The COVID-19 outbreak has stimulated calls for a global wildlife trade ban. Such actions may only partially curb pandemic risk while negatively affecting people who depend on wildlife. More worryingly, they may provide cover for inaction on issues that would make a true difference in preventing future pandemics.Nature Sustainability, Published online: 2021-01-19; doi:10.1038/s41893-020-00676-12021-01-19 DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00676-1
China’s decision to ban the trade and consumption of terrestrial wild animals, while controversial, is a viable response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ban has implications that extend beyond safeguarding human health to also help combat illegal wildlife trade and protect threatened species.Nature Sustainability, Published online: 2021-01-19; doi:10.1038/s41893-020-00677-02021-01-19 DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00677-0
Satellite-based measures of the area irrigated by 79 schemes find a median of only 16% of the proposed area supplied. A quarter deliver over 80% of the proposed area and a fifth are inactive.Nature Sustainability, Published online: 2021-01-18; doi:10.1038/s41893-020-00670-72021-01-18 DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00670-7
Bioenergy from grasses is a key option to mitigate climate change. This study finds that recently abandoned cropland could help meet 11–68% of today’s bioenergy demand.Nature Sustainability, Published online: 2021-01-18; doi:10.1038/s41893-020-00680-52021-01-18 DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00680-5
The demands of sustainable energy supply and clean water production continue to drive membrane development. Here the authors design graphene oxide membranes intercalated with polyaromatic cations that not only exhibit sustained nanofiltration performance under realistic conditions but also are scalable for industrial applications.Nature Sustainability, Published online: 2021-01-18; doi:10.1038/s41893-020-00674-32021-01-18 DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00674-3
Author Correction: Air pollution reduction and climate co-benefits in China’s industriesNature Sustainability, Published online: 2021-01-15; doi:10.1038/s41893-021-00683-w2021-01-15 DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00683-w
Small hydropower plants are increasingly favoured. This study finds that these plants are decreasing river connectivity in Brazil more than larger dams, potentially harming migratory fish, and suggests future dam portfolios that result in less river fragmentation while delivering similar power.Nature Sustainability, Published online: 2021-01-11; doi:10.1038/s41893-020-00665-42021-01-11 DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00665-4
Wise management is critical to sustaining fisheries. This study finds that rebuilding plans, ratification of international agreements and harvest control rules yield strong benefits and that these are cumulative.Nature Sustainability, Published online: 2021-01-11; doi:10.1038/s41893-020-00668-12021-01-11 DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00668-1
Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)
