As a result of global warming, crops such as barley not only have to contend with increasing drought, but also with infestation by fungi, which multiply particularly well in warm conditions.
Many fish species such as salmon and trout are now bred in aquaculture facilities to meet the increasing demand. As a rule, these fish farms are located near the coast, where breeding is impaired by shipping, tourism or buildings.
The structural change in the Rhenish mining district is in full swing. In areas where lignite is still being mined today, a model region for sustainable and bio-based economic activities is emerging.
In Europe, 7.5 million tonnes of used clothing end up in the bin every year. This is according to a study by management consultants McKinsey & Company. According to the study, a maximum of 30-35% of textile waste is recycled.
Soil is a precious and scarce resource. In Europe alone, 80 % of the land area is used for forestry, agriculture, industry and settlements.
In the wake of increasingly frequent periods of heat and drought, research is being carried out to make crop plants more resilient and to better understand their metabolic processes.
Whether wood residues, wheat straw, dairy residues or microalgae: In the production of important chemicals, fossil raw materials are increasingly being replaced by bio-based raw and residual materials.
Residual materials from agriculture, forestry, the paper industry and food production have long since become a valuable source of raw materials for new bio-based and sustainable products.
Plastics are not only polluting the water and land. The tiny nano- and microplastic particles (NMP) are also increasingly becoming a threat to ecosystems.