There is an infestation of beetles eating a swath of forest thousands of miles wide in Canada.  These beetles have always been around - but they used by contained by the freezing Canadian winters.  Now however, it's just not getting cold enough, so the beetles are continuing unabated.

These sorts of stories are becoming more and more common.  Species at the edge of extinction, and the earth changing in ways that make it impossible to predict the consequences.

Politically speaking, I believe that the Republican position on the environment (who cares) and global warming (liberal conspiracy) may prove to be one of the most epic mistakes of judgment that we've ever seen in American politics.

The scientists say the issues are real.  If the Republicans continue to mock science it may even be enough to help the blundering, inept Democrats win an election or two.

As I've said elsewhere, avoiding man made change to the environment could easily be a "conservative" issue.  The quicker the Republican leadership can swallow their distaste for Al Gore's movie and grab some aspect of this issue as their own, the better it will be for all of us.