World without Frogs: Combined Threats May Croak Amphibians

Reasons sought for amphibian decline. With the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) noting that nearly one third of the nearly 6,000 known amphibian species, including frogs, toads, and salamanders currently are threatened with extinction, scientists are looking for the reasons why. A Stanford University study concluded that global warming is one cause, with now-dried pond areas no longer providing salamanders with a place to live.

Other studies have revealed the presence of widely used herbicide atrazine in up to 57 percent of the nation’s streams, where it has been found to weaken the immune system of frogs, leading to their early mortality. We are grateful for these observations, International Union for Conservation of Nature and other scientists. With Heavens blessing may we better protect all Earthly co-inhabitants that have been entrusted into our care.

New UN initiative to help governments tackle climate change problems

United Nations funding for climate change. At the recent World Summit of Regions on Climate Change, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) announced a new project to aid developing countries in coping with the challenges of global warming. Governments at the regional and local levels will be given access to funds that address climate conditions while reducing poverty and improving livelihoods at the same time. Bravo and Heaven bless United Nations Development Program for this initiative to assist those most impacted by the global warming effects. May we all act with similar care to renew the Earth’s flourishing state for all her inhabitants.
 
Scientists on wing find state's waterbirds in decline

Australian researchers take to the air to assess bird populations. Professor Richard Kingsford and colleagues from the University of New South Wales are undertaking the largest ever aerial survey of water bird populations in the world, to count the birds at every major wetland and river across Australia. Early findings show an 80 percent decline in the number of water birds in Victoria over the past 25 years. The scientists believe that the main reason for the birds’ disappearance is the disturbance and unsustainable use of natural water flows. Professor Kingsford and team, we laud your dedication to caring for nature and our animal co-inhabitants. We wish your project every success, with many helpful benefits to our environment.

Mayor orders City government to go green

Southern US city makes strides in protecting the environment. Mayor John Peyton of Jacksonville, Florida, USA recently signed an executive order to establish a city-wide sustainability policy, extending the city’s green practices of the past several years such as reducing paper usage as well as bringing solar energy to City Hall. The new measures also include Earth-friendly construction standards, recycling practices and the use of laptops by all Council members along with other online access for further reduction of paper. A green tip of our hats, Mayor Peyton, for your commitment to sustainable living! Heaven’s blessings for your lovely city to be graced with success in adopting practices that benefit all life on Earth.

MIT professor bombards engineers with evidence of climate change

Overwhelming evidence concerning climate change. Addressing engineers at a recent symposium in Toronto, Canada, Dr. Ron G. Prinn, Professor of Atmospheric Science at the USA’s Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), spoke of the urgency of global warming. He stated that if the northern tundra’s permafrost were to melt away, more than 80 times the current annual methane output would be released into the atmosphere, and that a four-degree Celsius rise in world-wide temperatures would mean a five-meter rise in ocean levels. Our appreciation, Dr. Prinn, for sharing this information about the dire state of our planet. May your noble work inspire others toward acting now to restore the balance of our biosphere.