Multi-tasking plants for phytoremediation and bioenergy source
coppice willow photo courtesy of http://woodlands.co.uk Some metals, such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are micronutrients needed in small amounts by plants, animals and humans alike, for optimum health. Others, such as cadmium (Cd), aluminium (Al) and lead (Pb) are not needed and can be toxic to humans, animals and ecosystems. Thankfully, there are…
UN World Water Day 2013 – Water Cooperation
Recently, I attended a conference on the theme of environmental conservation and sustainability, and during the questions and discussion at the end of the presentations someone stated that ‘soil is the most important thing!’ I thought: no, water has got to be the most important thing, since without water there’s no life – look…
A green future? 3 experts give their views on the future of the world’s forests
To mark International Day of Forests, we brought together three experts in the field to suggest their own thoughts on what lies ahead for forests. Below they offer their hopes, and fears, for these vital ecosystems in the years to come.
Day 2 of the ‘Rachel Carson & Ruth Harrison 50 Years on Conference’
Rachel Carson has sparked the modern day environmental movement with her book Silent Spring published 50 years ago and Ruth Harrison’s book Animal Machines, also written 50 years ago, alerted the public to the undeniable suffering of calves living in veal crates and birds in battery cages. The second and final day of the conference…
First day of the conference celebrating Rachel Carson’s and Ruth Harrison’s books – 50 years on
I’m attending the ‘Rachel Carson & Ruth Harrison 50 years on conference’, which is taking place on 12-13 March 2013, at the Oxford University Biodiversity Institute. These two women whose books changed science certainly deserve the recognition. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962) was a wake-up call for the environment and helped to turn conservation into…
Is ‘more efficient’ food production a threat to animal welfare?
Ahead of the upcoming Biodiversity Institute Conference, Marian Stamp Dawkins, Professor of Animal Behaviour at the University of Oxford, highlights the pioneering work of two women who spoke out about the negative effects on animals of greater efficiency in food production. ‘Greater efficiency’ may for some people be an obvious goal for producing sustainable food…
What is happening in this year’s Climate Week: 4-10 March 2013?
This week is Climate Week (CW), a campaign which started in Great Britain, in March 2011, when the first CW resulted in 3000 events, which were attended by half a million people, making it probably Britain’s biggest ever environmental occasion. This year, 3226 events were registered in the Climate Week web page, ranging from events…
Looking to the trees of the future
Image courtesy of the Future Trees Trust Whilst carrying out research for his latest book, Dr Peter Savill looked to the future of forestry in Britain and the challenges it faces. One of the most immediate problems, widely discussed in the industry and in the media, is that of the recently introduced fungus Chalara fraxinea,…
Schmallenberg – the impact of the virus hitting UK farms
Schmallenberg virus was first reported in in cattle the summer of 2011 near the town in Northern Germany that gives it its name. Since then, the spread of the virus has been rapid. In the UK, it was first reported on 11 farms in January 2012, and has grown month-on-month since then. It is spread…
“Demitarianism” to reduce meat consumption and environmental pressures
In a world where the population is growing, water and nutrient resources are becoming scarse, where meat products includes more than it says in the label, shouldn't we become vegetarians or at least demitarians by cutting the amount of meat we eat by half?