Earthweek: Diary of a Changing World


Fish Bake

With record summer heat and drought threatening wild salmon in California, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia and Atlantic Canada this summer, experts say many commonly eaten fish could face extinction as global heating makes waters too hot for them to survive. A report in the journal “Nature Climate Change,” warns many species will struggle to keep pace with the deepening climate emergency. “Warming waters are a double whammy for fish, as they not only cause them to evolve to a smaller size, but also reduce their ability to move to more suitable environments, co-author Chris Venditti of Britain’s University of Reading...

Executive order calls for state to conserve at least 30 percent of land by 2030

Complementing a nationwide effort to protect U. S. land and water, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an order Aug. 25 to support New Mexico’s “30 x 30” framework, which would conserve at least 30 percent of all lands in the state by 2030.

The executive order directs the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, New Mexico Environment Department, Office of the State Engineer, Department of Agriculture, Indian Affairs Department and the director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Outdoor Recreation Division to use their existing authorities to support and implement programs...

The Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management issued a severe weather warning on Monday through the Navajo Nation’s text message alert, regarding anticipated heavy rainfall that is expected to begin on Wednesday.

“Our administration continues to offer support to several communities that are still recovering from monsoon rainfall in July," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said.  "The Navajo Division of Transportation’s work crews also continue to work on repairs to roads that were washed out in July.

"The weather forecast shows heavy rainfall this week beginning on Wednesday morning in the western portion of the Navajo Nation and moving east throughout the day," Nez...

Dress code for the first day of school

Beginning Aug. 20 there is a new mask mandate in place in New Mexico.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made the announcement on Aug. 17 in a Zoom press conference.

Due to the spread of the Delta variant everyone two years old and older is directed to wear a mask or multi-layer cloth face covering in all indoor public settings, except when a healthcare provider instructs otherwise or when the individual is eating or drinking.

The news came the afternoon before the first day of school in Gallup-McKinley County.

District superintendent Mike Hyatt told the Sun that the changes would not be difficult to implement.

“We will make adjustments to...