We wrote a letter, which was published this weekend alongside an article in the Sunday Times. It calls on the government to re-instate caring for nature in the primary school curriculum for the benefit of children today and tomorrow. Sir David Attenborough called me up to let me know he would sign our letter.
Our bee population remains in crisis and, in recent months, bees have been in the headlines once again. This is largely in light of a growing body of evidence emerging on the impact that neonicotinoids - a type of systemic insecticide used in agriculture, as well as in the home - has on bee health and wellbeing.
Someone nowhere probably didn't say this, although everyone thinks it was Einstein: "If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live". A rogue, probably inaccurate quote. So why bother using it? Because it's likely to be a bit accurate too. In short: bees are dying. And we should be worried.
Giant pandas are charismatic, fascinating creatures. From a biological perspective, I find them so very interesting. I really like them. And yet, I think it may be the time to let them drift off into extinction or, at the very least, reconsider our approach to their conservation. I do not say this lightly.
Socotra. The name conjures images of the exotic and unknown, an island paradise, with breathtaking beaches and a truly alien landscape. Where is this place, you might ask. The answer is Yemen.
Making nature part of children's everyday experience is a simple and effective way of plugging them into the world around them. Children are naturally inquisitive and love to explore; it's about getting them hooked and excited about the simple things. It could be about watching ants marching to their nests, snails clinging to a wall or birds singing in a tree.