Press releases: 2004
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A vision to establish the UK as a global leader in oceanography
17 Dec 2004
A vision for the future of Southampton Oceanography Centre (SOC) is revealed today by the Director designate, Professor Edward Hill. A vision to establish the UK as a global leader in oceanography
Into clear skies
9 Dec 2004
Launch of the Institute for Aviation and the Environment at the University of Cambridge. Into clear skies
The fishing business
6 Dec 2004
Natural Environment Research Council welcomes new report. The fishing business
Natural Environment Research Council appoints two new members
25 Nov 2004
Rob Margetts, Chairman of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) today announced two new appointments to the Council, made by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Natural Environment Research Council appoints two new members
What would you do with £300m...?
16 Nov 2004
Londoners will have the chance next week to find out how decisions are made for funding environmental science and give their views on how they think a £300m budget should be spent. What would you do with £300m...?
Where are Britain's fishes?
25 Oct 2004
The first comprehensive national 'stocktake' of freshwater fishes in Britain is published this weekend in a fascinating hard-back book and a new internet-based database. Where are Britain's fishes?
New Director at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
1 Oct 2004
Dr Edward Hill has been named the next Director of the Southampton Oceanography Centre (SOC). New Director at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
Euro space leaders outline new phase for monitoring the planet's environment
22 Sep 2004
Release of 40m Euro to fund next stage of GMES initiative in UK and Europe. Euro space leaders outline new phase for monitoring the planet's environment
Have you run out of energy?
20 Sep 2004
Imagine having your own annual greenhouse gas allowance which you 'spend' each time you fill up with petrol or pay an electric or gas bill. Have you run out of energy?
Subtropical Arctic
8 Sep 2004
The North Pole, synonymous with all things very cold, once had a subtropical climate according to scientists now returning from the Arctic. Subtropical Arctic
A new tribe?
6 Sep 2004
A new tribe is emerging from Mexico's scorched earth. A new tribe?
The future is...green
1 Sep 2004
The first green accounts for a public sector body are published today. The future is...green
Ice and a slice of climate history
25 Aug 2004
The first 40m years of Arctic climate history was recovered from beneath the Arctic sea floor yesterday (Monday 23 August). Ice and a slice of climate history
Life's a beach
24 Aug 2004
Scientists at Plymouth Marine Laboratory are developing new methods to rapidly assess the biodiversity of living organisms on beaches and other marine environments. Life's a beach
Landslides, flooding and climate change in the UK
20 Aug 2004
The Natural Environment Research Council is conducting research into landslides, rainfall, flood estimations and climate change throughout the UK. Landslides, flooding and climate change in the UK
The raining champions
20 Aug 2004
A better understanding of the ground beneath our feet may be the key to improved seasonal weather forecasts, say an international team of environmental scientists in the journal Science today. The raining champions
Ocean's eleven
4 Aug 2004
Invitation to a major oceanographic conference in Liverpool, 13 - 17 September 2004. Ocean's eleven
Keeping it in the family
4 Aug 2004
Blood really can be thicker than water in the insect world, a team of biologists at The University of Nottingham say in the journal Nature this week. Keeping it in the family
Gone with the wind?
12 Jul 2004
Over a hundred scientists take to the skies to track global air pollution. Gone with the wind?
£36m contract awarded for scientific research ship
2 Jul 2004
Britain's leading environmental research organisation has commissioned a state-of-the art scientific research ship to replace the RRS Charles Darwin. £36m contract awarded for scientific research ship
Lancaster at the forefront of environmental research in Europe
28 Jun 2004
One of the largest environmental research centres in Europe opens in Lancaster this week. Lancaster at the forefront of environmental research in Europe
Universal mechanism controlling biodiversity
25 Jun 2004
Nature publishes the first comprehensive overview of the biodiversity patterns of phytoplankton, the tiny plants that float on the surface of the sea, on 24 June. Universal mechanism controlling biodiversity
New Centre of Excellence opens in Liverpool on 23rd June
24 Jun 2004
A world leading centre for marine research, the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, moves to a £5m, purpose built site on the University of Liverpool campus this week. New Centre of Excellence opens in Liverpool on 23rd June
Wind farms - the future of energy or a blot on Scotland's landscape?
11 Jun 2004
Most people agree that renewable energy is a good thing - but which option is the best? Are wind farms the way forward as energy providers of the future or are they just a blot on the landscape? Wind farms - the future of energy or a blot on Scotland's landscape?
NERC Press Conference
9 Jun 2004
NERC held a joint press conference with NASA and the British National Space Centre for the launch of the Aura spacecraft yesterday (8 June 2004). NERC Press Conference
NERC science has key role in ground-breaking NASA mission
9 Jun 2004
$812m Aura satellite's unprecedented study of Earth's atmosphere. NERC science has key role in ground-breaking NASA mission
'The Day After Tomorrow' - fact or fiction?
28 May 2004
'The Day After Tomorrow' - the latest Hollywood blockbuster movie released yesterday - depicts an extreme rapid climate change event following the sudden shutdown of the North Atlantic overturning circulation due to global warming. 'The Day After Tomorrow' - fact or fiction?
Arctic expedition may find clues to what caused the last ice-age
20 May 2004
Invitation to a press conference on Thursday 3 June, 12.30pm at The Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AF. Arctic expedition may find clues to what caused the last ice-age
Does Liverpool live beyond its means?
18 May 2004
Living Beyond Our Means - a debate on the way we live. Does Liverpool live beyond its means?
Ancient mariners surprise oceanographers
29 Apr 2004
Satellite imaging techniques are shedding new light on an ancient map of the northeast Atlantic - the Carta Marina - published in 1539. Ancient mariners surprise oceanographers
The world we created? : Risking our environment
22 Apr 2004
Without taking risks, some of the things we take for granted in today's society would not have been possible. But has a fear of the unknown become a major barrier for future developments? The world we created? : Risking our environment
Marine deserts could give clues to understanding climate change
14 Apr 2004
Remote 'marine deserts' in the Atlantic Ocean could provide scientists with valuable clues to understanding climate change. Marine deserts could give clues to understanding climate change
Scientists link up to investigate biodiversity
1 Apr 2004
Ecologists and environmental scientists received £1.8m today to investigate the sustainability of ecosystems, landscapes and livelihoods and how climate change will affect biodiversity in Britain. Scientists link up to investigate biodiversity
Groundbreaking research in Scotland
29 Mar 2004
A £5.85m study of the soil in the Cheviot Hills has finally come to an end, producing a huge wealth of new information for scientists. Groundbreaking research in Scotland
Extinction
18 Mar 2004
Two teams of British scientists have produced the best evidence yet that our planet is experiencing a mass extinction. Extinction
Environmental scientists build bridges with industry
2 Mar 2004
The launch of a new website will be a breath of fresh air to many companies desperate for expertise in the environmental sciences. Environmental scientists build bridges with industry
Bangladeshi claims against the British Geological Survey
20 Feb 2004
The Court of Appeal has today struck out a claim by a Bangladeshi resident in a test case against the British Geological Survey, part of the Natural Environment Research Council. Bangladeshi claims against the British Geological Survey
Measuring Europe's central heating system
13 Feb 2004
British scientists set sail today from Glasgow to begin work aimed at discovering if Britain is indeed in danger of entering the next ice age. Measuring Europe's central heating system
£2.3m invested in the air that we breathe
27 Jan 2004
A new institute opens today which will refine the art and science of predicting air quality. £2.3m invested in the air that we breathe
More money for innovation
19 Jan 2004
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has been awarded £600,000 to commercialise some of the research it funds. More money for innovation
Press links
Recent press news
- New Director for the British Antarctic Survey
- Plans to strengthen UK-Indian collaboration in Earth sciences and environmental research
- CryoSat-2 mission reveals major Arctic sea-ice loss
- UK and USA collaborate in airborne climate science projects
- New capital investments for NERC
- Innovations in soil science will grow the solutions to global food security
- New Year Honours
- Professor Seymour Laxon
- Antarctic lake mission called off
- New genetics project could help save the ash tree