Researchers have evaluated how well Swedish policy instruments deal with external environmental costs associated with district heating (DH) plants. They found they have improved environmental performance, but for some plants, the costs of internalising external costs, in terms of taxes, emission permits and environmental fees, are higher than the environmental costs of pollution they produce.

A new EU-commissioned report has investigated the social value of biodiversity conservation, particularly in terms of its links to employment. It estimates that 35% of jobs in developing countries and 7% of jobs in the EU are dependent on ecosystem services.

Recycling of excess heat, via ‘district heating’, has the potential to improve energy efficiency in Europe. This study mapped excess heat and demands for heat in EU27 Member States to identify regions suitable for the large-scale implementation of district heating. The authors identified 63 ‘heat synergy regions’, generally large urban zones, which generated almost half of all excess heat generated in the EU27.

Pioneering methods used in the Netherlands combine remediation of brownfield sites with the use of groundwater for heat cold storage (HCS, or ATES: Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage) to achieve both low-cost remediation and sustainable use of energy.

Insect-eating bats are estimated to be worth US$ 1 billion (€0.91 billion) a year to maize farmers around the world, a new study has revealed. Not only do bats reduce crop damage by eating adult corn earworm crop pests, they also suppress fungal infections in maize ears. Bats and their habitats need to be better protected for their ecological and economic contributions, say the study’s authors.

A new study has compared treatments to reduce odour from wastewater treatment plants, and has suggested that biotrickling filtration and activated sludge diffusion are the two most promising technologies. These appear to perform best on a combination of environmental, economic and social indicators.

Researchers have identified plant fungi in the Ecuadorian rainforest that can digest plastic. The discovery hints that there may be a wide range of effective waste-consuming microbes in existence, according to the study, which found that several different fungi, including one called Pestalotiopsis microspora, can break down the widely used plastic, polyurethane.

Myke has read _Triggers_, Grey tries to deal with a backlog, and they have amazing new merch available.

Promotion back to the National League was secured for West Herts Mens’ First XI after they comfortably won 5-2 at home to Saffron Walden.

Designer Emiliano Godoy's Snowjob Chair features a shimmering, silver cover made from post-industrial candy wrappers.

Wondering if your spouse is cheating on you? Check to see how comfortable they are with sex, or how happy they are in the relationship.

Researchers find that breastfed children were exposed to more food flavors and were therefore more likely to be healthier eaters than their non-breastfed peers.

Fiber is essential to a healthy digestive system. Find a place for these high fiber foods throughout your day and you'll get plenty.

Columbia researcher examines how ultrasound could become part of a comprehensive treatment for various degenerative brain diseases.

An honest story from an organic Japanese farm about what to do with an unneeded goat.

An expert weighs in on whether collagen-rich foods can improve skin health.

Insects are lower impact and could replace meat in the American diet, but what do the veggies think?

NOAA scientists capture video of a wreckfish swallowing a shark whole.

As exploration increases, employees often find themselves without adequate or affordable housing.

Our houses are way more efficient than they used to be, but we're using more energy per capita than we ever have.

If you're not ready to go cold turkey with beef, we have some bean recipes to get you started in replacing just a meal or two.

Feature-length film to serve as an archive of the disaster, will only be shown internally.

Food news and items of interest from around the Web for your weekend reading.

The Maple Guild produces organic, non-GMO syrup from the largest sugar bush in the world.

Cathy Erway’s personal tale of not eating out in New York City is inspiring and optimistic.

This shrine to Italian food must be experienced, but try to get there early. (And if they have the spinach ravioli in a lemon butter sauce, be sure to order it.

Eating guinea pig is now a growing trend in the U.S., and activists say it's better for the environment than beef.

You pay only shipping for a set of 15 organic, fair trade chocolates and educational cards that your kids can give out to visitors.

The USDA deputy secretary Kathleen Merrigan did a Q&A with The Washington Post about challenges for the organic food market.

6 tips for making healthy choices when you're eating out on a budget. It can be a challenge to find decent food for a decent price when eating out. This is how

Pavement that acts as an air purifier could help cities consume their own pollution.

By taking steps to make your home mold resistant, you’ll avoid the headaches of remediation and repair, as well as the potential health problems mold can caus

Like any other aspect of running a business, the key to survival is preparation.

Not that you need a reminder, but the high season of heat cranking and thermostat tweaking is upon us. Energy Star shares a few basics on how to reduce home hea

Worried about input costs, beer titan Molson Coors went green mainly to save green. If the end result - less waste - is to the planet's benefit, why should we c

A new study reveals how binge eating can reset the body's food clock, and may have implications for other health issues.

New research shows that replacing unhealthy foods with a serving of low-fat yogurt can significantly lessen a person's risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

According to some experts, the ubiquitous BFF self-portraits may be responsible for a significant increase in head lice.

Video: Chuck Leavell, keyboardist for The Rolling Stones and cofounder of MNN, sits down with singer-songwriter Will Dailey to chat about Farm Aid and eating go

Driving with a burger in one hand and a cellphone in the other is a sure recipe for highway disaster. And all that old food is hanging out, just waiting to give

Tesla Motors gets some high-powered competition.

Author and GMO expert Jeffrey Smith shares his advice on how to make the best food choices when you're not the one doing the cooking.

America for Animals looks to the crowd to fund The Humane Eating Project app, a database of restaurants doing the right thing.

In their last year of high school, Miranda Wang and Jeanny Yao went looking for a solution to their town's plastic waste problem, and found one close to home.

Congress finally passed the farm bill. Here are 5 facts to start you on your way to knowing what's actually in it.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems are a blend of the old and the new. An ecologically and financially-efficient option.

MNN's lifestyle blogger finds the sheer heft of local, organic produce weighs heavily on her car-lite lifestyle. How do you get your local food home?

A compilation of the best original stories from Mother Nature Network for the week, including Bear Grylls' eating habits, a webcam of Mount Everest and much mor