Calls to abandon seaside towns due to climate change
Researchers have said coastal towns should be abandoned as sea levels rise because of climate change.
Scientists have advised governments around the world to prepare for ‘managed retreat’ from seaside towns and cities, in a paper published in Science.
They said the move should not be ‘seen largely as a last resort, a failure to adapt, or a one-time emergency action’ , but as an opportunity to build better communities away from the encroaching waters.
Rewilding project to boost stork population
A group of 24 young white storks have been released at the Knepp Estate in West Sussex as part of a project to increase numbers of the species in Southern England.
The White Stork Project is a joint initiative between landowners and conservation charities to restore a population of at least 50 breeding pairs by 2030.
Fight to save postbox that protected community during WWII
Villagers in South Wales are desperately appealing against the removal of a ‘cherished’ and ‘iconic’ landmark from their community.
BT is considering decommissioning Bryn-y-Gwenin’s telephone box, but local residents say it helped protect the village during World War II. Conservative MP David Davies said the box was used to warn of air raids and has remained a useful lifeline to this day.
On this day...
On 23 August, 1873, Albert Bridge in Chelsea, London, was opened. Designed and built by Rowland Mason Ordish, the cable-stayed bridge was adapted between 1884 and 1887 to incorporate design elements of a suspension bridge. In 1973 the Greater London Council added two concrete piers. The bridge is a Grade II listed building.
Warning over health of rivers
Environmental charity the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), has said government’s targets to clean-up British rivers are unrealistic.
The Environment Agency predicts 75% of rivers in England and along the Scottish and Welsh borders will meet EU expectations by 2027, compared with just 14% now, but the WWF believes these targets are ‘very unlikely’ to be met.
We are, it appears, all dog people
The idea that some of us are more inclined to felines and others passionate about dogs may have to be revised.
A group of scientists tested human responses to the whining of distressed dogs and the miaows of aggravated cats and across the board, people found the dog whines the most emotionally affecting sound.
Sheep return to Hamstead Heath for first time in 60 years
On Monday (26 August) a flock of five Oxford Down and Norfolk Horn sheep will be released on Hamstead Heath, North London, for a week-long trial.
It is hoped the grazing could prove an eco-friendly way of maintaining the centuries-old heath.
And finally... Drama for Stephen the hedgehog
A pensioner was left devastated when his van was stolen on 17 August. The vehicle contained particularly precious piece of cargo — a blind hedgehog called Stephen.
Frank Tett, 80, and his wife, Veronica, 78, run a charity for injured hedgehogs in North Lincolnshire and had been caring for Stephen since May after he was sprayed with chemicals and blinded.
The van has not been recovered, but Mr and Mrs Tett received a call on Wednesday (21 August) to say that they had found the pet carrier and a bag with business cards for the charity in Middleton.
Mr Tett said that he drove 60 miles to pick up Stephen.
‘I just can’t believe it, he said. ‘Miracles do happen.’
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Country Life today: Eagles spell trouble, the cheapest Cotswolds cottage and an underground farm
In today’s round-up we bring you news of sea eagles arriving in England, a charming Cotswold cottage for £12,000 and
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Country Life today: A scorching forecast, hidden plastic pollution and a moo-ving rescue
Today’s news round-up features predictions of record-breaking temperatures this bank holiday weekend, plus the hidden plastic littering our beaches and
-
Nature and nurture in the gardens of Bramham ParkTim Richardson looks at the innovative and superbly maintained 18th-century landscape garden of Bramham Park in West Yorkshire, home of Nick and Rachel Lane Fox. Photographs by Paul Highnam.
-
If the future of Ferrari is electric vehicles, then it is our future tooIt's widely believed that Ferrari will unveil its first electric car this year. It's the signal that the internal combustion era is coming to an end.
-
The brilliant tractor tribute to the NHS from a group of Warwickshire farmersPeople around Britain have been paying tribute to the efforts of our NHS workers at the time of the coronavirus pandemic — but few have been as creative and clever as this one.
-
London's iconic red bus at risk and 6,000 year old chewing gum gives clues into our DNA historyCuts to industry subsidies and an increase in fares has left bus use at its lowest point ever, while DNA extracted from ancient 'chewing gum' allows scientists to decipher the genetic code of a Stone Age woman.
-
90-million-year-old 'swimming dinosaur' skeleton found by dogs out walking in Somerset, and the nonchalant moths who don't bother fleeing enemiesA superbly intact dinosaur skeleton — described as being 'museum quality' — has been discovered on a beach in Somerset.
-
Battle to ban 4x4s from the idyllic Lake District spot bequeathed by Beatrix Potter, eagle fights octopus and the 'snail's pace' climate talksThis morning we look at Little Langdale's fight for peace, reflect on the climate change talks in Madrid and discover the soundtrack for Brexit.
-
Country Life Today: How Greta Thunberg shifted the dial on climate change — and the backlash shows just how muchThis morning we ponder whether Greta Thunberg is the Joan of Arc for the environmental movement, look at a key election — one from 19 years ago — and ponder the marvel of 'dad tidying'.
-
Country Life Today: Great news for those who love our great country pubs — the years of decline are overThere is a great sign of health in the pub industry, we look back at Edward VIII's abdication message and fret about Greenland's melting ice.
-
Country Life Today: Spain accused of being 'a deplorable choice' for UN climate conferenceA no-holds-barred assault on the Spanish fishing industry, Banksy raising awareness of the homeless and the woes of the Christmas jumper are in today's news round-up.
-
Country Life Today: 'This is perhaps the ultimate wake-up call from the uncontrolled experiment humanity is unleashing on the world’s oceans'In today's round up, we examine why oxygen loss is putting oceans at risk, discover that action to cut air pollution brings almost immediate benefits to human health and find out which bird's arrival marks the start of winter in Gloucestershire.
