It’s not just trees that help tackle global warming but also the ground in which they grow. By Jessica Berthereau In an old-growth forest in Slovakia, dozens of sensors are placed in the soil, tree trunks and air. The devices are tracking how soil hydrology and tree growth affect carbon stored in the ground. This … Read more
Consumer demand in the EU is growing for more sustainable food production. By Horizon Staff Europeans are increasingly keen to eat food that is both healthy for them and gentle on the environment. Retail sales of organic food in the EU jumped 80% between 2015 and 2020. But accelerating the switch away from industrialised farming … Read more
Nature is being harnessed in the EU to improve the wellbeing of city dwellers, including people suffering from loneliness. By Ali Jones It was researching the health benefits of urban community gardens in Denver in the US state of Colorado that set Professor Jill Litt on a path to sow nature’s feel-good factor in cities … Read more
A group of critical raw materials may help Europe reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities. By Michael Allen Dr Arne Petter Ratvik is championing high-tech goods for Europe through a low-tech source: fertiliser. Ratvik, a metals expert at independent Norwegian research organisation SINTEF, says raw materials needed by the European auto, computer, electronics, energy and other industries can … Read more
In addition to generating clean energy, sea locations with turbines could be used to grow mussels, oysters and seaweed. By Michael Allen Off the coasts of Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands dozens of wind farms whir away, helping Europe switch to renewable energy from fossil fuels. Some of those wind farms are also helping … Read more
Five experts who appeared in Horizon Magazine in 2023 outline how their areas of activity will evolve in the coming year and beyond. By Anthony King From sail-powered tankers and new food habits to forest-protecting hedges and data-driven healthcare, 2024 promises to be a big year in EU science. Rogier Eggers wants today’s ships to … Read more