As the sun began to set, the birds chirped their last songs of the day. The gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, creating a soft lullaby. The scent of freshly bloomed flowers filled the air, attracting buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies. A family of deer emerged from the nearby forest, grazing on the lush green grass. A group of squirrels chattered and chased each other up a nearby tree. The peaceful ambiance was interrupted only by the distant sound of a waterfall. Nature's symphony played on as the sky turned a shade of pink and orange, signaling the end of another beautiful day.
marine territory.
Some of the most valuable and threatened species and habitats in Europe are protected by Natura 2000. Protected sites contain breeding and resting places for rare and threatened species, while some rare habitats are designated as sites in themselves.
wolves
The target of the new EU biodiversity strategy is to increase the protected area to at least 30 % of EU land and 30 % of surrounding seas by 2030. Primary and old-growth forests and other carbon-rich ecosystems, such as peatlands and grasslands, will be the focus of conservation efforts.
© Mateusz Piesiak, REDISCOVER Nature /EEA,
Moreover, the strategy calls for planting at least 3 billion trees by 2030 to support biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. More forests will also be managed to promote biodiversity-friendly practices.
Joining the dots
Developing the Trans-European Nature Network by enlarging protected areas to meet the 30 % target is part of the biodiversity strategy. Many Natura 2000 protected areas are already connected by natural and semi-natural landscapes that provide ecosystem services, such as pollination, soil fertility, flood control and recreation, and are essential for climate change mitigation and disaster risk. The Emerald Network of Areas of Special Interest, to which the EU contributes via Natura 2000, also supports the same efforts. Together, these areas form a green infrastructure network across Europe. Studies suggest that nature is better protected inside this network, which contains a greater area providing the required services and experiencing fewer ecosystem pressures.
However, barriers such as roads, railways, urban areas and agricultural land fragment the landscape, limiting the movement of species and hindering the network’s development. Increasing the connectivity of the network helps ensure that habitat conditions are improved, biodiversity decline is prevented and ecosystem service delivery is boosted.
Free-flowing water
Barriers hinder the health of Europe’s water bodies. There are over 1 million barriers on European rivers, including dams, weirs and sluices. Most are small and obsolete. They contribute greatly to the poor state of nature in our rivers, as many species require rivers to be free-flowing to thrive and currently the movement downstream of sediment is prevented, causing blockages and altering habitats.
The biodiversity strategy aims to restore at least 25 000 km of free-flowing rivers by 2030 by removing barriers, constructing bypasses for migrating fish and re-establishing the flow of sediment. By October 2020, almost 5 000 dam removals had been recorded in Europe, based on data from 11 countries. Restoring floodplains and wetlands is also an important element of this work.
Call of the wild
While the above solutions require intensively managed processes to restore nature, rewilding is a newer, more natural approach. By identifying spaces where natural processes are encouraged, it allows nature to heal so that it can start to manage on its own again. Initiatives such as Rewilding Europe are working to increase Europe’s biodiversity in this way.
Today there are eight large rewilding areas in Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Sweden. These are home to various rewilding projects including the re-establishment of free-roaming populations of European bison in Romania’s Southern Carpathians and the protection of the black and griffon vultures in the Rhodope mountains in Bulgaria.
Europe’s nature overseas
The EU’s outermost regions and overseas countries and territories cover about the same land area as the EU and the world’s largest marine territories.
The EU’s more than 150 overseas islands host more than 20 % of the world’s coral reefs and lagoons and have a very rich biodiversity. However, these island ecosystems are also highly vulnerable to invasive species, human activities and climate change impacts.
The BEST initiative — biodiversity and ecosystem services in territories of European overseas — aims to support the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of ecosystem services in the EU outermost regions and overseas countries and territories. Currently, BEST projects support conservation efforts in EU territories around the world, from the Amazonia and Caribbean regions to the Macaronesia and Polar regions.
Changing human-made systems
The EEA’s landmark assessment of the state of Europe’s environment showed that, in addition to conservation measures, we need to fundamentally change the way we produce and consume food and energy, how we develop and experience the cities we live in and how we move people and goods around.
Agricultural activities and other land management practices exert the greatest pressure on nature, with the abandonment of grasslands having a particularly big impact on pollinators, farmland birds and semi-natural habitats. By increasing organic farming by a quarter, reducing pesticide use by half by 2030 and restoring some agricultural land to high-diversity landscapes, we will help restore biodiversity.
Urban green spaces have been used more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Protection of such spaces is increasing, but grey infrastructure still often dominates as urban populations grow. The biodiversity strategy calls on citizens to develop urban greening plans, and to create and connect urban parks, gardens, meadows and farms, as well as install green roofs and walls, and line streets with trees and hedges to allow biodiversity to return. Plans should also aim to eliminate pesticides and, for example, establish pollinator-friendly areas in cities.
Finally, the European Commission has presented a zero pollution action plan, Towards zero pollution for air, water and soil. Goals include a 50 % reduction in nutrient loss by reducing the run-off of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilisers, while protecting soil fertility. In addition, the farm to fork strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system will also reduce the use of pesticides.
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Surya Kumar
Start writin"Hi, I'm , a freelance content writer with over five years of experience in creating engaging content for blogs, websites, and social media. My areas of expertise include SEO writing, copywriting, and email marketing.
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150 Million Years Ago
150 million years ago, the world looked very different than it does today. The Earth was in the midst of the Jurassic Period, which is known for its iconic dinosaurs and lush vegetation. The supercontinent of Pangaea was still in the process of breaking apart, which would eventually lead to the formation of the modern-day continents.
By Surya Kumar3 years ago in Earth
Myanmar Junta Holds Second Phase of Election Widely Decried as a ‘Sham Exercise’
If you’ve been following Myanmar’s political turmoil, you probably heard the news: the military junta just held the second phase of its general election, and once again, critics are calling it a “sham exercise.” From the United Nations to human rights organizations, almost everyone outside the junta is dismissing this vote as a carefully orchestrated performance rather than a genuine democratic process. Let’s take a closer look at what happened, why it’s being condemned, and what this means for Myanmar’s future. A Military-Run Election in a Nation at War On 11 January 2026, voters in certain parts of Myanmar lined up at polling stations to cast their ballots in the second phase of the election. This phase covered roughly 100 townships across 12 states and regions, part of a three-phase plan that began in December 2025 and will conclude in late January. Sounds orderly enough—but here’s the catch: large areas of Myanmar are still controlled by armed opposition groups or trapped in active conflict zones. In many townships, voting didn’t even happen because it was too dangerous. For millions of citizens, the idea of participating in this election isn’t about choice—it’s about survival. So, while the junta presents this as a return to political normalcy, the reality is much messier. This vote is happening amid ongoing civil war, instability, and widespread human suffering. Who’s on the Ballot? And Who Isn’t One of the biggest issues with this election is who is allowed to run. Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD)—the party that won a landslide in the 2020 election—is banned. Suu Kyi herself remains detained on politically motivated charges. Many smaller opposition parties have also been barred from participating. Rebel groups and youth movements have refused to take part, calling the vote illegitimate. This has left the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) as the clear front-runner. In the first phase of voting in December, the USDP already secured nearly 90 of 102 contested seats, which is a strong indicator that the outcome of the overall election is practically predetermined. In short, this is less an election and more a political tool for the junta to cement power. The Junta’s Playbook For the military, these elections serve multiple purposes: Legitimacy: By holding elections, the junta hopes to claim that it has public support. Control: With opposition parties banned, the military ensures it dominates Parliament. International Image: They want the world to see a functioning democratic process—even if it’s staged. But the global community isn’t buying it. The United Nations, human rights organizations, and most Western governments have condemned the elections as neither free nor fair. Key issues include: Widespread political repression Absence of meaningful opposition Election laws that stifle dissent Unsafe conditions for voters UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews even warned that the elections “cannot and should not be recognized” internationally. Voices from the Ground: Fear, Frustration, and Exclusion For everyday citizens, voting is complicated. Many are intimidated or fear retribution if they don’t comply. Others live in conflict zones or have been displaced, making voting physically impossible. Ethnic groups and youth activists are particularly vocal about rejecting the elections. For them, the vote is a tool to marginalize minority communities and entrench military rule. Meanwhile, ordinary voters express mixed feelings—some participate out of hope for peace, others because they feel they have no choice. The reality? The election process is fragmented, forced, and disconnected from the lives of most Burmese citizens. International Reactions: Mostly Negative Around the world, reaction to Myanmar’s elections has been overwhelmingly critical. The UN, Western governments, and human rights organizations argue that the polls are designed to prop up an authoritarian regime, not reflect the will of the people. Civil society groups in Asia have also condemned the election, urging countries not to recognize the results. The junta’s international supporters, however—countries like China and Russia—may continue diplomatic engagement, making it harder to isolate the regime completely. The key takeaway? While the junta may claim legitimacy, global acceptance is far from guaranteed. Looking Ahead: What Happens Next? The final phase of voting is scheduled for 25 January 2026, and it’s expected to follow the same patterns: military dominance, restricted opposition, and contested legitimacy. If the junta consolidates power through this election, it will likely form a government that appears “elected” on paper but remains authoritarian in practice. Yet the ongoing civil war, international criticism, and domestic opposition suggest that Myanmar’s road to stability is still far away. For observers inside and outside the country, these elections are less about democracy and more about power. The military hopes to create a façade of legitimacy, but the reality on the ground tells a very different story: one of fear, division, and a population yearning for genuine representation.This blog version is more readable, flows naturally, and keeps the key facts intact, while meeting Vocal Media’s style of a narrative, accessible, and conversational article. If you want, I can also add a sidebar timeline showing all three phases of Myanmar’s 2025–26 elections to make it extra engaging for readers. It would fit perfectly for a blog format. Do you want me to do that? Conclusion Myanmar’s second-phase election may look like a step toward democracy on paper, but in reality, it’s a highly controlled, military-managed process with limited participation and credibility. With opposition voices silenced, ongoing conflict, and millions of citizens excluded, the so-called vote is widely regarded as a sham exercise. For the people of Myanmar, the future remains uncertain. While the junta may claim victory, the country’s deep political, social, and ethnic fractures mean that true democracy and stability are still a long way off. This election is a reminder that sometimes, the act of voting alone doesn’t equal democracy—especially when freedom, fairness, and choice are nowhere to be found.
By Muhammad Hassan6 days ago in Earth
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By Muhammad Hassan3 days ago in Earth
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