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Science for Environment Policy - All News (99)
RSS![Effectiveness of urban tree planting for city cooling varies between European regions](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-07/NA1486_shutterstock_2237318763.jpg?itok=qxhApZfg)
Issue 605: The effectiveness of tree planting in cities to reduce urban temperatures varies regionally. This study reports differences in cooling efficiency trends between European regions, and highlights issues that affect cooling benefits.
![Birds as environmental indicators: raptor species a good proxy for agricultural bird diversity](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-07/NA1488_shutterstock_1678338541.jpg?itok=PmfGxOXz)
Issue 605: The lesser kestrel is an ideal flagship species for tracking the avian diversity of intensively farmed land in Italy, according to a new study.
![Cancer drugs in freshwater impact survival of water fleas - an important fish food](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-07/NA1480_shutterstock_2163492813.jpg?itok=Kao9bvwR)
Issue 604: Two human cancer medicines found in freshwater ecosystems at low concentrations can cause mutations in aquatic organisms. Researchers exposed water fleas to chemotherapeutic drugs, observing serious impact on DNA and life history over time.
![New research supports the need for streamlining best practice in anaerobic digestion](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-07/NA1473_shutterstock_469086584.jpg?itok=D-KKX6FU)
Issue 604: A robust assessment of GHG emissions from anaerobic digestion for biogas in France finds that its potential carbon savings depend on many variables, as reflected in the EU legislation.
![Plastic litter floating in the water.](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-07/NA1489.jpg?itok=f40DnjKG)
Issue 604: Monitoring the degradation of plastic waste in both fresh and saltwater environments could be done quickly and effectively using glowing ‘biosensors’ built on bacteria, finds new study.
![New research explores how ‘green infrastructure’ policy is applied in Sweden](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-06/NA1482_shutterstock_218507491.jpg?itok=Quo8N5wr)
Issue 603: Researchers have explored the creation and implications of Sweden’s ‘green infrastructure’ policy, an approach identified by the European Commission as a potential strategy to protect biodiversity and create healthy, resilient ecosystems.
![Increase in reduced-snowmelt drought in the Alps affects downstream water flow patterns](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-06/NA1484_shutterstock_2206771717.jpg?itok=VcFcFyhh)
Issue 603: Droughts in catchment areas in the Alps affect several major European rivers. This study reports that drops in snowmelt are causing drought to become more common, affecting the timing and characteristics of water shortages downstream.
![Call for better management of coastal sand mining to halt ‘dire’ consequences](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-06/NA1492_shutterstock_2144326359.jpg?itok=SLENZjMw)
Issue 603: Sand mining in coastal environments brings huge environmental, social and economic impacts. A study discusses how best to manage these impacts, recommending ‘sand rights’ and use of alternative aggregates and techniques in construction.
![Seagrass services lost in Gulf of Gabes](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-06/NA1460_shutterstock_1010697697.jpg?itok=uEyTIbH9)
Issue 602: An international study assessed the range of Posidonia oceanica (seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean), and associated ecosystem services lost, due to a 90% loss of the seagrass habitat resulting from industrial pollution.
![Flooded landscape depicting road signs and trees.](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-06/NA1468_shutterstock_430996282.jpg?itok=SDUbK8I2)
Issue 602: Flooding - the most expensive natural hazard in Europe - is forecast to worsen in the future due to climatic and socio-economic changes.