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  • QAA Scotland takes a resolute step sideways

    A rumour is abroad that the Quality Assurance Agency in Scotland is going to make ESD the focus of a new enhancement theme.   In case you don't know (and why should you?), these themes aim to improve the learning experience of...

  • Looking Ahead for Environmental Education

    GEEP has been conducting an survey of its members looking ahead for environmental education.  The questions (and my personal responses) are here: 1. Think back over the last 15-20 years – What is one big step forward in the field...

  • Margaret Thatcher green visionary

    I wrote last Friday morning about the BBC's Green originals series which showcases 15 people who have made a difference to our understanding of how humans are affecting the balances within natural systems. On Friday afternoon, the BBC's 10th programme...

  • Sound environmental education from the BBC

    Have you been listening to the BBC's Green Originals series?  These 15 excellent brief (15 minute) programmes started in January and will end next week. I thought them well researched (as you’d expect) and full of detail.  Who knew that...

  • Amending the 2002 Education Act

    18 years on, some people's thoughts turn to the revision or replacement of the 2002 Education Act.  This is the act of parliament that still governs all schooling in England and it dates from 5 governments ago (although it has...

  • How huge is the UK's share of historical CO2 emissions?

    In its end of year round-up, UKSCN included the following paragraph: "We are looking to COP26 in Glasgow as an opportunity to shed a light on the UK’s lack of climate ambition.  As a country responsible for a huge share...

  • New words of the year

    The Economist's Johnson column had a new year article on how new words in 2019 reflect the rise of climate-change activism.  Here are a few of my favourites: – Germany –  Heisszeit, “Heat Age” – The Netherlands – laadpaalklever, “charging-post sticker”...

  • The Office for Students passes the buck

    2020 in the HE sector has got off to an hilarious start, but not in a good way. I understand that the ludicrously mis-named, and über useless, Office for Students is expecting the Climate Commission for UK Higher and Further...

  • Greta Thunberg gives the BBC permission to pollute

    I see that Greta Thunberg edited the BBC's fading flagship radio news programme, Today, on December 30th.  I didn't tune in as I abandoned listening to Today long before it became fashionable to do so, preferring my own prejudices in...

  • A platform for the SDGs

    Many of the big London Railway termini have at least 17 platforms.  For example, Waterloo and Victoria each have 19, Liverpool Street has 18 as does Euston, notionally, though 2 are being re-developed for HS2.  Other cities have a large...