Better Planet
Education’s Blog

According to estimates produced by analysts Carbon Brief, the UK's windfarms generated more electricity than coal-fired power stations for the first time in 2016.

Google has announced that it is on target for its data centres and offices to be 100% powered by renewable energy from 2017.

Year 6 teachers: Here's a great new set of lesson plans!

The UN announced yesterday that 2016 likely to be hottest year on record. Sixteen of the seventeen hottest years on record have occurred since 2000.

A new report researchers at the University of East Anglia has found that global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) remained almost flat for the third year in a row in 2016 at around 36.4 billion tonnes, even though many countries' economies grew during the year.

In Paris last year, the world's governments agreed to limit global temperature rises to no more than 2 degrees C and preferably less than 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. Now that agreement has come into force.

The UK government has rejected calls for a charge of 5p to be levied on the 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups sold each year by the major coffee chains.

The Ross Sea in Antarctica will officially become the world's largest marine protected area (MPA), with 1.57 million square kilometres (600,000 square miles) of ocean gaining protection from commercial fishing for 35 years.

What inspired Lizzie Carr to build a raft out of rubbish?

The Living Planet Index, a report produced jointly by the Zoological Society of London and WWF has today indicated that global wildlife populations have fallen by 58% between 1970 and 2012.

The bad news first: In 2015, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our planet's atmosphere exceeded 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time in millions of years.

In the last six months, the UK has generated more of its electricity from solar panels installed in fields and on houses than was generated using coal. Meanwhile, the European Union has today voted to ratify the Paris climate treaty.

The French government has passed a new law making it compulsory for all disposable plastic cups, cutlery, and plates to be made from compostable material. The law is due to come into effect in 2020.

The amount of sea ice left at the end of the Arctic summer shrank to the second lowest level since records began in 1979. The low point was reached on 10 September 2016, when sea ice covered 4.14 million square kilometres (1.6m sq miles). The lowest level ever recorded was in 2012, when Arctic sea ice covered just 3.39 million square kilometres.

On 15 September 2016, after a seven week delay to review security concerns, UK Prime Minister Theresa May gave Hinkley Point C,  the UK's first new nuclear plant for a generation the go-ahead.   Hinkley C, on the north Somerset coast, is being jointly financed by France's EDF, which is investing £12bn and China General Nuclear (CGN), which is investing £6bn.

The Met Office has confirmed that temperatures of 32.8ºC (91ºF) have been recorded today at both Kew Gardens and Heathrow Airport, while Gravesend in Kent the temperature has reached 34.4ºC (93.9ºF).

There are now 30% fewer savanna elephants in Africa than there were in 2007.

Yesterday, the Working Group on the Anthropocene (WGA), made up of 35 of experts from around the world proposed that a new geologocal epoch - the Athropocene - needs to be declared. The scientists made their recommendation to the International Geological Congress in Cape Town, South Africa.

The UK's Environmental Audit Committee has called for microplastics to be banned from being used in products like facial scrubs and toothpastes because of the pollution they are causing in the world's oceans.

Young people aged 8-18 will soon have the opportunity to show how much they care about our environment by taking part in the Young People's Green Awards.

There are millions of different kinds of living things on planet Earth from mammals and trees through to bacteria and other micro-organisms. Classification helps us make sense of what they are and how they relate to each other.

New climate data released by NASA has shown that the global surface temperature for February 2016 was 1.35C warmer than the 1951-1980 average.

This suite of lessons targets National Curriculum requirements for Year 5 Science on Living Things and Their Habitats.

Yesterday, meteorologists in the UK and the US confirmed that 2015 was the warmest year globally ever recorded. Â

It might not be too much of a surprise that according to the Met Office, December 2015 has been provisionally assessed as the wettest month for the United Kingdom since records began in 1910. Most of the rains fell in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and northern England, where many places have seen flooding. So far, southern England hasn't suffered any serious flooding this winter.

In a first for YPTE's news page, we have a guest article, contributed by 14 year old Chap Patefield-Isacoff. Chap also has his own website, www.theawareyouth.com. Take a look (but not until you've finished reading this article!) Great work Chap!

Last weekend, the international climate change talks taking place in Paris resulted in an agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Paris climate conference gets underway

We are pleased to announce our latest lesson plan release.

A big thank you to the Eco Team at Claremont High School Academy.

There are just 20,000 lions remaining in Africa. A new study suggests that their numbers may halve in just 20 years.

Our brand new suite of lesson plans and accompanying presentation on Plants for year 3 is now available to download.

If we needed proof of how effective charging for carrier bags can be as a way to cut down on the numbers being given out by shops, the people of Scotland have provided it! Â

In a few weeks, representatives from across the globe will be meeting in Paris to discuss how we should tackle the problem of climate change. The 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) United Nations climate talks will take place from 30 November to 11 December 2015. Their aim is to find a way for all of the countries of the world to work together to try to cut their emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which are responsible for speeding up climate change.

We are pleased to announce that a new suite of five lesson plans on plants for Key Stage 1 has just been released for teachers to download.

Starting today, shoppers in England are being charged at least 5p by supermarkets and other big retailers for every plastic carrier bag they use. All retailers with 250 or more employees now have to charge at least 5p per bag.

A new study by Royal Holloway, University of London has found that three quarters of a species of fish sampled from the River Thames had plastic fibres in their gut.

Learn more about the problem with plastic.

Read about the results of our first Roots to Green Living project for primary schools in Ealing and Hillingdon came to an end in July.

Wildlife in your local area - available as a free download for teachers now!

We went for a walk in some nearby woods and discovered a badger sett.

YPTE Director Peter Littlewood opened Southern Co-operative's new neighbourhood food store in Mudford Road, Yeovil on 8 June 2015.

YPTE is pleased to announce that two new videos on how electricity is made and renewable energy are now available to view on our website.

Newly updated and much improved lesson plans and presentations are now available on rainforests and sustainable development.

New data from US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirms global carbon dioxide is at highest level for two million years.

Two separate reports published today suggest that climate change will bring a greater risk of heat waves to central England and push increasing numbers of the planet's animals and plants towards extinction.

The latest issue of Conservation Education, YPTE's publication on environmental issues is an update on climate change. We will be serialising it here over the coming days. Here is part two:-

The latest issue of Conservation Education, YPTE's publication on environmental issues is an update on climate change. We will be serialising it here over the coming days. Here is the final part:-

The latest issue of Conservation Education, YPTE's publication on environmental issues is an update on climate change. We will be serialising it here over the coming days. Here is part one:-

JumpyBear, YPTE's first ever online game is now available to play online or on your Android device.

Scientists from the USA's University of Georgia have released details of their recent study into how much plastic rubbish finds its way into our oceans every year.

For the first time, homes made from straw are being offered on the open market in the UK.

YPTE Presidents including Steve Backshall at launch of YPTE's new website.

There are now just five northern white rhinos left in the world.

NASA and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) scientists have today confirmed that in 2014 global average temperatures were at their the warmest year since records began in 1880.

11 year-old Esme is the last, but by no means the least of the winners of YPTE and Eurostar's video competition, 'Have Your Say on Sustainability'.

Here's another of the winning videos for 'Have Your Say On Sustainability' 2014, YPTE and Eurostar's competition for 11-18 years olds.

Here's another of the winning videos for 'Have Your Say On Sustainability' 2014, YPTE and Eurostar's competition for 11-18 years olds.

On 2 December 2014, we travelled with eight young people to the European Parliament in Brussels. They were the winners of 'Have Your Say On Sustainability', Eurostar and YPTE's competition that challenges 11-18 year-olds to make videos on the environmental issues that really concern them.

The first of our winning entries for Have Your Say on Sustainability, YPTE and Eurostar's video making competition for young people aged 11-18.

The judging for Eurostar and YPTE's 'Have Your Say On Sustainability' video making competition has now been completed. We received lots of brilliant videos made by young people aged 11-18. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be showing you not only the winners' videos, but also the ones that we thought were brilliant, but that we couldn't give a prize to, because we only had space (and prizes!) for three winning entries!

A new report, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on 2 November 2014 has said that the unrestricted use of fossil fuels must be phased out by 2100 in order to avoid dangerous climate change.

Aged 11-18? This half term, why not Have Your Say on Sustainability! All you need to do is tell us about an environmental issue that you really care about by making a short film about it. You can talk to your phone, tablet or laptop's camera, you could create a documentary, write and sing us a song or create a a short drama. You can get together with some friends, as we accept entries from groups of up to four people.

Yesterday (21 October 2014) the UK's wind farms generated more electricity than our nuclear power stations. Wind made up 14.2% of all electricity generated, overtaking nuclear power's 13.2%. Meanwhile on 18 October, our wind turbines generated a record 6,372MW of electricity - more than ever before and actually almost 20% of the UK's electricity needs on that day.

Here's a first for the YPTE Blog. In this brilliant video clip, Esme speaks out against deforestation and reminds us that we can all do something to help. Well done Esme!

All of the winners of the Total Green School Awards have now been announced. We have seen amazing projects from over 35,000 children this year and it's great to see so many schools getting involved in some brilliant environmental projects.

Have your say on sustainability, Eurostar and the Young People's Trust for the Environment's competition for young people aged 11-18 is now open for entries, giving the future generation of voters the chance to share their views with MEPs in Brussels.

On 31 March 2014, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issed a new report on climate change and its effects on our planet. Some 309 lead authors from 70 countries consulted with thousands of experts to compile the report.

The latest issue of Conservation Education, our publication for schools is now available for download.

Almost at the last minute at the ‘Conference of the Parties' – the climate talks taking place in Warsaw – an agreement was reached. This followed mass walkouts by NGOs, who were unhappy at lack of progress being made earlier in the week. Mostly, delegates seem to have agreed to put off agreeing any real action until a new round of climate talks, scheduled to take place in Paris in 2015.

At the latest round of climate talks, being held in Warsaw, Poland, there has been a a mass walkout by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), who are protesting at the lack of progress being made.

Around 800 delegates representing some of the world's leading environmental groups have walked out of the latest round of climate talks, being held in Warsaw, Poland. It's not hard to see why they felt driven to it. It has taken a long time for the world's scientists to agree that human activity – specifically our use of fossil fuels – has been a cause of accelerated climate change. However, that agreement has finally been reached and the evidence shows that emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) caused by human activities are causing climate change.

Yesterday the World Meterological Organisation (WMO) announced that levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) were at the highest level ever recorded during 2012. Last year there were 393.1 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere, an increase of 2.2ppm on 2011 and 141% of the atmospheric CO2 level in the year 1750, when CO2 was at 278 ppm.

Arctic ice volumes were at a new low this winter. The European Space Agency's radar satellite, Cryosat has been observing the volume of the ice in the Arctic for the last three years. It estimated that there was a little under 15,000 cubic kilometres of ice in March/April 2013, when the ice is at its thickest. This is less than half the amount of ice there would have been just 30 years ago. The ice was thinner than usual this year, and thickness is more important than just the area the ice covers, which previously has been the measure used.

The World's largest solar boat has recently docked in London. The MS Tûranor Planetsolar is 35 metres long, is up to 24 metres wide when its solar panels are fully extended and weighs in at 100 tonnes. It can hold a crew of up to nine people and is powered by twin 60kW electric engines, which are capable of propelling the vessel to speeds of up to 14 knots (26 kmh, 16 mph). With its panels fully extended, it has 512 square metres of solar panels, which are capable of generating 1,000 Watts per square metre.

Still higher radiation readings have now been discovered at Fukushima. Levels of 2,200 millisieverts have now been recorded at ground level near some of the water storage tanks surpassing the 1,800 Millisievert levels recorded on Saturday.

The Japanese government has today announced that it will be contributing around £300M to build a wall of frozen earth around the damaged and leaky nuclear plant at Fukushima. The idea, which has never been tested, is that massive metal cooling rods will be sunk deep into the earth surrounding the plant and that these will freeze the soil in a ring around the plant, which will prevent any radiactive water, currently leaking at a rate of about 300 tonnes a day from leaching into the groundwater or indeed into the sea.

I have been watching developments at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan with increasing horror, but not much surprise over the last couple of weeks. Radioactive water had been discovered leaking from at least one of the water storage tanks that are gradually increasing in number around the reactor. The water is used to cool the fuel rods in the reactor, at a rate of 400 tonnes per day. Once it has come into contact with the fuel rods, it is highly radioactive and needs to be stored for processing to remove some of the more dangerous elements. So more and more water storage tanks are being built and there are now around 1,000 on the site.

Sustainable travel is a big concern for many of us. We often choose to live some distance from where we go to work or school. Whilst a century ago, people thought nothing of a five mile walk to work, nowadays, we just don't have enough spare time to do all that walking. There's always so much going on and we're in too much of a hurry.

As of yesterday, all fuel sold at forecourts in the UK has to contain 5% biofuel, thanks to an EU Directive. Good news for the environment? On the face of it, yes. When we burn biofuels, it is carbon that was absorbed from the atmosphere by the crops used to make the biofuel that gets released back into the atmosphere. So, carbon neutral fuel, yes? Well, no actually. You see, you also have to take into account the use of fertilisers and farm machinery when the crops are growing and the refining process needed to create the fuels. And even more importantly, to make room to grow more biofuels, rainforests have already been destroyed and peatlands drained.

When we look for the best ways to protect are environment, the answers are often complicated. Take for example the electric car. On the face of it, an electric car would seem to be far less polluting than a petrol or diesel one. After all, the car itself produces zero emissions, so it must be better, right? Well, in terms of direct emissions from the car, yes it is.

I was at a screening at the House of Commons today of model and actress Lily Cole's new film ‘Lily Cole's Amazon Adventure', which will be shown on Sky Arts 1 later this month. It's a great film, featuring some beautiful and highly evocative camerawork and a thought provoking narration from Lily herself. A big feature of the film are the people who live in the rainforest and who are learning how to make the forests worth more to them standing than they are when cut down. Living sustainably in the rainforest is now something that the Brazilian government , working with organisations like WWF is trying to promote.

Now this could be something very special. A small British company based in Stockton-on-Tees is producing petrol refined from the carbon dioxide and water vapour that's naturally present in the air. They haven't got much of the stuff so far – only five litres – but they reckon they can have a commercial-scale plant producing a tonne of fuel per day up and running within two years.

I was really saddened today to hear about the death of Terry Nutkins, one of YPTE's Presidents, who I have known for many years. I remember some highly amusing lunches that I had with Terry, accompanied by the great Johnny Morris, Terry's co-presenter on Animal Magic and an amazing ambassador for animals. Terry loved life and had a great sense of humour. He and Johnny in the same room meant that anyone else there was going to be spending a lot of time laughing.

We had a fabulous day at London Zoo on 20 June with around 100 children who were representing the four Regional Champion schools in the Total Green School Awards 2012. The schools were: English Martyrs RC Primary School, from Long Eaton in Derbyshire; Turners Hill C of E Primary School from Turners Hill, near Crawley; Castle Park Primary School from Caldicot, Monmouthshire and Longhaven Primary School from Longhaven, Aberdeenshire.

It has been a bit quiet here at the YPTE blog for a few weeks. Well, here's why: At the start of May, most of YPTE's staff team were involved with an Environmental Discovery Course for 54 Year 5 children from St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School, Guildford. I think it's the 23rd consecutive year that the school has been coming away with us and believe it or not, I instructed on the very first one and most of the others since! The weather could have been kinder to us, but the children had a great time (as did the adults!) and learned a great deal about the natural world and about the importance of heritage and history in the environment too.

I've been reading today about a new book, ‘Prosperity without Growth', which has been written by economist Tim Jackson, who is Economics Commissioner for the Sustainable Development Commission. It sounds full of really interesting ideas about today's society and how we need to change. He argues that our government and media are fixated by economic growth and by rises on the stock markets. If our economy isn't growing, the perception is that we're getting less prosperous, and that's bad. If stocks and shares are low, pension funds do less well, meaning that we have less prosperous pensioners, and that's bad too.

Supermarket chain Sainsbury's is launching a new line in loo roll. The cardboard tube inside is having its diameter reduced from 123mm to 112mm, but the number of sheets on the roll will remain the same at 240 and both the cardboard and the paper are Forest Stewardship Council certified, meaning that they are coming from sustainably managed sources. The impact of the new slimline rolls is a big reduction in CO2 emissions, which is achieved by using less cardboard, less packaging and through reduced transportation costs. More of the slimline rolls will fit on a truck, so less HGV journeys will be needed to transport them.

Some great news today for the environment. Sales of low emission cars are growing in the UK. In fact, almost 47% of new cars sold in 2011 emitted less than 130 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre travelled. To give an idea of how much of an improvement that is, in 2007 just 10.6% of new cars sold emitted less than 130g CO2.

There has been a trend in recent years to outsource certain elements of UK businesses to operations overseas. Customer call centres are perhaps the most notorious example. Worryingly, it seems that UK consumers have been doing the same, but with the things they buy and the result has been that our carbon dioxide emissions are effectively being outsourced too.