The Providential Principle

Here is a link to the latest George Monbiot article discussing the way our present Government deals with important matters impacting on the natural environment. Its all about the Precautionary Principle which I have considered to be a starting point for almost any serious action we take in life. But thats just being cautious  of course and many people dont  think that way!




The Providential Principle

Here is an excerpt from the article:

The Providential Principle Posted: 01 May 2013 03:33 AM PDT Amazingly, the UK government has not defined the precautionary principle and appears to have no idea what it is. By George Monbiot, published on the Guardian’s website, 1st May 2013 Here’s something remarkable I stumbled across while researching my column on Monday, but did not have room to include. I hope you’ll agree that it is worth sharing. I was trying to understand the context for the new chief scientist’s cavalier treatment of scientific evidence, in an article he wrote opposing a European ban on neonicotinoid pesticides. These are the toxins which, several studies suggest, could be partly responsible for the rapid decline in bees and other pollinators. Just one month into the job, Sir Mark Walport has, I believe, disgraced himself: by misrepresenting the science, misinforming the public about risk and uncertainty and indulging in scaremongering and wild exaggeration in support of the government’s position. I believe he has seriously damaged his standing and that of the office he holds. Among the many problems with the article he wrote was the way he defined the precautionary principle. Interpreting and upholding this principle is fundamental to the chief scientist’s role. Yet he doesn’t seem to understand what it means. Here’s what he said about it: “This simple idea just means working out and balancing in advance all the risks and benefits of action or inaction, and to make a proportionate response.” Oh yes? Here’s how the Rio Declaration, which the UK, with 171 other states, signed in 1992, defines it: “Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.” The difference is critical to an understanding of the government’s environmental responsibilities. As if to underline the fact that he hasn’t grasped it, Sir Mark used his article to do the opposite: he used a lack of full scientific certainty as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. The precautionary principle, as defined by the Rio Declaration, has, in the words of the European Commission, “become a full-fledged and general principle of international law.” In other words, it’s not something you would expect a chief scientist to make up as he goes along. So the question that occurred to me was this. If the government’s chief scientist doesn’t know what the precautionary principle is, does the government know? www.monbiot.com

Back a ban for bees’ and our benefit | The Wildlife Trusts

Back a ban for bees’ and our benefit | The Wildlife Trusts

Paul Wilkinson, The Wildlife Trusts’ Head of Living Landscape, said: 

“The Government should follow the advice of the Environmental Audit Committee and place an immediate moratorium on the use of these chemicals. Although further research is always beneficial, there is sufficient and compelling evidence to apply the precautionary principle. We must do the right thing for our bees, our countryside, and our food supply that relies on natural pollination.” 

Over a six month period, the Committee has gathered written and oral evidence from leading scientists, Defra, the pesticide industry and others.  The Committee report recommends that Defra should prepare to introduce a moratorium on the use of imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam on crops that are attractive to bees by 1 January 2014.  The committee also recommend Defra supports such a proposal in the EU - which it has failed to do up until now. 

Bees, Pesticides, UK Government and me!

Dear Secretary of State and Minister,

Today's Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) report calls on the Government to address a series of important flaws in its pesticides policies and risk assessment processes.

I would like to join Friends of the Earth in voicing my support for all the EAC's recommendations. I urge you to do the same. In particular, the Committee unanimously backed European proposals for a temporary ban on the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides on crops attractive to honey bees.

Our bees are in trouble and urgently need the Government to put in place a British Bee Action Plan to tackle all causes of their decline.

This must ensure bees have adequate feeding and nesting space. But it must also include action to reduce the use of pesticides across the board, starting with the European Commission's proposed neonicotinoid ban.

In last month's European vote on this issue, the UK abstained. I support Friends of the Earth's call for you to change this position and support the ban.

You can contact me by email (preferably - to save resources) or at the following address:

Yours sincerely,
David German

Wildlife Gardens and the RHS

One of the best ideas to spread interest in wildlife is this cooperation between the Royal Horticultural Society and the Wildlife Trust called "Wild about Gardens".

	Wild About Gardens Newsletter March 2013
			Now is a good time to do some of those things that will improve the structure or backbone of the garden, like planting trees or making a pond. Both of these will also benefit wildlife hugely, and there are several advantages to getting this work done now.

Use this link to visit the web site:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1135104@N24/

Bees and the Rachel Carson legacy

I'm posting this item because it is a good example of how we can use the Internet to see what is going on in the world of environmental concern. In this case concern about the threat to the Bee population in the UK and of course world wide. Starting with a brief look at the Guardian Environmental website which contains many reports,reviews and news items was this headline shown here:

Science under pressure as pesticide makers face MPs over bee threat

This is a link to the item I was checking.  The article is by Damian Carrington dated Nov 28th. Its quite a long piece and takes a bit of time to read in total so I guess I speed read such material. As usual in these articles there are many links and this time I went over them all to follow them up. That opens up a treasure trove of many sources of information which given some time can give you a very full appreciation of the current status of this issue.

As a Member of the Somerset Wildlife Trust I was pleased to see and read the short write up below, buried as it was with many other such items in the Government web site reporting on the Commons Select committee activities. I've copied a very brief part of the proceedings as a taster of what can be found. I found it all of considerable interest if only to show that the Wildlife Trusts are active in this way, something  which I think they could do more to promote to their members.

You are here: Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Publications and Records > Committee Publications > All Select Committee Publications > Commons Select Committees > Environmental Audit > Environmental Audit

Session 2012-13 

Insects and Insecticides

Written evidence submitted by The Wildlife Trusts

The Wildlife Trusts welcome the opportunity to submit evidence to the Environment Audit Committee (EAC) regarding insects and insecticides.

Our evidence focuses on neonicotinoid insecticides, in particular:

· The impacts of neonicotinoids on insect pollinators (honeybees, bumblebees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths)

· Half-life in soil; routes of exposure and contamination of non- target vegetation (such as that found along field margins)

· Impacts on ecosystems in the agricultural landscape

· Inadequacy of risk assessment for these types of insecticides

The Wildlife Trusts’ position

1. There is a growing body of evidence that shows that neonicotinoids have a detrimental effect at sub-lethal doses on insect pollinators. For this reason, The Wildlife Trusts believe that until it can be categorically proven that neonicotinoids are not adversely impacting pollinator populations, and by extension ecosystem health, Government should adopt the precautionary principle and place a moratorium on their use on all outdoor crops.

Curry Rivel Community Website.

Click here to visit the web site

As a contributor to this web site I am interested in trying to find ways to make it more interesting for the local community especially as far as wildlife is concerned.

Along with other Parishes we will be getting to grips with Neighbourhood Planning , the Governments new initiative to give local communities more involvement in planning matters.

Any comments from readers would be welcome.

Butterfly and Bumblebee sightings17th March 2010

First sightings today in our garden  of a Small Tortoiseshell and a Bombus terrestris. ( my identification?)

Bumble Bees

It was clear from comments from the audience that Bumble Bees are out and about now in early March in Somerset. A packed hall with standing room only was given a very full and interesting talk by Michael Edwards, writer of the book Field Guide to the Bumblebees of GB and Ireland. Anne Bebbington had an appreciative response to her hand painted cards on sale to raise funds for our Group. Anne is currently promoting a new course to teach  botanical drawing and would welcome any enquiries. You can contact her through this Blog by using the comments or by email . The address is shown in the header above.  John Bebbington contributed  by providing the giant size projector screen for Mike's excellent photographs. As if that wasn't enough we had invited a Young Enterprise Group from Richard Huish College in Taunton to join us to present their books for children based on the life of the honey bee.  The first photo shows Mike Edwards with some of the Young Enterprise students and the second gives an idea of the venue without showing the standing room only at the rear of the hall. Anne Bebbington's card display is at the right of the screen.

All in all a very satisfactory evening with many friends and members of the Wildlife Trust and and possibly a few non members.

Event reminder

This email has been sent to all local members and friends of Somerset Wildlife Trust by the local Heart of the Levels Area Group.

Link to "Bumblebee Conservation". Click here.

and click here for a John Bebbington photograph on an interesting web site , "Better Photographs" 

Our next public meeting is on Thursday 11th March.

Thur,   March    11^th  7.30 PM   9.30 PM.

Talk  by expert entomologist Mike Edwards.

Bumble Bees , indispensable friend of humans.

Illustrated talk on how these wonderful insects are the guardian of our food supplies and make a vital contribution to the  sustainability of our countryside and garden.

Somerton United Reform Church Hall, West Street, Somerton    Free car park close by.

Venue Suitable for Wheelchair-User/Limited Mobility.

Admission fee:     £2.50    Tea and coffee will be available from 7.15pm at the start of the evening.

We have invited a Young Enterprise Group from Richard Huish College to join us to show their new books for children featuring bees!

Bumble Bees

A quick note to give an advance reference to the subject of our public meeting on March 11th
Bumble Bees.

Here is a link to a Blog which has an excellent and informative post on the subject. Click here.
You should find a post dated Sept 27th 2009 all about Bumble bees

I've also just changed to a new editor for the Blog so I'm not entirely sure every thing is working. So will just publish and look at the results!! Well, it didnt work first time because of operator error! This time it will be OK.