“Do they live up to the vision of a new mechanisation system for farming?” . We need some fresh, innovative thinking – which can be… Read More »Autonomous machines – aka robots – on farms

“The average farm in England could expect a visit by an Environment Agency Officer once every 263 years.” . Rivers are very much in the… Read More »Looking after our rivers

Vernacular techniques and local materials are becoming more and more relevant in architecture. Building a cheaper, greener house: the geodesic dome – and the prefab.… Read More »How to make houses greener

“More than half of Brits say they cannot afford heat pumps which are likely to replace gas boilers.” The government’s long-expected Heat and Buildings Strategy still hasn’t… Read More »Energy bills: “much more cost to come”

Almost half of Exeter’s grey bin contents is food waste which is burned rather than being separated out and turned into useful compost. A young… Read More »Exeter has no kerbside food waste collection

. “If the ‘just in time’ model is failing everywhere because of both manufacturing and transport shortages, are we going to go back to earlier… Read More »Could shortening supply chains be an opportunity for local economies?

The increasing appreciation of the importance of water. . There has been a fascinating series on BBC Four on the molecule that supports all life… Read More »Climate change and water

Could UK rivers be given the same rights as people? . For the latest Costing the Earth programme on Radio 4 this week, Tom Heap… Read More »Creating a stink on Britain’s dirty rivers

Here’s Ben’s wonderfully chatty and informative newsletter just out – but grab an order while you can. . These news pages have focussed on the… Read More »Sheep and turkey farming in the Sid Valley

“… never demolish, never remove or replace, always add, transform and reuse…” . There are real, if belated, moves to reducing the carbon footprint of… Read More »Refurbishment is the future

“… after five years of ‘warm words’ – but no action on the region’s plans to become a beacon for the green economy.” . From… Read More »Back the Great South West campaign: ‘beyond frustration’

“Of course we don’t know what impact the variation will have on the approved plans for development adjacent to the ‘bat building’. I’m not sure… Read More »Knowle relocation project: a variation on plans: of bats and demolition

“While governments and construction companies are happy to give us more of everything, the one thing we cannot have is less.” . Everyone’s going for… Read More »“The colossal cost of infrastructure”

“The cement industry emits carbon dioxide at every step of the manufacturing and supply chain, making it particularly difficult to reduce emissions.” . The production… Read More »Alternatives to cement: “Wetland” wins Golden Lion at Venice Biennale

From cafes and bars, cranes and hard hats as traditional indicators of regeneration … to digital hub. . We need to be inventive when it… Read More »Beside the digital seaside