Dining Out on Black-headed Gulls

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) lists the Black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) as currently being 'moderately threatened (amber)'. This species is currently estimated to have a UK breeding population of around 140,000. Like other birds, the Black-headed gull's future survival is challenged by the latest wave of Avian 'flu. This species faces, however, an additional threat, that does not impact on other UK seabirds. 'Gourmet UK diners' gobble up Black-headed gull eggs in their 'feeding frenzies' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/03/ban-taking-threatened-black-headed-gull-eggs-for-uk-diners-says-rspb). Since 2019, licences have been issued by Natural England (the government body charged with protection of wildlife), to take more than 160,000 Black-headed gull eggs. More eggs are probably lost due to disturbance of nesting areas by the collecters. 'Gourmets' are said to favour Black-headed gull eggs for their attractive shells and 'creamy' yolks. These eggs can be 'nice, little earners', selling at up to £8 'a pop'. The RSPB advocate issuing zero UK licences to take Black-headed gull eggs. The 'gourmets' should surely be able to survive without them!

Seeing the Changes 1781

Around Loughor Foreshore, spotted flowering Dog rose (Rosa canina); Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and Field pepperwort (Lepidium campestre). Lots of Speckled woods (Parage aegeria tircis) joined the Small whites.

I Want Change But I Don't Want to Have To Myself!

A YouGov survey was carried out, in Denmark; France; Germany; Italy; Spain; Sweden and the UK, on people's attitudes to measures designed to tackle climate change. A majority of respondents supported any measure that wouldn't greatly affect the way they lived their lives. They were, however, much less enthusiastic about personal sacrifice (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/02/many-europeans-want-climate-action-but-less-so-if-it-changes-their-lifestyle-shows-poll). The YouGov survey revealed that between 60 and 80% (depending on country) of respondents, were very or fairly worried about climate change. A vast majority agreed, that climate change was a consequence of human activities. Over three quarters of respondents believed that, all countries would prove more effective at limiting climate change, if they worked in unison. Measures, entailing no great lifestyle sacrifices, like tree planting and phasing out single-use plastic, were popular. People were also enthusiastic about improving the energy efficiency of homes, so long as their governments largely paid for the changes. Predictably, however, most folk were unsupportive of measures where they had to make lifestyle changes. These included totally cutting meat and dairy from their diets; having fewer children than they would like, as well as altering their personal travel patterns. Although frequent flyer levies were generally supported, many of the proposed changes on car use and fuel charges were deeply unpopular. Humans will be humans. They want solutions but they don't want to be part of it!

Nostalgia Ain't What It Used to Be!

Alexander Hurst (The Paris Institute of Political Sciences) gives an interesting assessment of France's current political climate (https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2023/may/01/france-gone-to-hell-politics-nostalgia). Hurst points out that, in spite of its current, well-publicised difficulties, France is a remarkably successful social democracy. His first year students, however, erroneously believed that France was (with the US) near the top of world inequality charts. It's actually quite close to the bottom, near the best-performing Scandinavian countries. Hurst thinks a common French belief is nowadays summed up by the phrase "c'etait mieux avant" (things were better in the old days). There's a sort of nostalgia politics. One has to remember, however, that it's some older voters who fixate on apparent 'former glories', without recalling their 'downsides'. Although younger voters weren't there, they can respond to the 'mood music' of their elders. Hurst believes the media push this nostalgia politics, encouraging some folk to look for 'solutions' on the extreme right or the extreme left. One can make a case arguing that nostalgia politics accounted for the (actually narrow) UK vote for Brexit (to leave the EU). That vote to leave, was not supported by most younger voters, who recognised it would limit their life chances (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/01/the-guardian-view-on-brexit-barriers-and-the-young-a-new-deal-is-needed). Nostalgia politics may even have a role in current US goverance impasses. Immoveable attitudes and clear differences between the 'needs'/aspirations of the different generations, give democracy (the 'least worst system') a bad name. The world is currently facing many challenges, notably including climate change and the development of artificial intelligence systems. Looking backwards to the 'good, old days', for solutions, will not help.

Seeing the Changes 1780

On the Penclacwydd border with Bynea, noted Common vetch (Vicia sativa) in bloom. Also Spotted female and male Orange tip butterflies (Anthocaris cardamines) amongst the Cuckoo flowers.

Hearts Skipping Beats?

City air pollution is generally caused by emissions from vehicles and/or industrial processes. It's been established, there are more hospital admissions in the UK, on days when air quality is especially poor. These admissions are often linked to heart conditions including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, premature beats and supraventricular tachycardia. A Fudon University of Shanghai study looked at circa 200,000 Chinese hospital admissions, after acute exposure to high air pollution (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/01/air-pollution-spikes-linked-to-irregular-heartbeats-study-finds). The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that acute exposure to air pollution, raised the risk of heart arrhythmias (irregular beats), heart disease and sudden death. The effects of this exposure to air pollution were evident for up to 24 hours. Fine particulate air pollution was most strongly linked to irregular heartbeats. Compounds, such as nitrous dioxide, also had influences on heart function. It's uncertain how air pollution acts on the heart but it may alter the activity of the nerve nodes that control regular beats. There's clearly an urgent need to reduce city air pollution. It's a real challenge to human health.

It Doesn't Come Out in the Sport's Greenwash?

A number of the middle-east Petrochemical billionaires (and others) have invested/are investing some of their substantial wealth to purchase English Premier League football ('soccer') clubs. Perhaps they have 'seen the writing on the wall'? They may recognise that oil and gas, although currently booming as 'nice, little earniers', have a real image problem. Global heating and the consequent climate change emergency, will continue to make these fossil fuels increasingly unacceptable. What better, than to invest your wealth in 'sport'? Everyone likes 'sport', with its high media profile and positive images! Football and other 'sports', however, also generate enormous 'carbon footprints'. Flying sportsfolk, their support staff, equipment to events, releases copious volumes of 'greenhouse gases', high into the atmosphere. These emissions, of course, are greatly augmented, when such events are 'international' and the sport's equipment includes things like formula one racing cars! The emissions' created by the fans, encouraged to personally attend each event, must also be added to the 'footprint'. The media 'circus' and advertisers following the teams around, also don't arrive without creating emissions. The petrochemical billionaires (and other 'investors') simply appear to be exchanging one emissions-heavy activity for another! Perhaps the true contributions of sports and other forms of entertainment are due to be fully evaluated?