Call for 20-year fishing ban in a third of oceans
Call for twenty-year ban on fishing in one-third of the world’s oceans. A review of 100 scientific reports on restoring fish populations by Dr. Callum Roberts, marine conservation professor at the University of York in the United Kingdom revealed a consensus recommendation toward protection of 20 to 40 percent of the sea. Currently only 0.8 percent of the world’s oceans are protected. Dr. Roberts further stated that technological developments have allowed extreme fishing exploitation of previously untouched areas, leading to the collapse of many marine environments. US-based environmental organization Friends of the Earth, along with UK-based charities Marine Conservation Society and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds all support a 30 percent closure of the world’s oceans to help restore depleted fish numbers.

Our gratitude Dr. Roberts, Friends of the Earth, Marine Conservation Society and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for bringing to the public’s attention the dire state of our precious marine life. Let us easily cease all consumption of fish through the Earth-saving plant-based diet and rejoice as life in the seas flourishes once again.

During a July 2008 videoconference in Germany, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke of the oceans and our need in this case to spare the lives of fish, reminding of their unique contributions to the marine world, which itself is a vital aspect of our environment.



After disease sweeps island, rare mountain chicken frogs airlifted to safety
Rare frogs airlifted to safety. Following the discovery of fungal disease that has caused hundreds of frogs to perish on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, conservationists have rescued and temporarily removed 50 of the mountain frogs (NSF Leptodactylus phallax) that are considered one of the world's rarest species. With assistance from the Montserrat government, scientists were able to select a healthy population and airlift them to conservation sites in London and Stockholm, with plans to return them to their native habitat in the future. It is reported that the spread of the chytrid fungus across the globe has been accelerated by the rise in temperatures from climate change.


Montserrat government, international conservationists and scientists, many thanks for your concerted efforts to protect this rare amphibian. May global warming be quickly eased with the switch to eco-friendly lifestyles that preserve habitats for animals and humans alike.

Time running out in global warming fight: Prince Charles
His Royal Highness warns of limited time for the planet. Speaking to the Italian Parliament on Monday, Prince Charles of Britain cautioned that environmental experts project only a few years left before the effects of greenhouse gas emissions become irreversible. He stated, “The world is struggling with the consequences of the economic crisis in which we find ourselves, (but) any of the difficulties we face today will be as nothing when the full horror of global warming unfolds.” With the Copenhagen, Denmark United Nations climate change meeting upcoming in December, His Royal Highness also called for inspired leadership, adding, “If we don’t succeed ... our grandchildren will never, ever forgive us.” Following his address of the Parliament, Prince Charles met for the first time with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, where they discussed environmental protection as well as intercultural and interfaith communication.

Our respectful gratitude and God bless Your Royal Highness Prince Charles for your noble-hearted courage in continuing to bring awareness to the dire state of our planet. We send special appreciation also to Your Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for your openness to dialog about the importance of safeguarding our ecosphere. May your exemplary leaderships inspire our world toward the most compassionate actions to save the Earth and all her inhabitants.