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Around 60 percent of all biodiversity on Earth is found in the soil. Soil organisms ensure fertile soil and clean drinking water, build up humus and break down pollutants. And yet, there is often a lack of information on the actual condition of soil organisms in Germany. read more

In den Sommern 2023 und 2024 gab es jeweils etwa 3.000 hitzebedingte Todesfälle in Deutschland. Betroffen waren vor allem Menschen über 75 Jahre mit Vorerkrankungen wie Demenz, Herz-Kreislauf- oder Lungenerkrankungen. Eine neue Studie des UBA zeigt jetzt eine neue Berechnungsgrundlage, mit der sich die durch Hitze bedingten Todesfälle besser berechnen lassen. read more

Even at the concentrations measured in the livers of wild fish, severe symptoms such as blood clotting disorders, bleeding and anaemia occurred. read more

Urease and nitrification inhibitors are chemicals used in agriculture to increase plant nitrogen utilization of fertilizers and thereby reduce ammonia, nitrate and nitrous oxide emissions. But their application comes with environmental and health risks. The German Environment Agency (UBA) therefore recommends improved regulation of these substances. read more

What do people mean when they talk about the “1.5°C goal” in the context of climate change? What is the origin of this value and how is it quantified? What happens if we exceed it – is there any way back down below a global warming of 1.5°C? In this text, we look at the emergence of the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement and explain why we need to keep it within reach. read more

Heavy metals, plasticisers or the “forever chemicals” PFAS – there are many environmental pollutants that children and young people come into contact with. But how high is their exposure in reality? And what impact can it have on the health of young people? read more

The conference “PFAS in soil – forever pollution, forever concern?” focused on soil pollution caused by PFAS. Some 150 participants from science, public institutions, industry and environmental organisations attended the conference and 200 more joined via live stream to discuss the risks, in particular for human health. More international cooperation is needed to tackle this problem effectively. read more

Glaciers are impressive natural wonders and have a decisive influence on the stability of the planetary ecosystem. These ice masses play a central role in the global water cycle, as 70 per cent of the world's freshwater resources are tied up in glaciers. read more

Without freight transport shop shelves would be empty, and the economy would grind to a halt. But transporting goods and waste generates noise, air pollutants and greenhouse gases. To counter this the UBA in its vision for 2045 recommends to shift transports to trains and inland shipping while electrifying lorries and ships and avoiding goods transport altogether whenever possible. read more

Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany fell by 3.4 percent to 649 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024 compared to 2023, data published by the the German Environment Agency (UBA) shows. read more