Hundreds of Elephants Are Dying, and No One Knows Why
https://www.thecut.com/2020/07/elephant-deaths-botswana.html
“This is a mass die-off on a level that hasn’t been seen in a very, very long time. Outside of drought, I don’t know of a die-off that has been this significant,” Dr. Niall McCann, the director of conservation at U.K.-based charity National Park Rescue told the Guardian this week.
The condition is affecting elephants of all ages and both sexes, according to local reports, and 70 percent of the deaths have been clustered around water holes. Witnesses say they’ve seen elephants walking in circles, indicating a possible neurological impairment.
It is unclear right now how rapidly the illness progresses in the animals. While some elephant carcasses have been found face down, suggesting a sudden collapse and death, other elephants have been found wandering around, growing increasingly emaciated, suggesting a slower progression. In any case, the illness is spreading at an astounding rate. At the end of May, 169 elephants had been found dead; by mid-June, that number had more than doubled.
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Sounds like the elephants are in a similar situation as we humans.
indeedIf the watering holes are stagnant, could be the source. 
This is terrible.
that shows us doing more can have significant positive effects, sometimes better than expected. And smart, committed people around the globe are working on it. Voters are the ones who need to know they have a big job to do.
Have to wonder how many of those who refused to vote for Democrats in 2016 would have voted to save the planet if they only understood the connection. But of course ignorance and disinformation about both were sold as parts of a package and the result was ramping up of Republican-lead disaster.
changing our thinking and what we'll have to do about it, what's being done, can be done, and is expected to become possible.
I figure that in human terms, since we have no choice but to live in the world we're creating, and have started already, what that means to us now and for the foreseeable future is at least as big news as what we're losing. We still have a lot of huge choices to make about what that's going to be.
Personally, once things like adequate drinking water are secured, I want the long, erratic but beautiful springs we once had back. I want the spring gardens that weren't obliterated by late winter storms butting up against premature summer heat waves. Since I don't expect to see it again, I want it for my grandchildren. I figure that may be at least partially possible. If not, their grandchildren.
Last edited Wed Jul 15, 2020, 12:15 PM - Edit history (1)
I want that for your/other people's grandchildren too . Though I suppose I did hedge my own bets and opt out of having kids 
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But we do have to do something about the increasing take over of human society by the insane (in govt, in tech etc etc). I don't really like to see the "we can colonize space so lets carry on with trashing this place " attitude. Science, education and enlightenment generally are the way forward. It just seems to take a lot of time and resources.
I think you are right that there is good news out there. We just need more of it ...Let us at least hope that come Jan 2021 old Chump is peddling his next reality show "Who wants to be US President?" 
Do you-insane creep over there have what it takes?
