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China’s decision to ban the trade and consumption of terrestrial wild animals, while controversial, is a viable response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ban has implications that extend beyond safeguarding human health to also help combat illegal wildlife trade and protect threatened species.
Satellite-based measures of the area irrigated by 79 schemes find a median of only 16% of the proposed area supplied. A quarter deliver over 80% of the proposed area and a fifth are inactive.
Bioenergy from grasses is a key option to mitigate climate change. This study finds that recently abandoned cropland could help meet 11–68% of today’s bioenergy demand.
The demands of sustainable energy supply and clean water production continue to drive membrane development. Here the authors design graphene oxide membranes intercalated with polyaromatic cations that not only exhibit sustained nanofiltration performance under realistic conditions but also are scalable for industrial applications.
Small hydropower plants are increasingly favoured. This study finds that these plants are decreasing river connectivity in Brazil more than larger dams, potentially harming migratory fish, and suggests future dam portfolios that result in less river fragmentation while delivering similar power.
Wise management is critical to sustaining fisheries. This study finds that rebuilding plans, ratification of international agreements and harvest control rules yield strong benefits and that these are cumulative.
How can we promote sustainable behaviours and reduce unsustainable ones? A new study explores potential neural mechanisms underlying thoughts about farsighted future actions.
A study of 177 forest user groups shows that these are more likely to self-organize to monitor rule compliance for forest management when the groups are larger, they design the rules and they are located either close to or far from markets.
Energy intensity improvement, scale structure adjustment and electrification measures in major industrial sectors can substantially and simultaneously reduce CO2, NOx, SO2 and particulate matter emissions.
Insurance for a group that reduces risks with informal within-group transfers and local peer monitoring can help low-income farmers alleviate poverty aggravated by extreme weather.