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Greece, Environment
Reuse or let die. Crucial for life but threatening if in excess: the nutrient challenge
Reuse or let die. Crucial for life but threatening if in excess: the nutrient challenge
Nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are  a double-edged sword . As key components of fertilizers, they are  essential for life on Earth, but become a threat to human health and the environment when they are in excess and run off into water courses and wastewater.
Hydrogen cars with zero emissions at the tailpipe, ready to spread widely
Hydrogen cars with zero emissions at the tailpipe, ready to spread widely
Transport is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions and a serious contributor to global warming . Road vehicles in particular are responsible for a large proportion of urban air pollution.
Greece is first Balkan country to announce a coal phase-out date. The revolution has already started in Western Macedonia
Greece is first Balkan country to announce a coal phase-out date. The revolution has already started in Western Macedonia
Western Macedonia has grown in the last century mainly due to its coal deposits. Lignite mines and power plants were important local employers. The regional capital, Kozani, is still the leading energy producing area of Greece .
The fight on plastics heats up in the EU
The fight on plastics heats up in the EU
A wind of change is blowing across Europe, trying to sweep away all the plastic bags that are littering our countries. January 2018 has been a busy month in this sense.
Speeding up nature’s oil spill cleaners
Speeding up nature’s oil spill cleaners
Imagine if oil spills could be completely cleaned up soon after a marine accident. And this could be made possible thanks to none other than warrior microorganisms who attacked and completely broke down the oil.
Towards effective spatial mosquito repellent
Towards effective spatial mosquito repellent
Global warming is leading to an increase in mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria . It is considered the plague of developing countries. According to the World Health Organisation , it is responsible for one child death every minute.
Professor Kostas Iatrou – Combatting malaria using natural mosquito repellents
Professor Kostas Iatrou – Combatting malaria using natural mosquito repellents
A major challenge in combatting malaria is to develop effective yet sustainable mosquito repellents.  Now, the ENAROMaTIC project, a European effort to reduce the spread of malaria completed in 2012, may have done just that.
Champions of Waste Reduction
Champions of Waste Reduction
Other regions in Europe are motivated by success stories like this one, and are now supported by a team of experts from ECOPOL to implement their new policies.
Is desertification on the increase?
Is desertification on the increase?
News of increased desertification has made headlines. Yet this process is not well understood.
Radar exposing water leaks
Radar exposing water leaks
Water from underground pipes often leaks. Particularly, in countries with an antiquated underground waterpipe infrastructure. In the case of Greece, for example, leaks are estimated to constitute up to 50% of total consumption.
More Crops per Drop!
More Crops per Drop!
A solution is much needed to fight droughts and preserve crops. Researchers have now developed a device capable of checking the humidity in the soil, and releasing irrigation water as needed – just enough without wasting it .
Marco Borga: Flash floods predictions, subject to models’ limitations
Marco Borga: Flash floods predictions, subject to models’ limitations
Flash floods are very localised weather events. They are mostly triggered by heavy rainfall. Typically, over a period of less than 12 hours. They occur very infrequently at any one place.
Crowdsourcing biodiversity watch
Crowdsourcing biodiversity watch
Following the 2006 ban on sturgeon fishing, the Romanian town of Sfantu Gheorghe, located at the mouth of the Danube river, turned to other income source to replace its fishing based economy.
Under the weather, literally
Under the weather, literally
We can blame all sorts of things on the weather. But a stomach bug?  It seems unlikely. Yet, scientists say greater quantities of rainfall and bigger storms will lead to more stomach upsets in parts of Europe.
Vanishing Lakes
Vanishing Lakes
Freshwater ecosystems, already under stress from land-use change and pollution, now face additional pressures from climate change, directly and through interaction with other drivers.