The Philippines drastically impacted by drought. The Department of Agriculture’s Central Action Center (DACAC) has reported that El Niño-induced drought has caused the loss of more than 144,000 tons of corn and 56,000 tons of rice across 14 affected provinces.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered water conservation measures as well as infrastructure improvements, while the Department of Agriculture is setting aside an aid package of US$19.1 million to assist farmers.
Moreover, due to low water levels of some hydroelectric dams, power shortages are also a concern. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to all in the Philippines affected by these extreme conditions.
We pray for sustaining rains and a restored climate through humanity’s soon adoption of eco-friendly and compassionate lifestyles. As on many occasions, in a September 2009 climate change videoconference in Peru, Supreme Master Ching Hai reminded of the most effective way to return even dangerous conditions
as these to balance.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: Some countries and communities have to cope with worsened drought situations. There is not enough water to raise crops or even to drink. So how can we handle the mass migration of tens of millions of people all at once due to desertification, the rising sea levels or the permanent loss of crop fields?
The smartest way would be to stop the worsening of global warming by being vegan. It sounds very simple but it is the best solution, the most effective and the effect of it will be felt almost immediately.
The warming atmosphere, water shortage, food scarcity, desertification - we can quickly eliminate by stopping meat production. Stop it now, no further!
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100219-254002/Isabela-farms-worst-hit-of-14-provinces http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/244192/save-water-gma-orders http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20100219nat1.html http://www.silobreaker.com/northwest-farmers-feel-the-drought-5_2263241930831822884Extra NewsPreliminary reports from Singapore’s National Environment Agency reveal February 2010 to be the driest month on record, with only 5.3 millimeters of rain compared to 18.7 millimeters during the same period last year.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1039859/1/.htmlIn the USA, the University of California at Santa Barbara responds to student requests by removing all meat from one dining hall and beef from the remaining three to mitigate climate change.
http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=20348Chinese scientists set up a real-time tide examination and transmission station that monitors sea level changes, providing global climate change data in waters close to Antarctica.
http://www.southkoreanews.net/story/604565UK researchers find that global warming has caused the perishing of coral reefs in many Caribbean waters, which in turn affects their ability to serve as vital nurseries for fish and act as a buffer from tropical storms.
http://repeatingislands.com/2010/02/23/climate-change-blamed-for-caribbean-coral-deaths/