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Apart from b the big 5 and ecotourism big 7 there are a whole host of 5s that have been invented-some are relatively easy, others almost impossible

Currently, USA emits around 15% of the world’s emissions, however given only 4% of the world’s population live there, on average the emissions of Americans are almost 4 times global average. 

So for the last couple of weeks I have been roaming some of the wilder parts of the UK with my family.

In a usual year, we could hope to be roaming some parts of Europe or further afield. However due to the risk of being stuck outside the UK should the government change the rules and require isolation on return we felt it was safer to stay in the UK this year.

As such we split our time between 3 destinations.

1. The forest of Dean: one of the wildest parts of the UK, a significant area of old growth forest. It has become one of the wilder places, in part due to the arrival of wild boar. There has also recently started a relocation program moving pine martens from Scotland into the forest of Dean.the first 11 have been moved in about 9 months ago and translocations will continue until around 60 have been moved. is appears that two litters of kits have already arrived, suggesting the pine Marten to very happy in their new environment. I should note that our trip was to see the wild boar not the pine martens, though we did keep our eyes open looking for signs of pine marten presence
2. Cardigan bay: one of the most reliable places in the UK to watch dolphins. Alongside dolphins there is also the possibility to see porpoises and seals
3. The River otter in Devon: around 12 years ago it became known the family of beavers were living on the River otter. The government initially said that all the beavers needed to be taken into captivity to be tested for disease, however regardless of their status they then would not be returned. It was uproar in the local area and so they were returned for a 5-year trial. Those 5 years just ended and the results are impressive. As such the government is giving them the permanent right to remain, and essentially the beaver is to be reintroduced to the UK. There are indeed in number of reintroduction projects ongoing in the UK,as well as a significant number of landowners who wish to reintroduce them onto their land. Encouragingly it is not only the ultra wealthy who do not use their land, many farmers are recognising that by putting aside a small amount of their land they can increase the value of the rest. Apart from avoiding flooding which can result in the destruction of crops, beavers also increase biodiversity-which leads to far higher densities of insects that are needed to pollinate the crops.

Astoundingly, we were successful on all three fronts.

I will write up each section of the trip separately, however I am keen to simplify the process of seeing these animals in the wild for other people in the UK. I’m hoping in the next few weeks to be able to go live with a page for each, with links for places to stay and other useful information.

Only a few years after the Tapunali orangutan was recognised as the 8th great ape species, a dam was planned for the area which would functionally wipe out this great ape species.

The USA is a confusing place. They have more scientists and better funding for research than almost anywhere else in the world.

A recent global survey comparing different countries views on climate change found that 61% of Americans recognize the severity of the problem we’re facing and want something done about it. According to a Yale study 70% of Americans consider action on climate change more important than economic growth.

Given these numbers most people’s response should be bafflement: how can a country with views this much in line with science, have voted for Trump? There is little you can concretely say about Trumps views on climate change, because on virtually all subjects he has answered questions in both ways over time. The one thing that you can be sure of as an American is that there is no climate position that you can rely on Trump to do anything sensible

Of course, this confusion cannot really remain, when you look at his performance. He has overturned hundreds of climate protection regulations and if reelected, will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement (the built in cooling off period will be over so it will actually take effect).

So what gives, America? Your not stupid. Unfortunately, far less, 41% believe it will impact them directly (a strange statistic as studies have shown the USA is likely to suffer the 3rd most economic damage due to climate change, only after India and Brazil). 

Clearly then, there is a way to get Americans to demand action- educate them, so they understand the personal cost.

Furthermore, 76% of Americans believe developed countries have a responsibility to assist developing countries as they try to change their economy to fight climate change. With these numbers, Trump clearly was not ruling in line with his citizens views or economic interests at heart. Very clearly, it is any advantage now, someone else can deal with the problems in the future.

The problem is, if the world is to avoid catastrophic climate change, the pace necessary is already scary. Some people calculated another 4 years of Trump, would require 15%a year cuts after that- a number high enough to severely affect economic growth (in other words if we have any more delay, it will become a choice between economy and saving the world- clearly only a short term option anyway).

Americans, dealing with climate change is inevitable, either now and avoiding the worst impacts, or later with the catastrophic changes to our lifestyle this will force on our children and grandchildren. Around the world, generation after generation strive through their lives to make sure their children will have a better more prosperous life than they did- why doesn’t it seen to extend to this?

So many young squirrels have been born this year that they have started moving into people’s gardens in the Yorkshire dales. Places they haven’t seen for decades.

I personally couldn’t see how an environmental check could make it through if the building of the dam, would completely eradicate one of the eight great apes on earth. However between the environmental challenges, the current ongoing pandemic and problems financing the project with many of the large world banks not keen to be associated with the dam that would eradicate a great they have decided to (probably) delay the project by up to 3 years.

Despite the fact that the majority of the world’s population is increasingly worried by global warming and its effects,and the fact that day by day in year by year we see those effects more and more in the world around us people continue to deny the science that explains an accurately predicts affects we’ve seen and what is likely to happen next.

It is unfortunately true, that over the last 10 to 15 years there has been a dramatic resurgence in the poaching of elephants for their ivory. Given the huge recovery as they had made over the previous several decades thankfully this does not threaten their future survival in plenty of locations they’re found (this contrasted with the rhino poaching which can amount to to 10% of the population in the bad years in places like the Kruger national park).

There is an increasing recognition from meat providers and consumers that the current situation cannot last. Between the astronomical carbon dioxide cost of meat and the increasing concerns over the way that livestock is raised there is more money each year put into alternative meats. On top of that, livestock is taking more of the space that used to be given over to wildlife and rainforests.