Signals — every breath we take

Write to us

For the public:

For media and journalists:

Contact EEA staff

Contact the web team

FAQ

How to manage the planet within its limits: European Environment Agency (EEA) Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade is participating in the 3rd Nobel Laureate Symposium on Global Sustainability, from 17-19 May. Prof. McGlade will act as a delegate and moderator. The key outcome of the Symposium, the Stockholm Memorandum, will develop a new vision for sustainable development and prosperity, along with mechanisms for achieving it.
Located in News
How to measure environmental pressures from production and consumption?: The consumption and production of goods and services is currently unsustainable in Europe, with ‘decoupling’ of environmental pressures from economic growth insufficient to date. A new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) describes methods for quantifying environmental pressures caused by European consumption patterns and economic production sectors. These methods can help target decoupling actions.
Located in News
Human use of terrestrial ecosystems: Human appropriation of net primary production in percentage
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Key message 1 — SOER synthesis: Continuing depletion of Europe's stocks of natural capital and flows of ecosystem services will ultimately undermine Europe's economy and erode social cohesion. Most of the negative changes are driven by growing use of natural resources to satisfy production and consumption patterns. The result is a significant environmental footprint in Europe and elsewhere.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › The European environment – state and outlook 2010: Synthesis › Key messages
Living in an interconnected world: '…the sheer weight of the combined aspirations and lifestyles of 500 million Europeans is just too great. Never mind the legitimate desires of many other billions on our planet to share those lifestyles.... We will need to change the behaviour of European consumers. To work on people's awareness and to influence their habits.' Janez Potočnik, European Union Commissioner for Environment (March 2010).
Located in Signals — every breath we take › Signals 2011 › Articles
Looking beneath the surface: how good is our water?: Water is critical for life and is integral to virtually all economic activities, including food production and industry. Not only is clean water a prerequisite for human health and well-being, it provides aquatic habitats that support healthy freshwater ecosystems.
Located in Articles
Material resources and waste — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: The European economy needs huge amounts of resources to function. Apart from consuming minerals, metals, concrete and wood, Europe burns fossil fuels and uses land to satisfy the needs of its citizens. Demand for materials is so intense that between 20 and 30 % of the resources we use are now imported. At the other end of the materials chain, the EU economy generates around six tons of waste per person every year. With the boom in international trade, EU consumption and production may potentially damage ecosystems and human health not only within but also far beyond its borders.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Natural resources and waste — SOER synthesis chapter 4: Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Synthesis › The European environment – state and outlook 2010: Synthesis
Nature protection and biodiversity - Drivers and pressures (Finland): Nature protection and biodiversity - Drivers and Pressures
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Finland
Net land-cover changes 2000–2006 in Europe — total area change in hectares and percentage change: -
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs