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.

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.

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’.

Localisation versus Globalisation

In his essay, Adam Whitworth seeks to highlight a number of the environmental problems associated with globalisation, examine the principle and practicality of localisation as a policy alternative, and to gain an understanding of the power, scope and limitations of localisation as a transformational adaptation to aid the rapid transition to an environmentally sustainable economy.

Exploring Theory U and socially equitable regeneration in Govanhill

Robin Duval recently graduated from CAT’s Graduate School for the Environment with an MSc in Sustainability and Adaptation. We spoke to Robin about their dissertation research, ‘A systems analysis of the social impact of regeneration: A case study of Govanhill, Glasgow using Theory U to co-create transformative intervention proposals to enable socially equitable regeneration’.

A critical appraisal of La Via Campesina and agroecology

Is there potential for radical democracy and food sovereignty to withstand climate change and feed the 9 billion?

Josephine Becker looks at La Via Campesina; a global movement with over 180 member organisations in 82 countries, appraising it’s structure and promise of radical democracy. She illustrates the successes of the movement, its potential for growth and the implications this has on wider agroecological practices currently being utilised.