Contaminated Sludge Fertiliser
This will probably not be a surprise to anyone who takes an interest in the environment.
https://www.endsreport.com/article/1889418/water-companies-selling-sludge-fertiliser-containing-banned-forever-chemical-farmers
This planet is dying and we are all acting too slowly. Thoughts, debates & suggestions on how we can act FAST and attempt to save the planet. No business posts or posts unrelated to saving the planet will be accepted and posters will be removed from the loop.
Open Loop 646
Contaminated Sludge Fertiliser
This will probably not be a surprise to anyone who takes an interest in the environment.
https://www.endsreport.com/article/1889418/water-companies-selling-sludge-fertiliser-containing-banned-forever-chemical-farmers
Another habitat to be ruined. (Edited)
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/12/pantanal-waterway-project-would-destroy-paradise-on-earth-scientists-warn-aoe
And they seem to have no idea it could add to planet`s problems!!
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200305-why-your-internet-habits-are-not-as-clean-as-you-think
We all realise these days there`s a Carbon Footprint to our computer and mobile usage;this fairly easy-to-read article puts some figures on it and suggests simple ways to reduce your footprint.
I`ve cut down on the emojis in mobile SMS texts since I discovered they charged for each one separately from the text they are in. I`m sure they up your footprint
Record Lows for Butterfly Count
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/18/butterfly-emergency-declared-as-uk-summer-count-hits-record-low-conservation
I’ve recently upgraded my mobile phone and Apple have at last introduced the long awaited USB-C charging connection (as opposed to their lightning charging connection). This was because of an EU directive. There was hundreds of tons of discarded chargers and leads being dumped into landfill each year and something needed to be done. The USB-C connection has the added bonus of being a universal connector for all phones/tablets etc. the only proviso being , using the correct wattage output plug adaptor for the item being charged. A success story.
A new one on me, but apparently today is Plastic Overshoot Day, the day when annual plastic production exceeds global capacity to manage it.
We don't appear to be able to manage what we already have, so plastic overshoot day should probably be 1st January. https://plasticovershoot.earth/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/sep/03/uk-methane-hotspots-landfills-last-coalmine
16% of SSSIs owned by water companies in good condition
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/31/water-companies-natural-england-sites-special-scientific-interest
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/30/country-diary-a-spectacular-summer-for-ragwort-and-thats-no-bad-thing?CMP=twt_b-gdncountrydiary
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/these-trees-can-actually-walk-through-the-forest/articleshow/112604223.cms
https://theconversation.com/investigation-reveals-global-fisheries-are-in-far-worse-shape-than-we-thought-and-many-have-already-collapsed-237306?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=bylinetwitterbutton
The Climate Change Committee’s assessment is that only a third of the emissions reductions required to achieve the country’s 2030 target are currently covered by credible plans. Our 2030 target is the first one set in line with a Net Zero trajectory.
You have probably already heard this. However, I have come across the annual report from the Climate Change Committee which has more detail.
https://www.theccc.org.uk/2024/07/18/uk-off-track-for-net-zero-say-countrys-climate-advisors/
The Committee’s ten recommendations are:
Make electricity cheaper. Removing policy costs from electricity prices will support industrial electrification and ensure the lower running costs of heat pumps compared to fossil-fuel boilers are reflected in household bills.
Reverse recent policy rollbacks. Remove the exemption of 20% of households from the 2035 fossil-fuel boiler installation phase-out, address the gap left by removing obligations on landlords to improve the energy efficiency of rented homes and reinstate the 2030 phase-out of new fossil-fuel car and van sales. The damage of these rollbacks can be limited by quickly reinstating these policies.
Remove planning barriers for heat pumps, electric vehicle charge points and onshore wind.
Introduce a comprehensive programme for decarbonisation of public sector buildings.
Effectively design and implement the upcoming renewable energy CfD auctions. Ensure funding and auction design for the Sixth and Seventh Allocation Rounds are appropriate to deliver at least 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030.
Accelerate electrification of industrial heat. Strengthen the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to ensure that its price is sufficient to incentivise decarbonisation and that support is available for a rapid transition to electric heat across much of industry.
Ramp up tree planting and peatland restoration. Tree planting must be scaled up in the 2020s for abatement to be sufficient for later carbon budgets and Net Zero. There must be no more delays to addressing the barriers to delivery.
Finalise business models for large-scale deployment of engineered removals.
Finalise and open to the market the business models for engineered removals.
Publish a strategy to support skills. Support workers in sectors which need to grow or transition and in communities that may be adversely impacted.
Strengthen NAP3 with a vision that sets clear objectives and targets and reorganise government adaptation policy. Adaptation must become a fundamental aspect of policymaking across all departments and be integrated into other national policy objectives.
Progress report to Parliament
https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/progress-in-reducing-emissions-2024-report-to-parliament/
Burning wood pellets releases more emissions than gas or coal
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/09/biomass-power-station-produced-four-times-emissions-of-uk-coal-plant-says-report?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&twclid=2-pssws6ktpdn2tljkc6mcdeay
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/this-startup-is-using-dead-leaves-to-make-paper-without-cutting-trees/
Nominate The Tree Council for a £5,000 grant!
https://climate.movementforgood.com/index.php?cn=279000&ct=environment_and_climate&utm_source=Tree+Council+Community&utm_campaign=fac51da7d3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_08_08_01_08&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-fac51da7d3-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D#nominateACharity
Secretary of State approves solar farm on productive farmland
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clmydgke2mko.amp
Defra investigated over neonicotinoid use
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/08/watchdog-launches-investigation-into-defra-over-approval-of-bee-killing-pesticide-under-tories
Alastair Driver (Director of Rewilding Britain): "Very important that as many people as possible sign this petition to ban indiscriminate pesticides. The dearth of insects is a major issue not only for the natural environment but for farming and horticulture. We cannot keep making excuses every time."
https://action.greenpeace.org.uk/ban-bee-killing-pesticides?source=EM&subsource=NBREBEPEEM03GX&utm_source=Thank+you+email+share&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Pardot+Bees+Petition+-+Feb+22+[BW]++PE&utm_term=
Record Fossil Fuel Use in 2023
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/20/fossil-fuel-use-reaches-global-record-despite-clean-energy-growth?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Something positive - or at least optimistic.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/apr/14/english-elm-hybrids-disease-busting?utm_source=SubscriberCRM+Integration&utm_campaign=12c7388fb0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_11_25_03_01_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_74965a44a4-12c7388fb0-88473949
Landowner who cut down protected woodland fined (Edited)
Ridiculously lenient fine.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmjj5gl6m0po
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/forever-chemicals-plastic-uk-rivers-b2561466.html
This is long but worth reading.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/may/28/where-the-wild-things-are-the-untapped-potential-of-our-gardens-parks-and-balconies?CMP=share_btn_url
Could this be the answer to range anxiety for EV owners?
Currently in the US but could come to the UK
https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/cars/revolutionary-electric-car-charging-technology-tesla
Nature degradation could cause a 12% loss to UK GDP
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-04-29-nature-degradation-could-cause-12-loss-uk-gdp
Although this article is old it has popped up again after a Lego octopus was found by a family
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/04/monopoly-houses-toy-soldiers-lego-museum-of-plastic-lost-at-sea
Sewage bypassing treatment works
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/20/dirty-secret-insiders-say-uk-water-firms-knowingly-breaking-sewage-laws
https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/16/nature-silent-bernie-krause-recording-sound-californian-state-park-aoe
The dangers of preventive flea treatment
https://theconversation.com/pet-flea-and-tick-treatments-contain-pesticides-that-end-up-washing-into-the-environment-heres-how-226685#
Not made to knit- landmark court ruling
European court rules human rights violated by climate inaction https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68768598
Call for all political parties to support nature restoration
https://action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/130179/petition/1
A lazy headline, but an interesting article.
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/cicada-broods-maps-2024-b2505683.html
57 companies linked to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions since 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/04/just-57-companies-linked-to-80-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-since-2016
Sounds like good news
https://www.aol.co.uk/uk-records-highest-ever-share-142110430.html
Anyone up for this? See what your use of plastic amounts to.
https://thebigplasticcount.com/?
Government cannot prove biomass sustainably sourced
"The Government has so far supported the industry with £22 billion ..."
https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/government-cannot-prove-biomass-sustainably-sourced-says-national-audit-office-b1134480.html?twclid=2-42o24txdpfnsyj5npijbovmzs
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/01/seventeen-landfills-in-england-make-toxic-liquid-hazardous-to-drinking-water
Celtic rainforest in Devon to be expanded
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/29/more-than-100000-trees-to-be-planted-in-devon-to-boost-celtic-rainforest
The article doesn't mention it, but another reason for the decline is overgrazing, particularly by sheep.
Urban Greening - free webinar with Jeremy Barrell on beating urban greenwashing
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qGHlEfm9QoeX4r4HeJxpbA#/registration
https://www.irishnews.com/news/uk/grey-squirrels-sapping-efforts-to-combat-climate-change-parliament-told-X32RCZCQ3BIPHCJNYJDN23UL4A/?utm_source=All%20Contacts&utm_campaign=cdf77e46c2-Morning%20Briefing%20190124&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dd843c5cb6-cdf77e46c2-23165075&mc_cid=cdf77e46c2
Pear trees could be cut down in bid to stop wasp danger
https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/23952808.pear-trees-cut-bid-stop-wasp-danger/?ref=twtrec
Sadly it was only to be expected
https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/01/england-swimming-rivers-poor-water-quality-status
Government Pledges ahead of COP 28
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-to-boost-britains-access-to-nature-ahead-of-cop28
BBC Click - Sustainability Stories
This week's edition covers a flying electric ferry, food waste in India, and old wind turbine blades going to landfill.
https://bit.ly/3uAEUQY