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L’abbandono delle aree interne e la crisi climatica hanno trasformato le campagne europee, e, con esse, gli incendi che ogni estate colpiscono il continente. FOTO: Karsten Winegeart su Unsplash

Depopulation is changing the fire map of Europe

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L’abbandono delle aree rurali e la crisi climatica hanno trasformato le campagne europee. Con esse cambia la fotografia degli incendi che ogni estate colpiscono il continente
The figure emerges from an analysis released together with the proposed Soil Directive presented by the EU Commission in early July. Photo: Sébastien Bertrand Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Sébastien Bertrand Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

A sustainable soil pays off as enefits exceed costs by 1.7 times, EU says

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The figure is included in the Impact Assessment accompanying the proposed EU Soil Directive. Between now and 2060, the sustainable management of the continent's land will generate a positive balance of EUR 320 billion
In the EU, says the European Environment Agency, the economic benefits from the restoration of continental ecosystems amount to approximately EUR 1,860 billion. Photo: Jacek Karczmarz Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Jacek Karczmarz Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Environment restoration in the EU is worth almost 2 trillion euro

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This is reported in a briefing by the European Environment Agency, which also calculates the return on investment for terrestrial ecosystems: every euro spent guarantees an economic return of between 8 and 38 euros
Living labs are in fact essential tools for the development of good land management practices. PHOTO: Matteo BerlengaMatteo Berlenga

Three webinars help build living labs for soil health

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The initiative takes place within the European project NATI00NS. The three webinars, each with its own focus, are scheduled for June 22, June 29 and July 6. Common objective: to stimulate applications for EU Mission Soil calls and to develop Living Labs capable of developing repeatable actions in favor of soil health
The study of the impact of urbanization on bees and other pollinators was carried out in the Berlin metropolitan area. PHOTO: Fabian Schneidereit on UnsplashFabian Schneidereit su Unsplash

The degree of urbanisation reduces wild bees and butterfly diversity

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German research confirms that the degree of overbuilding and the quality of the local habitat influence the activity of bees and other insects. Interactions with plants decrease. Yet urban meadows and pastures, with the right actions, can be precious contexts for pollinators. Starting from a suitable height of the vegetation...
For years the number of insects has been steadily, worryingly decreasing. PHOTO: Pixabay

Insects in decline? “it’s a fault of soil consumption and pollution”

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A Swiss-German study investigated the main factors behind the constant decline of insects and their biodiversity. Invasive species and intensive agriculture are also of concern. 40% of all species will be at risk of extinction in the coming decades.
From 2009 to 2020, sales of pesticides in Germany decreased only slightly, from about 30,000 to 28,000 tons per year. Photo: Jakob Huber/Campact Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)Jakob Huber/Campact Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Germany, the reduction in the use of pesticides is still too slow

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The use of pesticides in Germany decreased by less than 10 percent between 2009 and 2020. The figure raises many concerns about the spread of integrated pest management, a technique designed to reduce the use of the most dangerous chemicals
Data from the Joint Research Centre snapshot the health of the continental soil showing numbers in line with past predictions. Photo: François Molle/IRD Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)François Molle/IRD Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

61% of European soil is unhealthy, JRC confirms

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Joint Research Centre data snapshot the health of continental soils, showing numbers in line with past predictions. Organic carbon reduction, biodiversity loss and peatland deterioration are the most widespread problems
European Parliament Press Archive

Green deal, new EU targets approved for carbon sequestration

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The European Parliament approved the revision of the regulation relating to the LULUCF (Land use and forestry sector). By 2030, the sector will have to guarantee the absorption of 310 Mt of CO2, 15% more than today. Expected binding obligations for all EU Member States
At current rates of extraction, phosphorus production is expected to reach its peak around 2050. Photo: Mick Crawley Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Mick Crawley Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Global agriculture must reduce its dependence on phosphorus

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Half of the available phosphorus in the soil comes from mineral fertilizers. Europe, Asia and North America show the highest concentrations. French researchers, "We need to accelerate the agroecological transition in rich countries by allocating the remaining resources to the global South"