Siberian permafrost is endangered by Arctic ice melting.

A study by US researchers found the melting of the frozen soil ranging from Siberia to Alaska and Canada may be three times faster than previously estimated due to the fast thawing of Arctic Sea ice, which has extended to about 1,000 miles inland. With the high ice melt rate and atmospheric temperatures at almost 2 degrees Celsius above average, a corresponding thaw of permafrost soil could completely disrupt roads, oil pipelines, buildings and wildlife. It could also activate the release of potent greenhouse gases that are currently frozen underground.

US scientists, we appreciate this candid report on the serious effects of the melting Arctic ice. With Heaven’s blessings, may all governments quickly implement green policies to help restore our vital natural environment.

http://env.people.com.cn/GB/7426754.html, http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/arctic-thaw-threatens-siberian-permafrost-846951.html


Tropical biodiversity loss could be disastrous.

Australia’s University of Adelaide has published a significant review on biodiversity loss in the tropics due to habitat loss and its effects on human well-being. According to the study, we are nearing a tipping point that requires immediate and united global action. Species’ extinction is currently taking place 10,000 times faster due to the presence of humans and their activities such as the deforestation of 15 million hectares of tropical rainforest each year. According to lead author and Associate Professor Corey Bradshaw, "The majority of the world's population live in the tropics, and what is at stake is the survival of species that pollinate most of the world's food crops, purify our water systems, attenuate severe flood risk, sequester carbon (take CO2 out of the air) and modify climatehttp://suprememastertv.tv. "We need to start valuing forests for all the services they provide."

Mr. Bradshaw and fellow scientists, we appreciate your concerned warning. We pray that humankind will realize in good time the need to cherish and preserve our precious forests.
 http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/37491

Climate change causes early monsoon in Bangladesh.

The monsoon season for low-lying Bangladesh, which usually occurs between July and August, has come earlier this year, driving thousands of people from their homes, destroying crops and eroding rivers. Environmental economist Atiur Rahman said, “Global warming causes the snow-caps of the Himalayas to melt early and in bigger quantities, causing early and extra volumes of water to flow through the Ganges and the Brahmaputra rivers. This adds to the already full volume of the monsoon water and causes earlier sustained floods that take a devastating shape.” Satellite images from the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) shows that nearly 3,000 hectares of arable land and 31 educational institutions along the banks of the Jamuna and Padma rivers are in danger of being lost to river erosion.

Thank you Mr. Rahman and scientists at CEGIS for so clearly revealing the effects of global warming in Bangladesh. Let’s join together now to halt the potentially devastating consequences of climate change.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/AMMF-7FXDAF?OpenDocument

Report on US ecosystems raises alarm.

A new report from US-based nonprofit The Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment has evaluates the health of ecosystems in the United States in the context of climate change. One of the report’s findings is that nearly all the nation’s freshwater streambeds, whose water flow is affected by global warming, contain at least one runoff contaminant such as pesticides, fertilizers or medications. In 50 percent of all streams and 33 percent of all groundwater wells tested, these contaminants exceeded safety levels for aquatic and human health. This is indeed alarming news.

We offer our appreciation Heinz Center for your candid report on the immediate need for action to restore our generous earth to her healthy, vibrant state.
http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachPressRelease.aspx?cid=28754&codi=33371&idproducttype=8&level=0

Sea warming rate is much faster than expected.

A new study by Australian and US climate scientists has disclosed that the world’s oceans have been warming 50 percent more quickly in the past 40 years than previously understood from the 2007 IPCC report. The more rapid warming causes expansion, which along with polar ice cap melting generates the increased water volume that translates into higher sea levels. These rising waters are already critically affecting and even submerging small island nations and delta regions around the world. Australian research lead, Catia Dominguez, said, “For the first time, we can provide a reasonable account of the processes causing the rate of global sea-level rise over the past four decades – a puzzle that has led to a lot of scientific discussion since the 2001 IPCC report but with no significant advances until now.”

Our gratefulness, US and Australian scientists, for this updated report that helps us realize the severity of global warming. May we all take steps toward an environmentally sound lifestyle to preserve our irreplaceable Earthly abode.
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/18880/1066/


Decline in US honey bees leading to more food shortages.

The huge disappearance of honey bees, now being called Colony Collapse Disorder, continues to mystify beekeepers and is beginning to affect food supplies and prices. The dramatic decline began in 2006, with some beekeepers losing up to 90 percent of their colonies. Bees play a significant role in agriculture, with three-quarters of flowering plants relying on pollination, which in turn contributes US$15 billion in crop yield value. Dennis Cardoza, Chairman of the Horticulture and Organic Agriculture Panel, warns, "If there are no bees, there is no way for our nation's farmers to continue to grow the high quality, nutritious foods our country relies on. This is a crisis we cannot afford to ignore." Corporations are pledging funds to find the cause of this unexplained phenomenon, with the approval pending from the US government for approximately US$11 million in research funding.

We pray that this mystery of the declining populations of these hardworking, happy buzzing bees is soon solved. Indeed, every minute creation in nature plays a vital role in sustaining our Earth and her inhabitants.

Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association news from New Zealand.

Always at the forefront of climate change action, New Zealand was one of the first countries to pledge to become 100% carbon neutral, and has taken progressive measures to reduce energy consumption. Now, concerned groups are raising awareness on reducing meat consumption to help the nation reach its goal. A campaign called “Earth Walk” was jointly launched by our Association members in New Zealand with the Vegetarian Society, Hare Krishna Association, Save Animals from Exploitation (SAFE), the young Green Party. The event drew wide support from both the public and the government, especially New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Supreme Master Television’s correspondent reports from Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.

Supreme Master TV: Welcome to Supreme Master Television, we are here at Wellington, New Zealand. Several organizations and citizens are going to walk through the streets of Wellington, promoting vegetarianism as a solution to global warming.

Jagdish Prasad, President of Hare Krishna Association: Every action is going to equal its opposite reaction. So that’s why we have so many disasters in the world today, is mainly because there are so much animal killing going on as well.

Supportive citizen: I think now these days is quite a big issue for every one, and this movement is the biggest world movement.

Dr. Neeta Haribhai, Medical doctor: I think government has a critical role in education, in children, in going into schools and explaining to them the importance of the vegetarian diet. I think often we see children want to be vegetarian. So government can definitely have a role in there.

Presenter of Earth Walk, at the Parliament House of New Zealand: Halo everyone, we would like to express our gratitude firstly today to the Prime Minister for her kind message, conveying her best wishes to everyone involved in Earth Walk today. She graciously sent her representative the Honorable Marian Hobbs. We are asking government to put a high priority on promoting a plant-based diet, and educating New Zealanders on the importance of the plant-based diet, and how our diet is linked to climate change.

Marian Hobbs, New Zealand Member of Parliament (e): I have a son who is a vegan, and he has been a vegan since he was about 16. (applause) I am at home with the ideas and about the concept, and it is about an appropriate diet that we need to have. Secondly, this also happened to fits very strongly with better health, better eating and better diets. Thank you for linking it so carefully and so well with the Earth and sustainability, because this is the way to go.

VOICE: We applaud all participants who helped make this Earth Walk a successful step toward constructive change in our world. May citizens everywhere have the chance to consider adopting the vegetarian, meaning animal-free diet, for health regained, lives saved, and future generations ensured.