Solar and wind energy expansions
Plus the latest green reading recommendations for the whole family
Good morning! 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.
As it’s the last Tuesday of the month, we’ve the latest book recommendations with a green tinge from Claire and Alan at The Wonky Tree bookshop for you to enjoy! (Scroll down for the usual news headlines)
England - A Natural History by John Lewis-Stempel
“You can't beat John Lewis-Stempel's nature writing - enough said!”
Description: In England, his most magisterial book to date, John Lewis-Stempel explores the country's flora and fauna, taking us from coast to moor, from downs to field, from the park to the village to create a vivid living portrait of our natural history. In his trademark lyrical prose, Lewis-Stempel reveals the hidden workings of each habitat: the clear waters and dragonflies; the bluebells, badgers and stag beetles; wild thyme; granite cliffs; rock pools and sandy beaches; red deer standing at ancient oaks; the wayside flowers of the lane; hedgehogs and hares; and snow on the high peak.
Each landscape - be it calm green or wild moor, plunging cliff or flatland fen - has shaped our idea of ourselves, our sense of what it is to be in England.
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
“We were lucky enough to hear Chloe talk at the latest bookselling conference we attended. We were captivated by her story and the amazing bond she developed with ‘hare’ and can’t wait to read this.”
Description: When lockdown forced busy professional Chloe to leave the city and return to the countryside of her childhood, she never expected to find herself custodian of a newly born hare. Yet when she finds the creature, endangered, alone and no bigger than her palm, she is compelled to give it a chance at survival.
Raising Hare chronicles their journey together and the challenges of caring for the leveret and preparing for its return to the wild. We witness an extraordinary relationship between human and animal, rekindling our sense of awe towards nature and wildlife. Chloe’s story serves to remind us that the most remarkable experiences, inspiring the most hope, often arise when we least expect them.
Turtle Moon by Hannah Gold
“Hannah Gold writes beautifully with an environmental slant - perfect for all young eco warriors!”
Description: Journey to the heart of the jungle in this unforgettable adventure from the bestselling author of the multi-award-winning The Last Bear. Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold, this is perfect for readers 8+.
Silver Trevelon’s parents aren’t happy. They haven’t been happy since the nursery they decorated started gathering cobwebs, waiting for the baby brother or sister that never came. So when Silver’s dad is invited to paint at a turtle rescue centre in Costa Rica, she hopes it’ll be just the adventure the family needs. Under the hot tropical sun, Silver settles into life at the animal centre.
She even witnesses a rare sighting of a leatherback turtle nesting on the beach. But when the turtle’s eggs are stolen, events take a dark and dangerous turn. Can Silver and her new friends track them down before it's too late? It’ll mean journeying into the heart of the jungle ...
The three most clicked links in issue 101 were:
In water news
💦 Last week saw the launch of an Independent Water Commission into the water industry. River campaigners then received a letter from Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
You can read the response from local campaigners, Ilkley Clean River Group here - a view endorsed by other members of the Sewage Campaign Network such as Stop Ure Pollution and Save Our Swale. River Action’s response is also here in which they express many concerns about the lack of depth and urgency regarding the Government’s response to tackling the environmental crisis facing our rivers.
💦 River pollution campaigners from this region will be joining thousands of others for the March for Clean Water in London on Sunday 3rd November. The organisers say: "More than 130 different organisations representing environmental campaigners, nature lovers, trade unions, anglers, rowers, paddlers, swimmers and dozens of local communities will be joining us in what we believe will be the biggest ever water-focussed demonstration London has witnessed.”
💦 While we’re on the subject of campaigns, 38 Degrees has plastered the posters above on the HQs of Thames Water, United Utilities and Southern Water listing their convictions and fines. They say: “since then, loads of you have been in touch asking for a copy to put up in your windows. Now, we’re ready to send posters to as many people as we can across the country!”
💦 Ribble Rivers Trust has been in touch is to celebrate the first summer of the Tawd Valley Wetlands, a project designed to enhance water quality and create thriving habitats for wildlife. Located in the heart of Tawd Valley Park in Skelmersdale, this wetland has flourished over the past year, becoming a vital resource for both nature and the local community.
The 200,000-litre Lancashire wetland, which was completed in April 2024, has already delivered a multitude of environmental benefits. Newly established vegetation has taken root, creating rich habitats that have attracted a variety of bird species, invertebrates, and mammals.
💦 Each evening last week, BBC North East and Cumbria carried special reports on different aspects of the water issues in the region. If you missed those, iplayer is here.
In other news
🌞 Things seem to be hotting up across the region when it comes to solar energy. There’s plans at sites near Selby and Tunstall, a public hearing in Darlington and the big news that the giant Skeeby site was switched on last week. I know this is a controversial topic for many. So, is it time for us to take a deeper look at this topic?
⚡️ Sunderland City Council’s planning department has received an application for a “38MW battery energy storage system” The parcel of agricultural land sits to the east of the A19 and near the ‘National Grid Offerton Substation’, reports Chris Binding of The Northern Echo.
⚡️ The vast SeAH factory at Teesworks - one of the world’s largest offshore wind technology factories - is to become even bigger after additional £225m government investment writes Mike Hughes at The Northern Echo.
🪶 If you follow us on social media you’ll have already seen this but, for everyone else - this undercover footage on a North Yorkshire grouse moor was broadcast by Channel 4 news last week. It shows three gamekeepers plotting, boasting and (off camera) shooting protected birds. It is truly chilling and came in conjunction with the publication of the RSPB Bird Crime report for this year which once again reveals the shocking toll on birds in this part of the world.
“By immersing children in the beauty of the North York Moors, we’re aiming to foster a sense of wonder, responsibility and belonging that we hope will last a lifetime.”
🌿 Karen Darley writes about a Generation Green 2, a project providing young people with hands-on experiences in the countryside at the D&S here.
🐄 If you’re looking for something to do tomorrow night, how about this film. Friends of the Earth Darlington and Incredible Edible Northallerton will be showing Growing Rich with Nature in Northallerton on Wednesday, October 30. It is presented by beef farmer Simon Hare, and shares his story of using the regenerative farming system near Barnard Castle. Tickets here.
I’m recently back from the Climate Arena Conference in Italy where environment journalists from across Europe gathered to share skills, experiences and - rain! If you’re interested in how media is facing up to the climate crisis, some brief notes from me about that event here.
And, I’m on the road again today but closer to home this time at a climate conscious journalism Forum in Preston. Feel free to join us online this afternoon.
We’ll be back on Friday with details of the eco events coming up in November.
Then next Tuesday’s free weekly newsletter is back as normal and we’re available in the meantime on social media or the app. Till then!
🌼 Thank you for reading edition number 102 of The Northern Eco. This newsletter remains independent, free unless you want to pay, ad-free and proudly reader supported thanks to paying subscribers. The main newsletter is sent out at 7am on a Tuesday and can’t exist without paying subscribers. Please do subscribe to keep it going - I can’t do it without your support. Thanks!
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It’s refreshing to see a platform bringing eco-friendly news and literary insight together for a community passionate about nature and sustainability. Thanks a lot!
Thanks for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed it