Probably 50 years too late to be useful! And possibly obsolete within 10 years! But I have just received a questionnaire about it. It is from Sandford Neighbhood Group – whoever they are? Their names are not published. And I will question the motives as there is no mention of costs/benefits to surrounding villages and communities.
JACKDAWS
For the past couple of weeks a blackbird has been singing with great gusto from the TV aerials opposite the shop or a tall willow tree. The last couple of days have seen jackdaws move into his patch.. This morning there was a kerfuffle with one jackdaw seemingly being dragged out of a chimney. This was followed with a growing number until there were 14 whirling round whilst shouting. They were joined by 2 magpies who came in like UN Observers. They watched until the hubbub died down and there were only 2 left. Then the blackbird arrived on a neighbouring TV mast, but obviously de coded that it was not wise to practise his melodies, and he soon flew off.
GEOGRAPHY
Large sections of the Jurassic Coast have collapsed, the largest being 4000 tonnes. It is thought to due to the ground drying out after a wet period.
A new white paint has been found to be able to reduce the ambient temperatures of buildings as it greatly increases the albedo effect. Using the paint on buildings would not only reduce the greenhouse effect, but also reduce use of air conditioning.
French wine production this year may be affected badly by the recent cold weather with frosts affecting the vines.
All cars sold in the USA by 2035 could be electric. Biden has promised 500000 more charging points in the next decade. With less maintenance and cheaper travel costs the savings for consumers could reach £2 trillion by 2050.
LITTER
IN THE NEWS TODAY 26 MARCH
Rubbish weather day wet and windy and chilly.
The Ever Given remains wedged in the Suez Canal blocking it totally and preventing the carriage of £6.6 billion of trade per day, (12% of world trade – 50 ships per day). The 200000 tonne 400m long vessel went aground on Tuesday and may take days to clear. Ships are now embarking on the journey around the Cape of Good Hope which adds a week on the journey. High winds of 30mph and a dust storm were given as a cause of the incident.
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.
CLIMATE CRISIS
REWILDING
An excellent article here from Rewilding Britain
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!