Just about everyone is now aware of El Niño and La Niña – these events were unknown to me in childhood. So the ‘Godzilla’ El Nino has started with sea temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean 3C above normal. Many are speculating about what this means for us weather wise – early projections are a wet autumn and then a cold end to winter (which I presume means dry?) and the a hot summer. But the weather is the least of our concerns. Latest statistics reveal that an estimated 440 people A DAY DIED in the last heatwave (comparison 35 deaths each day due to traffic accidents). A study by Goldman Sachs (not a UN related body!) estimates that world food commodity prices could rise by 15.8% – this would have an impact of a rise of 1.3% rise in food prices across the Eurozone. trumps war with Iran will continue to have an impact on fertiliser and oil prices, and Ukraines war with Russia seems to be taking a new turn with the Sea of Azov blocked for Russian exports of oil and grain. Add in the cuts in aid budgets by Starmer and Trump and there are parts of the world that will be basically fucked by any extreme climate events.
Thank goodness for Hannah Spencer – a new Green MP who has already made a mark – decrying the drinking culture of Westminster, this time she is introducing a bill to set maximum temperatures in the workplace – I wonder who will oppose this?
Wild fires are breaking out in a few areas of the UK – most notably Snowdonia. I am sure the firefighters are doing a brilliant job – but do they have the training and equipment? 70% of land is owned by 1% – a need for legislation to put the onus of proper management on those Rich F’s!
Hey kids early warning, I want another large water butt for Christmas .