Barley was the most cultivated cereal through the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages. Around 8,000 years ago a single gene mutation in a barley plant in northern Iran enabled it to freely shed its husks when harvested and threshed, so the grain could be eaten without...
The UK government's Department of Health and Social Care had planned to encourage retailers to shift the balance of price promotions towards "minimally processed foods" - which includes fruit, vegetables, beans, whole grains like rice and pasta, and unprocessed meat....
According to Greepeace only 17% of the UK's plastic waste is recycled: the rest is burned, dumped abroad, or sent to landfill. Globally only 9% of all plastics produced are actually being recycled, and in fact only 21% of all plastic is economically recyclable, (i.e....
From Monday 16 June to Friday 20 June you can take part in the #5DAYCHALLENGE to reduce single-use waste. Choose a new swap each day or stick with one that works for you – whether it’s refilling your coffee cup, reusing containers for takeaways, or shopping...
After No-Mow May comes Let it bloom June! Some tips on how to manage your lawn for nature all year round from Plant Life's Let it Bloom June campaign. Things don’t have to get messy and you can still be in control while maintaining a space for your local wildlife....
Photo: Greenpeace Last month, at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, the UK Government admitted that the country's Rosebank oilfield off Shetland, was approved unlawfully by the previous Conservative administration, because the environmental assessment only considered...
by Anne MacLennan Pesticides Have you noticed that unwaxed lemons from the Co-op are treated with Imazalil (fungicide), pyrimethanil (fungicide) and preservative E-202 (potassium sorbate)? Lettuce often harbours multiple pesticides, which can be reduced, but not...
On 20th June, the UK’s Supreme Court ruled that the ‘inevitable’ future climate impact of burning coal, oil and gas must be taken into account when deciding whether to approve fossil fuel projects, not just the emissions at the extraction site. The case was brought by...
by Anne MacLennan Food is basic to life, but our current mainstream food system contributes to climate change, environmental destruction and to poor health. A recent headline, 'UK children shorter, fatter and sicker' was based on a report from the Food Foundation in...
by Anne MacLennan Politicians should be particularly interested in our views over the next few weeks. VoteClimate has analysed MPs’ parliamentary votes on climate-relevant issues since 2010, to inform UK voters. This helps in choosing candidates and parties who are...