The Environmental Atlas

Floating cities: Environmental Atlas of Europe - The Netherlands: Almost a third of the Netherlands lies below sea level, and over the centuries the country has developed a highly efficient flood-defence system. The tragic floods of 1953, caused by a storm surge and exceptionally spring tides, led to a range of modern-day engineering solutions as well as a heightened awareness in Dutch society of the dangers of sea level rise. But when, in the mid 1990s, unusually heavy rain in Belgium and Germany caused the Rhine and the Meuse to breach their banks and hundreds of thousands of people had to be evacuated, it was clear that long-term action would have to be taken to protect against flooding from river water as well. The government has now launched a wide ranging programme of adaptation schemes to protect the coasts from sea-level and to create 'Room for the River', by establishing unobstructed spaces into which the major rivers can safely over-flow.
Located in The Environmental Atlas › … › Floating cities › Video
Global surface soil moisture content based on remote sensing data: SMOS provides a global image of surface soil moisture every three days; this map covers the period 8–15 June 2010. Yellow colours indicate drier soil surfaces; blue colours denote wetter conditions. SMOS can measure soil moisture levels to an accuracy of 4 % at a spatial resolution of 50 km — about the same as detecting a teaspoonful of water mixed into a handful of dry soil.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Global warning: early warnings on adaptation: Climate change is the ever growing reality faced by the inhabitants of the Arctic regions. They must adapt to the changing landscapes, increasing temperatures, disappearing species, new hunting techniques. In this video, several leaders of indigenous peoples' organizations, represented in the Arctic Council, share their thoughts and concerns about the changes in their lifestyles brought on by the changing climate.
Located in Environmental topics › Climate change › Multimedia
Ice road: Environmental Atlas of Europe - Finland: If you want to go to the island of Hailuoto in the Gulf of Bothnia during winter, it’s faster to take the 8 km ice road rather than go by ferry. But the ice has to reach 70 cm in thickness before it’s safe enough to drive over.
Located in The Environmental Atlas › … › Ice road › Video
Impacts of Europe's changing climate - 2008 indicator-based assessment: Located in Publications
Lake and river ice cover (CLIM 020) - Assessment published Nov 2012: The existence of ice cover and the timing of ice break-up influence the vertical mixing of lakes and are therefore of critical ecological importance. The duration of ice cover on European lakes and rivers has shortened at a mean rate of 12 days per century over the last 150–200 years. A further decrease in the duration of lake ice cover is projected with projected climate change.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Lake and river ice cover
Land-use scenarios for Europe: Qualitative and quantitative analysis on a European scale (PRELUDE): Located in Publications
Living with Climate change: Global warming is happening. Temperatures have already risen by 0.76 degrees since the industrial revolution and are projected to rise further by 1.8 - 4 degrees by the end of the century. The last time climate change happened at this pace was 125,000 years ago and led to a 4-6 metre sea level rise. Global warming at the upper end of the scale predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change would have catastrophic consequences for Europe. Up to 30% of plant, animal and bird species would be wiped out and the threat of natural disasters such as landslides, floods and mudslides would increase significantly.
Located in Environmental topics › Climate change › Multimedia
Major new website to assist with climate change adaptation in Europe: Climate change is already evident in Europe. Across the continent, policy makers are starting to respond to current and future impacts and risks associated with rising temperatures, changing precipitation, melting glaciers, ice and snow, rising sea levels, and more frequent and intense floods and droughts.
Located in News
Mean surface temperature in Europe 1850–2009, annual and by season: Climate change mitigation chapter SOER 2010
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs