Earlier this month the Scottish government announced they were considering an annual LIDAR scan of all Scotland’s forests. The project would allow high-level and up-to-date monitoring of forest cover, giving insights into biodiversity and progress on climate targets. Large scale monitoring like this takes place all over the world, and is vital if we want to protect species and ecosystems for generations…
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…
What’s going on here? These are the words of Pascal Canfin, of the European Parliament (environment committee) which has recently passed a law banning the importation of goods that are linked to deforestation. This approach aims to prevent products entering the European market which are produced at the expense of natural forests and habitats. What does this mean? The new rules will…
Without bees pollinating our crops, we would be hard-pressed to grow much of anything without costly and time-intensive intervention. The relationship between bees and plants is a win-win. The plant provides the pollinator with nectar and pollen for food, and the pollinator transfers genetic material for the plant that allows it to reproduce. This makes another crucial bee fact particularly concerning: The…
What’s going on here? A new study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that rewilding could have a bigger impact on climate change than previously thought. The study shows that protecting wild animals can act as a natural method for carbon capture and storage (CCS). What does this mean? The research shows that animals like whales, wolves, and sea otters can play…
From returning a lost temperate rainforest to the North-West of England, to the rewilding of a secret garden, to practical yet inspiring tips and recommendations for every gardener, this article taps into the knowledge of professional landscaper, Jake Sutcliffe of Farm Lane Landscaping. Jake – always curious about the nature and plants that surround us – has used his homegrown knowledge of…
What’s going on here? Conservation zones are not providing enough protection for over three-quarters of insect species, finds a new study. As a result, 76% of bug species, from butterflies and bees to stick insects and stink bugs, are at greater risk of habitat loss. What does this mean? The study, published in the One Earth journal last week, stresses that while…
It is well documented that our addiction to meat and dairy is harming the planet, emitting nearly 15% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Campaigns like Veganuary encourage us to switch to plant-based diets in order to reduce our impact on the climate. Because of this, veganism is on the rise and many of us, especially in January, are thinking more consciously…
Nestled in the bottom corner of the North Atlantic, circling Bermuda, you’ll find a sea with no coastline. Forming part of the High Seas, the Sargasso Sea is brimming with mystery and magic. Perhaps it’s the proximity to the famed Bermuda Triangle; perhaps it’s that few seem to have heard of the sea, despite its importance. Or perhaps it’s what bobs on…
