In 2013 the EU imposed a moratorium on three of the most toxic of the neonicotinoid pesticides in an attempt to save wild bee populations. Now farmers have applied to lift the ban, writes Nat Whalley. Time to call on environment secretary Liz Truss, who today receives a 300,000-signature 'save the bees' petition, to say 'No!'
… Keep our bees safe! Liz Truss must say no to neonics … | 5th June 2015 Comment Farming Natural World Bees Toxics Politics Law Corporations … today receives a 300,000-signature 'save the bees' petition, to say 'No!' Not so long ago, …
Britain's bees are under threat from Brexit and moves to allow farmers to use banned bee-harming 'neonictinoid' pesticides, warns Dave Timms, Bees Campaigner with Friends of the Earth. With 20 species extinct since 1900 and a further 35 under threat, how much more can our bees take?
… - a nasty sting in the tail for Britain's bees? Dave Timms | 21st June 2016 Activism Bees Pesticides Farming Conservation EU … World Politics UK bumble bee.jpg Britain's bees are under threat from Brexit and moves to …
Dangerous volumes of neonicotinoid insecticides and other pesticides are expressed in common wild flowers like buttercups and hawthorn blossom in countryside under arable cultivation, a new study has discovered. The discovery invalidates the UK government's 'pollinator strategy' based on creating 'safe havens' in arable areas - because the havens are in fact loaded with pesticides.
… January 2015 News Toxics Farming Politics UK Bees Science bee-hawthorn-cut.jpg Dangerous … at Sussex University have discovered that bees are exposed to a toxic chemical cocktail … "In summary, our study confirms that bees foraging in arable farmland are exposed …
An Emergency Ordinance comes into force in Germany today that extends the EU's ban on 'neonic' pesticides to protect bees. But the UK's farming minister Liz Truss has relaxed the ban to allow farmers to use neonics on 30,000 hectares of oilseed rape.
… Toxics Regulation Politics UK Germany Science Bees bee-dandelion-cut.jpg An Emergency … EU's ban on 'neonic' pesticides to protect bees. But the UK's farming minister Liz Truss … order to protect agains the mass die-off of bees. The Ordinance prohibits the trade and …
The Government's 'National Pollinator Strategy' has a fatal flaw, writes Georgina Downs - it contains no meaningful measures to address farmers' spraying of highly toxic pesticides, often in mixtures that can further increase the harm they cause. And with 80% of the UK's pesticides used in agriculture, that's setting the 'strategy' up to fail.
… new 10-year strategy aimed at supporting bees and other pollinators that are vital for … Environment Secretary she acknowledged that bees and other pollinating insects such as … bring about the best possible conditions for bees and other insects to flourish." What …
Politicians are forever citing 'terror' as a reason to expand the security state and restrict civil liberties, writes Paul Mobbs. But when it comes to the real threats that face the world - ecological breakdown, climate disruption, resource crises, and an unjust and rapacious world order ... well, that's all 'green crap'. Isn't it?
… recent media coverage, how many do you think? Bees and hornets pose the same risk as … five killed by stings from hornets, wasps and bees." That said, must we declare bees and hornets to be as dangerous as …
With the UK's Digital Economy Bill set to be finalised today, new 5G microwave spectra are about to be released across the planet without adequate safety testing, writes Lynne Wycherley. Global neglect of the Precautionary Principle is opening the way to corporate profit but placing humans and ecosystems at risk, and delaying a paradigm shift towards safer connectivity.
… at Bristol University reported in May that bees' hairs are highly sensitive to flowers' … EMFs. In controlled trials in Switzerland, bees reacted to mobile-phone signals with …
Pesticide companies are responsible for assessing the safety of their products, writes Christopher N Connolly - and this situation cannot continue. The research should be carried out independently, subjected to peer review, and published.
… for studies on the risks of pesticides to bees and other pollinators from the … a simple lethal dose at which 50% ( LD50 ) of bees or pollinators die is too crude a test to …
If it wasn't climate change, was the real purpose of the Number 10 meeting of Theresa May's advisors and President Trump's environmental transition supremo Myron Ebell to plan the post-Brexit deregulation of UK farming, including pesticides? That's how it looks, writes Georgina Downs - and we had better begin now to fight for our health, wildlife and environment.
… these farm chemicals to either human health, bees, or the wider environment. [3] An … on this day and age. I also see loads of dead bees!!!" Charlotte Davis: "As a teenager I …
Campaigners fear that the abolition of DECC, the department of energy and climate change, indicates that climate will take a low priority in Theresa May's policy agenda. Meanwhile the pro-fracking, pro-nuclear Andrea Leadsom is in charge of environment department Defra.
Dis-May-ed! DECC scrapped, Leadsom to run Environment Oliver Tickell | 14th July 2016 News Politics UK Energy Climate Change Brexit Economics leadsom-cut.jpg Campaigners fear that the abolition of …
Botswana's Okavango Delta, one of the most iconic natural areas on the planet, has been listed as 1,000th World Heritage site today. The decision follows the advice of IUCN, UNESCO's advisory body on nature.
Okovango Delta is 1,000th World Heritage Site The Ecologist | 23rd June 2014 News Africa Natural World Water bee-eaters-okovango-cut.jpg Botswana's Okavango Delta, one of the most iconic natural …
As Theresa May and her Ministers struggle to make a pact with the DUP, Ecologist Nature Editor, ELIZABETH WAINWRIGHT says we could all do worse than model both leadership and politics on Nature and work together to improve partnership and community, as well as innovation
… Leadership Biomimicry Innovation Community bees.jpg As Theresa May and her Ministers …
A new report shows that the UK's farms can easily generate as much power as the proposed Hinkley C nuclear plant, writes Jonathan Porritt. Not only would it all be renewable, but if could all be in place by 2020. Here he offers some friendly - but strictly confidential - advice for Energy Secretary Ed Davey.
… UK Politics solar-panels-sheep-cut.jpg Bumblebees like to nest in the dry areas beneath … in amongst restored wildflower meadows, with bees and butterflies all over the place. It even turns out that bumblebees just love making their nests in the …
The Conservative attack on the environment is being carried out for good reasons, writes Chris Rose: because they can; because it delights their support base; because it heads off UKIP; and because they think it carries no political risk. Now it's up the UK's green movement to prove them wrong. But have our 'herbivorous' NGOs got the stomach for a fight?
Strange happenings on a small island off Europe Chris Rose | 31st July 2015 News UK Politics Climate Change Society bullingdon-cut.jpg The Conservative attack on the environment is being carried out …
Making a garden attractive to winged wildlife means more than just leaving out food during the winter months - here are some top tips on gardening beyond veg!
… flowers to grow. However, there are fewer bees at the end of the season and birds are …
After beavers' reintroduction to Scotland, landowners have accused the native rodents of damaging the environment, causing floods, and worse, writes Louise Ramsay. But the public have rallied to the cause of these charming, beneficial creatures, leaving conservative landowners isolated. Could the shift in sentiment trigger long overdue change in the Scottish countryside?
… more butterflies, more flowers, and more bees. Now they see farming methods which use …
We need a renewable energy revolution, an end to fracking, no new nuclear power, efficient homes, and the break up of our energy cartels, writes Jeremy Corbyn, All that, and strong protection for wildlife and oceans, no TTIP trade deal with the US, clean air to breathe, and massive investment in public transport. Is there anything not to like?
… neonicotinoid pesticides that are harmful to bees and pollinators must be a priority as …
Are you suffering from cognitive dissonance? You should be, writes Oliver Tickell. After the most ferocious attack a UK government has ever mounted on the environment, David Cameron just claimed that his is the 'greenest government ever', as Amber Rudd proclaims her commitment to climate action. What's going on?
Buy Conservative! No other party washes greener Oliver Tickell | 24th July 2015 Comment Climate Change Energy Renewables Nuclear Politics cameron-green-tie-cut.jpg Are you suffering from cognitive …
Despite the spring downpours, a hosepipe ban is already in force thanks to drought. It’s time to rethink how we use water in the garden, says author Michael Littlewood
… up the best British blooms GREEN LIVING Why bees & biodiversity benefit from indigenous … your garden with wildflowers helps honeybees and butterflies, and creates a relaxed …
The campaign to Remain cannot be left to the grey men of British politics, writes Alan Simpson. The Labour leadership must proclaim the case for a green Europe that belongs to its people not its corporations, inspiring voters with a positive vision of the EU as it ought to be - and that we can bring about only as fully engaged members.
Corbyn must lead the movement for a progressive Europe Alan Simpson | 13th June 2016 Comment EU Politics UK corbyn-cut.png The campaign to Remain cannot be left to the grey men of British politics, …
Swedish artist duo Diagram escorts a glass of water back to its origin - from a convenience store in Stockholm back to a storm-drain in Evian les Bains, by Lake Geneva - and expose one of the many absurdities of modern life.
Evian go home Anders Granberg | 22nd April 2014 Ethical Living Water Transport Arts France Sweden evian-queue.png Swedish artist duo Diagram escorts a glass of water back to its origin - from a …
In the fight for a better, cleaner, more just and sustainable world, it's not enough just to oppose all all the 'bads' that crowd in from all sides, writes Mike Childs. We also have to build our own vision of the future, and map out the changes we must make to get there. And that's what Friends of the Earth is setting out to do in its transformational 'Big Ideas Change the World' project.
… important policy reforms to save the bees, cut air pollution, and get off fossil …
This Tuesday voters in Oregon and Colorado will have the chance to strike a decisive blow for consumers' right to know by forcing the labeling of GMO ingredients. Big Food is spending big to mislead and confuse voters, writes Ronnie Cummins - but the outcome is looking too close to call.
… their cells-severely damage or kill birds, bees, butterflies, lab rats, farm animals and …