Mars ice map reveals past climate change. Using laser technology from the Italian Space Agency, a map constructed from data gathered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has revealed the remnants of a formerly vast ice sheet located between the Martian equator and its North Pole.
What remains of the ice is now scattered below rocky debris on the planet’s surface, with portions that extend to a kilometer in depth.
Scientists estimate that the intact ice sheet existed some tens to hundreds of millions of years ago, and Dr. Jeffrey Plaut of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory stated, “It's definitely a record of a different climate period.”
While land contours have indicated for decades that Mars contained water and ice, this first-ever confirmation through laser technology also supports the likelihood of previous periods of climate change.
Our appreciation, Dr. Plaut and scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Italian Space Agency for sharing these intriguing findings. May such valuable information continue to expand our understanding of our planetary neighbor and indeed our Earth.
Speaking during an August 2009 videoconference in Thailand, Supreme Master Ching Hai reminded that past events on Mars are an opportunity for us to act in protecting our own fragile climate.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: We only need to look at our own neighboring planets, Mars and Venus, to see that the vision is bleak, is disastrous, if we don’t make the right choice,the right change now.
Any planetary scientist knows that Mars and Venus went through dramatic atmospheric changes in the past, similar to what we have begun to experience right now.
Long ago, Mars and Venus were once a lot like our planet - they had water, life, and people similar to us. But the inhabitants of Mars and Venus destroyed their respective planetary homes because they raised too much livestock, and the gases released triggered an irreversible greenhouse gas effect, plus poisonous hydrogen sulfide in the case of Mars.
So let’s not end up like either Mars or Venus, our neighboring planets. Humanity must uphold a gentler, higher standard for the Earth to continue supporting life.
http://news.discovery.com/space/mars-ice-sheet-map-climate.htmlUnited Arab Emirates holds green summit. As part of a national effort to safeguard the marine environment, experts speaking at the conference titled “The UAE in the 21st century: Working together for a greener maritime world” gave presentations on ways to provide exemplary eco-leadership. Co-sponsored by the United Arab Emirates’ National Transport Authority (NTA) and the North American Environment Protection Association, the summit was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the NTA.
Our accolades, Your Highness, National Transport Authority and the North American Environment Protection Association for your noble initiatives to protect the marine environment.
May such cooperative endeavors help restore our seas to flourishing life and beauty.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2010/March/theuae_March111.xml§ion=theuae&col= Extra NewsThe Assateague Coastal Trust in Maryland, USA calls for regulation of a regional chicken farm, stating that the bacteria and other pollutants contained in its large amounts of excess manure are transported by rain to contaminate Chesapeake Bay.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2010/02/28/GR2010022804408.html?sid=ST2010030100323http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2010/03/01/ST2010030100323.html?sid=ST2010030100323 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/28/AR2010022803978.htmlRussian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov announces plans to build a hybrid-fuel factory in the city of Tolyatti, with models that include a truck, a standard car and a hybrid sports vehicle.
http://www.france24.com/en/20100303-russian-tycoon-build-hybrid-car-plant-reportReporting on the efficiency of producing food, US-based sustainability think tank The Oil Drum states that the vegan diet saves 90% of the energy consumed by meat-based fare.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/03/energy-required-for-pound-of-food.phphttp://www.theoildrum.com/node/6252With the help of international donors, Âu Lạc (Vietnam) is allocating over US$100 million for a national program to alleviate the effects of climate change.
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/Default.aspx?tabid=258&ItemID=80539