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A study published in 2020 by the prestigious journal 'The Lancet' directly contradicted the forecasts being made by the United Nations (UN) about the future population of the world. At the time, the UN was predicting that there would be 11.2 billion people on the planet by the year 2100. 'The Lancet', meanwhile, reasoned that the global population would peak in 2060 and then fall to 8.8 billion by 2100 thanks to improvements in education for women and better access to contraception.
When we talk about endemism, we refer to a species whose geographical range is limited. Endemic animals and plants, whose vulnerability is enormous due to smaller populations, are key to their ecosystems and become a thermometer when it comes to measuring the state of health of a territory. For that reason, their protection from extinction threats is critical.
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In a world threatened by climate change, the drive towards a more environmentally friendly economy is not an option, it is an obligation. To achieve such sustainable development, the bioeconomy, which the FAO defines as "knowledge-based production and the use of biological resources, processes and methods to provide goods and services in a sustainable manner in all economic sectors", becomes essential.
Considered one of the most important ecosystems on the planet, the Amazon rainforest plays a key role in building a greener future. But in recent decades it has suffered significant forest loss, largely driven by human activity. Below, we outline the alarming figures, the consequences for the planet and humanity and the solutions being proposed.
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The electrolyser is an apparatus that produces hydrogen through a chemical process (electrolysis) capable of separating the hydrogen and oxygen molecules of which water is composed using electricity. Hydrogen produced in this sustainable way, i.e. without emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, can be the basis for a decarbonised economy.
Since the beginning of the space era in 1957, tons of rockets, space ships and satellites have been launched into space and, at least initially, no one foresaw what to do with them at the end of their useful life. The European Space Agency (ESA) estimates that there are some 900,000 objects over one centimetre in size that have no use orbiting the Earth. This fact, according to the UN, endangers future missions and even terrestrial communications.
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Why is it warmer in a large town or city than in a village located only a few miles outside it? The answer lies in what are known as heat islands. This thermal phenomenon, which raises the temperature in urban areas —especially at night—, can be attributed to several factors: elements that give off heat, such as HVAC systems, or the construction materials used, including asphalt. In addition, they exacerbate climate change and negatively affect health.
After centuries of research, the species that populate the Earth are well known, at least those that are within our reach. Because there are others, present in remote and practically inaccessible places, which are largely unknown. These include those found in the deep sea. Below, we take a closer look at the abyssal creatures that inhabits the seas and oceans of our planet.
