Category: Environment

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IN THE NEWS TODAY

Paraquat still being manufactured in the UK (Huddersfield) for export 14 years after it was banned here. Thousands of mainly poor farmers have died. Lets talk capitalism and greed Mr. Johnson!

Super large containership goes aground in the Suez Canal and blocks it. It may have an impact on petrol prices and other products if not shifted soon.

Covid ‘passports’ likely to be necessary in many pubs and restaurants. I have not put all the statistics into perspective yet. North Somerset has lower levels of infection than in September. The oldest half of the population has been vaccinated and school children tested. I suppose we do not know the long term effectiveness of the vaccines yet. Being old and vaccinated I would want everyone possible vaccinated, but does it really matter if 30 year olds are not? If the vaccine protects successfully against infection what is to be lost? It would seem sensible for mask wearing in winter everywhere inside to protect against flu? Personally I would not go to a football ground now, or a concert, and will continue to plan my shopping trips to quiet times.

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CLIMATE CRISIS

Whilst the human race has become pre-occupied with self-preservation, a far greater threat is heading our way. The Gulf Stream is the weakest it has been for more than a millennium.

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WILDLIFE – ESPECIALLY INSECTS

There appears to be a massive decline in our insects which will have a catastrophic impact on life on Earth. Are we being too tidy?

Whilst I understand the impact of agribusiness on the countryside I cannot believe that that alone is responsible. In particular I have noticed fewer flies and wasps around my house in the last couple of years. It made me think about the food recycling boxes we now have, with the contents then being incinerated or whatever. In the past they would have gone in a dustbin, and even if in plastic bags these often split, and were then dumped in landfill.

Now with great efficiency disposal is insect free. I do not want to attract rats, so what to do? Entomologists please advise.

I remember Chris Baines stating that the attraction of the Severn Estuary to wading birds was the invertebrates which lived on the sewage deposited by rivers from both animals and humans!

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LAND USE

Back to my garden! In North Somerset 14% is classified as Built On; 5% as Green Urban; 72% Farmland; 9% Natural. I am assuming green urban to be parks and open spaces within urban areas. And gardens to be in the built on section. (Corine classification).

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DREAMING

I blame RoseMarie for this. But how could I make my house here into my ideal?

I know I am a bit different – that’s why I identify with minorities, but whatever. The question is how could I make my house right for me? I did not design it, I was not consulted on what a house should look like, or be like.

I think my ideal house would be mainly kitchen with a large wooden table and an aga style cooker/oven.
I just had a thought!  I could get rid of the gas fire near my table and put an aga in. No the room is not wide enough for a table, but the present kitchen could just have a round table and chairs and then I would have 4m of shelving opposite the aga, with a work surface to die for, and the sink could be moved to where a book shelf is now (would I need planning permission for a new window?

The kitchen would have a mix of practical kitchen chairs and a few with arm rests. The corners would have books – lots of cookbooks but others too. I guess the dishwasher might fit under the new sink? Big fridge in kitchen part near steps. The old kitchen would have 3 corner units for utensils if there was not room under the kitchen units, but better to have a lemon/lime tree in the corner.,

I guess the floor would need something new – ideas? The gas boiler would have to go, but would I need a heat pump.

Then I would still have a lounge area with TV, conservatory, and 3 bedrooms and bathroom – they are the next to think about!

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A SUNDAY RAMBLE

Not much to report today. EU row about vaccines continues – it will soon peter out as more vaccines get approved and come on stream. Numbers of new cases falling slowly but so are hospital cases, so good news. DVLA outbreak out to bring end to Transport Ministers career in cabinet! Has there ever been such a litany of incompetent decisions by government ministers (and no apologies or resignations).

Marcus Rashford receives hate social media – was it Boris?? Seriously something needs to be done to bring this to an end.

I found my hair trimmers at last (in the laundry basket – of course!). Durhh! But I have mowed my head.

I think I need to get cooking as I seem to be stocked up with everything! And also use up some of the stuff in the freezer.

Bloody magpie is hanging on to the bird feeder and guzzling it! Whilst I appreciate the initiative I would rather not feed corvid!

Weather forecast is wet for the next week or so, and not really warming up, but tomorrow is February and then March is spring. I have a very small red poppy that has flowered in the front!

Aghh – February means that Di’s nature notes for Feb will be online. I hope I do not get too much abuse for the wild area! I guess it could go both ways this summer – lots of flowers and more importantly insects, or just look like a tangle of weeds?

Car had a little condensation this morning – it was freezing, but worrying.