Author Archives: Miles King

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About Miles King

UK conservation professional, writing about nature, politics, life. All views are my own and not my employers. I don't write on behalf of anybody else.

Mynthurst Appeal decision another nail in the Rampisham Solar Farm Coffin?

The big news is that the date for the Rampisham Down Public Inquiry has been set for 13th September 2016. This is quite a long time away and should give all parties enough time to marshal their evidence and arguments. … Continue reading

Posted in Rampisham Down, Solar Farms, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Natural Capital: The Poll

OK so I’ve had a bit of a rant on things like Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services this week; Now it’s your turn. I know quite a few people in the conservation/environment sector read this blog, so I’m going to … Continue reading

Posted in Natural Capital, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Shifting Baselines

This post isn’t about how our perceptions of environmental change get reset with each generation. It’s about Defra’s budget. Today’s spending Review saw Chancellor Osborne perform some typical numerical tricks, as he sought to position himself nearer to the centre … Continue reading

Posted in cuts, Defra, Natural England | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Ecosystem Services for whom?

Ecosystem Services – the idea that we benefit from goods and services provided for free by nature. To be frank, the phrase is ugly. It’s ugly language to use to describe so much beauty – Nature; the bringer of joy, … Continue reading

Posted in bees, Dieter Helm, dogs, ecosystem services, Natural Capital, Neonicotinoids | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

More tales from Natural Capital Wonderland: Woodlands and Badgers

“What’s the economic value of woodlands in the UK? Hmm? Come on, I haven’t got all day. Yes, you at the back there   – £720 Billion you say? That sounds like a made up figure.” An imagined conversation perhaps, but … Continue reading

Posted in badgers, libertarians, Natural Capital, neoliberalism | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Natural Capital debate: Helm rebutts Monbiot, misses target

As today’s opening of The World Forum on Natural Capital runs into a spot of bother over the antics of some of the Corporations who are promoting it, last week saw a scintillating debate about Natural Capital, between two crusty … Continue reading

Posted in Dieter Helm, George Monbiot, Natural Capital | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Guest Blog from Ian Hepburn. Defending Nature: the UK battle is far from over

With a conference to review the effectiveness of the EU Nature Directives (Birds and Habitats) – the Fitness Check process, taking place in Brussels tomorrow, I’m thrilled to publish a timely guest blog from Ian Hepburn. Ian has had a … Continue reading

Posted in Birds Directive, David Cameron, European Commission, European environment policy, Habitats Directive | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

New additions to Defra Board will not upset Truss’s plans to cut Natural England or Environment Agency

Reading through the excellent CIEEM monthly policy briefing email, I noticed that Natural England Chair Andrew Sells and Environment Agency chair Sir Phillip Dilley, had recently joined the Defra Board in ex-officio capacities. Defra Board, in case you were wondering, … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Sells, Defra, Liz Truss, lobbying, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Autumn: The Season of Maize and Muddy Rivers

“SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness! Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run; To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees, And fill all fruit … Continue reading

Posted in badgers, bovine TB, Maize | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Natural England steps into the Tumbrel

Liz Truss has apparently already agreed to a 32% cut to the Defra budget for the 4 years from 2016-17 onwards. This impressive feat allows her to sit on the panel which resides over the imposition of cuts on other, … Continue reading

Posted in Defra, George Osborne, Liz Truss, Natural England, SSSis | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments