Forests are essential for the survival of humans and nature. They are habitats for many plants and animals, CO2 and water reservoirs and oxygen producers, but also a place of recreation and a source of raw materials. But the ecosystem has changed. Using satellite data, researchers from the University of Munich and the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences in Vienna have for the first time produced a map that shows how European forests have changed over the past 30 years.

Objects made of plastics last extremely long. The obvious advantage of longevity is also a problem, as the material, which consists of fossil raw materials, has been proven to pollute the environment. The problem is microplastic particles, which are created by decomposition and can travel long distances. They are now found everywhere - in the soil, groundwater, sea and the food chain. Recycling plastics and returning the material back into the cycle is an alternative way to get the plastic problem under control without wasting the material.

About 75 million people in Europe follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, and, as flexitarians, even more reduce their meat consumption and are specifically looking for plant-based alternatives. However, little is known about this group of consumers, nor about their need for information on plant-based foods. A communication project coordinated by the University of Stuttgart wants to close this gap. There is no publication on the subject yet, but first results are already available and should soon be available as a white paper.

Considered high in protein and low in fat, they could be an important food raw material of the future: insects. For a long time, however, crickets, mealworms and the like were reserved for animals as animal feed. With the new Novel Food Regulation, the EU has cleared the ground for insects as food in 2018. Start-ups in particular have discovered this niche for themselves and are moving forward with novel creations such as insect burgers or fitness bars. With Native Food GmbH another start-up is now ready to enrich the market with insect food.

For seed banks, seed breeders, but also for farmers, it is essential to know whether certain seeds can still germinate. Millions of germination tests are therefore carried out every year. Depending on the method used, the seeds are used, and the results can take weeks. A spin-off of the University of Osnabrück has now presented a new test procedure that provides a result after only four hours without damaging the seed.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has relaunched the Research Framework Program "Research for Sustainability" (FONA), which has been running since 2005. It focuses on the 17 global sustainability goals of the United Nations.

Plastic shopping bags have been part of people's everyday lives for a long time. However, in recent years, the images of beaches and seas polluted by plastic waste have triggered society's rethinking: Many customers bring their own bags for shopping. Likewise, retailers offer reusable alternatives or paper bags, and charge a few cents for each plastic bag sold. With regards to environmental protection and resource conservation, Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze launched a draft law banning plastic bags in November 2019.

For the past nine months, the coronavirus has determined the lives of people worldwide. From hygiene rules to contact and travel restrictions: the consequences of the pandemic are felt in all areas of social life. But the fight for survival has also shown new ways and made people more aware of issues such as sustainability and environmental protection. Can the crisis be seen as an opportunity for a transformation of society towards more sustainability? This question was the focus of the now 13th German Sustainability Day in Düsseldorf.

Once again, Germany has a Bioeconomy Council: On December 7, 2020, the expert body met in a new composition and began its work - virtually, of course. There had already been a German Bioeconomy Council from 2009 to 2012 and from 2012 to 2019, which acted as an advisory body to the German government. The third council now has the particular task of accompanying the implementation of the National Bioeconomy Strategy adopted in January 2020.