The science writer Nigel Calder has died, aged 82, after a short illness.

Nigel Calder was an influential science writer and a former editor of the British science magazine New Scientist. Nigel Calder died of cancer on 25 June 2014 at his home in Crawley, West Sussex, England. He co-wrote with Henrik Svensmark the book The Chilling Stars which explains to the layman Svensmarks' theory of climate change driven by the flux of galactic cosmic rays on Earth which affects Earth's cloud cover. The Chilling Stars also provides an excellent synopsis of the history of climate variation on our planet. CO2 has very little to do with climate change despite the current politically driven hysteria about it. If you have an open mind, read this book!

Spring: the season of renewal

The woods and marshes around Gainesville are full of new life, brought forth thanks to the Sun and CO2 in the atmosphere. Here is a very young Common Gallinule exploring its lush environment:

Offshore windfarms harmful to marine life

Article in Environmental Research Letters shows harmful effects of offshore wind farms on marine life.

American Bird Conservancy Sues Feds Over 30-Year Eagle Kill Rule

On June 19, 2014, the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) filed suit in federal court against the Department of the Interior (DOI), charging DOI with multiple violations of federal law in connection with its December 9, 2013, final regulation that allows wind energy companies and others to obtain 30-year permits to kill eagles without prosecution by the federal government.

RSPB Scotland intensifies its campaign against Flow Country wind farm proposal

Britain's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which is usually pro-wind power, has criticized plans to build 47 wind turbines in Flow Country in the Scottish Highlands, home to the rare Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), which has only thirty pairs of birds nesting in the whole of the UK.

The wood sandpiper is one of Britain's rarest breeding birds - image: Gordon Biggs