The guru of the nature documentary, Sir David Attenborough, celebrated his 100^th birthday on 8 May. The BBC has been marking the landmark anniversary by revisiting his journey into nature documentaries, from his time as a controller at the BBC to a chance presenting role when a colleague was taken ill and he had to step in at the last minute.

It has been a great opportunity to revisit the highlights of a peerless career that has spanned every continent and ecosystem on the planet, capturing marvels from the very small to the very large, including ants, elephants and everything in between, across several generations.

The UK Government has announced plans to break the link between volatile gas prices and electricity prices.

Families across Britain are set to get better protection from sudden energy price spikes, as the government takes new action to reduce the impact of global gas prices on our electricity bills.

Energy security matters more than ever. Installing green technology at home can help reduce your exposure to energy price shocks while cutting carbon emissions.

We all know what energy price fluctuations look like and what they can mean for household bills.

As heatwaves become more frequent, more people are looking for ways to keep their homes cool.

One option is an air-to-air heat pump, which can cool a home in summer and warm it in colder months. It’s generally more energy efficient than a conventional air-conditioning unit.

Eligible residential properties can now receive a £2,500 grant towards installation through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Pitney Biodiversity Working Group was formed under the auspices of Pitney Parish Council. It’s a small group and our remit is to monitor and, where possible, enhance the local environment for biodiversity.

The Glebe Farm Swift Tower is our most recent project. Swifts have been visiting Pitney for as long as anyone can remember.

No Mow May is an annual conservation campaign encouraging gardeners to stop mowing during May, and into early summer, to let wildflowers bloom and provide crucial nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Initiated by Plantlife, the campaign aims to boost biodiversity, tackle pollution and lock away carbon, at a time when many grassland habitats have been lost.

For many people, the proposed Grand Western Greenway may sound like a leisure project. In reality, it’s something much more important: a safe and practical inter-urban route connecting Wellington, Taunton and surrounding communities.

Using the historic canal and railway corridor, the Greenway would link homes with schools, workplaces, healthcare, rail services and local amenities.

A new, 16-seat electric bus is taking to the streets of Frome to provide the town with the latest generation of passenger vehicles.

We’ve launched our first public service electric bus with the 30 service in Frome.

The vehicle is low floor, easily accessible, wheelchair friendly and comes with zero emissions.

We’ll be launching a new bus service linking Glastonbury and Street with Castle Cary railway station in June 2026.

The new 667X service will use a low-floor, accessible minibus.

It will run throughout the week, including Sundays, alongside the 667 service, which already runs from Street to Castle Cary station.

A new fleet of food waste recycling collection vehicles has been introduced to the streets of Somerset.

In partnership with SUEZ, we’re celebrating the launch of a new fleet of food waste collection vehicles, which marks a major milestone in the county’s journey towards a greener, more sustainable future. The introduction of the vehicles is part of an improved recycling service for residents living in communal properties such as flats and Houses of Multiple Occupancy.

Visit our events calendar for a fantastic array of upcoming climate-related activities designed to engage and inspire you – our SEEN community!

Whether you’re interested in environmental conservation, local wildlife or simply looking for a fun day out with the family, these events provide the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn something new.

Similarly, if you’re holding an eco-event of your own, email us at climateemergency@somerset.gov.uk so we can tell our readers.

Our grants and funding page is a one-stop resource for individuals, communities and businesses looking to take climate-positive action.

From waste reduction and energy efficiency to sustainable transport and wellbeing, the page showcases a range of live funding opportunities, including support for community-led environmental projects, fuel-poor households, and small businesses aiming to cut carbon.

Whether you’re planting trees, insulating homes or greening your operations, these grants are designed to help Somerset thrive in a low-carbon future.

Electric vehicles can be hired from Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Somerset, with locations in Taunton and Yeovil. For anyone considering a switch to a zero-emission vehicle, hiring can be a practical way to try different EVs before deciding whether to buy.

Some organisations also provide electric pool cars to help reduce emissions and cut costs. We have our own EV fleet for staff, and employees elsewhere may wish to ask whether similar schemes are available.

Did you know it’s possible to buy eco-friendly glasses that not only help you see better, but can also help protect the sea? Some frames are made using plastics collected from the ocean, helping to remove and recycle marine pollution. Some glasses cases are also made from recycled cork, reducing pressure on cork production and avoiding the use of plastic.

SG Eyecare in Wincanton, which won a Somerset Business Award for environmental and sustainability, also recycles old glasses so they don’t go to waste. It’s worth asking your optician whether they stock similar eyewear and are taking steps to reduce plastic use.

This is your newsletter, and we want to hear about the great environmental work happening where you live, or what you do to make a difference every day with your brilliant eco hacks and tips.

You can make suggestions about what you would like to see more of in future editions of SEEN and have your say on previous stories and topics.

We would love to hear from you.

Get in touch at climateemergency@somerset.gov.uk.