One-third of world fish catch used for animal feed

Fish fed to farmed animals threaten the ocean’s ecosystem. The results of a nine-year study by the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University and the University of British Columbia found that an alarming 28 million tons of ocean fish are currently being ground up and fed to factory-farmed fish, pigs and chickens.

Dr. Ellen K. Pikitch of Stony Brook University stated, “…It’s an enormous percentage of the world’s fish catch. Skyrocketing pressure on small wild fishes may be putting entire marine food webs at great risk.” Dr. Pikitch and colleagues, we deeply appreciate these research findings. Our prayers for humanity’s soon awareness of the need to rebalance the global ecosystem through such quickly restoring measures as the plant-based diet.

Report links wetlands protection to oceanic dead zones.

A new report by the US-based Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has found that wetlands and streams adjoining large rivers such as the Mississippi are at significant risk of becoming polluted with the same nitrogen and phosphorous from fertilizer and pesticides whose runoff now results in oxygen-deprived ocean dead zones. Senior attorney Jon Devine, who oversees NRDC’s Water Program stated, “Congress must take immediate action to restore protection to roughly 20 million acres of America’s wetlands and thousands of headwater streams.” Counsellor Devine and Natural Resources Defense Council, we join your call for action to protect all vital aqueous systems. With Heaven’s grace, may we minimize the use of harmful chemical compounds to return our inland and marine water systems to their original flourishing state.
 
Salt levels in the ocean reflect human-induced climate change

Atlantic Ocean increasing in salinity. Researchers from Britain’s Meteorological (Met) Office and the University of Reading have found that salinity levels have risen above the normal range in the Atlantic Ocean over the past 20 years.

They attribute the phenomena to less rainfall and greater evaporation due to human-caused climate change. You have our sincere appreciation, Meteorological Office and University of Reading researchers, for alerting us to this unfavorable trend. We pray our awareness of global warming-related changes such as these will prompt ever swifter Earth-friendly activities to benefit all lives.

Bangladesh acts to protect deer in Sundarbans

Bangladesh offers greater security to deer populations. To better protect deer from endangerment by poachers, additional personnel have been assigned to staff the Sundarbans mangrove forest that is also a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site. The new measures have already been effective in saving deer. Bangladesh, we welcome this measure that helps ensure the safety of our gentle animal co-inhabitants. Blessed be all of Heaven’s creations in harmonious co-existence.
 
Report warns of future environmental challenges for Arab countries

Environmental study focuses on risk to Arab nations. On Sunday, the “Arab Environment: Future Challenges” report, compiled by independent experts, was released at the first Arab Forum for Environmental Development (AFED) being held in Bahrain.

The report cited issues such as air and water pollution, desertification and fresh water shortages as being the most pressing for the region. With recent severe droughts in Jordan and Syria as well as others in Algeria, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia, the report concluded that many Arab countries will face continuously diminishing water supplies. Climate change was cited as a major factor in these predicaments, and the report offered recommendations for polices and remedial actions.
 
We respectfully commend all leaders at the Arab Forum for Environmental Development for coming together to address these urgent matters of our time. May Allah grace your nations with resiliency along with the implementation of measures like the plant-based diet for its effectiveness in restoring the natural balance of life for all.