Scottish scientists to investigate links between soil degradation and poverty
The ALTER project (Alternative Carbon Investments in Ecosystems for Poverty Alleviation) is a 3 year international research initiative led by the James Hutton Institute with partners from Ethiopia and Uganda, including Hawassa University, the Ethiopian Government’s Southern Agricultural Research Institute and the Carbon Foundation for East Africa (Uganda) as well as CGIAR, International Water Management […]
STA welcomes Government’s moves to boost renewable heat market
The STA welcomes DECC’s announcement today that grants available to households installing renewable heat technologies, including solar heating systems, are to double. The grant for solar heating rises to £600 subject to a requirement that the household undertakes a Green Deal energy efficiency assessment. Stuart Elmes, Chair of the STA’s Solar Thermal Working Group, said: […]
Climate change will cause widespread global-scale loss of common plants and animals
Research published today in the journal Nature Climate Change looked at 50,000 globally widespread and common species and found that two thirds of the plants and half of the animals will lose more than half of their climatic range by 2080 if nothing is done to reduce the amount of global warming and slow it […]
Husqvarna’s leading lady
Professional arborist and two time ISA Tree Climbing Champion, Josephine Hedger of Hampshire was presented with two Husqvarna chainsaws – T536Li XP 12″ cordless top handle and a 550 XP G 15″ with a combined RRP value of over £1500.00. Josephine has been a leading female figure within the world of arboristry since setting up […]
European Commission’s proposals for high provisional duties on Chinese solar panels “very disappointing”
The STA is very disappointed that the European Commission has proposed provisional duties on Chinese imported solar panels of between 37% and 67% [1]. The STA opposes the imposition of any duties which restrict free trade and the growth of the solar market. STA CEO Paul Barwell said: “These duties, if imposed, will damage the […]
MEP slams Commission for dunking a ‘witch’
The European Commission has today (08.05.13) over-ridden the wishes of the UK government and restricted the use of certain insecticides from the neonicotinoid group. This action has been taken in response to declines in bee populations. Many crop experts and farmers are unhappy with the decision and claim that there is insufficient data to confirm […]
REA hits back at NGOs’ biomass ‘Pseudo-Science’
The Renewable Energy Association, whose members include both large and small biomass developers and suppliers, has taken the unusual step of publishing a private letter sent last month to the heads of three green campaign groups, appealing to them to review their strategy of “promoting … misinformation” and “deliberately facilitating confusion” about biomass among the […]
Important industry project aims to boost bee numbers on UK farms
The five-year study, jointly funded by national merchant Gleadell Agriculture and the agronomy specialist Hutchinsons, has already identified considerable variations in the seasonal availability of pollen and nectar, which are likely to be contributing to the reducing numbers of bees that are regularly being reported. Ways of tackling these shortfalls are currently being assessed, to […]
Not enough field evidence to support EU ban on neonicotinoids
CLA President Harry Cotterell said: “We are concerned that the ban is based on incomplete evidence gained from limited laboratory testing, rather than field-based trials that accurately reflect the use of these pesticides in farming practice. “The decision has set a dangerous precedent by allowing the ban of these three products, based on such limited […]
