Here, Alexandra reviews Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer Who is the author? Robin Wall Kimmerer is an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi nation (a federally recognized tribe of Potawatomi people located in Oklahoma), the founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the State University of…
Curious Earth talks to Helene Schulze, co-director of London Freedom Seed Bank and a Southeast England Coordinator for the Seed Sovereignty Programme of the UK and Ireland about the practice of saving open pollinated seeds and why it is vital for food security, biodiversity and resilience against climate change. What does seed saving mean to you? Seed saving is about stewardship. It’s…
What’s Going On Here? On Monday October 12, the UK Government voted with a majority of 53 to strip amendment 16 from the Agriculture Bill, which would have safeguarded food standards in trade deals. What Does This Mean? The Agriculture Bill sets out a roadmap for farming after Brexit. It includes the government’s plan to reward farmers for doing “public good” such…
What’s Going On Here? Concrete – which has been called the most destructive material on Earth – is getting a green makeover… What Does This Mean? Concrete companies around the world are working to create a lower emission material that will be less harmful to the planet. Pioneering experiments include injecting carbon dioxide into the concrete to lock it in and keep the greenhouse gas out…
What’s Going On Here? As lockdown eases and the weather gets warmer, thousands of Brits have been enjoying the great outdoors (hilarious tan-lines ahoy!) – but at what cost to nature? What Does This Mean? Crowds of people have been gathering in public spaces since lockdown measures were eased across the UK. But the loosening of restrictions has meant that large parts…
What’s Going On Here? High profile supporters and practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as TCM, have said its future is untenable if it continues to rely on the trade of endangered animals, which has been pointed to as a likely source of Covid-19. What Does This Mean? TCM is an ancient system of health and wellness that’s been used in…
What’s Going On Here? The COVID-19 lockdown has provided scientists with a once in a life-time opportunity to examine the impacts of a quieter ocean on marine life. What Does This Mean? We know that wildlife in cities has benefited from less traffic, cleaner air and less people on the streets, but a steep reduction in sea traffic is also good news…
What’s Going On Here? The Covid-19 crisis has cost the aviation industry $880 billion worldwide. But as governments scramble to bailout airlines, environmental campaigners are asking for strict conditions on the industry’s future climate impact before taxpayer’s money is handed out. What Does This Mean? Aviation has all but ceased in many countries (follow this dramatic decline in air traffic is being…
What’s Going On Here? As International Women’s Day is marked this month, women are being celebrated for the incredible impact they have had in the fight against climate chaos. But attention has also been drawn to the fact that women are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. What Does This Mean? International Women’s Day (March 8th) is a time to…