HS2: Why low speed rail - or closure - is vastly preferable to high speed

B W Edginton

8th February, 2012

Politicians, 'dynamic' business and the media (even if it denies it) all want high speed rail. But they are missing the point , says B W Edginton. After all, who wants to visit London, Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds? more...

The great badger and bovine TB cover-up: is it really a health risk?

Ed Hamer

30th January, 2011

With controversial plans to allow farmers to cull badgers later this year, Ed Hamer asks whether Bovine TB is really a health problem for either cows or humans more...

UK needs scientific research into agroecology not GM

Patrick Mulvany

25th January, 2012

The greatest challenge facing agricultural scientists is how to work with farmers producing more ecological and healthier food - not GM, argues Patrick Mulvany, chair of the UK Food Group and advisor to Practical Action more...

Getting a good deal from the Green Deal

Hannah Kyrke-Smith

25th January, 2012

The Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) have the potential to reduce emissions from the UK’s ageing housing stock, create warmer homes and new jobs, says Hannah Kyrke-Smith. But will there be enough uptake? more...

Risks and uncertainities accompany efforts to reduce Britain's carbon

Matthew Leach

20th January, 2012

A low carbon Britain rests on the electrification of our energy supply. But new research by the University of Surrey has highlighted the challenges facing government, market and civil society-led pathways to reducing emissions more...

Beyond HS2: invest in existing rail and reduce rail fares to make travel greener

Richard Hebditch

11th January, 2012

More investment in existing rail lines, joining up the high speed line to public transport and ensuring rail fares are sustainable and affordable are what the government should focus on argues Campaign for Better Transport more...

Can biodiversity be accommodated in today's urban environment?

Austin Brown

10th January, 2012

A bold new initiative is designed to raise public awareness of the issue of biodiversity and the need to incorporate native species back within London more...

The communities taking renewable energy into their own hands

Ed Mayo

5th January, 2012

A new report by Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Group examines those investing time and money in installing solar panels, wind turbines or hydro-electric power for their local communities more...

Seal pups 'sliced open alive': horror of Canadian hunt prompts Russian skins ban

Robbie Marsland

23rd December, 2011

Russia's decision to ban the import and exports of harp seal skins is a big step forward for the campaign against the Canadian seal hunt, says Robbie Marsland, Director of IFAW-UK more...

The National Trust awards recognising pioneering eco-campaigner Octavia Hill

Mike Collins

19th December, 2011

Octavia Hill was a tireless advocate for saving land and green spaces in and around Victorian London. She was also a founder of the National Trust, which is launching an award to recognise modern day 'unsung environmental heroes' more...

Talk of a ‘new climate deal' at COP17 is a distraction from inaction

Murray Worthy

7th December, 2011

Talk of a long-term climate deal to cut carbon emissions is allowing industrialised countries to delay taking action, says Murray Worthy from the World Development Movement more...

Food security has jumped up the agenda at Durban climate conference

Olivier De Schutter

7th December, 2011

The impact of climate change on food insecurity is creating growing interest in agro-ecological methods of farming at the COP17 climate negotiations in Durban, says UN advisor Olivier De Schutter more...

Obituary: Ecologist cartoonist Richard Willson

Peter Bunyard & Robert Prescott-Allen

30th November, 2011

Two founding members of the Ecologist pay tribute to a talented and thoughtful man whose wildly seditious cartoons in the magazine called into question accepted dogma on everything from economic growth to science more...

Conservation can only work by putting a value on forests

Ben Caldecott

29th November, 2011

REDD+ type projects to protect rainforests face many obstacles but we should not give up on market-based solutions, says Ben Caldecott from the investment bank Climate Change Capital more...

Is Chris Huhne's 'Green Deal' just a marketing strategy?

Sam Arie

25th november,2011

The 2011 Energy Act provides for a ‘Green Deal’ in which households will be encouraged to borrow money on easy terms to finance energy saving home improvements. But will it work? more...

Tsunami stalls Japan's Dall’s porpoise slaughter, but for how long?

Clare Perry

17th November, 2011

The Japanese tsunami appears to have temporarily halted the annual Dall's porpoise hunt. Pity the Taiji dolphins haven't been spared too, says the Environmental Investigation Agency's Clare Perry more...

Risks of mobile phones to children are being 'downplayed'

Vicky Fobel, MobileWise

14th November, 2011

Industry repeats the mantra 'children should be discouraged from using mobiles excessively' while doing nothing to ensure it happens, says Vicky Fobel from the campaign group MobileWise more...

Durban climate change conference: why we should stick with the UN talks

Craig Bennett

10th November, 2011

Despite a growing consensus in favour of alternatives such as 'carbon clubs' and bilateral agreements, Friends of the Earth's Craig Bennett says the UN is our best hope for tackling climate change more...

Can Asia’s large mammals be saved from extinction?

A. Christy Williams

28th October, 2011

The Javan rhino isn’t the only south east Asian mammal whose future looks bleak, says the WWF’s A. Christy Williams more...

How phosphorus shortages could increase global food prices

Hannah Hislop

28th October, 2011

Phosphorus is a crucial nutrient and a vital component of fertiliser, a mainstay of modern farming. But we could be heading for a major shortfall in supplies, argues Hannah Hislop, with some alarming consequences more...