Archive for November, 2009
National Tree Week
Friday, November 27th, 2009
25th November – 6th December
National tree week started back in 1975 and is the UKs largest tree celebration.
It is a great opportunity for communities to do something positive for their local treescape. Lots of events will be going on around the country, with more than a quarter of a million people getting their hands dirty helping to plant trees in their local area.
On Saturday 5th December the BBC are attempting a world record for the most trees planted in a day. The tree planting world record currently stands at just over 650,000 trees planted in one day. In aid of Tree O’clock two of the guys here Malcolm and Richard Brooks will be planting 302 trees. The trees planted will be a mixture of native species. If they can plant 200 in one hour they will receive a commemorative plaque from the BBC.
For those who are new to the log blog, K International are a language translation company based in Milton Keynes. We care about the environment and we are doing our bit to make our company carbon neutral. In 2008 we pledged to plant 50,000 trees over the next 5 years, this year we have planted 6,250 on a 2.5 hectare site and are on track to hit target with many more trees going in next year.
This week is about appreciating the humble tree and recognising what they do for us. So grab your wellies and a spade and muck in on 5th December from 11am – 12 noon.
Have a look at the BBC Breathing Places website and check out Tree O’clock.
Maybe you could pledge to plant a tree yourself in your garden or somewhere in your local community. On the website there is a list of hardware stores and garden centres that are giving away free trees for details see the BBC Breathing Places website.
Tags: BBC, Community Event, K International, Nature, trees, World Record
Posted in Environment, Television | No Comments »
The UK’s Beaches Contaminated by Raw Sewage
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
According to results released by Defra last week 30% of UK beaches failed to meet guideline standards which were set 30 years ago.
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) an environment campaign organisation in the UK claim that this confirms their fears that our bathing waters and beautiful surfing spots are being contaminated by raw sewage discharging from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).
Despite many warnings that this is happening and video evidence from the SAS the UK’s water companies don’t believe they have done anything wrong. Although they are appealing against the Environment Agencies attempts to regulate the 4000 unlicensed CSOs around the UK’s coastline.
The SAS have set up a new campaign to warn beach users of the impact of CSOs and the danger they are unwittingly exposing themselves to.
Evidence of the overuse of CSOs was exposed by the SAS on BBC 1 programme Panorama, entitled ‘Britain’s Dirty Beaches’ which aired this summer. Comments of disbelief and disgust flooded in from the general public according to SAS. They also reveal on their website that a number of water companies have launched an action to ensure that thousands of their CSOs escape environmental regulations. The companies in question are named and shamed on the SAS website.
Campaign Manager Andy Cummings is quoted on the SAS website as saying, “Once again the UK had failed to meet minimum standards set over 30 years ago for bathing water quality. SAS has been warning of poor results due to the UK’s over use of CSOs. The problem has gone on too long and SAS are calling on supporters to take action and adopt a CSO. If water companies are going to put water quality and public health at risk SAS will ensure the public are warned!”
Did you go to a UK beach this summer? Have you had any health problems from bathing in UK waters? We’d love to hear your stories good or bad.
Tags: Bathing, Beaches, Combined Sewer Overflows, CSOs, Environment, Environment Agency, Rubbish, SAS, Sewage, Surfers Against Sewage, Surfing, water, Water Companies
Posted in Charity, Environment, Television | No Comments »
BBC HD Brings Nature into Your Living Room
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
Life, the latest wildlife programme from the BBC is capturing the imagination of viewers. The programme is being shown on both BBC1 and BBC HD. The clarity of the images on BBC HD makes this wondrous television series fantastic.
Episodes
- Challenges of Life
- Reptiles and Amphibians
- Mammals
- Fish
- Birds
- Insects
- Hunters and Hunted
- Creatures of the Deep
- Plants
- Primates
The BBC is renowned for their nature documentaries and this one doesn’t disappoint. After each episode there is a short film on how they filmed the scenes. These shorts give the viewer a great insight into the difficulties of filming with these magnificent animals.
Once again the BBC has teamed up with the Open University who is providing support material to go with the series. All of the online material and information on how to order your free tree of life poster can be found here.
Tags: animals, BBC, Life, Nature, Television, TV, wildlife
Posted in Environment, Television, wildlife | No Comments »