As we have already noted, WWF produced its Living Planet Index last week. The summary report ends: “The facts and figures in the Living Planet Report tend to paint a challenging picture, yet there is still plenty of room for optimism. If we manage to undergo the critical transitions necessary, the reward will be immense. Fortunately, we…
WWF has launched its Living Planet Report for 2016. This global report is produced every two years, and is a comprehensive study of trends in species populations and the health of the planet. It aims to support governments, communities, businesses and organisations to make informed decisions on using and protecting the Earth’s resources. The report reveals that,…
The IES 2016 Burntwood Lecture is to be given by Baroness Parminter. Her title is: Separation anxiety: The challenges for the environment from Brexit The organisers say that this lecture series provides an opportunity for an eminent speaker to talk on a current, critical and often controversial environmental theme to an invited audience from the professions, universities and government. In this…
The Guardian reports a new YouGov survey commissioned by Groundwork which reveals the stark fact that 30% of 16- to 24-year-olds from lower income families say they never visit a local park – more than double the number from higher income families. The importance of green spaces to young people’s social and physical development is well understood.…
Has hope become the most endangered species in conservation? Adding: As wildlife continues to decline around the world, conservation has become a bleak calling. Can a new Optimism Summit help reframe the mission to save life on Earth? Jeremy Hance begins his article with this: “Want to hear a sad story? You could read this article of…
Yes! Magazine has a feature by Jill Suttie on How to raise an environmentalist. It says that: “Encouraging children to form an emotional attachment to nature may be key to protecting our planet’s future”, and we know that this is a popular sentiment. But this is a more thoughtful piece than you often find about…
Inspiring stuff from C&NN on Nature Clubs. C&NN says: “Over the past decade, C&NN has pioneered grassroots initiatives to connect diverse families to each other and the natural world through outdoor exploration and free play in nature. Because we believe that Family Nature Clubs (FNC) help to provide a critical base of engagement in the outdoors for…
Here are more updates from Natural England Harmony and connection: human connectedness through social design E Pak – 2016 From a design perspective, this research will show that it is possible to re-create connection through social design, by influencing perception through nature, as an alternative to a state of social disconnection. Nature Teaches Us…
If you’re an oak tree, of course, every day is Oak Day, and you spend it just trying to get along with the rest of the near-biosphere whilst fighting off predators and pests of all kinds; some centuries old; some novel. We humans, however, have to make do with one day in the year. In 2016,…
Did you celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day this year? Maybe you’re outside everyday and so didn’t need to bother to make September 30th special. We hope so! The C&NN says that Outdoor Classroom Day is a global campaign to celebrate and inspire learning and play outside the classroom. It builds on the UK’s Empty Classroom Day, and the…
Think Global’s conference is on 13th October this year – today. Its focus is: How do we create a new generation willing to learn and act to make the world more just and sustainable? Faaria Ahmad, who is organising this event, says: “Despite massive challenges facing the world, there are many ripples of positive change happening across…
Climate Action has announced that 6 billion plastic bags have been saved since the 5p plastic bag charge was introduced. It says that the number of plastic bags given to customers in England’s seven main supermarkets has fallen from 7.6 billion in 2014 to less than 600 million this year so far. Despite this, more than £29…