Articles (Ecologist)

The UK government says we are heading for antibiotic apocalypse – but it’s working with an incomplete picture of the problem. Antimicrobial resistance is a ticking time-bomb not only for the UK but also for the world, warns the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies. The evidence behind the warning is summed up […]

“We’re busy doing nothing, working the whole day through, trying to find lots of things not to do…” Imagine that chorus being sung by an admixture of government ministers, supermarket supremos, catering conglomerates and meat-packers and you have the essence of the official response to the the horsegate scandal. Today it emerges that the Government […]

Tested, assessed and treated as patients rather than mothers-to-be, it’s no wonder women are afraid of giving birth naturally, says Pat Thomas as International Women’s Day arrives A healthy woman walks into her doctor’s office. She says ‘Doctor, I’d like to have major abdominal surgery, please.’ In most medical settings a doctor would balk at […]

Flea powder probably isn’t something you think often about. But with some frighteningly toxic ingredients you should: they can be deadly for you and your pets. By Pat Thomas The pet care industry is big business. In Europe pet owners spend around £10 billion ($18 billion) on products for their animal companions while in the […]

Christmas dinner means only one thing for millions of us: turkey. But the intensively reared and genetically manipulated birds that most will consume this holiday season leave a nasty taste in the mouth. By Pat Thomas At a time of year when we are supposed to be practising good will, spare a thought for the […]

It’s the condiment of choice for a million fast-food outlets and a staple sauce in homes around the world, but there’s more to tomato ketchup than meets the eye, says Pat Thomas In Britain we like a bit of sauce. Especially on our chips. Our taste for tomato ketchup is such that we currently spend […]

Spices don’t simply add flavour to your food – they also aid digestion, protect against bacteria and prevent a range of illnesses Spices generally add a more pungent taste to foods. Wherever possible, it is best to buy the whole spice and grind or crush it yourself. This way the aroma will be stronger and […]

How to make your food your medicine and medicine your food, starting with six common herbs you can use in your recipes and everyday cooking The smell of our food is inexorably linked to our enjoyment of it. In fact, taste and smell are the two most directly linked of our senses. Aroma is the […]

In the run up to the British general election, Pat Thomas says the various party manifestos are starved of sound policies on food security and sustainability Food is a four letter word. Or at least that’s the impression given by the election manifestos of the main political parties. Most of the documents devote a demure […]

Keeping your baby’s bottom soft and dry shouldn’t mean exposing it to a potentially harmful and environmentally costly substance. By Pat Thomas Talcum powder is a traditional mainstay of freshness. We use it liberally on babies’ bottoms and to absorb perspiration on hot summer days and nights. A few of us are old enough to […]