First marine census indicates vast ocean biodiversity.
A ten-year census of the world’s oceans involving some 2,700 scientists, more than 540 expeditions and around 9,000 days at sea has concluded. The results reveal that the oceans hold far more forms of life than previously realized, with nearly 250,000 species now identified and up to 750,000 thought to be still undiscovered.

At the same time, scientists Boris Worm and Heike Lotze of Canada’s Dalhousie University discovered from their evaluation of historical records that marine species on average have declined by an astounding 90% since record-keeping began.

Senior Census scientist Ron O’Dor remarked that all marine life used by humans is in danger of extinction, even the new and as yet undiscovered species. Calling for a shift in human attitude that would include halting consumption of these valued creations, Dr. O’Dor said, “These species are running out, and we need a reversal of attitudes in the 21st Century. …If we leave them alone, they could come back.”

Drs. Worm, Lotze, O’Dor, all scientists and sponsors of this comprehensive study, we earnestly appreciate your efforts to account for the vast and treasured life in our oceans.

Let us join in showing respect for these fellow co-inhabitants, upon whose lives we also depend, for the Earth’s sustainable future. Speaking of the vast wonders of the seas during a May 2009 videoconference in Togo, Supreme Master Ching Hai emphasized the need for humanity’s gentler stewardship to safeguard irreplaceable marine ecosystems and ultimately, our planet.

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/10/03/Bounty-of-new-species-found-in-oceans/UPI-12141286129503/
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/worlds-first-ever-gobal-marine-life-census/story-fn3dxity-1225933802258

Extra News
A large-scale tree-planting program launched in China along the Three-Gorge Dam section of the Yangtze River hopes to protect more than 250,000 hectares
from soil erosion.

http://english.cntv.cn/20101009/101223.shtml
http://www.jongo.com/articles/10/1009/227677/MjI3Njc3GxHj5PQb.html

A world record is achieved as 9,000 volunteers in Leh, India plant 50,000 saplings in less than one hour as part of a Global Work Party for climate action.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/the-good-earth/Leh-record-50000-saplings-planted-in-less-than-an-hour/articleshow/6724622.cms
http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/sports/cwg-2010/Leh-record-50-000-saplings-planted-in-less-than-an-hour/CWG2010-DontMiss/SP-Article10-610929.aspx

Physicists at Rutgers University in the USA discover from experiments with the hydrocarbon material rubrene that it is more effective than silicon as a semiconductor in solar panels and would also reduce production costs.
http://www.physorg.com/news205935947.html,
http://www.tcetoday.com/tcetoday/NewsDetail.aspx?nid=13203

The Forest Industries Association of Tasmania and environmental groups reach an agreement that resolves 30 previous years of dispute, whereby companies will obtain timber exclusively from new plantations and will phase out all logging in original growth forests. 

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/loggers-greens-bury-axe-on-native-forests/story-fn59niix-1225936251390
http://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-talks-stumble-close-to-the-finish-line-20101008-16c21.html