Ecological Footprint

Leave it to the wonks at DEFRA to come up with an answer to one of life's imponderables: what is the true value of nature? The short answer, outlined in a new report entitled the UK National Ecosystem Assessment, is that "nature is worth billions of pounds to the UK economy."

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome's Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

The programme for 2012 has still to be announced but expect over 200 educational and interactive activities for the wee ones, and lectures and talks for older heads in 40 or so venues across town.

West Craigie Farm started its Local Food Project over two years ago, with the help of social enterprise funding, to grow food for the farm shop and cafe. Farmer John Sinclair supplied a poly tunnel and some ground for the project.

Guardian columnist and author George Monbiot comes out swinging against his critics in his "Left Hook" tour. The event is part of the Glasgow Comedy Festival.

Edinburgh has been chosen as one of four UK cities to help save declining pollinating insects, in particular bees.

This year's theme "Biodiversity and Development" is a thorny one considering that the biggest threat to biodiversity is (surprise!) from human growth and development.

Talk by Patrick Holden, a part-time farmer, who has been involved in the organic movement since 1973.

EdinburghGuide.com has acquired a number of DVDs of the feature-length urban cycling documentary You Never Bike Alone.

Free seed packs will be handed out at many of the events being held in and around Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife as part of Scottish Biodiversity Week. Thousands of easy-to-grow packs containing rocket, chives, coriander and lettuce seeds are expected to be distributed during the week which runs between 16-24 May. Events vary from Ranger-led walks through wildflower meadows to puffin-watching on an RSPB cruise down the Firth of Forth.

Scottish Environment week sees five days of popular eco-awareness raising events and green business orientated meet-ups.

Environmental organisations are marking today, 23rd September, as "Earth Overshoot Day". Overshoot is the point at which humanity has used up all the planet's resources in a sustainable way and starts consuming the natural capital of the planet, weakening its capacity to replenish itself.

This Saturday is Ecological Debt Day, the point at which humanity has consumed all the resources the planet can produce in a year, according to the Global Footprint Network. For the remainder of the year, we are borrowing from the future.