Porkie Pies aka Lies

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is a non-ministerial body, overseen by the Department of Health and Social Care. Leaks, from workers at an as yet unnamed meat supplier, have revealed that imported pork has been missold as 'British' by that company. British pork, with its higher animal welfare standards, commands a higher price. Even worse, these whistleblowers claim that rotten meat has been mixed in with more palatable pork. Coming to you, in a ready meal, quiche or a sandwich from ASDA, Coop, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons or Tesco! This appears to be the biggest UK food scandal since the horsemeat-for-beef saga. The FSA has been threatened with tightened governmental control. The agency 'might' be brought under the control of the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/30/rotten-pork-sold-in-uk-may-lead-to-tighter-control-of-food-safety-body-fsa). It's difficult to see how such a move would make it anymore likely that the FSA could prevent all food fraud. DEFRA has not recently effectively fulfilled its own current responsibilities. The body has a very poor record in terms of preventing the privatised English water companies releasing raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters. It's also not very effective in terms of preventing the persecution of protected species. DEFRA's record in flood and drought prevention might best be called 'patchy'. It already receives too little money to do its required tasks effectively. The 'threat' appears to be just noise. Another ham sandwich?

He, Who Pays the Piper, Calls the Tune!

The UK government has devised a 'cunning plan' for it to reach carbon zero by 2050. It only did so, however, after losing a case in the High Court. This 'climate plan', has not been generally greeted enthusiastically by scientists. Most experts think that fossil fuels need to be rapidly phased out, to get anywhere near limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees Centigrade. In total constrast, the government plan argues, that oil and gas extraction must be intensified, to 'maintain energy security'. They say this can be safely done, as carbon capture and storage will remove extra emissions (very unlikely),'green' mini nuclear reactors, supplied with imported radioactive fuel, will be built and hydrogen-based technologies developed, largely eliminating carbon dioxide release (it depends how the hydrogen is generated). Naturally, solar and wind power are viewed as playing an increasing role but electricity, generated in these ways, will lose its subsidies (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/mar/30/half-baked-half-hearted-critics-ridicule-uk-long-awaited-climate-strategy). Perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised at the tone of the government's 'smoke and mirrors' climate plan? The climate website, DeSmog, used parliament records to establish the sources of donations to the ruling party. Strangely, £3.5m was from entities linked to fossil fuels, high polluting industries and climate change deniers (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/30/tory-partys-35m-dirty-donations-revealed-by-desmog-analysis). As they say, 'he who pays the piper, calls the tune'.

The Bottom Drops Out of British Butterflies

The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme has looked at the data for 2022. Common species, like the Small white; Small tortoiseshell; Peacock; Green-veined white and Brimstone had good or average numbers in the Spring and early Summer of that year. Their late Summer broods were, however, greatly reduced (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/30/fears-for-uk-butterfly-numbers-after-die-off-in-2022-heatwave). There was a widespread drought in late Summer of 2022, killing many of the food plants used by butterfly larvae. Adult butterfly numbers were consequently reduced, making population rebounds in 2023 highly unlikely. One must emphasise that butterflies are bright, easily observed, day-flying insects. Declines in their numbers are very obvious to numerous butterfly enthusiasts. Damage to other populations of insect pollinators will, however, be much less obvious. Insectageddon (a general loss of insect species) is happening and climate change is an exacerbating factor in this phenomenon.

Seeing the Changes 1759

Botanical action in Bynea. Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) arrowing up. Spanish bluebell (Endymion hispanicus); Lords and ladies (Arum maculatum) and Shining cranesbill (Geranium lucidum) were coming into/in flower.

Seeing the Changes 1758

In Loughor, Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is just coming into flower.

Plastic Life Cycles and Human Consequences

A study, reported in Annals of Global Health, analyses the hazards, associated with plastics, across their entire life cycles. This life cycle can be from extraction of hydrocarbons, through manufacture, to their dumping in landfill and oceans. Plastics are responsible for wide-ranging health impacts in humans, including cancers, lung disease and birth defects (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/29/plastics-cause-wide-ranging-health-issues-from-cancer-to-birth-defects-landmark-study-finds). The study notes the existence of deep societal injustices associated with plastics-generated hazards. Poorer people are more exposed to these hazards than richer folk. Plastic waste has low global rates of recovery and recycling. Such waste also persists in the environment for extended periods. Coal miners, oil workers and gas field operatives extract the fossil fuels, used in the manufacture of plastics. They, along with plastics production workers, are especially at risk of the health hazards associated with these ubiquitous materials. One might also add the folk associated with recycling, to this list, especially if it involves chemical processes.

(Water) Butt Heads?

Folk in England and Wales use more water per head, than counterparts in other European countries. In 2021, for example, Brits used circa 152 litres of water per day. People in France, Germany and Spain, in contrast, used between 120 and 130 litres per day. Climate change clearly urgently requires people in England and Wales to reduce water consumption. The UK government regulator, Ofwat, suggest this might be facilitated by applying cheaper water rates to people in England and Wales, who install water butts (to catch rainwater)/resist the temptation to pave over their front gardens (to park cars) (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/28/uk-water-saving-bills-ofwat). Affinity Water, provider of drinking water across SE England, is also currently trialling a scheme of 1,500 pre-selected households. They are looking at the possibility of 'dynamically charging' households on water useage. Households using less water would be charged at a lower rate. Affinity Water expect 66% of households in their trial to end up paying smaller water bills than is currently the case. This can be a carrot to reduce water useage. Let's hope there is no stick. Having achieved a reduction in daily useage, England and Wales' privatised water companies could subsequently increase their charges/litre, simply to maintain their profits. Just reflecting on their normal modus operandi.

The Oiling of Brownsea Island

Brownsea Island was the location where Baden-Powell started the Boy Scout movement. It's now an Internationally-important wetland and marine conservation zone. It has woodlands, a brackish lagoon, salt marsh and two freshwater lakes. The oil leaked from the Perenco pipeline into Poole Harbour, has now started to wash up on the Northern and Western shores of Brownsea Island (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/28/poole-harbour-oil-spill-washes-up-on-wildlife-haven-brownsea-island). The Poole Harbour Commissioners have noted that 60 km of shoreline has had to be cleaned after this oil spill. Helicopters and drones, as well as boat and shore patrol,s have had to be activated. Oiled sea birds are still being found, in spite of this extraordinary level of emergency provision.

A Green and Plastic Land?

Having a 'pristine' lawn, seems to be something of a UK obsession. A survey by the Insurance Company, Aviva, found that 10% of UK homeowners, with outside space, had replaced at least some of it, with artificial grass. Artificial grass is marketed as an 'attractive', low maintenance alternative to the British lawn. Bizzarely, some companies even claim that artificial grass is a 'green' alternative. They argue it doesn't require feeding, cutting or disposal of organic waste (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/mar/29/it-would-survive-nuclear-armageddon-the-rise-and-fall-of-plastic-lawns). There are, however, actually no good reasons for using artificial grass. Firstly, it's largely made using recycled car tyres. Microplastics consequently leach into the environment. Other artificial grass emissions may even cause health issues. Secondly, it clearly exacerbates the impact of flash flooding by largely preventing the absorption of rainwater. Thirdly and rather obviously, artificial grass doesn't help counter climate change, by absorbing carbon dioxide. In deed, its manufacture, may actually increase emissions. Fourthly, and most importantly, artificial grass wrecks soil and supports zero wild life. The UK has seen dramatic declines in its insect life. The spread of this 'sterile' (except when dog faeces need to be removed) material seems to be largely a consequence of a lack of imagination and laziness. One can only hope that people will stop using artificial grass.

Not Knowing Which Way the Wind Blows

Its advisory, cross-party Climate Change Committee (CCC), opines that the UK is 'strikingly unprepared' to deal with imminent global heating impacts. It says urgent action is needed to protect people; their homes and livelihoods from climate change-mediated disruptions. The CCC believes, however, that, in spite of the obvious urgency, the last 10 years have been largely wasted (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/29/uk-strikingly-unprepared-impacts-climate-crisis). Priorities, the CCC say must include heat-proofing buildings and reducing water supply leaks. The latter are, of course, largely the responsibility of the UK's privatised water companies. For decades, they have focused on their profits rather than on fixing pipelines. Perhaps, a little gentle compulsion is needed? In addition, the UK needs to prepare to deal with increasing numbers of flash flood events. Extreme weather events will become more common and more intense. The UK will also face shortages of food and other imports, as climate change disrupts other countries (we have already seen this, with abrupt loss salad imports from Morocco). The CCC remind the government of the truism, that early preparation for dealing with challenges, is always more effective. Our leaders know, however, that there's always manana.

These Mammoth Meatballs Ain't So Big!

Vow Foods is an Australian company, specialising in culturing meats in the laboratory. Most companies, operating in this general area, use cells from beef, chicken and pork, when producing their products. This delivers meat with neither the need to occupy grazing land nor to slaughter. In contrast, Vow Foods have explored 'exotic' animal sources for their meats. They have looked at numerous fish species, crocodile, kangaroo, alpaca, buffalo, peacock and Japanese quail. Vow Foods have even produced a meatball from cells obtained from the extinct Woolly mammoth. The company claim their prime motivation is to move people away from killing animals to obtain tasty meats (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/28/meatball-mammoth-created-cultivated-meat-firm). Laboratory-production of mammoth meatballs has, of course, no animal welfare benefits. Extinct animals are, by definition, subjected to neither husbandry nor slaughter. Vow Foods' real unique selling point seems to be persuading rich folk to part with serious wads of cash, in order to experience exotic meats. Admitting you ate a 'simple' chicken dish, sounds so banal, when you could boast to your friends you feasted on mammoth! Animal welfare is clearly not the real point of thie exercise.

Seeing the Changes 1757

In Loughor, collections of what looked like Macro mushrooms (Agaricus urinascens).

'Highway Man' Prepayment Meters?

Prepayment meters require users to 'hand over' their cash, before they receive any electricity or gas. Such meters are the least economic way of paying for energy. The UK is currently experiencing a 'cost of living crisis'. Many of its poorer folk, are finding it difficult to both eat and heat. Some homes have essential medical equipment, draining energy, to keep people alive. In spite of these considerations, UK energy companies have used court-obtained warrants, to forcibly install prepayment meters in homes. In 2022, 94,000 meters were forcibly installed. Most were placed in the homes of poor people. Sometimes, gaining access to properties to install the meter, appeared to be obtained by very dubious means (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/mar/27/uk-energy-firms-forcibly-installed-prepayment-meters). Given repeated news of extensive delays in the UK's legal system, its remarkable how quickly batches of warrants were obtained. The worst offending UK energy companies, in this 'march of the prepayment meters', were Scottish Power and British Gas. 'Stand and deliver!' Nothing must obstruct our record profits!

Defusing the Human 'Population Bomb'?

A new study has been commissioned by the Club of Rome. It predicts that by 2050, at current trends, the world's human population will reach a high of 'only' 8.8 billion. Subsequently, that total should, the report feels, rapidly decline (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/27/world-population-bomb-may-never-go-off-as-feared-finds-study). The Club of Rome study also suggests a lower human population peak could be reached earlier. This would require, however, all governments to raise both average incomes and education levels. This apparent failure of the population bomb 'to explode' seems, at first glance, good news for our planet's environment. Climate change might be limited, as well as pollution and biodiversity losses being reduced. The current world population of humans is a 'mere' 7.8 billion. The Earth is already seriously stressed by these folk. Humans do not, however, exert equal environmental impacts. Excessive consumptions/emissions by wealthy individuals, are clearly prime causes of our planet's environmental problems. Even if the total world population of humans never reaches once-feared levels, the privilaged will always be with us.

Slick Talk in Deepest Dorset

Poole Harbour (Dorset in SW England) is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This location has many important protected species of birds and other beasties. Wytch Farm, within Poole Harbour, is also the UK's largest onshore oil field. This oil field has been in operation for decades. A pipeline, operated by gas company, Perenco, has just leaked 200 barrels of 'reservoir fluid' into Poole Harbour (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/26/poole-harbour-major-incident-declared-over-leak-from-oil-field). 'Reservoir fluid' is 'only' 15% oil and the slick is being contained. There are booms and cleaning processes available in the area. It's still worrying, however, that 'accidents' like this, can and do happen in a long-established fossil fuel extraction process, within an environmentally-protected location. It emphasises the environmental dangers of oil and gas extraction taking place in less well-supported areas of the globe (like the 'Willow' project?). Mitigation systems are not available everywhere.

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul?

England's South-East is permanently threatened by water shortages. The UK has one of Europe's highest levels of household water consumption. In spite of this, the UK government has ruled out compulsory water metering (even in locations, with a long and growing history of water shortages). Since their creation, England's privatised Water Companies have generally failed to invest in water security. The UK's last reservoir was completed in 1992, shortly after but planned before, privatisation. Three new reservoirs are currently planned but none of these are in the Thames region. Thames Water (serving London), as the name suggests, gets much of its water from the river Thames. Like the rest of England's water companies, Thames Water 'self-regulates', when it takes water from rivers and aquifers. This means it can take as much water as it likes and doesn't have to report the amount extracted. What would happen to London's water, if the Thames ran dry? George Monbiot details a wholly inappropriate engineering scheme, planned by Thames Water (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/23/h20-scheme-water-severn-thames-hs2-england). The West of England and Wales, receive more rainfall than the South-East. Thames Water consequently want to build a 90 km pipeline, from the River Severn in Gloucestershire to the Thames. When their local river levels become low, Thames Water would pump 500m litres per day from the Severn. Interestingly, this is only a little less than the circa 635m litres Thames Water loses in leakage each day. Making 500m litres of water available to pump daily would, however, require diverting current supplies to North-West England (Liverpool and Manchester), Worcester and Birmingham, into the Severn. This would clearly be robbing Peter to pay Paul. And that's without even mentioning the dire environmental consequences to rivers, wetlands, fish stocks etc over an extensive UK area. Rather than focussing on rewarding its shareholders and CEO, Thames Water should be using its money to put things right 'in its own backyard'. Going some way to fixing the highest leakage in England and building local means of conserving water would be sensible starts.

The Honey Trap

Profiteers often adulterate honey, with cheap sugar syrup. The public can consequently be sold inferior 'honey'. Artisan bee keepers are, of course, put at a financial disadvantage. It's currently impossible to prove that honey has been adulterated. Measuring sugar concentrations can, however, raise suspicions. The European Union's (EU) Food Fraud Network arranged to test 320 EU-purchased 'honey samples'. One hundred and forty-seven (almost 50%) had 'suspicious' sugar concentrations (https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/mar/26/uk-honey-fails-authenticity-test). The 18 countries of the EU, support its Food Fraud Network. After Brexit, the UK ceased any such involvement. Ten samples of 'UK' honey, sold in the EU, were, however, included in the Food Fraud Network tests. All 10 appeared adulterated with sugar syrup. In 2022, the UK imported 38,000 tonnes of honey, mostly from China. Such imported honey is then blended, repackaged and sometimes re-exported. Blended honey, from more than one country, actually doesn't have to reveal its origins. This is, presumably, how the 10 'UK' samples, arrived for sale, in the EU. Pooh bear would be horrified.

You Know It's Bad Law When.......?

UK lawyers are traditionally required to accept cases 'without fear or favour'. They generally operate, just like cabbies at the taxi rank, taking the next in line. Jolyon Maughan KC (Director of the Good Law Project) and circa another 100 lawyers have, however, signed a declaration. They will neither act for companies developing new fossil fuel projects nor help prosecute others protesting to try to stop them (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/24/100-lawyers-prosecute-climate-protesters-laws-planet-criminalise). Maughan suggests that that would be supporting laws defending individuals intent on destroying our planet whilst criminalising those trying to protect the destruction. This must make the declaration's signatories the 'lefty lawyers', we are repeatedly warned about by right-wing media and certain vacuous politicians. These signatories, however, actually seem to be folk who recognise bad law when they see it. Unlike most lawyers, they are not prepared to 'sue, grabbit and runne'. Neither will they take big retainers from the well-heeled pro-destruction lobby. Lawyers with a conscience? They actually exist.

Tucking In?

UK surgeons suggest that increases in slimming jabs, might well result in more people subsequently travelling overseas, to remove their surplus skin (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/25/slimming-jabs-overseas-trips-to-remove-excess-skin-uk-surgeons-warn). Liraglutide and Semaglutide are both being made available on the UK's National Health Service (NHS). Weekly injections of these compounds, suppresses appetite and can reduce people's weight by more than 10%. After the Covid19 pandemic and strikes, the NHS has a considerable work backlog. Tummy tucks and other largely cosmetic procedures, are not seen as priorities. People might consequently have to travel abroad for private treatments, to remove unsightly folds of skin. This could result in more work for the NHS, if people come back with infections or botched operations.

Seeing the Changes 1756

In Bynea, spotted another Bombus lapidarius whilst a small Hymenopteran (a sawfly?) fed on Dandelions.

Seeing the Changes 1755

In Loughor, a dark fungus appeared on lawns. Ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) flowered and spotted my earliest Bombus lapidarius of the year also in that location.

Green Day Mutates to Greenwash Day

The new, now trustworthy, UK government planned 30th March 2023 as its 'Green Day'. This Green Day was intended to provide an opportunity for government flesh-out its net zero plans. Green experts and campaigners have been 'astounded' to suddenly be told, the event has been rebranded as 'Energy Security Day' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/24/uk-government-launch-revamped-net-zero-strategy-oil-gas-capital-aberdeen). 'Energy Security Day' will be held in Aberdeen, the centre of the UK's oil and gas industries. It appears to be full-on 'greenwash'. Oil and gas companies will be able to release as much methane as they like, into the atmosphere. They will not have to stop flaring gas by 2025. The regulator, Ofgen, will have no new powers, to include net zero targets in its regulation of the energy sector. There will be no nationwide target to improve UK home insulation. Housebuilders will not have to fit rooftop solar panels on new-build homes. A massive new oilfield (Rosebank) will be licenced, to delight the petrochemical giants. Both carbon capture/storage and hydrogen power will be supported. Unfortunately, neither carbon capture/storage nor using hydrogen power, have yet been proved to be effective at scale. They should call the day what it really is :'Dropping Net Zero and Pandering to Big Oil and Builders Day'

Revisiting the Lockdown Sagas?

It's now almost three years since the UK's first Covid19 lockdown. Arguments about the effectiveness of this (and other) attempts to limit the spread of this virus continue to swirl. Devi Sridhar (University of Edinburgh) maintains that, although many people would like to forget the trauma, we have to learn from the experience, if we are to do better next time (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/23/covid-britain-locked-down-three-years-trauma). Sridhar notes that no country/state did nothing. She suggests we can learn, from what worked and what didn't work. Sridhar thinks Japan provided evidence, that face masks limited viral spread, especially on public transport. South Korea proved that, testing and tracing, combined with supported isolation, limited Covid19 deaths. Denmark established that, using large, well-ventilated spaces (like arenas), facilitated an early return to school/university teaching. New Zealand, benefiting from its relative isolation, employed clear and effective messaging for its public. Norway proved that moving, early to prepare and contain outbreaks, reduced the later need for harsher lockdowns. The UK's quick roll out of vaccines and prioritising of vulnerable groups, was also a success story. Sridhar maintains that, pitting the needs of the young against those of the old, was always deeply unhelpful. There's actually no way of consigning these two cohorts, to different worlds. She also thinks attempts, by some folk, to downplay the severity of Covid19 was/is profoundly wrong. Covid19 is neither like a bad cold nor is it a hoax. Implying that people/children, with underlaying health conditions, have lives that matter less than those of the rest of 'society' is also wholly inappropriate. Richard Seymour agrees that the costs of lockdown were severe. He notes, however, that most people thought suspending capitalism for a while, even at some cost to income, social lives and mental health, was appropriate and necessary (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/23/lockdown-sceptics-history-academics-left-covid ). The lockdown story is now, however, being rewritten by sceptics. Seymour thinks this is a wholly predictable response from the political right. What he finds weird, however, is that some folk ostensibly on the political left, are also using what he calls gross hyperbole and fact distortion, to attack the very concept of lockdowns. Attacking lockdowns seems to attract publicity. Perhaps it sells books?

Fungi Out to Get Us?

The US Centers for Disease and Protection reported a concerning rise, between 2018 and 2021, in Candida auris infections in American healthcare facilities (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/21/candida-auris-symptoms-fungal-infection-skin). Candida auris is a potentially-dangerous fungal infection, producing high fevers and chills in infected patients. A Candida auris infection is, however, only generally confirmed, after patients have been treated with antibiotics. This rules out the possibility of a potential bacterial infection. Worryingly, an increasing number of these Candida auris infections, are proving resistant to treatments with echinocandins. Echinocandins are the drugs used to counter fungal infections. Humans are now threatened by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, antibody-resistant viruses and echinocandin-resistant fungi! That's unfortunately what happens when drug treatments are given. Only resistant organisms are selected to carry on the line.

Forevers May Not Be Forever?

Per and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances (PFASs) are the so-called 'forever chemicals'. PFASs are a large family of synthetic chemicals, commercially used to make products stick-, stain- and/or water-resistant. Treated products include carpets, clothing, fire-fighting foam, fast-food packaging and even some cosmetics. PFASs are called 'forever chemicals', as they are not broken down by normal environmental processes. As a consequence, PFAss have now become almost ubiquitous, being found, for example, in global rainwater samples, UK drinking water etc. Worryingly, PFASs have been linked to a variety of human health conditions, including cancers. Goodness knows what impact these PFASs have on wild animals and plants. Several governments have specified legal limits for PFASs and/or banned these substances from certain products (Canada don't allow them in cosmetics). Researchers at the University of British Columbia appear to have made progress in developing a technology for the destruction of environmental PFASs (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/22/canada-toxic-forever-chemicals-pfas-researchers). The Columbia group have developed a new silica-based material with the ability to absorb a wide range of harmful chemicals, including PFASs. They have also developed new techniques to break these absorbed materials apart. Perhaps PFASs have just lost their eternal nature?