Does converting grassland into wildflower meadow affect soil carbon sequestration?

Alice Breeveld recently completed an MSc in Sustainable Food and Natural Resources. Her dissertation explored the question, ‘Does converting grassland into wildflower meadow affect soil carbon sequestration?’

Alice recently gave a talk on her research and results and has kindly recorded it so it can be shared more widely.

How should humanity respond to the threat to ecosystem services from invasive non-native plants?

This literature review by Alice Breeveld focuses on invasive non-native plants (INNP), defined as plant species outside their normal area with serious negative consequences. While INNP can impact ecosystem services directly, the most frequently cited threat is associated with habitat disruption, competition or hybridisation driving biodiversity loss or ultimately extinction. This review investigates connections between INNP, biodiversity and ecosystem services, concluding that while most INNP impacts are controllable, the critical impact for humanity comes from global extinctions and the loss of genetic resources.

Restoring wildness and spreading inspiration

Jon Conradi graduated from CAT with an MSc in Sustainability and Adaptation Planning in 2019. In February 2022, he founded Wild Mosaic, with the aim of ‘creating a little more wildness’. We spoke to Jon about the story so far.

The role of Community Land Trusts in building resilience in rural communities in England and Wales

Adam Land recently completed an MSc in Sustainability and Adaptation in the Build Environment. He wrote his dissertation on ‘The role of Community Land Trusts in building resilience in rural communities in England and Wales’.

Digging up the dirt

This short article by Alice Breeveld highlights a 10-year study from Newcastle University in Australia looking at the effect of farming on carbon storage. The study compared grazed land with minimum-till cropland.

Making change through local politics

Sarah Warren graduated with an MSc from CAT in 2018. In 2019, she campaigned for Bath & North East Somerset Council to declare a climate emergency. Later the same year, she successfully stood for election. She is the Liberal Democrat Councillor for Bathavon North Ward and Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, and was recently appointed as Deputy Leader with specific responsibility for the Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel. We spoke to her about the process and experience of making change through local politics.

Producing meat while sequestering soil organic carbon: a case study involving a novel grazing method

This essay by Alice Breeveld takes a case study of a farm in Ireland where a novel grazing method attempts to maximise carbon sequestration, thus potentially providing a sustainable model for producing meat. It investigates claims that grazing animals can sequester carbon in the soil, and whether the farm is likely to achieve its aims. It also examines soil carbon sequestration in a global context.

slim my waste – feed my face

In this case study, Sam Haughton investigates how Bristol City Council ran a successful behaviour change campaign encouraging residents to divert their food waste from landfill through playful creativity and community engagement.

A case study of community resilience in Machynlleth

Freya Pryce recently graduated from CAT’s Graduate School for the Environment with an MSc in Sustainability and Adaptation Planning. We spoke to Freya about her dissertation research, ‘Is current community resilience sufficient to ensure inclusive and empowering climate adaptation? A case study of Machynlleth, Wales’.

Whole life carbon and green building at scale

Stephen Barrett graduated from CAT with an MSc in Sustainability & Adaptation in the Built Environment in 2019. Last year, he took up a position as Whole Life Carbon Project Lead at the Irish Green Building Council. We spoke to him about his new role.