Our Stories

Peatlands are powerful carbon sinks - if we let them stay intact. New research from ECH members shows how wetland farming - magic word: paludiculture - and microbial life can work together to reduce emissions without sacrificing land use. A story of science, sustainability, and the surprising appetite of microorganisms.

Almost every day, we can see clouds in the sky, but rarely we are aware of their wide-ranging impact on the climate. They can both raise and drop temperatures and have complex interactions with the particles in the air. These could even allow us to influence the clouds to fight climate change.

PFAS, the so-called ‘forever chemicals’, are non-degradable and widespread in everyday products – despite their known health risks. As regulatory action often lags behind, civil lawsuits are playing an increasingly important role in addressing environmental toxins. An interdisciplinary approach reveals: lasting solutions will require cooperation between science, law, and policy.

Beneath the surface of Croatia’s largest natural lake, a silent transformation is underway. In a new study, researchers from the University of Vienna and the Ruđer Bošković Institute reveal that climate change is salinising Lake Vrana - threatening freshwater ecosystems and amplifying global climate risks. What looks like a holiday paradise may be a warning sign.

Observing nature can help us feel less pain. Now, for the first time, brain scans confirm what we subjectively feel, and point to why our perception of pain might change. Surprisingly, even virtual nature distracts our attention away from processing pain at a basic neurophysiological level. The researchers hope that this will also draw attention to how important nature is for our health and why we…

Science (and scientists) are increasingly confronted with criticism and the political dimension of their work. However, history suggests that not all criticism is the same. Some movements that have challenged scientific authority have ultimately driven social and scientific change. Should we revisit them today?