The United Kingdom's 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) cover almost one fifth of the country. ELIZABETH WAINWRIGHT explores why they're so much more than just pretty places to visit
The major US brands that do place a high value on sustainable production methods can now add a new certification to their eco credentials. But to become Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) requires an increased commitment to soil health, animal welfare and farm labour, as CATHERINE HARTE reports
Blackberrying and tweeting. These words used to evoke strong memories and feelings of nature. Now, they are about technology, old and new. NATALIE BENNET argues access to nature should be a human right for our children, so our connections with the environment are not lost
Countries in South America are at risk of losing their indigenous bee populations due to the introduction of alien species to support government agricultural policy. Scientists warn urgent international action needs to be taken. CATHERINE HARTE reports
The Ecologist was an early adopter of systems theory after its launch in 1971. The way of thinking has come to influence a range of disciplines, from ecology to change management. In the first in a series of articles on systems theory, Dr ROBERT BIEL argues that its application can be effective in healing the rift between society and nature
After bailing out RBS to the tune of £45 billion following the 2008 financial crash, the government plans to relaunch the privatisation process in March 2019. This is ill-conceived argues ROB MACQUARIE and would be a wasted opportunity for meaningful change in the banking sector.
Lithium-ion batterie mean your smartphone is light enough to carry around in your pocket. But the raw materials are associated with child labour, forced labour, corruption and the exposure of communities to dust contaminated with toxic metals. We have a serious problem with our smartphones, argues KATHRYN HINDESS
The internationally important seabird colony of the Shiant Isles has officially been declared rat-free following a four year programme to eradicate an invasive species of rodent. CATHERINE HARTE reports on how wildlife experts now predict a brighter future for seabird populations on the islands.
The first country in the world write the 'rights of nature' or 'Pachamama' into its constitution is now being decimated by mining companies, argues JOHN SEED of The Rainforest Information Centre. The people of Ecuador, their government and the international community need to work together to preserve the country's unique ecosystems
Honeybee populations have been in decline for several years. Scientists now believe they've made a breakthrough in finding out why. For the first time they've identified the spread of diseases shared with other pollinator groups - such as the hoverfly - as a significant factor. CATHERINE HARTE reports
The government 25 years ago proposed the ambitious National Forest project, which now provides a home to 8.5 million trees and spans 200 square miles of the Midlands. And now the current government is looking to mirror this success with a new Northern Forest. At some twenty times its size, it's a bold but welcome move says JOHN EVERITT, chief executive of National Forest
Scientists at the University of Alberta say the way to put the threatened grizzly bear on the road to recovery is to close routes that drive through their habitats. Their recent study was the first to make strong links between low grizzly bear populations in areas of high road density. CATHERINE HARTE reports
The famous and somewhat abstract Beatles lyric reflects on "a soap impression of his wife" being donated to the National Trust. But what the charity really needs is hard currency - and in the next few days its average membership fee is about to go up 50p. BRENDAN MONTAGUE reports
The Beast of the East has dumped snow all across Britain just as we should be looking ahead to Spring. The RSPB has today warned that birds will struggle to cope with the plummeting temperatures and urges people to give them a helping hand by providing food and shelter. CATHERINE HARTE reports
