Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 8 January   1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# France is set to build eight new nuclear plants on top of six already announced by president Emmanuel Macron in early 2022. The country’s Energy minister, Agnes Pannier-Runacher said more reactors are needed to hit carbon reduction targets. A draft law set to be presented soon, recognises the need for more than the six plants initially planned. According to Climate Watch, France is on the lower end of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, at around 4.7 tonnes per capita in 2020. The country has 57 nuclear reactors which required long and costly repairs in recent years.

# Authorities say a criminal syndicate that planned to illegally export hundreds of native lizards from Australia to Hong Kong has been dismantled. According to New South Wales police the reptiles had an estimated market value of more than 15-million-rand. Three men and a woman were arrested in Sydney and charged with offences including the export of native reptiles, dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group. Some 257 lizards and three snakes were seized by police after allegedly being kept in poor conditions. They have been treated and returned to the wild.

# And finally, a recent study in the journal, Nature Ecology and Evolution, has revealed that declining predator populations have cascading effects on their prey, disrupting ecosystem functioning. The study’s author, Phil Shaw, highlights that the loss of large avian predators, such as vultures, has significant consequences for prey populations and overall biodiversity. He emphasises the long-lasting impact on the environment and human health, as scavengers play a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases. Shaw advocates for strengthening protected area networks to address biodiversity challenges.

Stay tuned for more news………….