| News and views |
| Ecosystem Marketplace report published |
| Ecosystem Marketplace, a non-profit organisation based in Washington DC, is launching a report into the State of Biodiversity Markets today, the 9th of March. The report summarises the biodiversity offset and compensation programmes around the world. Variously termed habitat, mitigation or biodiversity banking, the concept of buying habitat or biodiversity ‘credits’ in one area to compensate for ecologically damaging action in another is gaining increasing interest from governments and developers. Both Defra and the EC have recently published reports (available here and here) into the prospects of a more formalised habitat banking system in the UK and the EU respectively. The NCI will be running a workshop on habitat banking in June, details of which will be posted on the website shortly. |
| 9 March 2010 |
| Should We Put A Dollar Value On Nature? |
| Time Magazine discusses valuing ecosystem services. |
| 9 March 2010 |
| Land Use Futures report |
| A new approach to managing the UK’s land will be vital to meet the challenges of the 21st century, according to the latest report from Foresight, the Government’s futures think tank. ‘Land Use Futures’ looks at how landscapes and land use could change in the UK over the next 50 years. It concludes that the present way the land system is managed in the UK will need to change. There are already pressures on land, but these will intensify in parts of the country, such as in the South East of England. Shortages in critical public goods – such as water supply, biodiversity, carbon sinks and urban green space – could result unless carefully managed. “Business as usual is not an option over the long-term. Without being smart about how land is used, we risk missing targets, such as halting biodiversity loss. The effects of climate change and new pressures on land could escalate, seriously eroding quality of life,” Professor John Beddington, the Government’s Chief Scientist and the project director said. |
| 3 March 2010 |
| Feeding 9 billion |
| This paper looks at approaches to closing the ‘yield gap’, the need for ‘sustainable intensification,’ GM, waste, dietary changes and aquaculture. It concludes “The goal is no longer simply to maximize productivity, but to optimize across a far more complex landscape of production, environmental, and social justice outcomes.” Godfray H C J, Beddington J R, Crute I R, Haddad L, Lawrence D, Muir J F, Pretty J, Robinson S, Thomas S M and Toulmin C (2010). Food Security: The Challenge of Feeding 9 Billion People Science 12 February 2010: 812-818 |
| 23 February 2010 |
| Scotland's land use strategy |
| How do you think Scotland's land should be used in the future? The development of the country's first Land Use Strategy is a landmark opportunity for you to have your say on the way Scotland's land is used. The Scottish Government are inviting you to have your say on the issues and help shape the draft strategy. So, if you have views on food production and food security, the development of renewable energy and the protection of landscapes and habitat, get along to one of the discussion workshops being held across the country or comment on the Land Use Strategy website. A full consultation on the Land Use Strategy will follow later in the year. http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/en/node/1841 |
| 22 February 2010 |
| National Ecosystem Assessment update |
| Attending an event to mark progress on the National Ecosystem Assessment, Secretary of State for Defra, Hilary Benn, emphasised the importance of being able to value the natural environment. http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2010/bio-0222.htm |
| 21 February 2010 |
| Valuing Natural Capital: Have your Say |
| The Natural Capital Initiative has published an article for comment on the ‘Future Countryside’ website. Future Countryside has been established by the Shadow Environment Secretary, Conservative MP Nick Herbert, to debate new ideas in environment policy. In the article members of the Natural Capital Initiative discuss whether movements towards valuing biodiversity and ecosystem services represent a paradigm shift amongst policy-makers and within the scientific community. Yet, say the NCI, policy is running far ahead of the ability to put an accurate ‘price’ on nature. The article calls for an approach which integrates monetary and other approaches to valuation as a way forward which reflects the true worth of society’s natural capital. Have your say on the points raised in the article on the Future Countryside website. |
| 19 February 2010 |
| Defra's new Evidence Investment Strategy |
| Defra's Evidence Investment Strategy was published on 26 January. It provides guidance to Defra on gathering and using evidence effectively for policy making and evaluating the outcomes. It identifies three big evidence challenges: climate change, a sustainable food supply and protecting ecosystem services. Defra proposes “a modest reorientation of priorities from such areas as animal welfare and pesticides towards areas such as water, biodiversity, soils and climate change”. |
| 2 February 2010 |
| Earthwatch lecture on 'Farming and sustainable environments' |
| The next 2010 Earthwatch Lecture will be looking at how we can reconcile the need to produce ever more food with the vital task of conserving of our natural ecosystems. Chaired by Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury, speakers Professor Ken Norris of the University of Reading and Dr Mark Chandler of Earthwatch will discuss 'Farming and sustainable environments' on Wednesday 17 March at The Royal Geographical Society in London. For more details and to book tickets, please visit the Earthwatch website. |
| 1 February 2010 |
| GM discussion at the British Library |
| Chair of the NCI, Prof Rosie Hails MBE, led a lively public debate on the topic of 'GM crops and food security: curing the world's growing pains?' last Thursday, 21 January. As part of the British Library 'TalkScience@BL' cafe scientifique style series of discussions, the organisers invited members of the public to air their views on the contribution GM technology can make to solving the current challenges in world food production. You can read more about the event on the BES blog, and contribute to the discussion on the Society of Biology blog. |
| 26 January 2010 |
| Benn promotes ecosystems approach |
| Environment secretary Hilary Benn, writing in the BBC’s Green Room, says: “So when it comes to biodiversity, we desperately need to start restoring links between science and policy, between taking action and evaluating it and between economies and ecosystems. The big challenge will be for the real benefits of biodiversity and the hard costs of its loss to be included in our economic systems and markets.” The Natural Capital Initiative is actively promoting this approach. |
| 24 January 2010 |
| New members of the NCI Steering Group |
| The NCI is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to its Steering Group. Prof. Michael Depledge, Dr Sarah Kemmitt, Prof. Timothy O'Riordan, Chelsea Thomson and Bill Watts all joined in January, providing valuable input from the fields of environmental economics and sustainability, environment and society, and environment and human health. Many thanks also go to Kate Groves of the CEH, who left the Steering Group in January. |
| 18 January 2010 |
| Biodiversity conference and Inter-Academy Panel |
| The national scientific academies of nearly 100 countries gather this week at the Royal Society in London for the Inter-Academy Panel general assembly and two-day biodiversity conference. The meeting recognises the United Nations declaration of 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity and will explore ways in which to map the economic value of ecosystems and the other benefits they provide for human populations. It will hear examples of innovative and successful management techniques from around the world, and crucially it will identify priorities and gaps in the science. More information on the IAP general assembly and biodiversity conference is available here |
| 13 January 2010 |
| Official launch of the International Year of Biodiversity |
| The International Year of Biodiversity was officially launched yesterday, 11 January, in Berlin by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Environment minister Norbert Röttgen. The NCI is part of the IYB-UK partnership of over 200 organisations, which will work over the coming year to raise awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity and prepare the ground for discussions on post-2010 targets when the signatories of the Convention on Biological Diversity meet in Nagoya, Japan later this year. |
| 12 January 2010 |
| New NCI Science Policy Liaison Officer |
| The NCI welcomes Bruce Howard as its new Science Policy Liaison Officer. From February, Bruce will coordinate forthcoming NCI events as well as overseeing the NCI's contributions to public policy. Before starting the post, he worked in environmental consulting and for the Department of Earth Sciences at Oxford University as Project Manager for several NERC Knowledge Exchange Initiatives. |
| 11 January 2010 |
| Environmental sustainabilty gets top billing |
| Which areas of biology are of most interest and importance for future study? The Royal Society journal Philosophical Transactions B has published its own selection this week. Interestingly, environmental sustainability - including economics, food and the ecosystem approach - features in a large proportion of the articles. The authors (including Lord Robert May and Professor John Beddington, who spoke at the NCI symposium last year) were selected for their knowledge and experience in a topical area of life sciences research and were invited to present their personal analysis of the topic. The articles are free to view online. |
| 8 January 2010 |
| NCI event speakers appear in New Year honours list |
| The NCI is pleased to congratulate Graham Wynne, Tim O'Riordan and William Bird who contributed to the Valuing our Life Support Systems and Sustainable Cities events last year, and who have been honoured in the New Year's Honours list. Graham Wynne received a Knighthood for services to Nature Conservation, Prof. Tim O'Riordan an OBE for services to Sustainable Development, and Dr. William Bird an MBE for services to Healthcare and to Physical Activity. |
| 4 January 2010 |
| Upcoming event: ‘GM crops and food security: curing the world’s growing pains?’ |
| The chair of the NCI steering group, Professor Rosie Hails, will be leading a discussion on the role of GM technology in global food security in an event organized by TalkScience at the British Library on 21 January (18.00-20.30). More details are available through the British Library website, tickets (£5, including refreshments) and can be bought here, and a discussion forum on the Nature Network has been set up for the event. |
| 31 December 2009 |
| The Ecosystems Services for Poverty Alleviation programme |
| Details of this new programme are on the NERC website. |
| 21 December 2009 |
| Natural Capital Initiative job vacancy |
| Apply for our science policy liaison post. Fixed term 15 month contract. Closing date 8 December. |
| 24 November 2009 |
| Report: "Developing the National Ecosystem Assessment" |
| The report of a workshop on ‘Developing the National Ecosystem Assessment’ is now available on the British Ecological Society website. Key points were: the need for the results of the National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) to be communicated to a broad audience, including the public, HM Treasury and for use in education; the need for the NEA to be supported for a longer time, to make sure that researchers and policy-makers are supported to use the outputs, and the need for its results to drive future research priorities. |
| 24 November 2009 |
| 'Public Attitudes to Environmental Change |
| The report 'Public Attitudes to Environmental Change: a selective review of theory and practice' summarises literature and surveys in the UK. The main aim was to inform public engagement for the Living With Environmental Change programme. The report addresses the public's attitudes to climate change and its impacts; energy technologies and infrastructure; and changes in ecosystems, landscapes and species It helpfully discusses the reasons for and results of engaging the public on such issues, noting for example that it is unlikely that information alone will change attitudes or behaviours, but also that public involvement in decision making at an early stage is likely to lead to better decisions. |
| 21 November 2009 |
| From tsunami to drought |
| Professor Paul Leonard, Fellow of the Society of Biology and member of the NCI steering group, spoke at the Earthwatch debate on Thursday 19 November. Paul argued the case for the Natural Capital Initiative, before being questioned by a “Dragon’s Den” style expert panel. The debate will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 29 December 2009 and repeated on 3 January 2010. Click for more info: From Tsunami to Drought debate |
| Uodated 21 November 2009 |
| Green exercise |
| Exposure to nature improves mental health and wellbeing. Contact with green spaces improves psychological health by reducing stress levels, enhancing mood and self-esteem and offering a restorative environment which enables people to relax, unwind and recharge their batteries. At the same time, participating in physical activity results in positive outcomes for both physical and mental health. For the last 6 years the University of Essex has combined these ideas into a programme of research to investigate the synergistic benefits of engaging in physical activities whilst simultaneously being exposed to nature. More information at Green Exercise. |
| 14 November 2009 |
| TEEB report published |
| EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas has launched the findings in a key report by The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) project, a major independent global study co-funded by the European Commission. Study leader Pavan Sukhdev also presented the TEEB for Policy Makers Report. The press release is here. TEEB reports are here. |
| 13 November 2009 |
| Grey to Green |
| A switch is needed in public spending from grey projects, like road building and heavy engineering projects, to green schemes, like street trees, parks, green roofs and waterways, says a new campaign by CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. “A powerful argument for investment in green infrastructure at a time of austerity is that unlike most grey infrastructure, green infrastructure is multi-functional.” At present, for instance, flood protection requires supersized storm-water pipes. But a combination of living roofs, large trees and soft landscaping can absorb heavy rainfall, store and recycle it for summer irrigation; save energy through insulation; provide shade for offices to cut the need for air conditioning; and make cities more beautiful, so encouraging exercise and improving public health. |
| 11 November 2009 |
| Green spaces are good for you |
| New research confirms the assumption that living near a green space has health benefits. Dr Jolanda Maas of the VU University Medical Centre in Amsterdam, said: "It clearly shows that green spaces are not just a luxury but they relate directly to diseases and the way people feel in their living environments." The news is reported on the BBC news website. |
| 19 October 2009 |
| DECC appoints chief scientist |
| David MacKay, Professor in the Department of Physics at Cambridge University and author of the influential book ‘Sustainable Energy - without the hot air' has been appointed Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Press release here. |
| 17 September 2009 |
| Open meeting of Defra Science Advisory Council |
| The Science Advisory Council, the key independent body advising Defra Scientists and Ministers, is holding an open meeting on Wednesday 14 October 2009, from 9:30 to 16:30 at the Prince Albert Suite, London Zoo. The meeting is free to attend, but pre-registration is essential. This is an excellent opportunity to see how the Council works, and find out more about the big scientific challenges Defra is facing. For more information and to register for the meeting, click here. |
| 15 September 2009 |
| Powerful people |
| Two of the top three "Most powerful people in the countryside" were speakers at our symposium in April: Dr Helen Philips of Natural England and Graham Wynne of the RSPB. |
| 14 September 2009 |
| A FRESH look at ecosystem services |
| Does an ‘ecosystem approach’ offer a paradigm shift in conservation? The British Ecological Society's policy team reports on a meeting of the Framing Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being programme on the BES blog. |
| 5 September 2009 |
| Sustainable development indicators in your pocket 2009 |
| A free booklet published by Defra today provides a statistical overview of the country’s progress in tackling key economic, social and environmental issues, by bringing together an extensive range of indicators that can literally fit in your pocket. They cover a wide range of topics of everyday concern such as health, housing, jobs, crime, education, and our environment, all of which may affect whether we can live more sustainably in the future. The indicators and booklet are published on the UK Government sustainable development website at: www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government/progress |
| 29 July 2009 |
| Biodiversity news |
| The European Environment Agency's report " Progress towards the European 2010 biodiversity target ", finds that European biodiversity is still under serious pressure and that the policy response is not yet adequate to halt the general decline. Biodiversity faces grave risks at the level of genes, species and ecosystems. On 13 July, the European Commission released a ' Composite report' to the European Council and Parliament on the implementation of the Habitats Directive. Responding to the two reports' findings, EEA Executive Director Professor Jacqueline McGlade said: "Europe's biodiversity is still under serious pressure and faces grave risks. Although we will miss the target of halting the biodiversity loss in Europe by 2010, some progress is being made. As [EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas] said recently in Athens, the post-2010 target should be ambitious, measurable and clear. It should maintain the emphasis given to the intrinsic value of biodiversity while also recognising the value of healthy and resilient ecosystems and the services they provide". More information here. The next major assessment based on the indicators will be done in 2010. |
| 21 July 2009 |
| Creating a new prosperity: Fresh approaches to ecosystem services and human well-being |
| At the Royal Geographical Society, London, Friday 4 September 2009 As part of the ESRC/NERC funded transdisciplinary seminar series – FRESH (led by CEM/Nottingham and ORMI/University of Exeter) – this one day symposium will bring together scientists and policy makers to take stock of current research into the management of ecosystem services for human well-being. This event will present a critical and reflective view of progress on current approaches for ecosystem service studies and look at emerging research and policy agendas. Attendance is welcomed for all researchers and practitioners wishing to better understand the challenges of managing ecosystem services for a new era of environmental and social prosperity. For more information visit: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fresh/seminarsix.html |
| 14 July 2009 |
| Prince Charles's speech on the Earth's natural capital |
| HRH the Prince of Wales said, in his Dimbleby Lecture, that protecting the environment will benefit world economies. "[W]e must remember that the ultimate source of all economic capital is nature's capital," he said. "The true wealth of all nations comes from clean rivers, healthy soil and, most importantly of all, a rich biodiversity of life," |
| 9 July 2009 |
| Energy management in the built environment |
| The Centre for Energy Studies at the University of Cambridge is undertaking research into energy management in the built environment. To set the context for this research, they are developing possible scenarios for the world in 2050. In preparation for a scenario planning workshop, they are seeking input concerning the key uncertainties that could cause considerable variation to the way the world might look in 2050. They are gathering input via a questionnaire, which they would be grateful to receive before 17 July 2009. They are eager to obtain input from people with a wide variety of perspectives relating to potential environmental, social, technological, economic, political and organisational uncertainties. You do not need to be an expert in energy or buildings to make a valuable contribution. The questionnaire is now closed. Thanks to those who filled it in. |
| 3 July 2009 |
| Mussel Farming May Reduce Eutrophication at Sea |
| Item from BES policy blog: Under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Member States must agree on common environmental targets and should establish a programme outlining how these targets will be met. Researchers have demonstrated that mussel farming may be a cost-effective way to remove excess nutrients from the marine environment, reducing eutrophication its associated algal blooms, and should thereby be a method considered by EU Member States in meeting these targets. Working in the Baltic Sea, researchers examined the cost of nutrient removal - nitrogen and phosphorus - using mussel farms, comparing this with: increasing cleaning at sewage plants; buffer strips; wetland construction and cultivation of catch crops. Four scenarios were modelled: with and without mussel sales options and in terms of low and high cost due to growth rates and nutrient content in mussels. In all four scenarios, mussel farming was shown to cut costs in meeting stringent environmental targets. The overall cost savings of using mussels ranged from 20 - 138 million EUR. The mussels grown in this way could be used for fish meal in poultry feed. Expansion of mussel farming in this way could have adverse impacts on marine ecosystems and this would need to be examined further before any widespread introduction to combat eutrophication in this way. If results are favourable the researchers propose that a ‘nutrient trading’ scheme could be introduced across Europe whereby, for example, a sewage treatment plant could trade nitrogen cleaning with a mussel farm. Original Source: EU Science for Environment Policy Gren, I-M., Lindahl, O. and Lindqvist, M. (2009). Values of mussel farming for combating eutrophication: An application to the Baltic Sea. Ecological Engineering. 35:935-945. |
| 3 July 2009 |
| Modelling farmland ecosystems |
| A consortium of scientists has presented a new way of modelling ecosystems that can predict the impact on farmland ecology of climate change, other environmental changes and novel farmind practices, says the BBSRC. |
| 9 June 2009 |
| WaterUK reports on the NCI |
| Barrie Clarke from Water UK, one of the speakers at our recent symposium, reports on the event in his organisation's newsletter. |
| 31 May 2009 |
| NCI chair on National Ecosystem Assessment panel |
| Professor Rosie Hails has been appointed to the expert panel for the UK national ecosystem assessment. |
| 22 May 2009 |
| Rainforest financial report |
| An article in the Economist announces that rainforests can show a profit |
| 18 May 2009 |
| Opinion piece: Is the UK ready to rethink its stance on GM? |
| Professor Rosie Hails, chair of the Natural Captial Initiative, gives her opinion in an article for Planet Earth Online. |
| 28 April 2009 |