Excessive nitrogen harms the economy and environment – first Europe-wide assessment published

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.ceh.ac.uk/news/news_archive/EuropeanNitrogenAssessment.html

Excessive nitrogen harms the economy and environment – first Europe-wide assessment published

11 April 2011

Nitrogen is needed to feed a growing world population but pollutes air, soil and water

A major new study has found that nitrogen pollution is costing each person in Europe around £130 - £650 (€150 – €740) a year. The first European Nitrogen Assessment (ENA) is launched at a conference today (11 April) in Edinburgh, Scotland. The 4 minute long official launch video can be watched on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuwN6qxM7BU&feature=channel_video_title">Youtube.

The study, carried out by 200 experts from 21 countries and 89 organizations, estimates that the annual cost of damage caused by nitrogen across Europe is £60 - £280 billion (€70 - €320 billion), more than double the extra income gained from using nitrogen fertilizers in European agriculture.

Professor Bob Watson, Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), welcomed the report. He said, "The assessment emphasizes how nitrogen links the different environmental issues that we have come to know so well: climate, biodiversity, air, water, and soil pollution. It develops the vision for a more holistic approach, which is vital if we are to make progress in tackling these issues."

The ENA (http://www.nine-esf.org/ENA-Book">available to download here) is the first time that the multiple threats of nitrogen pollution, including contributions to climate change and biodiversity loss, have been valued in economic terms at a continental scale. As well as identifying key threats the assessment also identifies the geographical areas at greatest risk of damage by nitrogen pollution. The report provides EU policymakers with a comprehensive scientific assessment on the consequences of failing to address the problem of nitrogen pollution – and outlines key actions that can be taken to reduce the problem to protect environmental and public health.

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[Confusious]

1. Government should make farmers contain and reuse

The runoff from their farms. They should give them grants to make it happen.