Climate change hurting Yellowstone amphibians, reptiles

Another climate change warning, in today’s Billings, Mont., Gazette. Scientists are finding population declines in Yellowstone National Park’s herpetological speces – and climate change, AKA global warming, is to blame. I just witnissed the profligate waste of fossil fuels by fellow community members while walking to the post office and watching others drive to the same locale, all the while spewing carbon dioxide from their vehicles. I photographed this painted turtle at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico a couple of years ago. Read the Gazette’s article.

Sarah preaches for ‘energy independence’

Read http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/palins-energy-speech/?hp for The New York Times’s take on Gubberner Palin’s wittle speech, in which she preached for more oil drilling, and more oil drilling, and more oil drilling, and something that’s erroneously labeled “clean coal.” Based on what happened right here in eastern Pennsylvania’s anthracite fields, and the trashed countryside and streams I’ve seen in southwestern Pennsylvania, there is no such thing.

Wilderness!

This photograph, aken from atop Baxter Mountain, shows the fall foliage scene of the Giant Mountain Wildernes some dozen or so miles from Lake Placid, N.Y. This is what wilderness is all about – beauty and natural processes.

Henry David in a new light

Today’s New York Times offer this feature-length look at how climate change is affecting Henry David thoreau’s Walden Pond: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/science/earth/28wald.html?8dpc

We’d better our act squared away – and real soon – or some mighty big changes will erupt and we’ll be powerless to do much about them.

Interior rushing Species Act changes

This is all too typical of the Bush team – make sweeping changes to a law that works and do it with only a token gesture to public participation. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/384397_species22.html

Capt. Kirk tells us to act now on climate change

William Shatner, who portrayed Capt. James Kirk in the 60s tee vee show “Star Trek,” speaks out against climate change and FOR meaningful action in this new Sierra Club public serve announcement: http://www.sierraclub.org/twopercent/shatner/

How much is enough? The question on a sign

We found this little sign – with a pointed message – while visiting Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico a few years back. The sentiments, though, also apply here in Pennsylvania. And elsewhere, too.

Breach the dams now; no more delays

The Idaho Statesman’s Rocky Barker wrote about the debate raging between two politicians over the fate of four Columbia River dams and the salmon that once migrated up the river to the Snake River’s watershed in Idaho. These salmon runs are now just shadows of their former selves and the presnce of federally-built dams on the Columbia are largely to blame. One candidate ays he supports protecting the dams and salmon, a backer said. “We think we can do both.” Huh? Just how in the heck would that happen? And if it’s possible at all, how come it hasn’t already happened? Read Barker’s report: http://www.idahostatesman.com/idahopolitics/story/541781.html

Roads fragment wildlife habitat (YES THEY DO)

Conservation biologists have long known the effects of roads on wildlife habitat, especially that inhabited by wide-randing mammals and songbirds sensitive to forest fragmentation. The New York Times details a slew of recent findings: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/14/science/14road.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Utah governor calls ORV use an abomination

Utah’s governor, Republican John Huntsman, told the Salt Lake Tribune in a recent interview that he had witnessed extensive ORV abuse in Utah, and that “a crackdown is coming.” Read a conservation group’s piece on this: www.wildlandscpr.org/blog/utahs-republican-governor-calls-orv-abuse-abomination