The Decline of Vertebrates. Tuesday, October 14 at 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)

We will look at the 2024 Living Planet Report, which revealed a precipitous decline in 35,000 vertebrate populations worldwide. This is a major study that deserves our attention. Why are vertebrate populations declining? And what can we do about it? Is this story not at least as big as climate change?

RSVP: The Status of Vertebrate Populations. Tuesday, October 14 @ 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)

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The Worldwide Loss of Soil Moisture. Friday, October 17 at 3:00 (Eastern Time)

According to a recent study, we have lost 2,623 gigatonnes of water from the soils of the world in the 17 year period from 2000 to 2016. 2,623 gigatonnes of water is an unimaginable amount of water. One gigatonne is one billion tonnes, or a cubic kilometer of water. The soils of the earth are running dry, the soil organisms are dying of thirst. The soils are sloughing off rainfall as they become compacted. And yet, “nobody” is talking about this. Let’s change the conversation!

RSVP: The Worldwide Loss of Soil Moisture: Friday, October 17 @ 3:00 PM (Eastern Time)

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Insect Decline: Problems & Solutions. Monday, October 20 at 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)

We can reverse the rapid decline of wildlife by restoring wildlife habitat, e.g., forest, grasslands and wetlands. When we do that, we can not only reverse the decline of wildlife, but we will go far to cool and regulate our climate.

The great news is that we can restore insect habitat where we live. I will show pictures from my own urban home landscape.

But worldwide, insects are declining rapidly. And that’s a big reason why vertebrates are also declining rapidly, because insects are food for vertebrates. So let’s study the urgency of the problem, and also solutions to the problem.

Bumblebee pollinating a yellow wingstem in my home landscape. A partial solution to the decline of insects. Photo by Hart Hagan

RSVP: Insect Decline: Problems & Solutions. Monday, October 20 @ 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)