Climate Change Set Back For Acidified Rivers

Climate change is slowing river recovery. In a 25-year study conducted in Wales by Drs. Steve Ormerod and Isabelle Durance of Cardiff University, it was found that the wet weather extremes associated with global warming is hampering streams’ biological well-being. The water bodies are being studied for their recovery from acid rain, a condition that has been noted to improve in recent years. However, Dr. Ormerod stated that the climate change-related wetter winters have resulted in the remaining acidity making more contact with the streams’ living organisms, resulting in fatalities and effectively canceling up to 40 percent of the last 25 years’ improvements. Drs. Ormerod and Durance, we thank you for showing that our main focus in helping the Earth needs to be on reducing climate change. May we all take the necessary steps to quickly restore our vital ecosystems.

Florida Votes To Adopt California’s Tougher Emissions Standard

Florida, USA, proposes new car emission standards. The Florida Environmental Regulation Commission has approved a plan, originally proposed by Governor Charlie Crist, to adopt the state of California’s strict car emission benchmarks. The new measure, which will be voted for final approval in March by the Florida Legislature, will require a 23 percent reduction in greenhouse gases from new cars in Florida by 2012, and a 30 percent reduction by 2016. Kudos, Florida for your initiative to safeguard people’s health and the environment. We look forward to seeing greener cars on the roads of the Sunshine State.

Countries agree on goals for new UN climate treaty

Climate change forum attendees agree on Kyoto successor goals. Delegates from 190 countries attending this week’s United Nations-sponsored meeting in Poland have agreed on a shared set of goals as well as a work plan to achieve them in creating an accord to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, which ends in 2012. Data was presented indicating the need for reducing carbon emissions between 25 and 40 percent to keep warming at safe levels, which delegates deferred for deciding next year. Our accolades, global nations, on this progress! We pray for your continued advancements in achieving these green goals for the stability of all life on our beautiful Earth.