Thursday, May 8, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

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Cougars adapt their circadian rhythm to cope with human presence

Published 7 March 2025
– By Editorial Staff

Cougars actively avoid contact with humans, a US study shows. In areas of high human activity, cougars became more nocturnal, while in remote regions they were more often active during dawn and dusk.

In Los Angeles, mountain lions live in several natural areas that also attract many people to the outdoors. In a study published in the scientific journal Biological Conservation, researchers tracked 22 mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains with GPS between 2011 and 2018. The aim was to investigate how cougars’ activity patterns adapt to increased human presence. The study was conducted by the University of California, Davis, Cal Poly Pomona and the National Park Service.

The movement patterns of the cougars were compared to a comprehensive database of human GPS-tracked activities in the area. The results showed that cougars in areas of high human activity adapted by becoming more nocturnal, instead of being active at dawn and dusk, which is their natural activity time.

– The study also continues to drive home the amazing fact that a population of a large felid predator persists in one of the largest urban areas in the world. That would not be possible if mountain lions weren’t able to adjust to human activity in ways like this, said Seth Riley, wildlife division chief at the National Park Service, in a press release.

“Coexistence is happening”

Cougars in areas with less human activity were more active at dawn and dusk, according to the study. In general, females showed greater activity closer to sunrise and during daylight hours compared to males.

– They are flexible in the timing of their activity. Coexistence is happening, and it’s in large part because of what mountain lions are doing, says lead author Ellie Bolas, a doctoral student in the UC Davis Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology.

The researchers emphasize that humans must also contribute to coexistence, both to protect themselves and the cougars. Residents in areas with cougars are urged to exercise caution at night, especially when driving, and to be aware that cougars are often active at dawn and dusk.

Previous studies in Norway have also shown that wolves avoid humans as much as possible, according to a report by Norwegian state broadcaster NRK. In the study, conducted at the University of Innlandet, all wolves that participated fled when humans approached or stayed hidden.

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Sweden Democrats leader dismisses climate alarmism: “No reason to panic”

The exaggerated climate crisis

Published yesterday 11:39
– By Editorial Staff
Jimmie Åkesson wants the focus to be on long-term and sustainable initiatives - not quick panic solutions.

Unlike most other Swedish establishment politicians, Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson is highly skeptical of the climate alarmist rhetoric that dominates and wants the EU to slow down its climate initiatives.

Åkesson does not believe that the “climate threat” is in reality as serious as it is often portrayed by politicians and the media, nor does he buy the argument that we must hurry up and do everything we can before it is too late.

– I don’t share the view that there is such a hurry, he tells the tabloid Aftonbladet. Instead, he wants to put more resources into military rearmament.

– I am absolutely no expert, but everyone I talk to who has really familiarized themselves with what the IPCC’s various reports and scenarios say, there is no reason whatsoever to panic or climate anxiety, or anything like that at all.

Instead of quick and ill-considered measures that can have very negative consequences for society at large, the leader of the Sweden Democrats argues that we should invest in a long-term transition and electrification.

As expected, Åkesson’s departure from the established narrative on the climate issue has not gone down well with everyone.

Climate professor: “Very urgent”

Markku Rummukainen is a professor of climatology at Lund University and until 2023 represented Sweden on the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) a body tasked with compiling and presenting research on alleged climate change, global warming and its consequences.

The climate professor raged against Åkesson’s move, firmly stating that his views contradict the IPCC reports and unlike the SD leader, Rummukainen emphasized that it is “very urgent” to stop climate change.

– Yes, it is. There are, of course, different options for the way forward depending on what we do. There are opportunities to limit climate change between 1.5 and 2 degrees. If we don’t take the climate issue seriously, we will end up with higher numbers.

– According to the IPCC, all emissions matter. We are already seeing, and being affected by, the impacts of climate change. These include rising temperatures, rising sea levels and more extreme events such as more intense heatwaves and heavier rainfall. The effects are increasing rapidly with emissions, he continues.

“Following Putin’s lead”

Green Party spokesperson Daniel Helldén is also outraged by Jimmie Åkesson’s comments and says he has “got the whole climate issue backwards“.

Helldén also makes repeated attempts to link the SD leader with Russia and Vladimir Putin because Russian gas and oil exports are said to benefit if the EU does not invest heavily in “green” energy.

– It would strengthen the states that we are now trying to arm ourselves against. The policy he is pursuing is really following Putin’s lead. He must be cheering what he is saying.

– Russia’s huge exports of gas and oil are higher than the aid Europe gives to Ukraine. If the EU were to put the brakes on climate action, Russia could continue exporting. It will be Putin who wins from it, he repeats.

How to avoid PFAS in everyday life

Published 25 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff

PFAS are present almost everywhere in our daily lives – but there are ways to reduce both intake and release into the environment. Simple measures can help reduce exposure and better protect both health and nature.

PFASs are a group of about 15,000 identified substances, all with varying properties and wide use in society. Common to all PFAS substances is that they are very difficult to break down and some PFAS can have harmful effects, both for humans and the environment. All PFAS substances are synthetically produced and do not occur naturally in the environment.

Studies show that there are links between several health problems and exposure to PFASs, such as cancer, liver damage, reproductive impairment, intestinal diseases and thyroid disorders, according to Naturskyddsföreningen. Some studies show that girls with high levels of PFAS in their blood started menstruating earlier than girls with lower levels, while other studies show that pregnant women with PFAS in their blood are at risk of their children becoming overweight later on. Children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic chemicals as their organs are still developing, and last year researchers alerted that Norwegian babies had particularly high levels of PFAS in their blood, including as many as 78% of six-month-olds.

About nine years ago, the much-publicized PFAS scandal in Kallinge came to light. After the Swedish Armed Forces used a fire-fighting foam containing the dangerous chemicals, these had been dispersed into the water for several decades, which the people of Kallinge had been drinking without knowing it. Samples showed greatly elevated levels of PFAS. After many court cases, the Kallinge residents were finally awarded damages.

Following the scandal, a number of residents in the area have been diagnosed with cancer, including Louise Karlsson, who has bladder cancer, and her son, who has the chronic intestinal disease Crohn’s.

– Yesterday I found out about two more cancer cases here, one with throat cancer and one with rectal cancer. Several of us have been affected, one after the other, said Kallingebon to TT in 2023.

Avoid microwave food

Since 2023, there are limit values for the amount of PFAS that may be present in food in the EU. According to the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Naturskyddsföreningen), however, these values are not based on what is safe for health.

Unfortunately, there are so many PFAS in nature that some foods would not be allowed to be sold if the limit were set from a health perspective”, writes the association.

So it can still be useful to know where most of the dangerous chemicals are found, even if it is difficult to avoid them completely. PFASs repel grease, dirt and water. This is why they are often found in food packaging, such as microwave foods. They can also be found in fast food packaging.

Unfortunately, a lot of fish and shellfish contain these harmful substances. Swedish fish and even crayfish have been found to contain high levels and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation advises against eating fish and shellfish from lakes near communities or industries.

PFAS are often found in pesticides, so choosing organic fruits and vegetables can be beneficial.

Avoid: Teflon and paper cups

When cooking, it is safer to use glass, porcelain, stainless steel and cast iron pans, pots and pans. Avoid those with non-stick coatings, such as Teflon.

Many textiles on the market have dirt-repellent impregnations, such as carpets, some sofas and tents. When buying a sofa, for example, you are more likely to sit PFAS-free if you choose one with a washable cover.

It is also said that paper and plastic cups are real PFAS bombs and since PFAS substances are digested by hot drinks such as coffee, tea or chocolate, it is better to use porcelain cups.

Another somewhat unexpectedly PFAS-intensive product is receipt paper, so it may be wise to rinse your hands after fiddling with a receipt and wear suitable work gloves if you work daily with receipts in any form.

Found in all drinking water

Today, there is a recommendation of a limit value of 4 ng/L in drinking water, which will become legally binding from 2026. PFAS is found in almost all Swedish drinking water, but only one in ten municipalities currently exceeds the limit value. To find out what the situation is in your municipality, you can contact the water companies, which often indicate the level on their website. If you have your own well, you can contact your municipality’s environmental administration for advice on how to test your water.

There are filters on the market for the purpose of purifying water from PFAS, but the documentation on the effectiveness of these is limited.

Think about cleaning

PFAS are commonly found in laundry and cleaning products, especially in floor polish and impregnation for stone, grout, tiles and clinker. However, product labels such as Bra Miljöval, Nordic Swan, Ecocert should be completely free of PFAS. Other common labels such as Blauer Engel, TCO and EU Organic are more product specific.

PFAS have been found in face creams, face masks, eyeliners, foundations, high lighters, hair oil, lip pencils, shaving cream, mascaras, primers, powders, serums, toothpicks, eye pencils and eye shadows of several brands on the Swedish market.

A study published in 2018 by Stockholm University and others tested cosmetic products sold in Sweden. It found known PFAS substances in 16 out of 31 products tested. In some products, the level of the hazardous PFAS substance PFOA was so high that it could pose a health hazard in daily use.

As the PFAS substances mentioned above are often water, grease and dirt repellent, they can often be found in waterproof mascara or in foundation. Avoid products with ingredients containing “PTFE”, “polytef”, “perfluoro” or “polyfluoro” in the name. This does not guarantee complete avoidance of the substances, as they can slip into products unintentionally, but it is a good indicator to start with. Some products are also explicitly labeled as “PFAS-free”.

Sportswear contributes to environmental poisoning

Even impregnation for shoes and clothes often contains PFAS substances. It is better to choose Nordic Swan Ecolabeled products or impregnation made of wax. For skis, you should choose fluorine-free ski wax, and for bicycles it is best to choose car wax or lubricating oil that does not contain PTFE.

Unfortunately, functional clothing and shoes often contain PFAS. According to the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, this is not dangerous to use, but it does contribute to the release of these substances into the environment. In this context, don’t forget the possibility of shopping second hand, or why not go to a clothing swap day?

High levels of PFAS in European wines

Published 25 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
All the wines tested contained high levels of the PFAS substance TFA.

A new study shows that European wine contains PFAS levels up to a thousand times higher than tap water, with some of the most contaminated bottles ranking among the top sellers.

In a collaboration with various European environmental organizations within the Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe), which includes the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, 49 different red and white wines have been analyzed for PFAS.

The results show that all the wines tested contain high levels of the PFAS substance TFA. The presence of TFA has increased at a record rate in recent years, but wines from 1988 and earlier contain nothing of the substance, while the levels have exploded from 2020 onwards. These wines contain between 21 000 and 320 000 nanograms of TFA per liter.

The grapes are likely to have been contaminated via the water they were watered with, but also from PFAS pesticides. This is a clear example of how our food is affected when PFAS is spread in nature, said Karin Lexén, Secretary General of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, in a press release.

One of the worst wines with high levels of TFAs is Systembolaget’s best-selling bottled red wine, the French Grand Sud Merlot. The wine contains 220,000 nanograms of TFA per liter, which is about a thousand times more than the Swedish tap water tested by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation last year.

This shows what PFAS emissions lead to and how widespread the spread is. We have a PFAS crisis and these harmful substances that never break down in nature are seeping into more and more of our food – even wine, says Lexén.

Facts: TFA

Trifluoroacetic acid is a chemical used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and pesticides, among others. It belongs to the PFAS family and is very difficult to break down in nature. TFA can be formed as a breakdown product of other fluorinated substances and is easily dispersed in water, making it problematic for the environment.

TFAs are harmful to aquatic organisms and are being investigated for adverse effects on fetal development. However, there is no EU-wide limit for TFA, although the Netherlands has introduced a national limit of 2 200 nanograms per liter for drinking water.

Source: Naturskyddsföreningen

Lynx thrive in Finland

Published 12 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff

In the last twenty years, the number of lynx has more than doubled in Finnish forests, it is estimated according to the latest census.

In the 1960s, the lynx became a protected species in the country, but today it has increased to the point where it is considered viable. In the last twenty years, the number of lynx in Finland has more than doubled and this year the count was 2300 individuals.

Lynx are found throughout Finland, except for the reindeer herding area in the north and some parts of Ostrobothnia. According to Annika Herrero, a researcher at the Natural Resources Institute Finland, lynx are most abundant in Uusimaa, Southwest Finland, Häme and South Savo.

A major reason for the increase is abundant food. Lynx like to eat hares and small cervids, such as white-tailed deer and roe deer, which have been abundant in Finland. Reproduction is also progressing.

Lynx are reproducing efficiently, Herrero told the Finnish state broadcaster Yle.

The lynx was close to extinction about 100 years ago, but even in Sweden today there are about 1300 lynx. The population has been relatively stable in recent years, increasing in some counties and decreasing in others.

In both Sweden and Finland, a form of licensed hunting of lynx is carried out, with the aim of regulating the populations in the countries. In Sweden, the hunt is mainly motivated by a desire to reduce the risk of serious damage to domestic animals, while the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) emphasizes that lynx also have an important function in the ecosystem and calls for other preventive measures rather than hunting. During this year’s Swedish license hunt, a total of 87 lynx were shot, the previous year the figure was significantly higher when every tenth lynx was shot in the country.

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