Evidence library
Research, explainers and solution analysis for understanding change across a living planet.
349 resourcesResistance and recovery are two fundamental components of ecological stability. Resistance measures an ecosystem's ability to withstand disturbance without changing, while recovery refers to…
Urban sprawl—low-density, car-dependent development—significantly increases per capita consumption of land, energy, water, and materials. Compact, mixed-use urban forms can reduce these demands, but implementation…
Legacy pollutants are well-known, persistent toxic substances like lead and DDT that have been regulated for decades but still linger in the environment. Emerging…
Renewable energy curtailment is the deliberate reduction of output from wind, solar, or other renewable generators below their potential, typically to maintain grid stability…
Bioacoustic monitoring is a non-invasive method that uses sound recordings to assess and track biodiversity. By capturing the vocalizations of animals and the overall…
Demand response is a strategy used by electric grid operators to balance supply and demand by encouraging consumers to reduce or shift their electricity…
Direct land-use change occurs when land is converted for a new purpose, such as clearing forest for cropland. Indirect land-use change happens when that…
Carbon budget estimates—the amount of CO₂ that can still be emitted while limiting warming to a given temperature target—vary widely because of differences in…
Nature-based carbon removal (e.g., afforestation, soil carbon) is currently more cost-effective and provides co-benefits but faces permanence risks. Technological methods (e.g., direct air capture)…
High-income countries have larger material footprints because their high levels of consumption, extensive infrastructure, and consumerist lifestyles require vast amounts of raw materials, often…
