Australia considers the toll of climate change on mental health.

At three different conferences this week, two in the state of Queensland and one in New South Wales, the focus was on alleviating mental illness for those affected by global warming. Mental health advocate Fay Jackson, the keynote speaker at the 2008 Queensland Landcare Conference, said that farming families in rural areas are particularly susceptible as they experience the intense droughts and floods from global warming. And with such disasters, the farmers must in turn raise food prices, which then causes stress to urban residents.

We thank Ms. Jackson and other professionals for addressing global warming’s effect on this vital aspect of well-being. May our collective compassion result in more planet-friendly actions to restore the balance of the home we all share.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/climate-change-linked-to-suicide/2008/09/22/1221935538490.html, http://parkes.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/drought-forum-in-parkes-today/1280906.aspx

Heat waves decrease plants’ ability to absorb CO2. 

A four-year study led by the Desert Research Institute in Nevada, USA simulated heat wave conditions by growing grassland plants in large climate-controlled chambers. The researchers found that grasslands subjected to heat waves for the equivalent of a one-year growing period had a 63 percent decrease in their ability to absorb carbon dioxide for that year, and even a year later had significantly reduced ability to absorb CO2. Naturally growing grasslands normally serve as major carbon sinks, absorbing significant amounts of CO2 to help alleviate the effects of global warming.

Desert Research Institute, we are grateful for these insights into the challenges we face as planetary temperatures continue to warm due to climate change. We pray for quick global action to preserve all lives on our wonderful Earth. 

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/36532/title/Heat_waves_stunt_grassland_growth