Coral reefs, mangroves disappearing fast
Âu Lạc’s (Vietnam’s) coastal biodiversity dwindling. The coral reefs of Âu Lạc provide sustenance for marine life and safeguard residents from natural disasters. However, according to the nation’s General Department of Sea and Islands, pollution and activities such as fishing have damaged some 80 percent of the nation’s coral reefs. In addition, studies by the Institute of Oceanography indicate that deforestation, farming practices and urban development have caused a huge loss of mangrove forests, which protect coastlines and freshwater supplies, reducing their expanse from 255,000 hectares in 1990 to 155,300 hectares today. This has also increased the risk of land salinization and freshwater pollution.

Our thankfulness, General Department of Sea and Islands and Institute of Oceanography for informing us of these adverse human effects on the natural environment. Let us quickly turn to more considerate and eco-conscious ways for a return of the vibrant flora and fauna of both land and sea.

In a May 2008 live videoconference for the SOS! International Seminar on Global Warming in Seoul, Korea, Supreme Master Ching Hai explained that once we realize the damage caused by our actions, we can reverse them to show care and help restore the environment.

Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
for the SOS! International Seminar on Global Warming Seoul, Korea - May 22, 2008

Supreme Master Ching Hai: We have been massacring our co-inhabitant animals, and we have been destroying our environment like deforesting and destroying the water and destroying the air. So in order to solve the problem that we are facing right now, we have to reverse our actions. We have to be kind to our co-inhabitants. Instead of killing them, massacring them, sacrificing them, we have to take care of them. And instead of deforestation, we have to plant trees again. Take care of whatever environment that we have. And instead of polluting our planet, the air, we have to turn to friendly energy and sustainable energy. Just reverse our action.

Colony of rare red squirrels discovered in remote Welsh forest
Red squirrels discovered in Wales. Once widespread in the 13th century, a rare colony of red squirrels has been found in a remote forest near the Cambrian Mountains in Wales. With support from the BBC Wildlife Fund and the Countryside Council for Wales, staff and volunteers have launched a project to survey the population and find ways to further protect the squirrel. Biodiversity officer Isabel Macho for Carmarthenshire County Council, a member of the Mid Wales Red Squirrel Project, said, “We are extremely lucky to have red squirrels in our forests... Any walk in Tywi forest is enhanced by the fact that you are sharing the forest with one of our most special mammals."

What a treasured find! Many thanks, BBC Wildlife Fund, Countryside Council for Wales and all the dedicated staff and volunteers for your efforts to safeguard the unique red squirrel. With the grace of the Providence, may all endangered species flourish in their natural habitats once more.

Data Center Heats Nearby Homes
Data center to heat homes. Computer servers at the Telehouse West data center in London, United Kingdom have been approved by the Greater London Authority to heat homes in the local community of Docklands. This will enable Telehouse West to reduce 1,110 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year while providing nine megawatts of power. This first-time British project will join other heat transfer plans in Europe, such as one in Switzerland where the excess heat from IBM’s data center is used to warm a community swimming pool nearby.

What a great energy partnership! A green salute, Telehouse and Greater London Authority, for coming together to utilize excess heat and reduce emissions! Heaven surely smiles on technological innovations such as these in bridging to a more sustainable era for all.

Singapore students build zero-emission car.
 As the first hydrogen fuel cell car to be designed and built in Singapore, the Kent Ridge Urban Concept Ecocar (KRUCE) will compete along with 65 other teams from 37 different countries in the Shell Eco-marathon next month. The US$40,000 car, which can reach speeds of 40 km per hour, was built by students at the National University of Singapore using lightweight materials including aluminum and carbon fiber. Its only exhaust is water and the vehicle itself is considered twice as energy-efficient as its fossil fuel engine counterpart.

A green thumbs up, National University of Singapore students! Wishing you all the best in your eco-competition and we can’t wait to see more of the clean and quiet-running KRUCE.