Whaling worsens carbon release, scientists warn

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8538033.stm

A century of whaling may have released more than 100 million tonnes - or a large forest's worth - of carbon into the atmosphere, scientists say.
Whales store carbon within their huge bodies and when they are killed, much of this carbon can be released.

He pointed out that, particularly in the early days of whaling, the animals were a source of lamp oil, which was burned, releasing the carbon directly into the air.
"And this marine system is unique because when whales die [naturally], their bodies sink, so they take that carbon down to the bottom of the ocean.
"If they die where it's deep enough, it will be [stored] out of the atmosphere perhaps for hundreds of years."

Relic reveals Noah's ark was circular

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/01/noahs-ark-was-circular

Finkel's research throws light on the familiar Mesopotamian story, which became the account in Genesis, in the Old Testament, of Noah and the ark that saved his menagerie from the waters which drowned every other living thing on earth.

In his translation, the god who has decided to spare one just man speaks to Atram-Hasis, a Sumerian king who lived before the flood and who is the Noah figure in earlier versions of the ark story. "Wall, wall! Reed wall, reed wall! Atram-Hasis, pay heed to my advice, that you may live forever! Destroy your house, build a boat; despise possessions And save life! Draw out the boat that you will built with a circular design; Let its length and breadth be the same."

Jonathan Safran Foer: the truth about fish farming

Although one can realistically expect that at least some percentage of cows and pigs are slaughtered with speed and care, no fish gets a good death. Not a single one. You never have to wonder if the fish on your plate had to suffer. It did.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/23/jonathan-safran-foer-fish-farming

Biomethane is an answer to road pollution, says rural watchdog

http://www.farminguk.com/news/Biomethane-is-an-answer-to-road-pollution,-says-rural-watchdog_17792.html

Tim Barnes-Clay,a Northamptonshire based motoring correspondent for the CLA’s national magazine, Land & Business, said: "Britain’s farmers can make biomethane from animal manures and crop by-products like vegetable peelings, as well as from crops such as maize. Compared to other biofuels, a car does many more miles per hectare running on biomethane - therefore making the best use of farmland.

Duke of Northumberland Estates

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/300924ae-0b94-11df-8232-00144feabdc0.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/property/article-1221409/Will-Dukes-grand-property-plans-ruin-villages-Northumberland.html

The Hilton comes to Syon Park

http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-news/local-hounslow-news/2008/12/05/the-hilton-comes-to-syon-park-109642-22416150/

Property company Ability has already started work on the 13,000 square metre development

Rory Wilson, agent for The Northumberland Estates, which manages the Duke of Northumberland's business interests

Ability has promised to invest in the restoration and conservation of a number of Syon Park's most famous features, including the Adam oval carriageway in front of Syon House and the Duchess Gate, which will be reopened to pedestrians for the first time since the 1930s.

Kew Gardens - Finances

Now Kew Gardens receives Government bailout as visitor numbers wither away

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1188288/Now-Kew-Gardens-receives-Government-bailout-visitor-numbers-wither-away.html

A report from Kew's director Steve Hopper describes the organisation's finances as being of 'considerable concern'.

There are concerns over the future funding of the Millenium Seed Bank, a collection of seeds from around the world, including many of the most rare on the planet.
Mr Hopper adds: 'We have major heritage structures in a state of decay and we have no guarantee that the Millennium Seed Bank will be funded beyond 2010.

According to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, the World Heritage Site saw visitor numbers plummet by 8.5per cent to 1.3 million in 2008 as families reined in leisure spending and stayed at home.

'Approximately 50per cent of operating costs are met by Kew through commercial activities such as entry tickets, retail and catering.

Cat and dog population up by 4m

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/06/cat-and-dog-population-uk

About 10.3m cats and 10.5m dogs live in UK, a total of 4m more than pet food manufacturers had estimated, study finds

Cats, according to the report, are more likely to live in households with someone qualified to degree level