Discover how our environment shapes our health. This category explores the deep interconnections between ecosystems, pollution, lifestyle, and public health challenges—from urban smog to pesticide exposure and climate-driven epidemics.
Introduction
The pursuit of perfect, long-lasting produce has inadvertently led to a flavor deficit in fruits and vegetables, a trend documented in recent research and echoed in public discourse. Early harvesting allows for extended shipping and storage, but it prevents the full development of sugars, acids, and aromas that define taste . Similarly, cold storage preserves appearance but alters quality,...
Introduction
The EU's Farm to Fork Strategy, launched in 2020, set bold targets: a 50% reduction in chemical pesticide use and risk by 2030, alongside 25% of agricultural land under organic farming . This aligns with global sustainability goals, addressing alarming biodiversity declines and health risks from pesticide residues. Recent data from the European Commission indicates a 58% reduction in...
Introduction
The European Union's export policies in 2025 reveal a stark contrast between rigorous internal regulations and permissive external practices. Under frameworks like REACH and pesticide directives, products deemed too...
The European Union's ambitious goals to slash pesticide use—aiming for a 50% reduction by 2025, 80% by 2030, and complete phase-out by 2035 under the Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR)—reflect...
The push for a global plastics treaty began with a 2022 UN Environment Assembly resolution, mandating an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) to address plastic pollution holistically. By 2025, the...
Introduction
In 2025, the European Union is intensifying its fight against plastic pollution through a suite of regulations and international negotiations, driven by alarming statistics: global plastic output reached 400...
In 2025, the fight against microplastic pollution intensified as the final round of UN treaty negotiations (INC-5.2) in Geneva adjourned without consensus, leaving a vacuum in global efforts to...
Microplastics, fragments of degraded plastic, have become ubiquitous pollutants, infiltrating air, water, and food chains. Humans ingest them primarily through contaminated seafood, bottled water, and even salt, with estimates...
Microplastics, once dismissed as mere environmental nuisances, are now recognized as pervasive contaminants in the human body. Originating from degraded plastics, synthetic textiles, and industrial waste, these particles enter...
Introduction
Oceanic plastic pollution has escalated into one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch serving as its stark emblem. Discovered in...
Introduction
The question of whether pesticides in food contribute to cancer has gained urgency in 2025, fueled by a wave of studies highlighting correlations between agricultural chemicals and elevated disease...
Introduction
Genetically modified organisms have transformed global agriculture since the 1990s, introducing traits like pest resistance and herbicide tolerance to boost yields. However, drawbacks spanning health, environment, and socio-economics have...
Introduction
Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, involve altering the genetic makeup of plants, animals, or microbes to achieve desired traits like pest resistance or nutritional enhancement. Worldwide, regulations vary dramatically:...
Introduction
Permanent cover cropping, a cornerstone of regenerative agriculture, involves planting species like legumes and grasses to keep soil covered year-round, reducing erosion and enhancing biodiversity. Inspired by Bourguignon's emphasis...