The Pope Backs Climate Change Reduction Efforts

While nothing is completely set in stone, this could be considered a victory. The Pope had met with Scientists, Political Leaders, and the UN, and has passed a message along stating that Climate Change is approaching fast and a collective action is required. It is a big step forward, especially since the Republican Conservatives often default to religion, the same religion the Pope represents, as an excuse or reason to be conservative.

Peony 

Politics and Science have collided in a mash up that tests human communication and the ability to see the truth and accept responsibility for their actions as a whole species. To know that UN leaders and that the Pope too now agree that Climate Changes is mostly the result of human activity and that a collective action among them all needs to be implemented to help save the beauty and nature of the planet, is almost reassuring.

 I've never been immersed in religion or politics. I have my faith, my beliefs, and my values, but mostly I believe in the facts of the world around me, and I can see and feel the changes and it is not too hard to see that many changes are human impacts on the world. I have lost a lot of hope in the past ten years, thinking that the voice of the planet and the natural world is lost in the roar of politicians and religious fanatics scrambling for power and money and domination. To see that a huge leap has been taken by both political and religious leaders restores some of that hope, enough for me to keep fighting and raising awareness. It is not too late to make a positive impact, to restore some of what has been altered, to save this beautiful world we call home and coexist with the natural environments and ecosystems that are home to the trees, the plants, the birds, the fish, the whales, the elephants, the gorillas, and all other lifeforms out there.

There is still time for us to share our world with the other inhabitants here, and to prevent further damage to their homes. Restoring the damage done by Climate Change is not only beneficial to our world, but for what some people need to hear, it is beneficial to humans too. There is a lot humans would have to face if large species started going extinct, or if plants were dying faster than they could

Baby Corn Snake 

grow. Climate change is a global effect, so trying to reverse it is a global help! Just because political and religious leaders are starting to stand up and say it is time to change and help with the problem we have mostly contributed to, doesn't mean change will come quickly, but it is a start, and it could be what we all need to work together as a species rather than fight each other.

Red Colobus Monkey

Scientists thought they saw they last of the Red Colobus Monkey in the 1970's, the last time it was ever reported being observed by researchers. Recently however, forty years after it was feared to have been extinct, two independent researchers were able to track it down in the Republic of Congo's
Ntokou-Pikounda National Park.

Taken by Lieven Devreese for National Geographic

The red colobus was first described in 1887, little is known about the monkey, and it is listed as Critically Endangered. Locals of course knew of the Monkey's existence and were able to guide researchers to the most likely observing spots. The difficult terrain that the monkeys call home is perhaps their best defense against predators. While it deters scientists from studying them, in a world where there are so few mysteries left, that seems appropriate.

The photo, taken by Lieven Devreese, one of the Researchers to rediscover the monkey, depicts a mother and baby Red Colobus. Non human primates are fascinating creatures. They come in all shapes and sizes with varying levels of intelligence. When looking into the eyes of many monkeys and apes it is clear that they see and recognize individuals. Their eyes show their mental capacity.

Photo taken by Isabella Talbott at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainsville, Fl

Max, a Weeper Capuchin and lovable former pet made his permanent home at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainsville, Fl. I had the rare and amazing opportunity to intern with these amazing New World Primates for six weeks. New World Primates are very different from Old World Primates. All new world monkeys come from Central and South America, and old world monkeys and apes reside in Africa and Asia. New world monkeys are generally smaller.

Being able to work with these unforgettable faces allowed me to learn so much, form rare and special bonds with these amazing animals, and feel the fantastic connection between the descendants of some of Homo sapiens closest relatives. Fortunately there are sanctuaries like Jungle Friends that take in retired lab monkeys and former pets and offer them an Almost Wild lifestyle and a safe place to reside for the rest of their days.

The red colobus monkeys seem to have remained hidden in a shrinking world of development and farmland as it encroaches on natural wildlife habitats. Unlike Max, the red colobus depicted are wild and habituated. They are rare, beautiful, and intelligent creatures who should be respected and protected. It warms my heart to know there are still some species clever enough to stay hidden and remain intact for extended periods of time. It makes me wonder what else is out there in the thickest jungles or at the bottom of the deepest oceans that we have yet to see, that is untouched by humanity.

Picture and names found in First Ever Picture Taken of Rare African Monkey by Stefan Sirucek for the National Geographic published on April 18 2015