Birder's Bonus 244

 

European shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) on Loughor estuary at Bynea.

Who Killed Cock Robin?

A European robin (Erithracus rubecula) as a Loughor road casualty. Answer: a speeding car or truck.

Seeing the Changes 2110

The first Spring crocus (Crocus albiflorus) in Loughor.

Road: Heal Thy Self

 

Swansea University is involved in an International team, that's attempting to generate a self-healing road surface. Plant spores are added to bitumen. When cracks open, this asphalt quickly fuses back together. This could prevent damaging potholes developing, without any need for human intervention (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/03/farewell-potholes-uk-team-invents-self-healing-road-surface). This seems another good example, of finding a solution to a human problem, by looking to the natural world. Engineers meet the Botanists!

A Mirror For the Smoke?

 

Nicotine is highly addictive. Consequently, it seems extraordinary that the tobacco companies have been able to present vaping as a safe activity. It's certainly better for cigarette-smoking addicts to switch to vaping, as they wont be exposed to cancer-causing tars. It's not, however, a good idea to convert children into the next generation of nicotine addicts. This is clearly what is being achieved by the setting up of mushrooming vaping stores, the introduction of  'child-appealing' flavoured vapes and the boosting, by social media sites, of the 'cool tricks' that can be done with smoke. The chickens are, as they say, 'now coming home to roost'. Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital has opened a new vaping cessation service for 11-15 year olds (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/03/first-patients-seen-at-nhs-clinic-in-liverpool-tackling-teenage-vaping). Vaping isn't an innocent pleasure. Neither is it, a well-intentioned attempt to reduce the medical risks of cigarette smokers. The long-term consequences of vaping have not yet been established. Vaping is clearly designed to maintain the profits of tobacco companies. As usual, with these companies, the general public is left to pick up the bill for their victims. 

Preventing 'Phosphogeddon'?

 

Phosphates are essential components of living systems. They are integral e.g. to cell membranes, DNA structure and even the human skeleton. As there's a limited amount of phosphorus on the planet, this element has its own biogeochemical cycle (along with carbon and nitrogen). Phosphates are spread on fields to encourage the growth of plant crops. Agriculture used to get much of its needed phosphate fertiliser in the form of 'white gold'. 'White gold' was the guano (faeces) left by generations of seabirds, breeding in a number of island locations. Deposits of guano could be many metres thick. This source of phosphates is now virtually exhausted. Consequently, phosphates have to be carefully managed. Farmers tend to spread too much fertiliser on their fields (they are less efficient than in days of yore). In addition, intensive farming of animals, such as chickens and pigs, also releases phosphate-containing waste. Excess fertiliser and animal waste often end up in 'run-off', carrying their concentrated phosphates into rivers, lakes and streams. On arrival, it often causes eutrophication. Eutrophication is an explosive growth of algae, that starves freshwater organisms (like fish and invertebrates) of oxygen. The effects are often devastating. A company, Rockwell Operations (based in Wells, Somerset, UK), is currently trialling a material that can remove excess phosphates from contaminated freshwater courses. Their Phosphate Removal Material (PRM) is a sponge-like compound left in the water to absorb the phosphates. Once fully charged, PRM can be safely spread on fields, to act as agricultural fertiliser (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/02/uk-scientist-wins-prize-for-invention-that-could-help-avert-phosphogeddon). PRM seems a useful tool in the fight to prevent 'phosphogeddon'. It, however, only potentially deals with one problem. Subsequent run-off will still enable the phosphate to make its way back into freshwater locations. Farmers need to spread their fertiliser more effectively. They also must proactively prevent animal waste from reaching rivers, lakes and streams. Chicken farms on the banks of the river Wye (between England and Wales) are a graphic illustration of this latter problem. The most wasteful human loss of phosphorus, however, occurs in human urine, discharged into our surrounding seas. Fairly obviously, this element should be extracted, in specialised sewage treatment plants, before discharge.   

A 'Mixed Bag' or a More Fundamental Problem?

 

Devi Sridhar (Edinburgh University) notes that the nomination for US Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy junior, has some 'redeeming' features. He's largely-known for his anti-vaccination rants. Kennedy promises, however, not to stop vaccines being made available. That doesn't mean, of course, he will encourage necessary vaccinations. He's apparently still intent on removing fluoride from US drinking water. Fluoride is toxic at high doses (much more than you could get from drinking tap water). This ion, however, strengthens the teeth, limiting tooth decay. Nobody would need fluoride in drinking water, if they had regular and affordable access to dental hygiene and treatment. That certainly isn't the case for most folk. Sridhar notes, however, that Kennedy is intent on improving diets (a good thing) and removing some still-used mutagenic dyes (banned in Europe) from breakfast cereals etc. (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/31/donald-trump-health-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr-fluoride-school-lunches-additives). The impression left, is that Kennedy is a 'mixed bag'. You get the good with the bad. The rough with the smooth. The swings with the roundabouts. One can argue, however, that the problem is worse than being 'a mixed bag'. A Health Secretary has to know where to get dependable scientific advice. It's even better when they have some personal understanding. Public health depends on science. Science, deals in probabilities rather than absolutes. It often needs modifying, as data accumulates (as in the Covid19 pandemic). A Health Secretary relying on his gut instincts is dangerous to himself and the society he's allegedly serving!

Too Hot For the Kitchen?

 

The Brown trout (Salmo trutta) has long been the UK's favourite freshwater fish. It lives in rivers and ponds and has been farmed to supply food and entertain anglers. This fishes' eggs, however, need a water temperature that's less than 12 degrees Centigrade to survive Spring spawning. It's estimated, that by 2080, river temperatures in the entire country will exceed that value. No more local Brown trout (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/31/brown-trout-britain-favourite-fish-at-risk-of-wipeout-within-decades-predicts-report). One should also note that temperature isn't the only thing endangering this fish. Most UK rivers are highly polluted with run-off from intensive farming and inappropriate treatment of waste water.

Waving a Big Stick

Just a comment. George Monbiot opines that the the new UK government's obsession with Growth Domestic Product (GPD) at the expense of environmental issues cannot deliver a feel-good factor for the general population. Government wants to 'take a big stick' to environmental regulators who get in the way of 'economic progress'. GPD, however, merely makes the already rich, richer. Monbiot points out, that even if building new airport runways and motorways, has any impact on wealth creation, it will take circa 20 years.  The environmental damage is being experienced now and is growing. He asks whether people actually voted for this (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/30/labour-environmental-vandalism-rivers-wildlife-air-government-gdp).  A new Member of Parliament (MP) in the government's own party thinks the 'growth at any price' message 'reeks of panic'. He's likely to 'have the whip removed' (be expelled from his party), if he's not careful. This is yet another 'big stick'. MPs of the ruling party were ordered to 'talk out' (destroy) legislation aiming to making the UK's environmental pledges mandatory   (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/31/labour-mp-government-growth-heathrow-party). Talking of 'big sticks'. I don't want to be a mega-Grinch but folk appear easily distracted by these wooden implements. An Instagram site posting videoclips extolling the virtues of sticks, reportedly has 3 million avid viewers (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/31/stick-nation-instagram-official-stick-reviews). Nice to know that folk can find simple pleasures in sticks, unrelated to GDP, the environment and politics.

Seeing the Changes 2109

The sky in Loughor last night was like Edvard Munch's 'The Scream'. Difficult to know what causes such changes! Perhaps it's just a cry of despair from the planet? 

Does a Third Runway at London's Heathrow Make Sense?

There's a discussion whether the UK Chancellor's support of a 3rd runway for London's Heathrow airport a) will boost economic growth and b) can be compatible with net zero undertakings. 'Answers' depend on who is asked (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/29/scepticism-in-whitehall-that-heathrow-plan-can-be-reconciled-with-climate-targets). In one sense, support for the 3rd runway is a reiteration of the old 'country being open for business' signal. The basic difficulty is that 'business' doesn't care. Various sections will use any argument to boost their bottom line. No announcement of being more concerned about the economy than the environment will change behaviour of bond and share dealers. The next bonus is all that counts.

Is 'Brain Rot' Simply Confirmation Bias?

 

'Brain rot' is currently word of the year. The term reflects a fear that 'excessive' computer use is damaging the IQ especially of young folk. Most of the support for this view, however, appears to be based on 'low quality' research. These studies have small sample sizes, often lack control groups, aren't peer-reviewed and are sometimes completely bogus. One example in the last-mentioned category, is a cited 'paper,' claiming that emails were as damaging as smoking marihuana. That was apparently based on a day's media consultation with a single psychologist. He apparently advised against making that claim. There never was any actual published paper. It appears evident that people have 'got it into their heads' that people's intelligence is declining. They have linked this decline to the the rapid adoption of computers and social media. Poorer quality claims of damage consequently receive massive media attention, whereas better studies showing benefits are largely ignored. Even meta-analyses (combining the findings of several studies) can be distorted by this process. This appears to be  confirmation bias, folk accepting studies 'supporting' their beliefs and 'filtering out' contrary findings.  (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/29/all-in-the-mind-the-surprising-truth-about-brain-rot). There's little doubt, however, that folk can be damaged by social media use. They can be bullied, sexually exploited and brainwashed. In deed, social media frequently makes use of confirmation bias. It often uses programmes  to tell people what they want to hear and/or sell them something. The result is a lack of balanced, fair-presented information, rather than direct brain damage. Correlation doesn't establish causation. Many other things have happened in the last decade e.g. growing concerns about the environment; the Covid19 pandemic; outbreak of wars; economic crises etc.

Pets Arresting in the Nest

 

A Sussex University study looked at the pet hairs, used by Blue and Great tits, to line their nests. In every nest examined, the lining hairs were contaminated with insecticides. These were chemical treatments, given to pets, for flea and tick infestations. These insecticides resulted, however, in the deaths of some chicks, being reared in the nests (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/27/pet-fur-found-in-songbird-nests-contains-high-levels-of-pesticides-study-finds). This appears to be yet another pressure on UK garden birds. Many vets apparently advocate routinely treating cats and dogs with anti-flea powders even when the animal is uninfested. The authors of the Sussex study, suggest limiting powder application to  pets with fleas or ticks. Responsible owners might also think about trying to reduce the access of garden birds to treated pet hairs. 

My Garden Birdwatch

 

Completed my 2025 Annual Garden birdwatch for the RSPB today. Around 20 Black-headed gulls flew over the garden in the hour. Spotted Blackbirds (4), Blue tits (2), Dunnock (4), Robin (1), Starling (10) and Wood pigeon (2). House sparrows (22) were, by far, the most common garden bird. I hardly need a survey to tell me that the species diversity and numbers have crashed in recent years. 

Plucked From the Jaws of the 'Worm'

The Old Norse word 'orm' can mean a dragon. Worm's Head is a headland off the Gower Peninsula in South Wales. It's supposed to look like a dragon, face down in the water. That headland can be reached by crossing on foot a rocky causeway. The causeway is normally accessible two and a half hours either side of low tide. Scrambling across, generally takes around an hour and three-quarters. Attempts to cross outside this 'window', have led to deaths, with folk carried away by the strong currents. There was local excitement last week, when seven American students had to be rescued by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from Worm's Head. At the time, storm Eowyn, was producing wild winds, driving rain and choppy seas. The RNLI had to make a total of four trips to retrieve the students who had been spending time at Swansea University (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/26/rnli-rescues-american-students-from-welsh-island-during-storm-eowyn). Although there's information about times of safe crossing times on the mainland, they may be changed by storm conditions. Climate change might well result in a further narrowing of the 'window'. Generally, it's  best to remain on the headland, if you miss your crossing. Means of communication also need to be carried. The American students were apparently intrigued to learn that the RNLI is a charity, with unpaid volunteers. Not everything is market-driven!

 

Last Orders Please?

 

The inexorable march of the weight-loss drugs continues. It's now suggested they may be used to counter alcoholism, compulsive shopping and smoking. In addition to dramatic weight-loss, folk privately injecting themselves with drugs purchased from 'online pharmacies', have noted big decreases in their cravings for alcohol, as well as a markedly reduced tolerance to booze  (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/26/skinny-jabs-are-turning-slimmers-teetotal-and-drinks-companies-are-feeling-the-loss). Semaglutide is the active factor in the weight-loss drug, Wegovy, as well as the type-2 diabetes treatment, Ozempic. Tirzepatide accounts for Mounjaro's weight-loss properties. Both active factors apparently convince the body it's already satiated. It's uncertain how these compounds have their actions on alcohol consumption. As alcoholic drinks are packed with calories, one would expect ingestion to be reduced anyway. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide may also simply suppress neural, dopaminergic reward pathways. This could account for their effects on a wider range of compulsions. Alcohol producers are seeing declines in sales. Some investment bodies are selling their shares in these companies. There's also likely to be negative impacts on restaurants and catering. Perhaps they might even be used eventually to treat compulsive gambling? 

Putting Off the 'Pledges'?

 

It's been reported that UK ministers have 'seen off' a likely rebellion from members of their own party. The rebels were minded to vote in favour of a private members bill that would have made the UK's climate and environmental 'targets' legally binding. The likely rebels have been promised they will have input to environmental legislation (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/24/uk-climate-nature-bill-dropped-deal-labour-backbenchers). This activity can't be unrelated to the UK chancellor's claim that economic growth 'trumps' (a term from card games, indicating a card that beats all others) all other considerations (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/25/no-more-reviews-reeves-impatient-pace-change-quest-growth ). There's no doubt that 'pro-growth' moves (on travel, taxation etc.) have negative impacts on urgent environmental problems. A sensible species would recognise this. The problems are, however, that 1) the political cycle encourages short-termism; 2) folk are generally unwilling to wait for change; 3) people generally only vote for increases in their relative wealth and 4) parties are punished for failure to deliver. Having made its pitch largely on increasing economic growth, the UK's current government is, like many others, 'between a rock and a hard place'.

Watch the Birdie!

 

Climate change and bird 'flu appear to be decimating UK garden bird populations. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) organises an annual Big Garden Birdwatch. Volunteer participants count the numbers of birds of different species that visit their plots in a one hour session. The RSPB is encouraging all 'nature lovers' to participate in the 2025 exercise. It hopes the increased observations will provide answers to a number of timely questions (illustrated above)  (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/24/nature-lovers-urged-to-take-part-in-uk-bird-count-amid-fears-over-climate-and-disease). The RSPB wants to assess population numbers of birds in UK gardens. It would also like know whether there've been reductions in migratory species, like the Redwing (Turdus iliacus), visiting UK gardens. In addition, it wants to see if small-bodied birds, like the Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), were decimated by the cold spell in December 2024. Finally, it wants to assess the possibility bird feeders (illustrated with Blue tits [Parus caeruleus]), help spread the bird 'flu virus to garden birds.

Economic 'Growth' and the Environment?

 

The UK Chancellor's supports building a 3rd runway for London's Heathrow airport, as well as expanding nearby Gatwick and Luton. She believes these developments will boost economic growth. Other members of her own party (and others), however, think any increase in air travel in Southern England, makes it virtually impossible for the UK to achieve its net zero pledges (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/21/heathrow-third-runway-rachel-reeves-sadiq-khan). It's a complex calculation. Air flights can bring in more tourists and business folk. The vast majority of passengers, however, are likely to be UK holiday makers. Flights for any passengers are, however, considerable generators of 'greenhouse gases'. These gases increase global heating, making the entire planet's climate much less predictable. UK damage from extreme weather events (droughts, flooding and storms), as well as agricultural losses, will both be increased. Consequently, although these proposed changes will boost airline and travel company profits, it's by no means certain they will make the country, as a whole, any richer. Expanding these airports, is also hardly a clear signal the UK is taking its environmental responsibilities seriously.

Birder's Bonus 243

A large accumulation of Black-headed gulls in the sunshine on the Loughor estuary.

No Vaccine Is Totally Safe But the World Is Safer With Vaccines

 

All medical procedures carry some risk. Infections with viral, bacterial, protists (single-celled organisms) and multicellular parasites, however, cause profound ill-health and multiple human deaths. David Milliband runs the International Rescue Committee. This NGO, operates the Reaching Every Child in Humanitarian Settings project. This project tries to get vaccines to children living in fragile or conflict-affected locations, with no or only partial government. Milliband warns the rise of 'alternative facts' about vaccines, is making it increasingly difficult to protect these vulnerable children (https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jan/22/david-miliband-warns-rise-of-alternative-facts-threatens-global-vaccination-drive). A trigger for Milliband's concerns must be the activities of Aaron Siri (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/13/rfk-jr-aaron-siri-polio). Siri is advisor to Robert F. Kennedy junior, the 'pick' for US Health Secretary. Siri has already petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration (USDA) to withdraw approvals for a raft of vaccines, including that for polio. Kennedy has attempted to 'distance' himself from this pressure on the USDA. Apparently, however, he still subscribes to the totally debunked claim of a link between vaccines and autism. There're no facts (alternative or otherwise) in science! Science deals with probabilities. It's highly probable that reducing access to vaccinations (especially in difficult areas of the globe), will result in more illness and deaths. That's about as certain as one can get!

Weight-loss Drugs: A Panacea?

 

GLP-1RAs are found in all weight-loss medications including Mounjaro; Saxenda;and Wegovy. A very substantial US study, looked at almost 216,000 diabetics who were given weight-loss drugs in addition to their normal medication. Their incidences of a variety of medical conditions were compared with those of more than 1.2 million 'controls' who only received usual care. Folk exposed to GLP-1RAs showed a reduced risk of 42 conditions. These included, Alzheimer's, bacterial infections, Bulimia, clotting disorders, kidney disease, opioid-use disorders and Schizophrenia. Patients showed increased risk of abdominal pain, arthritis, kidney stones  and  low blood pressure. It's claimed that the benefits of weight-loss drugs also occur in non-diabetics  (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/20/weight-loss-jabs-linked-to-reduced-risk-of-42-conditions-including-dementia). There seems a real danger of prescribing weight-loss drugs to treat a vast array of physiological and psychological problems. This, could result in increases in other conditions (like arthritis). This medicalisation of treatment, however, seems likely to reduce the chances of physicians thinking about the needs of individual patients. It seems to reduce the chances of folk being encouraged to  cure themselves by adopting a healthier life-style, changing their diets and exercise regimes.  

Seeing the Changes 2108

 

Scarlet elf cup (Sarcoscypha austriaca) fruiting in Loughor.

Birder's Bonus 242

Lots of waders on the Loughor estuary at Bynea.

Coming Round Again?

 

The kinetic power of flowing water was once much used (along with that of the wind) to drive industrial processes like  grinding, pumping, mixing and milling. In deed, waterwheels were a common sight in hilly areas of the UK in the Industrial Revolution. They largely disappeared, with the advent of steam (and later, petrol-fuelled) engines. Waterwheels have the environmental benefit, however, of not producing any 'greenhouse gas' emissions. This feature seems to have resulted in their reappearing in parts of the globe with reliable flowing water. It's basically 'free' energy. These mini forms of hydropower, now appear to be back in vogue in locations like the Himalayas and even parts of Northern Ireland. They tend now, however, to be largely used to generate electricity (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/17/how-climate-friendly-waterwheels-are-coming-around-again). Waterwheels seem a useful development for small-scale electricity generation in appropriate locations. It's 'green' , non-visually invasive and doesn't prevent fish migration. 

Bioconcentrations of 'Forever Chemicals'

 

As one goes up a food chain, concentrations of  pollutants in tissues and organs, increase. PFASs (so-called 'forever chemicals') are no exception. Some 'top predator' forms of wildlife, have many times the 'safe' concentrations of these persistent, synthetic chemicals in their bodies. Species especially impacted include dolphins, otters and porpoises. Fish are loaded with 'forever chemicals'. PFASs (used in many industrial processes) have been linked to cancers, immunological impairments and to infertility. Humans are also now clearly at risk as 'forever chemicals' are found in most surveyed drinking water (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/17/otters-among-uk-wildlife-carrying-toxic-forever-chemicals-analysis-shows). The potential health risks posed by PFASs have been known for decades. It's only recently that some countries have moved to restrict their spread. As , however, 'forever chemicals' are not broken down in the environment, their use in any part of the globe will be transmitted. Rainwater samples, taken from across the Earth, all contain PFASs

Seeing the Changes 2107

Fungus on the wooden footbridge in Bynea. Possibly, Red-belted bracket (Fomitopus pinicola) from Scandinavia.

Quid Pro Quo?

 

The Latin phrase quid pro quo means getting 'something for something'. That's neatly-illustrated by the US oil and gas firms, who gave more than $75m towards Trump's last presidential campaign. 'Coincidentally', they now stand to benefit from his 'drill, baby drill' exhortation to extract yet more fossil fuels. These oil and gas companies clearly 'needed a break'. Their collective wealth only went up by 15% in the last 9 months (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/18/us-oil-gas-industry-wealth-trump). The US fossil fuel companies are already massively rich. They pay, however, nothing towards clearing up the environmental hazards they help create. Guess the US won't be needing as much oil and gas from Canada? This whole transactional equation seems designed to push climate change well past any tipping points (essentially, points of no return). 

Dumping It On 'The Net Zero Hero'?

 

Net Zero Heroes are lauded for prominently fitting solar panels on their houses and/or buying electric cars. For some folk, these 'climate warriors'  prove motivational, even driving grassroots movements. In others, however, they induce helplessness and disengagement, rather empowerment.  A University of Sydney study finds the way the energy sector shapes the narrative, ensures net zero heroes will fail. Individual actions can never be sufficient, That study also opines, that placing responsibility on the consumer, is a ploy. It's a device used by energy producers and governments, to downplay the significant contributions, they need to make to achieve emissions reduction goals (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/19/net-zero-hero-myth-unfairly-shifts-burden-of-solving-climate-crisis-onto-individuals-study-finds). Dumping responsibility on to the consumer isn't new. It's the consumer's fault, our environments are awash with soft drink cans, beer bottles, plastic wrapping, fast-food containers, used disposable vapes, 'forever chemicals' etc., etc. It never seems to be up to businesses to spend some of their profits, a) clearing up the mess they have effectively created and/or b) finding ways of avoiding it!

Mood Music?

 

In 2015, singer/song-writer Joni Mitchell had a massive stroke. When she left hospital, she could neither walk nor talk. Her prognosis was very poor. A friend, a fellow musician but also a neuroscientist, Daniel Levitin, eventually advocated playing her a compilation of her favourite music. Fortunately, Mitchell had actually made a compilation, intended for a Starbucks initiative. This was on a bookshelf in her home. Nurses repeatedly played her the music and Mitchel made a dramatic recovery. She's now back, performing. Levitin now recommends 'Music as Medicine', not only for stroke victims but for sufferers of depression and dementia (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jan/18/she-couldnt-walk-she-couldnt-talk-music-therapy-helped-joni-mitchell-recover-from-a-stroke-could-it-ward-off-depression-and-dementia-too). This story doesn't, of course, establish a causal link between the playing of the music and recovering brain function. It's not, however, the first time that the benefits of exposing patients to familiar sights and sounds has been advocated. Proving a clear benefit will be very difficult but there appear no downsides to using this 'therapy'. I'm making my compilation now!

Fusion: Confusion?

 

Nuclear fusion involves light elements, like hydrogen, being combined under pressure, with a massive release of energy. It's basically how our sun produces its constant radiation. It can be argued that reproducing this process on Earth, is attractive, as it could generate electricity without 'greenhouse gas' emissions (as do coal, oil and gas power plants) or dangerous radioactive waste (as do nuclear fission reactors). The UK government has now promised £410m to help establish a nuclear fusion device in England. Could this money be better spent?  (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/16/ministers-pledge-record-410m-to-support-uk-nuclear-fusion-energy). Folk have been studying nuclear fusion for many decades. In addition to the UK's programme, there's a collaborative enterprise in Europe and a small undertaking at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The MIT project is the most advanced and seems likely to be ready to produce some electricity later in 2025. Progress on such projects is, however, glacially slow. It's likely to be decades (if ever?), before any UK-based nuclear fusion plant could boost its energy security. One might ask "why attempt to produce a mini-sun, when the real thing is already above us?" It could be reasonably argued that the £410m could be better spent on fitting solar panels to UK homes and other buildings. This would produce a much bigger and more immediate 'bang for the buck'. Time is of the essence, as they say!  

Fickle Financial Fashions

Adrienne Butler notes that, after COP26, the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) was set up, many global banks rushed to commit to this voluntary body to align "lending and investment portfolios with net zero emissions by 2050".This didn't, however, seem to change their behaviour. Members of NZBA actually lent more to fossil fuel consortia than non-members. The impending US governmental changes has led to a rush for the door. Since the start of December 2024, six major US banks have left the NZBA (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/15/woke-capital-net-zero-banking-alliance). Banks, especially in the US, appear worried about being labelled as 'woke capital'. There's even been suggestions that banks will be sued for discrimination, by not lending to coal companies. What we have is confirmation of two truisms. Firstly, most banks only want the appearance of acting in the best interests of humanity. They crave maximising profits. Secondly, the fossil fuel companies have all the cash. They ought to be paying for their environmental damage but in stead they use their massive financial reserves to avoid any curtailing of their activities. 

'Bringing Back the Leech' in Jersey?

 

The PFAS ('forever chemicals') saga runs on and on. It sounds Medieval, but Jersey residents (UK, Channel Islands) are now being advised to blood let. In the Middle Ages, leeches were commonly used for blood letting. Blood removal was erroneously regarded the 'cure' for a variety of  human ailments. Jersey's private drinking water supplies are contaminated by PFASs via  water run-off  from the busy airport. Fire-fighting foams (largely used in exercises), appear the primary source of pollution. Folk, with dangerously high levels of blood PFASs, are being urged to undergo medical blood letting. This would be done by blood donor teams rather by leeches. The extracted blood couldn't, of course, be used in transfusions. 'Patients', however, can replace it relatively quickly, reducing their blood PFAS levels  (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/16/bloodletting-recommended-for-jersey-residents-after-pfas-contamination). This seems to be the shape of things to come. PFASs are now a wide-spread threat to human health. Their usage needs to be strongly curtailed.

Reach For the 'Forever Chemicals'?

 

PFASs (so-called 'forever chemicals') contaminate ground waters in many UK locations. Hotspots include sewage treatment plants; sites where firefighters are routinely trained and Royal Air Force bases. Fire-suppressant foams and cleaning agents  are especially loaded with PFASs. Forever chemicals don't breakdown and have been linked to cancers, impaired immune responses and fertility problems (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/15/raf-bases-hotspots-of-forever-chemical-groundwater-pollution-mod-documents-show). Ground waters, however, don't stay in these locations. The water finds its way into aquifers and rivers, supplying folk with drinking water. Living near a hotspot, carries serious health risks. Most people are fairly near a sewage treatment plant.

Climate Denial: Coming To a Stage Near You!

 

It seems odd timing, given the US devastation produced by the Los Angeles fires. But a US climate denial lobby group is extending its 'business' to Europe. Heartland UK/Europe has opened its doors in London. The body receives funding from the oil giant ExxonMobile and a slew of wealthy US Republican donors. They proclaim that climate change is a 'scam' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/15/farage-and-truss-attend-uk-launch-of-us-climate-denial-group-heartland). There is, of course, a 'scam'. The scam is claiming that climate change has nothing to do with fossil fuel emissions and that attempts to limit their impact, is a cunning ploy to make the general population poorer. Oil companies need to continue to 'drill baby, drill' to add to their already massive profits. The only way the general population is made poorer, is if they have to pick up the costs of attempts to limit climate change and/or the damage produced by extreme weather events. The polluters should pay (they can afford to)! The collection of right wing politicians, clustering around Heartland UK/Europe's launch, presumably see opportunities to benefit from the generated misinformation.  

What Goes Up?

 

Patrick Schroder notes there's been more than 60,000 space launches, over the last 60 years. There's now 56,450 tracked objects, orbiting this planet. Since 1961, more than 560 orbital fragmentation events have also taken place. The created debris, is making life more hazardous for astronauts as well as folk on the ground. Not everything burns up, as it re-enters the atmosphere (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/13/space-junk-rockets-satellites-hazards-regulation). Things are getting more problematic. Commercial organisations are increasingly entering the 'space race', making it even more likely that space junk will accumulate. There's also likely to be duplication of effort, driven by competing communications systems as well as alternative 'space tourism' initiatives. Folk on the ground, have already had damage to their properties. People might well be killed. It will be interesting to see how courts react to lawsuits in the more developed parts of the globe. It's also worth reiterating, that space junk also makes life very difficult for astronomy.

Forever Costly

 

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a family of circa 10,000 synthetic chemicals, used in many consumer products (clothing, carpeting, food packaging etc.) and industrial processes, to make items water and/or stain resistant. They have, however, long-established problems. PFASs are known as 'forever chemicals' as they're not broken down in the environment. They're becoming ubiquitous, being even found in rainwater across the globe. PFASs have also been shown to influence disease (e.g. cancers) and fertility in humans as well as other animals. It's now been estimated that a clean-up of  'forever chemicals' in the UK and Europe will take at least 20 years. The costs to the entire continent is estimated at £1.6tn. The UK alone would have to pay £9.9bn per year. Under these circumstances, one might have thought that PFAS producers would be ceasing making these compounds. In actuality, however, they are following the 'tobacco playbook' to fend off regulation. This play book involves casting doubts on findings and finding excuses for delaying actions (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/14/cost-clean-up-toxic-pfas-pollution-forever-chemicals). The 'forever chemical' problem is yet another human-manufactured health crisis. There must be better ways of bringing rogue manufactures to heel. The trouble is that producers can be tricky. If they are rich enough, they can 'get away with murder', reinventing themselves. It's notable that the aforementioned tobacco companies are now producers of vapes. They are, of course, creating the next generation of nicotine addicts, as well as causing considerable environmental problems. Nothings stops our profits!

Rainbows Fading?

 

Since 2012, a 'mystery disease' has been decimating Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) populations in Queensland and New South Wales. These Australian birds become paralysed, being unable to fly, swallow or even breathe. This disease spikes in December and January, leading to thousands of lorikeets having to be treated in RSPCA Wildlife hospitals in these States. There's a tentative link to botulism which is seen in local waterfowl but emissions from lead smelters, may also be involved. An apparently similar disease also started to appear in Flying foxes in 2020. The Flying fox disease has similar symptoms and characteristics (it also spikes at the same time) but it's uncertain whether it has the same causal factor(s) (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/13/australia-rainbow-lorikeet-flying-fox-deaths-mystery-paralysis). Wildlife is constantly threatened by disease outbreaks. Bird 'flu, now this! There's a need for vigilance, especially when human activities (smelting and water treatment) may be involved.

Crops Cropped From UK Menus?

 

UK folk have been warned that crops including broccoli; cauliflower and cabbage will be in short supply this Spring. Locally-grown Brassicas  have emerged too early in the 'season' as a consequence of a mild Autumn (Fall) and Winter. Unseasonal flooding in key European areas, will also stop these shortfalls being 'cured' by imports (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/13/uk-faces-broccoli-and-cauliflower-shortage-this-spring). People will, of course, have to get used to disruptions in their food supplies. Rampant climate change is making it very difficult for growers to maximise their crops. Importing crops (especially from distant locations) will also increase prices.