THE demise of Okjokull, the first Icelandic glacier lost to climate change, will be memorialized with a plaque by researchers from Rice University in Houston.

Yes, we are memorializing glaciers now, and no, this is not a joke. The monument to Okjokull glacier in Borgarfjorour, Iceland, will be installed Aug. 18 in a public ceremony.

“This will be the first monument to a glacier lost to climate change anywhere in the world,” Rice University anthropologist Cymene Howe said. “By marking Ok’s [short for Okjokull] passing, we hope to draw attention to what is being lost as Earth’s glaciers expire.

“These bodies of ice are the largest freshwater reserves on the planet and frozen within them are histories of the atmosphere. They are also often important cultural forms that are full of significance.”

As ridiculous as it may sound to give a plaque to a former mass of ice, it is a serious matter. Okjokull will certainly not be the last glacier to be lost to climate change, as scientists believe that the 400-plus glaciers in Iceland will all be gone by 2200.

Dominic Boyer, a professor of anthropology at Rice University who’s been studying the impact of glacial loss on Icelandic communities, said glaciologists predict that “all of Iceland’s glacial mass will disappear in the next 200 years, with a massive impact to cultural heritage, tourism, hydroelectric power and fisheries.”

It’s the latest warning that rising temperatures present a serious threat to glaciers and the millions of people worldwide who live near them.

Last month, a study warned that Himalayan glaciers are melting at a dramatic rate — losing almost half a meter of ice each year since the start of this century due to global warming.

A report published in April warned that most glaciers in central Europe, western Canada and the United States could vanish by the second half of this century under current ice loss rates.

(SD-Agencies)

“Your outer appearance doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, your self-worth is defined by how good of a person you are,” written on the Facebook page.

As soon as the story went viral, many people have come to help by giving the homeless man cans and bags of cat food. The kind-hearted people also bought groceries for Dum and even took him to a barber shop to have his first haircut in a very long time.

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Homeless Man Raises Funds to Feed Stray Cats Before Himself Every Day...

A homeless man from Thailand sells limes every day on the streets so he can raise enough money to buy cat food for the local strays. He always feeds the homeless cats before himself.

It all began when a young woman, Warunya Wattanasupachoke, spotted the homeless man selling limes with a sign saying, “20 baht per bag, profits will pay for stray cat’s food expenses.”

She decided to purchase a few limes but soon she learned that the man got his lime supply from a kind citizen who gave him the fruit free without charge.

The man, “Loong Dum”, has been caring for the local homeless cats since he first came across one. Every day he sells limes to raise funds to feed the strays. To him, they are his family, and they rely on him.

“We shouldn’t judge someone based on their appearance,” Warunya said. “Take Loong Dum for example. Though he is homeless and rugged-looking, he has a big heart.”

The kind man makes sure that all the stray cats get fed every day even though it means that he will not have enough food for himself.

“I’m fine with skipping meals, but the cat needs to eat,” he said.

After his story was posted on Facebook, many Thai people offered to help. Some came to buy limes from him and others dropped off cat food and supplies every day to help him and the local strays.

The excitement he gets when he receives cat food for his feline friends.

A Facebook page was created to share updates about Loong Dum and his cats.

“Your outer appearance doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, your self-worth is defined by how good of a person you are,” the admin of Cat Lover Loong Dum said.

The kitties are his family that he loves so dearly.

He wants them to know that they always have him to look after him.

Recently, some good Samaritans took him to get a haircut and gave him some new clothes and a few other supplies.

Right after Loong Dum got his makeover, he went back to the streets to sell limes because he never forgets the kitties who depend on him.

This wonderful man has inspired the locals to show love, compassion, and a helping hand to those animals in need.

Knowing that the cats are getting their daily meals and care, it gives the man a big smile.