Climate change could increase diseases here

Scientists warn of increase in climate related diseases. At a conference in Tuscon, Arizona,USA that gathered physicians, scientists and other community advocates, guest speakers such as Professor Andrew Comrie of the University of Arizona and Jeremy Hess, consultant for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned of the wide array of diseases that could affect Arizona with changing weather conditions of global warming.

These include asthma, bronchitis, West Nile virus, allergies, dengue fever, valley fever, heat-related fatalities and malaria. Arizona has already seen an increase in valley fever cases along with longer periods of drought.

We thank Dr. Comrie, Mr. Hess and other participants for this important discussion on the reality of climate change and how to address it. May we bravely act together in effective ways to restore balance of our ecosystem, with the grace of Heaven.

In a videoconference with our Association members in Seattle, Washington, USA on July 6, 2008, Supreme Master Ching Hai had expressed her concern for the effects of climate-related disease on people. 

Macedonians plant 6 million trees in single day

Macedonia plants six million trees. To participate in the nation’s "Day of the Tree - Plant Your Future" initiative, many Macedonians took a holiday and volunteered for the project of planting six million trees in an effort to revive the nation's forests following devastating wildfires. Participants included 1800 soldiers who planted 200,000 trees at 14 sites throughout the day. We send our accolades for your unified green accomplishment, Macedonia! Heaven bless all participants in working together side by side to brighten the future of the nation.
 
Sparrow numbers 'plummet by 68%'

House sparrow population in Britain steeply declining. The United Kingdom charity, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, reports that such factors as the paving of front gardens and urban tree felling has caused the numbers of house sparrows to fall by 68%, with populations that may be completely gone in cities like London, Bristol, and Edinburgh. The study, which was performed in collaboration with De Montfort University in Leicester and the United Kingdom’s Natural England, found that the decline is due in part to the many chicks that are now losing their lives to starvation.
We thank the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, De Montfort University, and Natural England for informing us of the disturbing loss of our avian friends. We pray the well-being of all of Earth’s inhabitants be better secured through our benevolent actions.

21st Century Version Of Noah's Ark 

 South African land returned to its natural state. A former 23,000-hectare farmland area is now the Phinda Private Game Reserve, a restored sanctuary for wild animals. With Phinda meaning “return” in Zulu, the return of this farmland has brought cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos, as well as more than 380 species of fauna back to flourish in the seven different habitats that are a feature of the reserve. Our deep appreciation, Phinda Private Game Reserve and South Africa, for providing this haven for our treasured co-inhabitants. Blessed be our world in shared respect and harmonious coexistence among all life.