The paradise paradox: Maldives, a sinking country?
- Environment and Energy, Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 24/03/2019
The eucalyptus – one of the most extended species in warm climate areas – is recently under the spotlight after a tough summer -and autumn- for firefighters in Southern Europe, especially in Portugal, since the tree species is considered to be more fire-prone. Is it time to replace them with local species, or to improve forest management in keeping the current plant masses?
READ MOREWith the organic market booming, there has been a recent overhaul in European organic legislation designed to meet this ever-growing demand and expand organic production. Whilst this is a move that should be welcomed, we should nonetheless be wary of the repercussions this regulation reform brings for the organic project. There is still work to be done to reach a satisfactory compromise between promoting organic agriculture whilst maintaining the values of the organic movement.
READ MOREStill showing the wounds of the global economic crisis and in the midst of the greatest political minefield of a generation in Brexit, Ireland has sought to address the challenges of climate change with the recent unveiling of the National Mitigation Plan (NMP). However, as the dust has settled, what has become evident is that it is less of an actual action plan and more of a discussion document, tasking questions in the form of “what could be done” rather than “how they can be done”. The lack of bite in the document drew a not unexpected collective sigh of disappointment from the environmental community.
READ MOREEven though indigenous peoples are very vocal in advocating for their rights at the United Nations and supranational level and have been included into several Sustainable Development Goals, their position remains precarious. Their needs need to be addressed by implementation programs on a national level.
READ MOREThe European Union has turned its focus towards Europe’s most polluting power plants and revised emission standards for nitrous oxide (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), mercury and particulate matter. For many Europeans this is a welcomed change, but with member states flouting air quality standards and continuing to support failing industries rather than transition – will we ever be able to breathe easily?
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