DO look up! How satellites help plant trees
Plus the £million water company apology and a handful of eco events to enjoy
I’m Sarah Hartley and this is The Northern Eco weekly update. As you’ve received this newsletter then either you subscribed or someone forwarded it to you. If the latter, then you can click on this handy little button below.
Think tree planting - spades, mud, wellies, ruddy faced volunteers out in all weathers? That was certainly my first thought until I spoke with Alan Raw. He takes a very different view - looking down from space.
“We are able to use this software with the satellites to see all the things we need to know to put the right tree in the right place.”
Social entrepreneur Alan co-founded Pan Galactic Developments Ltd and is the firm’s Chief Sustainability Officer. The two year old startup is based in Hull and, among other activities, takes data from satellites which galvanises action on the ground.
“One of the things that Pan Galactic has begun at the moment - it's not our main focus, but it is certainly a fun bit that I'm very engaged with - is a project bringing together different organisations and bodies, community groups tree growers, and technical experts to analyse an area looking at what the satellites can tell us.
“We’re looking at the health of the vegetation, the way that water will move over the area. Whether or not there is air pollution, where the population mass is, what health conditions that population there suffer from, whether it's pulmonary, for example, and does that relate to air quality and the other trees near there that may be absorbing some of that and should there be but we'll also look at flooding.
“That way, we can have more chances of tackling the problem with less resources because resources are always limited. Budgets are always limited. We're against the clock when it comes to climate change. So if we can put the right tree in the right place based on the best information, we stand a much better chance of tackling things in time.”
Humber Eco Fest
The tree planting data became part of the focus for last year’s Humber Eco Fest where green groups, artists and community organisations showcased projects over 21 days across the four local authority areas around the Humber region.
During that event, Alan’s team-mate Silviu Pirvu demonstrated the satellite/AI initiative for sustainable planning, named Optimal Cities. This followed Silviu having presented his satellite modelling of Hull to the UN General Assembly, Science Summit.
“The European Space Agency has satellites orbiting all the time and they are constantly mentoring them and putting new ones up and working with a lot of private companies, as well within the space sector. So there is more and more data being created all the time and they make it as available to people who are going to do good things with it.”
And do good things they do. Once the best locations and solutions have been identified, it’s down to groups including Green Task Force to get those spades into the ground.
“We've already planted a lot of trees but it's about having a variety of things that are planted. So hedgerows, for example, are particularly good for dealing with the air pollution on the sides of roads. Obviously seagrass and hemp grow very quickly and absorb a lot of CO2. The right tree in the right place can make a lot of difference.
“There are many drains in this area, sort of like small canals, which run across the East Riding. So planting things like willow along the sides of those can help.”
East Yorkshire has an especially urgent reason to be taking such proactive effort in the climate crises - it is both a major polluter as well as being one of the areas most vulnerable.
“The Humber area produces 37% of all the carbon emissions for the UK, the worst offender really. But also, because of the focus on energy parks and green energy and wind power in this area, it is also seen as being one of the best hopes. Along with parts of London, it's the lowest lying area, a bowl shaped city, that will be the first to go underwater in the UK and we have the fastest eroding coastline in Europe. The worst offender, best hope AND most vulnerable, it seems like an obvious place to try and do some good work as quickly as possible.”
The three most clicked links from last week’s newsletter:
In other news
💦 Yorkshire Water revealed last week it had agreed to give £1 million to charities for polluting Hookstone Beck in Harrogate. John Plummer at The Stray Ferret reports here.
🌳 The government has proposed plans to offer the Drax power plant extra subsidies to burn trees for electricity, provoking a backlash from climate groups and green Tory MPs, writes The Guardian’s Jillian Ambrose here.
🐾 Yorkshire Dales residents urged to help shape ‘to-do list’ writes Joe Willis at Richmondshire Today about this public consultation survey. Online until Monday, February 26.
🧴Marks & Spencer has expanded its ‘Refilled’ scheme to reduce and remove plastic packaging in another 19 stores including Liverpool One, Meadowhall, Oatlands Harrogate, Newcastle, Stockport and York.
🗞️ Last week’s Better Business Summit in Manchester was an inspiring two days of talks and workshops to help businesses tackle the climate crisis and galvanise action. My thoughts and takeaways from the event: Should we all just stop reading the news?
Events
Extinction Rebellion (XR) members in Newcastle invite anyone involved in an environmental group in the area to this second Climate Community Assembly on Saturday, January 27 from 13:30 - 16:00 at the Star And Shadow Cinema.
Make it Wild is holding natural mindfulness walks from 10.30am – 12pm (approx) on Tuesday, January 30 at Sylvan Woodland Nature Reserve. Details here.
There’s a People, Planet, Pint: Sustainability Meet up in Chester on Thursday, 1 February. Details here.
Woodland Trust North is holding a guided walk at Hackfall on Thursday, February 1 from 10:30am - 12:30pm. Details here.
Northumbrian Water Farming Update North 2024 is taking place at 20-22 Cottage Rd, Wooler on Wednesday, February 7 from 10:00 - 15:00. Details here.
Do you have an event coming up that you’d like to share with The Northern Eco community? Drop me a line sarah@thenortherneco.com.
Next week’s newsletter will include some green tinged reading recommendations from The Wonky Tree. See you then!