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Headlines from week beginning 14 October 2019 |
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A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
Monday’s big political news is the State
Opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech in which Her Majesty states
“environmental principles will be enshrined in law”
Queen's Speech 2019 Her Majesty’s most gracious speech to both Houses of Parliament. My Ministers remain committed to protecting and improving the
environment for future generations. For the first time, environmental
principles will be enshrined in law. Measures will be introduced to
improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore
habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive. Legislation will also create
new legally-binding environmental improvement targets. A new,
world-leading independent regulator will be established in statute to
scrutinise environmental policy and law, investigate complaints and take
enforcement action [Environment Bill].
CLA responds to
Queen's speech, Environmental and Agriculture Bills Commenting on the re-introduction of the Agriculture Bill, Country
Land and Business Association Director General Sarah Hendry said: “The
Government’s direction of travel is robust and ambitious, and will be
welcomed by rural businesses. Nevertheless, farmers will be dismayed
that the Agriculture Bill has to start all over again having been stuck
in the legislative process for the past year. It has been a wasted year.
Farmers cannot begin to plan for their future until they know what they
are transitioning towards, so Government must fast track the bill to
make up for lost time, and finally give rural business owners some
clarity.” On the introduction of the Environmental Bill, she said: “There is
much to welcome in the Bill which does a good job of creating an
enduring framework for positive action. Long-term plans, environmental
targets and embedding environmental principles will help provide the
stability and clarity needed for the Government to meet its
environmental ambitions.”
Response from Wildlife & Countryside Link -
Queen’s speech 2019: A welcome injection of ambition, but a long way to
go to get nature off the critical list Environment and animal welfare groups welcomed the inclusion of the
Environment Bill in today’s Queen’s Speech, but are calling for
ambitious targets and urgent delivery to turn positive aspirations into
truly world-leading environmental laws. They also welcomed the announcement of new animal welfare laws, but
warned that a new expert committee will be needed to ensure that they
are effective. With one in seven UK species at risk of extinction, just over a
decade to avoid an irreversible climate change tipping point, and our
oceans set to contain more plastic than fish in just 30 years, the
proposed Bills must be radical enough in intent and content to tackle
the scale of our nature crisis. Dr Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:
“Everyone deserves a healthy environment, but many local wild places and
many habitats and species are still in terminal decline. Legally-binding
targets for nature are a fantastic step forward and could usher in a new
era of environmental improvement, but only if the targets deliver a
major dose of ambition, backed by credible plans for change—across
Whitehall and across our economy. This week, we will be watching for the
critical clauses needed for nature’s recovery. The Agriculture Bill must
guarantee sufficient funding for greener farming for at least a decade.
The Fisheries Bill must include legal limits on catches to restore our
seas. The Environment Bill must match aspirational targets with
ambitious action.”
In other news
1 in 10 homes built on land released from the Green Belt are
‘affordable’ – CPRE Only 1 in 10 homes built on land released from the Green Belt over
the past decade are ‘affordable’ according to a new report: Space to
Breathe, A State of the Green Belt Report,published today (Monday 14
October) by CPRE, the countryside charity.
The reports says that harmful development on the Green Belt, often in
the guise of providing ‘affordable’ homes, is squandering this valuable
asset at a time when it is needed for our own health and well-being, and
to address the climate change crisis. Key findings of Space to Breathe, A State of the Green Belt Report
show that:
Tom Fyans, deputy chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity,
said: ‘Building homes on the Green Belt is not the answer to the housing
crisis. Indeed, in terms of the Green Belt, it’s clear that we are
reaching a tipping point. The increasing number of new homes proposed on
the Green Belt has continued to rise since the report was first
undertaken in 2012, despite the fact that these homes are not delivering
promised affordable housing. We must not allow our Green Belt to be
gobbled up, but instead focus on building affordable homes in which
young struggling families can actually live.”
Action on plastics – Scottish Government Cotton bud ban comes into force. Scotland has become the first country in the UK to ban
plastic-stemmed cotton buds. This is the latest step being taken to reduce reliance on single-use
products and protect our natural environment. Further action is already planned with Scotland’s Deposit Return
Scheme expecting to capture 90% of aluminium and steel cans, glass and
plastic bottles once operational. A commitment to meet or exceed the standards set out in the EU
single-use Plastics Directive means that other items, including cutlery,
plates and food and drink containers made of expanded polystyrene, will
be banned or restricted by July 2021. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am proud that the
Scottish Government has become the first UK administration to ban
plastic-stemmed cotton buds, with Regulations laid in Parliament on 2
September now coming into force. Single-use plastic products are not
only wasteful but generate unnecessary litter that blights our beautiful
beaches and green spaces while threatening our wildlife on land and at
sea. This ban builds on work already underway to address Scotland’s
throw-away culture, and we will continue to take action on other
problematic items in the coming years as part of our efforts to reduce
harmful plastics and single-use items, protect our environment and
develop a thriving circular economy. We are facing a global climate
emergency and must all work together to reduce, reuse and recycle to
ensure a sustainable future for the current and next generation.”
Government introduces ground-breaking Environment Bill
- Defra Government introduces landmark Bill to Parliament to tackle the
biggest environmental priorities of our time. The government will today (Tuesday 15 October) introduce a landmark
Bill to Parliament to tackle the biggest environmental priorities of our
time, signalling a historic step change in the way we protect and
enhance our precious natural environment. The transformative Environment Bill will help ensure that we maintain
and improve our environmental protections as we leave the EU. It will
build on the UK’s strong track record and sets out a comprehensive and
world-leading vision to allow future generations to prosper.
Environmental principles will be enshrined in law and measures will be
introduced to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution
and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive. Legislation will also create, legally-binding environmental
improvement targets. A new independent Office for Environmental
Protection will be established to scrutinise environmental policy and
law, investigate complaints and take enforcement action against public
authorities, if necessary, to uphold our environmental standards. The
office’s powers will cover all climate change legislation and hold the
government to account on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by
2050. By also championing nature-based solutions, the Bill demonstrates
our commitment to tackle climate change. The Bill also places the bold ambition of our flagship 25 Year
Environment Plan on a statutory footing and goes beyond the key
government commitments outlined earlier this year by confirming powers
to enhance nature and habitats and combat the devastating effects of
plastics on our natural environment. Introducing charges for a number of
single use plastic items will build on the success of the government’s
5p plastic bag charge, which has cut sales from the biggest supermarkets
by 90% since 2015. Response:
Woodland Trust response to the Environment Bill Responding to the publication of the Environment Bill, Woodland Trust
CEO Darren Moorcroft said: “Our environment is the bedrock of our quality of life. It needs to
be healthy, resilient and sustainable. The Environment Bill certainly
has the scope to deliver that if sufficient resources are made available
for those delivering on the front line and making sure we’re delivering
on the ambition. “The emphasis being placed on nature-based solutions to climate
change, and the fact there will now be legally binding targets as well
as a duty to protect nature is a big step forward and something we
welcome.”
New report highlights extinction threat to many of Northern Ireland’s
bees - Buglife
Loss
of wildflower habitats, pollution and climate change are pushing many of
Northern Ireland’s wild bee species to extinction, a new
report by Buglife reveals. The new review looked at bee
populations in the country and found that, unless action is taken, 21
species are at risk of extinction.
(image: Buglife) By examining historical and modern data, the report has found that
many threatened species are declining and are facing an uncertain
future, due to the loss of wildflower-rich habitats, pollution, disease
and climate change. The report has also highlighted the need for better
recording and monitoring of the health of our pollinator populations. Anna Hart, Conservation Officer for Buglife Northern Ireland has said
“The Northern Ireland Threatened Bee Report has sadly highlighted some
extremely worrying trends in our wild bees, unless urgent action is
taken we are likely to see the extinction of some of these species over
the next 10 years. However, we have a solution to the pollinator
crisis – by making more space for wildlife and restoring networks of
wildflower-rich habitats across the country we can reverse these
declines and ensure healthy pollinator populations for future
generations.”
Birdsong to sweep the country - RSPB Over five million people will hear soothing birdsong in over 5,000
unexpected locations The RSPB and its supporters will be playing birdsong across the UK to
millions of people on Thursday 17 October to highlight the declines in
UK wildlife, as the public call on their Government to address climate
change and the environment as its legacy for future generations.
Credit Tom Wren, SWNS New research from the RSPB revealed UK citizens aged 18-44 felt
addressing climate change and the environment was the number one issue
for today’s politicians looking to secure the long-term legacy of their
Government. When respondents were asked to choose the top three issues,
across all adults surveyed, climate change and the environment (38%)
polled ahead of our future relationship with the EU (36%) as a long-term
legacy issue for politicians to address, coming second just behind
health (44%). And more people are waking up to the crisis facing nature. When asked how they would describe the health of nature in the UK, almost six out of ten (59%) adults felt nature was not doing well or in crisis in the UK, with less than a quarter (24%) believing nature was doing well or thriving. When asked the same question in April 29% of people were confident that nature was doing well or thriving in the UK, with today’s stats highlighting the growing public understanding of the crisis facing nature.
National Trust to return rivers to their natural path to reduce impact
of climate change, flood risk and to make space for nature
- National Trust The National Trust is leading a pioneering project to revert rivers
to their natural path before any human interference. Allowing rivers to meander like ‘the branches of a tree’ rather than
along a single channel will slow river flow, increase wildlife and
tackle the impacts of climate change by holding water in the landscape. It is the first scheme of its kind in the UK and aims to reduce the
frequency of flooding, re-connect rivers to their original floodplains
and increase wildlife by improving riverside habitat. The project is being run in conjunction with Interreg 2 Seas Co-Adapt
and the Environment Agency on the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate in
Somerset. Work has already started on a pilot project to return a tributary of
the River Aller on the edge of Exmoor to a more natural state. The
approach, known as ‘Stage 0’, will revert the tributary to its
original flow before human interference, allowing natural processes to
be developed. The approach could develop a more resilient landscape better able to
adapt to modern challenges like climate change and habitat loss. It also
allows for more water to be stored in the water table to help in times
of drought. It works alongside nature to restore ecosystems and habitat
diversity, providing a suitable home for species like the endangered
water vole. Inspired by successful river projects in America, including
Fivemile-Bell in Oregon, it is the first time such a technique has been
tried in the UK.
Red squirrel reintroductions move to Sutherland in new phase of
groundbreaking project - Trees for Life Conservation charities Trees for Life and Woodland Trust Scotland
have partnered up to return red squirrels to a Sutherland wood. The releases at Woodland Trust Scotland’s Ledmore and Migdale Woods
are the latest phase of a successful Trees for Life red squirrel
reintroduction project across the Scottish Highlands, which is now
moving into Sutherland for the first time.
Launching a drive to help red squirrels extend their range further
north, around 20 reds from thriving populations in Inverness-shire and
Moray will be relocated to the Woodland Trust site near the village of
Spinningdale on the shore of Dornoch Firth during October and November.
Critically, the region is free of grey squirrels. “We are reintroducing red squirrels to carefully chosen native
woodlands where these iconic wild animals belong, but from which they
have been lost. They will then be able to spread, safe from threats from
grey squirrels,” said Becky Priestley, Trees for Life’s Red Squirrel
Project Manager. Urgent action is needed to secure the long-term future of the
increasingly rare red squirrel in the UK, where only an estimated
138,000 survive, including some 120,000 in Scotland. Numbers of the
much-loved mammals have been decimated by reduction of their forest
homes to isolated fragments, and by competition and lethal disease from
non-native grey squirrels.
Spending time in forests is crucial for both people and planet -
Forestry England We’re mid-way through October and it’s becoming increasingly tempting
to put the kettle on and retreat under the covers. But new research has
suggested that the amount of time we spend indoors is affecting our
health – which in turn is impacting the planet.
It’s time to secure ‘all in’ Deposit Return Scheme to clean up
countryside - CPRE
(image: CPRE) Responding to the publication this week of the
Environment Bill, which will allow for the creation of the DRS, CPRE
is urging the government to continue with its ambition for all drinks
containers – no matter the size or material - to be included in the
system and not fold under industry lobbying. The Bill allows for the
creation of the DRS but does not specify what will be included or when
it will be introduced. Evidence for an ‘all in’ scheme continues to build with the CPRE’s
Green Clean, a nationwide litter pick carried out in September 2019,
suggesting that millions of drinks containers would still end up
littering our countryside if industry secures a limited system to serve
their vested interests. Key stats from CPRE’s Green Clean, which took
place right across England, include: - A quarter (23%) of glass bottles collected were over the 750ml size
limit, the current upper limit for the ‘on the go’ DRS being pushed by
key industries; - More than one quarter (28%) of plastic bottles found littering the
countryside were larger than the common 500ml bottle size and could be
excluded from the scheme being pushed by key industry stakeholders; and - 10,000 drinks containers were collected during the month-long
litter pick, including cans, plastic bottles of all sizes and glass
bottles. Additionally, more than 1 in 10 drinks containers collected were
glass, a figure that does not include the shattered pieces of glass
volunteers were unable to count. These would all be left to harm people,
and the wildlife, should industry succeed in excluding glass from the
Deposit Return Scheme.
The British people have spoken – and voted for their ten favourite UK
parks More than 45,000 votes were cast as the nation picks the best of
British. Today Green Flag Award is announcing the winners of the UK 2019
People’s Choice vote. With more than 1,800 sites to choose from – all of which meet the
standards demanded by the international Green Flag Award programme – the
public have chosen their ten favourites. Included in this year’s list of winners for the first time are
Valentines Park, managed by Vision Redbridge, and Hollycroft Park,
managed by Hinckley and Bosworth Council Paul Todd, Green Flag Award manager for Keep Britain Tidy, said: “We
know that parks matter to people and that receiving a Green Flag Award
brings a real sense of achievement and pride to staff, volunteers and
the community. The number of people that took the time to vote for their
favourite park is testament to how much these spaces are valued and we
congratulate this year’s top ten.” The ten winners of the 2019 UK People’s Choice Award are (in alphabetical order):
Funding of £20,000 has been announced for projects to engage young people with nature at an event to celebrate Scotland’s Youth Biodiversity Panel - Scottish Natural Heritage The Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Future Routes Fund is aimed at
those aged 11-26 and supports young people to connect with nature and
make a positive impact on the environment in Scotland. Future Routes aims to help young people improve their local
environment, increase their knowledge and understanding of Scottish
biodiversity and provide more opportunities to connect with nature.
A partnership with Young Scot, the fund is designed and delivered by
the Youth Biodiversity Panel, ReRoute. The latest round was announced at an event in Edinburgh to celebrate
the achievements of ReRoute over the last year. The group of young people aged 14 – 24 from across Scotland have
volunteered more than 1,000 hours over the past 12 months. Following the publication of ReRoute’s first report in 2018, the
panel has been working with SNH to take forward its recommendations on
environmental volunteering and jobs; outdoor learning and environmental
education; junior rangers and kit libraries and urban nature parks. Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot, said: “Young people
always tell us that they want a bigger say in the decisions that affect
their lives, and that’s why projects such as ReRoute are so important.
It’s fantastic to see the young people working in partnership with staff
from Scottish Natural Heritage to implement their ideas. This
partnership will help to ensure that the panellists’ friends and peers
engage more with Scotland’s stunning natural environment.”
UK natural capital accounts: 2019 - The
Office for National Statistics statistical bulletin. The ONS has today published new Natural Capital figures. The aim of
these estimates is to value all the UK’s natural assets – such as
plants, mountains, rivers and trees. While the figures do not yet cover all environmental goods and
services, these new estimates include the impact of green spaces on
house prices (which were published on Monday) the cooling of cities
provided by trees and ponds and the noise reduction provided by
woodland. Today’s figures show:
View release and supplementary documents.
Children get to learn “Moor” as pioneering project boosted by £37k BASC
legacy funding The future of the pioneering upland education initiative Let’s Learn
Moor has been secured and strengthened by a grant from the UK’s largest
shooting organisation. Building on the first three successful years, the £37,000 legacy
funding from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation
(BASC) will enable the initiative to continue to grow over the next
three years and achieve its ambitious educational aims. This summer the initiative welcomed 1,400 children to seven moorland
locations in the north of England. They were introduced to and educated
by more than 30 partner organisations including conservation groups,
national park and AONB authorities and local produce businesses, water
utility companies, the emergency services and farmers. All of the events were hosted on grouse moors with gamekeepers and
regional moorland groups acting as coordinators and one of the key
attractions. Events were held at locations across Yorkshire, Lancashire,
the Peak District and the northern Pennines. At its heart, the project aims to show children the variety of
wildlife on our uplands and the importance of creating a balanced and
healthy moorland for future generations. The funding will allow phase
two of the initiative to begin, creating further opportunities to allow
local organisations to engage and educate children.
Birds put on spectacular autumnal show at Scotland’s nature reserves Photographers have captured stunning images of wild geese and waders
flocking to Scotland.
Images taken at Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) national nature
reserves at Forvie, Loch Leven and Caerlaverock reveal the mass
migration of wild birds from Iceland, Greenland and Svalbard. Stuart MacQuarrie, SNH’s Head of Nature Reserves, said: Scientific Publications Hannes A. Schraft, Shannon Whelan, Kyle H. Elliott
Huffin’ and puffin: seabirds use large bills to dissipate heat from
energetically demanding flight Journal of Experimental Biology 2019
: jeb.212563 Short Communication doi: 10.1242/jeb.212563 Published 17
October 2019 Soyeon Bae, Shaun R. Levick, et al
Radar
vision in the mapping of forest biodiversity from space.
Nature Communications volume 10, Article number: 4757 (2019) doi:
10.1038/s41467-019-12737-x
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CJS is not responsible for content of external sites. Details believed correct but given without prejudice. Disclaimer: the views expressed in these news pages do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CJS. |
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Image:
Liz Reynolds
There is widespread concern over the status of pollinators, as many
insect groups including bees, butterflies, moths and hoverflies have
declined dramatically in the UK and globally both in their abundance and
diversity. Wild bees (bumblebees and solitary bees) show among the most
severe declines of any UK pollinators. Northern Ireland is home to
many nationally rare and threatened bee species and supports the largest
population in the UK of Northern Colletes (Colletes floralis) a
Priority Species for conservation action. The Bee report is a call to
action to save Northern Ireland’s wild bees.
Following
May’s surprise UK top 20 chart hit, Let Nature Sing, a music track of
pure birdsong, the charity is hoping to once again bring birdsong back
into everyone’s life as a reminder of what we all stand to lose if the
crisis facing nature is not addressed.
©
Mat Larkin 
More
than one in four bottles that litter our countryside may not be included
in the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) if the government buckles under
pressure from industry, according to CPRE, the countryside charity.
The
ReRoute panel with SNH staff (©Young Scot
