James Chubb

Sleigh Bells ring, are we listening

It seems ominously prescient that in the week that global leaders are meeting in Copenhagen to discuss the climate change agenda, the UK comes out of a period of weather that would make Noah shudder. Rain has hammered much of the country, and especially the South West, for the last fifty days; the biblical accounts which found Noah franticly constructing his ark, only deemed it necessary to rain for forty days to obliterate all life on earth not safely tucked up in the boat. I’m no theologian, so that’s as far down that particular route as I am prepared to venture, however it does give some pause for thought as to what we have just been through. If you think back to the early eighties, all pressurised aerosols, fridges and foam packaging contained a very useful group of chemicals called Choro-fluoro- carbons. It was fabulous stuff, seemingly inert and useful for a range of purposes. Then we found that these chemicals, when floating about in the atmosphere were ripping the guts out of ozone and creating a big hole that let in harmful UV rays that could cause us to die. Globally, we acted swiftly and decisively.To begin with products marketed themselves as CFC Free; a badge of ecological honour. These days it would seem pointless to have such a label, the change is complete. Possibly one of the reasons we in the UK are finding it difficult to adjust to the notion of lifestyle change to combat climate change is that there is some glimmer of hope we might actually come out of the process with a balmy Iberian climate. I fear the more likely scenario is more of what we have just been experiencing: Wet wet wet, and no one wants to see the return of that monster. At a time when Lewis Pugh is able to complete a one kilometer swim at the North Pole, SWIM - and only in his trunks - then its time to sit up and pay attention. People are naturally resistant to change, and I am counting myself in all of this I assure you, but that is when leadership is at its most valuable. Anyone can sit in lofty high office and make decisions that are easy. Its when the difficult calls have to be made that these people earn their status, I really hope things distill from Copenhagen 2009 that have a bit more urgency than previous summits, a little more focus on doing rather than strategising. Otherwise we may all have head to B&Q for large quantities of 2x4. But what effect has all this rain had on the local wildlife, after all that’s the focus of these columns. Animals that live on or around rivers, riparian wildlife, will obviously be impacted. However most species that have evolved to live in and around water have also evolved to be able to withstand flooding. Otters, water voles and other mobile critters can move to higher ground, although this has its associated hazards now we’ve put bridges and roads in their way. While the majority of riverside plants are flood-proof. One local favourite that will have been hard hit are barn owls. These beautiful birds have been making a bit of a comeback in recent years, thanks to habitat improvements, and the efforts of various conservation organisations. However, wet weather is a barn owl’s least favourite thing. They can tolerate cold, heat and dry, but wet and prolonged wet at that, is potentially fatal. The trouble is that a barn owl’s plumage isn’t very waterproof. Instead it is adapted to silent flight so each feather is soft, downy and in the rain acts like a very pretty sponge. Barn owls tend to stay inside when its raining. Fine for an evening or two, but eventually they are forced out in search of food. Not only does the rain very quickly waterlog their feathers, but it also effects their ability to hunt. Silent wings have evolved in barn owls as much to allow them to hear what is going on around them, as to allow them to creep up on little voles. Barn owls hunt with their ears, which are so well developed they have what can only be described as 3D hearing. When its pelting it down, these sensitive ears are deafened, rendering the barn owl ‘blind’ to what is going on in the rough grass below. Lets wait and see what comes from the Copenhagen summit and, until we get a handle on things, buy a very good brolly.