Agricultura/Pesca/Silvicultura

Thuis in de biosfeer

De biosfeer, een dun schilletje van slechts enkele kilometers rondom onze mooie aarde. De enorme verscheidenheid aan plant- en diersoorten dat hierbinnen leeft vind ik fascinerend. Deze miljoenen soorten zorgen voor het functioneren van de ecosystemen waar ook wij onderdeel van zijn. Evolutionair gezien bestaat onze soort eigenlijk nog maar kort. In 300.000 jaar hebben […]

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Towards a diverse and democratic food system

We could characterize our food system as a social construct: a complex set of rules, habits, practices, beliefs and views that have developed over time, which shape our behavior. From this perspective, institutional change is essential for sustainability transitions. After all, such a transition can only take place if we change the rules of the

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Climate change is threatening forest and forestry in Europe

Climate is one of the major factors composing tree ecological niches as defined by Hutchinson (Booth et al., 1987; Hutchinson, 1965). Consequently, concerns arise with the increase in harming events caused by anthropic climate change (Marini et al, 2012). Some species would not have neither the genetic potential to adapt nor the dispersal capacity to

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Gegen Rechts für Umwelt- und Klimaschutz

Bald sind Europawahlen und nicht erst jetzt zeigt sich ein Rechtsruck in Europa und über seine Grenzen hinaus. Auch nicht erst jetzt zeigt sich, dass die ungleiche Verteilung von Vermögen weltweit weiterwächst mit der Folge, dass mehr und mehr Menschen in Armut leben müssen. Zeitgleich lässt sich allerorts beobachten, wie extreme Wetterereignisse zunehmen. Darunter Hagel,

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Internalising external costs is key to dissolve conflicts of ecology and economy

Can protecting our natural resources really be economically “too much”? Just as often with our own health, it rather seems to be a question of short vs long-term perspective, or business vs national economy. The degradation of some natural resources, like soil, water or stable climate, will have adverse economic effects on future generations that

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The state of nature in a transition country, the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The primeval nature of Bosnia and Herzegovina, rich in numerous endemics, is rapidly disappearing, whether it is mountain, hill or meadow ecosystems. Watercourses, mountain lakes and ponds are especially endangered, which are already on the verge of disappearing. So 20 years ago we had the chaotic construction of small hydroelectric plants, which sprouted like mushrooms

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Companies lead, government lags

Cargill and Nestle, two of the world’s largest agri and food companies are already switching to regenerative agriculture in the supply chain. This low to no input, nature friendly practice sequesters carbon, regenerates the soil and allows nature to flourish. The investment to transition is high – €93 per 0.40 ha (acre) and should be

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Waarom doen boeren niet gewoon wat we zeggen?

Dit was lang geleden een wanhopige, maar serieuze vraag van een collega. “We weten precies wat weidevogels nodig hebben: waarom doen boeren niet gewoon wat we zeggen?” Ik ben die collega nog altijd dankbaar, want het gaf mij een extra zetje om mij te verdiepen in wat boeren nodig hebben om voor biodiversiteit te zorgen.

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The EU and tropical deforestation

The loss of tropical forests is often in the news. We see pictures of barren land next to forest, of chainsaws, of bulldozers. Depressing images. These new items generate frustration and anger, among politicians, conservationists, scientists and many more. We are frustrated by the loss of ecosystems that are so vastly diverse, that generate rainfall

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