Conservation needs places where nature is left wild; but only a quarter of coastal countries have no-take Marine Reserves. ‘Marine Protected Areas’ (MPAs) have been used to indicate conservation progress but we found that 94% allow fishing and thus cannot protect all aspects of biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation should focus on Marine Reserves, not MPAs. Highlights […]
The new Labour leader has previously set out his environmental ambitions. They include international leadership on climate change, investment in green energy and protection of ecosystems. Jeremy Corbyn has previously written that “the major electricity, gas, water and railway infrastructures of Britain were built through public investment since the end of WWII and were all […]
Ofwat has potentially opened the door for the price control period for parts of the water sector to be extended from the current five years. According to Utility Week, the regulator has said that for future price reviews, elements of the wholesale value chain, such as sludge treatment, could be given a longer price control […]
A new report from the UK Water Partnership, Droughts and Floods – towards a more holistic approach, has been published, together with an accompanying blog by the leading author Jim Wharfe at http://www.theukwaterpartnership.org/#portfolio-page/blog/1 The UK Water Partnership is now exploring how to take forward the recommendation for a more holistic environmental approach to flooding and drought […]
New research from the New Climate Economy finds that investing in public and low emission transport, building efficiency, and waste management in cities could generate savings with a current value of US$17 trillion by 2050. These low-carbon investments could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.7 Gt CO2e per year by 2030, more than the current annual […]
The Committee on Climate Change’s 2015 Progress Report to Parliament says that, whilst some progress has been made, more action is needed to reduce emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change. It calls for joint working on “ambitious commitments to manage demand for water”, a strategy to address the increasing number of homes […]
This depressing series of events raises lots of questions Bob Earll Fines Do the fines for fishing in MPAs need to be higher since those at present are clearly no deterrent? Perhaps the fines should build cumulatively on particular vessels or owners. One, two, three strikes and you’re out? In any event they cause disproportionate […]
NOC – Guardian ‘Oceanographers claim grainy pictures showing world’s largest animal 250 miles off the coast are first since it was hunted to near-extinction. The great creature surfaced from the murk of a deep-sea canyon, lingered just long enough for observers to grab a few pictures, and then vanished from sight into the fog and […]