon sequestration is offset by emission growth
By betting on sectors involved in deforestation, financial operators risk huge losses. Photo: Preston Keres USDA CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPhoto: Preston Keres USDA CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Financial damage from deforestation may be worse than 2008 downturn

,
Deforestation poses enormous risks for investors, says a UN research. By 2030, companies at the center of the global food supply system could lose up to 26 percent of their value
Nitrogen is an essential soil resource, but its overuse, mostly related to fertilizer application, is a driver of pollution. Photo: Cade Martin, Dawn Arlotta US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDCP) CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) public domainCade Martin, Dawn Arlotta US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDCP) CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) public domain

Soil nitrogen is the one responsible for water pollution

,
During rainy periods soil nitrogen in the soil is channeled into rivers, contributing to their contamination, a research from Nagoya University has found. The investigation thus denies the theory of atmospheric origin of water pollution
I cambiamenti climatici priveranno l'area artica di ghiaccio entro metà secolo, secondo uno studio del CNR. FOTO: Foto di Markus Christ da PixabayMarkus Christ da Pixabay

Climate, italian CNR: ice-free Arctic summer by 2050

,
A National Research Council study published in PNAS reconstructed changes in sub-polar sea ice cover in response to rapid climate warming of the last ice age. The answers offer an alarming scenario of the Arctic situation by mid-century
Peatland restoration is part of a larger nature conservation program in Wales. Photo: Lesbardd Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Lesbardd Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Wales wants to triple annual restoration of peatlands

,
The annual amount of peatlands to be restored in the British nation rises to 1,800 hectares. A move designed to counter climate change and protect biodiversity. Two emergencies that seem to be more and more evident across the U.K.
Due to drought, Iraqi farming communities are experiencing a drop in harvests for the second year in a row. Photo: Ahmed Kaka, NRC October 2022 Free-to-use photos Press Album - A dry horizonAhmed Kaka, NRC October 2022 Free-to-use photos Press Album - A dry horizon

Climate change and drought threaten crops and economy in Iraq

,
Iraqi farming communities experience a new decline in harvests due to drought, says Norwegian Refugee Council. The worsening climate emergency and water crisis is an economic disaster for the affected regions
With the use of a spectrometer, drones allow effective mapping of soils inaccessible by land. Photo: David Rodriguez Martin Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)David Rodriguez Martin Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Drones open a new frontier in soil mapping

,
Drones equipped with light spectrometers can map the ground and explore otherwise inaccessible areas, Dutch researchers have found. This application can also provide crucial data for soil protection and remediation