Cumulative effects can have a big impact on our environment, but what are they? Learn how the effects of seemingly unrelated activities can add up, and why they are important.
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Consider this plastic bottle, a single ocean wave, or this small drip of oil from a vehicle.
Individually, these aren’t usually a big deal. But they can add up, over and over and over.
They contribute to what we call cumulative effects, and they can negatively affect ecosystems, communities, health and economies.
In the same way that a path becomes worn when people use it over and over, cumulative effects add more and more stress to ecosystems, even if that’s over years or decades.
Some of these stressors are natural, and some are caused by human activity and development.
Let’s look at water quality as an example.
Effluent from a variety of industrial sites and activities.
The clearing of land, contributing to erosion and silty water from extreme rainfall.
Pesticides, fertilizers and organic waste, and sediment coming from farms, golf courses, and gardens.
Pollutants from urban runoff, like oil and gas, that might have spilled or dripped on the road.
All these things can add up and interact with each other, cumulatively, to lower the quality of our water and compromise the habitats of species that rely on that water, like fish and birds.
The same kinds of things can happen to air quality through vehicle and industrial exhaust, chimneys, fertilizers and forest fires.
And wildlife habitat can be stressed by forestry, urban encroachment, pipeline construction, transmission lines, new roads, and more.
Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but very surely, these stressors take their toll. They can result in loss of habitat for wildlife, affect wetlands for waterfowl, increase air pollution and possibly affect human health.
Over time, all these stressors put sustained pressure on ecosystems and the health of species that inhabit them, including us.
By monitoring, studying, mitigating, and collaborating with others, we are working to understand and manage cumulative effects.
And you can be part of the solution too. So next time you think one plastic bottle, or a drip of oil, isn’t a big deal, think about the impact of this happening 1,000 times, 1,000,000 times. It all adds up.
Every action counts. The choices we all make matter!
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The first paper detailing the greenhouse effect and examining the role of varying levels of carbon dioxide was released back in 1896. 130 years later I decided to read it and I’m so glad I did, because it was BRILLIANT.
My book, Firmament – https://geni.us/firmament
Arrhenius’ paper: https://www.atmosp.physics.utoronto.ca/people/strong/phy392/Arrhenius_1896.pdf
You can support the channel by becoming a patron at http://www.patreon.com/simonoxfphys
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More about me – https://www.simonoxfphys.com/
My second channel – https://www.youtube.com/simonclarkerrata
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/simonoxfphys
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Music by Epidemic Sound: http://nebula.tv/epidemic
Some stock footage courtesy of Getty.
Edited by Luke Negus.
Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon:
bitreign33 , Dave Teare, Eric A Gentzler, Gary Stark, Glen Monks, Marcus Bosshard.
Artem Plotnikov, Ben Curtis, David TLR, Jeffry ., Jon Arlov, Marius Kießling, Paul H and Linda L, Peter Reid, TheKeeperOfPie, Tom Oldfield.
Adam Gillard, Adam Pazderka, Adrian Sand, Alex, Alex Hall, Andrea De Mezzo, Andy Hartley, Andy Parr, Anže Cesar, Ashley Hauck, Ashley Steel, Atkinson , AYS , Baerbel Winkler, Bastian Pranzas, Ben Blower, Bill Keydel, Brian Moss, Chris Laslett, Christian Weckner, Christopher Hall, Cifer, Ciotka Cierpienia, Circuitrinos, Clemens, Cody VanZandt, Crisan Talpes, Dan Hanvey, Daniel Andersson, Daniel Cooney, David Mccann, David Stone, Denis Kovachev, Dom, Dominik Rihak, Duffman, FireFerretDann, flakykilowatt, Florian Thie, Gabriele Siino, Hannarrrr, Haris Karimjee, Heijde, Ian Hamilton, idris, j, Jack Fretwell, Jacob Speelman, James Gaskell, James Gurney, James Haigh, James Leadbetter, Jan-Willem Goedmakers, Jean-Manuel Izaret, Jekel’s Climate Channel, Joachim Murat, John, Josef Probst, Katharina Hartmuth, Kevin B, Kirsten Athome, Knut Nesheim, Korbinian, Kristopher Sicari, Lach Woods, Leonard Neamtu, Maps & Art by TGNewman, Marcin Wrochna, Mark Harper, Mark Moore, Mark Richardson, Matthew H, Mercure, Micael Batista, Michael Belde, Michelle Valentino, Miguel Cabrera Brufau, Mike, Mike T, Mikkel Kragh, Morten Engsvang, Nathan Rohrlach, Nick Humphries, Nico Kempe, OldGreyWolf, Peter Lee, Phil Saici, Philipp Legner, Rapssack, Real Engineering, Reid, Richard Bartlett, Richard Swain, Ryan, Sean Richards, Seb Stott, Sergio Alvarez, Sergio Diaz, Simone, Steffan , Sylvus , szigyi, Ted CLAY, Thibault , Thomas Charbonnel, Thusto , Tobias Ahsbahs, Tom Painter, Tom Wilson, Tomás Garnier Artiñano, Tony, Tschäff Reisberg, Ui, Victor Gordan, Yorick Droz, Youri Hubaut, Zoey O’Neill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3sf3rO9Jfw
British summers are truly the worst. But why? Well, two big reasons…
This video was funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Thanks to Professor Mitchell and the team at Bristol for their help with this video. You can learn more about their research here: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/cabot/what-we-do/climate-health/
You can support the channel by becoming a patron at http://www.patreon.com/simonoxfphys
REFERENCES
1. https://www.calculator.net/heat-index-calculator.html?airtemperature=28&airtemperatureunit=celsius&humidity=90&ctype=1&x=Calculate
2. https://climate.copernicus.eu/why-are-europe-and-arctic-heating-faster-rest-world
3. https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/progress-in-reducing-emissions-2026-report-to-parliament/
4. https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/a-well-adapted-uk/
5. https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/europe-recorded-10000-excess-deaths-during-late-june-heatwave-data-show-2026-07-12/
6. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adcbc5
7. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adcbc5
8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0222-x
9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0222-x
10. https://www.bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-100088
11. https://journal-buildingscities.org/articles/10.5334/bc.541
12. https://journal-buildingscities.org/articles/10.5334/bc.541
13. https://www.cape.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GBI-Rapid-Evidence-Assessment.pdf
14. https://apps.london.gov.uk/cool-spaces/
15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yj8ew1pnlo
16. https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/01/what-is-west-nile-virus-and-is-it-found-in-the-uk/
17. https://ukhealthalliance.org/flooding/
18. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766924/
19. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/adverse-weather-and-health-plan
20. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/heat-health-alerting-system
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More about me – https://www.simonoxfphys.com/
My second channel – https://www.youtube.com/simonclarkerrata
My book – https://geni.us/firmament
Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/simonoxfphys.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/simonoxfphys
Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/drsimonclark
———- II ———-
Music by Epidemic Sound: http://nebula.tv/epidemic
Some stock footage courtesy of Getty.
Edited by Luke Negus.
Research by Amelia Jabry.
Tarot cards designed by Amelia Jabry and Miralia Jabry.
Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon:
bitreign33 , Dave Teare, Eric A Gentzler, Gary Stark, Glen Monks, Marcus Bosshard.
Artem Plotnikov, Ben Curtis, David TLR, Jeffry ., Jon Arlov, Marius Kießling, Paul H and Linda L, Peter Reid, TheKeeperOfPie, Tom Oldfield.
Adam Gillard, Adam Pazderka, Adrian Sand, Alex, Alex Hall, Andrea De Mezzo, Andy Hartley, Andy Parr, Anže Cesar, Ashley Hauck, Ashley Steel, Atkinson , AYS , Baerbel Winkler, Bastian Pranzas, Ben Blower, Bill Keydel, Brian Moss, Chris Laslett, Christian Weckner, Christopher Hall, Cifer, Ciotka Cierpienia, Circuitrinos, Clemens, Cody VanZandt, Crisan Talpes, Dan Hanvey, Daniel Andersson, Daniel Cooney, David Mccann, David Stone, Denis Kovachev, Dom, Dominik Rihak, Duffman, FireFerretDann, flakykilowatt, Florian Thie, Gabriele Siino, Hannarrrr, Haris Karimjee, Heijde, Ian Hamilton, idris, j, Jack Fretwell, Jacob Speelman, James Gaskell, James Gurney, James Haigh, James Leadbetter, Jan-Willem Goedmakers, Jean-Manuel Izaret, Jekel’s Climate Channel, Joachim Murat, John, Josef Probst, Katharina Hartmuth, Kevin B, Kirsten Athome, Knut Nesheim, Korbinian, Kristopher Sicari, Lach Woods, Leonard Neamtu, Marcin Wrochna, Mark Harper, Mark Moore, Mark Richardson, Matthew H, Mercure, Micael Batista, Michael Belde, Michelle Valentino, Miguel Cabrera Brufau, Mike, Mike T, Mikkel Kragh, Morten Engsvang, Nathan Rohrlach, Nick Humphries, Nico Kempe, OldGreyWolf, Peter Lee, Phil Saici, Philipp Legner, Rapssack, Real Engineering, Reid, Richard Bartlett, Richard Swain, Ryan, Sean Richards, Seb Stott, Sergio Alvarez, Sergio Diaz, Simone, Steffan , Sylvus , szigyi, Ted CLAY, Thibault , Thomas Charbonnel, Thomas Newman, Thusto , Tobias Ahsbahs, Tom Painter, Tom Wilson, Tomás Garnier Artiñano, Tony, Tschäff Reisberg, Ui, Victor Gordan, Yorick Droz, Youri Hubaut, Zoey O’Neill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfJzRpmbPuY
Some thoughts on a surprising learning journey.
Get Nebula for 50% off: https://go.nebula.tv/simonclark
Ten Pound Traveller: https://nebula.tv/videos/jdraper-the-pirate-ship-docked-in-central-london-the-ten-pound-traveller?ref=simonclark
Key resources
– Carbon Brief debunking article: https://www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-no-europes-heatwaves-are-not-being-caused-by-declining-air-pollution
– Heated article on Republicans: https://heated.world/p/the-fossil-fuel-money-behind-the
– World Weather Attribution study on French and Spanish wildfires: https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-increases-likelihood-of-compounding-drivers-of-severe-wildfire-conditions-in-france-and-spain/
– World Weather Attribution study on European precipitation/temperature: https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/increasingly-hot-europe-faces-more-severe-droughts-and-growing-challenges-for-water-and-land-management/
– Copernicus data on wildfire carbon emissions: https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/copernicus-global-biomass-burning-emissions-2026-their-lowest-level-2003
– Article expanding on Copernicus data: https://phys.org/news/2026-07-wildfires-extreme-europe-north-america.html
– UK wildfire data: https://www.moorlandassociation.org/post/2026-uk-wildfire-emissions-data
– Ayesha Tandon: https://www.youtube.com/@AyeshaTandon
– State of Wildfires: https://stateofwildfires.com/latest-report/
– How to prevent a wildfire: https://smileymovement.org/news/how-to-prevent-a-wildfire
Places to get good climate reporting
– Carbon Brief: https://www.carbonbrief.org/
– DeSmog: https://www.desmog.com/
– Heated: https://heated.world/
– Climate Brink: https://www.theclimatebrink.com/
Fire-related charities
– Fire Aid: https://www.fire-aid.org/
– One Tree Planted: https://onetreeplanted.org/products/wildfire-fund
– After the Fire USA: https://afterthefireusa.org/
You can support the channel by becoming a patron at http://www.patreon.com/simonoxfphys
———- II ———-
More about me – https://www.simonoxfphys.com/
My second channel – https://www.youtube.com/simonclarkerrata
My book – https://geni.us/firmament
Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/simonoxfphys.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/simonoxfphys
Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/drsimonclark
———- II ———-
Music by Epidemic Sound: http://nebula.tv/epidemic
Some stock footage courtesy of Getty.
Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon:
bitreign33 , Dave Teare, Eric A Gentzler, Gary Stark, Glen Monks, Marcus Bosshard.
Artem Plotnikov, Ben Curtis, David TLR, Jeffry ., Jon Arlov, Marius Kießling, Paul H and Linda L, Peter Reid, TheKeeperOfPie, Tom Oldfield.
Adam Gillard, Adam Pazderka, Adrian Sand, Alex, Alex Hall, Andrea De Mezzo, Andy Hartley, Andy Parr, Anže Cesar, Ashley Hauck, Ashley Steel, Atkinson , AYS , Baerbel Winkler, Bastian Pranzas, Ben Blower, Bill Keydel, Brian Moss, Chris Laslett, Christian Weckner, Christopher Hall, Cifer, Ciotka Cierpienia, Circuitrinos, Clemens, Cody VanZandt, Crisan Talpes, Dan Hanvey, Daniel Andersson, Daniel Cooney, David Mccann, David Stone, Denis Kovachev, Dom, Dominik Rihak, Duffman, FireFerretDann, flakykilowatt, Florian Thie, Gabriele Siino, Hannarrrr, Haris Karimjee, Heijde, Ian Hamilton, idris, j, Jack Fretwell, Jacob Speelman, James Gaskell, James Gurney, James Haigh, James Leadbetter, Jan-Willem Goedmakers, Jean-Manuel Izaret, Jekel’s Climate Channel, Joachim Murat, John, Josef Probst, Katharina Hartmuth, Kevin B, Kirsten Athome, Knut Nesheim, Korbinian, Kristopher Sicari, Lach Woods, Leonard Neamtu, Marcin Wrochna, Mark Harper, Mark Moore, Mark Richardson, Matthew H, Mercure, Micael Batista, Michael Belde, Michelle Valentino, Miguel Cabrera Brufau, Mike, Mike T, Mikkel Kragh, Morten Engsvang, Nathan Rohrlach, Nick Humphries, Nico Kempe, OldGreyWolf, Peter Lee, Phil Saici, Philipp Legner, Rapssack, Real Engineering, Reid, Richard Bartlett, Richard Swain, Ryan, Sean Richards, Seb Stott, Sergio Alvarez, Sergio Diaz, Simone, Steffan , Sylvus , szigyi, Ted CLAY, Thibault , Thomas Charbonnel, Thomas Newman, Thusto , Tobias Ahsbahs, Tom Painter, Tom Wilson, Tomás Garnier Artiñano, Tony, Tschäff Reisberg, Ui, Victor Gordan, Yorick Droz, Youri Hubaut, Zoey O’Neill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9Hoy9Kn1u0
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