Posts

The Summer of Hail Storms in Northeastern Italy

Gigantic hailstones have repeatedly hit farm fields in northeastern Italy this summer. Will these extreme hailstorms become the “new normal” in Italy?

What time is it? It’s summer heatwaves time

Summer heatwaves turn out to be a predictable phenomenon for Italy. It is in recent weeks that the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security published the new National Climate Change Adaptation Plan. Will this be a definite turning point for our Country? In the meantime, heat persists, and even small provincial towns far from urban centers are affected by global climate dynamics.

Drinking Water from the Sea: the World’s Next Edge?

Desalination by reverse osmosis is the most common method of obtaining potable water from the sea. Already widely used in the Middle East, the Pacific Countries, America and even Europe, it ensures water security in many countries. However, it is too early to call this method “what will save us from global water shortage” because it is still too energy inefficient.

The Alpine Drought Observatory

Eurac Research launched ADO, a drought observatory capable of monitoring precipitation and water shortages all over the Alps.

Drought in Italy: Perception and Reality

The severe winter drought left most of Italy with critically low levels of water. Yet, for most Italians droughts are still seen as a temporary problem.

Like Dwarfs Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

What are Monumental Trees and how can they be recognized? Like for our grandparents, it is up to us to remember them, protect them and value them for the good of society.

How to Change the Status Quo of Packaging

Big changes to packaging laws are on their way in Europe, but Italian industries and supermarkets do not really like them.

The Energy Crisis is Pressuring Dairy Farms in Trentino and Veneto. What is the State of the Art?

The energy crisis halts milk and cheese production in mountain areas. State incentives for “multifunctional” farms can be effective against the ups and downs of the market and consumer demands.

Italy’s Wood to Fight against the Energy Crisis: Economic and Environmental Sustainability

Thanks to its well-developed forestry sector, Italy can use its wood-energy industry to tackle today’s energy and economic crisis and pave the path towards a true “Forest Sovereignty”.

8 billion. Are we not too many?

By 2050 there will probably be 10 billion people living on Earth. Without any development plan focused on energy and natural resources regeneration, aren’t we too many?

CAREGA PROJECT: Local charcoal as a strategic tool for the bioeconomy of the Piccole Dolomiti Vicentine

The CAREGA Project offers a way to convert scraps of timber production into charcoal, thus from a production waste product into bioenergy.

The fine balance between humans and wildlife

Tragic encounters between humans and wildlife have happened too often in Italy. The delicate balance and coexistence between the two needs constant monitoring and prompt measures.

The “Invisible” pollution in the building and construction industry

Construction sites are an important source of plastic pollution in urban areas. Plastic fences and packaging materials can be subject to weathering and pollute the environment.

From prevention to action. Causes and consequences of forest fires in Italy

Prevention and adaptation are key to mitigate the risk of fires in Italy. How can we reduce the impact of forest fires on the environment and the society?

Eco-Battles: Red Skies episodes

Adapt or burn. A look at the dramatic increase of wildfires in Italy to get ready for summer 2022

Droughts and high temperatures have raised the number of forest fires in the Alps. Unlike the fire-adapted Mediterranean environment, Alpine ecosystems are not ready for these events.

African Swine Fever outbreak in Italy: should have we expected it?

The African Swine Fewer arrived in Italy at the beginning of the year, presumably from imported pork meat. This new outbreak confirms an indirect effect of our unsustainable lifestyle.

Un Fico Secco

Bio-botta e risposta