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Environmental issues in Europe

A. Climate Change

The average global temperature will rise, as will the frequency of high-temperature ex-

tremes like heat waves due to climate change. Increasing temperatures may lead to an increase in

mortality, a loss in productivity, and harm to the environment's infrastructure. The most vulnera-

ble population, such as the elderly and newborns, would be disproportionately impacted.

A shift in the geographic distribution of climatic zones is also predicted as a result of rising tem-

peratures. Many plant and animal species will be affected by these changes, which are already in

danger from habitat loss and pollution.

Animal and plant life cycles are also likely to change due to rising temperatures. This

might increase pests and invasive species and increase in the occurrence of certain human ill-

nesses.

Agricultural and livestock production and viability and the capacity of ecosystems to provide es-

sential services and products may be negatively affected (such as pure water or cool, clean air).

Droughts are becoming more likely due to less precipitation and greater water evaporation as a

result of rising temperatures. Milder winters and fewer periods of extreme cold (such as blizzards

and icy days) are possibilities for Europe's future. Because of this, our capacity to respond effec-

tively is hindered by global warming.

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Climate change has led to more frequent, severe, and long-lasting droughts in several Eu-

ropean regions. An extraordinary and short-lived water deficit is caused by low precipitation and

excessive evaporation, which is known as a drought (due to high temperatures). As a result of

human overconsumption, pure water is no longer available year-round.

Agricultural, forestry, water resources, and biodiversity are all at risk when there is a pro-

longed period of dry weather. They deplete river and groundwater sources, hinder tree and agri-

cultural growth, increase insect infestations, and intensify wildfires

About EUR 9 billion is lost each year in Europe due to drought-related losses in agricul-

tural and industrial sectors and public water supply. Damage from extreme droughts is increasing

as they become increasingly regular throughout Europe.

Global average temperatures are expected to climb three degrees, which would lead to

droughts occurring twice as often, resulting in annual losses of EUR 40 billion in Europe (PE-

SETA IV study).

How to solve this problem? 

EU leaders have unveiled the Fit for 55 package to address climate change, which in-

cludes a wide range of measures. Those measures would put the EU on track to meet its 2030

emissions reduction target of reducing emissions by 55% below 1990 levels by 2030.

From 1990 to 2019, EU emissions have decreased by 24%.

The following are some of the more important ones:

 New gasoline and diesel car sales are expected to cease entirely by 2035 due to tighter

regulations on vehicle emissions.

 Aviation fuel tariffs and a 10-year tax credit for carbon-neutral substitutes are also being

considered.
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 A "carbon border fee," which would put a premium on steel and concrete imports from

companies outside the EU.

 The EU has a more ambitious plan for renewable energy growth.

 a call on governments to fix non-certified energy-efficient buildings more quickly

B. Air Pollution

           Local, regional, European, and hemispheric air pollution are all issues. Pollutants from

one country's emissions may be transported by the wind and contribute to or cause poor air qual-

ity in another country.

Ozone depletion is now universally recognized as the most severe threat to human health,

nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter. Chronic and high-dose exposure to these contaminants

has been linked to respiratory problems and earlier death. Over 90% of European city dwellers

are subjected to pollution levels that are harmful to their health. Fine particulate pollution

(PM2.5) in the air, for example, is anticipated to shorten EU life expectancy by almost eight

months. As benzo(a)pyrene concentrations rise over the acceptable limit in several European me-

tropolises, increasing public health concern increases.

Our environment is also harmed by air pollution. During the period 1990-to 2010, acidifi-

cation in Europe's vulnerable ecosystem areas, which were susceptible to acid deposition of ex-

cess sulfur and nitrogen compounds, declined dramatically.

The issue of eutrophication, which occurs when ecosystems get too much fertilizer, saw less de-

velopment. As of 2010, there was a slight reduction in the area of fragile ecosystems influenced

by high atmospheric nitrogen levels.

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Exposure to high ozone levels causes crop damage. The EU's long-term aim for vegeta-

tion protection is much exceeded by the ozone levels to which the bulk crops are subjected. In

southern, middle, and eastern Europe, a significant portion of agricultural land is found here.

How to solve this problem? 

           The EU's long-term goal is to attain acceptable air quality levels that do not hurt or pose a

danger to human health or the environment. The EU works to minimize exposure to air pollution

on various fronts: via law, collaboration with sectors that contribute to pollution, as well as with

international, national, and regional governments and non-governmental organizations, and re-

search. EU policies seek to decrease exposure to air pollution by lowering emissions and estab-

lishing air quality standards and targets. The European Commission approved a Clean Air Qual-

ity Package proposal in late 2013 that included additional measures to combat air pollution.

           According to EU legislation, air pollution and air quality must be monitored and regulated

by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Aside from this, the European Environment

Agency (EEA) contributes to EU air pollution regulations and long-term goals for improving Eu-

ropean air quality.

We concentrate our efforts on the following topics:

 air pollution data may be made available to the general public by providing a wide range

of information.

 collecting data on European air pollution trends and analyzing policy solutions to address

these issues, and

 climate change, energy, transportation, and industry, as well as the trade-offs and syner-

gies between air pollution and policy.

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Our physical and mental well-being depends on urban green spaces as COVID-19 lockdowns

have demonstrated. Cities need to be rewilded and greened as part of the EU's Biodiversity Strat-

egy for 2030. At least 20,000 people live in European towns where the European Commission is

calling for "ambitious urban greening plans," which include the promotion of green infrastructure

and nature-based solutions, as well as the planting of at least 3 billion more trees throughout the

EU by 2030. Thus, the COVID pandemic may be exploited by cities to promote urban public

space and transportation reforms, with a long-term objective of improving urban air quality via

these changes.

As a result, cities and city planners must immediately base tree species selection on quan-

titative and empirical investigations of the impact of urban trees in improving or impairing air

quality. Tree planting programs must: (a) plant and maintain healthy trees by selecting a diverse

range of species that are well adapted to local conditions; (b) avoid species that are sensitive to

air pollution; (c) use low VOC and pollen emitting trees; (d) provide adequate water to vegeta-

tion; (e) use long-lived and low-maintenance species; and (f) implement cold air corridors in

large cities to reduce health risks associated with air pollution.

To meet the Ambient Air Quality Directives' goals and reduce the effects of air pollution,

immediate action at all levels of governance is required. In this perspective, greening and renatu-

ralizing cities, as well as establishing fresh air corridors, may assist cities satisfy air quality crite-

ria while also meeting social demands, as illustrated recently by the COVID-19 lockdowns.
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Work Cited

“National Conference on Air Pollution.” Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, vol.

17, no. 2, 1967, pp. 73–84. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1080/00022470.1967.10468952.

Sicard, Pierre, et al. “Urban Population Exposure to Air Pollution in Europe over the Last

Decades.” Environmental Sciences Europe, vol. 33, no. 1, 2021. Crossref, https://

doi.org/10.1186/s12302-020-00450-2.

Wikipedia contributors. “Environmental Issues in the European Union.” Wikipedia, 21 Feb.

2022, en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_the_European_Union.

“WHAT FACTORS AFFECT PRIORITY SETTING OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL

ISSUES IN FORMER SOCIALIST COUNTRIES IN EUROPE?” Epidemiology, vol. 11,

no. 4, 2000, p. S124. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1097/00001648-200007000-00300.

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