Ross is a zoology graduate from Hove. He enjoys watching wildlife and following developments in the ecology of re-wilding. The history of radicalism and revolution in Britain and Europe is another interest.
Nearly half of Britain’s bees are designated as nationally or globally threatened. Leading factors include habitat destruction and the use of chemical pesticides. Ross McNally argues that the introduction of bee bricks into new buildings will not make much difference to bee survival; it’s more important to ban pesticides in gardens, streets and agricultural land.
Margaret Thatcher did much to hasten the decline of our hedgehog population, argues Ross McNally, who points to rampant road building, privatisation and individualism as contributing factors.
The post-Brexit decision to allow sugar beet farmers to use a harmful insecticide is the latest deadly threat to our ecosystems and to vital pollinators such as bees, writes Ross McNally,
Rewilding is all the rage yet there remain key fatal flaws in the model. First is the fragmented nature of rewilding in the UK. Second, it remains largely the domain of a handful of privileged people. Could greater democratic oversight help repair fragmentation?
Under Home Secretary Priti Patel, what was once the policy of fringe British National Party crackpots is now at the heart of government. Her response to the deaths of 27 refugees at sea is playing politics with people’s lives.
Greater species diversity would transform the South Downs National Park from ‘pretty’ sheep-grazing fields into a vibrant landscape for all kinds of wildlife. Bring back the bison and let nature take charge again, urges zoologist Ross McNally.