Author page: Sara De Giorgio

Back into the wild! Scottish wildcats to be bred in captivity as the population nears extinction

Scottish wildcat crouching in front of a brick wall

What’s going on here? The Scottish wildcat is close to extinction. Most wildcats in the UK are now hybrids: the result of breeding with feral and domestic cats. This summer, the first captive-bred individuals are due to be released into the Scottish highlands. What does this mean? NatureScot, a public body of the Scottish Government, has released the results of a five-year…

The latest art gallery protests: extreme or justified?

What’s Going On Here? Climate activists have been gluing themselves to world-famous paintings to protest the burning of fossil fuels during a climate crisis. The latest event occurred over the weekend in Madrid’s Prado museum. What Does It Mean? Two climate activists glued their hands to Goya’s “La Maja Vestida” and “La Maja Desnuda”. They also spray-painted “+1.5 C” on the gallery…

Big news ‘bout beavers!

Beaver on a dam

What’s going on here? On the 1st of October, the Eurasian beaver was officially recognised as a native and protected species. This means any action which harms the animal or disturbs its habitat is now illegal in England. What does this mean? This is an incredibly important development which recognizes the contribution of beavers to fighting both the climate and biodiversity crises.…

Patagonia boss: a billionaire no-more!

What’s going on here? Yvon Chouinard is an 83-year-old mountain climber who founded Patagonia: the outdoor clothing brand which eventually took him to billionaire status. Last week, Chouinard donated the company to fight the climate crisis. What does this mean? Patagonia remains in control by the Chouinard family via The Patagonia Purpose Trust, but it only holds 2% of the total stock.…

Scallop discos! The new sustainable alternative to dredging

Scallop on sea bed

What’s going on here? Trials for a new fishing technology are taking place that use light instead of fish bait. The method attracts scallops as well, meaning this could be a promising alternative to dredging. What does this mean? Scientists from Fishtek Marine have been working alongside fishermen trialling the use of LED lights in pots to catch crabs and lobsters. Surprisingly,…