Category: "news"
2010 Ties For Warmest Year
According to NOAA scientists, 2010 tied with 2005 as the warmest year of the global surface temperature record, beginning in 1880. This was the 34th consecutive year with global temperatures above the 20th century average. For the contiguous United States alone, the 2010 average annual temperature was above normal,... read more »
Food and Climate Change
Defra Science has just issued the Autumn 2010 edition of 'Elements', its online science magazine. This edition is looking at the effect climate change may have food production, and how we can ensure a sustainable food supply in the face of potential change. Professor Bob Watson, Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser has the following to say: A changing climate... read more »
Flood & Erosion Risk
The Environment Agency has been working with Defra to develop a strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. The strategy is required under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and will describe what needs to be done by all involved in flood and coastal risk... read more »
Climate Change
The Earth’s climate is changing, and these differences in global temperatures are already altering weather patterns, causing sea levels to rise and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather. Even if emissions stop today, our past emissions mean changes to the climate will continue for the next 30-40 years.... read more »
Flood and Coastal Erosion consultation
The Environment Agency has been working with Defra to develop a strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. The strategy is required under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and will describe what needs to be done by all involved in flood and coastal risk... read more »
The 'Plastiki' Expedition
Ever wondered about the fate of all those plastic bottles that wash up on our beaches very summer? In Australia last summer plastic bottles were put to a far more eco-friendly task than simply becoming a waste product. The Plastiki is a 60 feet (18 m) catamaran made out of 12,500... read more »
Planning & Climate Change Guide
A new guide to planning and climate change has been launched by the Planning and Climate Change Coalition which includes planners, local authorities, developers and environmental organisations. The Planning & Climate Change Coalition was brought together by Friends of the Earth and the Town & Country Planning Association. It includes... read more »
The Sun Also Rises on Renewables
Recessionary conditions did not stop 2009 from finishing as a record year for the amount of new green power added to the grid globally. Growth and investment is evident in power generation, transport fuels, and other sectors, as documented in the Renewables 2010 Global Status Report issued by the... read more »
Lt Col John Q Davis 1947 - 2010
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Lt Col. John Q Davis OBE, Chichester Harbour Master and Manager, on Saturday 28th August. Ex-Royal Marine John had been harbourmaster for 12 years, responsible for both the harbour authority and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He received... read more »
Warmer by Degrees
What might the earth look like after warming by a few degrees? A range of scenarios can be found on the 4 Degrees Selsius Google Earth layer developed by the UK government in the Science section of the Foreign & Commonwealth website. This examines changes to our planet on a... read more »
Charting Progress 2
Charting Progress 2 is a comprehensive report on the state of the UK seas. Published by the UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment community, the report is based on a robust, peer-reviewed evidence base and describes progress made since the publication of Charting Progress in 2005. It provides key findings from... read more »
Marine Conservation Zones
The Marine Conservation Zone Project is a partnership project working with people who use the sea for their livelihood or leisure to identify Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). The Project area has been split into four regional MCZ projects covering the south-west (Finding Sanctuary), Irish Sea (Irish Sea Conservation Zones),... read more »
Ecological Seas Network
A new online interactive map showing the ecological network for our seas has been developed, allowing you to contribute your own knowledge to help our understanding of the seas. Information contributed in this way will help develop the national Marine Conservation Zones Project, whose aim is to provide an insight into how the... read more »
Water-scrapers
Move over sky-scrapers, now we have water-scrapers. Power is generated in this self contained underwater city using wave, wind and solar power. The city also produces its own food using farming, aquaculture and hydroponic techniques. So what keeps the water-scraper upright? It uses a system of ballasts that are aided by... read more »
Flood & Water Management Act 2010
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 received Royal Assent on the 08 April 2010. The main benefits of the act are as follows: Better protection for homes, communities and businesses from the risk of extreme weather as a result of climate change, such as heavier rain and increased risk... read more »
Action Plans & Strategies
A new action plan has been launched about international climate change, Beyond Copenhagen: The UK Government's International UK Action Plan, which shows what must be done to build on the progress made at Copenhagen. The plan sets out the Government’s belief that the low carbon transformation can be... read more »
Policy Statements - Climate Change
The government has launched consultations for new Planning Policy Statements (PPS) on climate change and the natural environment along with new policy guidance on coastal change. The proposed climate change planning policy includes requirements to reduce the need for people to travel between where they live and work. The installation... read more »
Saltire Prize
The Saltire Prize, a £10 million challenge to encourage the international commercial development of marine energy, was formally opened today by the Scottish Government. The prize will go to a commercially viable wave or tidal energy technology that generates at least 100GW of electricity over two years using only the power... read more »
Local IFCAs
Following the passage of the Marine and Coastal Access Act, ten Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) are being established round the English coast, one of which will include Sussex. Members are now being recruited to join these committees. The IFCAs will replace the existing Sea Fisheries Committees from April 2011. The intention is to promote a... read more »
UK Marine Science Strategy
The UK Marine Science Strategy was launched on 3rd February 2010. The Strategy sets out a framework for shaping, supporting, co-ordinating and enabling the delivery of world class marine science for the UK. It is the first UK Marine Science Strategy to be produced, and its development was a key... read more »