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4,459 results
DRIVEN TO WASTE: THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE ON FARMS
The report finds that 15.3% of global agricultural production, approximately 1.2 billion tonnes, is lost at the farm stage, with an estimated economic value of $370 billion. It challenges the assumption that losses are primarily a low-income country issue, noting that higher- and middle-income countries are responsible for 58% of global harvest losses. Environmental impacts are significant, including 2.2 gigatonnes of CO2 eq. emissions, 760 km3 of freshwater withdrawals, and 4.4 million km2 of land use, with meat and animal products having a disproportionately high impact. The report identifies a complex web of direct drivers (biological, agronomic, and technological) and indirect drivers (market structure, governance, and human factors) and argues for synchronized, holistic interventions rather than isolated technical fixes.
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Document type: Report
WWF Priority Actions for the Biden Administration and the 117th Congress
The document advocates for the US to lead global efforts in nature conservation and climate action. Key priorities include doubling investments in biodiversity programs, reducing US emissions by 50% by 2030, and protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030. It also emphasizes pandemic prevention through the 'One Health' approach, combating illegal trade in wildlife and timber, and addressing plastic pollution through a binding international treaty.
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Document type: Fact sheet
A FUTURE FOR ALL: THE NEED FOR HUMAN-WILDLIFE COEXISTENCE
The report examines the global crisis of human-wildlife conflict (HWC), detailing its impacts on ecosystems, local communities, and sustainable development. It argues that traditional short-term mitigation is insufficient and proposes a shift toward 'coexistence' through integrated management involving monitoring, policy reform, and stakeholder engagement. The document provides case studies from regions such as Namibia, India, and Nepal to demonstrate how holistic approaches—including community-led monitoring, land-use planning, and innovative financing like 'Wildlife Credits'—can reduce conflict and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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Document type: Report
An Eco-wakening
The report finds a global increase in concern for nature loss, particularly in emerging markets, driven by digital activism and changing consumer habits. While public demand for sustainability is rising and influencing corporate behavior in sectors like fashion and cosmetics, a gap remains between public sentiment and effective government enforcement of environmental laws.
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Document type: Report
THE WORLD’S FORGOTTEN FISHES
Freshwater fishes, comprising 51% of all known fish species, are facing an unprecedented extinction crisis due to habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change. Despite their critical role in global food security for hundreds of millions of people and their contribution to multibillion-dollar industries, they remain overlooked by policymakers. The report calls for a strategic global transition to restore freshwater ecosystems through a six-pillared recovery plan.
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Document type: Report
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MANAGING INVASIVE ALIEN PLANTS
The guide details the ecological threats posed by invasive alien plants in the Cape Floral Region, including water depletion and biodiversity loss. It outlines legal obligations under the Biodiversity Act and CARA, provides a structured four-step planning process, and describes four primary control methods: manual, mechanical, chemical, and biological. The document also emphasizes health and safety protocols for herbicide use and the importance of long-term ecological rehabilitation.
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Document type: Guide
ʼn PRAKTIESE GIDS VIR DIE BEHEER VAN UITHEEMSE INDRINGERPLANTE
A comprehensive manual for land owners and managers in the Cape Floral Region on the identification, legal obligations, planning, and removal of invasive alien plants, including safety protocols and rehabilitation strategies.
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Document type: Guide
The Clean Air Act at 50
The Clean Air Act has significantly improved U.S. air quality and public health since 1970, with benefits outweighing costs by 30-to-1 in 2020. However, the Clean Air Task Force notes that communities of color and low-income populations still suffer disproportionate pollution burdens, and the Trump Administration's rollbacks of climate and methane regulations have undermined the Act's goals.
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Document type: Statement
Comments on the Proposed Rule to Add Mining as a Sector of Projects Eligible for Coverage under FAST-41, FPISC Case 2020–001 / RIN 3121-AA01, 85 Fed. Reg. 75,998 (Nov. 27. 2020)
A joint statement from Earthjustice and numerous environmental and community organizations urging the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council to withdraw a proposed rule that would add mining as a covered sector under FAST-41. The commenters argue that mining's unique environmental risks, including toxic waste and acid mine drainage, require rigorous and flexible permitting rather than the accelerated timelines and limited judicial review provided by FAST-41.
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Document type: Statement
Citizen Science to Reduce Food Waste
The paper explores how citizen science can help achieve SDG 12.3 by addressing 26 priority research questions on food loss and waste. It argues that citizen science serves as both a data collection tool and a catalyst for behavioral and policy change by building shared understanding among food system actors.
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Document type: Research paper
THE GAS INDEX
The Gas Index finds that methane leakage across the U.S. natural gas supply chain is significantly more extensive than EPA estimates, particularly within city distribution systems and buildings. The report argues that replacing gas heating with electric heat pumps would reduce emissions in every city evaluated, with the greatest benefits occurring where electricity grids are decarbonized.
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Document type: Report
USGS Undermines How Scientists Study Climate Change
The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that USGS Director James Reilly edited the agency's operational manual to push climate models that ignore worst-case scenarios and limit projection timeframes. Internal reviewers and scientists claim this action violates scientific integrity policies, lacks peer review, and employs 'bad science' that could hamper the government's ability to respond to climate threats.
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Document type: Statement
Climate Action Tracker Global Update: Paris Agreement Turning Point
The Climate Action Tracker reports that net zero pledges announced by November 2020 could limit global warming to 2.1°C by 2100, though current policies still track 0.8°C higher than this optimistic target. While the Paris Agreement has driven a 0.7°C decrease in real-world emissions projections since 2015, the report emphasizes that governments must strengthen 2030 nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and implementation plans to bridge the remaining gap to 1.5°C.
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Document type: Briefing
ATRAPADOS
The report finds that Spanish supermarkets are failing to address the sustainability of their aquaculture supply chains, with none setting targets to eliminate wild fish from feed. It highlights the ecological damage caused by the production of Fish Meal and Fish Oil (FMFO) in regions like Peru and West Africa and criticizes the industry's reliance on certifications as a substitute for genuine sustainability.
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Document type: Report
How (not) to implement the ecosystem-based approach when setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs)?
The document argues that EU decision-makers must move beyond single-stock assessments to integrate broader ecosystem dynamics, environmental factors, and multi-species interactions when setting catch limits, as mandated by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). It highlights that uncertainty should trigger the precautionary approach—leading to more protective limits—rather than serving as a justification for inaction. The briefing identifies specific tools for implementation, such as ICES mixed fisheries scenarios and ecosystem overviews, while warning against practices that prioritise commercial value over ecosystem function, such as setting 'bycatch TACs' above scientific advice to avoid 'choking' fisheries.
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Document type: Briefing
What is the ‘best available scientific advice’ for setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs)?
The document asserts that ICES headline advice is the most reliable scientific basis for setting TACs in the EU, as it aligns with the Common Fisheries Policy's requirements for sustainability and the precautionary approach. It argues that these figures represent a maximum limit rather than a target, and that TACs should often be set below this level to account for ecosystem needs, climate change, and data uncertainty.
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Document type: Briefing
2020 Report on the WHO-Civil Society Working Group to Advance Action on Climate and Health
The 2020 report outlines the progress of the WHO-Civil Society Working Group, highlighting its role in advocating for a 'healthy recovery' from COVID-19 and placing health at the center of UNFCCC dialogues. Key achievements include a mobilization of over 40 million health professionals, the delivery of a health-focused webinar for students in Portugal, and the initiation of a literature review to update research gaps in climate and health. The group aims to further align health civil society efforts leading up to COP26 in Glasgow.
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Document type: Report
Climate Change in the American Mind
The December 2020 survey indicates that 72% of Americans believe global warming is happening, with 58% attributing it to human activities. While 66% express worry and 65% feel a personal responsibility to help, social engagement remains low, as 62% rarely or never discuss the topic with family and friends. The public perceives global warming primarily as an environmental (80%) and scientific (73%) issue, and a majority believe it is already harming people in the U.S. and affecting national weather patterns.
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Document type: Report
Politics & Global Warming
A December 2020 survey of 949 registered U.S. voters reveals broad support for clean energy development, energy efficiency, and international climate cooperation, though significant partisan divides persist regarding the urgency of global warming and specific regulatory policies. While majorities support transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2050 and the Paris Climate Agreement, support for fossil fuel expansion remains higher among Republicans. The report also highlights a general consensus on the economic benefits of clean energy and the importance of climate education in schools.
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Document type: Report
Climate Activism: A Six Americas Analysis
The report analyzes climate activism in the U.S. using the 'Six Americas' framework, finding that while many Americans—particularly those in the 'Alarmed' segment—express a willingness to participate in climate campaigns and political actions, actual participation rates remain low. Consumer activism, such as rewarding or punishing companies based on their climate records, is more common than direct political advocacy. The study also notes a trend toward increased alarm regarding global warming over a five-year period and highlights that perceived collective efficacy is higher for local than for national decision-makers.
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Document type: Report