Global greenhouse gas levels increase dramatically in 2007.

This year’s annual update to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) greenhouse gas index report said that in a first-time rise since 1998, methane gas levels increased by 27 million tons.

Referring to the methane pockets trapped beneath the Arctic ice that could trigger runaway global warming if the earth warmed sufficiently for their melting, Ed Dlugokencky, scientist from NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory, said “We’re on the lookout for the first sign of methane release from thawing Arctic permafrost.” The report also found an increase by 19 billion tons of the global concentrations of carbon dioxide. Dr. Dlugokencky, colleagues and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, we appreciate your provision of this alarming reminder of our planet's dire state. May we join in swiftly adopting greener lifestyles to preserve Mother Earth and her inhabitants.

Amphibians' Ability To Predict Changes In Biodiversity Confirmed By New Study

Amphibians found to be early indicators of climate change. The belief that amphibian species react to even subtle changes in their environment has been confirmed by postdoctoral fellow Lauren Buckley and Professor Walter Jetz of the University of California Santa Barbara USA. In their research, they mapped bird and amphibian population distributions worldwide and found that environmental shifts in different locations were mirrored most quickly and closely by amphibian species, even more so than birds.

We thank Drs. Buckley, Jetz and colleagues for verifying our sensitive amphibian friends as messengers of environmental change. Let us heed the warning of their perishing numbers to act evermore quickly in saving our planet for the flourishing of all life.

Antarctica feeling the heat too, says study

Melting at both poles confirmed to be human-caused. A new study conducted by scientists at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom, which has analyzed 100 years of temperatures from the Arctic and 50 years from the Antarctic, has found that both polar caps are receding due to human-caused warming.

This is the first time that melting in the Antarctic has been conclusively linked to the modern lifestyles of humans. Dr. Peter Stott, head of climate monitoring at the United Kingdom’s Met Office said, “In both polar regions the observed warming can only be reproduced in our models by including human influences - natural forces alone are not enough.” Dr. Stott and University of East Anglia scientists, we appreciate your diligent observations shared in this important study. With this scientific confirmation, may humanity quickly awaken to the need for rapid actions to halt global warming and stabilize our shared earthly home.