Resource Roadmap

From the EC’s Resource Efficiency Roadmap (September 2011)

Over the 20th century, the world increased its fossil fuel use by a factor of 12, whilst extracting 34 times more material resources. Today in the EU, each person consumes 16tonnes of materials annually, of which 6 tonnes are wasted, with half going to landfill. Trends show, however, that the era of plentiful and cheap resources is over. Businesses are facing rising costs for essential raw materials and minerals, their scarcity and price volatility are having a damaging effect on the economy. Sources of minerals, metals and energy, as well as stocks of fish, timber, water, fertile soils, clean air, biomass, biodiversity are all under pressure, as is the stability of the climate system. Whilst demand for food, feed and fibre may increase by 70% by 2050, 60% of the world’s major ecosystems that help produce these resources have already been degraded or are used unsustainably. If we carry on using resources at the current rate, by 2050 we will need, on aggregate, the equivalent of more than two planets to sustain us, and the aspirations of many for a better quality of life will not be achieved. 

Nurture Nature

Earlier this year, after too many months of 'I'll get around to it' procrastination, I finally made a sourdough leaven or starter, and became a simpler, happier breadmaker, able to dispense with sugars and fats whilst making the most delightful sourdough breads. 

A spell of work away coincided with hot weather at home, and in forgetting to ask my family to nuture my leaven and keep it tended, all of the natural yeast cells died and it was starter no more. 

From scratch, the process of growing a starter is simple and straightforward. The recipe I used included a spoonful of yoghurt and a few raisins for sugar, flour and water. Each day, throwing half of the small mix to make room for more ingredients. By day five or so, the fermentation process starts, and in the space of another 48 or 72 hours, turns a gloopy, soupy mixture into a vibrant, fragrant sourdough starter that can be mixed with nothing more than flour ( 200g starter to 500g flour), water and a little salt, to make a bread that stays fresh and usable for days.

The process reminded me that you can't rush what happens in nature. It's nurture that's needed, not speed, when building new life.

Nurture nature

Earlier this year, after too many months of 'I'll get around to it' procrastination, I finally made a sourdough leaven or starter, and became a simpler, happier breadmaker, able to dispense with sugars and fats whilst making the most delightful sourdough breads. 

A spell of work away coincided with hot weather at home, and in forgetting to ask my family to nuture my leaven and keep it tended, all of the natural yeast cells died and it was starter no more. 

From scratch, the process of growing a starter is simple and straightforward. The recipe I used included a spoonful of yoghurt and a few raisins for sugar, flour and water. Each day, throwing half of the small mix to make room for more ingredients. By day five or so, the fermentation process starts, and in the space of another 48 or 72 hours, turns a gloopy, soupy mixture into a vibrant, fragrant sourdough starter that can be mixed with nothing more than flour ( 200g starter to 500g flour), water and a little salt, to make a bread that stays fresh and usable for days.

The process reminded me that you can't rush what happens in nature. It's nurture that's needed, not speed, when building new life.

Government's take on nature

The UK Government aims to mainstream the value of nature across society by:

• facilitating greater local action to protect and improve nature;

• creating a green economy, in which economic growth and the health of our natural resources sustain each other, and markets, business and Government better reflect the value of nature;

• strengthening the connections between people and nature to the benefit of both; and

• showing leadership in the European Union and internationally, to protect and enhance natural assets globally.

The UK Govt  approach takes account of the National Ecosystem Assessment and the Lawton Report: Making Space for Nature

The UK Government aims to promote an ambitious, integrated approach, creating a resilient ecological network across England. It proposes to move from net biodiversity loss to net gain, by supporting healthy, well-functioning ecosystems and coherent ecological networks.

Growing a green economy

HM Treasury guidance on policy and project appraisal already highlights the importance of aiming to identify all environmental costs and benefits. Later in 2011, the UK Government will publish new supplementary guidance to HM Treasury’s Green Book for use by all Government Departments on valuing the natural environment in appraisals. This will cover techniques for monetary and non-monetary valuation and the need to take into account values from individuals, communities, businesses and other interested parties when undertaking environmental valuation

Economic growth and the natural environment are mutually compatible. Sustainable economic growth relies on services provided by the natural environment, often referred to as ‘ecosystem services’. Some of these are provided directly, such as food, timber and energy. Others are indirect, such as climate regulation, water purification and the productivity of soil.

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study shows that protected natural areas can yield returns many times higher than the cost of their protection. There are multi-million pound opportunities available from greener goods and services, and from markets that protect nature’s services.

The UK Government will put natural capital at the centre of economic thinking economic thinking and at the heart of the way the way economic progress is measured nationally. Natural capital will be included within the UK Environmental Accounts. An independent Natural Capital Committee will be established to advise the UK Government on the state of natural capital in England.

Growing a green economy

• The UK Government will publish an action plan to expand markets and schemes in which payments are made by the beneficiary of a natural service to the provider of that service.

• The UK Government will set up a business-led Ecosystem Markets Task Force to review the opportunities for UK business from expanding the trade in green goods and the market for sustainable natural services.

• The UK Government will publish a review of waste policy later this year.

• The UK Government will issue new guidance for businesses by 2012 on how to measure and report corporate environmental impacts.

Reconnecting people and nature

• To help LAs use their new duties and powers on public health, Public Health England will publish practical evidence about improving health, including through access to a good natural environment.

• Barriers to learning outdoors will be removed

• ‘Local Green Areas’ designation to be created to protect the green areas for local people

• A Green Infrastructure Partnership to be established with civil society to support the development of green infrastructure in England.

• A new phase of the Muck In4Life campaign will be launched, offering volunteering opportunities to improve the quality of life in towns, cities and the countryside.



Learning to love uncertainty

Learn to love uncertainty and failure, say leading thinkers | Edge question | Science | The Guardian.

One of the characteristics of all Doers is to know what you’re certain about and what you’re not. It’s good to have a strong, deep feeling in your head, heart and bones that you’re going to make a difference, and be certain of that. Knowing how to get there is a different question. That’s the joy of learning to work, live and love like nature, using whatever is in front of you as a gift and precious resource for whatever comes next.