Global warming causes rice disease to reappear in Philippines.
According to the Department of Agriculture of Western Visayas, one of the Philippine island groups,
climate related conditions have caused an increase in the occurrence of the viral rice disease tungro.
As one of the most damaging of plant diseases, it has been discovered among this year’s 40,000 hectares of
rice farms in the region.

With thousands of hectares that were destroyed in 2008, officials have launched an information campaign
to raise awareness and try to prevent its current spread.

Our appreciation, Western Visayas Department of Agriculture, for your proactive measures to ensure food security.

Let us quickly take wise steps to reduce the effects of climate change and safeguard precious resources.
In her ongoing concern for humanity, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke once again during a May 2009 videoconference in Togo of how a vegan diet can restore the Earth’s balance.

Reference
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p090724.htm&no=16
http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/factSheets/Pest_Management/Diseases/fs_tungro.pdf

Uttar Pradesh parched with drought.
A deficiency in monsoon rains has caused the government of this northern Indian state to declare 27 more
districts as drought-hit, raising the total to 47. Between June 1 and July 23, the state, a major cultivator of rice and sugar cane, has been able to sow less than half the normal crops, with 13 that have lost over 75 percent of their potential harvests. The state government is providing farmers with financial relief.

Our appreciation Uttar Pradesh government for your meaningful aid in addressing this drought crisis. With Heaven’s grace, may humanity shift toward more considerate ways and the Indian people soon be graced with life-giving rainfall.
Reference
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/UP-govt-declares-27-more-districts-as-drought-hit/
articleshow/4822688.cms
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/27-more-up-disticts-declared-droughtprone/494517/
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124867513753883107.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Volunteers plant mangrove trees in Egypt.
As part of the United Nations Environment Program’s campaign goal of planting 7 billion trees this year, volunteers of the United Arab Emirates’ environmental youth organization Takatof and others from the Arab Islamic Environmental Camp planted thousands of mangrove saplingsin the Egyptian wetlands.
Their plan is to revive growth in the regional mangrove swamps and to restore animal habitats.

Kudos all youth volunteers and organizations involved in this greening activity! May your efforts be blessed with renewed andflourishing natural life.
Reference
http://www.fananews.com/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&
NrArticle=597138&NrIssue=9&NrSection=1  
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090723/NATIONAL/707229813/1010
http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1248235342094&p=
1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews

European Union ministers meet on climate change.
As current seat of the European Union presidency, Sweden hosted an informal conference of Energy and Environment Ministers to discuss global warming issues, preliminary to the international Copenhagen conference in December.

Topics included energy efficiency, protecting forests and also how to help less fortunate countries adjust to climate change. European Union Commissioner of the Environment Stavros Dimas stated that a new focus on climate-friendly energy and policies is the path to ensure a successful and safe future.

Andreas Carlgren Swedish Minister of Environment and President-in-Office of the EU Council:Environment Ministers are so certainly and especially responsible for what we are going to negotiate in Copenhagen, this is really the "final training camp" before the finals.

A green salute, Commissioner Dimas and European Union ministers, for your attention to these vital matters surrounding climate change. Wishing you and all leaders fruitful resolutions in adopting planet-cooling actions for the benefit of all Earth’s inhabitants.  
Reference
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jovuGunvSiuuDeqEauW_CLtNhEuw
http://www.euronews.net/2009/07/24/eco-efficiency-on-the-agenda/
http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/25/europe-says-financial-crisis-doesnt-trump-climate-change/

Extra News
Two consecutive years of drought have thus far cost US$3.6 billion to the second largest agriculture state of Texas, USA.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/21/content_11743924.htm

The US Environmental Protection Agency is providing US$1.1 million for a rebate project to truck owners who install fuel-saving and emissions reduction technology, an initiative that is intended to create jobs, reduce greenhouse gases and protect both human health and the environment.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69
d/4e2e99c2a57412e8852575fa0069b6dd!OpenDocument

Green Warrior, a Greenpeace project in India, inspires youth towards environmental awareness and advocacy through workshops, art, theatre, and hands-on activities.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City/Bangalore/Green-warriors-march-to-school/
articleshow/4817733.cms

In further efforts to stem global warming, the European Union is banning the sale of energy-inefficient television sets, refrigerators, and electric motors starting as early as July 2010.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/278533,eu-to-ban-inefficient-fridges-and-tvs-in-
global-warming-battle.html