Category Archives: Environment

Eight ways to overhaul the UK’s inadequate sewer system

March 29, 2024 by Mike Andrews

William Perry, Cardiff University The recent surge in public scrutiny over untreated sewage in waterways paints a stark picture of the UK’s ageing sewer network. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are a legacy of a bygone era. Victorian combined sewers, designed … Continue reading →

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Oil firms want to drill in four of the UK’s areas of outstanding natural beauty

March 19, 2024 by Mike Andrews

There’s oil under them thar Lincolnshire Wolds. Gill Kennett Tom Rogers, Nottingham Trent University Think of onshore oil fields and images of oil derricks and “nodding donkeys” may spring to mind, perhaps in Texas or the Middle East. So it … Continue reading →

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Wild solitary bees offer a vital pollination service – but their nutritional needs aren’t understood

March 13, 2024 by Mike Andrews

Solitary bees, including this Nomada goodeniana, often feed on nectar from specific flowers – in this case, white hawthorn. HWall/Shutterstock Ellen Baker, University of Oxford As I walk around the supermarket, I pick up vegetables for tomorrow’s dinner, eggs and … Continue reading →

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Restored coral reefs can grow as fast as healthy reefs after just four years – new study

March 11, 2024 by Mike Andrews

Ines Lange, University of Exeter; Tim Lamont, Lancaster University, and Tries Blandine Razak, IPB University The coral reefs of south Sulawesi are some of the most diverse, colourful and vibrant in the world. At least, they used to be, until … Continue reading →

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The world’s business and finance sectors can do much more to reverse deforestation – here’s the data to prove it

March 4, 2024 by Mike Andrews

Rainforest jungle in Borneo, Malaysia, is destroyed to make way for oil palm plantations. Rich Carey/Shutterstock Mary Gagen, Swansea University Big corporations could drive a worldwide shift towards more sustainable supply chains that limit damage caused by deforestation. But progress … Continue reading →

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Migratory animals face mass extinction – but as a conservationist I’m optimistic

February 22, 2024 by Mike Andrews

Dan Challender, University of Oxford The world is facing three planetary crises: biodiversity loss, climate change and environmental pollution. Recognised threats to biodiversity include habitat loss and overexploitation but new analyses suggest that migratory species are faring particularly badly. The … Continue reading →

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Secrets of soil-enriching pulses could transform future of sustainable agriculture

February 19, 2024 by Mike Andrews

Root nodules of legumes such as soybeans help fix nitrogen into the soil. Lidiane Miotto/Shutterstock Sebastian Schornack, University of Cambridge From lentils to chickpeas, and even the humble baked bean, pulses are perhaps best known as an alternative, plant-based source … Continue reading →

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Developers in England will be forced to create habitats for wildlife – here’s how it works

February 16, 2024 by Mike Andrews

Erni / shutterstock Natalie Duffus, University of Oxford and Sophus zu Ermgassen, University of Oxford England’s new environmental policy, biodiversity net gain, went live on February 12. Most new developments – everything from a few houses to large solar farms … Continue reading →

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Trees can make farms more sustainable – here’s how to help farmers plant more

February 9, 2024 by Mike Andrews

Allgord/Shutterstock Dhanapal Govindarajulu, University of Manchester Imagine making one change to a farm field so that as well as producing food, it also generated building materials, fuel and fodder. At the same time, this change would nourish the health of … Continue reading →

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E-bikes are freewheeling through rain and over hills, with huge promise for sustainable transport in rural tourist areas

February 7, 2024 by Mike Andrews

Research has found that hills and rainy weather are not posing barriers for people wanting to explore rural tourist areas using e-bikes. Paddy Morton/Shutterstock Ian Philips, University of Leeds I first rode an e-bike after a day out exploring the … Continue reading →

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