News and Events for Policymakers
Butterflies on the decline
Research shows that the numbers of butterflies in meadows and pastures of Europe are in a continuous decline. A new EU regulation aims to stop this trend.
read more
Food crises worsen in the wake of conflicts, economic shocks and weather extremes
Conflicts, economic shocks driven by COVID-19 and Russia’s war against Ukraine, and weather extremes are pushing up the number of people who suffer acute hunger and malnutrition, according to the latest edition of the Global Report on Food Crises.
read more
Syke Policy Brief: Preventing biodiversity loss with ecological restoration
Restoration of watersheds, wetlands, and forests is a way to compensate for the human-caused damage on biodiversity. Halting biodiversity loss is essential for safeguarding ecosystems and human well-being. In a fresh Syke Policy Brief the Finnish...
read more
Scientists estimate that by 2095 forest services will decrease on average by 52% in Europe’s Mediterranean area
A new study models how changing climate conditions will impact forest services such as wood for construction and paper, edible fruits, leaves, roots and other services.
read more
Natural flood prevention: higher trust through better communication
A UFZ study shows: If the population feels well informed, it has a more positive view towards nature-based flood prevention. In many places today, dikes are being moved back, and floodplains are being revitalised in order to give the river more...
read more
Study: past extreme climate warming triggered by tipping points
Can a rapid warming of Earth trigger tipping points in our climate? For decades scientists have debated if today’s warming can strongly amplify itself by triggering a catastrophic release of greenhouse gases. New research, published in Science...
read more
Evidence synthesis - online training course
This online course will introduce you to Evidence Synthesis, Evidence Review, rapid Evidence Assessments and Systematic Reviews.
read more
Melting glaciers are going to affect food security
The glaciers of the Himalayas and Alps are melting, and this has consequences for the agriculture of the future. One third of all rice is grown around the Himalayas, and countries depend on meltwater to grow this water-consuming crop. Europe is also...
read more
Can we manage sustainable agricultural water use at a global level?
Farmers use a lot of water to produce crops. In arid areas, this is causing a drop in groundwater levels, which has an impact on the natural environment. Hydrologist Inge de Graaf is working out how farmers could use groundwater more sustainably.
read more
Creating resilient grasslands of the future
New research will support the potential for grasslands that are more resilient to climate extremes, hold carbon, provide pollen and support biodiversity while requiring less intensive agricultural methods.
read more