Effective flood-risk management requires accurate risk-analysis models. Conventional analysis approaches, however, are based on the evaluation of spatially homogenous scenarios, which do not account for variation in flooding across a river reach/ region. Since flood events are often spatially heterogeneous (i.e. unevenly distributed), this paves the way for error. Now, scientists have developed a novel framework for risk analysis that accounts for their heterogeneity, and successfully demonstrated the accuracy of the approach by applying it in a proof-of-concept exercise in Vorarlberg, Austria. By facilitating improved prediction and quantification of flood events, this model is likely to inform future flood-risk management and related decision-making.

Science not communicated is said to be science not done, but journalists’ portrayal of scientific findings can sometimes have a negative impact on public perceptions of science and even create false controversy. This study examined how presenting opposing scientific viewpoints affects public perceptions of environmental risk.

Wind and solar energy are effectively limitless resources, but construction of renewable power must compete for a finite amount of land. This study uses a constrained assessment of available land to see whether global energy demand could be fully met by renewable sources. The analysis predicts that by 2070, the world could produce between 730 and 3700 exajoules of electricity per year (EJ/a1) from renewable power, which, even at lowest available land estimates, could meet 2070 electricity needs in most countries.

Reducing plastic carrier bag consumption in different EU Member States requires different approaches and combinations of measures, according to a new study. The authors studied consumption and littering levels across Europe in relation to national plastic bag consumption reduction policy options, and found that there is not one specific solution for both of these factors, nor a single solution that can be used in all Member States. They suggest a holistic approach and additional research into consumer or stakeholder behaviour is needed.

National lists of threatened species contribute to the monitoring of biodiversity, but new research has discovered a lack of these lists in certain countries, such as Pacific Island states, and for certain groups of wildlife, such as invertebrates. Targeted financial support, better knowledge sharing and standard systems of data collection could help bridge these gaps.

High quality landscape assessments of areas protected under the Natura 2000 network are critical for effective long-term management plans. In a recent study, scientists have presented a integrated assessment of a Natura 2000 site in Sicily, Italy, which not only considers preservation of environmental features, as required by Natura 2000, but also human features, such as places of historical interest or industrial activity.

The IUCN Red List criteria perform well as an early warning system for short-lived species threatened by climate change, according to recent research. Using the Red List criteria, the study identified Assa darlingtoni, an Australian frog, as being at risk of extinction up to 85 years before a model predicted it was likely to become extinct.

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.

Micropollutants — small, persistent and biologically active substances — are found in aquatic environments all over the world and can have negative effects on plants, animals and humans. The EU recently adopted a ‘watch list’ of potential priority substances, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products that need to be monitored to determine their environmental risk. A new study reviews data on their worldwide occurrence and options for their removal from wastewater, and from surface and groundwater used to produce drinking water.

A method for developing ecological scenarios for assessing pesticides’ risks to aquatic wildlife has been developed. It is based on the selection of vulnerable taxa according to biological trait information, exposure conditions and environmental properties. The method should help decision makers define what to include in ecological models used for future pesticide risk assessments and is proposed as a way to increase the ecological realism of pesticide risk assessment.

Over the past two decades, concern has grown globally about the occurrence of anthropogenic organic contaminants in the environment, such as substances used in pharmaceuticals, food production and manufacturing. Many of these compounds are not sufficiently monitored or regulated in groundwater — a critical water resource in Europe. A recent paper proposes an approach to developing the first voluntary Groundwater Watch List (GWWL): an initiative with which to identify, monitor, and characterise substances that have the greatest potential to pollute this water resource.

One of the benefits of cycling is improved physical health. However, recent research suggests that cyclists inhale more air pollutants than motorists in traffic, mainly due to faster, deeper breathing. This suggests that town planners should carefully consider cycle routes.

Cyclists with pollution monitors and GPS trackers attached to their bicycles have produced detailed maps of Antwerp’s air quality, as part of a recent study. Their data show that a gap of just a few metres between cycle lanes and cars significantly reduces cyclists’ risk of inhaling high levels of ultrafine particle pollution.

Black List Plugin Description This is a simple utility to keep black sheep away from a public Foswiki site. The site can be protected against excessive page access ... (last changed by StefanHaller)

Despite the drop in new listings, total inventory is up as activity has slowed and few homes are being removed from the market

A St Albans-based artist has seen her work shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2019.

An author from Harpenden has been longlisted for a prestigious award.

An author from St Albans has been shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s prestigious 2020 Romantic Novel Awards.

Great British Bake Off semi-finalist, Stacey Hart, has taken on a new challenge - creating delicious treats without using refined sugar. Here the baker from Hertfordshire explains what prompted her to make changes and shares her recipes.

For all those lost loves, Craigslist to the rescue.

Eastern Steller sea lion populations have made a resounding recovery, from 18,000 individuals in the late 1970s to over 70,000 by 2010.

As cyclists approach a Flo unit, the pole flashes an image of a critter that corresponds to how fast they should be going to avoid waiting for the light.

The fabled highway's inclusion on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual most endangered list might come as a surprise .

Video shows a motorcyclist in Belgium stopping to rescue a kitten from the road.

Why are government officials still blocking journalists from documenting the Gulf oil spill? What are they hiding, and why is Obama letting it happen?

While traveling through Antarctica, journalist Charlie Bird had an up-close encounter with some adorable seals that left him giggling.

Being eco-minded on Earth Day is like being merry on Christmas. It's to be expected. But here are seven things you can actually do to wake you from your eco-slu

AdWeek ranks its top 10 favorites for 2011, including Chipotle's sustainable food initiative and Nissan Leaf's all-electric world.

This 753-acre piece of Southern history is located only 30 miles from downtown Nashville.

With an estimated price tag of nearly a billion dollars, the 7-mile bike highway would help alleviate London's traffic and air pollution woes.

Christina Broom is widely heralded as the most important women in early press photography.

In flood-prone Gloucestershire, England, dam-building semiaquatic Eurasian beavers make good neighbors.

Here are some off-the-beaten-path cruise destinations and the companies that can take you on the sailing adventure of a lifetime.

A new study sets the bar high, suggesting 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day per person, but even nutrition experts are lobbying for moderation.

New research suggests listening to music kills creativity.

Airbnb celebrates its presence in L.A. with a city-wide 'hospitality experience' revolving around prefab studios with celebrity-designed interiors.

Watch a tiny prefab home be 'dropped' into a vacant lot outside of Madrid with not much more than an electric screwdriver and a crane.

Over 60,000 members of the People’s Liberation Army will help increase the total acreage of forested land in China from 21 to 23 percent.

The Washington, D.C., river epitomizes the ecological dangers that plague many U.S waterways, according to a national environmental group.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame supports the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce's anti-fracking position. Cooperstown is located in central New York, in the hea

Prize-winning design proposal revives defunct post offices by transforming them into food-sharing centers.

Wipe lightbulbs? Wash doormats? My spring cleaning routine strays far from The Good Housekeeping Institute's unachievable checklist.