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?
Gigantic hailstones have repeatedly hit farm fields in northeastern Italy this summer. Will these extreme hailstorms become the “new normal” in Italy?
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.
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.
Eurac Research launched ADO, a drought observatory capable of monitoring precipitation and water shortages all over the Alps.
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.
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.
Big changes to packaging laws are on their way in Europe, but Italian industries and supermarkets do not really like them.
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.
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”.
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?
The CAREGA Project offers a way to convert scraps of timber production into charcoal, thus from a production waste product into bioenergy.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.