Back in 2014, several national newspapers had headlines like “Norwegians are the most toxic people in the world”. The news was based on a research study which showed that in 60 years, Norwegians had gone from having six or seven environmental pollutants in their bodies to having 200-300.
Using data from ice cores, senior scientist Sabine Eckhardt has suggested a correction for global black carbon emission from the industrial revolution to the present day. In the long term, it can make the climate models scientists use more accurate.
From 1 January 2023, Aasmund Fahre Vik is Deputy CEO and CTO at NILU
EU, 24 November 2022: Europe’s air quality keeps improving and the number of people dying early or suffering illness due to air pollution is in decline. However, according to European Environment Agency’s analysis, published today, air pollution is still the largest environmental health risk in Europe, and more ambitious measures are needed to meet the health-based guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Pernilla Bohlin Nizzetto is appointed Research Director of NILU’s Department of Environmental Chemistry from 1 January 2023.
12 October: NILU scientists provide new estimates of the methane emitted from the Nord Stream leaks. The new estimates suggest that in total, between 56 000-155 000 tonnes of methane were released into the atmosphere.
Updated 30 September: NILU scientists first estimated that the total methane leaks from the Nord Stream gas pipes could be at least 40 000 tons. New estimates as of 30 September brings that number up to at least 80 000 tons. That is more than four times the Norwegian national annual methane emission from the oil and gas industry.
The NILU-led EU project CE-RISE aims to optimize reuse of critical raw materials, thus minimizing waste and stimulating circular business models. It also includes an ethical factor, making it easier for end consumers to make more sustainable choices.
This week, NILU welcomed the partners from the Polish GIOS, Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection, to Kjeller.
Which flight route from Norway has the highest CO2-emissions? How high are particle emissions from wood burning where you live? Which road has the highest traffic emissions? NILU scientists have now visualised all these and more in a map.
The European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) was launched on 11 May in Paris, France. It is seeking to develop next-generation chemical risk assessment, incorporating both human health and the environment in a “One Health” approach.
“How to cope with an Arctic ecosystem under multiple pressures” was the question sought answered during the COPE project’s side event at Arctic Frontiers 2022.
Studies have shown that marine air, snow, sea spray and fog contain or convey atmospheric microplastics. In a new study, 33 international experts highlight the importance of including the atmosphere into the total plastic cycle and form a strategy to manage plastic pollution.
Join the COPE project at Arctic Frontiers in Tromsø for the side event “Turning science into policy for a sustainable Arctic – How to cope with an Arctic ecosystem under multiple pressures?“
The research institutes NILU, NIVA and IFE have agreed to establish the research alliance NORIN. The alliance will be a new, Norwegian heavyweight in the sectors of climate, energy, the environment and civil protection.
Tackling methane emissions now is a must in order to have a chance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The Methane Pledge is an international political initiative to reduce methane emissions with 30% by 2030. But how likely is this, and where would these reductions come from?
Portugal, 21st and 22nd March 2022: The project “Climate Change Adaptation in Vila Nova de Poiares” held its second stakeholder meeting with the Norwegian partner NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research.
Ninety-six percent of Europe’s urban population was exposed to fine particulate matter above the newest health-based guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to the latest annual European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality assessment published today.
Senior scientist Dorte Herzke at NILU is one of the initiators of an open letter to Espen Barth Eide, the Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment. In the letter, almost 200 Norwegian scientists give their support to the establishment of an international science-policy panel for measures against chemicals, waste and pollution.
On Monday 14 February, Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide opened NILU’s guest exhibition in the Climate House at Oslo’s Natural History Museum. The exhibition is about climate research in the Arctic and Antarctic, and one of the goals is to make more young people want to become climate scientists.
Understanding atmospheric methane has never been more crucial. Over 100 countries have pledged to reduce emissions by 30% compared to 2020, in order to limit warming to 1.5 degrees as part of the ‘global methane pledge’.
7 December, 2021: The vast majority of Europe’s urban population is exposed to levels of air pollutants above new World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, according to an updated European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis on air quality in Europe.
Air pollution continued to cause a significant burden of premature death and disease in Europe in 2019. A European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis, published today, shows that improving air quality to the levels recently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) could prevent more than half of the premature deaths caused by exposure to fine particulate matter.
The RI-URBANS project, aimed at improving the understanding and monitoring of air quality in Europe, receives 8 million Euros from the EU. NILU is a partner in the project, the other Norwegian partner is the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.