Eco-towns “irrelevant ” to UK Housing and Environment
The Government’s plans for eco-towns make a “derisory” contribution to housing need and are irrelevant to the environmental challenges facing Britain, the Optimum Population Trust says today (Monday June 30).
In its submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on eco-towns, which closes today, the OPT says 15 million more houses will be [...]
Only one third of UK secondary schools have a sex clinic
One third of UK secondary schools now have a sex clinic. And a good thing, too, given the UK’s massive lead in teen pregnancies. Let’s hope the other two thirds follow suit.
Coverage here and here.
And the fpa and Brook have called for SRE education to start in primary schools.
Meanwhile, councils across England are choosing their [...]
Energy and climate change - the need, the solution, the reality
The need - Major economies should aim to halve world emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and work out ways to bury gases in a wider assault on climate change, the science academies of 13 nations said on Tuesday. Coverage
Big business is getting worried: coverage here and here and here
The tipping point is near according [...]
EU/UK starts getting tough on immigration
This growing issue is becoming a higher priority as population pressures increase the level of migration. On World Refugee Day, the UNHCR notes record refugees of 11m due to conflict, climate change and rising food prices. I’d add rising populations to the mix. Coverage here.
Europe is having to respond.
UK names and shames companies employing illegal immigrants.
The new [...]
Wot no water?
Worries about water: apparently Goldman Sachs also think it’s the next big shortage, after oil and food.
BBC - overview
New Zealand - water shortage leads to energy shortage - unlike Bangladesh where it’s the other way round.
And in Australia, water shortages may soon push a key agricultural area beyond repair.
Groundwater: another diminishing non-renewable resource.
Meanwhile, water for the Beijing [...]
Is wanting fewer humans pro humanity?
No, say critics of family planning programmes. They characterise attempts to stop and reverse population growth as a sinister attack on mankind’s right, God-given or not, to grow, progress, dominate and otherwise advance itself. However, they tend to fall quiet when it’s a question of women’s right to be supported in managing their own fertility.
The [...]
Drugged, pregnant and fat
Children are being failed by councils which are struggling to tackle levels of teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and obesity, according to the Government’s watchdog. An Ofsted report found that fewer local authorities are offering a good service in terms of health, education and social care than a year ago.
More than one in five town halls [...]
Who’s a pretty climate canary?
Climate canaries are species which disappear early - possible warnings of things to come.
Bees?
or perhaps butterflies?
Though we probably wouldn’t hear the canary anyway, due to noise pollution. This is more serious than it sounds…
Meanwhile, the 191 nation UN Conference on Biodiversity in Bonn has had mixed results.
The conference had “confirmed the indifference of the international [...]
2006 numbers - record UK migration
Record numbers of people are leaving the UK to live abroad, but more are arriving, according to the latest estimates. Over the last 10 years about two million British citizens have emigrated. And they make up more than half the total number of people who left the UK in 2006.
The population and migration figures for [...]
Ecotowns
The government’s proposals for ecotowns neatly conflate the growing need for more housing with the growing need for more sustainable living. We would agree that the causes of both are the same: the ones the government mentions - increased longevity and more people living alone - and the ones they don’t - large scale immigration [...]
Joined up government - should we subsidise overpopulation?
The UK government recognises that continuing rapid population growth in one of the world’s most densely populated countries does contribute to housing shortage, predicted water shortages, congestion and pressure on wildlife, the environment, the climate and natural resources.
Yet it continues to subsidise multiple childbirths through child tax credits, child benefit and payments towards child care.
Certainly, [...]
What have food, energy and water got in common?
“Essential for human life? Yes, David, but that wasn’t the answer I was looking for…
Running out? Well done, Samantha, I can see you’ve been paying attention.”
Q. Are the food price rises caused by biofuels, a growing chinese bourgeoisie, rising fuel prices or population growth?
A. All of them!
The FAO says all we need is a [...]
CO2 - Kick the Habit! World Environment Day - 5.05.08
Towards a Low Carbon Economy!
What can we do for the environment on World Environment Day?
The Environment Agency is worried about water. Use less water and put a pond in your garden. Stay at home in stormy weather, but get out there and help others. In any event, get ready for floods. What about [...]