Good News for Our Living World

And My Spirituality & Health Mag Column

In honor of the Dog Days of Summer and my love of dogs and you readers, here is a special 30% discount to a paid subscription. Olive and I would love it if regular readers who haven’t done so yet would upgrade and support this publication.

Some Good News for Our Magnificent Planet

I find it useful to be reminded of the great things taking place on this planet and thought you might too. So, let’s get to it.

Crowned Cranes in Rwanda

Majestic Crowned Cranes Make a Big Comeback in Rwanda.

Just 10 years ago, Rwanda’s gray crowned cranes were vanishing. Once a familiar sight in wetlands across East Africa, their numbers in Rwanda had collapsed, driven by habitat loss and capture for the exotic pet trade. That grim picture has now changed dramatically, thanks largely to the work of Olivier Nsengimana, a veterinarian and founder of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, which has led a national campaign to rescue, rehabilitate, and eventually reintroduce captive cranes to the wild. This is a great example that shows one passionate and committed person can indeed make a big difference and make this world a better place.

Portugal Establishes a New Huge Marine Protected Area

Following years of advocacy, Portugal has announced a new 38,000-square-mile marine protected area around Gorringe Seamount, a biodiversity hotspot located west of the mainland. It includes spectacular underwater mountains. This move brings Portugal’s protected waters to 27 percent, making it the leader in ocean conservation in Europe.

The Gorringe Ridge is home to over 850 species, including soft corals, sponges, and various marine mammals such as whales and dolphins. The area will serve as a vital nursery and sanctuary for marine life.

A peak at the wondrous underwater life on the Gorringe Ridge.

Mercury Pollution has Plummeted 70% in last 40 Years due to UN Treaty and Phase-Out of Coal.

A new study finds global mercury emissions have dropped 70% since 2000, thanks to the UN’s Minamata Convention and a shift away from coal power. Scientists measured mercury in the leaves of alpine plants to track this dramatic decline. Today, human-caused mercury emissions are lower than those from natural sources, such as the oceans and volcanoes. This means far less toxic exposure to humans (particularly children and other species.

Ireland Shuts Down Last Coal Plant

Ireland has shuttered its last coal-fired power plant, becoming the 15^th coal-free country in Europe.

Correction Notice: In my last post I wrote that the National Bison Conservation Range was near Bozeman Montana, but actually it is near Missoula. So sorry about the error.

---

Sacred Earth Connections in Spirituality & Health Magazine

In an additional does of good environmental news and, hopefully, useful Earth wisdom, I share my quarterly Sacred Earth Connections column in Spirituality & Health magazine with my paid subscribers. Thanks so much for supporting this work.

The columns in the mag are only available to subscribers of the mag but I can share my work once it has been published. I hope you enjoy this piece on “Nature’s Narratives” and our need for a new story.