However, this requires a technological and socio-cultural turnaround. This includes, for example, the consistent implementation of resource-conserving agricultural methods, the reduction of food losses and, finally, dietary changes.
unspecific
iDiv | UL | MLU (2020): Meta-analysis of insect populations
Over the past few years, a number of studies have been published that show dramatic declines in insect numbers through time. The most prominent, from nature reserves in Western Germany, suggested remarkable declines of flying insect biomass (>75% decrease over 27 years). This was published in 2017 and sparked a media storm suggesting a widespread “insect apocalypse”. Since then, there have been several follow-up publications from different places across the world, most showing strong declines, others less so, and some even showing increases.
acatech and Körber-Stiftung (2020): TechnikRadar
Around 2,000 people were questioned about biobased economy in a representative survey last autumn. The conclusion: the majority of Germans are in favour of bio-economic change.
Fungus protects algae from bacteria
In nature there is a permanent, seemingly invisible battle: Whether in the soil, in water or on our skin - microorganisms compete for nutrients almost everywhere. Some microbes use chemical weapons and secrete substances that harm other microbes. For example, bacteria of the genus Streptomyces produce azalomycins, which kill other unicellular organisms, but also cells of higher organisms such as the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. However, it has found an unusual protector, as a German research team now reports in
Producing and designing bioplastics yourself
It is impossible to imagine everyday life without plastic. However, the production and disposal of plastics is increasingly polluting the environment because they consist largely of petroleum and are difficult to break down. The bioeconomy therefore focuses on bioplastics that consist of renewable raw materials or residual and waste materials. Producing bioplastics requires by no means only state-of-the-art technologies and processes. The ingredients for an environmentally friendly plastic can also be found in every household.
Understanding the bioeconomy system
How can bioeconomy make the economy sustainable? This is the question that systems scientist Daniela Thrän deals with. Bioenergy systems are one focus of her research. Her mission: to identify drivers and weaknesses in order to put the bioeconomy on the right track. As a member of the Bioeconomy Council, the Leipzig Helmholtz researcher has advised the Federal Government on this topic for many years.
Latvia
Latvia is a rather sparsely populated country in the middle of the Baltic States with about two million inhabitants. Agriculture and forestry are therefore of the greatest bioeconomic importance: 54% of the land area is forested, another 30% are used for agriculture. Forests and fertile soils offer far greater potential than has been economically developed to date. In terms of bio-economic value creation, the traditional and small-scale structures predestine the country to specialisation rather than mass production.
Great Britain
The UK does not have a specific bioeconomic strategy, but it has published various other strategy papers dealing with sustainable agriculture, forestry and industrial biotechnology. Following a biomass strategy in 2007, a specific bioenergy strategy was adopted in 2012, emphasizing the use of various waste materials and perennial energy crops. The first strategy for agricultural technologies (Agri-tech Industrial Strategy) was agreed in 2013, specifically aiming at the transfer of technology and the commercialization of agricultural and forestry research.
Austria
Today the sectors of the bioeconomy already earn almost eight percent of the Austrian gross domestic product and employ more than 230,000 people. In Austria, the development of a bioeconomy is formulated by the "Research, Technology and Innovation Strategy (RTI Strategy) for Biobased Industries" published in 2014. The Austrian Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology is responsible for that.