July 2025 - Initial program

 

First - about the new Rotary International President (2025-26)

Rotary International President for 2025-26 is Francesco Arezzo. Guided by the RI code and policies, the Board selected the new president-elect from a pool of candidates who were considered by the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in August 2023.

The 2025-26 presidential message, announced at the 2025 Rotary International Assembly in February, will remain Unite for Good, which calls on Rotary members to be a force for unity in a world increasingly divided by politics, geography, and ideology. 

Through service projects, Rotary brings together people of every background — across races, religions, and professions — in a shared mission to do good in their communities.

A Rotary member for more than 30 years, Arezzo has served as vice chair of the Joint Strategic Planning Committee and as RI director, learning facilitator, and as district conference presidential representative.

He is a Major Donor and Benefactor of The Rotary Foundation. He is married to Anna Maria Criscione, an entrepreneur in the tourism field. They have two children.

Arezzo is an orthodontist in private practice, and he is active internationally as a member of the Italian, European, and American orthodontics associations. He is a Knight of Honor and Devotion in Obedience within the Sovereign Order of Malta.

And now an article about the tallest beings in the world!  

From - Interesting Facts hello@interestingfacts.com 

Coast redwood trees are the tallest beings in the world.

With a narrow range stretching for about 450 miles, from Big Sur to southern Oregon, coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are the tallest living beings in the world — and one in particular surpasses them all.  Named after a titan in Greek mythology and found in California’s Redwood National Park, Hyperion stands 380 feet tall. That’s 65 feet taller than London’s Big Ben and 10 feet taller than the previous record holder, another coast redwood.  A redwood’s size is only one of its many fascinating features. The trees’ root systems are relatively shallow (only 6 to 12 feet deep), but can grow more than 100 feet outward from the trunk, giving them stability against heavy winds and flooding. They’re also old — really old — with some redwoods alive today estimated at more than 2,000 years old. That means they were around during the Roman Republic (sempervirens means “always flourishing,” after all). In fact, their age may be one reason these trees can grow so tall. And today, redwoods are more important than ever, because they soak up more CO2 than any other tree on Earth. A typical coast redwood removes 250 tons of carbon from the atmosphere during its lifetime, compared to just 1 ton for a typical tree. That’s why scientists are now finding ways to clone some of the oldest coast redwoods that have ever lived, in the hopes of combating climate change. The month of April is Rotary's focus on The Environment!

 Eco Minute – Coral Reefs

Coral reefs, often termed the "rainforests of the sea," are facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change. Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and increased frequency of severe weather events have led to widespread coral bleaching and mortality.

Coral reefs are among Earth's most diverse and valuable ecosystems, covering less than 1% of the ocean floor yet supporting over 25% of all marine species.

They provide essential services, including food security for coastal communities, economic benefits through tourism and fisheries, natural protection against storms and erosion, and potential sources for medical discoveries.

However, these vital ecosystems face significant threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

 

Current Status and Impact of Climate Change:

Global Decline: Between 2009 and 2018, approximately 14% of the world's coral reefs were lost, equating to around 11,700 square kilometers—an area surpassing all the living coral in Australia. Source  

• Bleaching Events: In 2016, heat stress affected 51% of global coral reefs, leading to severe bleaching in 85% of the northern Great Barrier Reef and resulting in a 29% loss of shallow water corals. Source 

• Extinction Risks: Recent assessments indicate that about 44% of global reef-building coral species are at risk of extinction, primarily due to climate-induced stressors. Source

To ensure their preservation -

To ensure their preservation, it's crucial to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in marine science.

Embracing DEI fosters innovation and effective conservation strategies by incorporating diverse perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge.

Collaborative efforts that value all voices are essential for the sustainable management and protection of coral reefs, benefiting both nature and human societies.

For more detailed information, please visit:

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral07_importance.html

 

Future Projections and Hope for Survival:

• Adaptation Potential: Some studies suggest that certain coral species may adapt to moderate climate warming by hosting more heat-tolerant symbiotic algae, potentially enhancing their resilience. Source  

• Urgent Action Required: To preserve these vital ecosystems, significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are imperative. Protecting coral reefs not only safeguards marine biodiversity but also supports the livelihoods of over a billion people worldwide. Source

In summary, while coral reefs are under severe threat from climate change, proactive global efforts focusing on emission reductions and conservation can enhance their chances of survival.