Plastic wet wipes to be banned in the UK by summer
Wet wipes containing plastic are to be banned from being sold in the UK, with legislation announced by Environment Secretary Steve Barclay on 22 April 2024. Barclay says the move is needed to protect our waterways from “an unnecessary source of pollution”. The new law means it will be illegal to sell wet wipes containing plastic in England, before being rolled out to the rest of the UK later this year.
Wet wipes containing plastic break down into microplastics over time, which research shows can be harmful to human health and disrupt ecosystems. It is hoped the ban will reduce plastic and microplastic pollution and reduce the volume of microplastics entering wastewater treatment sites.
Follow this link to read more about the UK-wide ban on wet wipes containing plastic
Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik
Climate Stripes
Global temperatures were so hot in 2023 that the latest climate stripes image needs a whole new colour to show it, its creator said.
Professor Ed Hawkins, a climate scientist at NCAS, University of Reading, has published the first updated climate stripes image for the globe using the latest interim data for 2023.
The stripe representing 2023 will require the darkest red colour from the current scale.
Follow this link to read more about Climate Stripes
Visiting RSPB Pagham Harbour LNR
This sheltered inlet is an internationally important wetland site for wildlife, featuring saltmarsh and mudflats, lagoons, reedbeds, farmland and shingle beach. Follow our trails around the reserve, venturing past the old Sidlesham tramway, along the pebbly beach, and even to our neighbouring reserve, Medmerry.
Follow this link to find out what there is to see at RSPB Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve
Sussex Kelp Recovery Project
This year the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project celebrates its third anniversary.
In March 2021, over 300km² of seabed was protected from trawling by the Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority. This saw the creation of the largest marine rewilding project in the UK - Sussex Kelp Recovery Project.
Since then, they have initiated an enormous research and monitoring program to understand how marine ecosystems recover when we take away the human pressures and let nature lead in its own recovery.
Follow this link to read more about the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project
Coastal visits linked to well-being
Coastal destinations are highly popular for leisure, yet the effects of spending time at the coast on mental and physical health have remained underexplored. To accelerate the research about the effects of the coast on health, Belgian scientists compiled a dataset from a survey of nearly 2000 Flemish adults about their visits to the Belgian coast.
Follow this link to read the article in Nature about Coastal visits linked to well-being
Hemsby 'roll-back' homes
Villagers on a vulnerable stretch of coast at Hemsby, about 7.5 miles north of Great Yarmouth, who face losing their homes to the sea could be offered new plots further inland on which to rebuild their properties.
Follow this link to read more about the Hemsby roll-back proposal.
Marine Conservation Advice Packages
Natural England are publishing the new draft Marine Conservation Advice package for Yarmouth to Cowes Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).
The updates to existing packages in this publication round are reflected in the most recent ‘October 2023 publication updates’ document, available on the MPA CA Guidance page. Marine Conservation Advice packages are summarised in their recent infographic on Marine Conservation Advice Packages.
Where to find marine conservation advice packages
The packages listed in this email can be accessed via the Marine Protected Areas: conservation advice packages collection on .GOV.UK, alongside previously published advice. Packages are split among sea regions, as detailed below. You can also navigate directly to the packages by using the search tool on Designated Sites View or via the Index Map.
BBC Breakfast Water Quality Special plus 'Our Sea Forest'
Rob and Bianca from the Clean Harbours Partnership Team have a couple of really relevant and interesting links to share.
If you happened to miss last week's BBC Breakfast Water Quality Special on Tues 5th September, which was filmed at Langstone Harbour, worry not! The Clean Harbours Partnership Team have curated and uploaded the most pertinent segments relating to the Clean Harbours Partnership's efforts on their YouTube channel. You can watch them here: https://youtu.be/BbP4n5HihXM?si=9sGLJmh6WlbtKUDf
They would also like to share a link to the recently aired BBC program, 'Our Sea Forest,' which aired on Friday 8 September 2023. Produced by talented local filmmaker Sarah Cunliffe, this show delves into the potential rejuvenation of kelp beds off the Sussex coastline. Kelp beds are vanishing at an alarming rate, with over 95% of these crucial 'blue forests' disappearing in locations as diverse as California and Tasmania. In the United Kingdom, our kelp forests could vanish within the next 75 years. These underwater forests serve as vital nurseries for numerous marine species, oxygenate the water, offer protection against storm surges and coastal erosion, and their ecosystems help sequester substantial amounts of carbon dioxide. They also play a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of climate change. 'Our Sea Forest' now symbolizes the aspirations of many for a brighter future. Catch up here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001q97d
Make A Difference Awards MWHG
Great news from the Manhood Wildlife & Heritage Group (MWHG) – the group is a finalist in the Green Award category of the Make A Difference Awards, and members of the group have been interviewed on BBC Radio Sussex and Suffolk about their work.
MWHG will feature on BBC Radio Sussex as a finalist of the BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey Make a Difference Awards, across five shows from the 21st to the 27th August 2023.
The annual Make a Difference Awards recognise people and groups who make life better for others in their communities. In June, MWHG was elated to hear that out of thousands of nominated groups and individuals, they had been selected as one of four finalists in the Green Award category.
In the lead up to the second round of judging, due to take place shortly before the results are announced on the 25th September 2023, the group was invited to be interviewed for a featured story about their community led conservation work, which protects nature on the Peninsula south of Chichester, West Sussex.
Listen on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey
You can hear our story at the dates and times listed below, on BBC Radio Sussex on 104.5, 95.3FM and DAB and on BBC Radio Surrey on 104.0, 104.6FM and DAB. Anyone outside of these areas can listen live or catch-up on BBC Sounds.
Wednesday 23rd August | Breakfast 7:45 am
Thursday 24th August | Morning 11:50 am
Friday 25th August | Afternoon 3:20 pm
Sunday 27th August | Morning 11:50 am
The Future of Seaside Towns Follow Up Report
Following up on the 2017 government report on seaside towns, an new report including the Levelling Up Agenda and a review on progress has been issued.
The original report looks at the regeneration of seaside towns and communities and suggests that the 'one size fits all' approach should be avoided, with transport and housing being two of the key issues. The report states:
'Seaside towns must be inspired to regain their pioneering spirit and evolve to meet present day and future challenges. We are convinced that they can reinvent themselves with a long-term, place-based vision—a comprehensive approach that involves working with a range of partners to address multiple causes of social problem in a locality—that is supported by local leaders and grounded in each town’s unique assets'.
Follow this link to read the Future of Seaside Towns Follow Up Report 2023
Follow this link to read the original Future of Seaside Towns Report 2017