Plots and conspiracies abounded in the the late 16th and early-mid 17th centuries. And with them came the evolution of a newly-professionalised culture of subterfuge and spying. Paul and Miranda... Show morePlots and conspiracies abounded in the the late 16th and early-mid 17th centuries. And with them came the evolution of a newly-professionalised culture of subterfuge and spying. Paul and Miranda explore the murky world of early modern espionage with historians Nadine Akkerman and Pete Langman, authors of an intriguing new study of the spying tricks and techniques that developed rapidly at the time. We learn about the role of ciphers, micrographia and invisible ink, the creation of new state security networks, and the often overlooked role of women in transmitting forbidden messages, notably during the Civil Wars.'Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration', by Nadine Akkerman and Pete Langman, is published by Yale University Press.To create your own cipher wheel, as discussed in the podcast, visit the 'Spycraft' website at https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300267549/spycraft/'1666 and All That' is presented by Paul Lay and Miranda Malins. The producer is Hugh Costello. Original music is by George Taylor. The episode was mixed by Sam Gunn Show less
Palinkas, C.M; Orton, P; Hummel, M.; Nardin, W.; Sutton-Grier, A.; Harris, L.; ... ; Williams, T. 2022
Coastal communities around the world are facing increased coastal flooding and shoreline erosion from factors such as sea-level rise and unsustainable development practices. Coastal engineers and... Show moreCoastal communities around the world are facing increased coastal flooding and shoreline erosion from factors such as sea-level rise and unsustainable development practices. Coastal engineers and managers often rely on gray infrastructure such as seawalls, levees and breakwaters, but are increasingly seeking to incorporate more sustainable natural and nature-based features (NNBF). While coastal restoration projects have been happening for decades, NNBF projects go above and beyond coastal restoration. They seek to provide communities with coastal protection from storms, erosion, and/or flooding while also providing some of the other natural benefits that restored habitats provide. Yet there remain many unknowns about how to design and implement these projects. This study examines three innovative coastal resilience projects that use NNBF approaches to improve coastal community resilience to flooding while providing a host of other benefits: 1) Living Breakwaters in New York Harbor; 2) the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study; and 3) the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project in San Francisco Bay. We synthesize findings from these case studies to report areas of progress and illustrate remaining challenges. All three case studies began with innovative project funding and framing that enabled expansion beyond a sole focus on flood risk reduction to include multiple functions and benefits. Each project involved stakeholder engagement and incorporated feedback into the design process. In the Texas case study this dramatically shifted one part of the project design from a more traditional, gray approach to a more natural hybrid solution. We also identified common challenges related to permitting and funding, which often arise as a consequence of uncertainties in performance and long-term sustainability for diverse NNBF approaches. The Living Breakwaters project is helping to address these uncertainties by using detailed computational and physical modeling and a variety of experimental morphologies to help facilitate learning while monitoring future performance. This paper informs and improves future sustainable coastal resilience projects by learning from these past innovations, highlighting the need for integrated and robust monitoring plans for projects after implementation, and emphasizing the critical role of stakeholder engagement. Show less
The research focused on two main objectives: (1) understanding the processes behind the spatial and temporal patterns of plant diversity on ditch banks; (2) identifying options for the conservation... Show moreThe research focused on two main objectives: (1) understanding the processes behind the spatial and temporal patterns of plant diversity on ditch banks; (2) identifying options for the conservation and restoration of plant species diversity on ditch banks. The spatial and temporal variation of plant diversity have been explained primarily on the basis of dispersal processes, which imply that conservation management should focus on facilitating dispersal between sites. Nature reserves can act as a source of seeds for the surrounding areas, the presence of nature reserves, therefore, should be given greater consideration in management policies. In view of the large areas of agricultural lands in the Netherlands, these areas can contribute considerably to the country’s overall plant diversity. Agri-environmental schemes (AES) should therefore consider large-scale contributions to diversity instead of focus entirely on the farm scales. We suggest that farmers implementing AES would be more successful if they selected ditch banks adjacent to those where a similar management regime is already in force. Show less
In 1665 England and the Dutch Republic finally declared war after hostility had grown because of maritime and commercial rivalry. The English and Dutch had been at each other's throats for years... Show moreIn 1665 England and the Dutch Republic finally declared war after hostility had grown because of maritime and commercial rivalry. The English and Dutch had been at each other's throats for years competing for colonial and European markets. The war was not only a bilateral affair but also influenced the delicate and dangerous arena of European international politics. This book studies the political and diplomatic developments that preceded the actual declaration of war. The processes of political decision-making in both England and the Dutch Republic are analysed because this explains how economic rivalry could erupt into actual war. The course and outcome of the naval confrontation had serious implications for both states and for the broader European powerplay. Show less
