Gallup Sun

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...

A member of the Navajo Nation has been sentenced to eight years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor.

Larry Nathaniel, 65, of Farmington, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced on Aug. 25 in federal court to eight years and six months in prison for abusive sexual contact of a minor in Indian Country. Nathaniel pleaded guilty on Feb. 2.

According to the indictment and other court records, Nathaniel committed the offense in the family home of the victim in San Juan County on the Navajo Nation on Feb. 24, 2019. Nathaniel held down the victim by the arm and touched her genitalia. At the time of the abuse, the victim was ten years old.

Upon his release...