Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 5 January 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Researchers say the flamboyantly plumed secretary bird and the serpent-catching snake eagle are among dozens of Africa’s large birds of prey facing a human-driven extinction crisis. The new study by researchers at the University of St Andrews and the Peregrine Fund found that large birds of prey that do not depend on scavenging and are less vulnerable to poisoning had, like vultures, also suffered similarly severe depletions. Scientists say these large birds of prey in decline face a double jeopardy because they are increasingly dependent on protected areas and also have a more restricted habitat.

# University of Reading climate scientist, Ed Hawkins suggests the need for a new colour in climate stripes used to illustrate temperature levels due to climate change. The decision follows the recording of extreme temperatures in 2023, with the highest global temperatures ever recorded. The climate stripes use a series of vertical coloured bars to visually depict the planet’s warming trend, and with the recent temperature levels, Hawkins proposes the addition of a new colour to the scale to accurately represent the rise.

# And finally: Scientists have discovered that rocks can efficiently and cost-effectively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, outperforming some machine-based methods. This study explores Enhanced Rock Weathering, a natural process involving the breakdown of rocks exposed to weather, as a relatively simple and inexpensive means of pulling carbon out of the air. The findings open new avenues for mitigating climate change, with businesspeople and scientists exploring the potential of Enhanced Rock Weathering as a partial solution to reduce carbon emissions.

Stay tuned for more news………….