My Global Garden

Weather chaos and climate change

17. August 2010

Floods in Pakistan, drought in Russia and record temperatures across the USA during summer 2010 raises the question whether these far-flung disasters are connected and if global warming is causing such weather extremes. The collective answer of the scientific community can be boiled down to a single word: probably. “The climate is changing,” said Jay Lawrimore, chief of climate [...]

Grow your own and bake bread to make a difference

11. August 2010

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Grow your own and bake bread to make a difference

Wheat prices are rising as a result of severe drought in Russia this summer which could have an ongoing effect on the world’s food chain. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10859883 Beat the unpredictable global weather this summer by growing your own food and baking your own bread.http://www.allotment.org.uk/allotment_foods/bread-making/index.php

Hottest year on record?

19. July 2010

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http://vodpod.com/watch/4018941-2010-hottest-year-so-far-on-record http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/07/2010717132048381555.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/7895681/Worlds-hottest-year-on-record-expected.html http://climateprogress.org/2010/07/10/nasa-hottest-year-solar-minimum/ http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100716/wl_nm/us_weather_hottest_record http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/hottest-year-on-record/story-e6frg12c-1225892772028 http://www.vancouversun.com/news/World+simmers+hottest+year+record/3290162/story.html

International Year of Biodiversity

17. May 2010

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The United Nations have chosen 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. It is inviting the world to take action in order to safeguard the variety of life on Earth and the natural living systems that provide us with food,fuel, health,wealth, and other vital services.There are events taking place all over the world [...]

Plant trees wherever you live

12. April 2010

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Trees are vital to the future of our planet as they soak up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/26/trees-to-combat-climate-change Wherever you live in the world please think about where you can plant more trees - they are beautiful and easy to look after as long as you choose the right tree for the right soil and position.http://www.treecanada.ca/publications/guide.htm Use [...]

Climate change despair from Lovelock

1. April 2010

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James Lovelock, now 90, is a British scientist who has inspired the green movement for many years. He developed the Gaia theory that Earth is a huge, self regulating organism and his musings on how we are ruining our planet are highly respected all over the world. He recently expressed his belief that man is not clever enough yet [...]

Monbiot on the Mediterranean

21. June 2009

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I have always admired George Monbiot - his outspoken views on climate change are really worth reading on his blog. Over the past week, he challenged the notion that if climate change means that the UK becomes more like the Mediterranean with hotter summers and less rainfall then, what will the Mediterranean become? http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/2009/jun/18/monbiot-climate-impacts “Do we secretly [...]

World Environment Day highlights Climate Change

5. June 2009

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World Environment Day highlights Climate Change

The theme for WED 2009 is ‘Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change’. It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests. Visit http://twitter.com/unepandyou to make [...]

Climate Zone map for Europe

22. May 2009

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This map will be of interest for gardeners in Europe as it gives the highest and lowest annual minimum temperatures. If you want to see more detail for your country click http://www.gardenweb.com/zones/europe/ The detailed climate zone map for the UK refers to -12c but the frequency of such low temperatures in SE England is very rare. [...]

Mediterranean Scene

12. April 2008

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Here are just a few flower pictures from my trip to Calabria in Italy. The pink messembryanthemum are particularly good for underplanting. In the right hand picture they are used beneath some impressive architectural Agave plants - the dramatic spiky green leaves of the Agave provide a sharp contrast to the bright flowers .This [...]