# 8-27-2023 - Good News Weekend: Coral Reefs Endure, Protecting Nature, Food Bank Feeds Strikers

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 27 Aug 2023, 16 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/64126e37-cc01-4173-a2ea-b4d7001ad9e8/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s Good News at a Glance: • 4 Decades of research and data indicate Pacific coral reefs can acclimate to environmental changes. • Countries begin to contribute to a fund dedicated to protecting nature. • Food Bank offers food to writers and strike participants. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:01] Speaker 1: Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
[0:05] Speaker 1: the name of the Father and the Son and of
[0:08] Speaker 1: the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever.
[0:13] Speaker 2: I have commanded you.
[0:14] Speaker 1: And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the
[0:18] Speaker 1: end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28, 19-20 Dear Jesus,
[0:26] Speaker 1: You have given me the Holy Spirit to be bold
[0:28] Speaker 1: in my faith.
[0:29] Speaker 2: And share You with others.
[0:31] Speaker 1: Sometimes I fear others' reactions to my convictions, but I
[0:35] Speaker 1: know you call me your disciple to be a teacher
[0:37] Speaker 1: to anyone who crosses my path.
[0:40] Speaker 2: You even call me to go out of my way
[0:42] Speaker 2: to share the good news.
[0:43] Speaker 1: Thank you that you are always with me no matter what.
[0:47] Speaker 2: I do not need to be afraid.
[0:48] Speaker 1: Of people because you are the one in control. Please
[0:52] Speaker 1: bless me with your perfect peace as I meditate on
[0:55] Speaker 1: the promise that you will never leave me.
[0:58] Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, amen.
[0:59] Speaker 1: Amen. Welcome to Prey News Good News Weekend. Here's today's
[1:05] Speaker 1: news at a glance. Four decades of research and data
[1:09] Speaker 1: indicate Pacific coral reefs can acclimate to environmental changes. Countries
[1:14] Speaker 1: began to contribute to a fund dedicated to protecting nature.
[1:18] Speaker 1: And Food Bank offers food to riders and strike participants.
[1:24] Speaker 1: Today we are here to focus on the positive and
[1:27] Speaker 1: reorient ourselves for the week ahead. We believe news shouldn't
[1:31] Speaker 1: just be a constant stream of bad news, depressing stories,
[1:34] Speaker 1: and fear-mongering. This world is definitely chaotic, but there's beauty everywhere.
[1:39] Speaker 1: Small moments for us to see the simplicity of God's
[1:42] Speaker 1: grace and love. If Pray News has blessed you, please
[1:46] Speaker 1: share it with a friend. We want everyone to experience
[1:48] Speaker 1: the hope of the gospel and be informed and transformed.
[1:53] Speaker 1: Before we get into our first story, let's hear from
[1:56] Speaker 1: our sponsors. Our first story. discusses data that suggest coral
[2:01] Speaker 1: reefs can acclimate to climate change. Amid the ongoing concerns
[2:06] Speaker 1: about the impact of climate change on our planet's ecosystems,
[2:10] Speaker 1: a ray of hope emerges from the depths of the
[2:12] Speaker 1: Pacific Ocean. A comprehensive study spanning four decades of data
[2:16] Speaker 1: from a remote coral reef within the territorial waters of
[2:20] Speaker 1: Palau has revealed that coral reefs may possess a greater
[2:23] Speaker 1: ability to adapt to warming oceans than previously believed. This
[2:28] Speaker 1: news offers both insights into the resilience of these underwater
[2:31] Speaker 1: marvels and a call for continued environmental stewardship. Coral reefs,
[2:37] Speaker 1: often referred to as the rainforests of the ocean due
[2:40] Speaker 1: to their rich biodiversity, have been particularly susceptible.
[2:44] Speaker 2: To the warming of the Earth's oceans.
[2:47] Speaker 1: Coral bleaching, a phenomenon caused by increased water temperatures, has
[2:51] Speaker 1: been a major concern, leading to the loss of vibrant
[2:54] Speaker 1: colors and vital marine life. However, the recent study, led
[2:59] Speaker 1: by Newcastle University, suggests that coral reefs might actually have
[3:03] Speaker 1: the capacity to acclimate to the changing environment. Data collected
[3:08] Speaker 1: over the past 40 years at the coral reef in
[3:10] Speaker 1: Palau's waters points to a remarkable trend. The researchers discovered
[3:15] Speaker 1: that corals appear to be adapting to warmer ocean temperatures
[3:18] Speaker 1: at a rate of approximately 0.18 degrees Fahrenheit per decade.
[3:24] Speaker 1: This adaptation hints at the resilience of these underwater ecosystems,
[3:28] Speaker 1: offering new hope for their survival and resurgence. The study's
[3:32] Speaker 1: findings challenge existing models for coral bleaching events, urging scientists
[3:37] Speaker 1: to reevaluate their assumptions. The research focused on the Pacific
[3:41] Speaker 1: island nation of Palau and considered various scenarios of future
[3:45] Speaker 1: coral bleaching. Through simulations, the study proposed that coral thermal
[3:49] Speaker 1: tolerance may increase over the 21st century at a pace
[3:52] Speaker 1: that could potentially mitigate the impact of bleaching. If the
[3:56] Speaker 1: increase in coral thermal tolerance continues at the rate observed,
[4:00] Speaker 1: the researchers suggest that there could be significant reductions in
[4:04] Speaker 1: bleaching impacts. The insight garnered from the study provide valuable
[4:08] Speaker 1: data for conservation efforts and emphasize the importance of taking
[4:12] Speaker 1: decisive action to address climate change. The concept of accountability
[4:18] Speaker 1: extends beyond the realm of environmental science. It has profound
[4:22] Speaker 1: implications for our stewardship of the Earth. As we navigate
[4:26] Speaker 1: the challenge of our changing culture, we are reminded of
[4:30] Speaker 1: our responsibility to care for the planet and its inhabitants.
[4:34] Speaker 1: Leaders on local, national, and global levels bear a weighty
[4:38] Speaker 1: responsibility to enact policies and practices that preserve and protect
[4:42] Speaker 1: our environment for current and future generations. Accountability also resonates
[4:48] Speaker 1: with the context of faith. The scriptures guide us to
[4:51] Speaker 1: be stewards of creation, entrusted with caring for God's handiwork.
[4:56] Speaker 1: Psalm 24-1 states, The earth is the Lord's, and everything
[5:00] Speaker 1: in it, the world, and all who live in it.
[5:03] Speaker 1: This divine ownership compels us to act as responsible custodians
[5:07] Speaker 1: of the earth, embracing actions that reflect our gratitude and
[5:11] Speaker 1: reverence for the Creator's masterpiece.
[5:14] Speaker 2: Join me in.
[5:15] Speaker 1: Prayer about this story. Creator of the oceans and all
[5:19] Speaker 1: life within them, we are thankful for the resilience exhibited
[5:23] Speaker 1: by coral reefs, reminding us of the beauty and vitality
[5:26] Speaker 1: of your creation. Grant us the wisdom and determination to
[5:30] Speaker 1: be faithful stewards of the earth, nurturing and preserving its
[5:34] Speaker 1: delicate balance. May our actions reflect our reverence for your
[5:37] Speaker 1: handiwork and our commitments to a sustainable future for all
[5:41] Speaker 1: living beings. Guide us to be accountable leaders in caring
[5:44] Speaker 1: for the planet entrusted to us. Amen. Our next story
[5:49] Speaker 1: is about countries launching a fund to protect nature. The
[5:53] Speaker 1: world has gathered its attention once again on a critical
[5:57] Speaker 1: issue that transcends borders and politics, the protection of our
[6:01] Speaker 1: planet's precious natural resources. In a show of unity, environmental
[6:06] Speaker 1: leaders from 185 countries convened in Vancouver, Canada to launch
[6:10] Speaker 1: a fund aimed at supporting global conservation efforts. As nations
[6:15] Speaker 1: come together to address this urgent matter, the call for
[6:18] Speaker 1: accountability from our leaders and a collective commitment to safeguarding
[6:21] Speaker 1: the Earth's biodiversity becomes ever more crucial. The launch of
[6:27] Speaker 1: the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund is a significant step toward
[6:31] Speaker 1: addressing the pressing environmental challenges our world faces. This fund
[6:36] Speaker 1: is not merely symbolic. It carries a practical mission to
[6:39] Speaker 1: protect 30% of land in coastal areas by 2030. At
[6:44] Speaker 1: the heart of this endeavor is a shared recognition that
[6:47] Speaker 1: the time for half-measures has passed. The urgency of the
[6:50] Speaker 1: situation demands bold and resolute action from every corner of
[6:54] Speaker 1: the globe. Canada and the United Kingdom have led the
[6:58] Speaker 1: way by contributing significant sums to the fund. Canada has
[7:02] Speaker 1: pledged 200 million Canadian dollars, while the United Kingdom has
[7:06] Speaker 1: contributed 10 million pounds. This initial support sets a positive precedent.
[7:12] Speaker 1: but it's clear that more needs to be done to
[7:14] Speaker 1: ensure the fund's success. The United Nations Convention on Biological
[7:19] Speaker 1: Diversity has called for further pledges from nations and other sources,
[7:23] Speaker 1: emphasizing the importance of collective commitment. As we navigate the
[7:28] Speaker 1: complexities of environmental protection, it's vital to remember the Christian
[7:33] Speaker 1: perspective on stewardship. The Bible teaches us in Genesis 1, 26-28,
[7:39] Speaker 1: that God entrusted humanity with the responsibility to care for
[7:42] Speaker 1: his creation. Then God said, Let us make mankind in
[7:47] Speaker 1: our image, in our likeness, so they may rule over
[7:51] Speaker 1: the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky,
[7:54] Speaker 1: over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over
[7:57] Speaker 1: all the creatures that move along the ground. So God
[8:01] Speaker 1: created mankind in his own image. In the image of
[8:04] Speaker 1: God he created them. Male and female he created them.
[8:08] Speaker 1: God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and
[8:11] Speaker 1: increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it, rule
[8:15] Speaker 1: over the fish in the sea and the birds in
[8:18] Speaker 1: the sky, and over every living creature that moves on
[8:21] Speaker 1: the ground. In light of this biblical mandate, the protection
[8:27] Speaker 1: and preservation of our environment should not merely be a
[8:29] Speaker 1: political issue, but a moral and ethical imperative. It's a
[8:33] Speaker 1: reflection of our gratitude to the Creator for this beautiful
[8:37] Speaker 1: world He has.
[8:38] Speaker 2: Entrusted to us.
[8:39] Speaker 1: Therefore, accountability for the leaders of our nations is paramount.
[8:43] Speaker 1: They must recognize their duty to ensure the well-being of
[8:46] Speaker 1: our planet for present and future generations. Gracious Creator, we
[8:54] Speaker 1: lift our hearts in gratitude for the beauty and diversity
[8:58] Speaker 1: of the natural world that You have entrusted to our care.
[9:02] Speaker 1: We are reminded of our responsibility as stewards of your creation,
[9:06] Speaker 1: and we acknowledge the urgent need to protect and preserve it.
[9:11] Speaker 1: As nations gather to launch the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund,
[9:15] Speaker 1: we pray for wisdom and unity among the leaders as
[9:18] Speaker 1: they make decisions that impact the health of our planet.
[9:21] Speaker 1: May this fund's mission be guided by a sense of urgency. responsibility,
[9:26] Speaker 1: and compassion. We ask for the success of collective efforts
[9:30] Speaker 1: to safeguard the Earth's biodiversity, ensuring a healthier and more
[9:34] Speaker 1: sustainable world for generations to come. In your name, Jesus,
[9:38] Speaker 1: we pray.
[9:39] Speaker 2: Amen.
[9:41] Speaker 1: Our last story is about a food bank extending a
[9:44] Speaker 1: helping hand to striking actors and writers. In a heartwarming
[9:48] Speaker 1: display of solidarity and compassion, a food bank located on
[9:52] Speaker 1: Venice Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, has taken a remarkable
[9:57] Speaker 1: step to support the striking actors and writers. who find
[10:00] Speaker 1: themselves in a challenging situation due to ongoing strikes by
[10:03] Speaker 1: the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America.
[10:06] Speaker 1: This act of generosity underscores the importance of accountability not
[10:11] Speaker 1: only among our nation's leaders, but also in fostering a
[10:14] Speaker 1: sense of community and care for those in need. This strike,
[10:19] Speaker 1: initiated by SAG-AFTRA and joined by the WGA, has put
[10:25] Speaker 1: a pause on the earnings of nearly 200,000 entertainment professionals
[10:29] Speaker 1: as they collectively demand fair treatment and just compensation. As
[10:34] Speaker 1: the strike's impact becomes increasingly apparent, the food bank's response
[10:38] Speaker 1: stands as a beacon of hope and support for these workers. Actor, comedian,
[10:44] Speaker 1: and writer Christina Wong, known for her influence in the
[10:47] Speaker 1: food bank community, spearheaded the initiative. Partnering with Glenn Corrado,
[10:52] Speaker 1: the CEO and founder of the World Harvest Food Bank,
[10:55] Speaker 1: they devised a plan to provide free groceries to striking SAG,
[10:59] Speaker 1: AFTRA actors, and WGA writers through the duration of the strike.
[11:05] Speaker 1: Wong's Instagram announcement garnered attention, spreading the word about this
[11:09] Speaker 1: compassionate endeavor. The food bank's gesture offers a cart of
[11:14] Speaker 1: groceries worth over $ 300 to union members who present their SAG, AFTRA,
[11:20] Speaker 1: or WGA cards. This thoughtful act acknowledges the financial strain
[11:25] Speaker 1: many of these professionals are experiencing due to the strike. Wong,
[11:29] Speaker 1: speaking about it in response to this offer, described how
[11:32] Speaker 1: individuals had tears in their eyes, deeply moved by the
[11:35] Speaker 1: generosity extended to them during this challenging time. Glenn Corrado
[11:40] Speaker 1: reflecting on his longstanding commitment to helping the working poor,
[11:44] Speaker 1: highlighted the significant increase in the number of cartfuls of
[11:47] Speaker 1: food distributed since the offer was made. The food bank's
[11:51] Speaker 1: ongoing policy of providing low-cost or no-cost food for those
[11:55] Speaker 1: in need aligns with its mission to address food insecurity
[11:58] Speaker 1: in the community. However, this new policy specially caters to
[12:02] Speaker 1: the needs of striking actors and writers, emphasizing the importance
[12:06] Speaker 1: of supporting one another during times of struggle. Wong, who
[12:10] Speaker 1: has been a member of the SAG since 2022, shed
[12:13] Speaker 1: light on the harsh realities faced by many in the
[12:15] Speaker 1: entertainment industry. She revealed that over 80% of SAG members
[12:20] Speaker 1: do not qualify for health insurance benefits, underscoring the financial
[12:24] Speaker 1: challenges faced by a significant portion of the union. This
[12:28] Speaker 1: stark reality paints a picture of individuals struggling to make
[12:31] Speaker 1: ends meet, despite their contributions to an industry that generates millions.
[12:38] Speaker 1: The biblical principles of compassion, solidarity, and stewardship resonate strongly
[12:43] Speaker 1: in this story. Jesus' teachings remind us of the value
[12:47] Speaker 1: of caring for our neighbors, especially those facing hardships. Galatians
[12:52] Speaker 1: 6.2 encourages us to carry each other's burdens, and James
[12:56] Speaker 1: 2.15-16 highlights the importance of meeting the needs of those
[13:00] Speaker 1: lacking basic necessities. This food bank's gesture reflects these teachings,
[13:05] Speaker 1: reminding us of the call to stand with one another
[13:08] Speaker 1: in times of adversity. As we witness this remarkable act
[13:12] Speaker 1: of kindness, we are reminded of the role that accountability
[13:15] Speaker 1: plays not only in leadership, but also in our everyday interactions.
[13:20] Speaker 1: Just as our nation's leaders are accountable for their decisions
[13:23] Speaker 1: and actions, we too are called to be accountable for
[13:26] Speaker 1: our responses to the needs of our community members. In
[13:29] Speaker 1: a world often marked by division and discord, The Food
[13:33] Speaker 1: Bank's initiative exemplifies the potential for unity and compassion to
[13:37] Speaker 1: bridge gaps and create positive change. While the strike continues
[13:40] Speaker 1: with no immediate resolution in sight, the Food Bank's commitment
[13:44] Speaker 1: to helping those in need remains unwavering. This serves as
[13:47] Speaker 1: a powerful example of how collective efforts can make a
[13:50] Speaker 1: tangible difference in the lives of those facing challenges. In
[13:55] Speaker 1: the eyes of God, our worth is not measured by
[13:57] Speaker 1: our status or occupation, but by the love we show
[14:00] Speaker 1: to one another. This story encourages us to extend a
[14:04] Speaker 1: helping hand to our neighbors, regardless of their circumstances, echoing
[14:08] Speaker 1: the Christian principle of loving our neighbors as ourselves. May
[14:12] Speaker 1: this act of kindness inspire us all to embody accountability, compassion,
[14:17] Speaker 1: and solidarity in our interactions, standing together as a community
[14:21] Speaker 1: united by the call to care for one another. Loving God,
[14:25] Speaker 1: we lift up in prayer those who are facing hardships
[14:28] Speaker 1: due to the ongoing strike. we give thanks for the
[14:31] Speaker 1: compassionate response of the food bank, a reminder of the
[14:35] Speaker 1: power of unity and care in times of struggle. May
[14:38] Speaker 1: this act of kindness inspire us to embrace the call
[14:41] Speaker 1: to carry one another's burdens and to show compassion to
[14:44] Speaker 1: those in need. Guide us to extend a helping hand
[14:48] Speaker 1: and to stand in solidarity with our neighbors, reflecting the
[14:52] Speaker 1: love and teachings of Jesus. May our actions be a
[14:55] Speaker 1: testament to the unity and community that can emerge when
[14:59] Speaker 1: accountability and compassion intersect. Amen.
[15:04] Speaker 2: Thank you for joining us today on Pray News.
[15:06] Speaker 1: It is our aim to be informed and transformed. We
[15:09] Speaker 1: pray today you would proceed with hope, love, and determination
[15:13] Speaker 1: to be a force for good. If you've enjoyed this
[15:17] Speaker 1: take on the news, please write us a review and
[15:19] Speaker 1: share your experience with others. You can sign up for
[15:22] Speaker 1: our newsletter at praynews.com. And there you will find sources
[15:26] Speaker 1: for all of our reporting. Be sure to download the
[15:29] Speaker 1: Pray.com app to make prayer a priority in your life
[15:32] Speaker 1: and experience the Bible in a new and exciting way.

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