Pollution alert: There are 10 million potentially contaminated sites worldwide. Photo: Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

FAO launches its mission against global soil pollution

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The UN organization presents the International Network on Soil Pollution, a project to tackle contamination and restore damaged lands. Fixing the problem - says FAO - is crucial to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
Ukraine is home to a quarter of the global černozëm, a hyper fertile soil that guarantees high yields. Photo: Jackie Riceman Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Jackie Riceman Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

War and climate change threaten Ukraine’s ‘magic’ soil

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Standing behind Ukraine's legendary agricultural wealth is the černozëm, an exceptionally fertile soil covering two-thirds of the country's arable land. But war and climate change are undermining the crops
The Rio Plátano reserve, in the region of La Mosquitia, Honduras, is one of the areas most affected by deforestation as a result of narcos activities. Photo: Marc Patry Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)Marc Patry Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)

Here is how narcos are destroying Honduras’ forests

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In Honduras, drug traffickers are still driving deforestation. The problem affects the whole Central America. However, it is not only drug trafficking that fuels land destruction, say indigenous communities.
La sede del Consiglio dell'Unione Europea. L'organo con sede a Bruxelles ha approvato le conclusioni della Commissione UE sul carbon farming. Foto: Tauno Tõhk EU2017EE Estonian Presidency Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Carbon farming regulation getting closer in EU as Council adopts conclusions

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The Council of the EU Ministers has approved the Commission's conclusions on soil carbon sequestration. The implementation of these practices in agriculture is expected to save 42 million tons of CO2 in the European Union by 2030
The EU wants to adapt regulations on recoverable waste transfer to the needs of circular economy. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Urgent need to support European market for recyclable materials, says EEA

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The growth of non-hazardous recoverable waste trade within the European market represents an opportunity for the circular economy, says the EU Environment Agency. The sector is already worth 12 billion but can grow further by creating new opportunities and improving the quality of recycling
In 2021, deforestation affected 5,800 hectares of land in Indonesia's easternmost province on the border with Papua New Guinea. Photo: Frans Huby Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)Frans Huby Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Paper and palm oil industry boost deforestation in Papua-Indonesia, NGOs say

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In the province of Papua, Indonesia, almost 6 thousand hectares of forests were destroyed in 2021, says the NGO Pusaka. A report accuses the subsidiary of a Korean company (which denies any wrongdoing) and two local operators of the palm oil industry
Between 1980 and 2000, the world lost more than a third of its mangroves. Photo: Pat Josse CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPat Josse CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Young Kenyans take care of the planet by restoring local mangroves

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Mangroves are a valuable resource for climate mitigation and biodiversity protection. After losing a third of their stock in two decades, the world is called to regenerate these precious aquatic forests
Urban forests grow faster and release less CO2 than their inland peers. Photo: Monika M. Wahi Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Monika M. Wahi Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The paradox of urban forests: more polluted but even more useful for climate mitigation

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Two Boston University studies show surprising results: forests grow faster in "dirty" areas on city borders. Where they store carbon more efficiently
The solution to the climate emergency lies in sustainable soil management. Photo: Pixabay License Free for commercial use Attribution not requiredPixabay License Free for commercial use Attribution not required

World Economic Forum sets out three soil strategies

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We must treat soil as an asset class to mitigate climate change, says the Swiss organization. In addition, we need fair remuneration for farmers and transparency on the impact of products to encourage consumer choice.
A forest stretch in Kenya Photo: Ninara Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Ninara Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

The power of community brings a Kenian forest back to life

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Behind the rebirth of the Mirema forest is a community initiative that is now recognized as a best practice for the country. But also as a new sign of Africa's growing commitment to protecting its natural resources