European Environmental Agency

Recently, I was searching for a comparison of the number of plant species in the UK vs. Switzerland vs. Florida. Yes, nerdy, I know. But as a botanist, this is important information. Not only is it important to understand the biodiversity of your region (these are the main regions where I have studied botany), but it helps to know just how many species you must learn to have a good grasp of the local vegetation.

While searching for this information I happened upon the EEA. Read more to find out what the EEA is.

Did you know there is an environmental agency for all of Europe? It is called the European Environmental Agency (EEA) and is located in Denmark. I had no idea! So I went to see what they were up to.

They are an agency formed by the European Union (EU) and tasked with providing independent scientific information to the general public and to EU politicians to form environmental policies for the EU.

For example, they publish studies to help improve EU regulations such as:

1. Achieving energy efficiency through behaviour change: what does it take?
2. Monitoring CO2 emissions from new passenger cars in the EU: summary of data for 2012
3. And they even do updates on the State of the Environment in the EU

I think it is fantastic that there is a group created to provide unbiased environmental guidance to politicians in Europe. And when I hear "state of the environment" it makes me think of the President's State of the Union address. Why doesn't the EPA have a State of the Environment address? Or at least a report? I am shocked that there is not at least a biannual summary report of this in the US! Look at all these other countries which do a review of their environmental condition:

1. Australia does it
2. New Zealand does too
3. The UK does one for each region
4. Canada does it for different regions too
5. South Africa is even ahead of the US!
6. Apparently, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation does one for the entire North Americas

Come on EPA, it's time to get us accurate, concise and timely information about the US environment! Can you please do a state of the environment address? It might be fun!

The EEA have also made some quite interesting maps and provide GIS resources (which you know I love, being a GIS geek!).

Impact of climate change on number of plant species (in 2011 under the baseline scenerio). Species GAINED due to climate change.

Impact of climate change on number of plant species (in 2011 under the baseline scenerio). Species LOST due to climate change.

Impact of climate change on number of plant species (in 2011 under the "low greenhouse gas emissions scenerio"). Species GAINED due to climate change. This emissions scenerio is based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Emissions Scenerios brought out in this document in 2000.

Impact of climate change on number of plant species (in 2011 under the "low greenhouse gas emissions scenerio"). Species LOST due to climate change. 

Make sure to check out the EEA for more interesting information about the environment of the EU.