Rising mega-landslides likely due to global warming.
Permafrost, or permanently frozen soil, on high mountain peaks provided the “glue” to keep steep mountain slopes together. However, the past decade has brought increased incidents on mountains across the world as rising temperatures destabilize the ground, turning frozen soil to mud.

US environmental consultant Daniel Tormey studied a massive landslide 11,000 years ago occurring on Chile’s Planchón-Peteroa volcano, where it was determined that glacier melt had triggered the collapse of the volcano’s cone and a landslide containing 10 billion cubic meters of rock that collided with 370 square kilometers of land.

British researcher Dr. Bill McGuire of University College London highlighted similar the threats to modern cities such as Seattle, USA, stating, “We have found that 39 cities with populations greater than 100,000 are situated within 100 kilometers of a volcano that has collapsed in the past and which may, therefore, be capable of collapsing in the future.”

We thank Mr. Tormey, Dr. McGuire and others for alerting us to this lesser-known effect of global warming facing societies around the world. May such research prompt the global community to act quickly to reverse this dangerous course in time. During a videoconference with our Association members in Canada, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke of the most comprehensive approach to effectively address the increasing impacts of climate change.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827825.100-a-warming-world-could-leave-cities-
flattened.html
http://www.scientias.nl/opwarming-doet-vulkanen-wankelen/17985

UK designates world’s largest marine reserve.
The British government has established a 545,000-square-kilometer marine reserve around the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, which is twice the size of the United Kingdom. With a ban on commercial fishing in what are known as “no take” zones, the global coverage of marine waters currently under protection has been doubled.

The reserve is home to about 220 types of coral, 1,000 species of fish and 33 seabird species. It also hosts the world’s biggest living coral structure, the Great Chagos Bank.

Our hats off and many thanks, British government, for your caring action to preserve marine biodiversity. May many more countries act similarly to protect our precious oceans and their inhabitants.

http://endoftheline.com/blog/archives/1256
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36139130/
http://www.avaaz.org/oceans_annoncement_BBC
http://www.divernet.com/home_diving_news/457909/uk_creates_worlds_largest_marine_reserve.html http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/britain-sets-up-the-worlds-largest-marine-reserve-
2121367.html

Extra News
Munich Re, one of the world's leading reinsurers in Germany, reported that the first 9 months of 2010 have seen the highest number of weather-related events and have recorded warmest temperatures in 130 years.

http://www.france24.com/en/20101028-2010-exceptional-year-weather-disasters-reinsurers
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1940327/2010_and_exceptional_year_for_wild_weather/

A report by Âu Lạc’s (Vietnam) National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warns of another harsh dry season from October to April next year, with water flow from major rivers diminished by up to 55% compared to last year.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/environment/857/another-tough-year-for-drought-and-water-shortage-
is-in-the-forecast.html