Rapidly melting Kyrgyz glaciers imperil biodiversity.
The Institute of Water Problems and Hydro Energy at the National Academy of Sciences in Bishkek has determined that 20% of glaciers across the nation vanished between the mid-1970s and the year 2000, with the remaining ice fields melting three times faster than previously.

Ilia Domashov, deputy head of the Bishkek NGO BIOM Environmental warned that the glacial melt is affecting not only communities downstream, but also the region’s rich biodiversity.

Although the country occupies only 0.1% of the Earth’s landmass, it is home to a full one percent of its biodiversity, some of which is also unique to Kyrgyzstan.

Mr. Domashov stated, “Certain animals are deeply connected to the glaciers, such as the snow leopard, and they will be affected by the rapid melting. What will happen is that in the short term the level of underground water will rise, but in the long term it will actually fall as glaciers disappear; this will have an impact on ecological systems…”

Our appreciation Mr. Domashov, BIOM Environmental and other scientists for this alert to the dangers inherent in rapid climate change.

Let us all quickly step toward the sustainable lifestyles needed to preserve the precious ecosystems of Kyrgyzstan and the world. 

Speaking with concern during an October 2009 videoconference in Hong Kong, Supreme Master Ching Hai addressed the dire situation represented by the melting glaciers, while assuring at the same time of effective planet-cooling measures.

http://centralasiaonline.com/cocoon/caii/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/caii/newsbriefs/2010/10/19/newsbrief
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Conservation summit champions the legendary tiger.
Co-hosted by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the World Bank, the International Forum on Tiger Conservation was launched Sunday, November 21 for discussions on how to restore the iconic animal’s dwindling numbers.

This is the first time that high-level officials from the last remaining countries with wild tiger populations are convening on their behalf. Along with hosting nation Russia, whose diligent efforts have yielded success in saving the Siberian tiger from near extinction, participating nations include Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Thailand and Âu Lạc (Vietnam). Mr. Barney Long, the head of the World Wildlife Fund US Tiger Program said that without dedicated conservation efforts, all species could be gone by the next Year of the Tiger in 2022.

He stated, “If we can't rally to save the world's most iconic animal, how are we going to save the rest of the planet?”

We appreciate your concerned actions, Prime Minister Putin, World Bank, World Wildlife Fund and all nations that have committed to saving the wild tiger. May your meeting yield outcomes of benefit to the tiger and all animal co-inhabitants that grace our Earth.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/19/tiger.summit/index.html?hpt=C2 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11791105
http://whatisthetrend.net/russian-prime-minister-world-bank-to-host-tiger-conservation-summit-
20105194.html
 
Extra News
As a result of continuing rainfall decline and increased temperatures, water levels in Iraq’s two main rivers drop to less than a third of normal capacity, also affecting the country’s farmers who are struggling to keep the once-fertile land cultivatable. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE6A70XT.htm ,
http://www.mnn.com/food/organic-farming/stories/climate-change-worsens-plight-of-iraqi-farmers