When natural disasters, such as earthquakes, storms and hurricanes, are reported in the media, they are often accompanied by an assessment of the cost of the disaster. While such information can be useful to help governments and international organisations target aid and recovery efforts, the details of what is included in the assessment, and the methods used, are often unclear.

A new analysis of waste recycling systems in Portugal highlights where kerbside (edge of pavement) collection systems could be optimised, to decrease their environmental impact. In this case, researchers found that the kerbside system was less favourable economically and environmentally due to more packaging and more fuel consumption per tonne of waste, compared to a system where recyclable materials are deposited by residents in large containers. But the researchers suggest that measures such as re-usable boxes and efficient collection routes could help to mitigate the impact of kerbside collection. While there is an environmental impact from waste collection, processing and disposal, this study only focused on the collection phase.

Onymos has transformed the art of mobile apps development, where open standards HTML, JavaScript and CSS technologies are made use of, which in turn, cuts down the development time from months to days.

Including civil society organisations (CSOs) when negotiating climate policy can mobilise public support for international agreements, a new study suggests. Using online surveys researchers found that the popular legitimacy of global climate governance decreases when CSOs are excluded.

‘Network bridging organisations’, such as farmer unions, Regional Nature Parks and Local Action Groups, promote cooperation between farmers, non-state collective actors and state actors under the Common Agricultural Policy. This study finds that farmers who have regular contact with these organisations show a higher commitment to long-term practice change. This could represent an opportunity to improve the effectiveness of payments for environmental services in Europe.

Greenbelt policies in Germany, used to curb urban sprawl, are effective in protecting open spaces and the valuable natural resources they cover, a new study has found. Nevertheless, urban development can ‘leapfrog’ greenbelts, hopping over them into areas with less restrictive planning policies. Researchers recommend that such areas are also included in urban development control plans.

Public participation is an essential part of integrated water management. In a recent study, researchers following the development of a UK catchment management plan found greater cooperation between land managers and environmental regulatory bodies as a result of a participatory process.

Marine diesel contains sulphur compounds, which generate sulphur oxide (SOx) pollution and acid rain. Ships can use mitigating technologies to reduce their SOx emissions, but these can also have a negative environmental impact. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) introduced stringent legislation to control these, aspects of which are incorporated into EU policy. This study examined the implications of the IMO’s policy and recommends a number of design solutions to help ships comply.

US also marked a slew of issues in India’s digital trade including those in the ecommerce policy.

Visa has outlined a detailed framework with its partner entities on how it plans to update its systems to comply with RBI laws

A new study has identified several differences between two major European databases on alien species, which could be communicating mixed messages for biodiversity policymakers. Researchers recommend creating a single pan-European database to address these differences.

The IUCN’s Red List Index (RLI) of threatened species can be used to measure the effectiveness of conservation organisations. This is according to a new study which used the index to assess an organisation’s conservation impact on 17 species. Eight of these species saw improvements in their threat status, whereas 16 would have seen no improvement at all, or even deterioration, if there was no conservation action.

Land-use changes in the arid south-eastern Iberian Peninsula impact on the supply of various ecosystem services that support human well-being. Research into perceptions of the rapid expansion of greenhouse horticulture and the abandonment of rural and mountainous areas has highlighted trade-offs between conservation efforts and economic development.

Chemical risk assessment and governance can be integrated and harmonised, but only up to a limit, albeit a variable limit, finds new research. The study’s authors examined the socio-political processes and factors surrounding integrated risk assessment and governance associated with chemicals in the EU. The research suggests there are opportunities for improvement if different views and implications of risk integration are considered through open communication and negotiations.

The EU would not be breaking World Trade Organization (WTO) rules if it chose to extend REACH’s authorisation scheme on substances of very high concern (SVHC) to products imported to Europe, a recent legal analysis concludes. At present, the scheme — which is effectively a ban on SVHC, with some exceptions — applies only to products made within the European Economic Area (EEA).

Ultrafine particles emitted from a waste incinerator plant in Italy have been characterised in a recent study. The results suggest that a fabric filter was efficient at cleaning particulate matter from the exhaust gases. Data produced by the study could go on to be used by scientists studying the potential health impacts of ultrafine particles.

Fires in forests contaminated by the Chernobyl nuclear accident could lead to areas of Europe and Russia being exposed to further radioactive fallout, new research has found. The study examined the spread of the fallout and the health effects on people and animals under three different scenarios: 10, 50 and 100% of the forests being burnt.

A species faced with extinction is more than a potential tragedy for the species concerned. Human wellbeing and economy depend on the world’s biodiversity and ecosystem services, but human actions are damaging the environment and threatening the existence of countless organisms that have, or could provide, humankind with valuable medicines, according to a recent publication.

HBO’s new miniseries I Know This Much Is True is a heart-wrenching drama that will punch you in the guts over and over again.

Operations have been completed on the Ehecatl-1 exploration well on Block 7, located in the Sureste Basin Offshore Mexico.

Suggested names for the new TRAPPIST-1 system planets range from Planet McPlanetface to the series 'Friends.'

Video: The celebrity talks about his experience in the industry and how to move forward.

The answer, it turns out, is simple: BP didn't want workers to be disturbed by "false alarms."

Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge is rich with wildlife and history — and it's under siege from the waters that surround it. And it's only to get worse.

Water immersion may be OK for labor, but not for delivery, says panel of pediatricians and OBGYNS.

These legendary creatures may have something to teach us about survival, even as the clock is ticking on their habitats.

Video: Teams from the Disaster Research Center (DRC) go to devastated locations to learn more about how lives may be saved in the future.

A freshwater lake the size of the state of West Virginia has practically disappeared. The lessons that the Aral Sea may hold for U.S. waterways.

A new study finds the area around the former Fukushima power plant teeming with life.

A book by Simran Sethi called "Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of the Foods We Love" documents the loss and looks for solutions.

'Anatomy of a Disaster' announced only hours after disaster hits Japan.

Japan reflects on the 3rd anniversary of the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Meet Chris Robinson, an average California dad who just happens to be constructing a 22-foot-long tsunami escape pod out of plywood in his backyard.

New York City unveils a disaster housing plan centered around retrofitted shipping containers that boast interiors that are like 'CB2 meets Motel 6' and that ar

When Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson appeared on The Daily Show, host Jon Stewart couldn’t resist asking.

Republicans are licking their chops about questioning the EPA administrator, but recent history shows that may be exactly what she wants.

The GOP is treating the EPA chief like a human punching bag — but she can strike back.

This week marks a somber time for NASA, with the anniversaries of three U.S. spaceflight disasters.

The Columbia space shuttle disaster in 2003 killed all 7 of its crew members, but a box of roundworms managed to survive the shuttle's disintegration.

Beyoncé ended the year on a sour note with members of the NASA community.

The Alaskan's idea may be a first step towards compromise on offshore drilling permits, but other concerns could sink it.

Using a sample from the very riser pipe that the plume escaped from, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution chemist Christopher Reddy and his team ascertained tha

More than 12 miles of Louisiana coast have been closed to fishing following the discovery of tar balls and other toxins.

Jason Alexander Byers uses an unusual material to make an environmental point.

The people of Harriman, Tenn., woke the morning of Dec. 23, 2008, to find their community awash in a billion gallons of toxic coal sludge.

Here are five serious sewage disasters in history, many of them caused by overwhelmed sewer systems. How we can prevent future ones from flowing our way?