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A GreenFacts Digest is a faithful summary of an authoritative scientific consensus report on an environmental or health topic. It has been peer-reviewed and published under the authority of the GreenFacts Scientific Board of independent experts.
Agriculture is closely linked to many concerns, including biodiversity loss, global warming and water availability.
The 2008 International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) focuses on how to make better use of agricultural science, knowledge and technology to reduce hunger and poverty, improve rural livelihoods, and foster equitable and sustainable development. More...
Latest update: 15 April 2008
In just 25 years, HIV has spread relentlessly to virtually every country in the world, infecting 65 million people and killing 25 million. What has been done since 2001 and what can be done in the future to halt the spread of AIDS? More...
Latest update: 15 November 2006
In Europe, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollutes the air mainly as a result of road traffic and energy production. Apart from giving rise to acid rain and other air pollutants, current levels of NO2 may affect our health. How and to what extent? More...
Latest update: 15 August 2005
In the high layers of the atmosphere, Ozone acts as a protective sunscreen that shields us from the high levels of UV radiation coming from the sun. At ground-level, however, it can be harmful to plants, animals, and humans. How are we exposed to ozone and how harmful can it be? More...
Latest update: 15 August 2005
Air can be contaminated by particles such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Many of them can harm our health, especially very small particles that can enter deep into the lungs. What is known about the different health effects of particles? More...
Latest update: 15 August 2005
Alcohol is linked with connotations of pleasure and sociability in the minds of many, but its use also has harmful consequences. What are the impacts of alcohol consumption on human health and society? More...
Latest update: 15 March 2006
In 2005, the international project Arctic Climate Impact Assessment was completed by the Arctic Council and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC).
Arctic climate is now warming rapidly and much larger changes are foreseen.
How had the climate changed in the Arctic so far, and what future changes are expected? How will arctic climate change affect the rest of the planet? More...
Latest update: 15 October 2006
Arsenic is a poisonous substance, which is released both from certain human activities and naturally from the earth's crust. Humans may be exposed to arsenic mainly through food and water. To what extent can arsenic exposure affect human health or the environment? More...
Latest update: 15 December 2004
Aspartame is a non caloric sweetener used in some diet soft drinks and food preparations. Many studies have assessed the safety of asparame, but some allegations of health risks have launched a debate. Does this artificial sweetener pose health risks? More...
Latest update: 15 June 2004
Biodiversity contributes to many aspects of human well-being, for instance by providing raw materials and contributing to health. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment shows that human actions often lead to irreversible losses in terms of diversity of life on Earth. What factors are responsible for this rapid loss? More...
Latest update: 15 May 2006
In 2002, the Convention on Biological Diversity set the target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 and established a number of biodiversity indicators to assess progress towards meeting that target. Can this target be reached? What actions are needed? More...
Latest update: 15 May 2007
Boron is a naturally occurring element used in products such as fibreglass, detergents, agricultural fertilizers and herbicides. Could it affect my health? Under what conditions could it be beneficial or harmful to the environment? More...
Latest update: 15 December 2004
Some 30 years ago, the most serious accident in nuclear history changed the lives of many.
The greatest contamination occurred in areas that are now part of
Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine.
The UN Chernobyl Forum assessed how this region has been affected by the accident and how
it has coped. More...
Latest update: 17 December 2017
In 2001, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessed the state of knowledge in its groundbreaking Third Assessment report (TAR).
What was already known in 2001? More...
Latest update: 15 September 2002
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reassessed the state of knowledge in its 4th assessment report (4AR).
Clearly, the Earth’s warming is already having measurable consequences and future impacts are expected to be wide-ranging and costly.
How can we adapt to those changes? Is it possible to limit the extent of climate change and its impacts through mitigation efforts? More...
Latest update: 15 August 2007
"Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis" is a comprehensive assessment of the physical aspects of climate change, which puts a focus on the elements that are relevant to understand past, document current, and project future climate change. More...
Latest update: 24 March 2014
One possible option for reducing CO2 emissions is to store it underground. This technique is called Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS).
How does it work? Could it really help addressing climate change?
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides answers in a special report. More...
Latest update: 15 September 2007
The aim of this peer reviewed comparison is to put in perspective the potential dangers and risks of four phthalates used mainly as plasticizers in PVC applications and help the non specialist reader to make its opinion in these matters. More...
Latest update: 30 August 2013
Desertification, the persistent degradation of drylands, threatens many livelihoods.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) produced in 2005 by a large international panel of scientists explored possible options to avoid or reverse desertification and its negative impacts. More...
Latest update: 15 October 2006
The way we eat and live may put us at risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, dental disease, and osteoporosis. How can a healthier diet and physical activity help reduce the risk? More...
Latest update: 15 July 2006
Diethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used plastic additive.
Its widespread use in everyday and medical products has raised some concerns about its safety. Does it pose a risk to health or the environment? More...
Latest update: 17 July 2012
Dioxins are mainly released by human activities such as incineration and fuel combustion. Some dioxins and some "dioxin-like" PCBs are known to be harmful. In 2008, the facts summarised by GreenFacts are still considered a valid reference. More...
Latest update: 15 August 2004
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease affecting a growing number of people around the world. Usually treatable, some forms of the disease have emerged that do not respond to drugs, making it very difficult to treat. What are the trends in drug-resistant tuberculosis and what must be done to control it? More...
Latest update: 18 December 2008
Humans depend heavily on ecosystem for benefits such as food, but we also have a tremendous impact on them.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) produced in 2005 by a large international panel of scientists explored possible options to avoid or reverse desertification and its negative impacts. More...
Latest update: 15 March 2005
Some chemicals, both natural and man-made, can interfere with the hormonal system.
Have endocrine disruptors affected wild life and our hormonal system? How much is known so far? More...
Latest update: 15 March 2004
The growing use of energy that underlies current economic growth puts unsustainable pressure on natural resources and on the environment.
What options do we have for switching to a cleaner and more efficient energy future? How much will it cost? And what policies could achieve this? More...
Latest update: 9 February 2009
Humans consume more goods and services than what is sustainable in terms of non-renewable resources. How can the concept of a circular economy help alleviate this problem? More...
Latest update: 16 May 2017
The UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) regularly assesses the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture. The key findings of its latest assessment were released in 2009.
Indeed, many fish stocks are being overexploited, and the international nature of the resources makes them difficult to manage. Is the current food supply in danger? More...
Latest update: 2 March 2009
Food and drinking water typically contain at least small amounts of fluorides. Fluorides are commonly added to dental products – and sometimes to tap water – to prevent cavities. Under what conditions can fluoride exposure be beneficial or detrimental to human health? More...
Latest update: 15 April 2005
Forests provide a wide range of benefits and are heavily exploited.
Every 5 years the UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) updates its Global Forest Resources Assessment.
Its latest update published in 2006 considers what progress has been made towards sustainable forest management across the world. More...
Latest update: 15 January 2007
In coming years, the world’s energy consumption is expected to increase dramatically. While fossil fuels will remain an important source of energy, renewable energies will also gain importance. Could biofuels derived from forests help meet the energy demand? More...
Latest update: 16 March 2009
We are regularly confronted with genetically modified foods, be it in the news or on our plates. In what way are GM crops different from conventional crops? What is known about the possible risks for human health or the environment? More...
Latest update: 17 December 2017
With the increase in plane traffic, contagious illnesses spread farther and faster than ever. Some diseases, such as tuberculosis are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Old enemies like polio refuse to go away. Others like smallpox which have been eradicated threaten a devastating comeback if released. These and other threats are explored by the World Health Report – A safer future: global public health security in the 21st century. More...
Latest update: 10 October 2008
Serious questions are being raised about the environmental impacts of producing liquid biofuels for transport, the costs of policies to promote them and their possible unintended consequences.
What could be the future role of biofuels for agriculture, food security and climate change? More...
Latest update: 30 September 2009
Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases and a great public health problem worldwide. What is being done to control its spread?
Can malaria be eradicated? More...
Latest update: 21 April 2009
The global production of plastics is increasing, and that increase is accompanied by an increase in plastic waste.
Part of this waste makes its way into the marine environment in the form of micro-plastics. What do we know about the extent of this problem? More...
Latest update: 15 March 2013
Mercury is a heavy metal which is known to be highly toxic. Though mercury occurs naturally in the environment it is now mainly released by human activities. Are humans and the environment at risk? More...
Latest update: 15 November 2004
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were widely used in the past, mainly in electrical equipment. Because these compounds are generally very stable, they remain present in the environment today. What are the health risks associated with PCBs? More...
Latest update: 15 September 2006
DBP is mainly used in PVC and other plastics. Other applications besides inks, paints and adhesives, include nail polish, perfumes, sealants, and lubricants.
Main conclusions: At some industrial sites, exposure of workers and emissions to air should be reduced More...
Latest update: 15 December 2005
DIDP and DINP are two very similar phthalates. They are mainly used in PVC and other plastics, but also in some inks, paints and adhesives.
Main conclusions: DIDP in toys may pose a risk; more research may be needed on the environmental effects of DIDP and DINP. More...
Latest update: 15 December 2005
Overhead power lines, wiring in buildings and electrical appliances generate
"Extremely Low Frequency" (ELF) electromagnetic fields.
The International Agency for
Research on Cancer assessed whether such ELF fields cause cancer, leukaemia or other
health effects. More...
Latest update: 15 October 2004
Psychoactive drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin can change consciousness, mood, and thoughts. How do they affect the brain? How does drug addiction develop and how can it be treated? More...
Latest update: 15 September 2006
Asthma and allergies are increasing in many European countries. Can genetic and environmental factors affect a child's likelihood to develop such diseases? More...
Latest update: 15 October 2005
Some electrical equipment, such as medical MRI scanners, trains, and television sets,
can generate static magnetic or electric fields.
The World Health Organisation assessed what is currently known about their
potential health effects? More...
Latest update: 15 March 2006
Over one thousand million people worldwide smoke tobacco. Harmful effects of tobacco on smokers are increasingly known. Are passive smokers also at risk? More...
Latest update: 15 January 2005
To protect drinking water against germs and fight disease transmitted through water, disinfectants such as chlorine, chloramines, ozone and chlorine dioxide are used.
Unwanted by-products can be formed, which raise health concerns. More...
Latest update: 15 August 2004
Water is essential for human survival and well-being and important to many sectors of the economy. Yet, resources are unevenly distributed and they are under pressure due to human activity. How can water resources be managed sustainably while meeting an ever increasing demand? More...
Latest update: 15 January 2008
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