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The Wildlife Forecast Trends, changes, World Series make for one hot season Patricia Behnke August 2010 - Our wildlife suffered through a cold winter in Florida. We also endured a steamy June. What does it all mean? The temperatures were below normal during the winter and above normal in the spring. It's not rocket science, it's not static, and it is impossible to draw conclusions about climate change with just a few weeks' worth of data. Yet that's what many of us do when it comes to climate change. Either side could "prove" the other side wrong based on the weather that occurred over the past six months. Both would be wrong, because that's not how scientifically meaningful predictions are made. For example the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 15-3 recently. This stellar win has little to do with the Pirates overall season. One game does not a World Series winner make, just as one cold January does not a trend make. Dr. Thomas Eason, deputy director of the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), goes to the water to make his point about trends. "Think of the ebb and flow of high tide at the beach. Even though the tide overall is rising, each individual wave may be smaller or larger. At any point in time, you could be standing in knee-deep or ankle-deep water, but after a few hours, you would be in chest-deep water," he said. "Climate change is about 30-year-plus trends that will have smaller trends within them." Climate is the average of weather conditions, and seasonal scales are examined to determine how one season compares to the other seasons in the past. Timescales used for making predictions are based on models over decades and centuries. "The long-term data solidly point to a warming climate, whether looking at centuries or decades," Eason said. "However, what happened in the past winter or what happens this summer only tells us what took place in that season. It's the addition of those data to the overall trend that will matter to the scientists attempting to model climate change, and it will matter to the fish and wildlife that will have to respond to those changing conditions." The studies point to humans playing a direct role in the changes, most notably since the beginning of the Industrial Age. Other natural factors also are a consideration. El Niño, with its warming trends, affects weather around the globe, as does La Niña, bringing in colder winds during the winter. In the Atlantic, natural changes in wind and sea temperatures create a change in hurricane frequency. "A changing climate has existed since pre-Columbian times, yet fish and wildlife science has treated climate as something that is static," Eason said. "However, we are now forced to confront this fallacy and move into a dynamic-state mindset when thinking about managing fish and wildlife." Climate is determined by the amount of energy escaping and entering earth. NOAA reports that since the dawn of the Industrial Age, we have seen an abundance of atmospheric greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere from fossil fuel burning and deforestation. Since 1750, carbon dioxide has increased by 31 percent, which is higher than seen in 420,000 years. All of this added together means our climate is changing - some of it naturally, some of it manmade. More than 2,000 years ago, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, "Nothing endures but change." Maybe it's time to understand this concept and be prepared for anything. Dr. Jean Brennan, with the Defenders of Wildlife and 2007 Nobel Peace Prize laureate as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, spoke at the FWC's 2008 climate change summit and stressed Florida's vulnerability to climate change. She advised that wildlife will not be able to adapt as quickly as the climate changes and will do one of three things: shift range, adapt or face extinction. By looking at the overall trends in climate that have occurred during the past 50 years in Florida and modeling potential future changes, we can plan flexible strategies to assist wildlife as habitat ranges shift, and we can help them adapt. But we cannot sit by and idly discuss the coldest winter as a way to debunk climate change; nor can we attest to global warming because of a hotter than usual June. Brennan stressed the development of a roadmap "that will be essential to ensuring that Florida's fish and wildlife survive until we are able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - the driver of the climate change impacts." Since change is inevitable, we can change a habit or two that might lessen our impact upon the earth. If it saves an animal from extinction, then who cares about one little baseball game? We will have won the whole World Series. Author Patricia Behnke is a senior editor with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Cruelty to Animals in Texas Claims Spurred by Animal Rights Activists Animal rights organizations like PETA and HSUS are often behind campaigns against traditional livestock production methods. Learn more about their methods and goals. WACO, TX, July 24, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- An agreement between the Ohio livestock industry and activists who charge producers with animal cruelty sparked a recent blog entry by Texas Farm Bureau Public Relations Director Gene Hall. The agreement, which was recently struck between the two opposing sides, "may eventually hamstring" producers while "giving them some breathing room" for a short time. Animal rights groups, such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) were behind the campaign against traditional livestock production in Ohio, but with a different end goal, and a much wider scale, in mind. Proper animal welfare and care is always on the minds of livestock producers and they are constantly striving to improve these standards within the industry. However, animal-rights activists will probably never be satisfied with progress made because the end goal for many of these activists is not simply ending what they view as "cruelty" to animals. Getting people to stop eating meat is their goal. Stricter regulations on animal care are simply the first step for these groups, says Hall. "They will take what they can get for now and keep working toward that goal. For them, this is a marathon, not a sprint. "Even without misguided ballot initiatives in Texas--where we still believe in representative government--we are not without worries. It's possible that when HSUS has forced enough state initiatives, they can hoodwink Congress into passing a national law," writes Hall. "That's the beginning of the end for livestock production in the U.S. It would also signal the end for family livestock farms and many hundreds of thousand jobs." PETA and HSUS often use misleading statistics and emotional arguments to gather support for their cause, while reason and science is left out. Hall specifically points out the tactics of HSUS: "HSUS has enjoyed a skillfully deployed false front, using alleged cruelty to animals in Texas and other states as a weapon. Fundraising appeals are all cute puppies and kittens, sadly neglected. But the money raised for this alleged purpose is mostly spent to raise more money, lobby against animal agriculture and fund pensions. About 1 percent of the take will fund animal shelters." Animal cruelty in Texas is an important topic, one that is addressed by the Texas Farm Bureau. Read the rest of Gene Hall's entry by visiting the Texas Ag Talks blog at http://www.txfb.org/TxAgTalks. About Texas Farm Bureau: The Texas Farm Bureau is committed to improving the lives of America's farmers through advocacy, education and awareness. It is our goal to tell not only members, but the general public, about TFB's mission and commitment to providing a voice for farmers, ranchers, rural citizens and everyone interested in preserving and protecting this way of life. Learn more about the Texas Farm Bureau on the Web: Website: http://www.txfb.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TexasFarmBureau Twitter: http://twitter.com/TexasFarmBureau Interior and Agriculture Departments Announce Joint New Climate Change Research Projects on SE and NW Freshwater Systems WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced joint scientific research projects that address the effects of climate change on freshwater systems and sensitive aquatic species in the northwestern and southeastern United States. “Conserving our nation’s fisheries and aquatic ecosystems will be a challenge as climate change continues,” said Salazar. “These collaborative research projects will provide the science and technology needed by the Interior Department and other natural resource managers to plan for coping with these challenges, especially in sensitive aquatic environments.” Salazar noted that these projects are an early indication of the kind of science and management support that will be generated by the Interior Department’s regional climate science centers, which will be established in the Northwest and Southeast later this year. “Collaborative science targeted at managers needs is our agenda,” Salazar said. The multi-year $500,000 joint USDA-DOI projects, which will be carried out by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) scientists, will make use of existing data, field studies and modeling to better understand the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems. Information from the project will help guide science-based land-use decisions by federal agencies and others engaged in long-term planning for climate adaptation. “Addressing the challenges of climate change will require new tools that enable our leaders to develop successful strategies,” said Vilsack. “This research will provide tools and information to help ensure that aquatic ecosystems in the Northwest and Southeast remain healthy in the face of climate change.” In the Northwest, a region known for its abundant supply of cold and clean fresh water, the project’s goal is to identify how climate change will affect water temperature, quality and quantity, as well as the likely effects of increasing and more fluctuating water temperatures on coldwater-dependent fish such as trout and salmon. Regional climate change will likely cause altered hydrology and water temperatures, vital components of water quality and healthy life cycles for species such as Pacific salmon, trout and chars, which depend on coldwater habitats. At the same time, little is known about existing and potential impacts of climate change for stream temperature in the Pacific Northwest. With a better understanding these factors – temperature and altered water flows – experts will be able to help guide land-use decisions by federal and state agencies planning for climate adaptation in the area. In the Southeast, the project’s goal is to develop tools managers can use to minimize the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and the coldwater-dependent species in them, as well as on related ecosystem service such as drinking water quality and wildlife-based recreation. The scientists will refine and combine climate and hydrologic models for the region that will help resource professionals assess how land-use and water-management decisions will affect coldwater fish species such as brook trout, and the transition from coldwater fisheries in the mountains to warm water fisheries in the lower-lying Piedmont area. New Product Could Help Beef Producers Eradicate Salmonella & E Coli Miami, Florida (WiredPRNews.com)2010-07-21 22:12:48 (GMT)- A new product available from EnviroGreen Global Solutions, Inc. could help U.S. producers of beef eradicate salmonella, e. coli and other bacterial pathogens from the production process and thus begin to repair strained relations with key importers such as Russia and Taiwan, according to EGS Chief Operational Officer Dr. David Rakofsky. “Providing livestock with drinking water purified with Evicol, as well as misting their environment and/or washing them with Evicol-treated water prior to slaughter, significantly contributes to the prevention of infection at the farmyard level and bestows residual protection as well.” Moreover, unlike antibiotics, the active ingredient in Evicol, a revolutionary, stable chelation of copper compounds, does not create resistance in bacteria. Rather than poisoning these pathogens, it kills them by blocking the metabolic processes the microbes need to survive. Evicol is safe (EPA approved), highly cost-effective and extremely simple to use, making it an ideal weapon in the fight against food-borne illness. As an article from Food Safety News from February 2010 points out, it is extremely difficult to monitor possible bacterial infections in beef, as the meat passes through so many hands from the time it leaves the cattle ranch to the time it reaches the consumer’s plate. Evicol would greatly alleviate this problem because of its unique ability to keep the bacterial count well below the animals’ natural defense threshold. As Dr. Rakofsky explains, “It is unrealistic to expect producers to be able to control the behavior of every person who comes in contact with the beef, so we’ve provided one more safeguard. Livestock that is properly treated with Evicol will be more resistant to bacterial infection in the first place. In addition, Evicol’s companion product, Preserv Post Harvest Wash, can continue to protect against subsequent bacterial contamination of any kind at any point along the supply chain.” After several months of productive discussions with producers, EnviroGreen Global Solutions, Inc. is redoubling its outreach efforts to the beef industry in the hopes of assisting them in convincing key exporters that U.S. beef meets the highest safety standards possible. Farmers defend industry via social media
Denair, CA 2010-07-03 23:11:42 (GMT) WiredPRNews.com – An animal rights group video showing farm animal abuse, posted to YouTube has sparked outrage from farmers seeking to defend their industry. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), a number of farmers are utilizing social media such as Facebook and Twitter to counter accusations by animal rights groups, and say abusive practices are not representative of their industry. Ray Prock Jr., a second-generation Central California dairy farmer, who blogs and tweets about his field of work, is quoted by the AP as stating of the motivation for turning to social media to relay messages, “There is so much negative publicity out there, and no one was getting our message out.” Prock is further quoted as stating in a blog post, “Every other farmer I know who cares for animals has at one time or another put those animals’ well being ahead of their own or their families’ time or needs.” Florida's Commercial Fishermen
"We're in Business, But We Need You" Times have been hard for Florida's commercial fishermen. A tough economy, and now a massive oil spill in the Gulf. Some are out of business. Others on the brink. But Florida's commercial fishing industry has a proud heritage. Fishing built our coastal towns, and shaped our state's history. Florida seafood is a tradition long enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Whether eating in or dining out, whenever family and friends get together, it's always a special time when Florida seafood is on the table. And, despite the images from the Gulf, Florida seafood is safe and ready to be enjoyed. The fresh catch from clean, unaffected Florida waters is coming in daily. We're in business, but we need you. Pay a visit to your local fish market or coastal seafood restaurant, and enjoy Florida's delicious seafood harvest that so many, work so hard, to bring to you. WATCH THE 60-SECOND VIDEO Florida's Sec. of Agriculture BRONSON URGES CITIZENS TO AVOID OIL SPILL SCAMS TALLAHASSEE -- Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today advised consumers to be on the lookout for any scams arising out of the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. While Bronson's Consumer Services Division has yet to receive any complaints or uncover any fraud involving the oil spill, analysts and investigators with the agency are working closely with the Federal Trade Commission and other states to thwart any problems that may occur. Still, based on previous experiences in dealing with major events like the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Gulf War and major hurricanes, Bronson said it is likely that scam artists are now or soon will be at work to profit from the oil spill. "Unfortunately, while the public's attention is focused on an event like this and citizens pull together to do what they can to help, it is almost inevitable that con artists will emerge to exploit the situation in an effort to enrich themselves," Bronson said. Toward that end, the Commissioner stressed that it is important to avoid providing any personal financial information to unsolicited requests for assistance or offers for help from organizations or entities with which you are not familiar. Also, check out any organizations that you are considering making a contribution to or from which you are seeking assistance, Bronson said. Among scams to be on the lookout for: BOGUS CHARITIES
UNSOLICITED LOAN OFFERS OR OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE WITH CLAIM FORMS Bronson believes that it is commendable that Floridians want to do all they can to restore the Gulf Coast to its pre-spill condition by donating money to worthy causes, volunteering their time and even working in paid positions involved in the cleanup. And it is inevitable that some citizens whose livelihoods have been negatively impacted by the incident need significant assistance. "But it is critical that citizens who want to help deal with legitimate organizations and that those who need assistance deal with businesses and financial institutions that will help, not hurt them," Bronson said. The FWC reminds Floridians and visitors that the state's recreational and commercial fisheries have not been impacted by the oil spill and remain open for public enjoyment and commerce. Florida saltwater fishing regulations remain in effect as usual and are available online at MyFWC.com/Fishing. NEW COTTON PEST IDENTIFIED IN FLORIDA KEYS TALLAHASSEE -- Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced that the cotton seed bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa), has been found on cotton in a residential area of Monroe County by a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector. In the past, this insect has been intercepted on shipments into Florida, but this is the first time the pest has been found in the Florida environment. Agriculture reform necessary for global threat protection Olso (WiredPRNews.com) – A new study suggests farming reform is essential for combating threats to developing countries such as widespread hunger and global warming. As reported by Reuters, the international report states research and radical reform were necessary for confronting the threats without increasing rates of obesity. Jules Pretty, a professor of Environment & Society at Essex University in England, and one of the study’s authors, is quoted in the report as stating of the issue, “There have been great advances in agricultural development in the past 50 years with remarkable increases in productivity… But there are still a billion people hungry and a lot of the progress has been made at the expense of the environment. Just around the corner are a number of serious threats which may already be playing out — climate change, an energy crunch, economic uncertainty in the current model and rapidly changing consumption patterns.” The study will reportedly be presented in France at a farm experts meeting March 28-31. BRONSON URGES HORSE OWNERS TO VACCINATE ANIMALS FOR MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES; RECOMMENDS THAT HUMANS TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES TALLAHASSEE -- With the arrival of spring and warmer weather, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today reminded horse owners to get their animals vaccinated for mosquito borne diseases. The two principal equine diseases associated with mosquitoes are Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), and the majority of cases of each can be prevented with proper vaccinations, according to animal health officials. "The key is to make sure that a horse has been vaccinated against these mosquito-borne diseases and to check with your veterinarian to determine whether an animal's booster shots are up to date," Bronson said. So far this year, Florida has no equine cases of EEE or WNV, but that can change quickly as mosquito populations increase significantly with the warmer weather and can explode in areas with heavy rains and standing water. Humans, too, need to minimize their contact with mosquitoes as mosquitoes remain the largest carrier of diseases that afflict people. Toward that end, Bronson is recommending that Floridians: -- Remove standing water from their property by emptying out stagnant water from kiddie pools, old tires, birdbaths and any other receptacle that holds water. -- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside around dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. -- Use a good mosquito repellent.
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