We need to make our energy system more sustainable – but what is the best way to achieve this? In order to plan the energy supply of the future, policymakers need sound facts and figures. Science already provides reliable models for comparing the sustainability and the costs of different energy systems. Now, Empa researchers have also developed a model for calculating supply security.

The public, legislators, and media often group per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” which are found globally in countless products, into a single category. While certain PFAS are harmful for human and public health, new articles in Heart Rhythm, the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society, and the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society, published by Elsevier, emphasize that fluoropolymers, a specific class of PFAS, are not considered environmental contaminants and are indispensable for use in medical devices. Experts call for a balanced approach to protect both the environment and availability of essential medical technologies.

Military defence, competitiveness, and economic growth are currently at the top of the political agenda in Europe. In light of these challenges, the protection of biodiversity – and thus our livelihoods – is in danger of being overlooked. The new EU regulation on nature restoration offers promising opportunities to advance biodiversity conservation in Europe. In the journal Restoration Ecology, experts of three German policy advisory bodies strongly advocate for seizing these opportunities. But how can this be achieved? The team, which includes scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), has identified five success factors.