Mark Cantrell's Blog, page 30

Climate Change: When it comes to global warming, people can change too

So can their consumption habits A study by university researchers suggests people are willing to change their habits to help save the Earth from climate change By Mark Cantrell MAYBE there’s hope for the human race, after all; or perhaps it’s little more than virtue signalling by participants, but a study has found that people […]

Blog: One boozy night in the Earth city

The shadow whispered its name By Mark Cantrell ONE night back in the early Noughties, in a crowded city centre bar in Bradford, I stumbled upon the name for the world-city depicted in what was to become my novel, Silas Morlock. Booze may, or may not, have had something to do with it, but we […]

Nature: Time is running out to stop global web of life unravelling

It’s a biological timebomb ticking down towards mass extinction Time is running out to prevent the collapse of critical eco-systems in the tropics. If they go, scientists warn, then the knock-on effects will result in a catastrophic loss of global bio-diversity By Mark Cantrell A global biodiversity collapse is imminent unless urgent and concerted action […]

Culture: Bradford artist Francis Butterfield goes on display at Leeds Art Gallery

Exhibition marks gallery’s 130th anniversary By Mark Cantrell A Bradford-born artist is finally getting some recognition in the city ‘next door’ with an exhibition of his work – after 130 years. Well, not quite that long, really; actually that’s a touch of poetic licence. In fact, Leeds Art Gallery is marking its 130th anniversary this […]

Space: The truth is out there, if Theseus gets the green light to explore

Space probe to ponder secrets of the transient universe The European Space Agency is considering a mission to launch a probe able to peer into the distant past and unlock the secrets of the first stars By Mark Cantrell SPACE exploration takes time; you can’t just fire up your warp core and boldly go, alas. […]

Books: Hatchette launches new prize for Northern authors of children’s fiction

Prize in the North Deal between New Writing North and Hatchette Children’s Group will see new literature award for first-time authors debut as part of the Northern Writers’ Awards 2019 By Mark Cantrell THERE’S a new literature prize on the way for first-time children’s authors living and working in the North of England. New Writing […]

Environment: Climate change and heat waves are damaging our soil

And that’s not good for agriculture or natural eco systems Mess with it at our peril: soil is an essential part of our planetary life support system, but a study by scientists at the University of Manchester warn climate change could damage its ability to sustain our species By Mark Cantrell THE summer heatwave and […]

Update: Looking back fondly at the days of ZX Spectrum adventures

Mark Cantrell interviewed in The Classic Adventurer  WELL, this is a blast from the past. A few weeks ago I was approached by Mark Hardisty about an interview in his bookazine, The Classic Adventurer; a project looking back at the golden age of text adventure gaming. It’s a fascinating reminiscence, and I was both delighted […]

Culture: Artistic light show honours century-old fight for women’s democratic rights

Leeds Suffragettes remembered in specially commissioned work Leading figures in the Suffragette movement were honoured with a specially commissioned artwork displayed as part of Light Night Leeds last week; a timely reminder that democratic rights are hard won and safeguarded By Mark Cantrell THEY were leading lights in the Suffragette movement fighting for women’s democratic […]

Culture: Leeds light show will mix art and quantum physics

It’s going to be Chaos when Light Night Leeds returns By Mark Cantrell AN artistic light show will use the science of quantum physics to ‘paint’ one of Leeds’ historic buildings in a kind of kaleidoscopic illumination. Light Night Leeds, as the spectacle is known, takes place this week on the nights of the 4th […]