In Reverse Order – (Cause it’s easier to swallow this way.)  I am sure there is more but below is
my list.

—— The UGLY :

Caribbean Monk Seal – Now Extinct

Humans hunting the docile creatures for research, food and blubber left the population
unsustainable, say biologists who warn that Hawaiian and Mediterranean monk seals could
be the next to go.

Polar Bears Resort To Cannibalism As Arctic Ice Shrinks

Scientists have noticed increasing reports of starving Arctic polar bears attacking
and feeding on one another in recent years. Less than 30 years ago, there would still
be 7 million square kilometers or 2.5 million square miles of ice left at the end of
an Arctic summer. That’s now dropped by almost 40 percent.

Protected Species Act – Bush-Whacked

The Bush administration wanted federal agencies to decide for themselves whether
highways, dams, mines and other construction projects might harm endangered animals
and plants. The administration ignored comments from 300,000 citizens and adopted a
policy that would allow federal agencies to ignore one of the nation’s basic
environmental laws. Using the Christmas season for cover, the Interior Department on
Dec. 11, 2008 issued “revised” regulations designed to shield federal projects from
review under the Endangered Species Act.

—— The BAD :

One In Four Mammals Face Extinction

Nearly a fourth of the world’s mammals are threatened with extinction, according to
a study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The study put
21 percent of the world’s mammals on the endangered list, it might be as high as 36
percent, pending further study, particularly for 836 mammals for which scientists
still have little or incomplete information. The threat is contributed to over
harvesting and the loss or degradation of natural habitats particularly in Latin
America, much of Africa and in southeast Asia.

US Coral Reefs in Big Decline

Almost half the coral reef ecosystems in United States territory are in poor or fair
condition, mostly because of rising ocean temperatures, according to a government
report.

Tennessee Sludge Spill Challenges ‘Clean Coal’ Future

When an earthen wall holding back 525 million gallons of ash slurry gave way at the
coal-fired Kingston Fossil Plant in Tennessee in the wee hours of Monday morning
(Dec. 23 2008), the resultant flood inundated more than a dozen houses, and blanketed
as much as 400 acres of land with potentially toxic muck. So the accident again
raises the often asked question: Is there such a thing as “clean coal”?

—— The GOOD :

Humpback Whale Numbers Rising

Once hunted to the brink of extinction, humpback whales have made a dramatic comeback
in the North Pacific Ocean over the past four decades.

Coral Reefs Heal After 2004’s Deadly Tsunami

Surveys of coral reefs after the tsunami showed that up to one-third were damaged
and experts predicted it would take a decade for them to fully recover. But,
Indonesia’s reefs have bounced back with surprising speed.

Mexico City Cleans Up its Smog

Not long ago, air in this capital city was so bad birds fell dead in mid-flight.
But the views of Mexico City are cleaner these days, thanks to restrictions on
driving and industry. Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone pollution has been
slashed in half and carbon monoxide and lead particle levels are down by 90 percent.
Way to go, Mexico!!

January 20, 2009 – End of an Error :

Bush leaves office! Yes! (I just couldn’t help myself!)

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