Little Landmark

My blog exceeded quarter of a million reads this week. Many thanks to my readers. I hope you continue to find things to interest you on the site.

Wood Burners a No-No?

The Mayor of London has apparently called for a ban on wood-burning stoves in the city (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/29/air-pollution-sadiq-khan-calls-for-ban-on-wood-burning-stoves). It is claimed that the smoke mingles with diesel fumes with a very negative impact on air quality. The move will probably not go down well with trendies. And what about bonfire night?

Phew, Cattle Are Heating Us Up More Than We Thought?

Methane, from both ends of the digestive processes of cattle, is actually a more powerful 'greenhouse gas' than carbon dioxide and seems likely to have a strong impact on climate change. The recent claim that the actual emissions from cattle are some 11% higher than estimated is cause for concern (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/29/methane-emissions-cattle-11-percent-higher-than-estimated). The fact that more land appears to be cleared for the generation of cattle (and associated milk) is only likely to exacerbate our climate problems.

Chickens Come Home to Roost

The domestic chicken (a derivative of the Himalayan Jungle fowl) is, on the basis of shear numbers, the most successful species associated with our own (although relatively few live as the birds shown in the above picture). Admittedly, the success is based on humans eating both the eggs and flesh they produce. There has, however, been a recent uproar caused by reports claiming that some companies (dealing with a wide range of UK supermarkets) mislead customers with respect to the age of the meat and its safety (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/sep/29/chicken-safety-scandal-2-sisters-faces-parliamentary-inquiry-after-revealations). Chicken products can carry risks associated with bacterial (salmonella) and viral factors (bird 'flu). The drive for cheaper and cheaper products appears to make producers 'cut corners' (people might well remember the recent thus about using banned insecticides to control parasites on chicken flocks in The Netherlands). It is a sad fact that people on low incomes are particularly likely to suffer health consequences from some of these practises (although the UK scandal might well have also impacted on some of the more comfortably off). Cheap does not allows have to mean nasty but we should, perhaps, be prepared to pay a little more for safety.

Seeing the Changes 1233

Visited, in Loughor, by a Brindled beauty (Lycia hirtaria) and cavorting craneflies.

Seeing the Changes 1232

Towrds the end of the growing season in Loughor with the appearance of Blackening waxcaps (Hygrocybe conica), the last bloomings of Fly honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum) and the odd underwing moth.

Sugar, Sugar

There has been much media excitement about the EU removing its quota arrangement for sugar beet production thus maximising European production and refining of sugar (bbc.co.uk/news/business-41412717). There are a number of potential problems associated with this decision. Firstly, the consumption of sugar in Europe is already much too high with detrimental effects on obesity, incidence of diabetes mellitus and dental health. Secondly, the decision makes sugar cane growing in some countries even less viable. And, thirdly, the land used to grow yet more sugar beet could be used to grow other more needed crops (or even to be kept aside to maintain biodiversity).