In order to reduce the flow rate of urban rainfall - and clear the often polluted water from buildings and streets - cities must learn to mimic the natural 'bioretention' properties of undeveloped land, says Laura Laker
Greening the grey: introducing rain gardens Laura Laker | 25th October 2012 News watergarden.jpg In order to reduce the flow rate of urban rainfall - and clear the often polluted water from buildings …
Don't get stumped by the name: permaculture is a simple, vital tool for food growers and gardeners alike
… A beginner's guide to permaculture gardening Laura Laker | 30th March 2010 … growers and gardeners alike A philosophy of gardening. Gardening and philosophy. Either way it seems …
A hypermarket victory in Hackney demonstrates how local groups can help protect community shops...
Life without supermarkets: community action is the best way to beat them Laura Laker | 10th August 2010 Comment Green Living Food And Farming Society Green Shopping Community Shops Food Co-ops …
WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is not just a cheap way to see the world - it's a hands-on way to learn new skills of sustainable living
Why working holidays on organic farms help you see the world anew Laura Laker | 14th July 2010 Ethical Living Green Living Food And Farming Sustainable Agriculture Organic Farms WWOOF Volunteer …
News headlines today suggest that a UN report on glyphosate residues has given the controversial herbicide a clean bill of health, writes Georgina Downs. But that's seriously misleading: the panel concludes that exposure to the chemical in food is unlikely to cause cancer. But that does not apply to those exposed to it occupationally or who live near sprayed fields.
No, the UN has not given glyphosate a 'clean bill of health' Georgina Downs | 17th May 2016 News Pesticides Health Toxics Un Regulation Media one.jpg News headlines today suggest that a UN report on …
Armed with just a good idea and big dose of enthusiasm you can transform a bleak area into a mini orchard. Plus, the best way to approach a station manager...
Persuading your local station to plant fruit trees Laura Laker | 2nd March 2010 Activism Food And Farming Sustainable Cities Green Living Grow Your Own Transition Towns fruit-trees-digging2.jpg …
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.
Pesticide deregulation - the real reason for Myron Ebell's Number 10 meeting? Georgina Downs | 3rd February 2017 Comment Health Pesticides Farming Politics UK USA Regulation spray-home-cut.jpg If it …
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.
Agricultural pesticides - the gaping hole in the UK's 'Pollinator Strategy' Georgina Downs | 6th November 2014 Comment UK Farming Toxics Politics Health windy-day-spray-cut.jpg Spaying …
Campaigner Georgina Downs has scored a significant victory in her 12 year battle against the UK Government. But DEFRA Ministers have still failed to secure protection from pesticides for people in the countryside.
Pesticides - the Government must protect us! Georgina Downs | 17th December 2013 Comment UK Farming Pesticides Health pesticide-spraying.png Campaigner Georgina Downs has scored a significant victory …
The risk of cancer from the world's top herbicide, glyphosate, is just the tip of the iceberg of health damage caused by exposure to pesticides and other toxic agrochemicals, writes Georgina Downs. It's time for governments to correct their scandalous failure to protect rural residents from the cocktails of poisons sprayed on crops.
It's not just glyphosate and neonicotinoids! Why we need a pesticide-free future Georgina Downs | 30th April 2015 News Health Toxics Farming Corporations Regulation pesticide-spraying-cut.jpg …
Cancer Research UK's slogan is 'Let's beat cancer sooner'. But Georgina Downs wonders why it ignores the role of pesticides sprayed on crop fields - which is a recognised cause of cancer - and why it has spent over £750 million since 2007 on paying its employees.
Pesticides can cause cancer - so why does CRUK ignore them? Georgina Downs | 3rd April 2014 Comment Health Pesticides Farming Society crop-spray.png Cancer Research UK's slogan is 'Let's beat cancer …