Seeing the Changes 2022

More flowers in Bynea. Common field speedwell (Veronica persica); Changing forgetmenot (Myosotis discolor) and Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus).

Reaping the Whirlwind?

Cassandra was fated to accurately predict the future, without ever being believed. The world's climate scientists seem to be in a distinctly comparable position. Only 6% of members of the UN's respected Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) think global heating can be limited to 1.5 degrees Centigrade above Pre-Industrial levels by this Century's end. This was the somewhat arbitrary (it's not guaranteed) 'safe' rise for 'global warming'. This is what countries signed up for in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Anything above that, will have disasterous (for humans) effects on the planet's climate. Now, almost 80% of the IPCC, expect a rise of at least 2.5 degrees Centigrade. Fifty percent, predict around 3 degrees Centigrade (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/08/world-scientists-climate-failure-survey-global-temperature). Most members of the IPCC see a dystopian world with famines; conflicts and mass migrations, driven by heatwaves; wildfires; floods and intense storms. This is not to mention mass extinctions of other organisms. Resolutely, however, politicians; industrialists and sections of the media play their self-serving games. Short-termism rules, OK? Homo sapiens ('wise man')- pull the other!

What's In a Critter's Name? 53. Tapir

Tapir comes from a word in an indigenous Brazilian language, meaning 'thick' or 'chubby'. Perhaps, a reference to the animal's rear?

What's In a Critter's Name? 52. Oryx

The Oryx's name may come from its horns, said to resemble pick-handles.

What's In a Critter's Name? 51. Lorikeet

Lorikeet is derived from the Malay word 'lory', referring to a type of parrot.

'Pledges' Are Vague, Whether They Come From Rich or Poorer Nations?

Cooperation between all nations, is needed to curtail global heating and reduce consequent climate change. This is difficult. Richer nations generally produce the 'lion's share' of 'greenhouse gases'. Poorer countries (who often aspire to be richer!), suffer the worst consequence of climate change. Cop 29 will apparently include a call for trillions of dollars of 'climate finance'. This would enable poorer nations to reduce (or leave undeveloped) their 'greenhouse gas' emissions. If it's not forth-coming, they will be tempted to increase uses of fossil fuels. Richer countries, however, are not keen to pay up. They suspect the honesty of poorer nations (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/06/poorer-nations-transparent-climate-spending-cop29-leader). The Presient of Cop 29 maintains that poorer nations need to show greater accountability and transparency in their dealings. Stronger 'pledges', he says, will increase the likelihood of the 'big players' finding finance from taxation and investments. The trouble is, however, that many political 'pledges' have been made on climate change. Pledges from rich and poor nations, have both proved unreliable. These 'pledges' are first to be dropped, when political pressures from voters/industry become apparent.

How 'Greenwashed' Is My Salmon?

The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will allow the current label 'Scottish farmed salmon' to drop its central word. Producers of what will be termed 'Scottish salmon' argue that purchasers 'know' wild salmon can no longer be found in supermarkets. Animal welfare groups regard the move as a blatant example of 'greenwashing'. Farmed salmon are crowded, often plagued by sea lice as well as being subjected to repeated chemical treatments. Fish diet can also be somewhat dubious ((https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/07/scottish-salmon-industry-challenged-move-drop-farmed-labels). The disengenuous claim that purchasers 'know' all this is very debatable. There's a lot of ignorance about food production out there. For example, many children, when questioned, opined that traditional cow's milk was produced by a machine at the back of their local supermarket. DEFRA currently seems to be failing on all fronts. It neither protects the animals nor the consumers!