Climate change likely behind intense Australian floods.
Although no single event can be attributed to climate change, scientists believe the intensity of the prolonged rains and flooding endured by residents of the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales are indicative of the types of events that are linked to global warming.

Meteorologists have already noted that flooding is more severe this year because the cyclical La Niña effect, which already results in more seasonal rain. Then there is the aggravating effect of global warming itself, as explained by Dr. Matthew England of the University of New South Wales' Climate Change Research Center, who stated, “The waters off Australia are the warmest ever measured, and those waters provide moisture to the atmosphere for the Queensland and northern Australia monsoon.”

In addition, scientists state it is possible that the warmer temperatures may be further fueling the La Niña effect, especially as it has already been noted that this year is bringing what could be the strongest La Niña in recorded history.

As observed by University of Melbourne's Earth Sciences expert Professor David Karoly, “Australia has been known for more than a hundred years as a land of droughts and flooding rains, but what climate change means is Australia becomes a land of more droughts and worse flooding rains."

Our appreciation, Drs. Karoly and England for helping us to understand how climate change creates conditions that are increasingly devastating and dangerous. May we quickly choose wiser ways of living so that the climate will return to being more conducive to human and planetary survival.

As in an August 2009 videoconference in Thailand, Supreme Master Ching Hai has often expressed concern about climate change-related disasters on a global scale, reminding of humanity's ability to diminish or even halt them.

http://www.theage.com.au/environment/fates-conspire-to-concoct-a-recipe-for-disaster-20110111-19mp7.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41041650/ns/us_news-environment/

Future e-car for urban mobility unveiled.
Imagine a vehicle capable of navigating without a driver, which can be driven individually or joined with other vehicles in a train for more efficient travel. It can also avoid obstacles, park itself and will automatically return to the owner when summoned from a smartphone application!

This is the new concept car EN-V, or Electric Networked Vehicle by US-based auto manufacturer General Motors in partnership with green transportation company Segway, Inc. The EN-V debuted at the recent Consumers Electronics Show in Nevada, USA following a six-month exhibit at the Shanghai World Expo in China.

Designed for urban short-commuting distances, the two-wheeled, two-seater EN-V measures 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters, and contains lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged with conventional outlets.

Estimated to be production ready within a decade at a cost of US$10,000, the eco-friendly vehicle can easily share a parking space with four or five other EN-Vs. Speaking of the niche envisioned for the car, General Motors' Director of Advanced Technology Vehicle Concepts, Chris Borroni-Bird stated, “Building more and wider roads is expensive and doesn't really solve all of the problems, meaning that smarter solutions are needed.

Public transportation is important, but with so many people going from point to point in different directions, some personal transport is needed as well.” What an exciting glimpse into future transportation design!

Bravo General Motors and Segway, Inc. for bringing together streamlined function with concern for the environment. May the EN-V inspire many more toward such innovative vehicles that are smart, efficient and green!

http://english.cntv.cn/20110110/104655.shtml
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/01/09/cars.future.ces/index.html http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international-business/the-future-e-car-that-beats-traffic/articleshow/7250361.cms
http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Jan/0107_env

Extra News
By recycling, composting, and using reusable containers and bags, the Strauss family of three from the United Kingdom successfully reduces their rubbish to just one carrier bag for all of 2010, something they say others can also do to help protect oceans and marine life from plastic contamination.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/greenerliving/8246104/Eco-family-fill-just-one-carrier-bag-in-a-year.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1344934/Mr-Mrs-Green-throw-single-carrier-bag-rubbish--ONE-YEAR.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

With its reduced environmental impact, increased durability and cost efficiency, soy-based foam is gaining favor as a material in products such as furniture, mattresses and wind-turbine blades, among others.
http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/soybeans/fantastic-foam-soy-based-foam-part-great-products-and-reduces http://www.biobased.net/

Concerned for the wellbeing of people in less fortunate neighborhoods of India, His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Great Britain announces plans to construct a series of eco-villages outside Bangalore or Kolkata, modeled after his successful community Poundbury in the UK.
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/prince-charles-to-build-model-village-in-india_100486219.html