Seeing the Changes 1721

More nature spots at Crymlyn Burrows. A large, interesting fungus sat on the dunes. Common centaury (Centaurium erythraea) was still in flower and Michaelmas daisy (Aster novi-belgii) in vigorous, massed bloom. A Common darter (Sympetrum striolatum) hopefully lurked.

Seeing the Changes 1720

Michaelmas daisy were out in force at Crymlyn Burrows. They attracted a solitary Small blue (Cupido minimus); several Red admirals (Vanessa atalanta) and some Clouded yellows (Colias croceus).

Seeing the Changes 1719

In Bynea, lots of Dandelion relatives still in bloom inclduding Marsh hawksbeard (Crepis paludosa); Smooth sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) and Prickly sow-thistle (Sonchus asper).

Some of My Favourite Pictures from France

Pictures from a large, diverse country with excellent food and wine.

'Ghost Fishing' Equipment

The scale of annually lost or discarded fishing gear in the oceans boggles the mind (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/16/new-study-reveals-staggering-scale-of-lost-fishing-gear-drifting-in-earths-oceans). A new survey has generated some astounding estimates. Enough fishing nets are lost or discarded each year to cover Scotland! Sufficient commercial fishing line finishes up in our seas, to stretch to the moon and back! 25 million pots and traps finish up in the oceans along with 14 billion hooks! All consequently present considerable dangers for marine life, totally unrelated to obtaining food. 'Ghost fishing' must kill enormouse numbers of marine animals. The penalties for discarding fishing gear, should be greatly increased. Countries with active fisheries should pay for the cost of clean ups!

Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health

Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) are a class of food ingredients. They are generally low in protein and fibre, as well as being high in fat, salt and sugar. UPFs have also commonly undergone industrial processes such as extrusion, moulding and milling. It's estimated that circa 50% of current UK calorie intake, comes from UPFs. They may, however, be distinctly unhealthy options (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/oct/16/ultra-processed-food-unhealthier-harder-to-avoid-than-you-thought). High UPF intake has already been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack and strokes); high blood pressure (ditto); type 2 diabetes; dementia and colon cancer. Although a vegan or vegetarian diet beneficially reduces fat intake from meat, many newly-available plant-based foods are UPFs. Their availability makes becoming an unhealthy vegan or vegetarian more likely! Oat milk is a popular replacement for dairy but it may have downsides. Perhaps people need worry about more than just whether a food item is derived from animal, bacterial, fungal or plant material?

Spike After Spike?

The assumption that the Covid19 pandemic is 'over' seems distinctly premature. One problematic variant has been followed by another. The new XBB variant is a version that seems to largely overcome immune defences acquired by prior infection and/or vaccination. Singapore has seen almost 12,000 new cases (largely of XBB) in a single day (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/new-covid-19-cases-more-than-double-from-previous-day-but-severe-cases-remain-low). XBB usually doesn't appear to cause severe Covid19 infections. The fact that it has arisen, however, clearly suggests that Covid19 is going to be with its human hosts/vectors for the long term. There are likely to be more problematic variants of this virus.