Author page: Lizi Greenhill

World Oceans Day 2021

gray fish

What’s going on here?  We know there seems to be a day for everything (today is actually a day to celebrate the Ball Point pen), but we couldn’t let this year’s World Oceans Day on Tuesday wash past us without a look into the deep blue. Listen up policy makers – the evidence base for a thriving ocean is growing quicker than…

Eugh! Water companies released raw sewage into English waterways 400,000 times last year

What’s Going On Here? The English Environment Agency has revealed that water companies discharged raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters more than 400,000 times last year. Untreated human effluent poured into rivers and seas for a total of 3.1 million hours via storm overflow pipes that are only supposed to be used in extreme weather when the pressure is too high…

Is the Green Homes Grant being scrapped?

What’s Going On Here? The £1.5bn Green Homes Grant was announced last year as part of the government’s pledge to “build back better” after the coronavirus crisis. However, there have been recent worrying reports that unspent funding will be lost. What Does This Mean? Back in July last year we explained how you (if you’re a homeowner) could get support from the…

Earth’s Extreme Weather Events, Before & After – in pictures

What’s Going On Here? Nasa has released a new collection of satellite pictures in the stunning ‘Images of Change’ project. The interactive gallery presents before and after shots of areas hit by extreme weather events and natural phenomenon. What Does This Mean? The new images capture impacts from the climate crisis such as flooding, wildfires and droughts in recent years. See the…

Celebrating powerful women in environment and sustainability!

What’s Going On Here? The Woman’s Hour Power List 2020 has been announced this week celebrating women making significant contributions to the health and sustainability of our planet. Hooray! What Does This Mean? Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP, is top of the list of remarkable women who have made protecting our planet their personal priority. Environmental lawyer, Farhana Yamin is second with…

England and Wales tree cover: Uncovered!

What’s Going On Here? Two London boroughs make it into the top 20 list of areas with the most tree cover in England and Wales. What Does This Mean? Tree cover in England and Wales has been mapped and the results might leave you stumped. The trees have been detected using machine learning algorithms applied to high-resolution aerial photographs, terrain maps, and…

Global biodiversity results day wake up call

What’s Going On Here? A decade ago, United Nations members set 20 targets to curb the loss of global biodiversity. The 2020 results are in and the world has failed miserably, with some saplings of success. What Does This Mean? The Global Biodiversity Outlook, published this week by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) found that natural habitats have continued to…

£2billion in UK green home grants

What’s Going On Here? Hundreds of thousands of homeowners will receive vouchers for energy-saving home improvements in England, with the poorest getting up to £10,000. What Does This Mean? A £2bn grant scheme has been announced as part of a wider £3bn “green investment” package announced in the chancellor’s summer statement yesterday.The scheme is a welcome injection of cash into the home retrofit industry,…