Too Eager For Beavers?

In the UK, the European beaver was driven to extinction, by the early 16th Century. Recent reintroductions of this dam-building rodent, have confirmed, however, that its presence can have environmental benefits. Beavers may help prevent flooding; often create scarce freshwater habitats for other species and even improve local water quality. 'Beaver bombing' (covertly releasing this rodent into the wild), seems now, however, to be a growing phenomenon (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/29/beavers-transform-devons-river-otter-but-how-did-they-get-there). This 'beaver bombing', appears a response to a perceived Wildlife Trust belief that the UK government has failed to approve timely releases. One can understand the frustrations. Releases, however, need to be carried out with care and individually evaluated. Some reintroductions could increase disease transmission or conflict between these highly territorial animals. Some release locations may also be inappropriate, in terms of not providing suitable habitats or endangering other protected species. Much has changed, in more than 400 years! Sometimes, introductions can have unexpected consequences.

Here's Looking At You?

A wide variety of invertebrates employ deimatic (startle) responses. Patterns, that often look like eyes, are assumed to deter potential predators! Flashes of colour may also serve the same function.

Shock, Horror! Privatised Water Company May Run Dry.

Thames Water is England's largest privatised water company. It's now claiming to the regulator that, without an almost 60% bill increase for its users, it's 'neither financeable nor investible'. What they really mean, of course, it that they want the users to pay for all Thames Water's mandatory infrastructural improvements (https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/aug/28/thames-water-says-without-steep-bill-increase-its-neither-financeable-nor-investible). Privatisation of state-owned services was claimed to improve efficiencies. Privatising water was, however, always a big mistake. It essentially created monopolies for the provision of clean drinking water and safe treatment of sewage. Things that people cannot decide not to 'buy'. The only increased efficiencies shown by England's privatised water companies, seems to be in converting their profits into rewards for shareholders and CEOs. Even worse, profits appear to have been maximised, in some cases, by illegally pumping out sewage into rivers and coastal waters. These 'profits' included money that could and should have been spent on infrastructural improvements. The improvements should have been made decades ago. It would be another mistake to bail Thames Water out. It's by no means certain they've suddenly become solid, reliable providers of essential services. Some things have to be nationalised.

Nationalise Climate Change Campaigning?

This is a rather 'tongue-in-cheek' article by George Monbiot (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/28/dear-ministers-i-am-a-climate-crisis-campaigner-nationalise-me-right-now). He's really just pointing out the nature of the excessively uneven contest in the UK between climate crisis campaigners and opposing 'lobby' groups. Folk who want to carry on doing things that will lead to climate collapse (petrochemical extractors, airlines, steel makers etc.) are very much richer than the climate campaigners. The former's wealth naturally gives them vast opportunities to 'buy' political influence; to employ teams of lawyers to attack 'opponents'; to set up 'thinktanks'; to purchase advertising etc. Recent UK law changes, have also mean't that many non-violent activities of protest (e.g. slow marching and 'locking on'), can (and do) lead to long prison sentences/large fines for campaigners. Monbiot suggests that folk, in general, will always continue to be frequent flyers, drivers of massive SUVs, eaters of large steaks etc., when government doesn't legislate, to enourage them to stop. He thinks that government, knowing that climate change is a real problem, can't leave campaigners, with both hands tied behind their backs, to drive home the necessary, urgent message. Nationalisation, of course, won't happen. Why risk a backlash from wealthy 'drivers' of the economy?

Human Brains Don't All Operate in the Same Fashion?

What goes on in other people's heads has been a mystery to us all. Lacking direct evidence, we have tended to assume our brains must operate in a common fashion. Science writer Sadie Dingfelder, however, found that her recall mechanism was very different from that of her friends (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/27/sensory-memory-inner-life). Dingfelder explored the situation. She noted that some specialists define two memory mechanisms. Episodic memories are triggered by particular senses, including sight, smell and touch. Semantic memories are a relatively 'dry', recalling of 'facts'. Dingfelder also draws attention to the existence of folk with what's called Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM). HSAMers rely very heavily on episodic memory. They have a profound 'mind's eye', where things they see, trigger graphic recall of previous events. In such individuals, particular smells and touch sensations, can do the same. Other folk are labelled as having Severely Deficient Autobiographical Memory (SDAM). SDAMers rely very heavily on sematic memories. So-called 'neurotypical' people, fall on a spectrum between HSAM and SDAM. These extremes are not 'disorders'. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. I, have no 'mind's eye'. I don't have visual dreams and tend to 'live in the present'. Apparently, however, I'm less likely to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder than an HSAMer. I've also encountered what seems like a relatively high incidence of SDAMers in my scientific community. Perhaps we are less susceptible to 'flights of fancy'? Such neuro-variation may be of benefit to the species.

Can't Pay: Won't Pay!

Since 1980, sea surface temperatures in the South-West Pacific have risen three times faster than the global average. The number of marine heatwaves have also doubled in frequency in that time. Rising sea levels threaten low-laying island nations. In spite of being very vulnerable to anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change, the Pacific island nations, make little contribution to 'greenhouse gas' emissions. At the Pacific Island Forum, the UN chief will make what's becoming a routine plea for a 'massive' increase in finance and support for countries most threatened by rising sea levels (https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/27/a-crisis-entirely-of-humanitys-making-un-chief-issues-climate-sos-on-trip-to-pacific). Equity (fairness) is a major issue in debates about who should pay to counter the climate crisis. One of the oddities of climate change, is that its drivers and its victims sit in different 'boxes'. Forty-nine percent of 'greenhouse gas' emissions, are generated by the world's richest 10%. Even within that 10%, there are, of course, some mega emitters. These are the billionaires with multiple homes, private jets and super yachts. The poorest 50% (around 4 billion) of folk, only generate around 10% of emissions. Many of that richest 10%, are prepared, however, to argue, they can't afford to pay to clean up what's essentially their own mess. This isn't equity!

Seeing the Changes 2091

Lots of Common darters (Sympetrum striolatum) basking at WWT Llanelli's Millennium Wetland.

A Stinging Effect on Spain's Beaches?

Between May and August 2024, almost 7,500 folk were medically treated for jellyfish stings on Spain's Costa Brava. This is a more than 40% increase on the numbers for 2023. This increase has been routinely linked to an impact of climate change on coelenterate reproduction (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/24/spain-costa-brava-beaches-closed-invasion-jellyfish-sea-temperature-warming-climate-change-stings). It's not easy, however, to absolutely link medical treatment of jellyfish stings, to climate change. The apparently increased numbers of stinging jellyfish, may have been brought to the beaches by changing patterns of wind direction and/or sea currents. Tourists may also have been 'spooked' by the reported appearance of 'deadily' Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalia) on the beaches. Portuguese man o' war are actually colonies, rather an individual jellyfish. Their being sighted, however, may make it more likely for folk by any organism, to seek medical attention. Many jellyfish stings are unpleasant but hardly life-threatening.

Cutting Down Plastic Waste By Using- Plastic?

Plastic waste is a considerable environmental problem. Plastics are made from petrochemicals, where drilling releases methane, a potent 'greenhouse gas'. Burning them in waste, releases carbon dioxide, another climate changer. Dumping plastics also gives rise to potentially hazardous microplastics. Most people, in developed countries, currently receive their hot or cold drinks in disposable cups. Enormous numbers are used. A trial is underway in Petaluma (near San Francisco, California), to see if serving drinks in purple, plastic, returnable cups, can reduce plastic waste. This study is important, as producing and cleaning most 'reuseables', carry heavy environmental impacts (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/24/petaluma-reusable-cup-project-california). Each 'Sip, Return, Repeat' cup in the study, has a trackable QR code to monitor results. Many Petaluma outlets now issue these containers, which are returned to 60 bins across the city. Cups are collected, rewashed and returned to the outlets. Other materials for making the cups, such as metal, ceramic and glass, were considered. Plastic was selected, however, because it's light, has good insulation properties and is relatively unlikely to break. The Petaluma project seems to have been enthusiastically taken up (Californians have recently had graphic illustrations of the negative consequences of climate change). Whether the trial is a success, however, depends on many factors. These notably include:- a) How many cups are returned; b) How many times a cup is reused and c) The environmental costs of washing and transport. Systems, like this, however, might work better in a small city, than in rural locations or a large metropolis?

Turnout Gear For Firefighters Shouldn't Be More Deadly Than the Fires!

Per and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances (PFASs) are a 'family' of circa 1500 synthetic chemicals. They're used to make a vast variety of products, water/stain-resistant and/or non-stick. Collectively, PFASs are known as 'forever chemicals'. This is because, they don't breakdown in the environment. This, predictably, means PFASs accummulate in ecosystems and human bodies. These 'forever chemicals' have been strongly linked to a variety of human health problems, including cancers; kidney problems; liver disease; immune disorders and even birth defects. PFASs are now almost ubiquitous (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/23/pfas-firefighter-gear-ban-massachusetts-connecticut). Between 2002 and 2019, around 66% of US firefighter deaths were linked to PFASs. Firefighter protective gear (jackets; pants; boots; gloves etc.) are all currently heavily impregnated with these 'forever chemicals'. When tackling blazes, firefighters can spend a long (and sweaty?) hours in their protective gear. This, of course, increases their exposure to these problematic chemicals. Two US states will, in future, ban the use of PFASs in firefighter's protective gear. Massachusetts and Connecticut will bring in their bans by 2027 and 2028, respectively. This, of course, just underlines the general importance of reducing PFAS exposure for all! These chemicals should be phased out. They shouldn't, for example, continue to be used to treat the cardboard containers of certain fast foods!

Bugs For Rare Metals?

'Green' technologies, such as electric vehicles; photovoltaics and wind turbines etc., are highly dependent on rare metals. These metals are distinctly finite and mustn't be wasted. University of Edinburgh scientists now aim to use bacteria to recycle them. They've found strains of microbes that can extract cobalt; lithium; manganese and other minerals from dissolved, discarded electronic batteries (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/25/bacteria-helping-to-extract-rare-metals-from-old-batteries-in-boost-for-green-tech). The bacteria synthesise nanoparticles of metals. This is, perhaps, a detoxification process by the 'bugs'. The nanoparticles can easily be extracted and the metals used to make new 'green tech'. This process seems to have great potential to deal with the mountains of discarded vapes! Currently, disposable vapes are rarely recycled in the UK. It's difficult, because they are complex mixtures of plastics, metals and chemicals. In the UK, more than 5 million disposable vapes are dumped on the streets each week. They contain enough lithium, to make 5000 batteries for electric vehicles. Extracting the lithium would be a win-win. It would remove unsightly, dangerous waste and help conserve the rare metal.

Has All the Risk Gone In a Puff of Smoke?

Nicotine pouches are an alternative to vaping as a supposedly 'safe' means taking tobacco products. In deed, British American Tobacco UK suggests, that by 2026, the UK may have more than 2 million regular users of nicotine pouches. Journalist, Imogen West-Knights recounts her experience of vomiting after using a pouch on a train journey. She tried that item, because she couldn't legally use her vape on the journey (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/23/nicotine-tobacco-vaping-smoking-addiction). West-Knights confirms, that nicotine is 'mind-warpingly addictive'. She concludes hesitantly, however, that nicotine addiction should be none of the government's business. West-Knights largely bases her conclusion on the UK's National Health Service Quit Smoking website. It says "Although nicotine is addictive, it is relatively harmless to health". One must focus on the word "relatively". Unlike cigarette-smoking, nicotine pouches and vaping are unlikely to give you lung cancer. It's the tar and particulates, in cigarette smoke, that damage the lungs. Particulates, from vehicle exhausts and wood fires (forest fires and upmarket wood-burning stoves), have also been linked to respiratory diseases and deaths. The NHS website is, however, simply designed to encourage addicted cigarette smokers, to switch to a less damaging means of getting their nicotine fix. One cannot conclude that nicotine is addictive but 'safe'. Long-term exposure of the gums by users of nicotine pouches, may well turn out to be associated with health problems. Vaping, especially by children, for extended periods, seems likely to have influences on mental health. An addictive compound with no influence on psychology, would be unique. Detailed, chronic studies have simply not yet been carried out. Tobacco companies are predictably keen on any product that boosts their profits. Having a highly addictive compound, makes repeat sales easier. These issues, should clearly makes it the business of health professionals and responsible government.

Seeing the Changes 2090

Great green bush-cricket (Tettigonia verridissima) nymphs near Loughor foreshore.

Turning Up the Heat?

In Europe, cold currently kills more people than does excess heat. Some folk have, consequently, blithely predicted that global warming will reduce European mortality rates. A study, in the journal Lancet Public Health, however, suggests the complete opposite. It finds that, whereas predicted climate change is likely to produce only a slight decline in cold-related deaths, heat stroke could kill many more Europeans (https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/21/heat-deaths-in-europe-may-triple-by-end-of-the-century-study-finds). This study estimates that, if global heating produces ambient temperatures 3-4 degrees Centigrade above pre-Industrial levels, European heat deaths may three times higher than at present, by 2100. These excess deaths are pedictably likely to be concentrated in Southern Europe, namely Greece; Italy and Spain.

Ham Strung?

Globally, more than 400 million people have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This blood sugar disorder, is a leading cause of blindness; kidney failure; coronary heart disease; strokes, as well as amputations of the lower limbs. Type 2 diabetes is, consequently, a very considerable (and growing) drain on health service provision in many countries. Developing this condition, is largely down to life-style. Diet and exercise are major factors. A world-wide survey of almost 2 million subjests, concludes that eating 2 slices of ham per day, increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 15% (https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/20/two-slices-of-ham-a-day-can-raise-type-2-diabetes-risk-by-15-research-suggests). The authors of the study's report, point the finger at the consumption of processed red meat (notably bacon; ham and certain types of sausage). This is not an unreasonable conclusion. It's, however, difficult to be very precise about links in this area. Two million sounds a large number but it's tiny compared to the incidence of type 2 diabetes. The figure must, of course, have been based on folk considered to be at risk of developing the condition (perhaps by being overweight and sedentary). Individuals in the study would also have had to accurately report their dietary intakes. Folk generally aren't good at this. Type 2 diabetes also, of course, occurs in countries with religious objections to consuming pork products. What processed red meats are risk factors in those locations? It's certainly the case, that being overweight; having a poor diet and failing to take regular exercise, all increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It would be unfortunate if, on the basis of this study, folk thought that cutting out sliced ham was all they needed to do!

Seeing the Changes 2089

Found a lonely Elephant hawk moth (Deilephila elpenor) larva, near the Loughor Boating Club. Jogged some distance, to place it near Rosebay willowherb.

Getting Them Licked?

The UK's Royal Society of Chemistry; Institute of Physics; Royal Society of Biology and Association for Science Education, have urged changes to the National Curriculum for primary schoolchildren (3-11 year olds) in England. They advocate all children being given common experiences. These include licking an iced lolly; kneading bread dough; digging in soil; planting vegetables and playing with shadows (https://www.theguardian.com/education/article/2024/aug/20/add-ice-lolly-licking-to-england-primary-school-curriculum-urge-scientists). The advocates think getting these common experiences, helps implant fundamental scientific concepts into young minds. They also believe, it will 'level the playing field', reducing differences between the children from privilaged backgrounds and their poorer counterparts. Small steps but could be useful?

Pointing the Fish Finger?

The British are generally very conservative, when it comes to eating seafood. Eighty percent of their consumption, consists of cod; haddock; salmon; tuna and prawns. Currently, 10% of annual global fishery catches consist of species that are then thrown away or used as bait. The Plymouth Fish Finger project hopes to change all that (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/18/fish-finger-sandwich-plymouth-project-rebrand-rejected-catch-for-schools). Fifty species of fish are regularily caught by fishing boats in South-West England. Some are sent abroad, whereas others sell locally for as little as 20p per kilogram. The Plymouth Fish Finger project intends making this 'child-friendly delicacy' from lesser known species. Species would include pouting and dogfish. Plymouth (Devon, England) schools could soon be getting this product for school meals. Fish fingers would be markedly cheaper, but probably just as healthy as the cod-containing version. Using locally-caught fish, also reduces the product's 'carbon footprint', as well as cutting food waste. This kind of initiative could/should be adopted on a much wider scale. So long as the kids like the new products, it's a win-win!

Trees Don't Move (Quickly Enough?)

Conservationists are divided on the merits of 'assisted moving' for trees. Many UK organisms are in the process of relocating to the North, in response to climate change. Trees, however, cannot (for obvious reasons) make a fast leap (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/19/the-world-is-getting-hotter-could-helping-englands-trees-migrate-northwards-protect-them-climate-aoe). Some conservations think that help is required to preserve native tree species. They advocate planting saplings in cooler locations. They would also replace their southern bretheren by more heat-resistant species from overseas. Other conservationists object to the introduction of yet more 'alien' species. Alien plant species can be problematic but climate change may give us little choice?

A New Sicilian Desert?

Sicily (Italy) is the most populous island in the Mediterranean. In 2021, a European high temperature of 48.8 degrees Centigrade was reached there. Climate change, has now resulted in Sicily facing one of its most serious water crises in history. The island's agriculture is, consequently, collapsing and desertification becoming a real threat. In spite of this, tourists continue to flock to the island (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/19/the-land-is-becoming-desert-drought-pushes-sicilys-farming-heritage-to-the-brink). World tourism accounts for about 8% of 'greenhouse gas' emissions. So, tourism is a major driver of climate change. Tourists are, of course, also a considerable strain on their location's water supplies. They expect food, drink, washing facilities, clean laundry and swimming pools. They might even fancy a round of golf (golf courses are water-hungry). It seems unlikely that Sicily will be able to simultaneously support both farming and tourism. If thing become very much worse, it may be unable to support either. The sinking of a 'superyacht', by a waterspout off Sicily, can also be linked to climate change (https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/19/yacht-sinks-off-sicily-in-storm). Gobal heating intensifies the power of storms.

Make Your Travel Easier With a DNA Test?

Mail-order DNA tests, like Ancestry; 23andMe and MyHeritage, used to be mainly of interest for geneologists. Some UK individuals are now using them, however, to apply for citizenship of a European Union (EU) country. An EU passport makes travelling, as well as spending time in Europe, much easier (https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/aug/18/rise-in-dna-tests-used-to-claim-citizenship-of-other-countries-brexit-eu). In the past, children of unmarried Irish mothers were often given up for forced adoption. Many babies finished up in Britain, with little/no knowledge of their parentage. Some folk have already started, post-Brexit, using commercially-obtained DNA evidence to prove entitlement to Irish citizenship. Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs confirms that such evidence is admissible, when making an application for an Irish passport. This type of activity is likely to have limited scope. It's, however, yet another illustration of difficulties raised by Brexit and a way for some folk to get around them.

Some UK Climate Protestors Face a Triple Whammy?

Some Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain climate protestors, already receive longer prison sentences than race rioters in the UK. Evidence has now emerged that, as well as facing goal and fines, some are also hit by massive claims from Britain's biggest law firm. DLA Piper, has been employed, since 2021, by both the National Highways Ltd (NHL) and the (now defunct?), High Speed 2 (HS2) train company. DLA Piper were tasked with obtaining court orders, banning protests at NHL and HS2 sites. This law company then seeks to extract its costs (its lawyers are very expensive), from the prosecuted protestors. Some protestors, consequently, face additional bills of thousands of pounds for this 'service' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/16/climate-activists-court-costs-protest-bans-uk-biggest-law-firm-dla-piper). Both NHL and HS2 claim their firms "support the right to protest lawfully and recognise the need to build a sustainable future". Really? Neither company needs to have court orders for all their sites nor to employ the most expensive law firm for getting them. Climate protestors appear to be treated more harshly than clearly criminal groups. Making protestors bankrupt appears to be the aim?

What Happens Next?

The NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies Director in New York, Gavin Schmidt, is worried. The 2023 temperature anomaly (the fact that the planet has heated up much more quickly than scientists had expected) concerns him. Schmidt suggests, in a paper in the journal Nature, that global heating is now moving beyond the ability of experts to predict what happens next (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/15/we-should-have-better-answers-by-now-climate-scientists-baffled-by-unexpected-pace-of-heating). Perhaps we have already reached one of these famous 'tipping points'? 'Tipping points' are when changes become self-reinforcing and very difficult (impossible?) to reverse.

Commercial Sense But Environmental Idiocy?

Budget airline, Wizz Air, has just announced its 'All You Can Fly' membership. For circa £425, members will have a year of unlimited flights on the airline. Passengers will, however, have to pay extra for luggage (https://metro.co.uk/2024/08/14/wizz-air-launches-unlimited-flight-subscription-21418523/?ico=mosaic_lifestyle). This 'All You Can Fly' membership probably makes commercial sense to Wizz Air. Encouraging frequent flying is, however, exactly the wrong thing for the environment. Travel, by commercial jets, is a major source of 'greenhouse gas' emissions, with a massive impact on climate change. Jet contrails also make things worse. Just proposing this scheme, underlines the urgent need for taxes to discourage frequent flying. Flying must be limited to essential activities, rather than repeatedly expanded. Making flying mega cheap, is the wrong thing to do.

Micro-wasps As Moth Control Agents?

The pest company, Rentokil, propose to use tiny ento parasitoid wasps to stop moths reproducing (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/15/minuscule-wasps-enlisted-to-fight-off-moths-in-new-pest-control-strategy). These wasps are only around 0.5mm long. They lay their eggs in the eggs of moths and butterflies, curtailing Lepidopteran reproduction. This 'biocontrol' method is being advocated as an alternative to spraying with toxic insecticides. It would, presumably, only be applicable to locations like museums, with damaging moth infections. Putting parasitoid wasps into people's homes, to deal with clothes moths is unlikely to be commercially viable. 'Biocontrol' technologies have often turned out to have unpredicted negative consequences? One obvious downside, would be the wasps 'escaping' and further damaging populations of inoffensive, already endangered butterflies.

Where Has the Insect Hum Gone?

Britain's insects seem to be disappearing (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/15/britain-insects-surveys-butterflies-climate-aoe). Insects are important providers of bioservices to humanity. Losses of insect pollinators and pest devourers has been anecdotally evident for some time. There is, however, little by the way of systematic surveys. The closest approximation to an annual survey is the Big Butterfly Count. This survey uses thousands of 'citizen scientists'. It focuses, however, only on prominent day-flying insects. These include a proportion of the UK's limited number of butterfly species (there would only be 50 or so, if all were registered) and a few diurnal moths. The count is also conducted over a limited period. The Big Butterfly Count confirmed that 2024 was the worst year on record. It also suggested a sequence of 3 consecutive years of butterfly decline. Most other insect species are more difficult to observe and harder for non-specialists to accurately identify. Many are nocturnal or only found by delving closely into burrowed materials. Accurate, annual data on these species is currently nonexistent. Having said that, these other insects are also generally in decline. Reductions in insect population numbers appear exaccerbated by climate change (wetter weather at crucial times of the year) and habitat loss. Habitat loss, in the UK, is being countered, to some extent, by changes in agricultural and gardening practises. Pesticide use, however, may still be an issue. Britain needs annual surveys of population numbers of beetles; bees, hoverflies and wasps. The country also needs to do much more to protect its insects from the effects of climate change. We surely don't want to get to a situation (as currently in parts of China), where people with artist's brushes, are employed to hand pollinate fruit trees!

Flying In Anti-Microbial Resistance?

An Oxford University study examined 700 faecal samples 'donated' by urban wild birds. Around 30 bird species seemed to have provided samples. The samples came from Canada; Finland; Italy; Japan; Sweden, the UK and the US. High levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria were found in these samples (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/13/urban-birds-are-teeming-with-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-study-finds). It seems probable that urban wild birds pick up these 'super-bugs' when foraging. They visit landfill sites and polluted rivers. These wild birds could carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria to domestic flocks of chickens; geese and ducks. They might even transport these infective agents to human populations. I will be carefully washing my hands after refilling my urban garden bird feeders!

We Are All Record Breakers Now!

Breaking heat records became a commonplace event in the period February-July 2024. Fifteen annual national temperature records were set. One hundred and thirty monthly national temperature records were also broken. There's actually been tens of thousands of local highs, from the Arctic to the South Pacific (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/14/unprecedented-number-of-heat-records-broken-around-world-this-year). Breaking an ambient temperature record isn't, of course, a reason for wild celebrations. Temperature elevations increase the risk of wildfires, sending yet more 'greenhouse gases' into the atmosphere (it's what's known as a vicious cycle). They make working difficult. They also drive up the human death rate, from heat stroke; respiratory disorders; cardiovascular events etc. Temperature hikes also elevate sea level, causing some island nations to disappear. Many of humanity's cities are also coastal. Elevated sea levels don't just benefit real estate folk, by increasing the availability of saleable beach side property (notatum bene Mr Trump)! The widespread flooding will reduce the land available for food production etc. Freshwater sources will become contaminated with saltwater etc.; etc. Temperature records were easy to predict, in the latter half of 2023. Human-mediated climate change was synchronised with the El Nino event. Worryingly, although El Nino has been fading since February 2024, this appears to have brought little relief. Heat records now seem likely to be annual events.

Seeing the Changes 2088

In Bynea, Sea mayweed (Matricaria maritima) was in bloom.

Seeing the Changes 2087

Penllergaer Valley Woods is going fully Himalayan. Invasive Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) has been joined by Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa).

Seeing the Changes 2086

Buff tip moth (Phalera bucephala) larvae from the Silver birch in my Loughor garden.

Too Hot and Smokey in Europe's 'Kitchen'?

Strangely, Europe is heating up faster than other areas of the globe. Globally, 2023 was currently the planet's hottest year, on record. It's now estimated that heatwaves that year resulted in 50,000 European excess premature deaths (https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/12/heat-aggravated-by-carbon-pollution-killed-50000-in-europe-last-year-study). Heatwave-related deaths varied from country to country. Some mortality was directly caused by heat stroke but other deaths resulted from air pollution (the particulates generated by fires). The heatwaves are, of course, anthropogenic (clearly exaccerbated by human activity). If things are not to get very much worse, Europeans need to show more urgency in their attempts to limit climate change. Sadly, there are still many politicians and 'influencers' willing to deny that humans have any role in climate change. Some folk will do anything for votes or clicks. 2024, is expected to be even hotter than 2023.

Olympic 'Green'?

An Olympic Games can never be a 'green' exercise. The 'greenhouse gas' emissions generated by transporting the multitude of competitors; their support staff; the media and large numbers of supporters, from all over the world, is unavoidably massive. Most folk will be coming in by jet plane. Scheduled flights have an enormous 'carbon footprint'. That from private jets, is even bigger. Even getting to Paris by car or train, is far from emissions free. People, then have to be accommodated; fed; watered and moved around. Some locations, like those used for surfing and rowing, weren't anywhere near Paris. Most events, however, were at least in the city (unlike some Soccer competitions). Having said this, the planners for the 2024 games, at least tried to mitigate their own four-yearly event's environmental impact (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/apr/07/paris-olympics-greenest-games-low-carbon). The organisers are to be applauded for using existing venues, rather than building new ones. New venues use lots of carbon dioxide-generating steel and concrete. These venues often become 'white elephants', when a game's closing ceremony takes place. Even adapting existing sites (with reused plastic seats etc) isn't, however, entirely carbon neutral. A possibly lasting benefit (although it was pretty 'touch-and-go' at the time) was the cleaning of the river Seine for some of the swimming events. A clean river, with fish populations, will be a clear benefit. The organisers weren't helped, however, by the arson attacks on the rail lines into Paris, at the start of the games (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/29/far-left-rail-sabotage-olympics-french-minister-suggests). Whoever was responsible, merely increased emissions by directing folk on to other means of transport. The report that the 'French public' had labelled the Paris event as 'the greenwash games' seems a tad harsh (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/07/greenwash-games-french-public-points-finger-at-coca-cola-over-olympics-plastic-waste). Only a small section of the 'French public' were likely to have this view. Coca Cola (a sponsor) could have been more careful, given the message of the Paris games. Collecting lots of redundant plastic bottles for more recycling, isn't the worst environmental 'crime' by a sport sponsor. Reducing an Olympic's 'carbon footprint' is, however, a bit like attempting to lower the height of a tsunami. The Paris organisers at least managed to somewhat limit the associated emissions. Be grateful for small mercies?