As someone who was priviledged to spend ten days in the Daintree Rainforest (North Queensland) in '05, and in Costa Rica the spring before, I have affection for Cane Toads in their native habitat (CR) and distain for them where they shouldn't be.

I doubt the average citizen going out and doing away with a few of the invaders makes much difference in the big picture.  But if you do want to feel like you're helping, don't just "throw them out".  Something else may eat the toxic toads and "croak" themselves.  That's a big part of the problem.

Another terrible problem in the Daintree is feral hogs, which are decimating the forest floor.  That's rare plants, snails, insects, native amphibians and much more.  Even the magnificent Southern Cassowary is at risk in a dirrect competition for certain fruits and seeds.

Now that these darn things are there, what to do about them?  A local eco-guide told me the state governemnt makes it very difficult to do away with the hogs, even regulating how and where the carcuses must be buried.

Here in the states, shooting hogs may not eliminate them as a problem, but it makes much more of an impact than killing the super-prolific cane toads.

Perhaps the Queensland government should consider a bait and shoot operation for their feral hogs, using government-certified sharpshooters, much as they do here in Minnesota for problem deer.

As for the toads, I am afraid they really can't be stopped, unless you have a magic virus that absolutely will not mutate to kill native wildlife.

Mudduck1

Page 132-136 of Nature 10May2007 has an excellent article by Oliver Morton on the status of geoengineering and climate change.

Great query, Shelley. I often wonder about what seems ridiculous and if it could really work.

As I live in the great heat of NYC, it's good that your question reminded me to start thinking about wearing white clothes, making sure my curtains are white-backed, and maybe checking out my roof.
I'd certainly appreciate any tips and am going to search Umbra's archives about staying cool in the city without a/c.

Also, Shelley, I was wondering about your closing, "thanks for all that you do." The phrase has been showing up in my mailbox from moveon.org and I was wondering if that's where you've also seen it and adopted it. Just interested in how phrases become popular.

suggested -- to me, at least -- that Umbra was going to tell us about the virtues of wearing clothing that has not been bleached or dyed. Perhaps a topic for another time?

Surely, the clothing industry produces pollutants, including CO2, when it manufactures bright white or colorful clothing. What should environmentalists be wearing... natural colors, gray, solid black? And what about maintaining the colors? Whites have to be washed separately, so is more energy consumed if one has to maintain a mixed wardrobe? Wouldn't it be better to settle on one color and not have to use any bleaching agents at all?

It is all sooooooo complicated.

If it gets really really warm, perhaps clothing won't be an issue. Imagine all the energy people will save.