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Rick LeCouteur
Inviting young readers to marvel at the wonder of nature's creatures
Rick's Blog
#bunyipsbooksbeyond
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On the Brink: The Turning Point for Our Planet (#434)
The 2025 State of the Climate Report published today (29 October 2025) in BioScience offers the clearest warning yet. The planet’s vital signs are in crisis. Of the 34 indicators that scientists track to measure Earth’s health, from atmospheric carbon and ocean heat to ice loss and biodiversity, 22 have reached record levels . “Earth’s systems are nearing tipping points that could plunge the planet into a ‘hothouse’ regime,” warns William Ripple, co-lead author and professo
Rick LeCouteur
Oct 293 min read


Under the South Atlantic: The growing hole in Earth’s magnetic shield (#415)
The weak spot in Earth’s magnetic field , known as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) , is highly significant because it offers insights into the behavior of Earth’s core dynamics , space-weather vulnerability , and satellite safety . What is the weak spot? The SAA is a vast region over the South Atlantic Ocean where Earth’s magnetic field is significantly weaker than elsewhere. This anomaly was first detected in the late 1950s when satellites noticed unusually high radiation
Rick LeCouteur
Oct 192 min read


The Littered Path: The moral weight of a floss pick (#406)
Every morning on my walk, I pick up trash. Not out of compulsion, but out of quiet disbelief. The worst offenders, and the most...
Rick LeCouteur
Oct 53 min read


In Memoriam: Jane Goodall 1934-2025 (#405)
This week, the world lost one of its most luminous champions for wildlife, nature, and hope. Dr. Jane Goodall, pioneering primatologist,...
Rick LeCouteur
Oct 33 min read


Obesogens: What veterinarians should know (#380)
While diet and exercise are often blamed for rising obesity rates, accumulating evidence points to a less visible culprit—...
Rick LeCouteur
Jul 283 min read


Rethinking Outdoor Cats: The invisible toll on Nature (#379)
Cats are among the most cherished companions in the modern world. Their independence, elegance, and comforting purrs have earned them a...
Rick LeCouteur
Jul 274 min read


The Carolina Parakeet: A curious extinction (#337)
The once-abundant wild parrots vanished mysteriously in the early 20th century. Now scientists are closer to solving their...
Rick LeCouteur
Jun 46 min read


When Nature Imitates Politics: The southern flannel moth (#328)
Deep within the forests of the southeastern United States and parts of the Amazon, a peculiar caterpillar has captured public attention,...
Rick LeCouteur
May 252 min read


Wildlife, Wilderness, and the Wrecking Ball: Undoing decades... (#321)
A Relentless Retreat from Environmental Protection and Wildlife Conservation The first 100 days of the current administration’s return...
Rick LeCouteur
May 44 min read


Silent Collapse: The Global Coral Crisis (#312)
Imagine a forest suddenly turning gray, its vibrant life vanishing without a sound. That’s exactly what’s happening beneath the waves...
Rick LeCouteur
Apr 273 min read


The State of Our Planet This Week: Insights from Inside Climate News (#306)
Inside Climate News was founded in 2007 and provides unbiased, non-partisan reporting on climate change to inform the national...
Rick LeCouteur
Apr 193 min read


Rocketing Toward Climate Disaster: The true cost of an 11-minute space flight (#305)
Last week, six women boarded Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin rocket and made headlines for their 11-minute suborbital flight. It was hailed as...
Rick LeCouteur
Apr 183 min read


Underwater Soap Opera: Kissing, cleaning, and changing sex (#297)
When we think of the Great Barrier Reef , our minds often drift to the kaleidoscope of corals, the graceful movements of sea turtles, or...
Rick LeCouteur
Apr 53 min read


The Great Lakes: Cross-border stewardship for the sake of the planet (#296)
When we think of freshwater on a grand scale, The Great Lakes stand unrivaled in North America. Spanning two countries and housing...
Rick LeCouteur
Apr 54 min read


The Dingo’s Dilemma: What it means to be native (#295)
Stretching nearly 3,500 miles across Australia’s arid interior, the Dingo Fence is the longest man-made barrier in the world. Built not...
Rick LeCouteur
Apr 33 min read


Elephants and Cancer: Peto’s paradox (#275)
Cancer is a disease that affects millions of species, including humans, yet some animals have developed remarkable resistance to it....
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 163 min read


Whiskers and Worship: The Enigmatic Cats of Gokogu Shrine (#272)
Nestled in the coastal town of Ushimado, Japan, the Gokogu Shrine stands as a testament to harmonious coexistence between humans and a...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 123 min read


From Predator to Purse: The truth behind crocodile leather (#271)
Crocodiles have roamed the Earth for over 200 million years, outliving the dinosaurs and surviving mass extinctions. As apex predators,...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 125 min read


Dismantling Progress: Climate science under siege (#260)
The United States’ role in global climate leadership has oscillated dramatically in recent years, with each administration shaping policy...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 263 min read


Humane World for Animals: A new era in global animal protection (#252)
In February 2025 , the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Humane Society International (HSI) unified under a new name:...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 162 min read
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