Mersey Basin Campaign | Items with region Ribble

Publication dateJanuary 2006 MBC092 Hot Spots A new report has been commissioned to assess the impact of climate change on the Northwest’s tourism industry and the findings are far from sunny. It is assumed that once the country starts warming up, tourists will be flocking to the Northwest rather than the over-heated Mediterranean but the research suggests this may not be the case. Paul Unger examines the issues raised by the report and examines how tourism in the Northwest may bring increased problems in terms of managing and maintaining the natural environment once climate change hits home.

Publication dateJanuary 2006 MBC093 Paddle Power Louise Tickle explores the reasons behind the Mersey Basin Campaign setting up a guide to watersports in the Northwest whilst enjoying her first experience of kayaking on Derwentwater in Cumbria.

Publication dateJanuary 2006 MBC094 Spotlight - Tony Dean Source talks to Tony Dean, the regional director for the Environment Agency in the Northwest about how his career has led him to his current position and about his aspirations for the Environment Agency in the future.

Publication dateJune 2006 MBC099 Environmental Champion - David Crawshaw Source talks to David Crawshaw, regional catchment estates manager for United Utilities and this year's winner of the prestigious environmental leadership category at the Northwest Business Environment Awards.

Publication dateJune 2006 MBC098 What's It Worth? A new report titled “The Environmental Economy of England’s Northwest” has been published and has estimated that the region’s environment supports 109,000 jobs and is worth around £2.6 billion to its economy. Jason Teasdale talks to members of the Environment Agency and the NWDA about the findings of this report and discusses how both communities and business can benefit from the environment’s economic potential.

Publication dateDecember 2006 MBC106 Spotlight - Kevin Anderson Source talks to Dr Kevin Anderson, Research Director at the Tyndell Centre for Climate Change Research about his current role and his aspiration that the Northwest can lead the way in the fight against climate change.

Publication dateDecember 2006 MBC105 New Model Farming The Northwest is blessed with beautiful upland habitats that are vital for maintaining biodiversity. However, due to subsidies paid to farmers, our uplands have been shrinking due to over-grazing and un-sustainable land management. Mark Hillsdon looks at the range of benefits open to farmers who enter into agri-environmental schemes and looks at the case study of Whitendale Farm in Lancashire that has become involved in United Utilities Sustainable Catchment Management Plan (SCaMP) aiming to help restore the natural landscape and utilise it as an alternative source of income.

Publication dateMarch 2007 MBC107 Alien Invasion Japanese knotweed - a plant that can grow through concrete and damage the foundations of houses. Giant hogweed - a plant that has sap that burns the skin and leaves wounds that can be aggravated by light up to six years after the initial contact. This may sound like something out of a science fiction film, but non-native invasive plants are one of the biggest threats to the UK's biodiversity. Ciara Leeming investigates some of the countries most dangerous plants and explores the problems associated with their control and eradication.