Salmon and steelheads, in particular, face real dangers from forest fires. Not only is there debris muddying up the water, but the cold river becomes warmer, not good for these fish. In fact, when the water is warmer than 68, it can prove fatal. Fire destroys the plant life along river banks, raising water temperature as well.
The rising water temperature hurts more than the sockeye that is already struggling to reach the spawning grounds. It also destroys all those little bugs that are part of the source of food. The warming effects are felt right here in New Jersey as well.
Prayer for the Day
We know that you have searched us and known us, O God,
And we are unable to pretend that we are something we are not.
Forgive us our despair, our hopelessness, and our fear,
For we know that they close the doors to living faithfully.
Awaken us by your Holy Spirit to a fuller dimension of faith
Leading us to find in our neighbors the opportunities for love.
In the name of him who taught us a new way to live,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Thoughts for the Day
We’ve been seeing unprecedented warming in the ocean over the past several decades. Climate change and the warming of ocean waters is not some abstract global problem. We can see the implications right off our shore in New Jersey.
Malin Pinsky, Rutgers marine biologist
Climate change is an immediate and real threat to the state. The combination of sea level rise, increased storm events, and other climate impacts put our environment and communities at risk.
John Reichman, Director, Blue Wave New Jersey
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
Psalm 90: 1-2