Global Warming: Heat Could Kill Drought-stressed Trees Fast
Drought-stressed trees sensitized to rising temperatures. A study at the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 in the USA showed that piñon pine trees would lose their lives five times faster from an atmospheric 4 degree Celsius increase in temperature. This was the first time that scientists isolated and studied heat as a factor in trees’ fatalities during drought. Professor David Bresheers of the school’s Natural Resources department said, "The Biosphere 2 experiment is a critical next step to understanding how global climate change can trigger large-scale vegetation changes in dramatically short timescales."

Thank you Professor Bresheers and University of Arizona Biosphere 2 lab researchers, for these significant findings on the potential impacts of climate change. Let us act now in preserving the life-giving trees to restore our verdant ecosphere.

During a January 2009 international global warming videoconference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Supreme Master Ching Hai highlighted the importance of the choosing the noble way of life in order to save the Earth from the detrimental consequences of global warming.



 Farmer shelters flock of 10,000 storks
Farmer offers urban eco-haven. Aulacese (Vietnamese) farmer Nguyen Van Ky set aside two hectares of his land near the nation’s capital city where he replaced rice fields with several ponds, fruit trees, coconut and bamboo, thus creating a safe haven for storks that now number 10,000 as well as other wildlife. Even in times of hardship, the devoted Mr. Ky insisted on keeping the land and offering shelter for the storks, who he discovered were landing in his coconut groves rather than others nearby, knowing that he would keep them safe rather than sacrifice them for food. Over time, with public recognition of his selfless deeds and the flourishing of the environment that now supplies his family plentifully, the Hong Ky Ecological Garden as it has come to be known, today employs 20 workers and is visited by hundreds of people each week.

A well-deserved green hero’s salute Mr. Ky for restoring the environment and providing such a beneficial habitat for our feathered friends. We wish the exemplary Hong Ky Ecological Garden a bright future with continued flourishing of all co-inhabitants.

Top polluters in final round of climate talks
Climate change talks in Italy lead to biodiversity agreement. At the three-day meeting in Sicily, Italy, the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations as well as nine developing countries signed the Syracruse Charter. The accord, which adds to goals established in the original 2002 agreement, also ensures the G8 countries’ continued financial support for biodiversity protection even in the face of global economic difficulties. Host of the summit, Italian Environment Minister Stefania Prestigiacomo, said “We are all convinced of the urgency ... of intervening to safeguard our biodiversity.” According to United Nations statistics, every hour, three species disappear from our world forever. This gathering is a forerunner to the December climate change meeting in Denmark.

We respectfully laud you, signatories of the Syracruse Charter, for your commitment to protecting fellow beings and the planet. Our prayers for continued progress that will lead to a compassionate change by all nations to save our one and only Earth.