A Tax Too Far?

It seems that the Australian Government (a Labour/Green party coalition) is in trouble over a relatively modest (according to many commentators) carbon tax (http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2092749/gillard-australian-carbon-tax-promises-clean-energy-future). The proposals (hitting the 20 or so major polluters in the country) have led to furious demonstations and claims that the measures will 'destroy the Australian way of life'. This seems superficially odd given the fact that the Australian economy seems to be the most vulnerable (consider the 'fire storms', droughts and floods of recent times) of the developed nations to the effects of climate change. Australians are, however, on a per capita basis major generators of carbon dioxide release and big business, with media help, seems intent on not even entertaining the possibility of anthropogenic effects on climate.

Seeing the Changes 416

They seem to be doing something on the river bed on the seaward side of the Loughor Bridge. Meanwhile in Bynea, Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) was in berry and Sea mayweed (Matricaria maritima) in flower.

Seeing the Changes 415

In Bynea, Common fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica), Marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) and Marsh sow-thistle (Sonchus palustris) were in flower.

Arctic Avarice?

Global warming appears to have stimulated 'exploitation fever' in the Arctic region. Even rich and civilised Norway (producing all their electricity from hydroelectric schemes) seems keen to grab much of the newly-accessible oil, precious stones, uranium, rare metals and gas as possible (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/jul/06/norway-arctic-natural-resources?INTCMP=SRCH). This seems certain to exacerbate the effects of warming on that region as well as having profoundly detrimental effects on the organisms and peoples who operate in that icy region.

Toon Birds

Surprised to see lots of nesting Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) on the stone supports of the Tyne Bridge in the centre of Newcastle. They had also taken over all the surrounding offices and were voiding the guano. They must think it's a convenient cliff.

More Northern Days

Got some nice shots of a Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) at Tynemouth where I also noted nesting gulls near the North Pier. At Corbridge (Northumberland) there were masses of wild flowers near the Tyne including Greater knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) and White campion (Silene alba).

Northern Days

Around Jesmond Dene in Newcastle, alien Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) was in vogue as were Clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata) and Nettle-leaved bellflower (Campanula trachelium). In Newton Links in Northumberland, there was lots of Common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) along with masses of Ladies bedstraw (Galium verum) and nesting Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) on the shore. Also got some nice shots of a Meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis) with a butterfly.