Why the Frog?

Frogs are amphibians, highly adapted to life both in water and on land. They begin their lives aquatically, as tadpoles breathing through gills. As they grow to maturity, frogs undergo a metamorphosis by which they develop lungs to live on land. Frogs inhabit a variety of habitats, from burrows dug in the earth to the tops of trees.

Frogs are also an indicator species. By studying frogs, scientists can get some of their earliest warnings about endangered ecosystems. Frogs have an intricate and amphibious life cycle that means that they are very sensitive to changes in their environment. Their skin is moist and permeable, which means that they absorb bacteria, chemicals, and other pollutants that may have found their way into the ecosystem, both in water and on land.

We at Frog Policy strive to cultivate the ability to innovate and adapt in appropriate ways to a variety of different environments. At the same time, we want to be aware of the earliest signs warning us of the declining health of ecosystems — physical and socio-political — that are necessary for human flourishing.