Severe weather puts hundreds of Cumbrian homes at risk of flooding
Motorists told to drive ‘only if absolutely necessary’ after torrential rain and Environment Agency issues six severe flood warnings Police have warned motorists in Cumbria to drive “only if absolutely necessary” after torrential rain left roads flooded and put more than 1,000 homes at risk. The Environment Agency has issued six severe flood warnings – […]
The Man Who Made Things Out of Trees review – a well-crafted tribute to the ash
Cycling writer Rob Penn takes an enjoyable change of direction – into the woods “I grew up under an ash tree,” Robert Penn writes at the start of his new book. Really, his point is that we all did. The oak might have inspired more poetry, and the willow has a more evocative name. Ash […]
Biotech bid to take shark off the menu and cut the fin trade
Food tech firm makes alternative to Asian delicacy that kills 73 million fish a year A new San Francisco startup is hoping to combat the trade in shark fins with biotechnology. New Wave Foods is planning to use genetically modified yeast to produce collagen, which can be crafted into the desired fan-like structure typical of […]
Climate change could bring tropical disease epidemics to Britain, health expert warns
Paris summit must recognise spreading health danger posed by global warming, says Wellcome Trust director Epidemics of dengue fever and other tropical diseases could soon affect people in Britain because of global warming, one of the world’s leading medical experts has warned. Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, said he also believed the planet […]
The planet’s future is in the balance. But a transformation is already under way
As the world prepares for the UN Paris climate summit, the world is at a tipping point. But a political and scientific revolution could yet save it We Homo sapiens got lucky. Very lucky. Back in the 1920s, when looking for a “safe” gas to use in refrigerators, chlorine was the element of choice in […]
From driverless cars to jetpacks: meet the tech innovators reshaping transit
A look at the tinkerers, designers and big thinkers pushing the boundaries of transportation New Zealand-based Martin Aircraft Company’s flagship product is an unconventional flying machine: a jetpack that might seem like a prop from a sci-fi movie, were it not for the fact that it’s well on the road to commercialization. In October, New […]
Flood warnings issued as north England and Wales brace for heavy rain
Month’s rainfall forecast to fall in 24 hours in some areas, with special pumps dispatched to Cumbria where flood risk is greatest People in northern England and Wales have been warned to brace themselves for possible flooding as another band of heavy rain sweeps across the UK. The Met Office has issued amber warnings of […]
Green Roofs: Sow, Grow, Repeat
Green roofs are sprouting up all over the place, but what’s the point of putting plants on top of buildings? Green roofs are sprouting up all over the place but what’s the point of putting plants on top of buildings? On the show, Jane Perrone talks to green roof guru Dusty Gedge about high-rise wildlife […]
From Rotterdam to Tokyo: the world's most hi-tech cycle parks
Businesses and cities are installing state of the art parking facilities for the swelling ranks of cyclists, but will they pay to park? For all those cyclists who leave their bike at the station only to spend the rest of the day worrying it will be stolen or vandalised, there may be hope in the […]
The sun is setting on solar, but there’s still time to scoop the feed-in tariffs
Householders are rushing to take advantage of generous Fits before they are cut in January – and you can too Around 655,000 homes – less than 3% of the UK’s housing stock – have solar panels, but if government plans to slash the industry subsidy go ahead, further installations could be halted, campaigners are warning. […]