Category Archives: Ecological emergency

Insect populations are collapsing at terrifying speed

Insects are not the most popular creatures on this planet. When I was a teacher there was nothing worse than the entrance of a wasp to the classroom, which was guaranteed to promote extreme anxiety in some of the youngsters. Some people positively hate insects and will reach for insecticide at the first sight ofContinueContinue reading “Insect populations are collapsing at terrifying speed”

Local hero has massive impact on a great African Lake and its people.

A guest blog by Karine Nohr Last month, a young Sheffield resident, Justin Espoir Machongo, flew to Burundi, to start an Environmental Project, that was to lead to an immediate and fantastic impact on a very beautiful part of the World; Lake Tanganyika.  Lake Tanganyika, West Africa is one of the great African Lakes, theContinueContinue reading “Local hero has massive impact on a great African Lake and its people.”

Sheffield Council refuse to set a target to ban Glyphosate.

Extinction Rebellion bees swarmed in front of Sheffield Town Hall this morning – including one scarcely past the larval stage and a queen –  as they buzzed happily around. That was until they were attacked with glyphosate, resulting rapidly in their disorientation and death! A banner was unfurled demanding ‘Ban Glyphosate’ and subsequently the (miraculouslyContinueContinue reading “Sheffield Council refuse to set a target to ban Glyphosate.”

Queen Bee calls on Sheffield Council to stop spraying Glyphosate

Thanks to XR Sheffield for the photos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDuaMKBp1c4&t=83s&ab_channel=ExtinctionRebellionSheffield On Saturday, September 9th members of Sheffield Extinction Rebellion dressed as bees and visited the Winter Gardens, Peace Gardens and Sheffield Town Hall. The Queen Bee, Her Royal Honeyness Queen Beeatrice, made a moving speech that was translated into English by the Bee Whizzperer.  In the speech,ContinueContinue reading “Queen Bee calls on Sheffield Council to stop spraying Glyphosate”

Bringing back Beavers to our area will reduce flooding risk.

I am delighted to hear that the Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee has granted Sheffield Council £96,000 to examine the prospect of reintroducing beavers within the city boundary. So much so, I booked myself on a Beaver Enclosure Tour at a wildlife centre near Retford. The Idle Valley Nature Reserve is the home ofContinueContinue reading “Bringing back Beavers to our area will reduce flooding risk.”

How should we be growing food to help create a healthier future?

  A guest blog by Karine Nohr. For her birthday present, my 7-year-old granddaughter asked me for some gardening tools. I was completely chuffed by this because learning to grow your own food is such a major life skill and one that I believe will become increasingly necessary in the very near future. And beingContinueContinue reading “How should we be growing food to help create a healthier future?”

Glyphosate Garden Centre Action

Dressed as Bees, Sheffield Extinction Rebellion visited 4 Garden Centres in Sheffield on Saturday. They had been selected from 10 Garden Centres and Nurseries that had been previously visited and presented with a letter asking them to consider stopping the sale of Glyphosate products like Round-Up, Weedol and Resolva.  The action was to highlight threeContinueContinue reading “Glyphosate Garden Centre Action”

Extinction Rebellion Bees swarm to Garden Centres

On Saturday 19th August Sheffield Extinction Rebellion will be visiting numerous Garden Centres in Sheffield. Dressed as bees they will be appealing for the public to stop buying Glyphosate, retailers to stop selling Glyphosate and Sheffield City Council to stop spraying it on our streets, housing estates, parks and cemeteries. Glyphosate is the poisonous ingredientContinueContinue reading “Extinction Rebellion Bees swarm to Garden Centres”

A major cause of species loss, and one that is within our grasp to end, is the continued application of pesticides and herbicides.

A guest blog by Jane Houldcroft Each week this paper reports on the excellent work being done across the city by individuals, schools, friends groups, charities and communities to try to stem and reverse the devastating decline in biodiversity. Most often cited is the loss of bees and other insects which play such a vitalContinueContinue reading “A major cause of species loss, and one that is within our grasp to end, is the continued application of pesticides and herbicides.”