When a Reef is Bleached, It is Bleached: No Matter What Politicians May Prefer

Bleaching events represent very serious damage to coral organisms and the reefs they construct. These events are also, of course, devastating to the myriads of other animals that make the reefs their home. Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef is now undergoing its 6th mass coral bleaching event (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/25/we-need-action-immediately-great-barrier-reef-authority-confirms-sixth-mass-coral-bleaching-event). No areas, on an aerial survey along a 1200 k stretch, had escaped the bleaching event. Bleaching is routinely followed by death of the coral organism. Bleaching events are triggered by exceptionally elevated local temperatures. There is also no doubt that human-generated releases of 'greenhouse gases', intensify global heating and produce consequent climate change. You can't have a Great Barrier Reef and massive extraction/exporting of non-renewable energy sources.

For the US Birds

The phenomenon has already been noted in European birds. Scientists, using data on 72 species for which historical and modern data exist in Chicago records, have now confirmed that some US birds are laying their eggs much earlier (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/25/birds-nesting-laying-eggs-early-climate-crisis-study). The Chicago study found that one third of the species (including Blue jays, Yellow warblers and Field sparrows), were currently nesting much earlier in the year. Species showing this phenomenon, were an average of 25 days earlier, than was the case 100 years ago. This is yet another clear illustration of the consequences of human-mediated global heating. Disrupting natural cycles to such large extents, is a threat to the survival of species and biological communities.

Biting Into US Mosquito Problem?

Aedes aegypti is a species of mosquito, not really native to the USA. This biting fly is, however, now widely spreading in that country, especially in Florida and California. Had the mosquito been endemic, it is still unlikely to have been subjected to conservation programmes. The bite of the female Aedes aegypti (she needs blood for her egg development), can transmit a range of human diseases including Chikunya, Dengue, Yellow fever and Zika. An attempt is being made to eradicate this disease vector, by releasing 2.4 bn genetically-modified male Aedes aegypti in California (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/26/us-release-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-diseases). Male mosquitoes do not bite, as they can get by on fruit juice. Females only mate once. The genetically-modified male Aedes aegypti, produced by the UK biotech company Oxitec, make a protein meaning that their only viable offspring are also non-biting males. Mosquito larvae are aquatic and live in stagnant water. Because of recent water shortages in California, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been driven to breed around people's houses. Where there are people, there are potential blood meals! Using insecticides would have been problematic as a) it would have killed all other insects in the vicinity, including pollinators and b) these pesticides are also toxic to humans. Trials with genetically-modified male Aedes aegypti in Florida, appear to have gone well.

British Summertime and My First Moth Trap is Out

My first moth trap of the year out in my Loughor garden. 5 Early greys (Xylocampa areola); 1 unidentified Carpet moth; 1 Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix) and 1 Brindled beauty (Lycia hirtaria). A modest 'catch'.

Nationally Significant Themed Rides?

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) designations are usually reserved for building major roads, power plants or airports. They are approved or rejected by central goverment, rather than by their local authorities. It consequently seems distinctly odd that the proposed London Resort development on the Thames' Swanscombe peninsula near Gravesend has been designated an NSIP (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/26/plastic-t-rex-vs-rare-beetles-disney-on-thames-plan-london-devastate-wildlife). The London Resort would be a massive development of themed rides, a water park, conference venues, hotels and a shopping centre. Hardly 'nationally significant' nor lacking in the London area. Part of the Swanscombe peninsula is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It has rare plants (including a variety of orchids) and wildlife (including Marsh harriers, Spoonbills, otters and more than 1700 species of invertebrates). Surely, central government couldn't be thinking of forcing through a 'Disney on the Thames' in place of irreplaceable biodiversity?

A Bogof Burger Bonanza?

The UK's biggest supermarkets 'pledged' (there's that word again!) to promote more meat-free diets to 'improve health and tackle global heating' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/26/uk-supermarkets-accused-of-bombarding-shoppers-with-cheap-meat). That pledge didn't last very long. The supermarkets are all now pushing multi-buy offers on cheap meat products, such as burgers and sausages. It appears that only 1% of these hundreds of bogofs (buy one, get one free) will be banned when the government's so-called 'crackdown' on promoting foods high in fat, salt or sugar comes into force in October 2022. The 'crackdown' is intended to tackle the problem of childhood obesity. That obesity is linked to many health problems including type 2 diabetes. Not advertising burgers on TV before 9pm is, however, hardly likely to have much of an effect. Parents usually buy the household food. Bogofs are likely to tempt poorer parents, especially when they are exposed to prevailing inflationary pressures. The relationship between the UK government and food producers appears distinctly unhealthy (for people and the planet)!

Conger Ice Shelf- Start of the Conga?

The Conger ice shelf in Eastern Antarctica was relatively small, being 'only' 1200 square km. The ice shelf's complete collapse has not produced huge effects. A NASA scientist involved in the study suggests, however, that the ice shelf's collapse 'may be a sign of what is coming' (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/25/satellite-data-shows-entire-conger-ice-shelf-has-collapsed-in-antarctica). The Conger ice shelf collapsed after a record temperatures of -11.8 degrees Centigrade (40 degrees above normal values) was reached on March 18th. It seems likely that other areas of Antarctic ice will also melt. Such a succession of melts could produce a 'domino' effect, elevating sealevels, diverting ocean currents etc. We may be rapidly approaching a tipping point, at which the process can no longer be reversed.