Sept.
Events
1st- 5th
European Congress of Conservation Biology, Prague, Czech Rep.
3rd
Defra Noise Action Plan Free Stakeholder Event, London
3rd- 5th
CEST2009 - Environmental Science & Technology, Chania, Greece
7th- 11th
Renewable Energy in the Urban Environment, Berlin, Germany
9th- 13th
Europarc 2009, Kosterhavet, Sweden
10th- 11th
Education for Sustainable Development: Graduates as Global Citizens, Bournemouth
14th
Soil Treatment Workshop, Chatham
15th
Defra Noise Action Plan Free Stakeholder Event, Bristol
15th- 17th
All Our Futures 2: Getting real - investing in our future, Plymouth
15th- 17th
Recycling & Waste Management Exhibition (RWM) 2009, Birmingham
16th- 17th
The Future of Freshwaters, Warwick
17th
Defra Noise Action Plan Free Stakeholder Event, Birmingham
21st
Defra Noise Action Plan Free Stakeholder Event, Manchester
21st- 22nd
Energy & Environment: Project Financing Workshop, Brokerage & Networking, St Julians Malta
21st- 25th
Solar Electricity Installation Course - Off-Grid Applications, Berlin, Germany
21st- 23rd
Environmental Health Risk 2009, New Forest, UK
22nd
Defra Noise Action Plan Free Stakeholder Event, Leeds
23rd
Biomass & Air Quality: Measuring the Impacts, London
24th
NO2: Are We Understanding the Problem?, London
28th- 30th
Regional Airports Seminar 2009, New Forest
30th
Sustainable Procurement 2009, London
30th
Air Quality Management - The 11th Hour, Bristol
30th- 2nd Education for Sustainability Karlsruhe, Germany
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For further
details on
these &
other events,
see the
events page
of the IES
website. |
August 2009
IES News
 Burntwood Lecture
The IES is pleased to announce that Professor Bob Watson, Chief Scientific Advisor, will be now be giving the keynote address at this year's Burntwood Lecture. The Lecture will be held at the Royal Society in London on the 11th November. The theme of the evening is how environmental sciences have and should inform our strategic planning. This free event also features the presentation of the John Rose Award. You can request tickets by contacting the IES Office.
John Rose Prize - One month left to apply
It is the mission of the IES, and of the John Rose Award, to help exceptional research fulfil its potential by communicating it beyond the scientific community. A £1000 grant will be awarded to a MSc or PhD project that demonstrates both innovative, quality research in environmental sciences as well as the capacity to disseminate findings to the general public. The grant will be used to promote the project as widely as possible and so maximise its value. The closing date for applications is 2nd October.
 Thinking & Acting Sustainably Workshop
This one-day PP4SD workshop in Bristol on October 27th will bring together professionals from different areas to engage in practical activities and dialogue on sustainability and sustainable development. It is intended to explore ideas on how best to integrate sustainable development principles into professional practice.
Dr Morris Cooke
The IES sadly reports the death of Dr Morris Arthur Cooke. Dr Cooke was an IES Member since 1972 and previously a Professor of Toxicology, an Occupational Physician and a Dermatologist. Donations to Help the Aged c/o Thomas Furber & Co Ltd, 122 Station Road, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9LS. All inquiries to 0121 427 2233.
ES Links
 Shameless Plugs
Ellie Good, who has done an unbelievable amount of free graphic design work for the IES over the past few years, has just launched a new free magazine, EggMag, described as "consuming with a conscience." The first edition themed around 'Vintage' features articles on B-Movies, thrift-shop chic, guerilla gardening and brewing your own beer. Another EnviroSci contributor, Morgan Phillips, on 28th August will be doing a bike ride to raise much needed money for Global Footsteps. He has decided to add a big mental challenge to the physical challenge, by cycling laps of the inner ring road of Cheltenham from Midday to Midnight. You can sponsor him here.
Rushlight Awards
The Rushlight Awards celebrate and promote organisations in the UK and Ireland which have demonstrated extraordinary environmental credentials. To be eligible for the prize, the organisation must have furthered environmental consideration, technology and innovation in the fields of renewable energy, clean fuels, power generation, green products and services, water, waste, environmental management and general industry. The event, now in its 3rd year, has recently been accredited by the RSA and is one of a handful of feeder schemes for the European Business Awards for the Environment. The awards are open to entries and will remain so until 31 October 2009.
Costal Path Audit
Natural England has recently completed an audit of existing coastal paths, working with all 53 English coastal access authorities. As part of the survey, a series of ‘gap maps’ have been produced illustrating the current level of fragmentation of paths along England’s coastline. The results show that 66% of the coast – 1,827 miles – is currently served by a satisfactory, legally secure path, while 34% – 921 miles – has no satisfactory, legally secure path or only a permissive or de facto path. The report, regional maps and further information can be viewed on the Natural England website.
Looking for a job?
There are a whole host of new jobs available for the IES job page, including positions for graduates at the Science Council, StudentForce and EAUC.
 CHES Presentations online
The presentations from the CHES AGM in July are now online including: Joanna Simpson (HEFCE) 'Sustainable development - the role of higher education and HEFCE'; Simon Jackman (NERC) 'Exploiting environmental science: opportunities in the Green Economy'; and Dan Osbourne (NERC) 'Living with environmental change'.
Royal Bank of Sustainability
Last week, a high court judge ruled that campaign groups have an arguable case that the Treasury breached its own policy to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions by using public funds to bail out RBS, which has long been one of the biggest lenders to the energy industry. The full hearing will take place in October. The campaigners want to make sure that public money used for bailouts is put towards building sustainability and have put forward the idea of transforming the RBS into the Royal Bank of Sustainability.
Bowing Out
Jonathon Porritt has written his final blog as chair of the SDC, entitled ‘Looking Back on Nine Years at the Sustainable Development Commission.’
Demand Climate Change
Friends of the Earth have launched the bizarrely named petition, Demand Climate Change, urging world leaders attending the Copenhagen climate change summit in December to make the right decisions for the climate and people all over the world.
Sustainable Food Supplies
A Defra report, ‘Securing Food Supplies up to 2050: the Challenges for the UK’, has concluded that the UK should take advantage of its temperate climate and contribute to the global challenge of securing sufficient future food supplies. The report identifies that the increased food production will have to be sustainable, i.e. reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the food system, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and conserve soil and water. However, it does not agree with targets for food production but believes that increasing competence in the food and farming industries will allow them to respond to market signals in ways that will reduce the risk of food shortages.
Consumer Attitudes towards Recycling
WRAP has published a report on consumer attitudes to the use of recycled materials in electrical and electronic products, and whether it influences purchasing decisions.
Articles
Stockton Borough Council Carbon Footprint Report
Have you ever wondered how the vital services we use every day contribute to climate change, and what can be done about the resulting impact?
The Environment team at Stockton Borough Council did, which is why they commissioned a report on the council’s carbon footprint, and what can be done to change things for the better. read more....
Torn: Business travel decisions based on economic climate not environmental concerns
Research undertaken by the Barclaycard Commercial Business Travel Survey shows that greater focus on managing environmental impacts in an effort to drive down business travel costs does not appear to be working.
 The deciding factor in these decisions is not longer term environmental impact, but short term responses to the current business climate. Of the 15 per cent of business travellers who anticipated travelling less this year, three out of five respondents (57%) will be doing this in response to declining business or cost issues and only one per cent as a result of a company environmental policy. read more....
Trivial Tips Cause Carbon Complacency
Depressing and trivial climate change campaigns advising consumers to reduce carbon dioxide emissions are wasting precious time and resources by not distinguishing between big and small savings, alienating people and make them feel overwhelmed and powerless. read more....
Mark Everard - The Business of Biodiversity
Reviewed by Bea Ayling
 The purpose of this book is to encourage businesses to become more sustainable and incorporate conservation of biodiversity into their remits. The clear, concise language - familiar to those who read Mark’s regular contributions to the Environmental Scientist - and short, succinct chapters allows the reader not to become overwhelmed with information. Biodiversity and its evolution are explained in simple layman terms for business leaders not used to scientific language. read more... |
