May 9th, 2008
Pine trees to frogs, global warming is killing 'em off
In the northern lattitudes the boreal forests of North America are losing their evergreens. Scientists say the mountain pine beetle is thriving due to the warmer winters. In turn beetles are killing large numbers of trees in Canadian forests. Previous beetle attacks have occurred in the Canadian forests but this is the worst yet. Warmer climate is being blamed.
Worse yet, the dead and dying trees may turn the boreal forest from a carbon sink into a source of yet more carbon dioxide that will go into the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse gas effect, thus contributing to further atmospheric warming.
In warmer climates there is a population reduction among many species of amphibia. One tropical frog species is especially hard hit, and research once again points to the effects of global warming. The disappearance of amphibians has been noticed over several decades and appears to be accelerating.
Over four years ago one research report estimated as much as 37% of all species on earth could become extinct due to climate change. I’m going to be doubly unhappy if cockroaches and politicians survive but hops disappear.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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