Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a woman experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period
… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11).
… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)
… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)
… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)
Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor.

Climate change damage to Queensland’s world heritage rainforest ‘as bad as Great Barrier Reef’

Management authority warns wet topics area is in ‘accelerating decline’ and endemic species under immediate threat

Mon 29 Apr 2019 21.19 EDT The Guardian.

The wet tropics world heritage area in north Queensland has been damaged by climate change in a manner “equivalent” to coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, the area’s management authority has said.

In an extraordinary statement issued on Monday, the authority’s board said the tropical rainforest was in “accelerating decline” and that some of the area’s unique species were at imminent risk of extinction.

Last summer was the hottest on record.

“Extreme heat is the wet tropics world heritage area’s coral-bleaching event equivalent, with some mountain-adapted species, like the lemuroid ringtail possum, unable to survive even a day of temperatures above 29C,” the statement said.

“Mount Bartle Frere recorded an unprecedented 39C at its peak on six days this past summer. The board is convinced that, given the evidence, these key species endemic to the wet tropics world heritage area are under severe and immediate threat from climate change.

“This is occurring now, not in the future, and requires an immediate response.”

The authority was due to release a climate adaptation plan in June, but says its observations this past summer have added to the urgency.

Reports on the state of the wet tropics have consistently warned about the threat of climate change. In 2016, a report recognised that biodiversity in the area was in decline, with species reducing in population and size, largely due to climate change.

Modelling by the co-author of that report, Steve Williams, based on data collected over 10 years, showed more than half the species endemic to the wet tropics were at risk of extinction before the end of the century.

The authority’s new statement said: “The latest rates of decline suggest that these extinctions are happening even sooner.”

Monitoring has found declines in bird and possum species have continued apace and are “reaching alarming levels”. The authority believes the lemuroid ringtail possum, which is not listed as endangered, could be locally extinct within three years.

In 2017, the International Union on the Conservation of Nature found that climate change threatened to disrupt the fine ecological balance of the area and could result in “rapid and catastrophic” changes.

“These scenarios are increasingly proving true,” the authority said. “While understandably the Great Barrier Reef has received significant funding to address climate change impacts in recent years, investment in terrestrial world heritage areas has not been commensurate with the urgency for mitigating climate impacts on their world heritage values.”

The board has outlined a 10-point plan for action on climate change, which includes local measures and a “call for urgent action on reducing global emissions.  

The Australian Conservation Foundation said the statement showed climate change was not a “game of costs”

“While much has rightly been made of the damage climate change is doing to the Great Barrier Reef, we know significant harm is also being done to almost all of Australia’s world heritage sites like Kakadu and Shark Bay,” ACF chief executive Kelly O’Shanassy said.

“Our political leaders must explain how they will protect places like the wet tropics of Queensland by urgently cutting our climate pollution and showing global leadership to encourage other countries to do likewise. And they must explain how they will invest in building the resilience of our natural world so it is in the best condition possible to handle what warming is already in the system.

“This is a clear and urgent call for action from the normally dour public servants and scientists charged with looking after one of Australia’s most precious places.”