Author page: Toria Bunney

Small-scale family farms necessary for sustainable future

What’s Going On Here? The conservation of small-scale farming and the transition away from extensive industrial farming methods is key for a sustainable future. This twofold strategy is fundamental for the health of the planet, as highlighted this week by Prince Charles.  What Does This Mean? Since the 1990s small, family run farms in the UK have been in decline, priced out…

Our voices must be recognised!

What’s Going On Here? In a week where violence towards women has made headlines, Curious Earth looks at gender inequality in the environmental movement, and why women need to be included in decision making. What Does This Mean? Women are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts in comparison to their male counterparts. Yet, despite continued efforts of women in the environmental movement,…

Blue whales return to South Georgia

What’s Going On Here? The critically endangered blue whales have made a return to the island of South Georgia off Antarctica nearly 100 years since it was brought to the edge of extinction from commercial whaling. What Does This Mean? Between 1998 and 2018 only one sighting of a blue whale had been made in the South Georgia area. But in February…

US Election: Biden’s Climate Pledge

What’s Going On Here? If successful at next week’s US presidential election, the Democratic candidate Joe Biden plans to implement an extensive climate policy that would reverse the Trump Administration’s years of environmental roll backs. What Does This Mean? The $2 trillion dollar plan aims to significantly increase the use of clean energy in transportation, electricity and building sectors, initiating a major…

Environmentalists call on top banks to stop funding industrial-sized agriculture.

What’s Going On Here? A letter addressed to the International Monetary Fund (the IMF) and other top global financiers, signed by over 100 eco-activists including Jane Goodall and Joanna Lumley, is calling for a halt in investments to industrial-sized agricultural businesses. What Does This Mean? Farming is a major contributing factor to biodiversity loss, climate change and species extinction. Compassion in World Farming who coordinated the…

Buzzing about B-lines: UK wildflower scheme launched to boost insect populations

What’s Going On Here? This Monday, 20th July 2020, will see UK conservation charity Buglife launch a new network of insect corridors across the UK, through their wildflower scheme in partnership with Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). What Does This Mean? The network, consisting of a series of pathways linking existing and potential wildflower corridors, will enable insects to move more…

What is this article a-boat anyway? World Oceans Day

What’s Going On Here? On Monday 8th June we celebrated World Oceans Day – established in 1922 to help protect our blue planet. This year, the global movement is calling on world leaders to protect 30% of oceans by 2030. Let-Minnow Some More… This initiative called 30×30 is designed to help safeguard at least 30% of our oceans through a network of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) that…

Sales of vegetable seeds ‘rocket’ as the UK digs for victory

What’s Going On Here? Sales of vegetable seeds have shot up during the coronavirus outbreak as people take up home gardening during the lockdown. Last weekend seed sellers across the country were overwhelmed, claiming three weeks’ worth of seeds were purchased in just one day! What Does This Mean? Perhaps this enforced self-isolation has a few silver linings, as individuals begin to cultivate…