SEWAGE spilled directly into Scotland’s rivers, lochs and seas at least 12,000 times last year, new figures reveal – but the true figure is likely much higher. Data obtained via a freedom of information request shows that there were 12,238 ‘overflow events’ from Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTWs) and Sewage Pumping Stations (SPS) reported by Scottish Water in 2020. This means sewage is discharged directly into Scotland’s waters, including habitats for rare and important species and others used by swimmers, surfers and anglers. Scottish Water says it is necessary at times, such as when the system is overwhelmed by heavy rainfall. However, campaigners have described the figures as “shocking,” warning that the discharges are “incredibly damaging to both the environment and human health”.
As we pollute the oceans, sea life isn t alone at risk — our health is, too
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Europeans spend more than £700 billion (€800bn) a year on recreational visits to water bodies - but perceived poor water quality costs almost £90 billion (€100bn) in lost visits, a new study has found.
The new research - led by a European collaboration involving the University of Exeter and the University of Stirling - used data from 11,000 visits in 14 different countries to analyse the economic value of water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches and seaside promenades.
The research team estimated that people spend an average of £35 (€40) travelling to and from these sites, with a typical family making 45 such trips each year.
Addressing climate change and health in the Europe and Central Asia region: a joint value proposition and service offering
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A joint initiative on climate change and health for the ECA region
Climate change is one of the greatest threats to human health worldwide, and the risks are on the rise. It threatens the essential ingredients of good health clean air, safe drinking-water, nutritious food supply, and safe shelter and has the potential to undermine decades of progress in health, globally, regionally, nationally and locally.
Climate change, in interaction with environmental change, has already created conditions more favorable for the emergence and spread of certain infectious diseases. Almost all recent pandemics originate from wildlife, and evidence suggests that increasing human pressure on the natural environment drives disease emergence. The current COVID-19 health crisis has taught us many lessons but is also giving an opportunity to rethink how we can work togethe
Serbia has been accused of manipulating data in a bid to play down its air pollution problem.
A few months earlier, a real-time worldwide ranking put the capital Belgrade in the world s worst top five cities for PM 2.5 air pollution.
Now, say activists, the new government (elections were held last June) is doing everything it can to downplay the issue.
Pollution chief sacked after data spat
In December, Milenko Jovanovic was fired as head of the air quality department at the Serbian Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
The official reason for sacking him after 17 years of service was because he opposed his superiors and Serbia s air quality monitoring stations were not properly maintained. Jovanovic and other experts say the latter claim is untrue.
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