http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2015/06/death-naturalist-why-new-nature-writing-so-tame Mark Cocker has called the recent expansion of “new nature writing” ‘among the most significant developments in British publishing this century’. Further, he claims that, whilst the audience is probably bigger than ever before, the presence of ‘real nature’ is perhaps less cogent. Generally, I agree. In a recent article in the New StatesmanContinue reading "New Nature Writing – a response to Mark Cocker’s Article"
Food as a political issue
I recently read this article by Harry Greenfield which tried to answer the question of why food and farming were seemingly absent from most of the political campaigns during the recent General Election in Britain. This raises a wider point of why food, something that all people need to survive and yet nearly 800 millionContinue reading "Food as a political issue"
My Vision for Nature (and Farming)
This post was written for the 'Vision for Nature' Campaign being run by 'A Focus on Nature', the principal network for young conservationists in the UK. The original can be found on the AFON website. For me, improving the state of nature goes hand in hand with improving land management techniques and engaging with the farmingContinue reading "My Vision for Nature (and Farming)"
What is High Nature Value Farming and why should we support it?
Recently I came across High Nature Value farming (HNV) as an ‘alternative’ approach to looking at the food and environmental sustainability debate. The more I have read the more embarrassed I feel to not have heard about it before. In fact, it has deep roots as an idea and has been European policy for someContinue reading "What is High Nature Value Farming and why should we support it?"
George Monbiot’s Coleridge Lecture 2015
Charismatic, outspoken, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, sheep hater, rewilding proponent, journalist, activist... – all of these words could be used to describe the environmentalist George Monbiot. Yesterday evening I was fortunate enough to be able to attend his most recent lecture in the Great Hall of the Wills Memorial Building at Bristol University, part of the ColeridgeContinue reading "George Monbiot’s Coleridge Lecture 2015"
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