Philip Budgen

Contributor

“The pen is mightier than the sword,” until you stab yourself with a fork. Writing and eating go hand in hand together like travelling and meeting new people, all passions I carry with great pleasure. Born in the USA, raised in Italy, studied in the UK and travelled across continents I am a keen citizen of the world, eager to share it with everyone else.

Last article

HS2, the high-speed railway will cost the UK many of its ancient woodlands

HS2 is a high-speed railway designed to boost low carbon travel in the UK. However, its construction is causing major destruction to ancient woodlands.

All articles

Coronavirus and wildlife, can zoonotic diseases decimate the illegal trade in wild animals?

The relationship between the coronavirus and wildlife is complex: while the pandemic may lead to a reduction in the illegal trade in wild animals, it may also encourage it in other respects.

Australia, strategies to save the Great Barrier Reef show there’s still hope

The largest coral reef in the world is severely threatened by climate change, but researchers are developing strategies that could contribute to saving the Great Barrier Reef.

Traditional orchards are our past and future. Promoting biodiversity and conservation in the UK

Traditional orchards are ancient though often neglected sources of food, culture and well-being for people, as well as havens for wildlife. Conservation organisation Orchard Origins explains their value and benefits.

Mulberries, silk weaving supports communities and traditions in Laos

Mulberries is a silk weaving organisation that offers a source of sustainable livelihood for people in Laos, as well as preserving the value of traditional lifestyles.

The case of Caster Semenya, the Olympic athlete set with a hurdle too high to face

The South African runner and Olympic champion will be forced to reduce her naturally high levels of testosterone to compete internationally. What is behind the landmark ruling in the Caster Semenya case.

#Trashtag Challenge, clearing litter and sharing it on social media has gone viral

Putting an environmental spin on viral social media trends, the #Trashtag challenge invites people to post before and after pictures of areas cleared from waste.

The UK could face severe water shortages in just 25 years

The UK could lose its reputation as a wet country, as climate change and population growth could lead to water shortages within 25 years. Drastic changes to consumption patterns and supply systems are needed.

Visible Distance / Second Sight, when billboards become panoram-ads

Visible Distance / Second Sight is an innovative project by artist Jennifer Bolande to cover publicity billboards with pictures of the panoramas they hide, in California.

Hydrothermal vent mining, Japan experiments the new frontier threatening our oceans

Japan is the first country to experiment mining deep-sea hydrothermal vents. These hostile yet unique habitats are rich in life and precious minerals, leading to interest in both researching and mining them.

What is Grindadráp and why is whaling in the Faroe Islands so controvesial

Grindadráp is the local name for a yearly event that sees the people of the Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipelago under Denmark, hunt long-finned pilot whales as well as other species of cetaceans such as bottlenose dolphins, white-sided dolphins and Risso’s dolphins. These species aren’t on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s list of endangered animals, but