Monkfish is one of the species with the highest levels of mercury. Photo: Flickr.com / Biodiversity Heritage Library CC BY

Mercury pollution still a big problem

Historical and current emissions of mercury continue to present a significant risk to the environment and human health, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). The main source of new mercury emissions in Europe is coal burning, but about half of the mercury deposited in Europe’s environment originates from outside Europe.

Mercury presents the biggest risk in rivers, lakes and oceans where it takes a highly toxic form that is absorbed by animals, including fish. Nearly 46,000 out of approximately 111,000 surface water bodies in the EU do not meet mercury levels set to protect fish-eating birds and mammals. Humans become exposed to mercury mainly when they eat large predator fish, such as tuna or monkfish, that have been eating smaller fish with mercury in their bodies. Mercury presents a particular and significant risk to the neurological development of foetuses, newborn babies and children.

Source: EEA news, 19 September 2018.
The report: https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/mercury-in-europe-s-environment

In this issue

EU needs net zero emissions by 2040

In order to stay within the limited carbon budget that is left, the EU will need to reduce its domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 3 per cent per year.

Editorial: Call for Europe to phase out coal by 2025

As a result of the latest extremely alarming scientific findings from the IPCC and WMO, all European countries need to stop using coal for energy production by 2025 and thus avoid large emissions of carbon dioxide.

Ship emissions debated

A ban on carrying high-sulphur fuel oil aboard ships not equipped with scrubbers has been finally adopted by the IMO, but there was no significant progress on agreeing measures to cut ships’ carbon emissions.

What goes up must come down

Over the last decade the downward trend in emissions has flattened out – some countries are even reporting increasing emissions of ammonia and particulate matter.

Levels of long-lived greenhouse gases rose again in 2017

The level of CO₂ today is similar to that 3–5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2–3°C warmer and the sea level was 10–20 metres higher than now.

Limiting global warming to 1.5°C is possible

Climate Action Network evaluates the IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C for the Talanoa Dialogue.

Harmful air pollution levels still much too high

Air pollution remains the largest environmental health risk in Europe. Despite slow improvements, it is still responsible for more than 400,000 premature deaths every year.

Phasing out coal in Europe

Elements for a plan to phase out coal by 2025 are presented.

Cut methane to reduce ozone

Global action to reduce methane emissions could by 2050 avoid 70,000 to 130,000 annual premature deaths due to ozone pollution globally, and 6,000 to 11,000 in the EU alone.

Citizens support diesel bans to tackle air pollution

Two-thirds of EU citizens support the introduction of low-emission zones banning polluting cars from city centres, according to a recent survey.

EU auditors urge tougher action on air quality

Air pollution rules are still too weak and most EU governments are failing to meet current air quality requirements, says a damning report by EU auditors.

Climate targets for trucks and cars in the making

The European Parliament is pushing for more ambitious CO₂ standards for cars and lorries by 2030. Though even more cuts are needed to decarbonise the vehicle fleet by 2050.

Livestock sector must contract

Numbers of farm animals in the European Union are not within a “safe operating space” for the climate and nitrogen, states a new report from the RISE foundation.

European lunches leave carbon footprints overseas

Around 30 per cent of greenhouse gases from EU food consumption are emitted in other regions, mainly Latin America, Asia and Africa.

1.5°C is the new 2°C

In the wake of the IPCC publishing their 1.5°C report the global press calls for quick action.

A 1.5°C target is needed to save the Mediterranean region

Climate change is a threat to the Mediterranean sea and surrounding countries. This is featured in a recent short documentary produced by AirClim and SEE.NET.

Main menu

Mercury pollution still a big problem

In this issue

EU needs net zero emissions by 2040

Editorial: Call for Europe to phase out coal by 2025

Ship emissions debated

What goes up must come down

Levels of long-lived greenhouse gases rose again in 2017

Limiting global warming to 1.5°C is possible

Harmful air pollution levels still much too high

Phasing out coal in Europe

Cut methane to reduce ozone

Citizens support diesel bans to tackle air pollution

EU auditors urge tougher action on air quality

Climate targets for trucks and cars in the making

Livestock sector must contract

European lunches leave carbon footprints overseas

1.5°C is the new 2°C

A 1.5°C target is needed to save the Mediterranean region

In Breif

Electric ferries between Sweden and Denmark

Heavily polluting Romanian power plant challenged

EU rules needed to stop truck NOx fraud

EU auditors critical of CAP proposal

Publications

SINK OR SOURCE? Northern Forests at a crossroads

The role of northern forests in limiting warming to 1.5°C

Protecting Northern Forests crucial for biodiversity, the climate and indigenous rights

The 100 largest industry emitters in EU-27

Road to Nowhere

Bioenergy CCS – too little, too expensive, and not net negative

Direct air carbon capture and storage - A waste of time and energy

Carbon emissions from the cement industry can be reduced without CCS

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

Policy initiatives

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