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Archive for the Q51a How many people does it take to fill up the Earth? Category

Winter Sunshine <> Sahara by 2030! <> World food shortages warning

Britain has had the sunniest winter since records began, basking in 196 hours of sunshine in December, January and February.  That’s a scorching 37% more than average and more than any since records began in 1929.  Those clouds must be feeling terribly lonely; no wonder the Daffodils are out early!

 daffodils-at-st-johns-church.jpg

A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts that the South-East of England will be as dry as the Sahara desert by 2030. The region will be at risk of serious water shortages that could lead to higher bills and rationing within 22 years.  It has been classed as one of the areas at highest risk due to changes in rainfall and population.  An anagram of SAHARA is - A SARAH, which made her smile.

Scientists are warning of a potential food crisis in years to come due to a range of factors, including growing population, changes in dietary habits in some parts of the world, and the impact of globalwarming.  It’s explained here…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7280000/newsid_7282500/7282572.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

Q: How many people does it take to fill up the UK?

The UK’s population is growing faster than previously estimated and is predicted to reach 75 million by 2051.  The UK’s current population is 60 million.

Red Alert <> Nature’s out of Time <> Feeling fruity

The World Conservation Union has identifed 16,000 species threatned with extinction. The Red List includes gorillas, orangutans, and corals - this means they are now critically endangered, with numbers or orangutans down by 80% in the last 75 years.  The rate of biodiversity loss is so alarming - one in three amphibians, one in four mammals, one in eight birds and 70% of plants are now assessed as at risk of extinction, with human alteration of habitat as the main reason.   What on Earth are we doing to our planet?

orangutan.jpg

The Wildlife Trust report that spring and autumn in Britain seems to be happening at the same time, as forna and flora are confused by our weather.  After the wet summer, trees are already shedding their leaves and mushrooms have appeared, whilst the recent warm spell has brought out bluebells and crocuses, which usually appear in the spring.

This as Prince Charles launched a scheme to help connect children from towns and cities to the countryside - sadly about 1 in 3 have little experience of the rural world. Part of Charles’ vision is to give them the chance to unerstand where there food comes from and to give them the opportunity to pick and eat some fresh fruit.

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