12 Nov 2019

Usual characteristics of normal major floods Horrifying flood warning maps … with severe warnings in place ‘A month’s rain fell in ….’ In this case on saturated ground ‘Record levels’ of flow in the rivers Prolonged rain, high river levels and warnings Some defences work … whilst the problem is pushed further down the catchment […]

12 Nov 2019

A new report shows the majority of England’s regulated businesses are working to protect the environment and support prosperity, although more work is needed to reduce serious pollution incidents and illegal waste activity. Published today, the Environment Agency’s (EA) annual Regulating for People, Environment and Growth (RPEG) report reveals that greenhouse gas emissions from industry have been […]

12 Nov 2019

RE Climate resilient housing! … pinch yourself when you read this … a housing industry body calling for climate resilience having opposed all such measures for the last decade. Including SuDS and regulations which would have seen carbon and energy usage in buildings massively reduced by now. Climate resilience and embracing nature: An ambition for […]

12 Nov 2019

This is an interesting article and it highlights the growing and impressive body of work by Mathew White and his colleagues in Exeter University and beyond. The combination of psychology and economic valuation provides lots of information and data on the value of natural environments not least to our wellbeing.  Bob Earll Benefits of living […]

06 Nov 2019

Neonicotinoids disrupt aquatic food webs and decrease fishery yields Science ‘Cascading effects of pesticide use It is now well known that neonicotinoids negatively affect pollinators. As research has expanded, it has become clear that these globally used insecticides directly affect other ecosystem components, including vertebrates. Yamamuro et al. now show that these compounds are indirectly affecting species […]

06 Nov 2019

£50 million Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme will encourage farmers and landowners to plant more trees and help to tackle climate change. On Monday 4 November 2019, alongside the Forestry Commission, Defra announced the launch of the £50m Woodland Carbon Guarantee (WCaG) to help boost tree-planting rates in the fight against climate change. The WCaG is an incentive […]