Seeing the Changes 1556

In Penclacwydd, Hazel (Corylus avellana) was in bloom. Both male (small red) and female (large catkins) flowers were prominent.

Boaty McBoatface to Assess State of Thwaites Glacier

'Boaty McBoatface' was an ill-advised online competition's most poplar choice, to name a new polar research vessel (like the Norwegian vessel illustrated), built for the British Antarctic Survey. Eventually, the more 'dignified' name of 'RRS Sir David Attenborough' was selected. The name 'Boaty McBoatface' did not, however, 'die' (some scientists have a sense of humour). The polar research vessel has 3 robotic Autosub Long Range Class vehicles. The lead vehicle was actually christened 'Boaty McBoatface'. The lithium battery powered subs, are about to examine the base of the ice shelf of Antarctica's Thwaites glacier (https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2022-01-05/scientists-set-off-to-south-pole-to-study-impact-of-global-warming). The preceding post highlighted the potential 'doomsday' consequences of global heating on the Thwaites glacier ice shelf. This could lead to a rapid 60cm elevation of sea level within the next 20 years. 'Boaty McBoatface' is currently the only way of looking at the effects of warming Antarctic waters on the underside of the ice shelf.

The Shape of Things to Come?

Coastal erosion is currently rampant in parts of England. Marked coastal erosion is evident in North Norfolk; the entire Lincolnshire coast; much of Cambridgeshire; parts of East Yorkshire; Merseyside and the Bristol area. It has been estimated that 100,000 homes at imminent risk of falling into the seas (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/01/sands-slip-england-crumbling-coasts-erosion-rising-sea-levels). England's coastal erosion is a consequence of rising sea levels. Sea levels have been rising since the last Ice Age (20,000 years ago). The rate of the rise is, however, currently accelerating. This rise will continue, even if 'moderate' (whatever they are?) attempts are made to combat climate change. More worrying is the prediction, that the enormous ice-shelf of Antarctica's Thwaites glacier, may fracture in the next 20 years. If it does, sea level will rapidly climb by another 60 cm. This would dramatically alter the entire shape of England (and of many other world locations).

Sugar, Sugar

10% of Americans have diabetes. Native Americans and people from Hispanic or Black backgrounds are more likely to have the condition. Such groups are also less likely to have health insurance. A number of diabetics are unhappy with the proposed terms of 'build back better'. This (if it ever materialises?) contains loopholes but would cap the cost of insulin at $35 only for individuals with health insurance (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jan/04/insulin-copay-biden-build-back-better). Type 1 diabetes is the worst variety, as people with this condition produce no insulin to control their blood sugar levels. They consequently need daily insulin injections to stay alive or avoid blindness/amputations. Currently, 1.4 million US adults have this condition but the figure is projected to rise to 5m by 2050. There seems to be something of a scandal around the supply of US insulin? Insulin is a hormone not a created drug. It can currently be easily produced, using GM technology (rather than having to be obtained from the pancreas of slaughtered animals). Insulin was 'discovered in 1926 by Banting and Best. They 'sold' its patent for a nominal $1, because they thought it unethical to make money out of illness. Novo Nordisk, Sanofi-Aventis and Eli Lilly currently control most of the US's insulin market. The price has rocketed in recent years. One vial of Eli Lilly's Humalog insulin cost $21 in 1999. In 2019, same vial cost $332. The price also depends on which country you live in. The average price of 1 unit of insulin in the US is almost $99. In Canada and the UK a unit costs respectively $12 and less than $8. Rather obviously, some people think that the current 'build back better' proposals on insulin, simply facilitate, what they feel, is a scam by the pharmaceutical companies. Diabetes is the most expensive disease in the US. Americans with diabetes pay 2.3 times more for healthcare insurance than people without the condition. Given the prevalence of the disease, insulin ought to be cheap and relatively freely available.

Why Not Try Ditching 'Slease' Rather Than Environmental Levies?

John Vidal (former Guardian Environmental Editor) appears quite upbeat about the UK's ability to have a positive impact on our world's attempt to deal with climate change (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/03/great-green-reset-10-things-britain-save-planet-cop26). Vidal points out that the UK still holds the Presidency of Cop26 and can send strong signals about a 'great green reset'. He lists 9 areas, where the UK can clearly demonstrate its proactive credentials. These could include announcing an end to North Sea oil and gas exploration; ditching fossil fuel subsidies; protecting nature; stopping adding to deforestation; getting marine transport to 'slow steam' (reducing its emissions); encouraging people to continue changing their behaviour (in terms of diet, travel, recycling etc); abandoning most transport plans (stopping building new roads, rail and airport expansions); forcing house builders to improve the energy efficiency of new build homes and insulating existing homes/boosting home use of renewables (e.g. solar). Vidal clearly feels that the UK's credibility is strongly dependent on keeping the promises its government have made. This appears extremely unlikely. Many of the groups, that would lose out by making these changes, financially support the present governing party. 'Slease' is where the UK has its real expertise. 'Slease' (known as 'pork barrel politics' in the US) is basically doing covert deals, of questionable legality, to benefit the politician, his/her party or selected cronies. Cronies are expected to direct some of their profits back to the politician/party. Billions of pounds have, for example, been directed to the families and friends of politicians to supply personal protective equipment/ test and trace services etc. The UK is currently experiencing a substantial cost of living increase. This is partially down to the increasing cost of gas. Sadly, some people are already in a situation, where they have to choose to 'eat or heat (their homes)'. What is the political response? A substantial number of MPs want government to remove environmental levies ('green crap') on gas to make it cheaper for consumers (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jan/02/boris-johnson-urged-by-tory-mps-to-address-cost-of-living-crisis). Environmental levies are generally put in place to force suppliers to become more energy efficient. We, perhaps, need more levies in areas like short-haul flying. Much of the money wasted on 'slease', could have already been used to make more UK homes better insulated and heated by renewables. Simply taking away levies is not a good look for the UK's environmental credentials!

Fair Game?

There has been a change (described as a 'clarification') in English law. Licenced individuals will be allowed to shoot some wild bird species to 'protect' game birds (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/03/law-change-allows-wild-birds-killed-protect-game-birds-england). 'Game birds' include grouse and pheasants. Shooting them on moorland is big business for certain sections of the landed gentry. So they are only 'protected' until they are themselves shot. The wild birds scheduled for shooting include Carrion crows, Jackdaws, Magpies and Rooks. All these birds are intelligent corvids (members of the crow family). Perhaps other corvids, like the Chough and Jays, will also fall victim to 'gamekeepers'. The licences have also been increased in duration from 1 to 2 years, to give 'stability and certainty'. It's to be wondered if the Scots (they have many grouse moors) will go down the same route? Scottish grouse moor owners are likely to demand parity. One might also ask how much time will elapse, until some birds of prey (raptors) are added to the list of birds that can be shot?

Animal Criminals?

A 'sneaky' Grizzly bear has been filmed 'stealing' the kill of a pack of wolves in Yellowstone Park (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/03/kleptoparasitic-bear-steals-wolves-kill-yellowstone). The bear, in question, waited until the wolves had killed an elk, before taking the carcass. This type of behaviour (also shown by some big cat species and large seabirds) is labelled as 'kleptoparasitism'. It sounds vaguely criminal. A host (in this case, the wolf pack) is deprived of 'its' resource (the elk) by the bear 'stealing' it. Kleptoparasitism just illustrates, however, how opportunistic some intelligent species can be. Rather obviously, the solitary bear would be highly unlikely to capture and kill an elk. The wolf pack, however, can do so. Wolves can run at speed for longer and hunt cooperatively. The bear, however, has the power to drive off the wolves, once the elk is static (QED).