'Climate change' forces Eskimos to abandon village
Eskimo village forced to move due to climate change. The Newtok village of 340 Yup’ik Eskimos in Alaska, USA is being relocated to safer grounds away from flooding caused by climate change. Stanley Tom, tribal administrator for the Newtok Traditional Council said that the village had been home to the Yup’ik Eskimos for centuries and stated, “We are seeing the erosion, flooding and sinking of our village right now.” Engineers from the US Army Corps report that 26 Alaskan villages are in similarly urgent danger, and another 60 may be in danger within the next decade.

We join in sorrow for the loss of the Yup’ik Eskimos’ home. Our prayers that the indigenous peoples of Alaska and around the world are protected from further environmental threats through our kinder deeds towards the planet and each other.

Supreme Master Ching Hai frequently offers her support and wisdom to assist humanity in facing the urgent consequences of global warming. During a videoconference with our Association members in Sydney, Australia in August 2008, she spoke of how to best avoid the disasters caused by climate change.



Ban The Burger, Save The World
Caterers raise awareness on the environmental costs of animal products. Taking Earth Day in their stride, a number of cafeterias and catering companies in the United States removed meat and dairy from their menu for the day, wishing to raise awareness of the immense cost of animal agriculture on the environment. The University of San Francisco and Bon Appetit catering in California were just a few organizations that highlighted the benefits of reducing animal products in our diet along with the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, whose president Dr. Robert Gould stated, “If people cut out meat and cheese for lunch, that would have the same impact as driving fewer miles.”

Our gratitude, all organizations and institutes acting now to inform people of the significant effects of our dietary choices. We look forward to seeing more and more green-minded people opting for the most effective way to save the planet, a life free of animal products.

Norway agrees to aid Bangladesh in offsetting recession
Bangladesh and Norway strengthen ties to face climate effects. Bangladesh and Norway have agreed to join efforts to mitigate climate change, improve the quality of governing practices as well as mobilize funds to boost economy. The discussions focused on how Norway can best assist Bangladesh in various areas, including a focus on climate change. Norwegian State Secretary for International Development Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen affirmed his country’s belief that developed nations should assist developing nations to face economic and climate challenges.

Many thanks Secretary Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen and Norway for your kind assistance and global encouragement toward finding solutions to climate change. May Bangladesh and Norway continue to collaborate in harmony and environmental success.

Five nature reserves to be established by the end of 2012, RSCN says
More green space slated for Jordan. Jordan’s Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), an organization designated by the government of Jordan to safeguard the nation’s biosphere, announced that by the end of 2012, five new nature reserves will be created to protect the habitat of rare plants and animals living within these areas. In seeking to preserve the biodiversity of Jordan, the Society and encourages the public to get involved in caring for the environment.

Our accolades Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and Jordan for your endeavors to preserve the land’s natural heritage. Through such noble commitment as yours, surely the Kingdom of Jordan will remain a beautiful haven for all life.