Drought is having an unprecedented impact in Europe. Photo: CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredCC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Europe faces four unexpected effects of drought

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The Continent is dealing with the worst drought in five centuries. Amid failing crops, struggling transportation and electricity generation shortages, the World Economic Forum photographs some unusual consequences of a phenomenon that threatens the future of soil and the Planet
Protected areas in Brazil amount to 220 million hectares, or 51 percent of the Amazon. Extending protection over another 130 million hectares would cost no more than $2.8 billion a year. Photo: Andre Deak Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Andre Deak Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Protecting the Amazon would require minimal spending, a study says

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In the Brazilian Amazon, costs per hectare of anti-deforestation policies are hundreds of times lower than in protected areas in Europe. But government commitment remains largely weak
Since the start of industrialization, England has lost 80% of its heathlands. Photo: Andrew Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Andrew Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

England reckons with its history as biodiversity declines

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England is one of the world's poorest countries in terms of natural variety, UK Environment Agency says. To counteract the historical fallout from early industrialization, a new land management approach is needed
European demand for African rubber contributes to deforestation in the continent's west-central area. Photo: Simon Law Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Simon Law Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Europe under fire as rubber industry is destroying African forests

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In 21st century, the development of rubber tree plantations has led to the destruction of more than 500 km2 of native forests in Africa, says Global Witness. EU regulation is still weak
A FAO study in Lesotho found erosion in 30 percent of the wetlands surveyed. Photo: Paramente Phamotse Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Paramente Phamotse Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Land degradation is threatening wetlands in Lesotho

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About one-third of wetlands in Lesotho show soil degradation. A FAO-sponsored study releases first useful information to start restoration efforts
In Somalia a UN project aims to restore forests that have been devastated by years of illegal logging. Photo: Vladimir Lysenko Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Vladimir Lysenko Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

After decades of deforestation and drought, Somalia tries to change its course

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In Somalia, the illegal charcoal trade has encouraged deforestation and drought. A U.N. initiative now aims to restore degraded land. But food crisis remains a threat
In a century and a half, forests in the U.S. Midwest have lost the biomass accumulated over 8,000 years. Photo: Tony Webster Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Photo: Tony Webster Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

US Midwest forests have lost 8,000 years of stockpiled biomass

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Since the end of the last ice age, forest growth in the west-central United States has contributed to the sequestration of 1.8 billion tons of organic carbon. The accumulated biomass has been destroyed in just 150 years
Microbes play a crucial role in maintaining soil balance. Photo: Rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationRawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Microbes are resurging in decontaminated soils thanks to desorption

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When soil cleaned up through thermal desorption, microbes proliferate again thus helping soil balance, a study has found. Results highlights the overall efficacy of this decontamination technique
Fluorinated pesticides account for nearly 70 percent of all new pesticides introduced worldwide from 2015 to 2020. Photo: jetsandzeppelins Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)jetsandzeppelins Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Flour-based pesticides hit the market as scientists are concerned

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Fluorinated pesticides account for nearly 70 percent of all new pesticides introduced worldwide from 2015 to 2020, a research has found. But the environment struggles to deal with them. And their impact on human health is not negligible
Mangroves on Ubin Island, Singapore. The city-state wants to complete a massive reforestation campaign by 2030. Photo: Eustaquio Santimano Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Eustaquio Santimano Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Singapore wants to plant one million trees by 2030

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The project launched two years ago aims to restore Singapore's mangroves. The trees, which have been drastically reduced over the years, are a crucial resource for climate, biodiversity and soil

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