Cabot Institute for the Environment blog

This year has been a fantastic journey.   Philippa and myself (Amanda Woodman-Hardy) got our teeth into some great projects and events and met some amazing people and new friends along the way. Here are our highlights of the year: January Neville Gabie, our new Artist in Residence, starts at the Cabot Institute and works on a project entitled ‘ Common Room ’. February Professor Jonathan Bamber presented at this year’s Guardian Open Weekend discussing the question ‘ Is global warming melting the Himalayan glaciers? ’ In the wake of the Fukushima disaster, we publish our first think piece entitled “ Implications for the UK nuclear industry of the events at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power station, Japan ”.  The report drew on our expertise in seismic hazards assessment at nuclear facilities, seismology, earthquake engineering, geohazards, probabilistic hazards and risk assessment, extreme events and extensive experience of working in Japan on relevant issues.

This week has seen a glut of news come from the Cabot Institute.   1. £2M for risk management of natural hazards   Natural hazards such as earthquakes, ash clouds, floods, droughts and storms can have a catastrophic impact on lives and economies around the world resulting in billions of dollars in financial losses. A new £2 million project, led by Cabot Institute researchers at the University of Bristol, aims to better assess uncertainty and risk of natural hazards.  2. Accurate flood forecasting gets closer   Heavy rainfall and the problems of flooding in towns have never been far from peoples' minds or the news headlines over the past few weeks. New research by Professor Paul Bates will help to accurately pinpoint which individual streets are most at risk from flooding during severe rainstorms.  3. Government investment announced for National Composites Centre Chancellor George Osborne today announced an investment of £28m to enhance the capabilities and capa