From crisis to action: New scientific publication tackles eight key environmental issues

An international and interdisciplinary team of researchers, featuring Dr. Giles B. Sioen, Project Lecturer in the Graduate Program in Sustainability Science at the Sustainable Society Design Center, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, has published new findings in the journal Biogeosciences. The paper synthesizes solutions to eight major environmental challenges, which stem from the cascading impacts of climate change on the biosphere. These challenges include declining soil fertility, sharp losses in biodiversity, and the spread of microplastics and toxins to even the most remote ecosystems, developments that pose serious threats to food security, the bioeconomy, and overall prosperity.

Dr. Giles B. Sioen and his team have launched the first publication of a series in the journal Biogeosciences, designed to provide an annual summary of the latest findings in biosphere research. The aim is to offer well-founded, solution-oriented insights in the years between major global reports such as those from the IPCC and IPBES, which are released only every 8-10 years.

 "Because the various crises in the Earth system all affect the biosphere and therefore food security, material cycles and cultural and economic values, an annual update is important," says Friedrich Bohn who initiated the project and is corresponding author. The experts selected eight key areas, from endangered habitats on the seashore to forests and carbon capture in natural ecosystems. For each issue, the scientists described the scientific background and challenges and then outlined specific solutions.

"If, for example, forests in the Amazon are cleared for livestock farming, rainfall decreases, which can lead to crop failures in agriculture," Anja Rammig, co-author and scientist at the Technical University of Munich. Intact forests could prevent this. However, reforestation measures are not equally useful everywhere. "In dry areas, new afforestation could cause the groundwater level to fall because the trees evaporate a lot of water, causing other plant species to die out locally," she says.

In order to avoid such mistakes, the local population must be involved, especially indigenous knowledge. "A lot can be predicted using scientific models, but locally sensible and adapted solutions are best found when science, economics and local people work together to develop solutions," says Bohn.

The importance of education and involvement at the local level

The team of authors advocates creating awareness of existing problems through education and actively involving the local population in political decision-making processes in all the subject areas covered. More sustainable practices should be promoted in a targeted manner and innovative, possibly unconventional approaches should also be given a chance. Openness to new ideas and the courage to experiment are needed. At the same time, it is important to recognize regional characteristics, make them visible and incorporate them into measures. "Business as usual no longer pays off for the majority of people," warns Romina Martin, from the Stockholm Resilience Centre and a co-author. "The biosphere which used to support human lives on Earth is increasingly out of balance. Although the challenges are complex, better life conditions for all are feasible where policy makers, academics, entrepreneurs, lawyers, and citizens act together."

Collaborating to create change through science

"This peer-reviewed synthesis not only highlights the urgency of the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change but also equips decision-makers with science-based solutions developed over the past decade. Bridging disciplines and making knowledge accessible across sectors is critical to driving real-world impact." said Dr. Sioen.

This edition comes from a survey and synthesis conducted in 2024. The work for a second manuscript for 2025 is ongoing.

Professor Alexandros Gasparatos, a supervisor at the Graduate Program in Sustainability Science was also part of the author team.

The research article can be accessed: https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2425-2025

Additional resources available on website: www.c-pob.com