Articles from Science for Environment Policy

GHG policy should cover 'upstream' electric vehicle emissions
Regulators should establish a process to consider the full lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of electric vehicles, according to a new US study. This would help ensure that vehicle emissions regulations are placed on a sound scientific basis, manufacturers continue to improve the efficiency of electric vehicles, and the full benefit of regulations to limit GHG emissions from vehicles are realised, say the researchers.
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Polyurethane-eating fungi discovered in Amazonian rainforest
Researchers have identified plant fungi in the Ecuadorian rainforest that can digest plastic. The discovery hints that there may be a wide range of effective waste-consuming microbes in existence, according to the study, which found that several different fungi, including one called Pestalotiopsis microspora, can break down the widely used plastic, polyurethane.
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No change in global DDT use in recent years
According to new research, there was no substantial change from 2000 to 2009 in the global use of the insecticide DDT to control diseases such as malaria. Pyrethroids, another type of insecticide, are also widely used, but there are concerns that insects are developing resistance and insecticidal nets containing pyrethroids are becoming less effective.
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Flexibility is key to managing urban sprawl
As society changes, it places new demands on its surroundings. New research has found that some EU countries are better able to manage the undesirable expansion of cities, the concept known as `urban sprawl´, because they have a flexible spatial planning policy that can easily adapt to changes. Urban sprawl is a term used to describe the expansion of residential suburbs around city centres, driven by peoples´ desire to live in larger houses and the ease of transport made possible by cars.
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Carbon emissions linked to rise in hay fever and asthma in Europe
Pollen allergy is a common cause of allergic respiratory diseases such as hay fever and asthma. A recent continent-wide study suggests that rising carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions over the last 30 years may be increasing pollen counts especially in European cities, which could have serious consequences for public health.
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Environmental awareness does not lead to smaller carbon footprints
Environmentally responsible attitudes and behaviour do not necessarily translate into real benefits for the environment, according to the results of a new study. The study shows that people who think they are environmentally aware - and even those who, in some respects, seem to behave in an environmentally friendly way - actually have just as large an impact on the environment as other consumers.
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