Seeing the Changes 1561

It seems to have been a very extended flowering season for Winter heliotrope (Petasites fragrans) in Loughor.

Plastics, Global Heating and Fish Growth?

Millions of tonnes of bisphenol a (BPA) are generated per annum in the manufacture of plastics. It is well-established that BPA is a hormone disrupter. A University of Sydney study has demonstrated that fish exposed to BPA in warmer waters, take longer to reach a given size (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/27/fish-growth-slowed-by-high-temperatures-and-plastic-chemical-bpa-research-shows). Climate change and pollution will make warmer waters with elevated BPA concentrations, increasingly common. The research suggests that marine productivity cycles will suffer major disruptions as a result.

Times, Gentlemen, Please?

It appears that the Times newspaper has become fully anti-cycling. In an editorial, the Times suggests that cyclists, like motorists, should have to have licences, carry insurance and display number plates (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2022/jan/31/the-times-editorial-cycling-licences). None of the Times' suggestions appear at all helpful, when attempts are being made to encourage cycling. Cycling provides exercise and reduces emissions (of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates). Poor air quality damages human health, especially in cities. Cycling is also less likely to kill and injure other road users and pedestrians than is motoring. If the Times' suggestions are adopted, children would be unable to cycle and bike hiring schemes would be almost impossible to run. No country in the world operates like this. It's not April yet, is it?

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining?

Storm Malick, with wind speeds of up to 100 mph, recently battered Scotland and Northern England. That storm has, apparently, resulted in UK windfarms generating record amounts of electricity (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/30/uk-windfarms-generate-record-electricity-storm-malik). 'Extra' electricity is always useful, especially when the cost of natural gas is continuing to rocket. The record will be, however, of little consolation to people in that area, who have lost their electricity supplies (again?)/had their properties damaged/been endangered by falling trees etc. A new storm is due to hit the same area within days. Another record?

Not Smelling the Coffee?

Distortions of the senses of smell (paraosmia) and taste (dysgeusia), are common symptoms of a Covid19 infection. These senses are, of course, closely related, as much of what we claim to 'taste' is really our olfactory system responding to the shapes of molecules in our airways. Many people (e.g. an estimated 0.5m in the UK) suffer from 'long covid'. In this condition, symptoms persist a year or longer after the infection. This also seems to apply to paraosmia and dysgeusia (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jan/30/like-sewage-and-rotting-flesh-covids-lasting-impact-on-taste-and-smell). An unpublished study from Sweden's Karolinska Institute found that 50% of people with long covid, retained their distorted sense of smell. Some subjects were unable to eat or drink things they had formerly loved. These included items like coffee, roasts, a bacon sandwich or even water. Some found the smell of their own or their partner's bodies repulsive (damaging relationships?). The situation became, in some cases, life-threatening. Some sufferers were unable to eat normally, becoming emaciated and developing organ damage. This is serious as a) some paraosmics are not believed by people around them and/or employers and b) there is currently no cure for this condition.

Seeing the Changes 1560

Common speedwell (Veronica persicaria) in bloom in Bynea. A lonely Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) in flower in Loughor.

It's Fracking Dangerous?

Fracking is the technique of 'liberating' natural gas, by forcing fluid solutions into sedimentary rock strata. The liquid drives out gas from pockets in the rock. In the USA, more than 17.5m people currently live within 1 kilometre of a fracking site. A paper in Nature Energy from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, now reveals that, proximity to a fracking site, increases the liklihood of premature death (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/27/people-living-closer-us-oil-and-gas-wells-higher-risk-dying-prematurely-study ). The study examined 15m Medicare records of Americans from 2001-2015. The closer subjects lived to an oil or a gas operation (they looked at oil as well as fracking), the higher their risk of premature death. This was the case, even when demographic factors, like gender and race, were controlled. Fracking generates high levels of air pollution and reduces water quality in the surrounding area. It's also associated with continuous noise and light pollution. If you are elderly, it certainly doesn't pay to live near or even downwind of a fracking site! Given their emissions, fracking sites might well also damage childhood development and health. These wouldn't be picked up in this type of study.

Fishery Boom or Bust?

Invasive King crabs have reached North Yorkshire, raising concerns about the consequences for the smaller native Brown crab and other species (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/28/king-crabs-invade-uk-waters-threatening-native-species). The King crab is actually a native of North America. In the 1960's, it was deliberately introduced into Russian waters to establish a new lucrative fishing industry. The King crab's populations boomed in the cold seas and the species then introduced itself (it has highly mobile larvae) into the waters of neighbouring Norway. Norwegian crab fisheries also boomed. Although the arrival of the King crab into UK waters has raised conservation concerns, it has delighted London restaurants. Chefs are reportedly snapping them up!

A Washing Away of Any Confidence in the Protection of English Rivers

Before Christmas 2021, there was considerable fury in the UK Parliament and the media about the state of English rivers. The Environmental Agency is charged with ensuring water quality in rivers. People were incensed about the activities of some privatised Water Companies discharging raw sewage into rivers. This is only legal, in the event of extreme flooding but companies seemed to be doing it simply to boost their profits (by reducing their costs). So what it the Environmental Agency do about this state of affairs? (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/29/it-is-desperate-how-environment-agency-staff-were-silenced-as-pollution-worsened). The Chief Executive of the Agency sent an email to all its staff, threatening them with disciplinary action or dismissal. The inspectors having direct knowledge about what was happening to rivers, were told they must not "openly criticise or discredit the organisation in the media or on social media". They were also warned they must not "disclose any confidential information in connection with the Environmental Agency to anyone who is not authorised to receive it". These are standard responses of well-paid heads of agencies, trying to protect their positions. It has been evident for decades that funding and staffing of the Environmental Agency is wholly inadequate for it to effectively fullfil its role. People concerned about their environments are surely entitled to know why the water quality in English rivers is so dire? They might also be interested to know why there are so few prosecutions for pollution events!

Seeing the Changes 1559

In Loughor, Crab apple (Malus sylvestris) is in flower. In Bynea, Red dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) is making an early appearance.

Insulating Ourselves From Climate Change

The Regulatory Assistance Project, an analyst organisation, calculates that energy efficiency measures (like low energy light bulbs and more efficient heating systems) have reduced the average UK household bills by circa £1000 per year (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/28/green-energy-measures-saving-households-money-analysis-shows). These savings, however, seem likely to the swallowed up by a scheduled substantial rise in the energy price cap (a system designed to limit the domestic prices of electricity and gas). The project clearly think that this might have been avoided had the government shown more urgency and had been more effective in providing further insulation and other home improvements. The UK government has a history of announcing schemes focused on the energy efficiency of homes and then quickly dropping them. The project estimate that insulation and home improvements could halve future energy bills. Had this happened earlier, it might well have driven down prices for electricity and gas. We may not have had a mass bankrupting of small energy companies and rocketing energy costs. In spite of the UK government's antipathy to the Insulate Britain demonstrations, they need to recognise that that organisation has a point.

A Boost For Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in the UK

Infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria cannot be treated with the current range of available drugs. These organisms have been inadvertently been selected as byproducts of the overuse of antibiotics (only resistant bacteria survive to replicate). The resistant strains are in danger of returning the world to a pre-antibiotic age, where even minor wounds can result in the loss of limbs and/or death. There are two areas where antibiotics have been much overused. The first is the inappropriate use of antibiotics in attempts to treat viral infections. This is essentially an educational problem, as antibiotics only suppress bacteria. The second is the application of antibiotics to healthy farm animals, where they act as growth enhancers. The EU is bringing in legislation to restrict this use of antibiotics in farm animals. The UK is not (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/28/uk-risks-falling-behind-on-reducing-farm-antibiotics-after-eu-ban). Farm animals can effectively serve as 'culture flasks' for deriving new antiobiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. These new stains might well infect humans (they are in close proximity) as well as farm animals. Some farmers seem addicted to using antibiotics in healthy animals, as this increases profits. The practice is, however, wholly inappropriate under the present circumstances. This is one area where Brexited Britain should certainly not be deviating from the EU.

Why Not Change Your Emissions Policies?

US scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) believe Australia's Great Barrier Reef is on the verge of yet another mass bleaching event (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/29/great-barrier-reef-on-verge-of-another-mass-bleaching-after-highest-temperatures-on-record). Coral bleaching occurs when temperatures are raised to a level, causing the coral organism to lose its algal symbionts. The NOAA scientists note, from their satellite surveys, that December temperatures over the Great Barrier Reef are the highest ever recorded. Mass bleaching seems inevitable. The Australian government have announced that they will spend $1bn on reef conservation, over the next 9 years, if they are re-elected. This sounds a big number but might be inadequate for a structure over 2300 k long with an area of circa 345,000 square kilometres. Global Heating is clearly the factor most endangering this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Changing Australia's emissions policies would be much more effective and reliable. The Australian government seems, however, to be hooked on coal, gas and jobs.

Climate Hypocrisy

There used to be a popular pastime for Economists to illustrate, for the 'man in the street', disparities in income. They calculated how many days the CEO of a major company had to work, before exceeding the annual salary of his/her workers. Similar calculations were done for, time spent working in the year, before annual income taxes were fully paid (before 'you stopped working for the government'). The results can be quite revealing. Euan Richie (a policy analyst at the Center for Global Development, Europe) has applied a similar technique to the vast energy inequality between rich and poor countries (https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/jan/28/west-accused-of-climate-hypocrisy-as-emissions-dwarf-those-of-poor-countries). Richie obviously thinks that any pretence that UK and US politicians are 'world climate leaders' is risible. Each Briton produces 200 times the climate emissions of the average Congolese citizen. This means that, starting on New Year's Day, the Brit would exceed the carbon dioxide emissions of his/her Congolese counterpart by the 2nd of January. Richie includes this on his 'calendar', showing that the average UK citizen will have produced the annual 'greenhouse gas' emissions of conterparts in many African countries by the end of January. The US situation is even more striking. The average US citizen generates 585 times the emissions of their Congolese counterpart. They will get to the Congolese annual total within hours of the start of the year! It is important that these discrepancies are widely appreciated. One should emphasise, however, that Richie uses average values. There are also enormous disparities within the UK and the USA (these are also evident within many other rich countries). It seems highly improbable that citizens of the UK and the US will ever get near the Congolese levels of emissions. There is also little point in getting the Congolese to reduce their emissions. The fastest way of getting needed reductions in 'greenhouse gases' must be ensuring that the big emitters in the UK and the US (and other rich countries) modify their behaviour. We should be focusing on overconsumption, frequent flying, energy efficiency of buildings etc. We should also be helping poorer nations to develop cleanly, without going through the horror of an Industrial Revolution.

Joni Joins

Joni Mitchell has joined Neil Young by demanding that her back catalogue is removed from Spotify over Rogangate (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jan/29/joni-mitchell-joins-neil-young-in-demanding-spotify-remove-her-music). Mitchell is incensed by Spotify paying $100m for exclusive rights to Joe Rogan's podcast on the basis that it is used to 'spread lies'. Experts suggest that the contentious podcast is attractive to Spotify because it is a) popular and b) regularly updates its content. This appears more likely to keep 'customers' accessing the site than 'mere' pop music. New tracks are only issued periodically (creation takes time). Spotify's decision is, consequently, entirely commercial and nothing to do with their claimed 'love of music'. Predictably, it appears that only established artists, nearing 'pop heaven', are a) able and b) willing to take a stand on commercially-driven dissemination of misinformation.

Popular Doesn't Mean Having Any Precision?

Spotify pay $100m for the exclusive rights to Joe Rogan's podcast. Rogan's podcast, having more then 380m users, tops the charts in Australia, the UK and the USA. This podcast, however, has carried some highly contentious material. Contentious often equates with attention-grabbing. It's a commonly used device to inflate 'readership'. First we had the story that veteran rocker, Neil Young, wanted his tracks removed from Spotify, because he disapproved of antivaxx material featuring prominently on the Rogan podcast. Young told Spotify they couldn't have both Rogan and Young. Now, we have the world's climate scientists, collectively flabbergasted by Rogans's extended discussion with Canadian (another one!) Psychologist, Jordan Peterson (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/27/word-salad-of-nonsense-scientists-denounce-jordan-petersons-comments-on-climate-models). Peterson claimed that all climate science models were useless, as errors increase with time (climate change occurs over decades and longer). As the climate scientists point out, Peterson has made the basic error of confusing climate and weather. Weather predictions do become less accurate with time. Climate science, however, has a completely different basis. It incorporates fixed, measurable entities like the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The really worrying aspect, is that Rogan seems more than happy to push false information, likely to cause humans to behave in inappropriate ways (e.g. not getting vaccinated and ignoring climate change). This is a 'Facebook'-style treatment of what should be serious issues. It's not even a level 'playing field', as there are astronomically different levels of exposure for the podcast and the science in this English-speaking world!

Bye-Bye Birdie!

The numbers are truly remarkable. Kim Heacox notes that, in the last 50 years, North America has lost 25% of its birds (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/28/birds-are-remarkable-and-beautiful-animals-and-theyre-disappearing-from-our-world). Notable mass die-offs have occurred in Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas. Bluebirds, flycatchers, sparrows, swallows and warblers are especially affected. Several species, such as the Ivory-billed woodpecker and Bachman's warbler, have become extinct. Climate change is having a very marked impact on birds as well as humans. To paraphrase Heacox (only slightly), all birds are now canaries, in the human coalmine. Not a role they volunteered for!

Educating the UK About Climate Change?

At Cop26, the UK Education Secretary promised to "put climate change at the heart of education". The chances of this happening appear to be exceedingly remote (https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/jan/28/uk-pupils-failed-by-schools-teaching-of-climate-crisis-experts-say). Notably, an early draft of the new education strategy tells teachers not to advise pupils to get involved in climate protests. A survey of more than 4,500 teachers in England found that 67% of respondents thought that climate change was not taught in a meaningful way in their schools. This was in spite of 90% thinking the subject was relevent to their subject area. Students also described the lack of opportunity to discuss the climate crisis in class. Students doing a GCE Advanced level in Geography were asked to list the benefits of climate change! This nonsense also featured the the BBC 'Bite-size' education programme (much used in the Covid19 lockdowns). A student who listed the 'bite size' list but added a note, saying the disadvantages greatly outweighed the benefits, was critized by the examiner for making this comment. It appears that a prevailing view of many Education experts is that UK children are failed, when it comes to leaning about the climate crisis. The subject can be entirely missing from the curriculum, side-lined or mistaught. Many students appear to share this view.

Grow Me Another One!

Unlike some other simple vertebrates, an African clawed frog cannot normally regenerate an amputated limb. Scientists, however, prevented scarring by covering the frog's wound with a silicone cap containing a 5-drug cocktail. The drugs were selected to do things like prevent inflammation, stimulate nerve development etc (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/26/frog-regrows-amputated-leg-after-being-given-drug-treatment). This treatment led to the frogs eventually growing a replacement structure that could even be used in swimming. The scientists suspect that many vertebrates have a residual ability to regenerate body parts. They now want to see if the same procedure works in Mammals. If it does, it may even be tried in humans.

A Conjuring Distraction Technique?

Sadly, George Monbiot, appears to be entirely right in dismissing the booming area of carbon offsetting, as being largely a 'con trick' (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/26/carbon-offsetting-environmental-collapse-carbon-land-grab). There is little doubt that any meaningful attempt to counter climate change, means leaving non-renewables in the ground. Climate change can only be (slowly) countered by removing some of the current atmospheric carbon dioxide. In spite of this, many large oil companies have been arguing they can safely expand their operations into new locations, so long as they carbon offset. The companies only give a vague idea of the true levels of likely emissions. Their proposals for carbon offsetting are also rarely properly evaluated by ecologists. Many of the proposals actually appear likely to cause further environmental damage. Carbon offsetting appears to be designed to enable companies to 'carry on as normal', whilst lulling their customers into a belief that they can be 'guilt free'. This greenwash isn't, however, limited to oil companies. Airlines; gas providers; vehicle manufacturers; mining consortia; travel companies; builders; marine transport; power producers etc; etc are all heavily involved in carbon offsetting. Anything to maintain the status quo, except that is no chance that carbon offsetting will do so!

Infantile Infantino?

FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants there to be a biannual World Cup rather than every one every 4 years. Bizarrely, he has informed the Council of Europe that this change could stop African migrants finding 'death in the sea' (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jan/26/fifa-gianni-infantino-biennial-world-cup-could-save-african-migrants-from-death-in-the-sea). Infantino's argument seems to be that doubling the number of World Cups would increase opportunity and hope for poorer nations. Their elite athletes would be more likely to feature. It would be crass, I suppose, to point out that increasing the number of World Cups, more reliably,greatly increases FIFA's income and power? The doubling of World Cup-related 'greenhouse gas' emissions would also accelerate climate change. Infantino presumably sees no connection between climate change and African migration. A prime reason that people attempt to move countries, is that life becomes intolerable in their current location. The seas would also be somewhat expanded by increased melting ice-caps. Perhaps we can entirely solve the migration problem, by having the World Cup (and the Olympics?) every year?

Ghost Emissions?

Airlines are reportedly maintaining near-empty 'ghost flights' to retain their EU airport slots (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/26/airlines-flying-near-empty-ghost-flights-to-retain-eu-airport-slots). 'Ghost flights', in spite of carrying few passengers, will still pump masses of 'greenhouse gases' high into the atmosphere. The airlines are clearly committed to net zero carbon emissions rather than simple profits!

Seeing the Changes 1558

The Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are out in Loughor!

Grilling With Oil?

Board members of BP, Chevron, Exxon and Shell are to be 'invited' to testify to a US Congressional Committee in February (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/21/oil-industry-board-members-to-testify-congress-climate-disinformation). The Congressional Committee want to determine the role of 'big oil' in the climate crisis as well as their decades of spreading disinformation about the 'greenhouse gas' effect. The oil companies were told by their own scientists that global heating was exaccerbated by burning fossil fuels. Rather than doing squat about it, 'big oil' channneled billions into attempts to undermine climate science (including the setting up of misnamed 'thinktanks'). The companies deserve a jolly good grilling (or worse)? There should certainly be financial penalties and reduced opportunities to 'greenwash'.

Shock (Sporting) Horror!

If 'greenhouse gas' emissions remain on their current trajectory, only one of the last 21 previous Winter Olympic locations would be able to host the games by the end of the century (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2022/jan/25/rising-temperatures-threaten-future-winter-olympics-games-global-emissions). Of the last 21 locations, only Nogaro (Japan), the 1998 site, would be cold enough. If the emissions, agreed in the Paris Accord, were actually achieved, a further 8 would still be viable. Global heating would mean that, by the end of this century, cities with enough nearby snow and ice, would be few and far between. That, of course, might, by that time, be the least of our worries. The findings graphically illustrate the likely impact of global heating to audiences more focused on 'sport'. It ought to be emphasised, however, that sport, including the Winter Olympics, has a major role in climate change. Any 'International' sport involves flying competitors, support teams, equipment and myriads of spectors to and from the events. In the case of the Winter Olympics, many people also travel for qualifying events and training. The 'greenhouse gas' emissions generated by 'sporting extravagazas' are currently extraordinary. The Winter Olympics are consequently playing a role in their own demise.

Hippopotamus Patter

The hippopotamus is said to be more dangerous than the lion. A paper in Current Biology examined the role of the 'wheeze honk' vocalisation in hippopotami (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/24/hippo-talk-study-purpose-call-and-response). Calls were recorded from different pods of hippos in Maputo Special Reserve in Mozambique. The 'Wheeze honk' calls were then replayed to hippos in the same, neighbouring or distant pods. Hippos returned the calls and either moved towards the sound or sprayed dung. The spraying of dung, involves rapid lateral movement of the animal's tail, spreading the odour. The odour provides other hippos with information about that beast's sex and social status. 'Wheeze honks' from strangers elicited the strongest responses and dung spraying was more common in such cases. Social communication in the hippopotamus appears to be a mixture. Sounds are used for longer distances and odours for more intimate'chats'.

Offshoring Emissions?

Australia's $500m Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) is about to go into action (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jan/21/just-a-new-fossil-fuel-industry-australia-to-send-first-shipment-of-liquefied-hydrogen-to-japan). Hydrogen has been marketed as a 'clean' energy source. The HESC, however, involves making hydrogen, using the dirty brown coal from Victoria's La Trobe Valley. Although it is proposed to use carbon capture techniques, the actual mining and processing are still likely to release global temperature-elevating emissions. HESC will employ a pupose-built tanker to take (generating more emissions in transport) the hydrogen to Japan. In Japan, it will be burned in currently coal-fired power plants to generate electricity. A number of experts have suggested that this is purely a cosmetic exercise, simply moving Japan's 'greenhouse gas' emissions to Australia. One would have thought that Australians would be keen to actually stop the effects of climate change?

Opportunistic Brown Bears

A new 2 year study, involved fitting 15 Brown bears in Northern Sweden with GPS collars. The locations of 2500 adult reindeer were also monitored in this location (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/24/brown-bears-switch-habitats-to-hunt-vulnerable-prey-finds-study). The study revealed that, when the bears emerged from their 6 months of hibernation, they initially frequented mountainous locations where the reindeer were calving. Bears, killed and consumed the vulnerable young reindeer, boosting their protein intake. Later, after reindeer calving ended, the bears moved to forest locations, where moose were giving birth. Moose calves then became the preferred food items. At the end of herbivore calving, in Summer, the bears switched to a vegetarian diet of berries, until it was time to re-enter hibernation. The study basically illustrates how Brown bears, like many other species, are highly opportunistic in their seasonal feeding patterns/food intake. It's also a nice illustration of ecological dynamics in this area of Northern Sweden and should be helpful to conservationists.

It Grows On You?

The University of Lancaster have carried out the first UK Nationwide Study of Urban Growing Potential (https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/jan/24/uk-could-grow-up-fruit-and-vegetables-urban-green-spaces). The study estimates how much of the UK's current consumption of fruit and vegetables (likely to grow with vegetarianism?) could be generated by converting the gardens, parks, playing fields, watersides and other 'overlooked' areas of towns and cities into allotments. Most of the UK's fruit and vegetables are currently imported. This, of course, is costly and has a strong carbon footprint. The study estimates that these urban areas could generate 40% of the currently needed fruit and vegetables. This would be 8 times the UK's current amount. Of course, the species generated would not include exotics and the output would generally be seasonal. Fortunately, the Nationwide Study of Urban Growing Potential is not advocating the ploughing up all the parks and playing fields (they have other benefits to humans) but is talking about the potential of using green areas in towns and cities more efficiently. In area terms, allotments can be as productive as agricultural land. One might, however, ask the question 'why we have to change the use of green urban areas?' The development of hydroponics, means that parts of actual buildings in towns and cities could be used to effectively grow fruit and vegetables.

They Don't Even Know the Cost of a Loaf of Bread?

Journalist, Arwa Mahdawi, returns to the truisim that the comparatively wealthy always massively underestimate the gap between the rich and the poor (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/series/the-week-in-patriarchy). The latest manifestation is a viral tweet from a Professor at Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania). She asked her class how much the average American makes in a year. The annual fees for Wharton School are $100,000 and the average family income of a Penn State student is $195,000. A quarter of her students thought the average American earned 6 figures a year. One respondent thought $800,000 was about right! The actual average is just under $54,000 per year. One should also note that a) this is the average rather than the, perhaps more appropriate, median (mid-range) value and b) 'income' does not, for many rich folk, only come in the form of wages. Many of the graduates of Wharton School go on to become politicians or captains of industry. Mahdawi also recalls an article in the New York Times, where the then 8 New York mayoral candidates, were asked the median sales price of a house in Brooklyn. The candidates all had had political/commercial experience. One estimate was as low as $80-90,000 and none were near the actual figure of $900,000. This unrealistic understanding of people's finances isn't limited to Americans. The current UK Prime Minister famously described his £250,000 per year salary for a side-line of writing a newspaper column as 'peanuts'. The point Mahdawi is trying to remake is that too many politicians have no idea what it's like to be unable to buy a house/rent decent property, be 'swamped' by student loans or be (in the US) bankrupted by medical bills. It will be interesting to see what happens, in the UK, as the cost of living ratchets up. If politicians can't recognise the common plights of their own poorer citizens, there is little chance of their doing anything effective about it, when they come to power. Fairly obviously, US and UK politicians will generally have zero appreciation of the financial pressures on poorer nations. We can only make progress on the climate crisis/Covid19 pandemic, if they rapidly improve their knowledge. This seems unlikely.

Bus Queue?

Councils in the North of England and the Midlands were promised £3bn as "new funding to level up buses across England towards London standards". The amount has now been slashed to £1.4bn for the next 3 years (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jan/23/boris-johnsons-bus-back-better-red-wall-levelling-up-treasury-cuts-funding). London has always had much more money to provide Public Transport than other areas of the country. This dramatic reduction in funding will inevitably mean that cheap and reliable bus services cannot now be provided in many areas of the country. This is a great pity as:- a) the new bus services could be electrically-powered and b) cheap and reliable bus services might well reduce car useage/ownership. Both changes would help to reduce the harmful emissions, that exaccerbate the climate crisis and worsen air quality. Getting more people to use buses rather than cars, could also reduce congestion. This would facilitate safe cycling and walking for short journeys. There would also be time savings (reducing traffic jams), cost savings for the public and reductions in human death/disease (costs of poor air quality, especially in cities). The reduction in funding seems especially short-sighted at this time. People will only give up their cars, if proper alternative transport is available. That is certainly currently not the case, in areas outside London.

Too Vague For Planning?

After Brexit, UK farmers were told by their government that the Common Agricultural Policy subsidies would be replaced by Environmental Land Management (ELM) contracts (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/23/farmers-tree-dilemma-if-we-plant-woodland-will-we-take-a-cash-hit). Farmers were told that from 2024, ELM contracts would be issued to pay for any work that benefitted the land and wildlife. Some farmers are now claiming, however, that there are still (4 years later!) too few details about ELM's for them to risk some investments. Farmers claim that they are uncertain, for example, whether planting trees on their land, will be properly rewarded. Government has made much of the importance of planting trees to reduce 'greenhouse gas' emissions and stem the loss of wildlife. There appear to be few firm details on sizes of qualifying planted areas, likely durations of payments and species (mixtures) of trees to be used. One might have thought, given the climate crisis, there would be some urgency about giving farmers the answers.

100 Seconds to Midnight?

For the third consecutive year, the expert panel on the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, have set the time of its Doomsday Clock to 100 seconds before midnight (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/20/doomsday-clock-holds-at-100-seconds-to-midnight). The Doomsday Clock was set up by scientists who wanted to provide a graphic illustration of the proximity of Homo sapiens to extinction. The Doomsday Clock is currently closer to midnight than at any other time in its 75 year existence. It's closer to midnight even than at the time of the Cuban missile crisis. The Cuban missile crisis was in 1962. At this time, nuclear war between the US and the then Soviet Union seemed imminent. The current closeness to midnight appears to be linked to a combination of proliferating nuclear weapons; the climate crisis and the existence of a number of biological threats. It's almost as if humans like living on the edge?

Polar Plastics

Microplastic pollution has long been found in every part of the globe. Much smaller (and potentially much more dangerous) nanoplastics have now been recorded for the first time in both of the Earth's polar regions (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/21/nanoplastic-pollution-found-at-both-of-earths-poles-for-first-time). A paper in the journal, Environmental Research, notes that Greenland ice cores show that nanoplastic pollution reached the North polar region at least 50 years ago (around 1965). This pollutant is thought to have been blown in on winds from North America. Until recently, however, nanoplastic pollution had not been recorded in the relatively pristine Antarctica. Ice samples, taken in McMurdo Sound, now contain this pollutant. In this case, the nanoplastics probably arrived on ocean currents. The long-term consequences of nanoplastic pollution could be quite devastating.

Re-Cycling

Excellent news that former Olympic champion, Chris Boardman, is to become Head of Active Travel England (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/22/chris-boardman-to-lead-new-walking-and-cycling-body-in-england). Boardman is obviously strongly motivated to make short-distance walking and cycling as safe and pleasurableas possible in English towns and cities. Walking or biking are healthier as a) they provide exercise and b) reduce damaging emissions from vehicles. In many instances, it can even save time by reducing traffic jams. Boardman's main lever seems to be Active Travel England's ability to rate councils on how well they make space for walking and cycling. So, shaming councils, for poor provision, seems to be the main tool that can be employed. It is worth commenting, however, that providing safe travel facilities for walking/cycling costs money (which many councils don't have). Safe storage of bicycles at destinations is also not without cost. Central government needs to supply cash and make legal changes to facilitate active travel. There will, no doubt, be intensive counter-lobbying from motoring interests. Some people, on their daily short commutes, will have to pass through areas controlled by more than one council. Connectivity is consequently very important. Otherwise, provision by one council may not facilitate viable walking or cycling on even a relatively short journey. Boardman also needs to remember that some people can neither walk nor cycle. We would not want such people to be 'marooned' in their homes or to be unreachable by ambulance/services. We can hope that Boardman can deliver. This change of focus in transport provision, in England, is long overdue. English schemes should obviously be connected to those in neighbouring parts of Scotland and Wales.

Oilers Have No Shame!

Texas-based ExxonMobile is the largest US oil firm. The company has a considerable 'war chest'. ExxonMobile shows no sign of contrition for its role in climate change. In deed, the company is reportedly attempting to use an obscure Texas law to intimidate its critics (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/18/exxon-texas-courts-critics-climate-crimes). ExxonMobile are asking the Texas Supreme Court to allow it to use 'rule 202'. The company want to use this rule, to pursue legal action (they have the money) against several municipal officials, filing lawsuits against ExxonMobile's historic and continuing roles in the climate crisis. ExxonMobile claim that lawsuits against it, violate the US Constitution's guarantees of free speech (free speech for them but none for others?). The company even claim that legal action in California courts, is an 'infringement of the sovereignty of Texas'. Perhaps they don't realise that 'greenhouse gas' emissions do not simply hover over the states where they are released?

Another One Bites the Dust 3. Meatloaf

'Bat Out of Hell' singer Meatloaf has died (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jan/21/meat-loaf-bat-out-of-hell-singer-dead-at-74). It was interesting to read that he was once vegetarian. Scarily, he was younger than me.

Fat of the Land?

Bristol University's 'Children of the 90's' study continues to throw up intriguing, but difficult to explain, correlations (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jan/21/children-of-the-90s-smoking-body-fat). The study initially recruited 14,000 pregnant women to participate. It now includes many of their children and grandchildren. An early 'finding' was that women who ate oily fish (like herrings), tended to have children with sharper eyesight. This appeared to be true, even if such fish were only eaten once a fortnight. A later correlation was that, if a father smoked before reaching puberty, his sons (but not his daughters) tended to have higher than the expected levels of body fat. The latest claim is that women and girls whose grandfathers or great-grandfathers started smoking before the age of 13, also tended to have more body fat. The comment must be made, however, that the data in this type of study is all self-reported. Participants may not have an entirely accurate recollection/make a factual response to questions about when they/a relative started smoking or what items were eaten. It is also difficult to explain to biological bases of some of these apparent linkages. If true, however, the sins of the father are visited on their sons (and daughters)!

Pouching Priority

A weird tale from Hong Kong. Thousands of residents have signed petitions to stop 2000 imported hamsters being killed (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/21/hongkongers-launch-hamster-rescue-mission-after-covid-cull-declared). The hamsters were in a pet shop and 11 were found to have traces of the Covid19 virus on their bodies. This is hardly remarkable, as one of the pet shop workers had the viral infection. He would be breathing out aerosol particles, as he went about business. The authorities have decreeded that the hamsters are potential transmitters of Covid19. It is highly likely that viral particles will be found on any surface where infected people are operating. Authorities even want to 'cull' any hamster, bought by the public, before a specified date. Hamster owners have been urged to bring in their pets for disposal! Reportedly, people are resisting this move. Some are offering to take hamsters in as clandestine pets or even giving them false papers (pre-dated invoices). The response of the authorities is clearly inappropriate and 'heavy-handed'. One might have thought, however, that Hong Kong residents would have more pressing issues on their minds.

Food Waste Frenzy?

Many people, in the UK, are dependent on food banks in order just to eat/ feed their families. It's, consequently, rather sad that the British reportedly also throw away £1.2bn worth of food every year (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/20/uk-food-waste-dont-know-what-to-cook). Censuswide obtained 2000 responses from a survey aimed at UK consumers. 50% of respondents actually felt guilty about their food waste. Weirdly, however, 20% said they could reduce food waste, if they knew more recipes. This is bizzare, because recipes have never been more available. They can easily be found in books, on TV/radio and online. Could it be that recipe-deficient folk are just too lazy to check out the options?

Can Biodiversity Loss Be Stopped?

Cop15 will take place in Kunming (China). 'Delegates' are expected to commit to targets of protecting at least 30% of the oceans and the land by 2030 (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/19/expanding-national-parks-not-enough-to-protect-nature-say-scientists-aoe>). Thirty percent sounds impressive. Some delegates are likely, however, to simply opt to increase the sizes of already 'protected areas' like national parks. One also has to admit that, in some countries, protections seem to be largely notional and/or unenforced. What humans choose to protect can often seem somewhat arbitrary. More than 50 specialist scientists have analysed the draft UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The CBD is the working document for Cop15 and advocates the 'at least 30% figure'. The scientists conclude that expanding the protected areas to 30% would, if done well (a very big 'if'!), might help to slow the current rate of destruction of the natural world. They suggest, however, that much more would have to be done to stop the eventual collapse of the planet's ecosystems. Cop15 sounds like another opportunity for politicians to make 'pledges' whilst minimising meaningful action?

Microbes Fight Back

Recent world news has been full of stories about viral variants of Covid19 and their abilities to overcome immune defences. Things have, however, been relatively quiet (although medical concerns have been evident much longer) about the growing importance of antimicrobial resistance. A comprehensive world study in the journal Lancet, estimated that, in 2019, at least 1.2 million people (3,500 per day) died from formerly treatable bacterial infections (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jan/20/antimicrobial-resistance-antibiotic-resistant-bacterial-infections-deaths-lancet-study). Antimicrobial resistance refers to the development of strains of bacteria that cannot be eradicated by antibiotic treatment. The World Health Organisation has long warned of the dangers of such antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. The reasons for their development are very simple. Antibiotics effectively exert selection pressures on bacteria. Bacteria that survive antibiotic treatment, will persist and their characteristics will be increased in subsequent populations. The rapid divisions of bacteria (in minutes), means they can evolve much more quickly than humans and other organisms. Humans also don't help themselves by overusing the limited array of antibiotics. Antibiotics can be inappropriately prescribed for viral infections (like the Common cold or influenza). Sometimes, patients, with a sniffle, demand antibiotics from their doctors. Antibiotics are also used as growth enhancers in meat production. Farm animals house bacteria and antibiotic resistant strains can be developed in these 'culture vessels'. Resistant bacteria also tend to accumulate in locations, like hospitals and gyms, where antibiotics are much used. The solution to the problem has been evident for many years. The range of antibiotics needs to be increased and they need to be employed much more efficiently. Microbes are not going to simply 'lay down and die'.

The First Straws?

In the summer of 1897, an excavation at Maykop in Russia's North Caucasus, found several long, narrow gold and silver tubes alongside human remains (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/19/ancient-metal-tubes-unearthed-in-1897-could-be-oldest-surviving-drinking-straws). The tubes turned out to be about 5,500 years old and there has been much speculation about their likely function. A recent suggestion is that the tubes are the oldest, surviving drinking straws. At banquets in ancient times, rich people may have shared a communal beer, each using one of these tubes. If they are straws, they were certainly more impressive than current versions. They would certainly be worth taking into the 'afterlife' to dine with your friends.

Smell the Profits!

Water Companies are, in effect, local monopolies. In Scotland and Wales, they are non-profit organisations and can direct any income to improving their infrastructure. In contrast, the English Water Companies are privatised. Privatisation was 'sold' as a means of reducing the cost of needed improvements to the tax payer. What has happened, however, is that the English Water Companies spend most of their profits on bonuses for their Chief Executives and returns to shareholders. Some water companies have elected to maximise their profits, by discharging raw sewage into rivers and coastal seas. This is much cheaper than improving their Victorian infrastructure (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/18/the-guardian-view-on-water-pollution-come-clean-on-sewage). The English Water Companies are officially allowed to discharge sewage, only when serious flooding occurs. The companies have also been allowed to self-regulate their activities. This, 'gentleman's agreement' has been described as 'cutting red tape'. The Environmental Agency has also been greatly reduced in size. The agency now simply cannot 'police' whether all discharges are legal and prosecute offending water companies. UK rivers are consequently in a poor environmental state. Is anyone surprised?

A Free Pass to 'Ghost Fishing'?

'Ghost fishing' is the entangling and killing of fish, marine mammals and seabirds by abandoned fishing gear. Nets can, of course, be accidentally lost overboard. George Monbiot has, however, received worrying photographic evidence from a Scottish trawlerman. It appears that many of the 'ghost nets' are deliberately dumped (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/19/dumped-fishing-gear-killing-marine-life-governments-care-scottish-trawlerman-nets). Monbiot notes that many of the nets have had useful items, like floats, cut off them. Accidental losses would not have this characteristic. The trawlerman's claim is that some large (foreign?) trawlers illegally dump worn-out nets along, with their general waste, to maximise the size of their catch. These boats dump the materials outside territorial waters returning to port with zero waste. Monbiot is incensed that no government authorities seem to care about this practise. When questioned, authorities claim they have no data. Monbiot thinks they actually have no interest in controlling this behaviour.

The Shape of Things to Come?

British journalist, Arwa Mahdawi, lives in the US with an American wife. She ponders whether the UK or the US is currently the more dysfunctional (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/18/which-is-more-dysfunctional-the-us-or-the-uk-i-created-a-global-embarrassment-index-to-figure-it-out). Mahdawi concludes the countries are equally dysfunctional and both moving 'perilously quickly to authoritarianism'. I worry that current heads of both countries have anointed themselves as 'global leaders' in the 'fight against climate change'. This is in spite of the fact that both seem to prefer talking about reducing 'greenhouse gas' emissions, rather than doing anything serious about it. If, however, either country slides into authoritarianism, any new 'management' is likely to be strongly opposed to 'green crap'. That would mean minima of 5 more years of procrastination. We don't have 5 more years.

No Nocebo?

A placebo effect is a positive medical consequence of administering a control or blank substance. A nocebo is a negative version of a placebo effect. It's essentially experiencing 'side-effects' in response to control injections. Both placebo and nocebo effects are 'in the mind' but they can be very real to the individual. Scientists at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, appear to have established that nocebo effects are very common in Covid19 vaccinations (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/18/nocebo-effect-two-thirds-of-covid-jab-reactions-not-caused-by-vaccine-study-suggests). Common side effects of Covid19 vaccine jabs include headaches, short-term fatigue and arm pain. The scientists examined data from 12 clinical trials with Covid19 vaccines. After first injections, nocebo effects accounted for more than 75% of 'side-effects'. Nocebo effects were also evident in more than 50% of subjects, after a second injection. The scientists suggest that educating people about nocebo effects, might reduce vaccine hesitancy.

Bricking It?

Scientists have had a mixed reaction to a Brighton Council planning condition, requiring new builds above 5M to incorporate some 'bee bricks' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/18/brighton-bee-bricks-initiative-may-do-more-harm-than-good-say-scientists). 'Bee bricks' have drilled holes, providing nesting and/or hibernating space for solitary bees. The initiative is intended to help protect these important pollinators. Some scientists, however, say that bee bricks could make matters worse for bees, if the holes are not 'properly' cleaned. It's argued that they could attract mites and/or encourage the spread of disease. Others, say the initiative could be used as 'greenwash' by builders. This seems to be a bit nit-picking (no pun intended). Solitary bees use holes where they can find them. 'Traditional' nesting holes are not subject to washing. Some scientists even claim that washing could remove beneficial bacteria. Solitary bees are choosey and will avoid problematic cavities. The efficicacy of 'bee bricks' could be easily studied and certainly brings some Brighton residents closer to nature.