Taking Off Again

The International Airlines Group (IAG) owens British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. Its airlines are all currently experiencing to return to pre-Covid levels of profitability (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/oct/28/iag-increases-profit-forecasts-as-airline-revenues-return-to-pre-pandemic-levels). British Airways recorded profits of £1.2bn for the 3 months, ending 30th September 2022. IAG say that leisure travel was the main driver of this recovery but business fares were also picking up. Perhaps some of their customers are going to Sharm-el-Sheikh for COP27? When they get there, they may be reminded that, a return of airlines to pre-Pandemic profitability, has a distinct downside in terms of climate change. I suspect, however, they will simply regard themselves as exceptions to the rule.

Everyone's Moving to Fawlty Towers?

The UK's hospitality firms run hotels, pubs and restaurants. These establishments suffered in the Covid19 pandemic but appeared to have 'bounced back', as lockdowns were relaxed. However, 35% of hospitality firms responding to a survey, now say they expect to be operating at a loss and/or be unable to continue (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/31/uk-hospitality-firms-pubs-restaurants-hotels-energy-food-inflation). Hospitality's main problems are surging energy bills, the rocketing costs of food (up around 35%), a declining work force of waiters, cooks, barstaff and cleaners (from overseas) as well as the disappearance of customers (77% of establihments surveyed reported fewer diners and drinkers). The UK could rapidly move to a situation, where only its rich have their hospitality catered for.

Lights Going Out at Britishvolt?

Britishvolt is a UK startup company aiming to construct a £3.8 bn 'gigafactory' (simply a large manufacture site but 'gigafactory' sounds more imposing) in Blyth, Northumberland. This development was seen as a flagship project for the UK automotive industry. Britishvolt intended to make the batteries needed to aid the transition to electric vehicles. The startup is now bust and considering going into administration (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/31/uk-battery-firm-britishvolt-administration-gigafactory). The Blyth gigafactory was intended to create 300 well-paid jobs in that area. It was consequently enthusiatically supported by the then Prime Minister, one 'Boris' Johnson. He claimed this was evidence of the success of his 'leveling up' initiative (to spread economic activity to relatively depressed parts of England). In January 2022, the company were promised a £100m boost by the then Chancellor (Rishi somebody). Britishvolt have not, however, received this money, as there are concerns about what it could be spent on. The startup have found it difficult to attract investments for building, tooling and operating their gigafactory. The touble is, they don't earn a penny until the first batteries are sold. This appears unlikely to happen (if at all) before 2025. This seems like yet another expensive 'white elephant'. Was it always simply a Public Relations exercise?

Eurasian Jays Come Through Their Marshmallow Test

Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius) are intelligent Corvids (members of the Crow family). It's now been demonstrated that these birds can put off grabbing an mediate food reward, if this gives them the possibility of getting a tastier item, later (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/31/eurasian-jays-show-ability-to-exert-self-control-study-finds). The marshmallow test was carried with children. Most children could show sufficient self-control, by not immediately eating a marshmallow, after learning that two of these tasty treats would be available, to those who waited a defined period of time. Tests with the Jays involved the birds being given access to drawers with windows. Some drawers contained immediately accessible, but not very tempting food items (a bit of bread or cheese). Other drawers contained more preferred food items but would only unlock after a short delay. The birds initially had to learn that openning a drawer, resulted in all the other drawers being permanently locked. Most Jays showed sufficient self-control to wait for access to the tastier items. Jays, assessed as more intelligent on other tests, learned this task most quickly. The authors of this study suggest there is a strong association between self-control and intelligence. This seems to apply to a wide range of species, including the Octopus (an intelligent Mollusc).

Seeing the Changes 1728

Almost the end of October. There are still flowers on the Loughor-Gorseinon border. Blooms include Yarrow (Achilea millefolium), Sawwort (Serratula tinctoria), Red clover (Trifolium pratense), French cranesbill (Geranium endressii), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and Bramble (Rubus fructicus) with a hoverfly.

Keep on Rolling!

A study in Animal Behaviour, describes bumblebees rolling small wooden balls, for 'no apparent reward' (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/oct/27/bumblebees-playing-wooden-balls-bees-study). Younger bumblebees rolled more than older subjects. Males rolled for longer than did females. The authors suggest that this activity might be a form of play behaviour. This seems, however, a quantum leap. Just because there is no apparent reward, doesn't mean that there isn't one, as yet unidentified. It could be the case that the bees are simply fixated on moving small objects in relation to nests. It's also difficult to work out how such 'play', could benefit the bee's older self and the colony.

A Costly Drain on the Global Economy

A study, in the journal Science Advances, looked at the post 1980s impact of heatwaves on global economics (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/28/climate-crisis-heatwaves-cost-global-economy). Heatwaves have intensified over this period as a consequence of anthropogenic (human-mediated) 'greenhouse gas' emissions. These heat up the planet. Heatwaves have powerful damaging effects on agriculture, human health, infrastructure and productivity. Although their 'greenhouse gas' emissions are modest, the tropics and the global South are especially prone to damage. This is because these regions are hotter, as well as being economically vulnerable. The study generated a figure of $16tn. This enormous sum may well be an underestimate. It could, however, seem to be 'small beer', if (when?) the full impact of runaway climate change hits the Northern hemisphere. The new UK Prime Minister's decision not to attend Cop27 in Egypt, as he is 'too busy with his Autumn finance statement', seems more than a tad blinkered. He's not even getting his Environment Secretary to attend this meeting. The UK environment presumably operates entirely in isolation? ((https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/30/observer-view-rishi-sunak-shameful-decision-not-to-attend-cop27 ).

Another One Bites the Dust: Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-2022)

Jerry Lee Lewis, with his idiosyncratic left-handed piano style, was essentially one of the founding fathers of Rock n' Roll. His hits, 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On' and 'Great Balls of Fire', had powerful influences on the development of the new genre. Just a pity he had a very questionable lifestyle, he unfairly tried to blame on his Tennessee background.

Vintage Sperm?

Human eggs and sperm are commonly deep-frozen, as insurance policies against the fertility-destructive effects of cancer treatments. It used to be the case, in the UK, that 10 years was the legal maximal period of storage of these gametes. Babies have now been born, on both sides of the Atlantic, circa 25 years after sperm were collected. The UK Parliamant has recently decreed that sperm samples can be stored for a maximum of 55 years (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/oct/28/miracle-baby-opens-debate-over-possible-use-of-centuries-old-sperm). Scientists point out, however, that the 55 year limit is entirely arbitrary. Human gametes could be stored almost indefinitely, raising the possibility of using frozen eggs and sperm to produce babies long after their donors have died. This raises lots of potential issues. Environmental contaminants appear to be progressively reducing human sperm viability. Consequently, deep freezing human sperm samples might be regarded as a necessary insurance policy. It could also, of course, lead to women selecting sperm from admired, famous, historial figures to 'father' their child. It's also currently unclear what the children, generated by the use of gametes from long-dead donors, would make of their 'inheritance'. In the UK, adopted children, as well as others produced by artificial insemination, currently have the 'right' to be accurately informed about their origions. How they would handle being told they were derived from the eggs/sperm of long-dead individuals (perhaps their great-grandparents?) has not been assessed. It seems like a can of worms?

Seeing the Changes 1727

A moth larva braved the cycle track at Bynea.

Enjoying the Unseasonal Sunshine?

It's late October. This weekend, however, in parts of the UK, Germany, France and elsewhere, temperatures are predicted to reach circa 20 degrees Centigrade (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/oct/27/climate-crisis-fuelling-unseasonably-warm-october-in-uk-and-europe-say-experts). These unseasonally high temperatures are carried in (as normal) by the jet stream. Experts agree, however, that the 'climate change' is intensifying the jet stream's impact. It's sad that a pleasant, sunny weekend has now to be treated with suspicion. It quite ruins my sunny disposition.

'A Really Bleak Moment'?

The above phrase is used by a scientist to describe the current state of the impending climate crisis (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/27/world-close-to-irreversible-climate-breakdown-warn-major-studies. Recent, key United Nations reports warn that urgent and collective action is required to prevent irreversible breakdown of the planet's climatic conditions. I hate to say it but the chances of urgent and collective action seem to be vanishingly small. Most countries are more obsessed with other things. These include the war in Ukraine. Mid-term elections in the US. A vote off for the Presidency in Brazil. A speed dating version of musical chairs, for the position of the UK Prime Minister. The distribution of massive share dividends for the major petrochemical companies. The changing ownership of Twitter. Most 'economies' are focused on inflation and the associated 'cost of living/energy crises'. Short-termism has never been more obvious. The thing about irreversible is that you only get one shot! Most governments seem to being displaying as much foresight as bacteria in a Petri dish.

A Nose for the Job?

The Aye-aye is a nocturnal relative of the lemurs that lives on Madagascar. This prosimian has a middle finger, about 8 cm long, it uses to tap wood to locate the grubs on which it feeds. There is, however, video footage of captive Aye-ayes, picking their noses with their elongated digit, before eating the mucus (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/27/researchers-reveal-secret-aye-aye-long-middle-finger-pick-nose). Nose picking has been recorded in at least 11 other primate species, including humans. The precise reason for nose picking is uncertain. It could be simply part of self-cleaning or even be a means of increasing resistance to potentially infective agents. The Aye-aye must, however, be the nose picker par excellence.

Seeing the Changes 1726

A few more fungi from my Loughor garden.

Universities and the Global League Table on Sustainability

I will admit to having a marked lack of enthusiasm for academic league tables on anything. League tables seem to me to generally grossly oversimplify things. The criteria used to obtain a rank, don't always strike me as wholly pertinent and/or objective. I very much favour sustainablity but I have considerable doubts even about this league table (https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/oct/26/universities-us-canada-uk-sustainability-league-edinburgh-rank-emissions-targets). For example, should sustainability research/ teaching carried out at a University, be the entire index of its track record? What about research/ teaching, perhaps carried out in other departments, that delivers the opposite? This 'calculation' for the league table seems to be based on the pros, without considering the cons. I'm also a committed supporter of gender diversity (in both staff and students) but I don't see that this necessarily reflects an institution's sustainability rank. Also having grand policies on climate mitigation and governance, don't always accurately reflect actions. One must accept that universities are very different (in terms of their location, their size, what they do and how long they have existed). It may be far easier for some institutions to make their buildings/campuses more energy efficient. Some universities may find it easier to 'commit to' divesting in their fossil fuel holdings (if they have any in the first place). A very simple point occurs to me. Universities, with prestigious sustainability research, are likely to receive many invitations to attend foreign meetings. Should the 'greenhouse gas' emissions of their flights, be seen as a counterbalance to their positive impact? Should Universities, with lots of foreign students, be downgraded in the league table? Their travelling generates high 'greenhouse gas' emissions but they could go on to do important work in their countries of origin. Seems like a can of worms to me.

A Halloween Greeting to All My Readers

Canada's 'EverHotAir' Fuel Facility?

Nova Scotia's EverWinds Fuel Facility has been touted as a 'blockbuster' 5bn watt producer of 'green' hydrogen. It's been revealed, however, that, at least initially, this plant will partly be powered by coal (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/26/nova-scotia-green-energy-plant-coal-powered). This facility, on Canada's eastern coast, has been designed to generate 200,000 tonnes of ammonia per annum. The process, it was claimed, would essentially facilitate safe transport of wind-generated electricity to happy European customers. EverWinds product would be greener than green. The use of coal, however, is all the more embarassing because Canada is 'committed' to shutting down its coal-fired electricity plants by 2030. Coal-fired plants supplied 51% of Canada's electricity in 2019. 'Way to go', as they say. Even some, actually laudable schemes, seem to indulge in 'greenwash'. This isn't helpful as it generates mistrust.

Too Slow?

The State of Climate Action 2022 Report looked at 40 global indicators of actions needed to reduce 'greenhouse gas' emissions to 50% of their current value by 2030. 'Greenhouse gas' emissions would have to come down by at least this amount, for there to be any chance of limiting global heating to the somewhat arbitrary, 1.5 degrees Centigrade above pre-Industrial levels (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/26/cut-meat-consumption-save-planet-climate-crisis-fossil-fuels). The State of Climate Action 2022 Report maintains that meat consumption, in the developed world, must be cut to the equivalent of 2 burgers a week, to achieve the necessary 'greenhouse gas' reduction. Meat consumption in the developed world is, of course, nowhere near this value. Public transport (as opposed to the use of private cars and planes), would have to be 6 times faster than at present. The same applies to the phasing out of heavily-polluting coal as a fuel. Oil and gas use would also have to be rapidly curtailed. The report also maintains that heavy industry would have to move much faster to cut its emissions, generated by cement and steel production. The current rate of deforestation would have to be dramatically reduced. The current rapid growth of renewable energy and move to adopting electric vehicles is commended by the report. This growth would, however, also have to be maintained. Things are not looking great. The only thing that seems to be impressively accelerating, is the amount of special pleading by politicians and industrialists!

Playing Politics?

A majority (66%) of people, in a UK survey, support non-violent action on environmental issues. 75% also favoured solar power being installed on farmland. There was also little enthusiasm for fracking (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/24/huge-uk-public-support-for-direct-action-to-protect-environment-poll). The respondants believed that the current UK government is far from committed to protecting the environment. It's all the odder then, that the Leader of the main opposition party supports the government's plan for long prison sentences for road-blocking protesters (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/24/keir-starmer-backs-stiff-sentences-for-climate-protesters-who-block-roads). That opposition leader promises that, if he comes to power, no new oil and gas extractions will be licensed. He seems happy, however, for all 'inherited' functioning instalations to be maintained. In actuality, substantial reductions in the use of oil and gas will be needed, to have any chance of limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees Centigrade above pre-Industrial levels. The UK's general population appear more concerned about climate change than either their government or its main opposition party. Folk might not be happy for road-blocking protesters to get longer prison sentences than people convicted of assault and battery.

Seeing the Changes 1725

Further fungi. A funnel in Bynea and a cluster of browns near a Crab apple in Penclacwydd.

What About Now?

Our Future Health is a UK project intended to help develop healthcare systems capable of diagnosing a range of diseases in their earliest stages (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/oct/24/uk-scheme-to-diagnose-diseases-earlier-cancer-obesity-mental-health). It's rightly maintained that the UK's poor performance in treating some common disease conditions, is largely a consequence of diagnosis being generally too late. The Our Future Health project will eventually recruit circa 5 million people, 'from all walks of life'. This project will involve the recruits sharing their health records. Test subjects will give blood samples (for cholesterol values etc), as well as having their weights and blood pressures routinely recorded. The participant's DNA will also be analysed. The idea is to develop new diagnostic tools, based on genetics, to find early onset of disease and/or identify which individuals are at high risk. The UK's current healthcare problems are, however, rooted in the general public's relative inability to see a General Practitioner or a consultant. There are enormous backlogs for both diagnosis and treatment. The Our Future Health participants will consequently be getting a level of screening vastly superior to that available to the man (or woman) in the street. In one sense, the study hardly needs doing. Monitoring like that of the recruits, should, where possible, be routinely available to all. This is what a science-based healthcare service should look like.

Nobody Loves Us (and We Don't Care)!

I've always had a penchant for 'creating' sporting team analogies, to make points, in my teaching, about scientific connections. Looking at developments on both sides of the Atlantic, makes it abundantly clear that political parties also have a great deal in common with football (soccer) teams. Supporters of political parties, like many soccer supporters, sing the virtues of their 'team' whether it's right or wrong. If they lose, they were unlucky, the other team cheated and/or the referee was biased. There are often surpringly few 'floating voters', who will change sides (on the basis of logic?) in an election. In deed, elections are generally won and lost, by members of the 'opposing side' failing to come out to vote in a few 'swing' areas. 'Nobody loves us (and we don't care)' is a famous chant of the East London team, Millwall FC. Perhaps political parties in the US and UK should be honest and adopt similar slogans? Democracy, in the event, is looking distinctly shaky.

Seeing the Changes 1724

Orange fungi massed on the lawns of Loughor.

Not Exactly Peak Performance?

Some money from the tiny £8m Net Zero Technology Centre is being used by the HiiROC company to pilot a 49 MW Peaking Power Station in Brigg, Yorkshire (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/23/peak-power-hydrogen-injected-uk-station-centrica). Peaking Power Stations are only run for short periods of time, when demand for electricity is very high and/or the wind isn't blowing. This particular gas powered establishment is being converted, enabling hydrogen to be mixed with its normal fuel, natural gas. Initially, the plant will intially use 3% hydrogen but it's intended to eventually use 20%. This Peaking Power Station will still, however, burn mainly natural gas, producing carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse gases'. Even the 'green' additive will be made by converting biomethane or natural gas into hydrogen and carbon black. This is termed 'blue' rather than 'green' hydrogen. 'Green' hydrogen is obtained by hydrolysis of water and can be burned with no climate-changing emissions. If this scheme is intended to take us to Net Zero, it's absolutely the wrong technology. HiiROC's technology essentially being advocated by big oil and gas. Perhaps they simply want to keep their hydrocarbon products viable for longer?

Should Politicians Keep on Running?

Catherine Bennett, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, asks whether conspicuous jogging by UK Prime Ministers (PM) should be viewed as a 'red flag' (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/22/if-running-really-stimulates-brain-why-hasnt-it-rubbed-off-on-our-leaders). Bennett poses her question on the basis of 3 of the last 4 PMs being regularly photographed in Lycra, sweatily pounding the streets. None of those three have been an unmitigated success. It's claimed that running usefully oxygenates the brain, Bennett notes, however, that jogging doesn't seem to have boosted their political performance. Having a better oxygenated brain, however, doesn't mean becoming more intelligent or showing better judgement. Running also boosts the body's production of endorphins. Endorphins are natural pain-relieving compounds, with effects a little like the anaesthetic, morphine. Their production could make the jogging PMs feel better about themselves. Personally speaking, endorphin generation helps me to stop thinking about politicians and their collective stupidities.

The Line in the Sand

Rowan Moore points out that there are many reasons why reputable architects should not be involved in the design and creation Saudi Arabia's Neom project (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/23/saudi-mega-city-meant-to-blow-our-forget-crimes-of-its-rulers). Neom involves the creation of a 170 km long mega city (The Line), running from the Red Sea into the desert. The Line will, however, only be 200 m wide, with 500 m high external walls (sounds a bit like a prison?). The walls will be externally mirrored to reflect solar gain. That structure is intended to house 9 million people. There would be a number of sections but one end would be designed to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games. Somewhat bizzarely, it's claimed that Neom's creation will be 'dedicated to the sanctity of all life on Earth'. Constructing The Line will, however, require enormous amounts of concrete and steel. Concrete production is one of the planet's biggest generators of the 'greenhouse gas' carbon dioxide (limestone is heated to very high temperatures). It's estimated that building The Line in the sand, will produce 1.8 bn tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is four times the entire annual emissions of the UK. Remember also, that this construction work will be funded by the extraordinary profits made by Saudi Arabia's extraction and sales of hydrocarbons. Neom's creation would be a giant boost for global heating. There's not much 'sanctity of all life on Earth' in that!

Maker's Money Talks?

Carmaker's profits seem to be prioritised over the health of millions of Europeans (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/21/100m-highly-polluting-cars-could-appear-on-europes-roads-after-eu-move). Nitrogen oxides and particulates in car exhaust emissions cause much human disease as well as early deaths. The European Commission's (ECs) own experts were asked to devise new Euro 7 regulation, to further reduce vehicle pollution emissions. This regulation was due to come into force in 2025. The Auto Industry lobby didn't like the cost. They predictably initiated a campaign of dirty tricks, to resist Euro 7 in its inital form. The draft Euro 7 regulation now only proposes bringing diesel cars into line with those for petrol cars in existing Euro 6 law. Standards for petrol cars will be unchanged. The ECs disowning of its own experts, will put almost 100m highly polluting cars on to Europe's roads in the next decade. Money doesn't just talk, it screams its head off!

Seeing the Changes 1723

More fungi in Loughor. Excellent weather for ducks!

Philosophically Speaking?

Philosopher, Julian Baggini, rightly points out that reasonably well-heeled UK folk could afford to keep their central heating systems on, in spite of the 'energy and cost of living crises'. It's seems rather unkind, however, to label all comfortable individuals, who turn their heating systems down or off, as 'vacuously posturing thriftifarians' (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/17/prices-cost-of-living-crisis-unequal-british-society). Baggini is, of course, emphasising that comfortably off folk have a full range of choices, whereas poorer people are having to decide between eating and heating. A number of his despised 'thriftifarians', however, maintain that they have felt morally compelled to make a contribution to energy saving. Such folk appreciate that the effects of what they are doing is tiny. They point out, however, that they a) intend to show solidarity with folk who have less/no choice; b) have been urged by bodies such as offgem to save energy; c) hope their actions will help force energy prices down and d) feel they are reducing their impact on global heating. Unless they are going on to social media to overtly advertise their moral superiority, Baggini should give them the benefit of the doubt. Afterall, nothing looks worse than rich folk exultating over their power by flaunting their 'superior' opportunities (e.g the so-called 'jet set'). Because you can, doesn't always mean you should do it?

Bringing It All Back Home?

An Atlantic temperate rainforest once covered much of the west coasts of Britain and Ireland. That forest thrived in the prevailing wet and mild conditions of those locations. Only fragments of the rainforest still exist but, what are the chances of bringing it back? (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/21/exclusive-lost-rainforest-could-be-revived-across-20-of-great-britain). Britain's Atlantic temperate rainforest once covered 20% of the terrain. Human activity has, however, reduced the rainforest to a fragment of less than 1%. Pockets of the rainforest currently survive in the Brecon Beacons of Wales and Dartmoor's Ausewell wood. There's a suggestion that Britain's Atlantic temperate rainforest could be reconstituted. This is a nice idea but sadly it's unlikely. The UK's current (and future?) government hardly makes spending on environmental issues a priority (to put it mildly). The change would cost a lot of money. It's also more than possible that, the wet but mild characeteristics of the designated area, will fail to persist. Climate change could easily rule this out!

Apt Aposematism's Artful Aid

One might wonder why animals, that might be easy prey for other beasts, would adopt bright colours, making them highly conspicuous. This is often the result of a process termed aposematism. Such animals advertise 'reasons' for the predator to leave it well alone. An nice example is provided by the garish orange and black larvae of the day-flying Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobeae). Its caterpillars feed on toxic Ragwort, incorporating the plant's poisons into their issues. Conveniently, the larval clutch operates as a 'family group. If a bird tries to eat one, it will leave the caterpillar's kin alone, increasing their chances of survival. There can, of course be other devices employed to deter predators. These include the sting of the Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), advertised by its striking black and yellow coloration. Sometimes, neither poisons nor stings are employed. The bizzare froghopper, Cecopis vulnerata, appears to be merely claiming a difficulty to catch (and not really being worth the effort)! It's not, however, only insects that employ aposematism. The Blue poison arrow frog (Dendrobates azureus) effectively advertises the neurotoxins produced in its skin. These secretions were used by South American 'indians' to tip their hunting arrows and darts. These projectiles were then used to bring down monkeys and other large prey, Many frogs, toads and some reptiles employ aposematic coloration. There are, of course, mimics, who advertise a supposedly dangerous nature, without spending resources on developing/incorporating poison or developing a sting. In a sense, such mimics are parasites of aposematic species. The mimic benefits by copying the aposematic animal's coloration but, by doing so, reduces the effectiveness of that basic 'message'.

Birder's Bonus 219

Activity at Loughor estuary.

Another Offence by England's Privatised Water Companies?

Some of England's privatised Water Companies have routinely boosted their profits by discharging untreated sewage into the rivers and seas. The money was immediately directed to shareholders and as bonuses for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). Relatively little was directed to the needed fixing of water leaks and improvement of systems. Sadly, it now appears that some of these Water Companies are in financial difficulties (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/19/english-water-firms-finances-concern-interest-rates-rise-big-debts-says-expert). The Water Companies, not being content with only polluting the environment, also mortgaged much of 'their' property. This served to further boost shareholder dividends and provide bonuses/'golden hellos' for CEOs. These same Water Companies are now finding it difficult to pay the dramatically increased interest rates on their loans. This further confirmation that England's privatised Water Companies never existed to provide an essential service. They were mainly created, as money-making devices. Selling off monopolies was never a good idea!

Seeing the Changes 1722

Parts of Bynea looked like a golf course, with lots of Common earthballs (Scleroderma citrinum).

Ocean's 90%?

More than 90% of heat generated by adding 'greenhouse gases' to the atmosphere, finishes up in the planet's oceans (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/18/amount-of-ocean-heat-found-to-be-accelerating-and-fuelling-extreme-weather-events). Heat energy is now accumulatng faster in the seas, as well as going deeper. In deed, the top 2 kilometres of water are currently heating at twice the speed seen in the 1960s. This, naturally, accelerates the rise in sea level. It also powers extreme weather events and endangers marine ecosystems. Climate change doesn't just have a negative impact on we land-based organisms!

What Do You Think of It So Far? Rubbish!

Criminal gangs, dumping illegal waste costs the UK almost £925m per year. In spite of this, the relatively paltry fines are currently treated by the dumpers as a 'business expense' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/19/uk-governments-approach-to-waste-close-to-decriminalisation-fly-tipping). Disposing of waste legally requires paying fees. People illegally dumping waste avoid these disposal charges. They have, however, every chance of avoiding prosecution as there are relatively few people 'policing' illegal dumping. If fly-tippers are caught, they are also likely to receive a modest fine, rather than a prison sentence (these are exceedingly rare). The government's current approach to fly-tipping and waste crime has been judged by experts to be 'close to decriminalisation'. It seems odd to largely allow this activity, especially at the time of a 'cost of living crisis'!

Starry, Starry Night?

Following the tomato soup 'attack' by two 'Just Stop Oil' protestors, George Monbiot poses the question "Do we really care more about van Gogh's sunflowers than real ones?" (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/19/van-gogh-sunflowers-just-stop-oil-tactics). The tomato soup never represented a real threat to van Gogh's painting (for which he received only a paltry reward in his life time), as it was protected by armoured glass. The 'Just Stop Oil' campaigners knew this. Monbiot says, however, that the 'attck' seemed to "horrify some people more than the collapse of our planet which these campaigners are trying to prevent". He points out that the planet's climate is rapidly approaching disterous tipping points. Suggestions by the UK's current (at the time of writing) Home Secretary, that protest must be conducted in a 'civilised manner' gets short shrift. Monbiot notes that the UK has legislated to stop all meaningful protest. Protestors can be jailed (in some cases, for twice the duration of causing bodily harm) for obstructing two or more people; producing too much noise or even associating (or planning to associate) with other known demonstators. The government itself seems intent on encouraging more oil and gas exploration. Perhaps throwing soup on a well-known painting is one of the few remaining ways of getting some media attention?