Greenpeace awaiting decision about Bering Sea protection

An Orca whale jumping out of the water off the coast of southeast Alaska.

An Orca whale jumping out of the water off the coast of southeast Alaska.

I am here in picturesque Juneau, Alaska where the North Pacific Fishery Management Council discusses the fate of the Grand Canyons of the Sea. Thanks to actions taken by more than 100,000 people, I’m carrying the voices and concerns of more than just the interests of the fishing industry. Continue reading

Should we let leatherback sea turtles go extinct?

If you’ve never had the opportunity to see a leatherback turtle, scientists say you are running out of time. One of the most remarkable creatures on earth, these Volkswagen-sized turtles can dive down to 4000 feet and migrate distances of 7000 miles. They have been around so long that they have seen the dinosaurs come and go, and shifting continents have moved their feeding and breeding areas to opposite ends of the earth. Unfortunately, unless we get our act together, they may be headed for extinction. According to Dr. Thane Wibbels, author of a new report, “if the decline continues, within 20 years it will be difficult if not impossible for the leatherback to avoid extinction.” Continue reading

Good news: July hottest month ever recorded

The darker the color, the more extreme the difference between 1981-2010 average temperatures

I doubt this news comes as a surprise to any of you as the majority of America experienced sweltering temperatures this summer along with extreme weather events including the drought gripping middle America.  But just so we’re clear, this summer was officially hot.

July marks the hottest summer ever recorded with the average temperature sitting at 77.6°F, 3.3°F above the 20th century average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  The previous hottest month was recorded during the Dust Bowl in 1936.

Is it time we did something about climate change?