Mealworms wasted on robins

I won't be able to watch my husband squandering our housekeeping money on mealworms for the bird table without a qualm now. Researchers at the University of Wageningen in Netherlands have just published a paper showing that these beetle larvae are a more sustainable source of animal protein than traditonal farm animals.

As demand from a growing population for protein goes up, I argue that we should be reassessing dietary habits and culture. After all, the french eat snails.

So what's the scientific evidence so far?

The UK ecosystems research landscape

There is now strong demand for research on ecosystem services and the Ecosystems Approach.

How can we enjoy the same attractive lifestyle that we have today, but make that lifestyle much more sustainable?

That is one of the challenging questions posed by the Youth Voice Project at the Planet under Pressure conference held in March 2012.  The 12 students participating in the project came from across the UK and were brought together by the British Science Association, Living With Environmental Change, Research Councils UK, the Royal Society and Sciencewise-ERC.

Sharing Good Practice in Knowledge Exchange in LWEC

I nearly lost the flip chart papers from our good practice sharing event on the way home when my bag got stuck as the doors of a central line train closed around my wrist. Such was my devotion to duty that even though I was in some discomfort and had to be released (to my embarrassment) by an attendant I did not relinquish my grasp.

Melanie Knetsch on engaging with the public

The environment is something that affects us all. Melanie Knetsch, Public Engagement lead for the Living with Environmental Change partnership highlights why it is essential to engage with the public on complex challenges.

Was it worthwhile engaging with the public around research and policy topics covered by the Living with Environmental Change partnership? 

All the evidence from the evaluation reports suggests that it definitely was and should continue to happen.  

Susan Ballard on collaboration

Ken O'Callaghan on Environment, Climate and Health

Bob Watson¹ wrote that politicians are not usually elected for protecting the environment, in a 2005 article² on “turning science into policy”. Improving the economy, security and human health are more often to the fore.

Owen Tarrant on the Citizen’s Advisory Forum

I have to admit that I did question myself “why did I just do that?” as I put up my hand, volunteering myself to act in the role of the so called ‘expert’ speaker on flood risk at the first session of Living with Environmental Change Citizens’ Forum.