23 Apr 2018

BBC A pod of killer whales – including at least one calf – has been spotted in the River Clyde. The mammals, which have been dubbed “urban Orcas” by one expert, have been filmed near Gourock and Dunoon. David Nairn, of Clyde Porpoise marine mammal project, told the BBC Scotland website that they are regularly […]

17 Apr 2018

Mr Gove also made announcements on the introduction of an Environment protection Act Michael Gove responds to the EAC – watch the video The Environmental Audit Committee hears from the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, particularly on questions of oversight, governance, milestones and implementation. This session builds on what the […]

17 Apr 2018

A new report assessing how the environment will fare post-Brexit has found weaker environmental protections than already exist under EU law, with water one of the major areas of concern. This report has been written by Professor Charlotte Burns, University of Sheffield (lead author), Dr Viviane Gravey, Queen’s University Belfast and Professor Andrew Jordan, Tyndall […]

17 Apr 2018

Thanks to Richard Ashley  EA Chair calls for courts to make fines for water pollution proportionate to companies’ turnover The Chair of the Environment Agency Emma Howard Boyd has called for courts to make fines for water pollution incidents proportionate to the companies’ turnover, saying that the water companies are responsible for “at least one serious pollution […]

17 Apr 2018

Thanks to: Nathan Richardson & Fiona Bowles Nathan Richardson, Senior Water Policy Officer RSPB: “In headline terms the National Environment Programme (WINEP3) looks like a strong programme. We are pleased to see continued investment by the water sector to meet WFD 2027 getting to good status deadline alongside action to avoid deterioration in status. Indeed, […]

17 Apr 2018

Thanks to Fiona Bowles: There is the new Natural England report on generating more integrated biodiversity objectives which includes open freshwater habitats. It has some interesting facts about freshwater habitats, including 70% of river length is headwater stream and that 895 invertebrate species may be associated with running water, and identifies desirable management to restore naturalness […]

16 Apr 2018

The Commonwealth meeting in London is generating a number of important agreements and initiatives. Spearheaded by the Prime Minister and the environment ministers this is a major push to invigorate and restore links with our former partners. Three items: 1.  Commonwealth unites to end scourge of plastic Countries from across the Commonwealth have today pledged […]