Biodiversity

The turtle and the tourist: Located in The Environmental Atlas › … › The turtle and the tourist › Video
Repairing our ozone layer: In 1987, delegates from around the world signed the Montreal Protocol designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. This recent video illustrates the results of the Protocol, which is considered to be one of the most successful international environmental agreements.
Located in Environmental topics › Air pollution › Multimedia
Health in a changing climate: In August 2007, local health authorities in Italy detected a high number of cases of an unusual illness in Castiglione di Cervia and Castiglione di Ravenna, two small villages divided by a river. Almost 200 people were affected and one elderly man died (Angelini et al., 2007).
Located in Signals — every breath we take › Signals 2011 › Articles
Tourist arrivals - outlook from WTO model (Outlook 043) - Assessment published Jun 2007: Assessment created 2007 If current economic, social and industry trends continue*, tourism in the pan-European region and worldwide will grow at an average rate of 4.1 % a year. Very high increases in international tourist arrivals in some SEE and CEE countries will result in additional pressures on the environment. Globally, international tourist arrivals are projected to top 1 billion in 2010 and reach more than 1.6 billion in 2020, almost doubling the 2005 level. *Projections are based on the World Tourism Organisation's baseline scenario. This takes account of current economic, social and industry trends (including travel forecasts of aircraft manufacturers); considerations are also given to the wide range of individuals and organisations that present views on the future from one perspective or another.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Tourist arrivals - outlook from WTO model
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
Reducing climate impacts from international aviation: Europe leads the way: The European Commission is proposing legislation to bring the aviation sector into the European Union's pioneering emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) in order to control the rapid growth in CO2 emissions from air travel. Until now airlines have not been subject to the constraints on energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions that other businesses have to live with. Emissions from domestic flights are covered by the Kyoto Protocol's emission targets for developed countries, but international aviation - which makes up the vast majority of flights - is not. In addition, jet fuel for international flights has historically been exempted from taxation. Hence the need for policy action.
Located in Environmental topics › Climate change › Multimedia
Improving the environment in Europe's cities: Four out of five of all Europeans live in towns and cities and the European Commission wants to help make urban areas a better place to live.
Located in Environmental topics › Urban environment › Multimedia
Protecting the tree of life: Europe is a continent of breathtaking natural beauty and dramatic contrasts. The EU’s 27 Member States stretch from the frozen Arctic Circle in the north to the warm Mediterranean waters in the south. From the wave-lashed Atlantic coast in Ireland to the snow-capped Carpathian mountains in Romania, the EU includes a vast range of natural habitats and a great diversity of flora and fauna. Our natural heritage includes several thousand types of habitat, 520 species of bird, 10 000 plant species and at least 100 000 species of invertebrate. Yet, in comparison with other regions in the world, these numbers are relatively modest. Europe is the most urbanized and densely populated continent in the world. It is also one of the most polluted. These factors have taken their toll on the natural environment.
Located in Environmental topics › Biodiversity › Multimedia
NATURA 2000: Safeguarding Europe's biodiversity: Preserving and restoring the biodiversity and ecosystems of different habitats, from the countryside to mountains to the marine environment, is a major objective for the European Union. It is committed to halting the loss of its biodiversity by 2010.
Located in Environmental topics › Biodiversity › Multimedia
Consumption and the environment — 2012 update: Update to the European Environment State and Outlook 2010 (SOER 2010) thematic assessment
Located in Publications