EEA Nwwsletter
Issue 2013/2, 16 December 2013 - Sign up
pict Your quarterly update on Europe's environment
pict Editorial | Interview | Indicators & data | EEA news | In the spotlight | Upcoming events
 

Editorial

 
 

Environment, health and economy all in one

The European economy is still feeling the impact of the economic crisis that started in 2008. Unemployment and pay cuts have affected millions. When new graduates cannot find jobs in one of the richest parts of the world, should we talk about the environment? The European Union’s new environmental action programme does exactly this, but not only. It also identifies the environment as an integral and inseparable part of our health and our economy.

By Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director

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  Interview  

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Europe’s agriculture: how to make food affordable, healthy and ‘green’

"A switch to low-productive systems would be unrealistic and counterproductive. We can’t afford farming to be inefficient, economically nor environmentally.  At the same time, we need to reduce the pollution from agriculture. This poses a dilemma," says Ybele Hoogeveen.

Interview with Ybele Hoogeveen on the impacts of agriculture and food system in general on the environment and our health.

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  Indicators & data updates  

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Transport and the environment: Indicator on cleaner and alternative fuels;  indicator on freight transport demand; indicator on fuel prices; and indicator on greenhouse gas emissions from transport

 

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Phosphorus in lakes: Map showing annual mean concentrations

 

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Air quality in Europe: AirBase data updates on concentrations of carbon monoxide, benzo(a)pyrene, benzene, and PM2.5

 

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Digital Surface Model: Digital Elevation Model over Europe data set by Copernicus Programme

 
 
  EEA news  

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An artistic view of Europe's waste – EEA announces competition winners

After 200 entries from 29 countries, the European Environment Agency (EEA) is pleased to announce five winners of the Waste•smART competition, which invited Europeans to produce a video, cartoon or photo on the topic of waste.

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Black carbon: Better monitoring needed to assess health and climate change impacts

Black carbon is an air pollutant which harms human health and can contribute to climate change – so cutting emissions may have many benefits. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a report on the measurement of black carbon in the air.

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Front-running cities changing transport, improving quality of life

Many cities in Europe are changing, according to a new report which points to rapid transformations in urban transport in some areas. While cycling and efficient public transport are becoming the norm in some urban areas, Europe’s transport sector is still a major contributor to excessive levels of greenhouse gases, air pollution and noise.

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The squeeze on Europe's coastline continues

Europe's coastal regions are increasingly vital for its economy, yet their natural assets on which it depends continue to degrade. A new report from the European Environment Agency calls for better information, planning and management decisions to balance multiple demands on the coastal environment.

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Competing demands on Europe's environment undermining human well-being

Meeting European demands for food, water, energy and housing exerts major pressures on the environment, indirectly affecting human health and well-being. To reduce the impact of Europe's resource use, a new assessment from the European Environment Agency reflects on integrating different policy areas and improved spatial planning.

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All larger carmakers met CO2 targets in 2012

All the main carmakers have met their 2012 targets for vehicles' average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, according to the European Environment Agency. However, most will need to sell increasingly efficient vehicles to meet targets in 2015 and beyond.

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Air pollution still harming health across Europe

Around 90 % of city dwellers in the European Union are exposed to one of the most damaging air pollutants at levels deemed harmful to health by the World Health Organisation. This result comes from the latest assessment of air quality in Europe, published by the European Environment Agency.

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  In the spotlight: Sharing environmental information  

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SEIS Cookbook is now out

To improve the collection, exchange and use of environmental data and information across Europe, the "Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS)" was established. SEIS aims to create an integrated web-enabled, EU-wide environmental information system, by simplifying and modernizing existing information systems and processes.

The ‘SEIS cookbook’ is a guidance document developed to help national authorities implement SEIS in their countries. The cookbook includes case studies from across EEA member countries. Also available in French and Russian.

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  Upcoming events  

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12-17 January 2014 - GEO-X Plenary and GEO Ministerial Summit

The Group on Earth Observations meeting will include more than 30 forums and panel discussions, many open to all participants and the general public. Topics will include agriculture and food security, measuring biodiversity, disaster risk reduction, early cholera warning and ocean acidification. The EEA will be present at the EU stand.

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29-30 January 2014 - Science Policy Symposium for Freshwater Lives

Symposium aims to bring together policy makers and stakeholders from the water, energy and conservation sector, NGOs, the scientific community and selected experts to discuss challenges in implementation of the 2020 Biodiversity strategy and the EU Water Framework Directive. EEA Executive Director will give a keynote speech.

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The next issue of the EEA newsletter will be published mid-March. If you would like to receive our newsletters, reports and other information, please sign up here.

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