India's climate refugees forced to fight - here and now
Climate refugees suffer from rising sea levels. Some 8,000 residents are being forced to deal with the encroaching effects of global warming as water engulfs India’s eastern island of Mousuni. Already a third of the small 10 kilometer by 2 kilometer island has succumbed to the invading sea water, which caused the neighboring island of Gorumara to be abandoned already. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is working with Mousuni residents to help them adapt, and is testing a salt-resistant rice, but the real issue is the rising sea level. Joydeep Gupta, a 62-year-old resident, said, “I'll fight as long as I can. But I know my children cannot. As the world gets hotter, the sea is rising all the time.”

We pray for our fellow Indian and all island-dwelling brethren as they face the devastating consequences of climate change. Let us all quickly turn to more considerate lifestyles to preserve the habitat and homes of all fellow beings on our planet.

In a videoconference in February with the 12th President of the Philippines, His Excellency Mr. Fidel Ramos, during his visit to our Association’s Center in Taipei, Formosa (Taiwan), Supreme Master Ching Hai expressed her concern for this consequence of global warming in a plea on behalf of the world’s climate refugees.

Faces of Lagos Initiative on Climate Change
Nigerian state of Lagos hosts climate change conference. The three-day event was attended last week by 700 international delegates, including Nigerian legislators, World Bank representatives, the British Council, the Clinton Foundation and others. In his opening address, Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola stated that the survival of humankind is imperiled due to global warming, with panel discussions that followed on different aspects of climate change such as rising sea levels and their effect on public health. Participants concluded by agreeing on a recommendation for Lagos state to create a Climate Change Action Plan and transition to a green, low carbon economy featuring sustainable energy sources.

Our accolades, meeting participants and Lagos state for your successful gathering to help guide the region in the urgent matter of climate change. We look forward to seeing Nigeria’s noble leadership inspiring the green practices of brethren nations.

El Salvador to copy Israel's national forestry model 
Israel and El Salvador collaborate on reforestation. With Israel’s model for tree-planting in an arid climate successfully developed after decades of work, the country’s specialists have offered to share their expertise with El Salvador. The project seeks to restore the Central American country’s land degradation caused by various factors including global warming, which has resulted in late seasonal rains and unpredictable weather that has destroyed both crops and trees.

What a marvelous Earth-saving collaboration, Israel and El Salvador! Blessed be such cooperative endeavors in yielding lush and abundant forests to sustain future generations.

New rare orangutan find in Borneo
New population of orangutan found on Borneo Island. With numbers of the tree-dwelling primate having dropped precipitously due to timber felling for wood and palm oil plantations, the recent discovery of between 1,000 and 2,000 is being warmly welcomed. Nature Conservancy Indonesia Erik Meijaard said that 200 tree-borne nests were found close together in a rugged, largely inaccessible mountainous region. These may represent a kind of refugee group that fled timber felling in other parts of the island. The researchers and local groups are now working together to protect the area.

Our deep appreciation, Nature Conservancy Indonesia and all others involved for your efforts to protect these rare primates of Borneo Island. May humanity’s tread on the planet grow ever lighter to support the beautiful orangutans and all wildlife in harmony and safety.