How Green is My Branson?

I do find Richard Branson's comments about creating a 'green' haven in the Caribbean (http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/feb/08/richard-branson-caribbean-green-virgin-renewable-energy) a bit at odds with his plans to develop space tourism. Surely, the energy required to 'fire' people even to the fringes of space would dwarf any sustainable energy developments in his holiday locations?

Food Fallacies?

Yet more problems are reported from the very limited testing of foods in the UK (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/07/fake-food-scandal-revealed-tests-products-mislabelled) with a high proportion of items reportedly sometimes not being as described, others having much of their weight made up of water and some even containing banned chemicals. The most worrying aspect of this story, however, is the number of major cities where Public Health departments apparently lack the money to do any tests. Under these circumstances, I think it is ill-advised to believe that all food producers and sellers will be deeply concerned about the provinance of what they are selling. It's even more bizzare to rely on their advice on human health issues without a pinch of salt!

Yellow Peril

A distinctly yellow Shield slug (Testacella scutulum) slimed around my garden in Loughor.

No Way to Treat a SSSI?

I am somewhat disturbed to read that there are plans to greatly extend the extent of the proposed power-generating lagoon planned for Swansea Bay before the first stage has even been completed (http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/feb/06/swansea-bay-tidal-lagoon-power-planned). The place is a SSSI and is important for birds, fish and cetaceans. I really do think that they ought to evaluate whether there are any ecological downsides to the initial development before they greatly expand the whole construct. 'Green electricity' is desirable but not at any environmental price!

Penguin Palpitations

News that Humboldt penguins at Scarborough zoo are being given antidepressants to help them cope with the current UK weather (http://www.theguardian.com/world/the-northerner/2014/feb/06/penguins-prescribed-antidepressants-scarborough-rain) is itself depressing. It would probably have been better to give them improved lighting (with UV) if it was actually thought they had developed SAD (seasonally associated depression.

Foxey Goes to Varsity

A very relaxed male Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) strolled around the Botanical Gardens at Swansea University in broad daylight yesterday. Perhaps the continuous rain has prevented people from eating their lunches outside, forcing him to range a bit more outside 'normal' hours in search of scraps?

Seeing the Changes 630

In Gorseinon, the alien (from North America) Witch-hazel (genus Hamamelidaceae) was in bloom.