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    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm rep...Read more

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    Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm

    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm repeatedly. Daily levels of CO2 can vary due to weather, and there are seasonal trends as well. The level of atmospheric greenhouse gases continues to increase, now over 120 ppm since the Industrial Revolution began. For more on the Keeling Curve, see http://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/. Find out more about greenhouse gases and warming.

    Image courtesy of Beatriz LaGrave-Llaneza.

From: Beatriz La Grave Llaneza
Some Place in the Bahamas, July 12, 2008

Understanding Sharks

This expedition has been an exciting adventure for the whole family. Every day started by waking up with the sunrise, diving during the day, contemplating the sunset and working on the project.

Being in the Bahamas gave us the opportunity to be in close contact with sharks. There are over 375 different species of sharks. Our experience has proved once more the theory that sharks attack as purely inquisitive testing. Researchers say that 96% of all shark attacks are single strikes, or "hit and run" attacks or mistakes.

We need to support the worldwide effort to give sharks a chance to survive. But we as a society can advance the cause immeasurably if we remove the idea of the shark as killing machine and stop the shark-killing. Mass killing of sharks could cause detrimental effects in underwater ecosystems. This is very unfortunate because the study of sharks has offered scientists new information about different areas of science. This is why the critical issue is saving these beautiful predators and the ecosystem they create and maintaining balance undersea.

Diving with sharks has been a unique experience. Hopefully some of you will try it and experience the adventure just to be in close encounter with yourself and with this unique & amazing animal. We all need to learn more and understand why they attack and end the fear that drives us to destroy them.

Go to the next postcard

Postcards from the Field: Shark Watching

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