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Why don’t people examine the logic here?

‘Badasses of the mountains’: goats clash with sheep as key US glaciers melt
Climate crisis may explain fights as disappearing ice fuels interspecies competition – with goats nearly always winning

Umm, no:

The goats and the sheep usually avoid battle when near each other but when conflict does arise around clumps of minerals, the goats typically chase off the sheep in order to enjoy the nutrients in peace.

….
The melt is also uncovering deposits of salt and potassium that are valued by the goats and sheep, who need to lick these mineral deposits in order to gain crucial nutrients.

So, climate change is increasing the availability of those salt licks. Thereby reducing conflict.

5 thoughts on “Why don’t people examine the logic here?”

  1. Why don’t people examine the logic here?

    It’s the Guardian. Logic doesn’t matter, it’s the only the feels that are important.

  2. “So, climate change is increasing the availability of those salt licks. Thereby reducing conflict.”

    Long term, it might be. But if they lack something and it becomes more available in one place, I can imagine why conflicts start up. It’s like the bar getting more crowded during “happy hour”, or fights in the January sales.

  3. errmm, philip… Nothing in that article is actually science, climate or otherwise.

    Your yearly hook for funding used as a peg to hang the writer’s pet Narrative on, yes. Science? No.

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