World's First Climate Change Refugees to Arrive in Bougainville

Climate change refugees leaving Carterets Island. Due to rising sea waters from global warming, some 1500 residents of Carterets Island in Papua, New Guinea, are being forced to leave their homes. With crops and plantations already submerged and no higher land to go to, the inhabitants must leave the island altogether to relocate in Bougainville.

These South Pacific islanders are among the first to be named as environmental refugees in moves that have been driven by climate change. We pray for the safety of all Carterets Island inhabitants as they make their way from their beloved homeland. With Heaven’s grace, may conditions such as these stabilize as we work together to halt the effects of global warming. 
 
Climate change causes rare swans to stay in 'warm' Siberia instead of returning to UK

Migrating swans staying longer in Siberia. The United Kingdom’s Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre has welcomed hundreds of Bewick’s swans every year in late October, where their regular annual appearance has allowed staff to identify and give them names. This year, however, the birds did not arrive on schedule, having remained for a longer time in their summer home of Siberia.

Experts say this unprecedented delay is due to climate change-related warming. Unfortunately, there could be serious complications when the swans do decide to take off on the nearly thousand-mile long journey from Russia, as their collective memory of the destination might be lost. We pray for the safe return of these graceful and noble animals to their winter home. May such disturbance to the natural harmony of life open humanity’s eyes to the need to act immediately to ensure the protection of all beings on Earth.
 

Ozone hole is second-largest on record in 2008.

Antarctic ozone hole larger in 2008. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA), this year marked the second largest thinned area, or hole, of Antarctic's ozone layer since it was first measured in the 1980s. At that time, chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compounds, which were found to be responsible for the ozone layer's degradation, were banned in many places worldwide.

The ozone layer is necessary as it ensures that harmful ultraviolet rays do not reach the atmosphere. Our appreciation, National Aeronautics and Space Association scientists, for your careful monitoring of this vital aspect of our stratosphere. Through our greater care for the environment, may the balance of the protective ozone layer be restored.
 
Britain and Abu Dhabi to sign clean energy accord

United Kingdom partners for green technology. During his visit to the United Arab Emirates, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced a partnership with the country’s state-owned Masdar, a leading energy company, for development in the areas of solar and wind power as well as energy efficiency technologies. The neighboring nation of Qatar also agreed to invest US$243.4 million in a British low carbon energy technology fund. Kudos Your Excellency, United Kingdom and partnering countries United Arab Emirates and Qatar. We wish your collaborations all the best in bringing clean and sustainable energy to your nations and the world.

Good for you, Good for the planet

Switching off stand-by appliances saves energy. To further reduce unnecessary power consumption, Spanish company, Good for You, Good for the Planet has developed a technology that completely disconnects appliances after being on stand-by for a specified period of time. Scientists measuring Europe’s electrical devices like televisions and computers left on stand-by found that they consume as much electricity over a year as an entire country such as Greece or Portugal, so the energy savings could be significant.

What a fantastic way to conserve precious resources! Many thanks, Good for you, Good for the Planet, and may advancements such as yours remind us to reduce our carbon footprint in every way possible for the shared benefit of all co-inhabitants.