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Environment

Detective Work from 400 Miles Up: Tracking Antarctica’s Icons with “Penguin Poop”

In my previous post, I talked about the incredible feat of mapping the mountains and canyons hidden beneath Antarctica’s ice. But as I learned during Dr. Peter Fretwell’s presentation, some of the most vital work the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) carries out, involves looking at what is happening right on the surface.

While the bedrock mapping tells us how the ice might move, Dr. Fretwell’s “Wildlife From Space” project tells us how the animals are coping. And it all starts with something rather unexpected: penguin poop.

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February 26, 2026
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Environment

Your Pocket Guide to Sustainable Fish & Meat in UK Supermarkets – Part 2

Sustainable eating shouldn’t require a degree in marine biology or environmental science. This essential pocket guide serves as your compass through the supermarket, offering clear alternatives and ‘best-in-class’ swaps for your favourite proteins. Save this to your camera roll and carry it with you – because every mindful decision in the meat and fish aisle is a step toward a more resilient food system.

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February 20, 2026
3391
Environment

The High Stakes of Mapping Antarctica’s Hidden World

Deep beneath the vast, white expanse of Antarctica lies a world few will ever see – a landscape of jagged mountain ranges, deep-cut canyons, and ancient valleys. For decades, scientists have been working to “peel back” the ice to understand what lies beneath. Recently, a monumental milestone was reached with the release of Bedmap3, the most detailed map of the Antarctic continent to date.

I was fortunate enough to attend a presentation by Dr. Peter Fretwell where he shared some of the results of this groundbreaking work. Listening to the sheer scale of the data collected by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and their international partners, it’s clear that this research is far more than a cartographic achievement. It is a vital tool for understanding our planet’s future. What I love about this type of research is it’s all about facts with little hype and conjecture!

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February 1, 2026
3528
Environment, Sustainable Travel

Reflections on 2025. Fragility, Resilience and the Lessons of the South

As the final days of 2025 drew to a close, I found myself looking back on a year that has been as challenging as it has been illuminating. Through the lens of this blog, we have explored everything from the quiet biodiversity of our own gardens in Dove Park to the staggering, icy majesty of the Antarctic Southern Ocean.

While the tone of environmental news can often tilt toward the “doom and gloom,” my journey this year – both through research and my own travels – has reinforced a singular truth: sustainability is not a static goal, but a series of deliberate, conscious choices.

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January 5, 2026
3640
Environment, Sustainable Travel

The Pulse of the Planet: Why Your Choices in the Shopping Aisle Matter in Antarctica

How do you describe a place that feels like the very edge of the world? Antarctica is a vast, frozen wilderness – a land that has famously claimed the lives of explorers who dared to challenge its silence. But step off a Quark Expeditions vessel at Snow Hill, as I recently did, and you’ll realise that “barren” is the last word you’d use.

Watching the stoic Emperor penguins against the sheer white horizon, you realise this place isn’t just surviving, it is teeming with life. Yet, this fragile splendour is under siege. We often think of the threats to Antarctica as distant, monolithic forces – global warming, industrial overfishing and historical whaling – that only governments can solve.

But after walking among the colonies, the truth becomes clear: The fate of the ice isn’t just in the halls of parliament; it’s in your shopping basket.

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December 17, 2025
3772
Environment, Sustainable Travel

César Manrique: Art, Nature & Sustainability in Lanzarote

I’m back with another travel tale following a dear friend’s prompting, and this time, we’re talking about a true visionary. If you’ve ever been to the stunning island of Lanzarote, you’ll know that it’s unlike anywhere else. There are no high-rise hotels (bar one!), no gaudy billboards, and a beautiful, harmonious blend of white-washed buildings and dramatic volcanic landscapes. This isn’t an accident. It’s all thanks to one man: César Manrique.

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September 23, 2025
5608
Environment, Sustainable Travel

The Antarctic Code: How to Be a True Penguin Pal

My deep-seated love for penguins started years ago, and my trips to the Antarctic have only solidified my belief that we have a responsibility to protect these incredible creatures and their pristine home. It’s easy to book a trip with an “eco-friendly” tour operator, but being a responsible traveler goes much deeper. It’s about how you behave once you’re there.

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August 20, 2025
5300
Environment

Nature in Decline: Why Our Gardens Matter More Than Ever

Our recent Transition Streets session for Dove Park was all about biodiversity, and what better place to discuss it than in a neighbour’s truly magnificent garden! While many of us in Dove Park don’t have sprawling plots, this particular neighbour was fortunate enough to acquire some unused land at the back of their property, creating a wonderful blend of formal garden and a wilder, winding area filled with trees. They’ve even got a fantastic nature pond, built soon after they moved in, which has now beautifully softened with aquatic plants and is teeming with pond life and, importantly, provides a vital drink for thirsty bees. Their chickens, add a wonderfully rural and diverse feel of the place – if you remember an earlier post of mine, we donate our green vegetable trimmings to the chickens, which they love!

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July 30, 2025
4891
Environment, Sustainable Travel

Penguins on the Edge – What the Latest Science Tells Us About Our Icy Friends (and What We Can Do!)

The planet’s magnificent, mysterious, and utterly vital blue heart is brimming with life, regulating climate, and providing immense beauty and wonder. Among its most iconic inhabitants, and top of my list, are penguins; creatures that symbolise the pristine wilderness of the polar regions and capture the imagination of many, not just me! A profound passion for the planet, its incredible wildlife, and particularly the spectacular island of South Georgia inspires my deep appreciation for these remarkable birds.

However, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of environmental challenges facing the planet, with news often painting a grim picture. Even these seemingly resilient creatures are now facing unprecedented threats.

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July 20, 2025
7427
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