Articles from Science for Environment Policy

Rivers are slow to recover from nutrient overload
In recent years, strict legislation was introduced to control the amount of nitrate and phosphate that runs into the sea from European rivers. However, new research reveals that water quality has not improved as much as expected. Policymakers need to take into account a time lag in the system that could be up to 40 years, say the researchers.
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Microalgae: a low-cost, sustainable solution to plastic production?
Scientists have discovered a novel way to produce bioplastic, which could be more cost-effective on a commercial scale than current techniques. The new technique, which uses microscopic algae to synthesise a widely used polyester, has the potential to revolutionise plastic production, say the researchers.
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Green attitudes help overcome costs of domestic renewable energy
A new survey from 2010 reveals that upfront costs of up to EUR14,000 and lengthy payback times can discourage even the most environmentally conscious citizens from installing domestic renewable technology, such as solar panels and wind generators. However, people signing up to a `climate pledging´ scheme were still at least 11 times more likely to install these technologies than the average person in the UK.
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Data on alien species in need of standardisation
A new study has identified several differences between two major European databases on alien species, which could be communicating mixed messages for biodiversity policymakers. Researchers recommend creating a single pan-European database to address these differences.
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Households responsible for 25% of EU GHG emissions, says report
A different picture of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be achieved if responsibility for emissions from different economic sectors is placed with the end energy users, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). This approach makes sectors such as households responsible for many emissions that would otherwise be attributed to the energy industry.
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Evidence mounts for effects of PCBs on baby weight
Studies investigating the effects of pregnant women´s low level exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on the weight of their newborn babies have produced conflicting results. However, new research, which involved 8000 pregnant women across Europe, adds to the mounting body of evidence that PCB exposure does in fact reduce birth weight.
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