06 Jun 2018
06 Jun 2018
Nature-based solutions for water
We might (or might not) be leaving the EU, but there’s still plenty going on across the Channel. Last week, the MEP Water Group in cooperation with the World Water Assessment Programme of UNESCO, hosted a public session for its 2018 United Nations World Water Development Report on ‘Nature-based solutions for water’ at the European […]
06 Jun 2018
Slight improvement in nitrate levels across Europe
The European Commission has published its latest implementation report on the Nitrate Directive. It shows only a slight improvement in agricultural nitrates pollution. The report concludes that nitrate levels in groundwater and surface freshwaters have “slightly improved” since 2008. Nitrates were still above 50 mg/l at over 13% of monitoring stations 2012-2015, compared to 14% […]
06 Jun 2018
New resources available for green infrastructure and water efficiency
Two new resources are available or in development that can support the promotion of green infrastructure and water efficiency. The Green Infrastructure Resource Library (GIRL) is a pdf and searchable database of 1,000 (exactly) documents on Green Infrastructure, green spaces, natural capital and related topics. It is freely available here and here. Waterwise are developing an inventory […]
04 Jun 2018
Valuing nature, what do you think?
Last week we provided a link to an article by George Monbiot criticizing using the idea of natural capital to inform conservation measures. The Natural Capital Coalition have issued a response. They state that natural capital proponents share his concern with ‘pricing’ and do not advocate the ‘pricing of nature’. Their core assertion is that […]
04 Jun 2018
Swansea bay tidal lagoon project
The Financial times has reported that plans for a tidal power lagoon in Swansea Bay are about to be rejected by government. The £1.3bn renewable energy project would involve building a six-mile horseshoe-shaped seawall with underwater turbines generating energy on the outgoing tide. The company hoped that it would be the first of a series […]
04 Jun 2018
Shetland seabird crash
Sumburgh Head lies at the southern tip of mainland Shetland. This dramatic 100-metre-high rocky spur has a reputation for being one of the biggest and most accessible seabird colonies in Britain. Thousands of puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars gather there every spring to breed. Or at least they used to – for this year Sumburgh […]
04 Jun 2018
Dutch fishermen protest against windfarms
The Dutch government has announced plans to build three more windfarms off the Noord-Holland coast and north of the Wadden Islands, in addition to five new windfarms already agreed upon. A Dutch energy network also has plans for an island of wind turbines on the Dogger bank. Local fishermen claim that 25% of Dutch fishing […]
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