Europe

Written by: Matilda Gennvi and Dan Andersson Nature surrounds us and is the foundation of everything we depend on: clean air, water, food, raw materials and a stable climate. Healthy ecosystems regulate temperatures, protect against extreme weather and pollinate crops. Yet,...

Written by: Charles Masquelier, Carolyn Petersen, and Matt Lobley The Burren region of County Clare, Ireland, is famous for its distinctive limestone habitat, coastal landscape, rich wildlife and unusual archaeology. Several hundred farmers also manage livestock on this land. As social scientists, we’ve been...

Written by: Chris Bryant Since launching in 2014, Veganuary has boasted increasing sign-ups year on year. But what’s the evidence that the campaign that encourages people to adopt a vegan diet during January is really taking a bite out of the meat...

Written by: Marta Torre-Schaub A little over three years ago, a group of Portuguese youths filed a legal action against 33 European governments to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over what they say is a failure to adequately...

Written by: Martha O'Hagan Luff Despite its green image, Ireland has surprisingly little forest. Across Europe, nations average around 35 percent forest cover but in Ireland the figure is just 11 percent, one of the lowest on the continent. This hasn’t always been the...

Written by: Kimberly White  The sport of fox hunting has been relegated to the past in Scotland. The Scottish Government has recently passed legislation limiting hunts to two dogs, effectively ending the use of fox hunting packs. The Hunting with Dogs...

Written by: Kimberly White  France has become the first European country to prohibit fossil fuel advertising, with some caveats.  The French government has rolled out legislation banning the marketing or promotion of energy products related to fossil fuels. The ban, which...

Written by: Kimberly White  A parliamentary resolution to recognize ecocide as an international crime has garnered cross-party support in Iceland.  Twelve Members of Parliament from four parties- the Pirate Party, Reform Party, Social Democratic Alliance, and the Left-Green Movement- submitted a...

Written by: Emily Withers A year ago the first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, announced a big step forward towards a more verdant and accessible country: a scheme for a Welsh national forest. Inspired by the Wales Coast Path, the idea is...

Written by: Kimberly White  Royal Dutch Shell is being held accountable for its role in perpetuating the climate crisis.  A Dutch court ruled that Royal Dutch Shell must reduce its carbon emissions by 45 percent by 2030. The decision by the...