Environment Page
Environmental news and issue from Nottingham, the East Midlands and beyond.

Whether it is climate change, loss of bio diversity or pollution of your local area, you will have a real concern about the environment. If you don’t, then you must be burying your head in the sand, and it is time to stop doing that, before it is too late.

This page is here to help you to do just that.

We will be posting events and news as soon we are made aware of them. If you are putting on an event and you want a bit of extra publicity, then send us a link.

info@hothousetheatre.com

Native Bee Populations Can Bounce Back After Honey Bees Move Out
Environmental Network News

Managed honey bees have the potential to affect native bee populations when they are introduced to a new area, but a study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that, under certain conditions, the native bees can bounce back if the apiaries are moved away.

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Concern UK's AI ambitions could lead to water shortages
BBC

Sir Keir Starmer's plan to make the UK a "world leader" in Artificial Intelligence (AI) could put already stretched supplies of drinking water under strain, industry sources have told the BBC.

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advert
WOMEN SAY STUFF
TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY
8th March

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Gaza
we analysed a year of satellite images to map the scale of agricultural destruction

The ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas makes provisions for the passage of food and humanitarian aid into Gaza. This support is much needed given that Gaza’s agricultural system has been severely damaged over the course of the war.

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Scientists Engineer Crops to Consume More Carbon Dioxide
Yale Environment 360
Environmental Network News

Scientists have engineered sugarcane and sorghum to take advantage of rising levels of carbon dioxide, allowing these crops to grow bigger.

To achieve this, researchers focused on the enzyme Rubisco. Plants deploy Rubisco to help capture carbon dioxide for use in photosynthesis. But sometimes Rubisco can consume oxygen instead, slowing growth. As humans pump more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, Rubisco works more efficiently, helping capture more carbon dioxide, which helps plants grow faster.

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California tribes celebrate historic dam removal
‘More successful than we ever imagined’
The Guardian

Explosions roared through the canyons lining the Klamath River earlier this year, signaling a new chapter for the region that hugs the Oregon-California border.

In October, the removal of four hydroelectric dams built on the river was completed – the largest project of its kind in US history.

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The Environmental Impact of Superyacht and Private Jet Emissions
Oxfam

The superyacht and private jet emissions of the richest people are worsening the climate crisis.

The global working class, who have the lowest emissions, face the worst of this crisis.

Let’s look at the human and environmental cost of polluting private jets and superyachts and how to address their weighty impact... An image of a private jet.

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Why we need to transform the Arctic Ocean into a North Pole marine reserve
The Conversation

At the most northerly tip of the UK, looking north from the island of Muckle Flugga, Shetland, the cold wind whips up the sea and gannets dive.

While biodiversity loss in the Arctic Ocean may seem like a distant issue, the Shetland Islands lie further north than the Arctic Ocean’s southernmost waters. The Arctic Circle is only 380 miles (610km) north of British waters – the same distance as London to Edinburgh by road.

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In the Arctic, planting more trees actually makes the world warmer
The Conversation

Across much of the world, planting more trees means more carbon is stored, and global warming is reduced. That’s the thinking behind recent proposals to plant more trees in Alaska, Greenland and Iceland.

But we recently published a paper in the journal Nature Geoscience in which we argue that tree planting is no climate solution at northern high latitudes. In fact, it does more harm than good.

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Global Plastics Treaty Now!
Greenpeace

Plastic pollution is everywhere. It’s ruining the health of communities across the world, killing wildlife, fuelling the climate crisis and being dumped in oceans. But change is coming.

Thanks to people like you, governments have now started UN negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty.

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How theatre, music and film are helping us unlock new solutions to the world’s plastics problem
The Conversation

Member states of the UN environment assembly are meeting this week in Busan, South Korea to discuss the details of a global plastics treaty for the fifth, and hopefully final, time. Negotiations can be difficult, monotonous, and often go around in circles. The talks can go on for more than 14 hours a day. Those attending complain of meeting fatigue.

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ChatGPT - Carbon footprint

The environmental impact of a ChatGPT search versus a Google search varies significantly due to differences in underlying technologies and computational requirements. Here’s a breakdown:

Energy Usage Per Query
ChatGPT
Estimated Energy Per Query: Around 500–1,000 Wh (watt-hours) per query, depending on model size and server efficiency. This equates to ~200–400 g of CO₂e per query. Google Search
Optimized for Efficiency: Google searches rely on highly optimized search algorithms and infrastructure. Estimated Energy Per Query: Around 0.3–2 Wh per search depending on the complexity and features like personalized results. This is equivalent to ~0.2–1 g of CO₂e per query.

Reasons for the Difference
Model Complexity: ChatGPT involves processing millions of parameters for each query, whereas Google Search retrieves indexed results using pre-processed algorithms. Infrastructure Optimization: Google has highly efficient data centers focused on minimizing energy use, while AI queries like ChatGPT require more raw computing power, particularly for language generation.

Comparative Impact
A ChatGPT query could use up to 500x more energy than a simple Google search. For context: ChatGPT: Equivalent to running an energy-intensive task like streaming a high-definition video for several minutes. Google: Comparable to boiling water for a cup of tea or a few seconds of video streaming.

Perspective
To put 400 g of CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) into perspective, here are some activities and items with comparable carbon footprints:

Everyday Activities
1. Driving a Gasoline Car: About 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) driven in a typical petrol car (~250 g CO₂e per km).
2. Using a Clothes Dryer: Running a clothes dryer for 5–6 minutes emits around 400 g CO₂e.
3. Streaming Video: Streaming a 30-minute HD video on platforms like Netflix (depends on server location and energy source).

Food and Drink
4. A Cheeseburger: Producing one cheeseburger emits ~2.5 kg CO₂e, so 400 g CO₂e is roughly one-sixth of a cheeseburger's footprint.
5. A Cup of Coffee: A latte with milk emits 200–400 g CO₂e, depending on milk type (higher for dairy, lower for plant-based alternatives).

Household Energy
6. Electricity Use: Running a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours, assuming an average energy grid mix (~100 g CO₂e per kWh).
7. Charging Devices: Fully charging a smartphone 50 times (8 g CO₂e per charge on average).

Other Comparisons
8. Plastic Bag: Manufacturing a plastic grocery bag emits about 50 g CO₂e, so 400 g CO₂e is equivalent to 8 plastic bags.
9. Taking a Flight: Flying 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) emits around 400 g CO₂e per passenger.

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Environmental Projects
In Nottingham and beyond






AMC Gardens - Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens

Established in 2001 Arkwright Meadows Community Garden is a thriving community project. The Gardens are a green oasis within walking distance of Nottingham City Centre. We are open to visitors throughout the week providing a place for relaxation and recreation.

Nottingham
website

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The Conversation - environment

The Conversation is a network of nonprofit media outlets publishing news stories and research reports online, with accompanying expert opinion [unbiased definition needed] and analysis. Articles are written by academics and researchers under a Creative Commons license, allowing reuse without modification.
Global
website

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Friends of Colwick Woods Local Nature Reserve

A not for profit, community driven nature conservation group working in partnership with Nottingham City Council to maintain, protect and enhance Colwick Woods Nature Reserve.
nottingham
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Friends of Valley Road Park and Water Meadow

Welcome to the friends of valley road park group, a local conservation group for valley road park and water meadow.
nottingham
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Friends Of Wollaton Local Nature Reserve

What goes on behind the scenes at Martins Pond, Harrison Plantation, Raleigh Pond - and how to get involved.
nottingham
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Friends of Woodthorpe Grange Park

Volunteering, heritage and conservation. Partnering with NCC's Parks and Open Spaces.
nottingham
facebook

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Greenpeace Nottingham

We raise awareness in and around Nottingham of the pressing issues that threaten this unique planet and ask people to support our campaigns.
Nottinghamshire
facebook

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Green's Windmill and Science Centre

Organic flour millers. Home of George Green, Nottingham’s mathematical miller. Free entry, open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-4pm.
Nottingham
facebook

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Memorial Gardens Association

We are an independent association whose aims are to help protect, enhance and promote Nottingham Memorial Gardens.
Nottingham
facebook

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Naturebang

Becky Ripley and Emily Knight make sense of what it means to be human by looking to the natural world... Science meets storytelling with a philosophical twist.
BBC
website

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Nottingham Green Guardians

The Nottingham Green Guardians are the volunteers covering Nottingham City Council's Parks and Open Spaces. Our fabulous volunteers give up their time to help Nottingham become Happier, Healthier and Greener!
Nottingham
facebook

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Nottingham Friends of the Earth

Local action groups are part of a large network supported with plenty of expertise, training, resources and lobbying power. They're made up of people like you, and together they’ll bring about big systemic change.
Nottingham
website

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Nottingham Open Spaces Forum

Our aim is to promote, protect, conserve and enhance the open spaces within Nottingham City
Nottinghamshire
facebook

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Nottinghamshire Treeplanters

Nottinghamshire Treeplanters are partnering up with The Field, Strelley to plant more trees on their Community Field.
Nottingham
facebook

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Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is the county's leading conservation charity run by local people for the benefit of local wildlife, with nature reserves across the county - part of a UK network of 46 local Wildlife Trusts working to protect wildlife.
Nottinghamshire
website

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Pedals: Nottingham Cycle Campaign

We are the voice of people who cycle, and speak up for everyone who would love to cycle more - if only it felt safer and easier. Join us!
Nottingham
facebook

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Science & Environment

Latest Science News from around the world.
BBC
website

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St Ann's Allotments

STAA is a charitable organisation based on the historic St Anns Allotments site in Nottingham. We manage a wide range of community projects including the St Anns Community Orchard & the Heritage and History Allotment Garden. Our events include guided heritage tours of the allotments, volunteering opportunities and community open days.
Nottingham
website

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St Anns Community Orchard
facebook
Nottingham
website

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Sherwood Community Food Gardens
facebook
Nottingham
website

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Environment
website
Guardian
website

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Environmental News Network
website

website

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Windmill Community Gardens
facebook
Nottingham
website

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Oh My Nottz is a HotHouse Theatre production. Co. No. 6505843 Charity No. 1154523. Tel 07535138506 email guy@hothousetheatre.com website www.hothousetheatre.com
The views expressed in Oh My Nottz are not necessarily those held by HotHouse Theatre.
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