08 Aug 2018

This essay has prompted a viral response in the media and among scientists. You can see the article here  web link to the essay Here Phil Williamson describes the key points and the response to date. “The Hothouse Earth scenario explored by Will Steffen and his co-authors others remains uncertain: it is not covered in most […]

08 Aug 2018

IMECH Policy: This summer has presented the UK with the hottest and driest summer since 1976, a year well remembered for melting tarmac and long, hot summer’s days. The UK experienced average temperatures in June of 19.9ºC, the same as in 1976. When this is combined with June being one of the top five driest […]

08 Aug 2018

Three articles Ofwat fines Thames over leakage, United Utilities cancel their hosepipe ban and Yorkshire focus on leakage detection to meet future demand. The heatwave and drought has drawn the spotlight of publicity and attention on the water companies.   Ofwat confirms £120m package of payments and penalties for Thames Water following leakage failures Following consultation, […]

08 Aug 2018

Forty-year study shows loss of invertebrates, with repercussions for larger animals Guardian Steven Morris: ‘One of the longest-running studies of streams in the world – the minute study of 14 brooks that tumble through a remote Welsh mountain landscape – has exposed a troubling loss of riverine wildlife. Ecologists working on the Llyn Brianne Observatory project in […]

07 Aug 2018

Cormier, R., Elliott, M., and Kannen, A. 2018. IEC/ISO Bow-tie analysis of marine legislation: A case study of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. ICES Cooperative Research Report No. 342. 56 pp. Foreword: ICES Working Group on Marine Planning and Coastal Zone Management (WGMPCZM) terms of reference are based on a long history of work and […]

07 Aug 2018

The fortunes of seabirds around the UK at present are prompting different coverage. In two articles the worrying nature of sea bird populations off Shetland is highlighted whilst Defra announced new protection for Yorkshire’s seabird colonies. Changes to water temperature, plankton and sand eel populations are having very significant effects on different seabird colonies.   […]

07 Aug 2018

Guardian Robin McKie ‘Wildlife in most of the lawless high seas faces an existential threat from fishing, shipping and the military. Next month, a landmark UN conference could finally bring hope. “Outside national waters, in the high seas, it is essentially a no man’s land when it comes to protecting sensitive environments and their inhabitants,” […]