Ben Eagle

Do Wildlife TV shows help or hinder the conservation movement?

On Friday, the Guardian published an article by Emma Howard which pondered the real value of nature programmes such as Springwatch and Autumnwatch in terms of their impact on practical conservation efforts. Martin Hughes-Games, presenter of the BBC’s Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch series, recently told the Guardian during an interview that such programmes created: “a formContinueContinue reading “Do Wildlife TV shows help or hinder the conservation movement?”

Don’t Panic! Hans Rosling on Population

The rising human population is one of those subjects that you will invariably hear an environmentalist discussing, often plotting a tale of inevitable woe. Population growth has implications for all sorts of sectors although, because of their direct role with the natural world, people working within or interested in the food, farming and conservation sectorsContinueContinue reading “Don’t Panic! Hans Rosling on Population”

The British Conservation Model: irrational, unambitious and afraid of nature?

A couple of years ago the Linnean Society brought together George Monbiot, Clive Hambler, Miles King and Aidan Lonergan from the RSPB, to discuss and debate future options for British conservation. The debate, including q&a lasted about an hour but is well worth a watch. It may be nearly two years out of date but theContinueContinue reading “The British Conservation Model: irrational, unambitious and afraid of nature?”

Exploring the Ethics of Conservation and Farming

This weekend I was walking through Wareham Forest, an area of woodland and open heathland in Dorset, with a good friend of mine and we pondered many questions, something I enjoy doing when walking. These discussions led me to think about the ethical implications of what I have chosen to do in life. As someoneContinueContinue reading “Exploring the Ethics of Conservation and Farming”

A favourite place of mine – The Naze in Essex

We all have our favourite places in which we can walk, ponder life, play in, express ourselves in or places that trigger certain memories. I am now settling in to my new life in the Cotswolds (I have just started a postgraduate course in agriculture at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester), a place thatContinueContinue reading “A favourite place of mine – The Naze in Essex”