Few Creatures, Big or Small, Escape the Ravages of a Warming Planet

The Plight of the "Red Mason"

By Larry Powell

  The red mason bee above (osmia bicornis), is considered 

an important wild pollinator. Public domain photo by Bemma.

    In a study released today, scientists in Poland have made some disturbing discoveries. 

    When exposed to even short periods of extreme heat (the kind that's increasing due to manmade climate change), larvae of one of several species of red mason bees (osmia bicornis - above) emerged as smaller adults with reduced wing size. It was harder for them to take off and, when they did, they flew more slowly and for shorter distances. 

    The research team ominously concludes: "As climate change intensifies heatwaves, such carry-over effects may reduce pollinator mobility, foraging efficiency, and ecosystem services."

     The osmia bicornis is found in Europe, North Africa, and parts of western and northern Asia. It was introduced to North America and has now been recorded in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Other kinds of red masons are considered invasive species in North America. No such designation  seems to have been attached to the osmia bicornis so far.

As a matter-of-fact, the "Bumblebee Conservation Trust (UK), has nothing but praise for that particular bee. "The osmia bicornis are approachable and docile little bees which aren't given to stinging and so are safe around children and pets. Like all bees it is only the females that carry a sting and it's been said that the only way a female red mason will sting you is if you roll her between your fingers! 

    "They're hugely beneficial to our gardens and crops as they're excellent pollinators of fruit trees, together with a wide range of wildflowers. A single female red mason bee can do the work of 120 honeybees and may in the future be commercially reared to pollinate fruit orchards in the U.K."

    The study has just been published by The Royal Society.

WORDS WORTH HEEDING - THE IDIOCY OF CLIMATE DENIAL

"The atmosphere does not negotiate. It operates on known laws and properties of physics and chemistry. Either we reduce emissions or we do not. Either we meet our emissions targets or we do not. Either our elected representatives respond to the issue of our time — or they do not. If not now, when? Our house is on fire. 'Pragmatic' is putting the fire out. Fossil-fuel expansion and new pipelines are not 'pragmatic' politics — just plain lunacy. What could be more pragmatic than basing climate policy on the best available science? What could be less pragmatic than letting fossil-fuelled denialism determine climate policy?"Anon

Carney government faces first lawsuit over its climate policies

CANADA'S NATIONAL OBSERVER

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is staring down a legal challenge after his government spent more than a year unraveling Canadian climate policy. Story here.

Carney government passes law allowing authorization of banned pesticides

CBC NEWS                                                                                        Bill C-30 gives cabinet power to greenlight use for economic or food security reasons. Story here. 

Mangrove forests are healing after decades of human destruction

The BBC

A mangrove swamp in Indonesia.
Photo by Adnankasogi.

The world's coastal mangrove forests, which protect millions of people from storms - and soak up vast amounts of planet-warming gases - are staging an unexpected comeback, scientists find. Story here.

Canadian crypto platform has rebranded after record fine, analysts say

The Investigative Journalism Foundation

"Cryptomus" was accused of facilitating transactions related to child sex abuse material and sanctions evasion.  

                                             Story here.

Feds race to destroy key organic research fields

Canada's National Observer

A field of certified organic potatoes in Manitoba. A PinP photo.

Field crews at the federal agricultural research station in Swift Current, Sask. have destroyed Canada's only public organic research plots and are planning to plant the fields with non-organic wheat seed. Story here.