US students eat vegetarian lunch to protect the rainforest.
After learning about the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest to raise meat, fourth graders at Hampstead Academy in New Hampshire, USA enlisted their parents to help them cook a special vegetarian lunch as a fundraiser. Proceeds were donated to the Rainforest Alliance Network for their “Protect-An-Acre” program, which helps those living in forest communities safeguard the land. The students were particularly concerned for the welfare of native animals such as the okapi, whose habitats are being lost to cattle raising.

We laud your green efforts, Hampstead students, teachers and parents for this innovative lives-saving endeavor! We wish you many more such delicious meat-free meals, to safeguard the life-giving forests and all their precious inhabitants.


Canada's forests, once huge help on greenhouse gases, now contribute to climate change
Climate change affecting forests in North America. Trees in the western part of North America are experiencing lifetimes that are only half of what they were 30 years ago. United States and Canadian researchers say this is due to the temperature and drought effects of global warming, making them susceptible to disease and forest fires, which in turn releases huge amounts of carbon. Thus, the trees not only perish, but their predicament results in accelerated global warming.

US and Canadian researchers, we appreciate these observations that tell the urgent story of our declining trees. May we all bring gentler steps to the Earth for her life-giving forests to flourish once more.

Costa Rica Unveils Self-Sufficient Home
Green home revealed in Costa Rica’s INBIOpark. The newest addition to the Biological Institute’s environmental theme park, created in partnership with the National Power and Electricity Company, is a fully self-sufficient green home, which has seen over 4,000 visitors since its opening in mid-January. The building derives electricity from sustainable sources such as wind and sun and is designed to minimize water use. It is also equipped with numerous energy saving features such as large windows for plentiful natural light, a rain collection and filtration system, and interior lights that switch off when no one is in the room.

What a wonderful example of just how environmentally friendly our buildings can be! Bravo Biological Institute, National Power and Electricity Company and Costa Rica, for sharing this tasteful eco-design with the world. May many people be inspired toward similar endeavors to further harmonize our existence with the planet.

For east Europe, geothermal can replace some gas
Hungarians boost use of geothermal energy. The Diosszilagyi Samuel Hospital in southeast Hungary switched last year to the eco-friendly and emissions-free geothermal energy. The agricultural town of Hodmezovasarhely also makes use of this sustainable source in heating apartment and community buildings, reducing its natural gas needs from 4.5 million cubic meters 16 years ago to just 600,000 cubic meters today. Environmental studies indicate that geothermal sources are a viable solution in many countries, with initial start-up costs followed by clean, free energy.

We tip our green hats, Hungary, for your switch to this stable alternative source. Let us all quickly move toward adopting clean solutions that help our planet.