Climate change is 'faster and more extreme' than feared
New report warns climate change is worse than predicted. A new report from the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF), “Climate Change: Faster, stronger, sooner, was presented at a recent European Union Environmental Minister’s conference.

The report concludes that the planet is warming at even a quicker pace than the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had predicted in 2007. Rising temperatures have already led to 40 million tons of grains a year being lost to crop failures, as well as less absorption of CO2 than expected from natural carbon sinks in forests and oceans.

The WWF is advocating a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for European Union member states by 2020, with additional funds being channeled to help developing nations cope with climate change, and no allowances for carbon offsets. We are grateful, World Wildlife Fund for these alarming reminders of the fragile state of our biosphere. With Heaven’s grace, may we act together quickly to preserve our planetary abode.

Protective shield of the sun is shrinking
NASA explores the heliosphere. On Sunday, the US space agency launched the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) from the South Pacific with a six-month mission to gather more information about the protective region known as the heliosphere. The heliosphere, which extends from the Sun to the outer reaches of the solar system, shields the Earth from damaging cosmic radiation.

Scientists have noticed that this shield has weakened by a full 25 percent over the past 10 years and is now at its lowest point in 50 years, meaning that the Earth could be subjected to dangerous levels of radiation if the trend continues. NASA scientists, we appreciate this research and wish the IBEX mission many illuminating discoveries. May we meanwhile seek to ensure the future of the Earth through our caring actions to protect all life.
 
New tool for ‘green’ Christians: ecofriendly Bible
Biblical environmental messages highlighted. A new edition of the Bible has been released by HarperOne for the growing number of ecologically interested Christians. This ‘green’ Bible is printed on recycled paper using soy-ink, with over 1,000 passages highlighted in green that refer to the Lord’s love for creation and human’s role in protecting it.
 
In addition to the Biblical text, the book also contains writings on “Creation care” from such venerated figures as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Pope John Paul II. We express our appreciation, HarperOne, for this volume of the Holy Book that highlights another aspect of our divine purpose. Blessed be humanity in benevolent stewardship of this God-given wondrous Earth.

Uganda: Kibaale Plants 150,000 Trees
150,000 trees planted in Ugandan district. In response to quickly vanishing forests due to migration and previous extensive tree felling, Kibaale district officials are seeking to plant 200,000 additional trees by the end of the rainy season. Acting district forestry officer Wilson Kyamuhondeire stated, "In the last three years, we have planted over 950,000 trees but there is still need to plant more.” We laud your noble endeavors to help preserve nature, Kibaale district and Uganda. Let us all protect our Earth’s life-sustaining beauty through environmentally-conscious actions such as these.