Blue & Green Daily: Thursday 4 September round up

Today on Blue & Green Tomorrow, we reported on the growing wage divide in UK cities, and the increasing number of Britons trapped in low wage jobs.

We also covered the winning idea that claimed a £250,000 reward in the Wolfson Economics Prize, and looked into the offices of Ethical Corporation ahead of this year’s Responsible Business Awards.

Sir David Attenborough warns of the ‘escalating erosion of wildlife’

Naturalist Sir David Attenborough has warned, ahead of the Conference for Nature in London, that the continued destruction of the environment “threatens us all”. However, he insists we still have a chance to save it.

Tasmanian forests opened for logging despite conservationist efforts

The Tasmanian government has decided to open up 400,000 hectares of previously protected forest to the timber industry, a move that environmentalists say will do serious harm to both the climate and the country’s tourism sector.

Ethical Corporation: helping business do the right thing

Ethical Corporation has grown to become one of the most respected voices in the CSR space. Ahead of its fifth annual Responsible Business Awards, director Sara Baylis and Zara Maung, editor of Ethical Corporation magazine, speak to Tom Revell about the past, present, and future of ethical business.

Government launches badger vaccination scheme

The government has launched a scheme to vaccinate badgers against bovine tuberculosis, to prevent its spread to cattle. Last year the government faced criticism for allowing culls to go ahead in a bid to control the spread of the disease.

Number of UK workers trapped in low pay jobs on the rise

The workforce of the UK’s cities is becoming increasingly divided between high and low wage jobs, with opportunities in the middle fading and social mobility failing, according to a new report that warns being employed does not mean being out of poverty. 

Community Energy Fortnight: Bristol Green Doors

The Community Energy Fortnight hopes to raise awareness of renewable energy projects this September. As part of the national event, Bristol Green Doors – a community interest company – are showcasing a number of homes to the public, free of charge, on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September. This occasion will demonstrate the energy saving measures householders have implemented to make where they live cheaper to heat, more comfortable and better for the environment.                                                  

Save B&GT: a fifth of the way in five days

You may have read by now that Blue & Green Tomorrow has hit some financial turbulence and we are at risk of ceasing publication. The short version is a sponsor pulled out of our flagship series of events meaning we had to cancel them, creating a possibly fatal hole in our finances. But our readers have rallied.

Carbon credits can boost economic development and conservation

New research has valued the benefits of carbon offsetting at $664 (£403) per tonne, judging the positive impacts on communities where carbon reduction projects take place. As a result, researchers say businesses have an opportunity to use the voluntary carbon market in their sustainability strategies. 

EDF confirms nuclear reactors may stay offline until end of the year

EDF has confirmed that four of its UK nuclear reactors that were shut off last month for safety reasons will not fully resume operations until the end of the December, sparking fears over electricity shortages during winter.

China and Indian leaders will not attend UN Climate Summit

Both president Xi Jinping of China and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi have confirmed they will not be attending the UN Climate Summit, greatly undermining the possibility of a global pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Standard & Poor’s: reinsurers underestimate impact of climate change

Rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has warned that most reinsurance companies do not believe that climate change is having “a material quantifiable impact on their current risk exposure”, despite evidence that extreme weather is likely to cause huge damage over the coming decades. 

Green Port Hull wind turbine manufacturing plans approved by council

Plans to build a new wind turbine production and installation facility in Hull have received approval from Hull City Council’s Planning Committee. 

Expand cities into greenbelt to solve housing crisis, says Wolfson Prize winner

The winner of the 2014 Wolfson Economics Prize has suggested that the UK solve its housing crisis by allowing existing towns and cities to expand into the greenbelt.

Greenpeace warns of ‘long road ahead’ for truly green gadgets

Ahead of Europe’s largest consumer technology show, to be hosted in Berlin this week, Greenpeace has analysed the environmental progress being made by companies attending the IFA 2014. 

Ban Ki-moon: world must act on climate change now

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has expressed his concern that the world is not acting fast enough to mitigate climate change, ahead of a UN climate summit set to be attended by world leaders this month. 

Elliot reivew calls for special unit to fight food crime

Britain should form a special unit to tackle food crime in the wake of the 2013 horsemeat scandal, according to a government-backed report by food security expert Chris Elliott. 

Samoa UN climate conference generates $2bn in island-to-continent environmental partnerships

Nearly 300 partnerships have been forged between governments, businesses and civil society organisations at a UN climate conference, generating $1.9 billion (£1.1bn) supporting small island developing states in achieving sustainable development.

Environmentalist of the week: Sir David Attenborough

Naturalist, prolific broadcaster, environmental icon and owner of one of television’s most recognisable voices, Sir David Attenborough is a man of many talents. 

How scientists feel about climate change: Prof Lesley Hughes

In a letter speaking about her feelings on climate change, Prof Lesley Hughes, from the Department of Biological Science at Macquarie University and a founding member of the Australian Climate Council, voices her concerns about the world’s wildlife and biodiversity.

Photo: Sanja Gjenero via Free Images