GeoLog

Policy

GeoSciences Column: The dirty business of shipping goods by sea

November 10, 2017
“Above the foggy strip, this white arch was shining, covering one third of the visible sky in the direction of the ship's bow,” he explains. “It was a so-called white, or fog rainbow, which appears on the fog droplets, which are much smaller then rain droplets and cause different optic effects, which is a reason of its white colour.”
Gateway to the Arctic . Credit: Mikhail Varentsov (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

Shipping goods across the oceans is cost-effective and super-efficient; that’s why over 80% of world trade is carried by sea (according to the International Maritime Organisation). But the shipping industry also contributes significant amounts of air pollutants to marine and coastal environments. A new study, published in the EGU’s open access journal Earth System Dynamics, reports on concentratio ...[Read More]

October GeoRoundUp: the best of the Earth sciences from around the web

November 2, 2017

Display "Following Carbon Dioxide Through the Atmosphere" from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy. Always display content from YouTube Open "Following Carbon Dioxide Through the Atmosphere" directly Carbon dioxide plays a significant role in trapping heat in Earth’s atmosphere. The gas is released from human activiti ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: The importance of scientific foresight

October 27, 2017
GeoPolicy: The importance of scientific foresight
Foresight shows us where we are going. Credit: marfis75 (distributed via Flickr).

Many of the issues that society currently faces are complex and research on just one angle or area does not provide sufficient information to address the problem. These challenges are compounded when more than one region (or even the entire planet) is impacted. Many of the decisions and legislations passed by governments today will go on to impact how these issues either develop or are resolved ye ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: What are European Commission Consultations and how can scientists contribute?

August 30, 2017
GeoPolicy: What are European Commission Consultations and how can scientists contribute?
The European Union flag in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Credit: European Parliament (distributed via Flickr).

The European Commission requires both expert advice and an understanding of public opinion to steer policy and draft new EU legislation proposals that will be introduced to both the Council and the EU Parliament to debate. The EU Commission regularly hosts hearings, workshops, expert groups and consultations to gain valuable insights, prompt discussion and help draft policy.  These forums may be r ...[Read More]