The NAEE AGM this year will be by zoom: Saturday November 7th at 1030. All members will get a message in September with details of how to attend. ∫∫∫
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Figures released by UCAS, show more than 21,000 graduates have applied to teacher training programmes since the start of the coronavirus lockdown, a rise of 65% on the last five years. And from mid-June to mid-July, the rate of applications rose by 91% compared with 2019. Most of the growth since lockdown has come from female applicants. The Education Policy Institute forecasts that applications will continue to rise until course deadlines close in September, with an extra 11,000 trainee teachers likely to sign up.
Those with long memories of the ups and downs of teacher recruitment (and retention) know that there’s nothing like a recession (or the likelihood of one) to increase teacher numbers. What a pity that only a small proportion of these eager new recruits will have anything resembling an effective environmental education as part of their training. NAEE is supporting the efforts of Teach the Future to do something about this dire state of affairs. ∫∫∫
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NOAA has a portal that designed to help you access its resources (and those of its partners) in one location. Materials are organised by themes linked to common teaching topics, for example, oceans & coasts, weather & atmosphere, and climate. ∫∫∫
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Climate change Is impacting the spread of invasive animal species according to a report by the Alfred Wegener Institute, the Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bangor University, and the University of Greifswald. This is how it begins:
“Crustaceans dominate the food webs of many costal habitats in our oceans. In addition, as ‘stowaways’ on board of vessels used in global shipping, many crab species have spread far beyond their natural homes. The Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus is a good example of these invasive species: in just a few decades this species, native to the Pacific, has spread to many corners of the globe. By the 1980s, it had made its way to the Atlantic coast of North America, and by the 1990s, had gained a foothold in the coastal waters of Europe. In both North America and Northern Europe, this species is spreading farther and farther north, toward the rapidly warming polar waters. In the ecosystems they invade, these crabs can soon reach such high numbers that native species like the European shore crab Carcinus maenas are impacted or displaced.” ∫∫∫
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Chideock, a Dorset village about three miles from Bridport, had the highest recorded levels of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the country in 2018. The A35 which runs through the village is blamed. A taxi rank outside Sheffield railway station was second highest, although these are not prizes you want to win. Chideock had an annual average level of 97.7 micrograms of NO2 per cubic metre. The annual limit is by the UK’s Air Quality Objective is 40 micrograms set. 4 of the top 10 sites are in London. Friends of the Earth analysed the data which are submitted annually by local authorities. ∫∫∫
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The Kaziranga national park in the Indian state of Assam is home to 2000 one-horned rhinoceros. This is the world’s largest remaining population. At least 12 drowned recently as heavy monsoon rains meant that more than 80% of the park was flooded. The flood waters have killed hundreds of rare animals, more than 200 people and made 9.6 million homeless across northeast India and adjoining countries. Groups of the rhinos have even been seen in village streets as they flee the rising water. ∫∫∫
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Plantlife says thanks to those of us who took part in this year’s Every Flower Counts survey. Thousands surveyed lawns with many taking part for the second time in July. The results will be used to calculate this year’s National Nectar Score (which, Plantlife says, will be especially interesting in view of the spring drought, and the data will underpin its national guidance on how best to manage lawns to maximise flower and nectar production. Over the autumn, Plantlife will be sending out advice on how to increase the number of flowers in lawns. ∫∫∫
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An off-grid hydrogen-powered house is being built by a family near Exeter. It will generate power from solar panels, store it in hydrogen tanks and treat all water and sewage on site. Built to the Passivhaus standard, the house has 72 photovoltaic panels which power an electrolysis plant to produce the hydrogen which is then stored at high pressure. The Times has a diagram showing the layout. ∫∫∫
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A company aims to use old mine shafts as to store renewable energy and is building a demonstration project. Gravitricity says that it can use large weights on cables attached to winches on the surface to help to compensate for the fluctuating flow of electricity from wind farms. When more electricity is being generated than is needed by the grid the weight would be lifted to the top of the mine shaft. When demand is outstripping supply the weight can be lowered, with the movement of the winches producing power. The company says that the cost of its technology would be lower than the use of batteries. ∫∫∫
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A new International Institute for Environment and Development report, Cities: where public health and climate experts must meet, explores lessons from the coronavirus pandemic, focusing in particular on the importance of greater interaction between people working on public health crises in cities and those managing the risks of climate change and disasters. ∫∫∫
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The IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille will tackle the theme of ocean health, and the need for marine conservation and restoration for protecting the blue planet that we all rely on. More detail here. ∫∫∫
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From 1st January 2021, Oryx—The International Journal of Conservation will be a fully open access publication allowing scientists, practitioners, journalists, policy makers and members of the public to freely read, download and share journal content. Fauna & Flora International (FFI) published the first issue of its journal as long ago as 1904, although it was almost half a century before the publication was rebranded and graced with its first oryx logo. ∫∫∫