Some of My Favourite Pictures of Reptiles

Pictures of reptiles. Some wild in various parts of the world. Others in aquaria, collections or zoos.

Paris? On S'en Fout!

In 2015, signatories to the Paris Accord, aimed to limit global heating to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Centigrade above pre-Industrial levels. One point five was 'guesstimated' to be the highest 'safe' level of human-mediated climate change, our populations could tolerate. Since that date, French banks have poured more than $150bn into fossil fuel companies. This amount is markedly bigger than any funding given to 'carbon bomb' generators by any other European country (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/31/france-carbon-bomb-projects-banks-fossil-fuels-climate). French banks really don't care about the Paris Accord! Profits are the only game in town.

A Dusty Answer?

A group in Belgium have modelled the impact of the Chicxulub asteroid strike. This strike led to the extinction of 75% of all species around at that time, including the non-avian dinosaurs. The computer model suggests dust caused the mass extinction (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/oct/30/dust-drove-dinosaurs-extinction-after-asteroid-impact-scientists-say). Deposits suggest that circa 2,000bn tonnes of dust was driven high into the Earth's atmosphere. The model suggests that some of this dust remained aloft for up to 15 years. This would block the sunlight and, for around 2 years, there would be no photosynthesis to produce the plants needed to feed herbivores. The planet would also be notably cooler (bad news for all 'standard' 'cold-blooded' reptiles). Without the herbivores, large carnivores would also starve. It seems likely that dust did for the dinosaurs!

Plants We Used To Use 56. Spring squill

The dried bulb of Spring squill (Scilla verna) has been used as rat poison and also as a cardiac stimulant and expectorant.

Plants We Used To Use 55. Meadow clary

Meadow clary (Sativa pratensis) has been used a flavouring in beers and wine.

Putting a Fox in the Chicken Coop?

The UK government's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) select committee's job is, holding the Environment Secretary to account on nature and environmental targets. Its current chair also heads the Conservative Friends of the Countryside. This seems a conflict of interest (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/28/sir-robert-goodwill-tory-environment-select-committee-chair-told-to-quit-over-ties-to-lobby-group). The Conservative Friends of the Countryside is a pro fox hunting and shooting consortium. It advocates, for example, halting beaver release. Conservative Friends of the Countryside also wants to continue the burning of peatland, in spite of these being important carbon sinks. This right-wing consortium also favours the continued use of neonicotinoid pesticides, although their detrimental effects on bees and other pollinators are well-documented. Conservative Friends of the Countryside even wants to reverse the current ban on importing hunting trophies from endangered animals. This body has been notably silent on the catastrophic state of English flood defences, for which the Environment Secretary has direct responsibility (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/30/more-than-4000-english-flood-defences-almost-useless-analysis-finds ). Under its present chairmanship, it appears very unlikely that Efra will even attempt to improve the current dismal performances of the under-funded Environment, Food and Rural Affairs body and the Environment Secretary. A man with two hats?

No Biting of the Hand That Feeds Them?

The Dublin Declaration of Scientists on the Societal Role of Livestock was produced in 2022. It had more than 1000 signatures, supporting meat production and consumption. This declaration targeted European Union officials, considering new legislation on environmental and human health issues (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/27/revealed-industry-figures-declaration-scientists-backing-meat-eating). Most of the signatories have turned out to be researchers in animal, agricultural and food sciences. One could say they have vested interests. One author of the declaration has gone as far as declaring that veganism is "an eating disorder, requiring psychological treatment". So, no a hint of bias there!

Some of My Favourite Pictures of Dragonflies

Dragonfly pictures from the UK and Sikkim (NE India).