The interface between the modern seafood industry and the environmental movement is becoming increasingly fraught and angry. Why has this happened? Shetlander John Goodlad is writing a new book on the subject. He shares his thoughts on what lies behind this conflict and addresses the key question as to how sustainable seafood is.
A change in circumstances brings an opportunity to hear at first hand about marine conservation in Malaysia, and see the vibrant underwater world along its coasts, and the life around the corals that build the reefs that are called "the rainforests of the sea".
How was gold formed? University of Glasgow astrophysicist and ‘black hole hunter’ Prof. Martin Hendry goes on a journey through space and time to seek an answer, and explores how the detection of spacetime ripples from colliding neutron stars has brought exciting new insights into the cosmic origins of precious metals.
Earth has been used as building material in Orkney since the Neolithic. Architect Tom Morton and mudmason/artist Rebecca Little have been studying its use in Orkney’s ancient buildings for Historic Environment Scotland, and they’ve identified a range of skilled techniques. Earth can bind stones for walls, and clay was used to seal roof slates at the Ness of Brodgar. Recent studies have highlighted its use as decorative plaster. And as they explain, in today's climate situation, local materials like earth and straw could have a role again.
650 million people worldwide have no access to electricity. But solar power opens the way for communities to set up their own local energy systems, grid-connected or off-grid. Prof. Stuart Galloway describes how Strathclyde University’s SG Global Renewables Centre provides the knowledge they need.
By using the chemistry of marine plankton and combining it with climate models, a team of researchers from The Open University have assessed drivers of monsoon rainfall, changes in the tropical rainfall pattern during past warm intervals, and the role of South Asian monsoon rainfall in past global climate.
Green chemistry seeks ways to transform waste or renewable natural materials, and make safe chemicals and recyclable products. Prof. James Clark of the University of York’s Green Chemistry Centre describes examples that include cleaning products from sawdust and food wastes, fuels from waste cooking oils, medical devices from seaweed, and clothes from pineapple leaves.
