Generating Electricity Where No One Has Looked Before

Generating Electricity Where No One Has Looked Before

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When people talk about hydropower, most think of large dams, reservoirs, and turbines. But water also transports energy in many other places: in drinking water pipes, irrigation systems, wastewater treatment plants, canals, and natural waterways.

A European research project aims to harness precisely this energy, which has remained largely untapped until now. H-HOPE—“Hidden Hydro Oscillating Power for Europe”—is developing small systems that can generate electricity from existing water currents without having to build traditional hydroelectric power plants.

 

The energy is already flowing through our lines

Every day, enormous amounts of water flow through Europe's infrastructure. Drinking water is transported through pipelines, wastewater flows to treatment plants, and irrigation systems supply agricultural land.

This creates flows and pressure differences, the energy from which has largely gone unused until now.

Conventional turbines are unsuitable for many of these applications. They are primarily cost-effective where there are sufficiently large volumes of water and sufficient head. Therefore, other technologies are needed, especially for low-power applications.

 

Electricity from Vibrations

H-HOPE takes an unusual approach to this.

The technology uses what are known as vortex-induced vibrations. When water flows past an object, vortices can form that set the object in motion.

Normally, people try to avoid such vibrations in technical systems as much as possible. The researchers, however, are turning this principle on its head: They want to make targeted use of the motion to generate electrical energy.

Submerged oscillating bodies are combined with technologies that convert mechanical motion into electrical energy.

What was essentially an undesirable physical phenomenon thus becomes a source of energy.

 

Not for entire cities—but for many small consumers

The technology is not intended to replace large hydroelectric power plants. Rather, its potential lies in providing decentralized power to small devices.

Sensors and measurement systems in water pipes are particularly interesting. Modern water distribution networks require an increasing number of sensors to monitor, for example, flow rate, pressure, water quality, or potential leaks.

However, many of these monitoring stations are located in places where there is no power supply.

If the necessary energy could be generated directly from the flowing water, sensors could operate largely autonomously. This would greatly facilitate the digitization of water infrastructure.

 

Making Dual Use of Existing Infrastructure

That is precisely what makes this innovation so interesting.

Instead of requiring new land for energy facilities, existing infrastructure is utilized. Drinking water pipes, sewage systems, and irrigation canals could generate small amounts of electricity in addition to fulfilling their primary functions.

This principle can also be applied to open channels and natural water flows.

Europe may therefore have thousands of small energy sources that, individually, seem of little significance, but which, taken together, could contribute to decentralized energy systems.

 

Facts & Figures

15 organizations are collaborating within the H-HOPE consortium

Nine European countries are participating in the project

The project is valued at €4.85 million

The European research project was launched in 2022

The current project term ends in 2026

 

Generating energy where it flows anyway

The energy transition will not be determined solely by ever-larger wind farms, solar power plants, or hydroelectric power plants.

Innovation also means identifying energy sources that have been overlooked until now.

H-HOPE offers an interesting approach to this: Water does not first have to be dammed up or diverted to provide energy. Sometimes the movement that occurs every day in our existing infrastructure is enough.

Drinking water pipes, sewers, and other waterways could thus be turned into small, decentralized power plants—hidden within infrastructure that has long been in place.

 

More information: https://h-hope.eu/

Old solar panels and batteries become a source of raw materials

Old solar panels and batteries become a source of raw materials

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Millions of solar panels are generating electricity on rooftops and open spaces across Europe. At the same time, the demand for lithium, nickel, copper, and other raw materials is growing alongside the rise of electric vehicles and ever-larger battery storage systems.

But what happens when solar panels and batteries reach the end of their useful life?

This is precisely where a new industry is currently emerging. Instead of simply treating end-of-life modules and batteries as waste, the goal is to recover their valuable components and reuse them in production. The energy transition could thus increasingly give rise to a raw materials cycle.

 

A solar panel is not ordinary electronic waste

Photovoltaic modules consist largely of glass and aluminum. They also contain silicon, copper, and small amounts of precious metals such as silver.

Many of these materials can, in principle, be reused. The challenge lies in separating them as cleanly as possible and recovering them in a quality that allows for their reuse in industrial applications.

New recycling processes therefore go far beyond simply shredding old modules. They specifically aim to separate glass, silicon, and metals from one another and make them available again as high-quality secondary raw materials.

Silver is particularly interesting. Although only small amounts of it are contained in a single module, recovering it from millions of end-of-life modules is becoming increasingly important both economically and strategically.

 

Batteries Become Raw Material Reserves

The potential is even greater when it comes to batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries contain valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and graphite. Modern recycling facilities can recover a significant portion of these raw materials.

One of the byproducts of this process is what is known as “black mass”—a dark mixture of materials left over after the mechanical processing of old battery cells. It contains valuable battery raw materials that can then be separated and processed using chemical methods.

The goal is clear: to use the materials from an old battery to make new batteries whenever possible.

 

Europe's raw materials problem as an additional driver

For Europe, this development is significant not only for environmental reasons.

Many raw materials used in batteries, electronics, and renewable energy are currently imported. At the same time, demand is growing due to electric cars, energy storage systems, and the continued expansion of renewable energy.

Recycling cannot completely replace new mines. However, it can help meet an ever-increasing portion of our raw material needs using existing materials.

Every battery and solar panel currently in use in Europe could thus become part of a European raw materials reserve in the long term.

 

A new circular economy is emerging

The key change lies in our way of thinking.

A solar panel at the end of its useful life isn't just trash. An old electric car battery isn't just a disposal problem. Both contain materials that were originally produced by mining, processing, and, in some cases, transporting raw materials over thousands of kilometers.

The more successfully we can keep these materials in circulation, the fewer new raw materials will need to be extracted for the next generation of energy technologies.

 

Facts & Figures

80–90% of the typical lifespan performance of modern solar modules after several decades—meaning many modules continue to function long before recycling becomes necessary

25–30 years: the commonly assumed economic lifespan of photovoltaic modules

A minimum of 50% lithium, which, according to the new EU requirements, is to be recovered from used batteries starting at the end of 2027

80% mandatory lithium recovery starting at the end of 2031

90% recovery target for cobalt, copper, lead, and nickel starting in late 2027

 

From Waste to Raw Material

The first phase of the energy transition focused primarily on installing as many renewable energy technologies as possible. The next challenge is already beginning: What happens to these technologies after they’ve served their purpose?

If Europe consistently recycles solar panels, batteries, and other energy technologies, the result will be more than just a solution to a waste problem.

A new source of raw materials is emerging.

In the long term, the energy transition could thus provide some of the materials it needs for its own further development.

Biodiversity is more than just nature conservation—it keeps our ecosystems running

Biodiversity is more than just nature conservation—it keeps our ecosystems running

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When people talk about the loss of biodiversity, the focus is usually on endangered animals and plants. But biodiversity means much more than just the number of different species. It directly influences how well ecosystems function—and thus the services on which we humans also depend every day.

A new international study clearly demonstrates how closely biodiversity is linked to clean water, pollination, food production, natural pest control, and carbon sequestration.

 

423 studies provide a comprehensive picture

The research team synthesized the results of 423 scientific studies. In total, the analysis included more than 222,000 data points from terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and coastal ecosystems.

This resulted in an exceptionally large database on the relationship between biodiversity and the services provided by natural ecosystems.

The key finding: Greater biodiversity improves the functions and services of ecosystems in many of the areas studied.

 

Every kind can make a difference

For a long time, it was sometimes assumed that ecosystems had a kind of safety reserve: if one species disappeared, others could take over its function.

The new analysis shows that this assumption is too simplistic.

When it comes to important ecosystem services such as pollination or water quality, the benefits can increase further as biodiversity increases. Conversely, this means that if species are lost, an ecosystem’s functionality can also gradually decline.

 

Especially important for our diet

A good example is agriculture. Many crops depend on pollinators. At the same time, natural predators help control pests.

If biodiversity declines, it is precisely these natural functions that may be weakened.

Biodiversity loss is therefore not solely a nature conservation issue. In the long term, it can also have an impact on agriculture and food security.

 

A Surprisingly Strong Link to Climate Protection

The findings from the oceans are particularly interesting.

According to the analysis, the sequestration of so-called "blue carbon" is particularly sensitive to changes in marine biodiversity. This refers to carbon that is absorbed and stored by marine and coastal ecosystems.

Seagrass beds, salt marshes, and other marine habitats are therefore not only valuable habitats; they also play an important role in the carbon cycle.

The more stable and diverse these ecosystems are, the better they can perform important natural functions.

 

Facts & Figures

423 scientific studies were analyzed

222,829 – Data points were included in the study

4 – major ecosystem types were taken into account: land, freshwater, marine, and coastal areas

22 – Categories of ecosystem services were examined

 

Protecting nature also means protecting people

The new study is changing the way we view biodiversity. A diverse natural world is valuable not only because species need to be preserved.

Biodiversity is part of our planet's natural infrastructure.

It aids in food production, improves water quality, supports pollination, controls pests, and contributes to carbon sequestration.

When species disappear, we are therefore not just losing animals and plants. We are gradually weakening the natural systems on which our very livelihood depends.

Europe's Summer of 2026 Breaks New Records—Heat, Drought, and Rivers at Their Limits

Europe's Summer of 2026 Breaks New Records—Heat, Drought, and Rivers at Their Limits

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The summer of 2026 once again brought home to Europe just how much the continent’s climate is already changing. Extreme heat, prolonged drought, exceptionally low river levels, and numerous wildfires occurred simultaneously in many regions.

The latest summer review from the Copernicus Climate Change Service illustrates the extent of the phenomenon: Europe experienced its third-warmest summer on record. For Western Europe, it was even the hottest summer ever.

What is particularly noteworthy here is not a single record, but the simultaneous occurrence of several extreme weather events.

 

More than half of Europe is experiencing severe heat stress

By the end of the summer, 52 percent of Europe’s land area had been exposed, at least at times, to very severe heat stress. These are conditions in which the temperature feels like at least 38 °C to the human body.

In Western Europe, the average summer temperature was 21.7 °C, which was 2.5 °C above the average for the years 1991 through 2020. This even surpassed the previous record set in the summer of 2003.

The duration of the heat wave was also exceptional. On 17 days, temperatures exceeded 30 °C across at least 60 percent of Western Europe.

 

Drought spread across Europe

Along with the heat, much of Europe experienced a lack of rain. Western and Central Europe, in particular, as well as parts of Southeastern Europe, were significantly drier than the long-term average.

Over the course of the summer, the drought gradually shifted eastward. In August, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and parts of the Balkans, among others, were severely affected.

Soil moisture also dropped to exceptionally low levels in many regions. This puts additional stress on agriculture and natural ecosystems, as dry soil is less able to store precipitation, and plants are more likely to suffer from water shortages.

 

Europe's major rivers carried an unusually small amount of water

The drought was particularly evident in Europe's rivers. The summer of 2026 saw the lowest summer river flows in Europe since records began in 1992.

The Rhine, Danube, Po, Loire, Rhône, and Seine reached exceptionally low water levels at times. In several major river systems, record-low levels were even recorded.

The consequences extend far beyond the natural world. Low water levels disrupt shipping, hinder the transport of goods, and increase pressure on agriculture, drinking water supplies, and energy production.

Hydropower plants also require sufficient outflows. At the same time, cooling power plants can become more difficult during hot weather and when water levels are low.

 

Forest fires as a further consequence

At the same time, the heat and drought created ideal conditions for forest and wildfires.

By early September, nearly twice as much land had already burned in the European Union as the average for the same period from 2006 to 2025. Spain and France, among others, were particularly hard hit.

The smoke from the fires further degraded air quality and highlighted just how closely heat, drought, vegetation, and human health are interconnected.

 

Facts & Figures

52% – The percentage of Europe that was exposed to very severe heat stress, at least at times, in 2026

21.7 °C – average summer temperature in Western Europe

2.5 °C – above the average from 1991 to 2020

Europe's Top 3 Hottest Summers Since Records Began

The hottest summer ever recorded in Western Europe

1992 – The year records began; since then, Europe’s rivers have not experienced a summer with lower flows

 

A Summer as a Warning Sign

Heat alone would already be an enormous challenge. The key factor, however, is that several changes are occurring simultaneously.

High temperatures increase evaporation. Dry soil poses a challenge for agriculture and forests. Low river levels affect ecosystems, transportation, and energy supply. At the same time, the risk of wildfires is rising.

The summer of 2026 therefore illustrates particularly clearly that climate change means more than just higher temperatures. It is increasingly altering entire systems—from our rivers and forests to agriculture, energy supply, and infrastructure.

 

More information: climate.copernicus.eu

Wind Turbines and Bird Migration—New Research Points to a Surprisingly Simple Solution

Wind Turbines and Bird Migration—New Research Points to a Surprisingly Simple Solution

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When millions of migratory birds cross Europe in the spring and fall, much of this journey takes place almost unnoticed. Many species migrate at night—sometimes in enormous numbers.

At the same time, wind energy is growing in Europe. This brings two developments into conflict: the necessary expansion of renewable energy and the protection of migratory birds.

A new scientific study now shows that this conflict can potentially be resolved in a much more targeted manner than previously thought. Wind turbines would not have to be shut down for long periods of time. Instead, the key could be identifying precisely those few time windows when particularly large numbers of birds are on the move.

 

Radar Makes Bird Migration Visible

For the study, researchers examined large-scale bird movements across Western Europe using a network of weather radar stations.

Such radar systems can do more than just detect rain and other weather phenomena. They also track large flocks of birds, thereby providing a picture of when, where, and at what altitude bird migration occurs.

The researchers combined this data with information on wind turbines, wind speeds, and potential electricity generation.

This made it possible, for the first time, to conduct a large-scale study of when particularly large numbers of birds are present near wind turbines and, at the same time, at altitudes where the rotor blades are turning.

 

188 million birds in a single night

Earlier calculations show just how massive these migratory movements can be: On a single autumn night, an estimated 188 million birds may be flying across Europe at the same time.

However, this intensity is not distributed evenly over weeks or months.

There are certain nights and time periods when bird migration is particularly heavy. This is precisely the focus of the new research.

Instead of shutting down wind turbines as a precaution during entire wind periods, weather radar data could be used to detect particularly intense wind gusts in near real time.

The facilities could then be shut down selectively for a short period of time.

 

Standing Still When It Really Matters

The researchers' calculations show that intelligent shutdown strategies could offer an interesting compromise.

If wind turbines are shut down specifically when there are particularly large numbers of birds in the risk zone, the potential danger can be significantly reduced, while the loss of potential electricity generation remains relatively small.

The principle is simple: Don't shut down for as long as possible—shut down as precisely as possible.

In the future, weather radar, local sensors, weather data, and automated control systems could all work together.

 

Facts & Figures

Many migratory birds cross Europe mainly at night.

On nights when migration is particularly heavy, an estimated 188 million birds may be flying across Europe at the same time.

For the current study, weather radar data were combined with the locations of wind turbines, as well as data on wind and potential electricity generation.

The risk of collision depends not only on whether birds are flying through an area, but also on the altitude at which they are flying.

The study, published in June 2026, examines bird migration and wind energy on a large scale across Western Europe.

 

Thinking About Nature Conservation and the Energy Transition Together

This approach is also interesting because it resolves a supposed contradiction.

Europe needs renewable energy. At the same time, the expansion of renewable energy must not result in the protection of biodiversity being sidelined.

New data and technologies could help better integrate these two goals.

In the future, wind turbines could continue to operate when the risk is low—and pause precisely when an unusually large number of birds cross their path.

Perhaps that is why part of the solution does not lie in choosing between wind energy and bird conservation.

Rather, it's about knowing more precisely when millions of birds are flying overhead.

Episode 25: Allgäu – Between the Alps, Moors, and Mountain Farms

Episode 25: Allgäu – Between the Alps, Moors, and Mountain Farms

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A landscape shaped by agriculture

Green meadows, scattered farms, the peaks of the Alps in the background, and lakes, marshes, and small villages in between: The Allgäu is one of those landscapes that many people associate with nature and relaxation at first glance.

But the region’s characteristic appearance is by no means defined solely by nature. Over the centuries, a large part of the landscape has been shaped by agriculture. Meadows were mowed, animals were grazed on pastures, and alpine pastures were cultivated. This gave rise to a cultural landscape that today serves not only as a habitat but also as the foundation for agriculture and tourism.

That is precisely why the Allgäu is particularly appealing for sustainable travel. Here, it becomes clear just how closely nature conservation, agriculture, regional food production, and tourism are intertwined—and how difficult it can sometimes be to strike the right balance among these interests.

 

Between Mountains and Lakes

The Allgäu region spans parts of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and extends south to the Alps. Well-known towns such as Oberstdorf, Füssen, Bad Hindelang, and Isny serve as starting points for a wide variety of outdoor adventures.

The mountains dominate the southern landscape. Toward the north, the landscape becomes gentler and opens up to meadows, forests, lakes, and marshlands.

It is precisely this diversity that makes the region so attractive. Challenging mountain hikes are just as possible as easy walks, bike rides, or strolls through moorland. Those who don’t limit themselves to the most famous sights will also discover surprisingly peaceful spots in one of Germany’s most popular vacation regions.

 

Getting There – Vacationing Without a Car

Several towns in the Allgäu region are directly accessible by train. Oberstdorf, Kempten, Füssen, and other train stations serve as good starting points for a car-free vacation.

From there, bus routes continue on to many valleys and hiking areas. In some vacation destinations, guest cards and regional transportation options complement public transit.

For hikers in particular, combining train and bus travel offers an advantage: a hike doesn't necessarily have to end where it began. This makes it possible to plan multi-day hikes without needing a second vehicle.

However, the Allgäu also highlights a challenge typical of rural tourism regions. While well-known destinations are well connected, things become more difficult in more remote areas. Attractive public transportation therefore remains an important prerequisite if more visitors are to forgo using their own cars in the future.

 

Moors—The Underrated Landscapes of the Allgäu

Along with mountains and lakes, bogs are among the region’s most ecologically valuable landscapes. Especially in the Westallgäu and around numerous smaller lakes, there are raised bogs and fens with an extraordinary variety of plant and animal life.

For a long time, bogs were viewed primarily as unproductive land. Many were drained so they could be used for agriculture or forestry. Today, we know how valuable intact bog landscapes are.

They store water, provide habitat for specialized species, and can sequester large amounts of carbon in the soil. When a bog is drained, oxygen enters the peat. The carbon that has been stored there for centuries is then gradually released as a greenhouse gas.

Preserving wetlands therefore helps protect species, water resources, and the climate. Renaturation projects aim to rewet former wetland areas and restore natural processes.

For visitors, designated bog trails and nature trails offer a great way to explore these unique ecosystems without disturbing sensitive areas.

 

Mountain Farming – The Work Behind the Postcard-Perfect Landscape

The green meadows of the Allgäu seem to be a matter of course. In reality, a great deal of work goes into preserving them.

Farms mow meadows, raise cattle, and cultivate terrain that is sometimes steep and difficult to access with large machinery. Traditional alpine farming, in particular, helps preserve open mountain landscapes.

In the summer, cattle spend part of the year on higher-altitude pastures. This form of land management not only shapes the landscape but, when practiced appropriately, can also create a variety of habitats.

At the same time, many farms are under economic pressure. Small farms compete in food markets where low prices are often more important than the conditions under which the food is produced.

For travelers, this offers a very concrete way to support sustainable development: buying regional food where it is produced.

 

Cheese as Part of Regional Value Creation

Hardly any other food is as closely associated with the Allgäu as cheese. Allgäu mountain cheese and other regional cheese specialties reflect a long tradition of dairy production.

What's interesting here is not so much the product itself as the entire value chain behind it. Cows graze on grass from local pastures, the milk is processed at local dairies, and the finished cheese is sold at farm stands, stores, and restaurants.

The more of these steps that take place within the region, the greater the share of value added that remains locally.

This is a crucial factor for sustainable tourism. Through their purchasing decisions, guests can support agriculture, the food industry, and jobs all at once.

Visiting a small village cheese dairy or buying cheese directly from a farm is therefore not just a culinary experience. It also helps people understand how closely the landscape and food production are linked.

 

Hiking with Consideration

The Allgäu region offers a vast network of hiking trails. The Allgäu High Alps around Oberstdorf are particularly well-known. But there are also numerous options for less challenging hikes in the Alpine foothills.

However, as visitor numbers rise, so does the responsibility of visitors. Wild animals need places to retreat, farmland is a working area, and grazing animals should not be disturbed.

Staying on marked trails, keeping dogs on a leash in sensitive areas, and crossing pastures with respect are simple rules that can make a big difference.

Especially in heavily visited regions, it is not only the number of people that determines the impact on nature, but also their behavior.

 

Places to Stay – From Farmstays to Small Hotels

The Allgäu offers a wide range of accommodations. In addition to hotels and guesthouses, farm stays have traditionally played an important role.

This type of travel can offer a unique insight into the region. Guests get to see where food is produced and how much work goes into maintaining the landscape. At the same time, tourism provides an additional source of income for farms.

Many hotels and inns are also increasingly turning to regional products, renewable energy, and resource-efficient approaches.

However, it remains crucial not to define sustainability solely in terms of individual measures. A business that sources food from the region, employs local staff, and makes effective use of existing buildings can contribute to sustainable development just as much as a state-of-the-art hotel.

 

Sustainability Factor – The Landscape Needs Economic Prospects

The Allgäu region clearly demonstrates that nature conservation and agriculture cannot be viewed in isolation. Many of the landscapes that visitors appreciate today have been shaped by centuries of agricultural management.

At the same time, this does not mean that every traditional land-use practice is automatically sustainable. Intensive agriculture can put a strain on soils, water bodies, and biodiversity. The challenge is to make food production economically viable while protecting natural resources.

Tourism can be part of the solution if there is a conscious demand for regional products and services.

When you stay at a family-run business, buy cheese from a local dairy, travel by bus and train, and respect sensitive natural areas, you ensure that a larger portion of your vacation directly benefits the region.

 

Conclusio

The Allgäu region illustrates particularly well that a beautiful landscape does not simply exist on its own. It arises from the interplay between nature and human activity.

Mountains, bogs, lakes, meadows, and alpine pastures form a diverse mosaic. Agriculture, nature conservation, and tourism together determine what this mosaic will look like in the future.

For travelers, the region therefore offers more than just breathtaking views. It provides a glimpse behind the scenes of a landscape that serves as a habitat, a workplace, a production area, and a vacation destination all at once.

Perhaps that is precisely one of the most important lessons of sustainable travel: If you want to preserve a landscape, you should not only admire its beauty, but also support the people and institutions that ensure it remains vibrant.

 

For more information: https://www.allgaeu.de/

 

Next Episode: Eifel National Park – How wilderness is being restored on former commercial forests and military lands.

Autumnal Cabbage Strudel with Potatoes and Mushrooms

Autumnal Cabbage Strudel with Potatoes and Mushrooms

in

As the days grow shorter, it’s time in Austria for cabbage, potatoes, apples, pumpkin, and mushrooms. Many of these foods now come directly from local harvests, proving that seasonal cuisine doesn’t have to be complicated or boring.

Our autumn cabbage strudel combines three classics of Austrian cuisine: white cabbage, potatoes, and mushrooms. It’s a simple dish with just a few ingredients that’s also a great way to use up leftover boiled potatoes.

 

Ingredients for 4 people

1 package of strudel dough

500 g white cabbage

400 g potatoes, boiled

250 g mushrooms, preferably porcini mushrooms

1 onion

2 garlic cloves

2 tablespoons canola oil or butter

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

1 teaspoon marjoram

Salt

Pepper

some butter or oil for brushing

Optional: 100 g of tangy mountain cheese

 

Here's how to make strudel

Finely chop or slice the white cabbage. Finely chop the onion and garlic, clean the mushrooms, and slice them.

Heat oil or butter in a large skillet and sauté the onion until translucent. Add the mushrooms and sauté them vigorously. Then add the cabbage and sauté for a few minutes.

Season with caraway, marjoram, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking over medium heat until the cabbage is tender but still has a little bite.

Cut the cooked potatoes into small pieces or mash them coarsely, then stir them into the cabbage and mushroom mixture. If you'd like a richer flavor, you can mix in some grated mountain cheese at this point.

Then let the filling cool slightly.

Spread the strudel dough on a sheet of parchment paper and spread the filling over it, leaving a few centimeters free around the edges. Fold in the sides, carefully roll up the strudel, and brush it with a little melted butter or oil.

Bake at 190 °C with top and bottom heat for about 30 to 35 minutes, until the strudel is golden brown and crispy.

 

A quick apple-horseradish dip goes well with this

Finely grate 1 tart apple and mix it with 200 g sour cream or plain yogurt. Add 1 to 2 tsp of freshly grated horseradish, depending on your taste, and season to taste with a little lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

 

Why This Dish Is Perfect Right Now

Herbs are in season in the fall and can be stored for months. Locally grown potatoes are also plentiful right now. Apples are fresh from the regional harvest, and cultivated mushrooms are produced year-round in Austria.

That’s why those who cook with seasonal ingredients don’t have to go without much in the fall. On the contrary: right now, the selection of local foods is especially wide.

And perhaps that is precisely the simplest form of sustainable eating: not constantly searching for new products, but cooking more often with what’s growing right on our doorstep.

More than half of the EU's electricity comes from renewable sources—solar energy takes the lead

More than half of the EU's electricity comes from renewable sources—solar energy takes the lead

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New figures from Eurostat show that in the second quarter of 2026, their share of electricity generation stood at 54.1 percent.

Particularly noteworthy, however, is a shift within the renewable energy sector. In the second quarter of 2026, solar energy became by far the most important renewable source of electricity in the EU for the first time.

 

The Sun Takes the Lead

Between April and June, 41.6 percent of the electricity generated from renewable sources came from solar energy. During the same period last year, that figure was 37.0 percent.

Solar energy thus ranked well ahead of wind power, at 27.7 percent, and hydropower, at 22.6 percent. Renewable fuels accounted for an additional 7.7 percent, while geothermal energy and other renewable energy sources accounted for 0.4 percent.

The figures show how rapidly the structure of European electricity generation is changing. Photovoltaics is evolving from a complementary technology into a cornerstone of the European energy system.

 

More than half of the electricity generated comes from renewable sources

In total, 54.1 percent of the electricity generated in the European Union in the second quarter of 2026 came from renewable sources.

However, a comparison with the previous year also shows that this expansion does not automatically lead to a higher share every year. In the second quarter of 2025, the share was actually slightly higher, at 54.3 percent.

One reason for this is that electricity generation from wind and hydro power is more dependent on prevailing weather conditions. However, the massive expansion of solar energy is increasingly changing the balance among the various renewable energy sources.

 

Europe remains very diverse

The differences become particularly clear when looking at the individual member states.

In the second quarter of 2026, Latvia achieved a 97.7 percent share of renewable energy in its electricity generation. In Denmark, the figure was 94.3 percent, and in Croatia, 92.2 percent.

At the other end of the spectrum were Slovakia at 19.8 percent, the Czech Republic at 20.9 percent, and Malta at 24.5 percent.

While the energy transition is taking place across Europe, it is proceeding at very different paces and using different technologies.

 

Facts & Figures

In the second quarter of 2026, 54.1 percent of the electricity generated in the EU came from renewable energy sources.

41.6 percent of renewable electricity was generated by solar energy.

Wind power accounted for 27.7 percent.

22.6 percent came from hydropower.

The share of solar energy in renewable electricity rose from 37.0 to 41.6 percent within a year.

Latvia achieved the highest share of renewable energy in electricity generation within the EU, at 97.7 percent.

 

The next challenge begins in the power grid

The success of solar energy also brings new challenges. Solar power systems generate a particularly large amount of electricity around noon and during the summer. However, electricity is needed around the clock.

As the share of solar and wind energy increases, power grids, storage systems, flexible consumers, and improved cross-border energy exchange will therefore become increasingly important.

The key question regarding the European energy transition is therefore increasingly no longer just how much renewable energy we can produce.

The key is how intelligently we can store and distribute it, and make it available exactly when it's needed.

In any case, the latest figures show a trend that seemed far off just a few years ago: More than half of Europe’s electricity can already come from renewable sources—and solar energy is playing an increasingly important role in this.

 

More information: Official Eurostat analysis of the figures

Europe's nature can recover – how we can reclaim lost habitats

Europe's nature can recover – how we can reclaim lost habitats

in
We often talk about how much nature we lose every year. Forests are under pressure, soils are losing their fertility, rivers are being regulated, and more and more animal and plant species are losing their habitats. But another question is becoming increasingly important: How much of it can we get back?

Restoring damaged ecosystems is becoming a central task of European nature and climate protection. It's no longer just about planting new trees; it's about making entire landscapes functional again.

 

Restoring nature instead of just protecting it

A healthy forest stores carbon, regulates the water cycle, protects soils, and provides a habitat for countless species. When this natural interplay is disrupted, several of these functions are often lost simultaneously.

Restoration begins precisely here. Damaged forests are ecologically enhanced, bogs are rewetted, rivers are given more space, and agricultural landscapes are supplemented with natural structures.

What's particularly interesting is that major technical interventions aren't always necessary. Sometimes it's enough to simply allow natural processes to resume and give nature sufficient time and space to regenerate.

 

A new UN report reveals the enormous potential

The Forest Report 2026, published on September 28 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is dedicated to precisely this development.

The situation is serious: Worldwide, approximately 1.56 billion hectares of land are considered degraded, including about 460 million hectares of forest. Since 1990, an estimated 489 million hectares of forest have been lost due to deforestation.

At the same time, the report uses 18 international case studies to show that the restoration of forests and landscapes can combine ecological, social and economic benefits.

What is crucial is not just the number of newly planted trees, but whether stable, resilient ecosystems develop again in the long term.

 

Europe has set itself a concrete goal.

The restoration of nature is also gaining importance within the European Union.

The European restoration regulation aims to initiate appropriate measures on at least 20 percent of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030. By 2050, all ecosystems requiring restoration are to be identified.

An important milestone was reached at the beginning of September 2026: Member States had to submit their draft national recovery plans to the European Commission.

The planned measures include, among other things:

The ecological improvement of damaged forests.

The rewetting of drained peatlands.

The renaturalization of rivers and floodplains.

The restoration of natural habitats in agricultural landscapes.

More green spaces and resilient ecosystems in cities.

Another European goal is to restore at least 25,000 kilometers of rivers to a free-flowing state by 2030.

 

Facts & Figures

The state of Europe's natural environment underscores the urgent need for action. According to the European Commission, 81 percent of assessed habitats are in poor or inadequate condition.

At the same time, EU economic calculations show that investments in nature restoration can pay off many times over: For every euro invested, a social and economic benefit of approximately 4 to 38 euros is expected.

These include, among other things, improved flood protection, healthier soils, greater resilience to climate change and the preservation of important ecosystem services.

 

An investment in our shared future

Restoring nature is not a short-term repair measure. A damaged forest often needs decades to regain its original functions. Similarly, renaturalized rivers, bogs, and other habitats require time, suitable conditions, and long-term management.

But therein lies a great opportunity: We do not have to accept that nature, once lost, remains lost forever.

The new UN report makes it clear that knowledge, technologies, and successful examples already exist. The crucial task will be to develop long-term and large-scale measures based on this knowledge.

Protecting nature means preventing further damage. Restoring it means giving back a piece of our quality of life to the future.

Europe's oceans are changing dramatically

Europe's oceans are changing dramatically

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While heat waves are immediately noticeable on land, a development is taking place beneath the water's surface that receives far less attention. Europe's seas are warming increasingly. Marine heat waves are changing the living conditions for fish, corals, seagrass meadows, and numerous other marine organisms.

The Mediterranean Sea is particularly affected. But rising water temperatures are also leaving their mark on the North Atlantic and European coastal waters. The consequences extend far beyond individual animal species: entire food chains, fish stocks, and sensitive marine habitats are coming under pressure.

 

The hottest summer since satellite records began

Recent analyses show that Europe's seas experienced their hottest summer in 2026 since satellite records began in 1982.

The trend in the Bay of Biscay is particularly striking. By the end of August, 186 days of marine heatwaves had already been recorded there. The Mediterranean Sea was also affected by exceptionally high temperatures for months.

As early as the end of June, the European Earth observation service Copernicus had recorded temperature deviations of up to 6 °C in the western Mediterranean compared to the long-term average. Sea areas off southern France and along the west coast of Italy were particularly affected.

 

When underwater forests disappear

The warming has far-reaching ecological consequences. Off the coast of northern Spain, around 95% of the original kelp forests have already disappeared in some areas.

These fascinating underwater forests provide food, shelter, and vital habitats for numerous marine animals. Their loss affects entire communities, including lobsters, crabs, and sea urchins.

At the same time, the distribution areas of various fish species are changing. While warm-water species are penetrating new regions, others are increasingly losing their traditional habitat.

 

A sea with ever less oxygen

Rising temperatures not only change habitats, but also the physical and chemical properties of water.

Warmer seawater can hold less dissolved oxygen. At the same time, the oxygen demand of many marine organisms increases. This becomes particularly problematic in coastal areas where additional nutrient inputs are already straining the ecological balance.

Marine heat waves can also promote the growth of certain algae and permanently alter sensitive ecosystems.

 

Facts & Figures: Europe's Seas in Transition

2026: Hottest summer in Europe's seas since satellite records began in 1982.

186 days of marine heatwaves in the Bay of Biscay until the end of August 2026.

Up to 6 °C above the long-term average in the western Mediterranean at the end of June 2026.

Around 95% loss of kelp forests in some regions of northern Spain.

More than 1,000 non-native species have already been recorded in the Mediterranean.

 

These changes also affect us humans.

What happens underwater inevitably impacts life on land. Changes in fish stocks affect fishing, rising water temperatures can promote the spread of certain pathogens, and warmer ocean surfaces release additional energy and moisture into the atmosphere.

The European Environment Agency expects marine heatwaves in European seas to increase further in frequency, duration and intensity in the future.

This development makes it clear: Climate change is not only altering landscapes, forests, and glaciers. Europe's natural environment is also undergoing profound change beneath the water's surface – with consequences whose full extent is not yet foreseeable.